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Town manager defends his use of police/fire fitness center

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha is defending his use of the public safety building’s gym for his daily workouts. While gyms and fitness centers across the state and beyond remain closed … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/30/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit talk to children about the coronavirus pandemic during their April 30 live broadcast.

Governor hints at the 'new normal' for schools, sports, camps, kids

The same-old, same-old questions about healthcare, hotlines and hospital beds were pushed to the side for one day on Thursday, when Rhode Island children replaced the regular pool of coronavirus … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/30/20

DEM issues new temporary license for direct sale of some seafood

PROVIDENCE — To help foster the continued viability of the Rhode Island commercial seafood industry during the COVID-19 public health crisis, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) … more

4/30/20

Fate of casino revenue for Tiverton remains unknown

With COVID-19 upending budgets everywhere, Tiverton could face up to $2.2 million in lost revenue this fiscal year, should they not receive guaranteed monies from the state for the Tiverton Casino … more

By Kristen Ray | 4/30/20

Almost all COVID-positive residents at Bristol nursing home now recovered

Bristol residents were surprised last week when the state began releasing names of nursing homes with COVID cases, to find St. Elizabeth Manor on the list, a facility which is home to many family and … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/30/20

Georgia MacDougall would have performed the lead in the spring musical at Mt. Hope High School. She’s now looking ahead to college in the fall — while wondering if she’ll even be allowed to go to college.

The Class of 2020 — With their senior spring gone ... what comes next?

They are like every other senior class: they are athletes and academics, artists, community organizers, and leaders. Many of them are all of these things and more. They have hopes and dreams, and … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/30/20

Gov. Gina Raymond announces Thursday that traditional schooling won't resume this school year.

Governor: Home learning the rule in RI for rest of this school year

Distance learning — “How long will it last?“ is the question Governor Gina Raimondo said she has heard more than any other. And Thursday came her answer … more

By Bruce Burdett | 4/23/20

Rockwell Elementary School Principal Tara McAuliffe talks about the transition to distance learning during a Zoom interview inside her house.

Rockwell report: Through screens, hard work and creativity, the learning continues

Every Rhode Island educator is swimming in the deep end of the pool these days, learning how to teach children from their kitchens while students are home in their bedrooms, all of them surrounded by … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/23/20

Barrington High School earns top-200 ranking

U.S. News and World Report has again ranked Barrington High School near the top of its list of the best high schools in America . Barrington High School ranked number 199 out of more than 17,000 … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/23/20

Dr. Deborah DiBiase, at home in her new “office,” talks about the challenges and triumphs of distance learning during a “Zoom” interview.

Dr. D says: ‘I miss the kids!’

Dr. D, as she’s commonly known, gets an unexpected kiss from one of her dogs during a “Zoom” interview. Mt. Hope High School Principal Deb DiBiase has an office familiar to most … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/23/20

A drone shot of the Mt. Hope High School stadium Monday night shows the football field engulfed in light, plus a string of vehicles traveling up Chestnut Street.

School, town and students honor the Mt. Hope Class of 2020

Deborah DiBiase stood alone on the field of the Mt. Hope High School football stadium, engulfed in light. It was just before 8:20 p.m. on Monday, April 20, and the high school principal was live and … more

By Kristen Ray | 4/22/20

Coming into her first year ever of teaching, Tiverton Middle School science teacher Cortney Kingsley was already fairly comfortable incorporating technology into her classroom. It’s been “amazing,” she said, how much information has been shared amongst staff since the beginning of distance learning.

Going the distance in Tiverton

Cortney Kingsley is sitting on her couch, laptop propped up in front of her. Eight months into her education career, and the Tiverton Middle School science teacher is conducting class from her living … more

Kristen Ray | 4/22/20

Warren Fire Chief James Sousa loads donated CPAP and BiPAP machines at the fire department Monday morning.

Warren Fire Department collecting CPAPS for re-use as ventilators

The apparatus bay at the Warren Fire Department is slowly filling with used CPAP and BiPAP machines donated by Warren residents, and could soon see frontline use in the fight against the Covid-19 … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/22/20

The Portsmouth Town Council meets virtually via the Zoom application Monday night, April 21. The top row (from left) shows Town Clerk Jennifer West, Council President Kevin Aguiar and Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. together at Town Hall, and council members Daniela Abbott and J. Mark Ryan videoconferencing from home. In the middle row (from left) are council members Andrew Kelly, Keith Hamilton and Linda Ujifusa. Council member Len Katzman, Human Resources Director Lisa Puglia and Town Solicitor Kevin Gavin (from left) are in the bottom row.

Pandemic may spawn Portsmouth school surplus of $500K to $1M

PORTSMOUTH — The School Department is expected to finish the fiscal year with a surplus between $500,000 and $1 million due to cost savings in services not being provided during the … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/22/20

Grand gesture will light the lights for the Class of 2020

The Bristol Warren school community is planning a symbolic show of support for the Class of 2020 — Mt. Hope High School seniors whose final, should-be triumphant days in school are being wiped … more

4/17/20

Bristol Police: Residents tattle on neighbors for gatherings, soccer, beer pong

The most frequent call for Bristol law enforcement these days is from residents reporting the groups, gatherings and activities of neighbors who might be violating social distancing standards. … more

4/17/20

Bristol raccoon's high-wire act is back

This extremely large and agile resident of an unclear downtown address achieved regional notoriety when a video of his high-wire-walking antics ended up on sports and pop culture blog Barstool, … more

4/17/20

East Providence COVID-19 'hotspot' likely lacked employees, equipment to contend with outbreak

EAST PROVIDENCE — Nursing homes around the state, including one here in city, comprise the bulk of the COVID-19 "hotspots" resulting in a majority of those who have died due to the outbreak... more

By Mike Rego | 4/16/20

The newly released model shows a “blue line” scenario where the state’s healthcare system has enough hospital beds, and a “red line” scenario where it does not.

State releases modeling, with virus peak coming sooner, or later

Gov. Gina Raimondo added two new terms to the growing lexicon of Covid-19 terminology. Along with “social distancing” and “Knock it off,” Rhode Islanders can add “Blue … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/16/20

Bristol Fire Marshal Robert Ferguson (left) and Fire Chief Michael DeMello demonstrate the full package of protective gear they use if responding to a call with a known or suspected Covid-19 patient.

Business as usual at the fire department (not really)

Everything is normal at the Bristol Fire Department — understanding, of course, that absolutely nothing in life is normal these days. Firefighters and paramedics are still responding to … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/16/20

Virtual meeting in Barrington interrupted by hacker

Barrington police are investigating an incident that occurred during a town board's online meeting last week. Town officials contacted police on Thursday, April 9, and reported that someone had … more

4/16/20

Warren Town Solicitor Anthony DeSistor (center) speaks with Warren Town Council member Steve Calenda (right) at a recent council meeting. At left rear is councilor Brandt C. Heckert.

Warren gives residents extra 25 days to pay taxes

The Warren Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to extend the grace period for quarterly tax payments an additional 25 days — the long-standing policy prior allowed for five days. As a … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/16/20

Barrington council approves three new car-charging stations

The Barrington Town Council has approved the installation of three electric vehicle charging stations. The council voted to approve the new charging stations during its teleconference meeting on … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/16/20

A window on Roosevelt Drive in Bristol offers bears for the hunters — and hope for the future.

Bear hunters take to the streets in Bristol and Warren

Inspired by the Michael Rosen book, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” and motivated by the need for something — anything — to do with restless little ones who do not understand why their playdates and playground visits have been cancelled, bears (and other creatures) have been popping up in windows across America and beyond. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/16/20

Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Roger Menard presides over the board’s April 1 meeting from his home.

Remote Westport meetings — still a few kinks

WESTPORT — Remote meetings remain a work in progress, members of the Westport Zoning Board of Appeals discovered during their half hour April 1 session. With three items on the agenda, the … more

By Bruce Burdett | 4/16/20