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Portsmouth’s Sandy Point Beach to open Saturday with restrictions

PORTSMOUTH — The town’s beaches officially open on Memorial Day weekend, but only to local residents who will need to follow a host of restrictions. more

By Jim McGaw | 5/21/20

Dr. Lisa Denny of Barrington Family Medicine (left) and fourth-year Brown medical student Vivian Chan Li, of Central Falls, hand out face shields, masks and other various PPE to medical offices and nursing homes on Saturday behind the Barrington Town Hall.

Barrington residents make and donate thousands of masks

A group of local volunteers donated 6,000 face shields, masks and other personal protective equipment to outpatient healthcare facilities across the state last weekend. Dr. Lisa Denny started the … more

5/21/20

Details posted for Memorial Day Motorcade in East Providence

EAST PROVIDENCE — The City of East Providence is partnering with the American Legion Riverside Post 10 to hold a Memorial Day Motorcade in honor of veterans on Monday, May 25. The procession … more

5/21/20

Lory Snady-McCoy (left) and friend April Carleton have lunch at the Beehive’s outdoor covered patio on Monday.

Bristol starts approving new outdoor dining plans

While people continue to enjoy takeout from local restaurants, several of those that can adapt to the state’s newest outdoor dining regulations are trying to do so. The town has, to date, … more

5/21/20

Mt. Hope High School teacher Brian MacDougall delivers a 2020 seniors sign to Alex Beskid of Warren, Thursday morning.

Convoys deliver signs and smiles to Mt. Hope seniors

Mt. Hope High School senior Alex Beskid was just finishing up an online class Thursday morning when the convoy arrived. She opened the front door of her Reservoir Avenue home, ran out onto the … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/21/20

Commentary: Underage drinking during COVID-19

EAST BAY — Today we face a national crisis in the form of a deadly pandemic. However, we at the East Bay Regional Coalition remind all there is a hidden link between COVID-19 and other national … more

5/21/20

The Rev. Marinaldo Batista, in the inside of St. Elizabeth’s Church, where they have taped off pews and made preparations to hold in-person Mass beginning May 31.

Bristol churches adapting to new rules to be ready for reopening

With some 500 families in his parish, the Rev. Marinaldo Batista is used to saying Mass before a crowd. In fact, he says Mass four times every Sunday to accommodate the people who want to come to St. … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/21/20

Melville School Principal Elizabeth Viveiros has been named assistant superintendent of Portsmouth schools, effective July 1. (File photo)

Melville’s Viveiros named Portsmouth’s next assistant superintendent

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth School Committee Tuesday night warmly welcomed the appointment of Melville Elementary School Principal Elizabeth Viveiros as the district’s new assistant … more

5/20/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her Friday, May 15 briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor: Phase 2 of re-opening won’t begin until after Memorial Day

PROVIDENCE — At her daily COVID-19 briefing Friday, Gov. Gina Raimondo explained the criteria being used to determine when the state is ready to move into a different phase of re-opening … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/15/20

‘Knock It Off’ T-shirt brand now on barbecue sauce, beer, coffee and more

The “Knock It Off” logo, which has been printed on more than 10,000 T-shirts since soon after the start of the Covid-19 crisis, is popping up all over the state, from beer cans to … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/15/20

Bristol Police: 'Social distancing’ complaints, plus a domestic assault arrest

Bristol police officers made their first arrest in nearly a month, as the quiet streets of the 2020 pandemic continue. Monday, May 4 Officers intervened in a verbal argument between a man … more

5/15/20

Bristol Economic Development Coordinator Chris Vitale (left) and Town Administrator Steven Contente want to work with restaurants to expand their outdoor dining areas.

Bristol ready to fast-track outdoor dining plans

The Town of Bristol is ready and willing to move quickly to help restaurants expand their outdoor seating areas. Gov. Gina Raimondo’s announcement that restaurants will be allowed to reopen to … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/15/20

The closure of school buildings resulted in $290,000 in transportation savings for Barrington.

Barrington schools expect to save $300,000 on busing

The switch to distance learning will save Barrington schools about $300,000 in transportation costs, said the district's director of finance and administration, Doug Fiore. During an interview on … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/15/20

Restaurants with outdoor seating, like Bywater at Water and State streets, hope to see an uptick in business Monday when the state begins allowing outdoor dining at restaurants across the state.

Warren works to get restaurants ready for outdoor dining start

With Rhode Island restaurants set to re-open to limited outdoor dining Monday, May 18, Warren officials are working to make sure that the town’s eateries are able to take as much advantage of … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/15/20

Bristol Oyster Bar owner Jordan Sawyer is planning to open for outdoor dining on the patio in front of his restaurant. He believes that, based on state guidelines, he’ll be able to fit seven tables of four in the space.

Outdoor dining begins Monday, but it’s not for everyone

The Bristol Oyster Bar closed its doors, along with the other restaurants in the state, in mid-March. It had just announced plans to open for takeout service when the governor announced this past … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/15/20

Portsmouth accepting applications for temporary outdoor dining

PORTSMOUTH — The Town of Portsmouth has developed an application process for allowing temporary outdoor dining at restaurants currently licensed by the town, that will continue through … more

5/14/20

E.P. School District prepares annual layoffs with pandemic as the backdrop

EAST PROVIDENCE — The School Committee will hold a special session Tuesday night, May 26, when the body and the administration will review the particularly difficult circumstances pertaining to … more

By Mike Rego | 5/14/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo set June 29 as the target date to open summer camps.

Governor says yes to small-group summer camps

Rhode Island children (and parents) got some good news on Thursday afternoon, when Gov. Gina Raimondo announced she will be allowing summer camps to open on June 29. Like everything in life, camps … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/14/20

Barrington High School will have virtual graduation ceremony

Barrington High School will hold a virtual graduation ceremony this year because of concerns surrounding the coronavirus. School officials emailed students and their families on Wednesday night, … more

5/14/20

Warren police logs: No arrests, but social distancing complaints steady

Monday, May 4 A Wheaton Street woman called police out of concern for her brother, who she thought might have been under the influence of narcotics. Rescue crews were called to Long Wharf … more

5/14/20

DEM park rangers Matt Cordeiro and Jillian Bannon check in cars at the Colt Park entrance Thursday morning

DEM begins counting cars as Colt Park reopens

Colt State Park reopened to vehicular traffic and visitors on Thursday morning, with some restrictions. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will allow only 350 cars inside the … more

5/14/20

The 2020 Mt. Hope High School graduation ceremony won’t look like this 2019 version, with caps and gowns flying in the air, but it will include much of the same pomp and circumstance.

Mt. Hope's 2020 graduation — pre-recorded and full of surprises

Dozens of people will be spending thousands of hours planning and preparing for the 2020 Mt. Hope High School graduation, and the whole affair depends on the timely arrival of caps and gowns. In … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/14/20

Cyrus Allen wears one of the protective masks he has been manufacturing using a 3D printer.

Printing for a purpose

Helping others was already second nature for Little Compton resident Cyrus Allen. For almost three years, the 20-year-old would volunteer his time at the nonprofit LC Makers, sharing with … more

By Kristen Ray | 5/14/20

East Providence District Teacher of the Year for 2020 Jen Ruthven conducts a distance learning session with members of her second grade class from Orlo Avenue Elementary School.

East Providence School District rates Ruthven teacher of the year

EAST PROVIDENCE — The School Department announced the annual recipients of its teacher of the year awards at the May 12 meeting of the School Committee, including as well the selection of … more

By Mike Rego | 5/13/20

You're free to visit Elmhurst Park in Portsmouth as long as you adhere to social distancing guidelines.

So what Portsmouth parks, recreation areas can you visit?

PORTSMOUTH — State parks will begin to open on Saturday, May 9, with social distancing rules still in effect. That includes two state parks in Portsmouth: The Black Regiment Monument at … more

5/8/20