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The number of FBI background checks for potential gun owners more than doubled in Rhode Island, year over year.

Gun ownership and use are on the rise in Rhode Island

Add gun acquisition and violence to the list of troubling societal issues that just got worse in 2020.According to the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence (RICAV), 2020 saw a 111 percent … more

By Christy Nadalin | 2/5/21

Kayleb Ruszczyk inside the GaGa ball pit he built for his yard last year. He brought his idea for a GaGa ball program to the Portsmouth Recreation Department.

Portsmouth boy hopes you’ll go ‘GaGa’ over this sport

PORTSMOUTH — No, it has nothing to do with Lady Gaga. It involves a sided “pit,” several players and a ball they bat around with their hands. It’s called GaGa (or GaGa … more

By Jim McGaw | 2/5/21

Letter: Do you like living in the Land of the Masked?

You must wear it in shopping malls. You must wear it in libraries. You must wear it six feet apart, in lines, with your nose and mouth covered. At first we were told it did nothing to prevent the … more

2/5/21

Letter: In this pandemic, listen to the minority voices

A thread of meaning to the whole coronavirus affair is overlooked. Some people perhaps think that the board members of Pfizer and Moderna and the CDC are angelic figures who always keep foremost in … more

2/3/21

Letter: Town is trying to squash citizen’s free speech rights

To the editor, The Portsmouth town government has embarked on an all-out attempt to crush the freedom of speech of one of its citizens. This process is now in the courts and should the town … more

2/2/21

Letter: Our senior citizens of Rhode Island deserve better

To the editor: This March we are asked to vote on the same old referendum items, with emphasis on the University of Rhode Island (URI) and cultural arts and nothing for the senior citizens of … more

1/29/21

Letter: Why is this state so far behind in vaccinations?

It is the same sensation as hearing a friend has won the lottery. It is the same sensation as being the unmarried bridesmaid sister at your sister’s wedding. I have recently been helping … more

1/29/21

Examples of signs that were erected in front of a Bristol Ferry home by local resident Michael DiPaola, and which were the target of a notice of violation from the Town of Portsmouth. The ACLU has now filed a lawsuit against the town, challenging the zoning ordinance.

Portsmouth: Notice of violation doesn't target signs’ content

PORTSMOUTH — The Town of Portsmouth did not use its local sign ordinance to ban the posting of “political” signs by a local man on residential property, the town stated in a … more

1/24/21

Three homes destroyed in devastating fire on Prudence Island

PRUDENCE ISLAND — Three homes were completely destroyed by a late-night fire on Prudence Island Thursday. One woman managed to escape safely from the home at which the fire apparently … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/22/21

ACLU sues Town of Portsmouth over violation notice on signs

PORTSMOUTH — No doubt you’ve seen the signs while driving up and down Bristol Ferry Road, although perhaps the wording was difficult to make out from a moving vehicle. more

By Jim McGaw | 1/22/21

Editorial: Vaccinate the teachers

Choosing who gets the COVID-19 vaccine, and when, is one of the greatest challenges a public servant has ever faced. That’s saying a lot for a group of both elected and appointed leaders who … more

1/21/21

Amiyah Johnson, a student at Portsmouth Middle School, recited a nonviolence pledge during the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday.

Choose to love and forgive, says MLK Jr. event speaker

NEWPORT COUNTY — On Jan. 6, hundreds of insurgents — many displaying telltale symbols typically worn by white supremacists, white nationalists and other extremist groups — … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/18/21

On Monday, workers were busy installing solar panels onto support structures at the site of a large solar array being built by the Navy on West Main Road, south of Melville School. Although this project did not require town oversight, Portsmouth Residents for Responsible Solar has raised concerns that the current solar ordinance could lead to many similar developments around town.

Citizens group seeks legal appeal of Portsmouth solar ordinance

PORTSMOUTH — A citizens group that protested the recent passage of a new solar ordinance with no success is now turning to the legal system in an attempt to find relief. Portsmouth … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/16/21

Dr. Philip Chan, the consultant medical director at the Department of Health's Division of Preparedness, Response, Infectious Disease and Emergency Medical Services, speaks to reporters via ZOOM Friday morning.

Health officials: More than 51,000 Rhode Islanders at least partially inoculated

More than 51,000 Rhode Islanders had been at least partially vaccinated against the coronavirus by Friday morning, according to state Department of Health officials, with 9,243 of them fully … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/15/21

Letter: This was an attack from within

What took place at our nation’s capital last week was an attack on our country and Constitution from within. It was another 9/11 moment perpetrated not by foreign terrorist but from American … more

1/14/21

Editorial: Can we dial down the animosity in America?

If written a week ago, this editorial would describe the shame and embarrassment of watching one of the sad days in American history unfold on live television. It would excoriate all those … more

1/14/21

Portsmouth man, 21, killed in wrong-way crash in Somerset

A 21-year-old Portsmouth man died early Wednesday morning after his car was struck head on by another vehicle that was traveling the wrong way on Route 195 in Somerset early, according to … more

1/13/21

Commentary — Senator Reed: Time to move on from a disgraced presidency

Donald Trump disgracefully invited and incited a mob to attack law enforcement and assault our democracy. He reminded everyone why he is unfit to lead, why I voted … more

By U.S. Senator Jack Reed | 1/7/21

R.I. EMA warns of widespread power outages, major storm for Christmas

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) issued a warning to Rhode Islanders Wednesday afternoon to prepare for a significant storm expected to impact the state with high wind and … more

12/23/20

Arlene Violet: Does the good outweigh the bad in 2020?

By Arlene Violet Does the good outweigh the bad in 2020? Were someone to ask what events do I remember about 1980, 1990 or 2000 — even 2010 — I’d have to wrack my … more

By Arlene Violet | 12/18/20

Renee Welchman spent three weeks researching and working with the seller to determine the asking price for this totally unique Little Compton home — $7.85 million.

The Art of the Ask – Setting prices on priceless properties

Try figuring out the value of a four-bedroom Colonial in Barrington or a two-bedroom condo in Bristol. It’s pretty easy. Adjusting for the variables of location and condition, you can easily … more

By Scott Pickering | 12/18/20

Editorial: No more snow days :(

Cursed 2020 has taken so much already (freedoms, joy, travel, livelihoods, not to mention precious lives) … did it need to take away the beloved snow day, too? When Rhode Island acted … more

12/17/20

East Bay papers may be delayed by weather on Thursday

Due to the predicted adverse weather on Thursday morning, we are anticipating delays in the delivery of the Bristol Phoenix, the East Providence Post and the Portsmouth Times. The problem won't be … more

12/16/20

Gov. Raimondo: 'Pause' extended to Dec. 20

Rhode Island’s ‘pause’ has been extended another week, expiring now on Dec. 20, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced during her COVID-19 briefing Thursday afternoon. Originally, those … more

By Kristen Ray | 12/10/20

Letter: Closing gyms was excessive government overreach

Last week, Gov. Gina Raimondo petitioned the Rhode Island Superior Court and obtained a temporary restraining order closing two Maxx Fitness Clubs in Lincoln and Warren, and in the case of the Warren … more

12/9/20