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Governor enacts measures to tamp down social gatherings

Gov. Gina Raimondo announced new measures to curb spread of the coronavirus, which is on the rise throughout Rhode Island. In a Friday afternoon press conference, the governor had one clear target … more

By Scott Pickering | 10/30/20

Opinion: Reject Question 1 and preserve the true meaning of this ‘plantation’

I am not a racist. I make this candid statement to avert such an unfounded charge against me in response to the position I will herein assert against changing the formal historical name of our state … more

10/28/20

Editorial: A vote to ‘Restore the soul of America’

Many people, including both presidential candidates, have described the coming election as historic. President Trump and former Vice President Biden have reached this conclusion for different … more

10/22/20

Letter: A lesson from RBG — one relationship at a time

My wife and I attended an appearance by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg in 2018 at Roger Williams University Law School, and I took with me one typewritten question I had drafted for any possible … more

9/24/20

Dead animals lie as investigators found them in one of the Route 177 rented lots. (Westport Police photos.)

Animal cruelty charges dismissed in immense Westport case

Claiming credibility issues involving the Westport Police Department’s lead detective in the investigation, the state has dismissed charges against 25 defendants accused in … more

By Bruce Burdett | 9/24/20

Developer’s rendering shows solar panels on land between Drift Road and Route 88 along Soules’ Way (an additional section is barely visible in the foreground).

Westport planners take dim view of solar plan

WESTPORT — A developer’s request to stretch town guidelines for a new solar project received a cool reception from the Planning Board at the board’s September 8 meeting. After … more

By Bruce Burdett | 9/24/20

Letter: The Marines, too, have old and real issues with race

To the editor: In Peter Fossel’s letter (Sakonnet Times, 17 Sept., 2020) I hear echoes emanating from the surrounding hills and valleys of Con Thien (“Hill of Angles”) Khe Sanh … more

9/24/20

Letter: Court at risk of wild swing to the far right

To the editor: There are no liberals on the Supreme Court. Only a liar or a lunatic would call Kagan or Sotomayor liberals. President Obama, himself not a liberal, nominated Garland, the centrist … more

9/23/20

Letter: The U.S. Postal Service needs our support more than ever

President Donald J. Trump doesn’t want to lose his re-election. One of the ways he’s trying to stay in power is to try to impede the U.S. Postal Service in doing its job. According … more

9/3/20

Advocates of outlawing the Animal Registry and amending town Right to Farm rules celebrate moments after their victory at last February’s special town meeting. Last week, though, the state Attorney General’s office notified the town that those changes run contrary to state law.

AG rejects Westport farm rule changes

WESTPORT — Six months after special town meeting voters threw out the Westport Board of Health’s animal registry, the state Attorney General has ruled that voters had no business … more

By Bruce Burdett | 8/26/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her regular weekly Coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

It’s official: Opening of public schools pushed back to Sept. 14

PROVIDENCE — At her regular weekly press conference today, Gov. Gina Raimondo confirmed what she had already hinted at during media interviews earlier this week: The opening day for Rhode … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/12/20

Blue-Green Algae found in Tiverton's Stafford Pond

TIVERTON — The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising the public to avoid contact with the water in Stafford … more

7/17/20

School Department chart compares the first-year cost of the just-approved school bus contract with First Student company (in yellow), with the amount the schools had budgeted for the coming year.

School bus costs soar under new Tiverton contract

TIVERTON — The Tiverton School Committee voted, because they have no choice several members said Thursday, to approve a new school bus contract that pushes town payments over budget by more … more

By Bruce Burdett | 7/15/20

Commentary: I miss my dad each Father’s Day and salute him for days and weeks beyond

He was born in London, the Edwardian early 20th century, when Britain still ruled the world's waves. But shortly after the death of his younger brother, their mother died and he was sent to New York … more

By Mike Fink | 6/18/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo begins her COVID-19 briefing on Friday afternoon, June 12.

Governor urges restaurant workers, bus drivers to get tested

PROVIDENCE — The state is expanding its symptomatic testing for COVID-19 to include restaurant workers and bus drivers, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced at a news briefing Friday, June … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/12/20

Letter: Thank you, President Trump, for all you've revealed

To the editor:My grandfather once told me that a person needed just three shirts: one in the drawer, one in the wash, and one on the back. He never could have imagined needing a special Hawaiian … more

6/11/20

Letter: Let's commit to rooting out hometown racism as well

To the editor: I loved seeing so many Little Comptoners on Sunday standing up against our nation’s recent racist murders. Standing up is beautiful, but we must also commit to working for … more

6/11/20

Gina Raimondo reveals plans to reopen schools in Rhode Island next fall.

Gov. Raimondo — 'It's time to get back to school'

Distance learning has been a great success, but it is time to get back to school, Governor Gina Raimondo announced at Wednesday's coronavirus press briefing, a session devoted almost entirely to … more

By Bruce Burdett | 6/10/20

NEA Tiverton votes no confidence in superintendent

NEA Tiverton votes no confidence in superintendent NEA Tiverton, the union representing Tiverton teachers, issued the following press release late Tuesday morning, shortly before the Sakonnet … more

6/9/20

Raimondo: Virus illustrates need for big changes in state’s health care system

Though the numbers are trending down, Covid-19 is still very much present in Rhode Island, Gov. Gina Raimondo said during her daily briefing Thursday. Since Wednesday, 14 more Rhode … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/4/20

Cool off, Knock It Off! Warren restaurant joins viral campaign

It started with T-shirts. Then came coffee, beer, personal protective equipment - even barbecue sauce. Now the wildly popular “Knock It Off” design created by a Warren-owned Providence … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/4/20

Editorial: Injustice, unrest and action

The murder of George Floyd lit a match to a nation loaded with combustible material. Quarantined and isolated for months, with tens of millions jobless, with economic stability shattered, with half … more

6/4/20

Tiverton Police Report: Beach 'dispersals,' neighbors fed up with one another

Friday, May 22 Christopher James Gaitten, 36, of 293 Robert Gray Ave., Tiverton, was arrested on a charge of domestic violence, electronic tracking device — motor vehicle, at 10:30 p.m. at … more

6/4/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her daily COVID-19 briefing on Friday, May 29.

Nursing homes will remain closed to visitors on June 1

PROVIDENCE — If you’ve been unable to visit a loved one living in a nursing home or an assisted living facility since the COVID-19 outbreak, you’ll have to wait at least … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/29/20

Back when the Tiverton Casino first opened, a visitor tries one of the video gaming consoles. These games will be among the first available as the casino returns to action starting June 8.

Tiverton Casino to pilot limited reopening June 8

TIVERTON — The Twin River casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton will begin a limited invitation-only reopening Monday, June 8, the Rhode Island Lottery announced Friday morning. The … more

5/29/20