Stories | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

In fewer than 80 years, the East Beach shoreline has receded as the colored lines indicate. That process is accelerating and will speed further as sea level rise picks up.

A line in the sand: Westport seeks defense plan for its barrier beaches

WESTPORT —Once fearsome Hurricane Irene had lost much of its punch by the time it reached the Eastern Massachusetts coast back in 2011 — in fact the storm no longer even qualified as … more

By Bruce Burdett | 2/5/21

Editorial: East Beach — Move the flotsam

Seasonal residents of Westport’s East Beach Road get to park their trailers on a place that common sense, Mother Nature, and rising sea levels suggest is badly suited for structures of any … more

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

Photogenic Bobbert comes in for a closeup at Tiverton’s West Place Animal Sanctuary.

Letter: A chance encounter with the most memorable Bobbert

A chance encounter with the most memorable Bobbert To the editor: A few months back, while out for a bicycle ride, I went down a side lane heading for some trails in the woods. Riding parallel … more

1/28/21

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

West Place says goodbye to beloved Bobbert

Alpaca was Tiverton sanctuary’s foremost ambassador, resident character By Bruce Burdett West Place Animal Sanctuary bid farewell to Bobbert the alpaca late in the evening of … more

By Bruce Burdett | 1/14/21

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

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

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

Gov. Raimondo: Early data suggests Rhode Islanders are in compliance of the two-week 'pause'

Four days into the two-week ‘pause’ and the evidence was suggesting that Rhode Islanders were complying with the new rules and regulations, Gov. Gina Raimondo shared during her COVID-19 … more

By Kristen Ray | 12/3/20

Editorial: Shopping locally matters more than ever

It’s always a good idea to shop locally, and it might mean more this year than ever before. The pandemic has disrupted everything — every person, every organization, every business. … more

11/25/20

Governor: Two week 'pause' begins Nov. 30 — social gatherings stop immediately

With cases continuing to surge and hospitals now reaching 97 percent capacity of their available COVID-19 beds, Gov. Gina Raimondo said she had no choice but to place Rhode Island on a two-week … more

By Kristen Ray | 11/19/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo, speaking during a Nov. 12 briefing.

Governor warns of 'dire' consequences and lockdown if Covid trends continue

Rhode Island could be heading toward another lockdown if people continue to disregard the rules and regulations, Gov. Gina Raimondo warned during her COVID-19 briefing Thursday afternoon. Just … more

By Kristen Ray | 11/12/20

Seven new restrictions to go into effect on Sunday

Seven new restrictions will go into effect this Sunday, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced during her COVID-19 briefing Thursday afternoon. Starting Nov. 8, the following regulations will be in effect … more

By Kristen Ray | 11/5/20

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