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They began on the other side of the world, but the mass protests over women’s rights that began in Iran a year ago continue to echo across the globe. Those reverberations reach Westport late … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/20/23

Westport police arrest three

Monday, Sept. 11 A 911 caller reported an accident with injuries on Gifford at 9 a.m. A caller from Devol Avenue reported identity fraud at 6:26 p.m. A caller from Ridgeline West Drive … more

9/19/23

Scrappy center midfielder Makayla Grace makes plays both defensively and offensively for the Wildcats.

Wildcats wallop Wareham 6-0, win three in a row

The Westport field hockey team is dominating teams with their stout defense and ferocious offensive attack. The Wildcats have won three in a row after walloping Wareham 6-0 in a home game last … more

By Richard W. Dionne Jr. | 9/18/23

The town is taking action after receiving several complaints about jet skiers along the East Branch.

Proposed East Branch no wake zone moves north

The Harbor Advisory Board is moving its requested no wake zone on the East Branch further north, though the ultimate decision on whether to put in a buoy is up to the select board. Last month, … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/15/23

Westport police logs: Car theft reported

Monday, Sept. 4 Police responded to Main Road at 2:16 a.m. for an animal complaint. A similar call came in from Drift Road just after 8 a.m. A 911 caller reported an accident on Route … more

9/14/23

Wildcats’ senior captain Avery Avila leads the team with her gritty, tenacious play on the field. Westport beat Wareham 6-0 during a home game on Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats are currently 3-0.

Wildcats wallop Wareham 6-0, win 3 in a row

The Westport field hockey team is dominating teams with their stout defense and ferocious offensive attack. The Wildcats have won three in a row after walloping Wareham 6-0 in a home game on Tuesday … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 9/14/23

A new URI study has found extensive microplastics in Narragansett Bay. Researchers Victoria Fulfer (shown) and J.P. Walsh estimate that the top 2 inches of the floor of Narragansett Bay now contain more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years.

New URI study finds extensive microplastics in Narragansett Bay

Two University of Rhode Island researchers estimate that the top 5 centimeters (2 inches) of the floor of Narragansett Bay now contain more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years. more

9/14/23

The sheer number of white-tailed deer in the area is causing problems, and residents across Westport and LittleCompton are looking for solutions.

Oh deer — Farm Coast deer herd brings concern

If 911 calls and accidents are any indication, then Westport and Little Compton just may have a deer problem. Since January, Westport police have tallied 57 vehicle vs. deer collisions, and 41 … more

By Paige Shapiro | 9/13/23

Private residential school proposed for Old Harbor Road

A prospective buyer plans to turn a 10-acre property along Old Harbor Road into a live-in residential educational facility for teens. The property at 435 Old Harbor Road is currently owned by … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/11/23

Senior Tommy Bernard dribbles around a defender on his way to the goal as the Westport soccer team crushed Carver 7-1 in their home opener on Wednesday.

New faces same result for Westport soccer

New faces yielded the same result as the Westport soccer team crushed Carver 7-1 in a non-league home game to kick off their 2023 campaign on Wednesday night. Will Quinlan scored 2 goals, Tommy … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 9/11/23

Planning board member John Bullard said disputes over STRs will continue until the town puts bylaws in place to regulate the issue.

Westport awaits select board OK to study short term rentals

Bylaws that would regulate short term rentals (STRs) in Westport are still a long way off, but are expected to get a boost Monday when the select board votes on whether to convene a working group to … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/8/23

Westport police: Man faces DUI charge

Monday, August 28 Police responded to a disturbance on Reed Road at 7:16 a.m. Police assisted after a Gifford Road resident called in animal complaints at 2:08 p.m. A caller from … more

9/7/23

Westport welcomes new harvest festival

With the fall’s approach there’s seemingly a festival around every corner. The week after next, a brand new one kicks off its inaugural run at the Westport Fairgrounds. The … more

9/7/23

Photo: Surfing's for the birds

Pink flamingoes aren’t native to the Northeast, but a big one — a really, really big one — was spotted at Little Compton’s Goosewing Beach Tuesday. David Webb took this photo … more

9/7/23

There is still much uncertainty over how to move ahead with the re-use of the old Westport High School on Main Road.

Code questions cloud old high school re-use plan

Members of the Long Term Building Committee will host a public walk-through of the old high school Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m., as they continue to close in on a plan for what the town should do … more

9/6/23

The sheer number of white-tailed deer in the area is causing problems, and a local group will try to offer some answers Wednesday.

Westport asks: What to do about the deer?

Our Herd , a group of concerned residents, farmers and conservation professionals in Westport and Dartmouth working to restore a sustainable deer population in the adjacent towns will hold a public … more

9/5/23

Mara Lozier Shore (left) aboard Elisha, adjusts the sail during a race this month. Shore saved the Alden Sakonnets from disappearing in the early nineties and is a big reason why the boats are still racing today.

Aldens still sailing

Little Compton native Mara Lozier Shore grew up working on and sailing the family boat, Elisha , with her dad, Peter Lozier. He had bought the Alden-made Sakonnet when she was six years old. … more

9/5/23

Students file in at the Westport Middle High School.

Westport in furor over controversial story told on second day

Already off to a rocky start after a failed pump delayed the opening of school one day this week, Westport Community Schools officials are facing another controversy — a complaint filed … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/1/23

Political consultant Peter Fenn, of Westport.

Noted political consultant to address Westport Democrats

The Westport Democratic Town Committee will host Peter Fenn, a long-time consultant to Democratic presidential candidates, at a meeting at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 16. Fenn, … more

8/31/23

Westport to jet skiers — slow down

Saying they’re an accident waiting to happen, Chris Leonard, the head of Westport’s marine services division, wants to impose new regulations to control the speed of personal watercraft … more

By Paige Shapiro | 8/31/23

Blue, the newest member of the Tiverton Police Department, with Officer Shaun Wilson.

Meet Tiverton's new canine cop

The Tiverton Police Department is about to welcome a new recruit to its ranks. Blue, an English Labrador retriever, will report for duty as a comfort dog the first week of September, when he turns … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 8/30/23

Superintendent Thomas Aubin (center) inspects one of the Middle/High School's two 3,000-gallon tanks Wednesday afternoon. At left is Public Health Director Matt Armendo and at right, Manny Moniz, the district's facilities director.

First day pump failure will cost Westport schools thousands

Westport Community Schools officials are still trying to determine how a three-year-old pump and pressure monitoring system at the new middle high school failed Monday evening, forcing the district … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/30/23

First day of school now Wednesday after Westport pump replaced

Westport students will be back in the classroom Wednesday, a day after a faulty pump at the middle/high school led to a loss of service at the school, as well as the elementary school and library. … more

8/29/23

Diners are served during last year’s annual community dinner in Little Compton.

Volunteers needed for LC Community Dinner

What’s quickly becoming a treasured Little Compton tradition returns in two weeks, when hundreds of residents from across town gather at the Commons for the fourth annual Community Dinner. … more

8/29/23

A building appears untouched by the wildfire which destroyed the historic town of Lahania Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, on Maui. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023).

Hawaii 'Miracle’ house owned by noted Westport couple

Editor’s note: The following article is reprinted with permission from the Honolulu (Hawaii) Civil Beat. It concerns not only the ‘miracle’ survivor of the recent blaze that … more

8/29/23