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Letter: Our school committee lacks cultural competency

Over the past weeks we have endured a painful conversation with Bristol Warren Regional School Committee members and the community involving the school start date/Rosh Hashanah conflic t. The … more

7/28/21

School committee members Victor Cabral, Marjorie McBride and Tara Thibaudeau discuss a point made by a resident during the open meeting.

Bristol Warren names interim superintendent

A week after Dr. Jonathan Brice resigned as superintendent of the Bristol Warren Regional School District, the School Committee hired his temporary replacement. Robert “Bob” Hicks was … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/27/21

Youth readers Sampson Lombard, 13, (left), Fran Lombard, 11, Emily Cabral, 14, co-founder Charles Calhoun (back left), steering committee members Amy Vitale and Renee Soto, and Library Director Ryan Brennan hold up copies of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” the selection for Bristol Bookfest, to be held Oct. 22-23. The books were donated to the library by the steering committee, and will be available for participants to borrow.

Bristol Bookfest to take on ‘Frankenstein’

Following a COVID-delayed but ultimately successful launch in 2020, Bristol Bookfest will return in 2021 for a deep dive on another classic work of fiction: “Frankenstein; or, The Modern … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/22/21

Letter: Hoping to start the new year with a clean slate

I grew up on Hope Street in Bristol, and while I now live outside of town, I proudly consider myself a “Bristolian.” In 43 years, I missed our parade only once. In the 1960s, my late … more

7/22/21

Bristol Phoenix - Thursday, July 22, 2021

7/22/21

Bruce Burdett at a patio table outside his Bristol home, where he often works. The editor of The Sakonnet Times and Westport Shorelines is retiring this week after 45 years with East Bay Newspapers. “There’s something in all of us that likes to tell people stories, and this was my way to be able to do it,” he said.

Editorial: Sight unseen, his pen was most powerful

This has always been a special space in the local newspaper. Whether thoughtfully crafted after hours of research or thrown together on hectic deadline, the editorial is a revered tradition that … more

7/22/21

After 5 decades in journalism, Bruce Burdett's hanging up his notebook

When Bruce Burdett first arrived in Bristol to start his new job at East Bay Newspapers in the mid-’70s, he was just two years out of college with only minimal experience working for his school … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/22/21

In June, the Bristol Town Council spent more than an hour talking about pay and benefits for the town administrator and town clerk. It is expected to continued the conversation later this month.

Questions about pay and precedent for Bristol's top leaders

When they next meet, Bristol town councilors are expected to resume a thorny conversation about how to compensate the town’s two elected employees. A discussion over pay and benefits for the … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/22/21

Letter: Bristol and Warren are welcoming of all faiths

“May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants—while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine … more

7/22/21

Dr. Jonathan Brice jokes with a staff member at Monday night's school committee meeting.

Brice resigns as Bristol Warren superintendent

Bristol Warren Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Brice resigned his post during a closed door meeting with the school committee Monday evening. Dr. Brice confirmed his departure … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/20/21

School committee members Victor Cabral, Marjorie McBride and Tara Thibaudeau discuss a point made by a resident during the open meeting at the high school on Monday night.

School board members give in, then fire back at critics

Bristol Warren schools will not open on the first full day of Rosh Hashanah this fall, after Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Brice issued a directive Monday afternoon that overrules an earlier school … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/20/21

Brice: Bristol Warren schools will be closed for Rosh Hashanah

Bristol Warren schools will be closed on Rosh Hashanah this fall, after Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Brice issued a directive Monday afternoon that overrules the school committee's earlier vote to … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/19/21

Ediorial: Temple vs. schools was a loser from the start

The Bristol Warren Regional School Committee’s handling of the 2021-22 school calendar is of the more embarrassing episodes you’ll see from a local government body. It’s difficult … more

7/17/21

xBryan Ganley (left) lost a close friend to suicide. Melissa Cotta (right) tried to help but could not stop a man from jumping off the Mt. Hope Bridge. Together, they’re asking for suicide prevention barriers on Rhode Island’s three largest bridges.

Activists launch petition drive in support of bridge barriers

Bryan Ganley and Melissa Cotta, co-founders of Bridging the Gap for Safety and Healing, have been working tirelessly for years to have suicide prevention barriers installed on Rhode Island’s … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/15/21

Bristol Phoenix - Thursday, July 15, 2021

7/15/21

Letter: Repect all religions (or none at all) in schools

On Monday, July 5, I stood on the parade route of Bristol’s Oldest Fourth of July Celebration . The parade was taking place on Monday as it does when July 4 lands on a Sunday — to … more

7/14/21

Letter: Why can’t they treat the Kiki like it’s in Maine?

Harlow Pond, in central Maine, measures approximately 640 acres and is bisected by a causeway of approximately 750 feet in length. A dam contains the pond at its furthest end. Harlow Pond Road … more

7/14/21

As of July 8, the Statesman Tavern has not had a liquor license. A sign on the front door Wednesday morning (July 14) said they are “closed for vacation.”

Bristol revokes restarant’s liquor license in show cause hearing

At the last Bristol Town Council meeting on Wednesday, July, 7, the council revoked the Class B Victualer Intoxicating Beverage License of Toasted Bun Hospitality, owned by Christopher Kleyla, doing … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/14/21

Kickemuit Middle School teacher Donna Stouber filed a discrimination suit against her district, which was dismissed.

Speakers denounce school board for Rosh Hashanah start date (Video)

A series of speakers representing both Jews and educators stood on the front step of United Brothers Synagogue in downtown Bristol on Thursday to denounce five members of the Bristol Warren Regional … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/9/21

Letter: Snap out of it – We should be celebrating America

A few weeks ago I wrote a letter to the editor , my first in a long time. I thought it was important to do my small part to weigh-in on the local diatribe regarding critical race theory and its first … more

7/8/21

Bristol Phoenix - Thursday, July 8, 2021

7/8/21

Letter: It may surprise some that even white people deserve freedoms

In his last letter, Stephan Brigidi shared (in both the Phoenix and Providence Journal) his impressions of Juneteenth at Linden Place , where a “slave medallion” was installed. … more

7/8/21

Letter: School committee needs to show it is truly inclusive

Dear members of the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee, I am writing to express my dismay about the refusal of the committee to take up a discussion to consider changing the opening date … more

7/8/21

Janey Bird, Rachel Robinson and Emily Kloeblen (left to right) greet the marchers as they approach their spot.

Bristol parade roars back to life

With the crack of musket fire, the rumble of big rigs and the roar of an appreciative crowd, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade returned to form on Monday, a year after the pandemic altered everything … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/7/21

Letter: Will the real America please stand up?

How can our town be so patriot, celebrate our country’s birthday with a wonder Fourth of July celebration, sit side-by-side with thousands of citizens, then turn around on July 5th and tolerate … more

7/7/21