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Letter: Bristol could learn from Barrington’s diversity example

It was disappointing to see that the proposed Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee did not succeed in being sanctioned by our Town Council. Many of our citizens spoke both pro and con about this … more

1/28/21

Isabel, a freshman from Rockland, N.Y., swabs her nose as part of the coronavirus test.

Roger Williams welcomes students back to campus

By all accounts, Roger Williams University did an excellent job managing COVID within its community over the course of the fall term. They are looking forward to a repeat of that success beginning … more

1/28/21

Letter: Strong leadership raises our level of public discourse

I want to express my thoughts on the Bristol Town Council meeting held on Jan. 20. On the agenda was a petition to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of the Town Council. Many of … more

1/28/21

Letter: We should all think before we throw

All my adult life I’ve been obsessed with trash. In 1986, as a young, very pregnant woman in Brooklyn, my husband and I went door to door, distributing informative pamphlets in our … more

1/27/21

Letter: ‘Diversity’ committee would undermine the government and citizens of Bristol

Editor’s note: The following is an abridged version of a letter submitted to the Bristol Town Council prior to hearing a proposal to create a Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. … more

1/27/21

Aaron Ley was one of two Bristol town councilors in favor of forming a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, but he was in the minority, during a meeting held on Zoom Jan. 20.

Bristol denies diversity group’s request for formal committee

Bristol resident Rob Hancock and many others spoke at length at last Wednesday night’s Bristol Town Council meeting regarding the establishment of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/27/21

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

Bristol Warren school chief steps aside temporarily to be with family

Bristol Warren's school superintendent is stepping away from the job for five weeks to be with his family and provide support to his mother, who is facing health problems. Superintendent Dr. … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/22/21

The new bike route would include a network of downtown streets, all with street markings and signage to improve safety and allow versatility for cyclists.

Bristol bike path engineers decide to go with the flow

The plan to extend the East Bay Bike Path through downtown Bristol to the base of the Mt. Hope Bridge has undergone a significant revision. After spending much of 2020 studying possible bike routes … more

By Scott Pickering | 1/22/21

Letter: Criticism of Councilor Sweeney’s actions is inappropriate

It is very unfortunate that a former dedicated public official, Louis Cirillo, has been thrust into the maelstrom, while questions of the propriety of actions of due diligence on the part of one of … more

1/22/21

Paddle board teammates Peter Maloney and Eileen Malloy, both of Bristol, return the ball back over the net during a pickle ball match on the Town Common on Tuesday.

Pickleball on the Common — a ‘winter lifesaver’

Peter Maloney and his teammate Eileen Malloy celebrated after he whacked the softball-sized plastic yellow ball over the net, sending it whistling by his opponents, Cathy Winston and David Schwartz, … more

By Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 1/21/21

Letter: Letter was a disparaging political attack on councilor

In his letter to the editor of this newspaper (“ Due diligence and a dedicated public servant ,” Jan. 14), Mike Byrnes made some strongly worded, politically motivated allegations against … more

1/21/21

Bristol Phoenix - Thursday, January 21, 2020

1/21/21

Letter: Former chairmen launched baseless attack on community leader

I write in response to the letter to the editor in the Jan. 14 issue of the Bristol Phoenix written by Mssrs. Faria, Marshall and Rego. These gentlemen urge the Phoenix to research the issues … more

1/21/21

Julie Brigidi, longtime shelter volunteer and board member of the Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter, spends some time with Ollie, a cat who was temporarily surrendered by his owner, who is struggling to find cat-friendly housing. According to Ms. Brigidi, serving as a temporary shelter for pet owners who are experiencing hardship is one of the many ideal ways the Friends would like to see the shelter utilized. “This could be a godsend for families experiencing displacement or hardship for any of a number of reasons,” said Ms. Brigidi, who added that Ollie’s owner is very much looking forward to reclaiming him as soon as she is able.

Advocates developing a new vision for Bristol’s animal shelter

Things are pretty quiet at Bristol’s new, state-of-the-art animal shelter these days, and yes, COVID shoulders some of that blame — but not all of it. The reality is that even before the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/21/21

Letters: I will prioritize ideas over insults and innuendo

I was saddened, though not surprised, to read the letter from my predecessors of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee in which they attempted to paint me as unethical and to sow doubt about me in … more

1/21/21

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

With all sailors safe following the capsize of Patriot, work begins to start righting the AC75.

Bristol-built Patriot sustains significant damage in capsize

It was a rough end to the weekend on the other side of the world when Patriot, one of the Bristol-built AC75 foiling monohull American Magic yachts built to challenge for the America’s Cup, … more

1/20/21

Many reasons to form and support Bristol 'Diversity' committee

We are writing to make known our support for the Bristol Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion . It is of the utmost importance that we come together as a community to, as the Committee … more

1/20/21

The lower Kickemuit Reservoir dam on Child Street is becoming less and less effective at keeping saltwater from traveling north into the reservoir.

Nearby residents oppose Warren dams' removal

Residents near the Kickemuit Reservoir are hiring legal representation and engineers to fight the Bristol County Water Authority's plan to remove the upper Kickemuit dam on Schoolhouse Road, and the … more

1/20/21

Water authority proposes another rate increase

Bristol County Water Authority customers should expect rate increases each year for the next 10 years, starting with a proposed 5 percent increase this year. BCWA Executive Director Pam Marchand … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/19/21

Democratic Town Committee returns top three officers to their posts

The Bristol Democratic Town Committee held its biennial reorganizational meeting and election of officers on Monday, Jan. 11. Three officers retained positions first assumed two years ago: Erich … more

1/15/21

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: Oppose the petition to establish a Diversity committee

A group of citizens has petitioned the BristolTown Council to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, DEI. The committee will “advise” the Town Council on issues and … more

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