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Frank Parenti with the rest of the crew of the Polar Star on the ice in Antarctica during a delivery to McMurdo Station.

Renowned Bristol Coast Guardsman announces retirement

Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Frank J. Parenti is set to retire from the United States Coast Guard on Oct. 1, 2022 having served for 27 years. As a native Bristolian, Master Chief Parenti has … more

6/24/22

Bristol’s new marina dock is officially open for guests and the public to enjoy. The 650-foot breakwater and wave attenuator includes a substantial expansion of slips available to Bristol residents, a transient space for visitors, including large luxury yachts. The Seastreak ferry, whose service to Providence and Newport started up last weekend and will run through the summer, will have a space to dock at the southwest corner of the marina. Slips are also being made available to both the Rhode Island State Police and Department of Environmental Management to enhance public safety.

A decade in the making, Bristol’s new marina is open for business

There’s still a couple of mechanical details to complete, but Bristol’s new marina is officially open for guests — and the public — to enjoy. The 650-foot breakwater and … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/24/22

Letter: That time of year again in Bristol

Must be the season of the 4th in Bristol once again. Take a walk through town and you will see people painting their houses, doing extensive landscaping, dressing up their homes with holiday regalia … more

6/24/22

Letter: School Committee overreach would be a textbook blunder

Like almost everyone else who cares about our kids, I've been reading — and kvetching with friends and neighbors — about the School Committee’s apparent decision to not extend a … more

6/24/22

Letter: Hoping church will explain itself to families

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church on Hope Street in Bristol touts itself as being open and welcoming to all. Prominently displayed on their website is the statement “We welcome people … more

6/24/22

Letter: Two wrongs do not make a right

In their article, “ Hypocrisy over cannabis vs. alcohol is striking, ” Annie Silvia and Beth Vorro decry Bristol’s opening of a fourth micro-brewery while opposing marijuana … more

6/24/22

Editorial: School board owes the public an explanation

The drama is over, and Deb DiBiase is no longer principal of Mt. Hope High School. She announced on Wednesday morning that she had accepted another administrative position within the district , … more

6/24/22

Letter: An open letter to Ted Cruz of Texas

Thanks to you, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, we have the solution to school safety. One single entrance with an armed guard at his/her post. Well, by golly, this idea requires a closer … more

6/24/22

Members of the East Bay Lacrosse Grades 5/6 Division team pose for a photograph after winning the state championship. Pictured are (from left to right, back row) Brad Wilson, Eleanor Lial, Maria Lamb, Charlotte Farrell, Clare Capozza, Ella Martin, Adelaide Crosby, Stella Tisdale, Grace Wilson, Reese Mancini and Cerissa Blaney, (front row) Kendall Blaney, Molly Reagan, Keira Martin, Nina Hansen, Daisy Moscrop and Tessa Lapinski, and (laying in front) Avery Fisher. Not pictured is Julia Alessandro.

East Bay team wins lacrosse state championship

Three East Bay Lacrosse teams made it to the state championship finals games held at URI last weekend. The East Bay Girls Grades 7/8 Division I team played a hard-fought game and lost to … more

6/24/22

Water authority board approves 4 percent rate hike

The Bristol County Water Authority board of directors approved a 4 percent rate increase for the fiscal year 2023. The rate increase went into effect on March 1, meaning that all water used … more

6/23/22

The Island Child Care Center, located in a building owned by St. Michael’s Church, is facing an uncertain future after the Rev. Michael Horvath notified the owner that the church wants them to vacate their space.

Bristol's St. Michael's seeking divorce from its daycare tenant

Church seeking divorce from daycare Photo - The IslandThe Island Child Care Center, located in a building owned by St. Michael’s Church, is facing an uncertain future after the Rev. Michael … more

By Ethan Hartley | 6/23/22

Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D. Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) will not be seeking a fifth term in the Rhode Island State Senate

East Bay legislator will not run for re-election

Sen. Cynthia A. Coyne (D. Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence) announced this week that she will not be seeking a fifth term in the Rhode Island State Senate. “I have decided that … more

6/23/22

Bristol Phoenix - Thursday, June 23, 2022

6/23/22

The Catnip Junkies, a New Orleans-flavored party band, perform Thursday night in downtown Bristol.

Fourth concert series features Irish, rock, New Orleans and Buffett bands

This weekend brings a highly diverse lineup to a concert series known for its diverse array of musicians. Over the next three nights, the Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series will host a rock cover … more

6/23/22

'Independence' half-marathon steps off early Saturday in downtown Bristol

The energy starts early on Saturday morning in Bristol, as runners in the annual Bristol Independence Rhode Race toe the line at 6:30 a.m. Held in partnership with the Bristol Fourth of July … more

6/22/22

Charlie Enright of Barrington and the 11th Hour Racing crew head out of Newport Harbor on Malama in rough weather during the 52nd Newport Bermuda Race on Friday, 6/17/22. Enright's crew finished the race to Bermuda in second place with a time of 041:28:43 to Argo, a Mod 70, who finished first with a time of 029:12:44.

Charlie Enright captaining 11th Hour Racing's, "Mālama," finishes second in Newport-Bermuda Race

Skipper Charlie Enright of Barrington, guided the IMOCA 60 Mālama, from 11th Hour Racing across the finish line, almost eight and a half hours after first place finisher, Argo, which completed … more

Story courtesy of Newport Bermuda Race, Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 6/22/22

A map depicting the BCWA emergency supply project.

BCWA, East Providence announce completion of emergency connection

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) and the City of East Providence jointly announced the pipeline interconnection between the two systems has been completed and … more

6/22/22

Dr. Deb DiBiase spreads love to seniors at the 2022 Mt. Hope High School graduation.

'Dr. D' moves into new role in Bristol Warren district

In an email sent out to the Mt. Hope community Wednesday morning, Dr. Deb DiBiase announced that she would not be returning as the principal of Mt. Hope High School, and would instead be accepting a … more

By Ethan Hartley | 6/22/22

Matt Chappell is running for the District 11 state Senate seat which is being vacated by James Seveney.

Matt Chappell announces run for District 11 Senate seat

PORTSMOUTH — There apparently will be a Democratic primary in the race for the Rhode Island Senate in District 11 which is being vacated by James Seveney due to retirement. This week Matt … more

6/21/22

RISPCA assists in saving 40 beagles from research facility

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island SPCA is scheduled to receive a transport of 40 beagles (15 puppies and 25 adults) today from the Humane Society of the United States. The beagles were … more

6/21/22

Letter: Plate-readers on bridge add to government surveillance

To the editor: The Portsmouth Town Council's approval last week of a plan to put license plate reading cameras at the Mt. Hope Bridge is fatally flawed, and if they are at all concerned about the … more

6/21/22

Town Administrator Steven Contente (left) and Harbormaster Gregg Marsili (right) took Senator Jack Reed on a tour of Bristol’s new marina on Friday, June 10.

Bristol's new marina officially opens this week

It is open to the public, and fishing is permitted along the outer-facing side of the 16-foot wide main concrete pier. more

6/16/22

Senator Jack Reed, Town Council President Nathan Calouro, Joseph Brito, Jr. and his wife Betty, town administrator Steven Contente and others gather as Brito cuts a ribbon in front of the Brick Pizza Co. on Friday.

From busted to bustling — Bristol's Unity Park celebrates grand opening

Just about three years ago, Bristol’s Industrial Park was blighted and virtually empty...much has changed since. more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/16/22

Editorial: A table for all

The guiding principle should be to keep innovating with public spaces. That philosophy has served Bristol very well for many generations, and it should continue to for many more. more

6/16/22

Letter: Hypocrisy over cannabis vs. alcohol is striking

To the editor: How ironic. The two front-page articles in the Bristol Phoenix (June 9, 2022) celebrate the opening of a fourth brewery in town while describing cherry picked opposition to … more

6/16/22