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

Pam Zabel of Greene counts fish at the 2016 BioBlitz in Hopkinton.

This weekend, it’s a Bio-Blitz along the bike path

Don’t be surprised to see more traffic than usual along a 4.4-mile stretch of the East Bay Bike Path this weekend — nor folks there at all times of day and night. BioBlitz 2022 is … more

6/8/22

Democratic candidates Len Katzman (for Town Council), and Linda Ujifusa (for R.I. Senate District 11) greet voters outside the Portsmouth High School field house on Tuesday.

Dems maintain control of Portsmouth Town Council

PORTSMOUTH — Democrats will maintain their majority on the Town Council, and Linda Ujifusa will take over the R.I. Senate District 11 seat being vacated by retiring Sen. James Seveney. more

By Jim McGaw | 11/8/22

Bristol PD: One arrest and Mill Gut jumpers

Bristol Police made one arrest and advised a number of residents regarding various complaints between April 10-17, 2023. more

4/21/23

Tracey (left) and Leigh Carney, dressed as "old ladies" make their way through a muddy obstacle during last year’s event.

Thrive Outside's fifth annual mud run is this weekend

The fifth annual “Thrive Outside in the Mud” race at Frerichs Farm (43 Kinnicutt Ave.) in Warren is on Sunday, Sept. 17. more

By Ethan Hartley | 9/13/23

Gordon School has created a new “Whatever I Need” block in every student’s day, where they have free time for “whatever they need.” In the spirit of social-emotional wellness and growth, classes might go outside for some fun, hold a lively discussion about an important topic, or spend time reading together (above) with the school’s therapy dog, Denver.

For private schools, enrollment growth is a pandemic silver lining

While the global pandemic made a mess of just about everything everywhere, it had a hidden benefit for private schools — it boosted their enrollments. Admissions directors at numerous … more

By Scott Pickering | 9/21/23

It’s all hands on deck for a busy year of events celebrating 50 years for the Herreshoff Marine Museum. The Herreshoff team includes (from left to right) Jackie Crosby, director of finance; Lucy Renauld, bookkeeper; Bill Lynn, executive director; Marian Wenge, membership coordinator; Ted Regan, director of advancement; Kirk Cusic, education director; Ellary Gamache, museum manager; and Norene Rickson, librarian.

A year to remember at Herreshoff

“It’s going to be a busy year around here,” said Herreshoff Marine Museum Executive Director Bill Lynn about the 2021 season that marks the 50th year of Herreshoff, the Museum (the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/14/21

The proposed development of the Bristol Yarn Mill passed the Bristol Planning Board after months of tense deliberations.

Bristol Planning Board reverses course, approves 127 units at Robin Rug

Despite agreeing on a 105-unit cap at March 16 special meeting, 3 of 5 Planning Board members voted in favor of new plan that includes a little parking lot to sweeten the pot. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/15/22

The North Burial Ground was established in 1822, and celebrates its 200th birthday this year. The Civil War Monument can be seen in the background, which was dedicated in 1902.

200 years and counting for Bristol's North Burial Ground

A unique mix of historical intrigue and modern care sets Bristol’s marquee cemetery apart more

By Ethan Hartley | 5/26/22

Michael Reilly (l) and Dave Scarpino of the James D. Reilly foundation, present a rendering of a Santa House they hope to site at the corner of State and Thames Streets for the holiday season.

A home for Santa planned in Bristol

The Santa House will be an initiative of the James D. Reilly Foundation, but will work in concert with the Christmas Festival Committee. The 14 by 20 foot structure is a ready-built shed with a front porch. more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/8/22

Bristol approves commercial marijuana sales

Bristol voters narrowly approved a ballot question opening up the town to recreational marijuana businesses. more

By Ethan Hartley | 11/8/22

The Mt. Hope Bridge will be subject to a feasibility study for the possible construction of anti-suicide barriers.

Study for Mt. Hope Bridge suicide barrier approved

Suicide prevention advocates say that progress is not happening fast enough on a measure to prevent suicides from Rhode Island's prominent bridges. more

By Christy Nadalin | 11/23/22

Welcome to Historic Bristol Harbor & Downtown.

Bristol's $67M budget set for approval on May 1

That budget amounts to $67,308,961, representing a 2.75% increase over last year. The total tax levy amounts to $48,287,941. The property tax rate is anticipated to increase from $13 per $1,000 of value to $13.36. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/21/23

Teammates gather to celebrate with Reily Amaral after she hit a solo homer in the fourth inning during the Mt. hope's 13-3 win over Narragansett in the loser's bracket quarterfinals on Tuesday. The homer was Amaral's second homer in two days.

Huskies crush Mariners 13-3 in loser's bracket quarterfinals

After losing to Toll Gate 11-7 in the Division II winner's bracket quarterfinals on Monday evening, the Mt. Hope offense found their mojo, erupted for 11 hits and crushed Narragansett 13-3 at the high school on Tuesday afternoon. more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 6/8/22

This young European Beech, located in Blithewold's bosquet, has been stricken with Beech Leaf Disease. Note the curling leaves, an early sign of infestation by the nematode (roundworm) that spreads BLD.

Bristol's beech trees in jeopardy as fatal disease appears in town

Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) was first identified in Ohio a decade ago; two years ago it made its way to the other side of Rhode Island, near the Connecticut border. Now, it’s here. Trees at Blithewold have already been infected. more

By Christy Nadalin | 12/28/22

l-r: Adam Coffey, Miles Kindness, Daniel Vittoria, Brian Conway, Aidan Enjeti (Keaton Fisher could not attend), members of the 3351 Taterbots, celebrate winning the “Think Award” after this weekend’s competition.

Two Mt. Hope robotics teams headed to state championship

Two Mt. Hope robotics teams will compete at the Rhode Island FTC State Championship being held on March 4, 2023 at the New England Institute of Technology's Automotive Center. more

By Ethan Hartley | 1/11/23

Bristol Police Chief Kevin Lynch gives a thumbs up during the 2022 Fourth of July Celebration.

Bristol ranked safest RI community for fourth consecutive year

After Bristol, the other safest communities in RI are South Kingstown (also for the 4th year in a row), North Kingstown, Cumberland, Smithfield, Westerly, North Providence, Coventry, East Providence, and Warwick. more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/22/23

Mt. Hope Bridge shows its colors

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority jazzed up the Mt. Hope Bridge for the coming Memorial Day holiday, as seen here Saturday night. If you look closely at right, the Pell Bridge far down … more

5/28/23

Warren’s Victoria Gendreau captured the Miss U.S. of America title recently and said it was a "dream come true.”

Mt. Hope grad wins Miss U.S. of America pageant

Warren resident and Mt. Hope graduate of 2016 Victoria Gendreau realized one of her long-time dreams during a recent pageant in Connecticut. more

By Manny Correira | 9/6/23

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her daily briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday, May 1. Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the R.I. Department of Health, is at left.

Governor still aiming to lift R.I. stay-at-home order on May 8

PROVIDENCE — Despite the fact that surrounding states have extended their stay-at-home directives due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rhode Island is still sticking with its plan to let Gov. … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/1/20

Lilly, Abby and Elliot Pellerin clean up in the Kickemuit Avenue neighborhood in Bristol.

Bristol volunteers pick up a ton (literally) of trash

The Town of Bristol hosted its 32 nd coastal clean-up event on Saturday, May 1, and had about 120 very passionate volunteers turn out to support the effort. “We were pleasantly surprised … more

5/13/21

The Bristol Ferry Lighthouse has enjoyed a unique view for nearly 170 years.

Historic lighthouse will be changing hands

The Bristol Ferry Lighthouse has been an iconic symbol of Bristol for generations, guarding the 3,000-foot-wide passage between Bristol and Portsmouth at the beginning of Mt. Hope Bay for nearly 170 … more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/8/22

After news spread through the community about the fire, gifts started pouring in. Angela Cabral, administrator of Franklin Court Assisted Living, stands among the many items received, including toiletries, blankets, games, gift cards, and even a large check to throw the residents a party when they can eventually return.

Community steps up following fire at Bristol nursing home

When the fire alarm rang out inside the Franklin Court Assisted Living facility on Wednesday, Dec. 20, administrator Angela Cabral and her team kicked into action. When news spread about how 80 seniors were displaced as a result, so did the Bristol community. more

By Ethan Hartley | 12/27/23

A New England Aquarium team in an aerial survey plane spent about 45 minutes observing and taking photos of this gray whale, which has been extinct in the Atlantic for more than 200 years.

Gray whale, extinct in the Atlantic, seen in New England waters

In an incredibly rare event, the New England Aquarium aerial survey team sighted a gray whale off the New England coast earlier this month. This is a species that has been extinct in the Atlantic for … more

3/26/24

Bristol Economic Development Coordinator Chris Vitale (left) and Town Administrator Steven Contente want to work with restaurants to expand their outdoor dining areas.

Bristol ready to fast-track outdoor dining plans

The Town of Bristol is ready and willing to move quickly to help restaurants expand their outdoor seating areas. Gov. Gina Raimondo’s announcement that restaurants will be allowed to reopen to … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/15/20

Portsmouth’s Nikolai Loyola keeps a steady eye on the bar after clearing it during the high jump competition, which he won with a best effort of 5 feet, 6 inches, during a dual track meet at Barrington High School on April 5.

Portsmouth finishes second in dual track meet

BARRINGTON — Notching 10 first-place finishes, The Portsmouth High boys’ outdoor track team finished second to Barrington in a dual meet Tuesday afternoon, April 5. The Eagles edged … more

4/6/22