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

Portsmouth firefighters save man who fell from boat

PORTSMOUTH — Two swimmers from the Portsmouth Fire Department rescued a man who spent about 20 minutes in the water after falling from his boat off Fountain Avenue in Island Park Monday … more

9/26/22

Emily Mushen, Linda Beall, and Bob Molloy, who have been volunteering for the East Bay Food Bank and Thrift Shop for two and a half years, one year, and 12 years respectively, during a normal day helping out inside the pantry. The food bank has around 160 volunteers, about half of whom volunteer multiple days a week throughout the year.

Inflation, increased need put pressure on East Bay Food Pantry

Inflation, combined with a decreased focus on the pandemic and the food insecurity it caused, has led to increased need for the communities served by the East Bay Food Pantry. more

By Ethan Hartley | 9/26/22

Alex Smuk represents RIFAC at a recent event.

RIFAC athletes complete busy summer, start new season

EAST PROVIDENCE — The new month marked a new season for the athletes at the city-bases Rhode Island Fencing Academy, who took part in the Boston Fencing Club sponsored Regional Junior/Cadet … more

9/22/22

Veteran Tom Acciardo receives an award from Bristol Town Manager Steve Contente.

Purple Heart recipients honored at Bristol Veterans Home

The ceremony was held to recognize Bristol’s Purple Heart recipients, with Bristol’s official designation as a Purple Heart Town, following the Town Council’s unanimous approval of a resolution at their Aug. 3 meeting. more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/22/22

Floral designer Chelsey Barton-Karnes at Thistle & Posy on Gooding Ave., the realization of her longtime dream to have her own flower shop. She likes to carry a selection of unique blooms and plants, locally sourced whenever possible. Barton-Karnes creates both unique and traditional floral designs for events of all kinds; she also offers same day delivery and floral design workshops.

Bristol native achieves dream of opening flower shop

Thistle & Posy opened at its 204 Gooding Ave. location in August. The bright and airy space was renovated top-to-bottom by owner, Chelsey Barton-Karnes, and her husband, Dwayne. more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/22/22

Guiteras Principal Christine Hughes with a Furby and an N’Sync Kickin Keepsake Scrapbook — two of the many treasures uncovered when Guiteras recently opened their time capsule after 22 years.

Guiteras time capsule opened after 22 years

What treasures from 1999 awaited inside? more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/21/22

Local candidates for general assembly seats (top row, from left to right) Sam Read (House, District 66), Jason Knight (House, District 67), Pam Lauria (Senate, District 32) and (bottom row) Jennifer Boylan (House, District 66), Scott Fuller (House, District 67) and Rhonda Holmes (Senate, District 32).

Ask the candidates: How will you help local businesses?

Question: List two ways East Bay legislators can help local businesses. District 32, Senate Rhonda Holmes (R) — “Taxation and regulation. The General Assembly missed many … more

9/21/22

Bristol company offering free Level 1 Rope Access training

This training can put you on a career track that will bring you to great heights - literally. more

By Ethan Hartley | 9/21/22

(A few) businesses are turning taxes into scholarships

Every July, a small group of people gather in a conference room inside the Rhode Island Division of Taxation offices in Providence and watch as index cards are drawn one by one from a raffle bin. … more

By Scott Pickering | 9/21/22

A new biographical book on the late Robert Healey Jr. will go on sale online this week and in print next week. It is authored by Bristol resident Lawrence W. Verria and published by Stillwater Press.

Bristol author writes new book on Robert 'Cool Moose' Healey Jr.

Six and a half years after Robert Healey Jr.’s death, his life and political career is the subject of a new book by Bristol-based author Lawrence W. Verria more

By Ethan Hartley | 9/20/22

Freshman Thea Jackson blasts a shot by Barrington goalkeeper Helena DeFanti during their game at Mt. Hope on Friday. Jackson scored 4 goals for the Huskies.

Jackson nets four in win over Barrington

Freshman striker Thea Jackson scored four goals as the Mt. Hope girls soccer team thrashed Barrington 6-0 in a Division I home game on Friday evening. Senior midfielder Abby Razzino and sophomore … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 9/20/22

Huskies senior running back Brock Pacheco rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown during the loss to Pilgrim. Quarterback Riley Howland looks on.

Pacheco rushes for 117 yards, touchdown in Huskies loss

Senior running back Brock Pacheco rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown as the Mt. Hope football team fell to Pilgrim 24-9 in front of a healthy home crowd on Thursday night. The team is currently 1-1 … more

Photos and story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 9/20/22

This photo, from the March 25, 1966 edition of the Phoenix, shows Governor John Chafee with Thomas Wright (left), chairman of the Warren Republican Town Committee, and Howard P. Brelsford of Bristol (right), chief of the State Public Buildings Department, admiring a pair of Bill Russell sneakers presented by Joe Jamiel of the Warren Shoe World and made by Bristol Manufacturing Corp.

Once upon a time, Bill Russell came to Bristol for the perfect sneaker

In the mid 1960’s, when Bill Russell wanted a line of sneakers designed just for him, he looked to Bristol and Bristol Manufacturing on Buttonwood Street. more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/16/22

Jamie Rhodes, of Good Energy, presents to the Bristol Town Council

Could electrical aggregation save Bristolians money?

The Bristol Town Council agreed unanimously to look into the possibility of joining a consolidated energy program to decrease electrical bills for residents and boost the amount of renewable energy utilized for its electrical needs. more

By Ethan Hartley | 9/16/22

Bristol police officers Derek Jensen (left) and Ashleigh Fleser hunt for an active shooter during a police training drill on Tuesday.

Police, teachers engage in 'surreal' but vital active shooter training

Run by Bristol officer and firearms instructor Lt. Steven St. Pierre, the drill is an annual opportunity to be prepared for the “what if” that has happened in too many communities in the country in the two decades since Columbine. more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/15/22

Lyslie and Mathiew Medeiros in the interior of Basil & Bunny, the Unity Park brick-and-mortar home of their popular vegan food truck. The “vacation-for-a-day” interior envisioned by Lyslie was designed by Libby Slater

Basil & Bunny's brick and mortar a popular addition to Unity Park

“All your favorite foods, made from plants” is their tag line, and from burgers to cheesesteaks to BBQ chicken sandwiches, this is meatless, dairy-free creativity at its finest. more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/15/22

Chris Vitale, outgoing Bristol Economic Development Coordinator, in a photo taken in 2018, near the beginning of his tenure.

Bristol's Economic Development Coordinator is moving on

Vitale came to Bristol in 2011 as an undergraduate and, like so many RWU students, decided to stay after his 2015 graduation. His new post? more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/15/22

Ana Riley speaks to the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee shortly after being announced as the new superintendent of schools in December of 2021.

A deep dive on the new school year with Superintendent Ana Riley

Superintendent Ana Riley speaks about improving student achievement, Covid protocols and why she is excited for the potential of this school year. more

By Ethan Hartley | 9/15/22

How Bristol voted in the 2022 State Primary

Bristolians preferred Foulkes over McKee, selected favorites among two contested Democratic State Senate seats. more

By Ethan Hartley | 9/14/22

Linda Ujifusa is the apparent Democratic primary winner for the R.I. District 11 Senate seat, beating out Matt A. Chappell.

Linda Ujifusa apparent winner of District 11 Senate primary

Linda L. Ujifusa will be the Democrat on the ballot in November for the District 11 R.I. Senate race. more

By Jim McGaw | 9/13/22

Senior midfielder Parker Camelo attempts to kick in a pass from a free kick late in the game. Jesse Wilson is at right. Wilson scored the Huskies lone goal to tie the game in the second half.

Soccer team loses heartbreaker to Classical 2-1 in home opener

The Mt. Hope soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Classical in front of a decent crowd despite a drizzly in the home opener on Wednesday night. The game looked to be headed for overtime, … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 9/12/22

A screen capture from surveillance footage showing the suspect vehicle, a dark-colored Acura MDX, in a hit and run that occurred on Bulgarmarsh Road on Sunday, Sept. 11. Anyone with information on the vehicle is asked to contact Tiverton Police at 401-625-6717.

Tiverton police seek help locating SUV driver that critically injured man Sunday

Tiverton police need help identifying a vehicle believed to be involved in a hit-and-run accident that critically injured a pedestrian Sunday evening. Police and fire crews were dispatched to … more

9/12/22

Mt. Hope High School evacuated after elevated carbon monoxide reading

Mt. Hope High School was evacuated Monday afternoon due to a high reading of carbon monoxide. more

9/12/22

Helping with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School are, left to right, alums and contributors: Linda (DePasquale) Dean, Alison Chase-Padula, Edward Stuart, Donna (Murphy) McKenna, Robert McKenna, Louis Cirillo, Betty (Fortin) Lema, Frank Caruso, Terry (Salcone) Pasqual, Richard Bucolo, Bea (Cavallaro) Lavey, Donna (Carlone) Habershaw, Joseph Camera, Peggy (Vendituoli) Ferreira, and Ann (Deltoro) Soscia.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel celebrates 70 years on Sunday

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School has come a long way since its infancy when a small building (the Parish Hall) existed at the rear of the church near Congregational Street. more

By Manny Correira | 9/9/22

Freda Lehrer with a photo of her uncle Harry Molasky, who served in WWII and ran Molasky’s, the family’s dry goods store at 44 State St. When Lehrer put the house on the market and opened the long-dormant safe, Harry’s WWII records were among the treasures it contained.

Cracked Bristol safe reveals family treasures

When Freda Lehrer put the George Munro House at 44 State St. on the market, she knew there was one more thing she would need to do before handing over the keys: open the safe. more

By Christy Nadalin | 9/9/22