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

Mt. Hope's Eva White named student athlete of year

Eva White, a Mt. Hope High School multi-sport athlete, will be recognized as student-athlete of the year in May. more

4/28/22

Bristolian hired by Denver Broncos as athletic trainer

Alexia Malone Oliver knew she wanted to be a part of the NFL since she was a little girl growing up in Bristol. Some dreams come true, and she was recently hired as a full-time member of the Denver Broncos medical staff. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/28/22

Left to right: Elena Oliveira, Marion Byrne, Lucy O’Brien, Erika Tally, Emma Coelho, Abigail Lanctot, Taylor Mason, Ben Rozea, Emma Torres, Chase Jackson, Gwenyth Tucker, and Brady Connor were all awarded for their science fair projects during the state science fair in March.

Mt. Hope produces large crop of impressive science fair winners

From climate change to which mask is best, Mt. Hope student projects impressed judges at the recent RI Science and Engineering Fair, with two students winning "best in fair" awards for their work. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/28/22

The former Benny’s retail space has been vacant for the past four and a half years.

New entity purchases former Benny’s property for $2.1 million

Four years after the beloved Benny’s discount retail chain closed operations, its 3.8-acre Bristol plaza has sold to new owners. Two weeks ago, REC Properties LLC purchased the vacant building and large parking lot at 655 Metacom Ave. for $2.1 million. more

By Scott Pickering | 4/28/22

Huskies junior pitcher Reily Amaral has been red hot, striking out 18 and throwing a no hitter against Westerly and 16 more against Middletown. Amaral improved her undefeated record to 7-0.

Amaral dominates as train keeps rolling for Mt. Hope softball team

The train keeps rolling for the Mt. Hope softball team as they edged Middletown 2-1 at home on Wednesday and crushed Westerly 8-1 away on Thursday to stay undefeated with a record of 7-0 at the top … more

Story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 4/27/22

Work has commenced on the long-abandoned Longfield property along Hope Street.

Development progresses on blighted Longfield and Knowlton properties

Work has commenced on the blighted Longfield property on Hope Street, but to passersby, that work may appear to be well beyond the scope of what was approved by the town. But that’s an illusion — there are actually two separate development projects happening side-by-side. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/22/22

A drawing shows the plan to build three pathways through the seawall at Walley Beach to provide easier shoreline access. East Coast Construction should have the project completed and ready to reopen to the public by June.

Improved Walley Beach and park scheduled to reopen by June

With Narragansett Bay cleaner than it has ever been, taking a swim in the harbor is a great alternative to a sandy beach in Middletown or Newport. Recognizing this, Bristol began looking into ways to make the rocky beach at the end of Walley Street more accessible to swimmers. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/22/22

The new 1898 replica of the 28-foot steam launch being carefully hauled into the Herreshoff Museum’s Hall of Boats.

1898 replica steam launch added to Herreshoff Museum

It’s been five years — including a prolonged Covid pause — since Sandy Lee and a team of volunteers began the undertaking of building a replica of the 1898, 28’ steam launch built for the USS Eagle, a converted gunboat that participated in the Spanish American War before spending the next two decades surveying the Caribbean. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/22/22

Neighbors react to Bristol Planning Board approval of Robin Rug development

The Bristol Planning Board came to a 3-2 decision to approve a 127-unit development, with Tony Murgo, Armand Bilotti, and Chairman Jerome Squatrito voting to approve, and Brian Clark and Stephen Katz voting to deny. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/22/22

Senator Jack Read (l) and Ian Estaphan Owen, Managing Director of Jaia Robotics, cut the ribbon opening the Blue Tech Innovation Center at the Herreshoff Marine Museum.

Herreshoff cuts ribbon on Blue Tech Innovation Center

The Herreshoff Marine Museum unveiled some big plans on Tuesday, cutting the ribbon on their new Blue Tech Innovation Center while announcing plans to expand their museum footprint, as well as their marina. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/21/22

Sarah Klein, director of the Bristol Parks and Recreation Department, helps deliver food to homebound individuals during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Sarah Klein stepping down as Bristol Recreation Director

Sarah Klein is stepping down from her director duties to spend more time with her family and dogs after a health scare put life into a new perspective. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/21/22

The late Peggie Perrotto will be sadly missed throughout the East Bay area.

Loss of Peggie Perrotto will resonate with many in East Bay

Peggie, 70, was an all-around gal whose love of life was unmatched. She unexpectedly passed from this world on April 10, after suffering a stroke, attributable to Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. more

By Manny Correira | 4/20/22

Confiscated evidence from Rioux’s residence included over two pounds of usable marijuana, approximately 500 Glo THC vape cartridges, marijuana in various editable forms, approximately $45,000 in U.S. currency, and a 9mm “ghost gun”.

Arrested Warren teen had large quantity of marijuana, cash, and a gun

A joint investigation between Bristol and Warren Police led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Warren resident who was found with a large quantity of various forms of marijuana, $45,000 in cash and a gun. more

4/20/22

Clean up hitter Grace Stephenson smacks a three run homer to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead during their game against Exeter West Greenwich on Thursday. The Huskies went on to win the game 11-0 and have now won 5 straight games in Division II.

Huskies softball team crushing their opponents to a 5-0 record

The Mt. Hope softball team isn’t just winning games, they’re pounding their opponents into submission. The Huskies crushed Barrington 13-0 on Tuesday and clobbered Exeter-West Greenwich … more

Photos and story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 4/17/22

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 Roger Williams University school of architecture will be renamed the Cummings School of Architecture and Real Estate in honor of the donation.

$20 million gift for RWU is the largest in its history

Roger Williams will rededicate the architecture school as the Cummings School of Architecture and Real Estate, in recognition of this partnership. Details on the celebration will be announced soon. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/15/22

The 1st Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna Fundraising Committee deserves a loud of applause for their efforts in keeping alive the memory of a great American war hero. They include standing (l-r): Philicia Pacheco, Calvin Boersma, Scott Grimo, Robert McKenna, Cliff Jorge, Peter McKenna, Carol McKenna, Jonathan Ferreira, and front row left-right Julie McKenna, Charlene Ferreira, and Gina-Marie Jorge.

6th annual fundraiser for fallen veteran Andrew McKenna a success

The event was the 6th annual 1st Sgt. P. Andrew McKenna, Jr. Beer Tasting fundraiser, held last Thursday night at the Portside Tavern. Scores of Andrew’s family and friends packed the restaurant in tribute of this remarkable decorated war hero. more

By Manny Correira | 4/14/22

Kate Lane, who is working on a historical romance novella set in 1876, working in the Linden Place conservatory.

Linden Place to inspire eight creative pieces from range of writers

They come from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and creative interests, but the eight writers selected to participate in Linden Place’s inaugural Writers Residency all impressed the panel of judges with their potential to add context and explore new facets of the property’s complicated history. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/14/22

Tanya Anderson-Martin, Daniel Hankins, and Rachel Tondreault, portraying Angela, Jay, and Natalie (respectively), during their performance of “Ill Never Do That” at Mt. Hope High School this past Thursday morning.

2nd Act presents authentic picture of addiction, celebrates recovery

During their performance of “Ill Never Do That,” the actors portraying a typical American family — three of which are in long-term recovery from alcohol addiction themselves — simultaneously painted a compassionate and authentic experience of how substance use disorder can affect an entire family, and how the road to recovery is anything but straightforward. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/14/22

Shortstop Parker Camelo puts a tag on a Middletown runner attempting to steal second base, with second baseman Jack Standish looking on (middle).

Huskies nine beat Moses Brown, sweep Middletown to start first D-I campaign

The Mt. Hope baseball team came back to beat Moses Brown 4-3 to win their third straight game to kick off their first ever Division I campaign with a 3-0 record. The Huskies 9 swept Middletown in a … more

Photos and story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 4/13/22

Two people and their canine companion walk along the shoreline near Nayatt Road in Barrington. These two happened to be traveling directly along the proposed “recognizable high tide line,” noted by the presence of seaweed and debris left by a recent high water line.

Who owns the shore?

Every now and then, the Rhode Island General Assembly confronts a bill that is not like other bills. It is bigger, bolder, more significant in promise and impact. The “Shoreline Access” … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/13/22

Helena Foulkes, Democratic candidate for Governor, speaks at Town Hall on Monday night.

Helena Foulkes brings gubernatorial pitch to East Bay

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes visited Warren on the evening of Monday, April 4, sharing her backstory and answering questions at a meeting of the Democratic Town Committee. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/7/22

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

RWU announces $20 million partnership with Cummings Foundation

Roger Williams University announced via press release a $20 million partnership with the Massachusetts-based Cummings Foundation. more

4/6/22

The East Bay Chamber of Commerce spent time with (from left to right) Rep. Susan Donovan, Rep. Liana Cassar, Sen. Wally Felag, Rep. Jason Knight and Rep. June Speakman.

Elected officials discuss how to spend a billion dollars, and change a culture

Five members of the Rhode Island General Assembly met with a room full of local business leaders, and the predominant topic of conversation was how to spend about $1 billion in federal monies. more

By Scott Pickering | 4/1/22