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Lt. Thomas Plourde is retiring from the Westport Police Department after 34 years of service to the town.

Lt. Thomas Plourde, a member of the Westport Police Department for more than three decades, is nearly ready to turn in his badge. The Westport resident always wanted to be a cop, and said he lived … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/3/22

A rendering of the new playground being proposed by the Four Hearts Foundation to replace the existing one on Turnpike Avenue.

Portsmouth: Fund-raising begins for new playground

PORTSMOUTH — A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Four Hearts Foundation and the Town Council has been approved so that a new community playground can be built on Turnpike … more

5/3/22

The Patriots’ Elly Skeels tracks a Burrillville opponent along the sideline during Saturday's game at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth beats Burrillville, sit atop D-2 girls’ lacrosse

PORTSMOUTH — In a battle of two undefeated Division II teams, the Portsmouth High varsity girls’ lacrosse made easy work of Burrillville on Saturday, winning 13-2 in impressive … more

5/1/22

Barrington High School again ranked near the top nationally

Barrington High School continues to earn a spot near the top of the annual U.S. News and World Report “Best High School” list. This year, Barrington High School was ranked 308 … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/30/22

Welcome to the America of Me, Myself and I

I was not among those jumping for joy when a federal court judge struck down the mask mandate on the basis that the CDC had no authority to require masks on folks using modes of public … more

By Arlene Violet | 4/29/22

Resident said shop noise degrades quality of life, but council votes 5-1 in favor

Tiverton gun shop wins extended hours

The Tiverton Town Council recently approved a request from the owners of a local gun store and indoor shooting range to expand their hours of operation, following a public hearing earlier this month … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 4/29/22

Voters give a near-unanimous show of support for the funding of an assistant town planner position at last year's Town Meeting.

Westport Town Meeting set for Tuesday

Westport is facing one of its toughest budget cycles in recent years, and residents who take part in Tuesday's annual Town Meeting will be asked to approve more than 30 warrant articles to keep town … more

4/29/22

Sakonnet Vineyards license request on hold for now

The Little Compton Town Council will defer action on a request from Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard for a BV retail beverage license until questions can be answered about future business plans for … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 4/29/22

Town Internet plan hinges on Town Meeting vote

Does Westport need better Internet connectivity? Many residents believe it does, and a warrant article on next Tuesday's Town Meeting agenda would, if passed, give the town the means to look more … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/29/22

The town will finish installation on a resident and transient dinghy dock at Stone Bridge over the next several weeks.

Tiverton preps for new dinghy dock

Tiverton's old dinghy dock has been gone from the Stone Bridge abutment and Grinnell's Beach for years, but should be back in plenty of time for this year's busy summer season. Workers will soon … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/29/22

The Acoaxet Chapel was built in 1872, on a $35 lot of land near Westport Point.

Acoaxet chapel at 150 years: Faithful paid $35 for the land

Editor's note: This is a second in a series of articles commemorating this year's 150th anniversary of the Acoaxet Chapel Association. By Neil Timpson From 1840 on, neighbors in Acoaxet, … more

4/29/22

Wire breaks are shown inside the main cables on the Mt. Hope Bridge. The R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority plans to apply a dehumidification project intended to restore the cables’ strength.

$35 million Mt. Hope Bridge work goes out for RFP

The proposed cable dehumidification technology needed to extend the life of the iconic bridge is expensive, with a projected $35 million price tag. But that’s a fraction of what the cost would be for a full cable or bridge replacement. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Letter: Pay attention to the real threats to our liberty

To the editor: Liberty, in common usage, means “freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.” Thankfully, because of our constitution, we have a system of laws to … more

4/29/22

Letter: Setting the record straight on Almy Creek

To the editor: We write as your neighbors on Oliver Lane, Little Compton, to correct several factual errors in the recent article headlined “Public Stay Away?” in the April 7 … more

4/29/22

Letter: What about goose impact on Cockeast nitrogen loading?

To the editor: I read with interest, the article in Westport Shorelines entitled, “ What price green grass ?” and am very much in agreement with the general thrust of the … more

4/29/22

Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle

Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more

By Diane LeValley | 4/29/22

Huskies second baseman Dan Desilets missed a short throw from shortstop Dayton Van Amberg in an attempt to start a double play during Mt. Hope's home game against South Kingstown on Wednesday. Instead both runners were safe. The Huskies made a combined 15 errors in the South Kingstown away and home series.

Four losses highlight tough run for Huskies baseball

The Huskies were swept in a two-game away and home series to South Kingstown, and lost to North Kingstown twice to fall from a tie for first place to a tie for 10th with a record of 4-4. more

By Richard W. Dionne Jr. | 4/29/22

Rogers Free Library librarians Nancy Kellner (left) and Catherine Murray both won awards for their library work.

Bristol librarian named most outstanding in state

Nancy Kellner is the winner of the 2022 Outstanding Librarian of the Year Award, and Catherine Murray has been voted the winner of the 2022 Meritorious Friend of the Library Award. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

East Passage Boatwrights’ founder Carter Richardson steers the East Passage 24, Classic Boat magazine’s Best New Powered Vessel of the Year in (where else?) the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

Bristol boat maker wins ‘Best New Powered Vessel of the Year’

East Passage Boatwrights was awarded 2022’s Best New Powered Vessel of the Year by Classic Boat Magazine. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Father Angelo Caruso shares a benediction during the Barrington UVC-organized Memorial Day event at Victory Gate last year. The BUVC will again hold a Memorial Day ceremony at Victory Gate this year.

Veterans council holding its own Memorial Day ceremony

There will be two Memorial Day ceremonies held at Victory Gate on Monday, May 30. The first, held by the Barrington United Veterans Council, will begin at 8 a.m. The second, set for 9 a.m., will … more

4/29/22

Diners enjoy a meal outdoors in May of 2021.

Bristol ordinance would perpetuate seasonal outdoor dining on State Street

The Bristol Town Council discussed a draft ordinance that, if approved, will establish an outdoor dining zone on State Street. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Spouses Cathy Plourde (left) and Kara Larson launched their first professional venture together three years ago. Their Rhode Island Spirits products are now being sold in restaurants and package stores throughout Rhode Island, and they are beginning to work on expansion into Massachusetts.

Rhode Island distillery relies on farms, fields and wild foraging

The founders, co-owners and distillers at Rhode Island Spirits have a saying. It’s actually more than a saying; it’s a philosophy, a sales pitch, and the essence of their business … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/28/22

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

Letter: Differing views share space at Bristol talk

To the editor: On Sunday, April 24, the Bristol County Concerned Citizens sponsored a Town Hall discussion focusing on parental rights in education. The keynote speaker was Erika Sanzi, outreach … more

4/28/22

Letter: Disappointed in the Robin Rug runaround

To the editor: Let’s be honest here. The proposed Robin Rug development project, as planned, is shaping up to be another Roger Williams University dormitory with little or no benefit to the … more

4/28/22