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

Cause of Bristol house fire is still under investigation

Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire that displaced a couple from their 30 Defiance Ave. home in the middle of the night last week. The fire was reported at 1:40 a.m. on … more

By Scott Pickering | 6/2/21

Barrington schools updating ‘alcohol sensor device’ policy

The Barrington School Committee is updating its “alcohol sensor device” policy. Last month, committee members conducted a first reading for the new policy. Barrington School … more

By Josh Bickford | 6/2/21

Raccoon runs rampant — bites two Barrington residents

On multiple occasions late last month, residents in a quiet West Barrington neighborhood found themselves under attack. A large raccoon ambushed people on Walnut Road, Grant Street and Bradford … more

6/1/21

Warren looks to ban 'nip' bottles

Plastic 'nip' bottles, the single serving liquor bottles that can be found by the thousand in any package store and are a significant source of litter here, could be a thing of the past here if a … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/30/21

Zachary Pickering, in a Warren police department booking photo.

Man charged in Warren hate stickers case

A Cranston man has been charged in connection with the recent rash of offensive and racist stickers posted around Warren. Zachary Pickering, 22, turned himself in to Warren police Friday morning … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/29/21

Barrington Middle School student Marketa Douglas is a finalists in the Doodle for Google competition.

Barrington student is finalist in Google competition

Barrington’s Marketa Douglas could soon have her artwork displayed on the Google homepage. The Barrington Middle School student is one of Google’s top five national finalists in the … more

5/28/21

Arlene Violet: Congressional republicans fumble again

Make no mistake: I think there should be a Congressional study commission that analyzes all domestic terrorist groups perpetrating violence. The Capitol onslaught on January 6 is an obvious choice. … more

By Arlene Violet | 5/28/21

Letter: Bristol does care, and America is not systemically racist

The letter in last week’s Phoenix entitled “ Bristol has shown it does not care about systemic racism ” was written with great passion, but grossly mischaracterizes our … more

5/27/21

Letter: Reject arguments based on fabrications

I must correct false statements in two recent letters to the editor, namely, that the abolition of slavery was an original, uniquely American idea. In his letter , Michael Byrnes stated wrongly that … more

5/27/21

Letter: School Committee needs to follow their own rules

At the Bristol Warren Region School Committee meeting held on May 27, I had planned on speaking during public comment to share my opinions on school committee member Carly Reich’s sexist and … more

5/27/21

Editorial: The public has a right to speak, good or bad

Public bodies can meet behind closed doors if they’re discussing someone’s job performance or negotiating terms of a contract. They can add things to their agenda if a majority agree to … more

5/27/21

Mount Hope Farm representative Merritt Meyer (center) leads a tour of the property with Bristol Historic District Commission members (left to right) John Allen, Oryann Lima and Ben Bergenholtz. To his left is the farm’s executive director, Sheri St. Germain. Behind them all is a foundation poured without any town review or approvals that triggered a cease and desist order, as well as a mandatory review of the farm’s master plan with the town.

Mount Hope Farm working to right their wrongs

Mount Hope Farm is on the road to redemption with the Town of Bristol, after more than a year of odd missteps. Their latest step was a walking tour of the farm last Friday morning for members of the … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/27/21

Letter: Racism is not a one-way street

I’m writing in response to frequent letter-writer Michael Proto and his recurring commentary on racism . How can anyone tell who is a racist and who is not? Can you see into a person’s … more

5/27/21

The Barrington Middle School Science Olympiad team.

Barrington — One of Rhode Island’s most diverse (suburban) communities

Consider two Rhode Island communities. In one, just 3 percent of the students in the public schools are racial minorities — classified as anything other than “white.” In the other, … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/26/21

Letter: It’s time to restore music, plus more

More than 600 Rhode Island students from grades 7 to 12 were featured in the 2021 RIMEA (Rhode Island Music Education Association) All-State Music Festival Concert, premiering on YouTube on May 2, … more

5/26/21

A firefighter walks 16a Prospect Street resident June Leone and her brother, Brian Jarvis, to a Red Cross truck for treatment Tuesday evening. Another resident of the three-family structure died when it caught fire.

Fire chief identifies victim of Bristol blaze

Bristol Fire Chief Michael DeMello released the identity of the victim in a deadly fire Tuesday evening . The deceased is 34-year-old Corey Rogers, a resident of the 16 Prospect St. multi-family … more

5/26/21

DEI policy goal: Make all students feel sense of belonging

What will the district’s new “diversity, equity and inclusivity” policy mean for students and their families? Barrington School Committee Chairwoman Gina Bae said the direct … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/26/21

Barrington High School senior Sasha Westrick has been rowing since she was 13 years old. She recently signed a letter of intent to row for Temple University next year.

BHS senior will row for Temple University next year

Barrington High School senior Sasha Westrick recently signed a letter of intent to row for Temple University next year. Sasha started rowing when she was 13 years old and quickly took to the … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/25/21

Kevin Mendes, in a booking photograph taken by Warren police Monday, May 24.

No bail for Warren man charged with attempted murder of mother

A Warren man accused of the attempted murder of his mother was ordered held without bail Monday, and was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Kevin M. Mendes, 34, of 22 Birchswamp Road, … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/25/21

Mayor Bob DaSilva, Councilor Robert Britto and Councilor Bob Rodericks look on as Brian Silva and Sandra Medina unveil a memorial plaque in memory of East Providence residents who have lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

East Providence memorializes COVID patients as pandemic deaths in city approach 200

EAST PROVIDENCE — Officials from East Providence hosted a ceremony Monday evening, May 24, at City Hall, where a tree was planted dedicated to the memory of residents who have lost their lives to … more

Words by Mike Rego, Photos by Julie Furtado | 5/25/21

Aerial view shows the location of the planned solar array off West Main Road, between Lehigh Terrace to the north (top) and Freeborn Street (not shown) to the south. Note the cleared area, where the rows of ground-mounted solar panels would be built, surrounded by trees and vegetation.

Zoning board OKs large solar array off West Main, Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Saying the applicant checked all the boxes needed for a special-use permit under the town’s solar ordinance, the Zoning Board of Review Thursday, May … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/24/21

With an eye on the ground, David M. Bird assembles ‘Becorns’ — small figures constructed from found natural items — and leaves them to interact with wildlife.

Artist and toy designer turns to nature for inspiration

About a decade ago, RISD-educated toy designer David M. Bird was sweeping his mom’s driveway in Pittsburgh, remembering fondly a job he had at Lego in Denmark, designing miniature figures for … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/24/21

Letter: Now is the time to address gun violence

To the editor: On Thursday, May 13, the largest mass shooting in Providence’s history happened. Nine people were injured, three critically so. I later found out that my younger brother was … more

5/21/21

Warren town manager lobbies for educational funding

The most recent school budget cycle was one of the most painful in recent memory, with Bristol Warren Regional School Committee members on Monday voting to lay off nearly 25 full time employees and … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/21/21

Bristol Police: Two arrests for DUI, plus problems between neighbors

Bristol police officers made a handful of arrests, including two for driving under the influence, from May 10 to 17. Monday, May 10 A sick animal was reported on Dominion Avenue at 2:21 … more

5/21/21