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Police question man accused of trying to break into Barrington home

A Barrington resident reported a possible attempted break-in last week. The Anoka Avenue resident said the incident occurred on Jan. 7 at about 6:56 p.m., although it was not reported until Monday, … more

1/20/21

The lower Kickemuit Reservoir dam on Child Street is becoming less and less effective at keeping saltwater from traveling north into the reservoir.

Nearby residents oppose Warren dams' removal

Residents near the Kickemuit Reservoir are hiring legal representation and engineers to fight the Bristol County Water Authority's plan to remove the upper Kickemuit dam on Schoolhouse Road, and the … more

1/20/21

Should lacrosse be classified as a high risk sport or moderate? More than 1,000 people say it’s time for officials to change it to moderate risk.

Petition says lacrosse is moderate risk, not high

More than 1,000 people have already signed a petition calling for the state to reclassify the risk level for lacrosse, moving it from high risk to moderate. That move, officials say, would allow … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/20/21

Letter: Erosion of trust undercuts our Democracy

To the editor: America is facing a deficit far more critical that its sky-rocketing fiscal deficit or even its vaccine deficit. We are experiencing a trust deficit which threatens the very … more

1/20/21

Arlene Violet: It's time to end the Trump welfare checks

As former president Donald Trump exits the White House he leaves behind a legacy of polarization fanned by his inflammatory rhetoric. Economic inequality has never been greater as the tax laws and … more

By Arlene Violet | 1/20/21

Lifelong Barrington resident Clara DeSpirito celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this month. Her family organized a special car parade past her home.

Lifelong Barrington resident celebrates 100th birthday

Clara DeSpirito calls it a blessing. Earlier this month, the lifelong Barrington resident celebrated her 100th birthday. Her family and friends made the day extra special, as they held a car … more

1/19/21

Letter: Free speech, but only if you have council’s support?

To the editor: It seems in this town that governance works like this. Those who are in power choose to follow a certain path, for example, adding banners to the pole which historically has flown … more

1/19/21

Water authority proposes another rate increase

Bristol County Water Authority customers should expect rate increases each year for the next 10 years, starting with a proposed 5 percent increase this year. BCWA Executive Director Pam Marchand … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/19/21

Amiyah Johnson, a student at Portsmouth Middle School, recited a nonviolence pledge during the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday.

Choose to love and forgive, says MLK Jr. event speaker

NEWPORT COUNTY — On Jan. 6, hundreds of insurgents — many displaying telltale symbols typically worn by white supremacists, white nationalists and other extremist groups — … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/18/21

Leigh Medeiros with the ribcage of a deer, found on a South County beach.

For this local amateur naturalist, the world is full of treasure

The impulse to collect treasures found in nature has been described as a number of things, including a desire to preserve the past or impose order on the future. Classification of things found in … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/18/21

DPW workers plant a tree a few years back. Members of the town council have been offering updates about how many trees the town plants each month, compared to how many they cut down.

Council reminder: Barrington cut down eight trees last month

Carl Kustell picked up where Kate Weymouth left off. During Monday night’s town council meeting, Mr. Kustell offered an update of the public works department’s tree removal tally. … more

1/18/21

Letter: State must protect residents from Covid housing loss

To the editor: We the Democratic Town Committee of Little Compton, Rhode Island, call upon our General Assembly, our Governor, and the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to act to … more

1/18/21

A current architectural drawing shows the proposed site plan at the town's gateway center in North Warren. The site includes at least two buildings, a terrace, riverwalk and public amenities.

Warren gateway project cost currently at $9 million

A public/private effort to transform the old National Grid property in the shadow of the Warren River Bridge into a gateway center with a public area, riverwalk and shops/eateries could be ready for … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/17/21

On Monday, workers were busy installing solar panels onto support structures at the site of a large solar array being built by the Navy on West Main Road, south of Melville School. Although this project did not require town oversight, Portsmouth Residents for Responsible Solar has raised concerns that the current solar ordinance could lead to many similar developments around town.

Citizens group seeks legal appeal of Portsmouth solar ordinance

PORTSMOUTH — A citizens group that protested the recent passage of a new solar ordinance with no success is now turning to the legal system in an attempt to find relief. Portsmouth … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/16/21

Democratic Town Committee returns top three officers to their posts

The Bristol Democratic Town Committee held its biennial reorganizational meeting and election of officers on Monday, Jan. 11. Three officers retained positions first assumed two years ago: Erich … more

1/15/21

RI National Guardsman Darrien Mora readies packs of swabs at the pop-up testing site inside the Barrington Shopping Center on Tuesday morning.

Barrington Town Manager: Take a minute to get tested

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha is recommending residents make time to get tested for Covid-19. The Rhode Island National Guard and the Rhode Island Department of Health are co-sponsoring the … more

1/15/21

The Barrington Fire Department's old ladder truck, shown here responding to a house fire in 2017, was sold to a fire department in Washington state recently for $50,000.

Barrington's old fire truck finds a new home

The Barrington Fire Department’s old ladder truck may be gone, but it is not forgotten. In fact, during the recent council meeting, the truck became the subject of a brief discussion. Early … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/15/21

Dr. Philip Chan, the consultant medical director at the Department of Health's Division of Preparedness, Response, Infectious Disease and Emergency Medical Services, speaks to reporters via ZOOM Friday morning.

Health officials: More than 51,000 Rhode Islanders at least partially inoculated

More than 51,000 Rhode Islanders had been at least partially vaccinated against the coronavirus by Friday morning, according to state Department of Health officials, with 9,243 of them fully … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/15/21

Barrington Police Chief Dino DeCrescenzo (left) and Captain Timothy Harrington accept AAA Northeast’s commendation recognizing 60 years with no pedestrian fatalities.

Safe roads earn Barrington a special distinction

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha shared some good news during Monday night’s council meeting: In 60 years, Barrington has not had a single pedestrian fatality. That record runs in stark … more

1/15/21

Letter: Oppose the petition to establish a Diversity committee

A group of citizens has petitioned the BristolTown Council to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, DEI. The committee will “advise” the Town Council on issues and … more

1/15/21

Letter: This was an attack from within

What took place at our nation’s capital last week was an attack on our country and Constitution from within. It was another 9/11 moment perpetrated not by foreign terrorist but from American … more

1/14/21

Organizers and protestors march into downtown Bristol during a Black Lives Matter rally in June.

Diversity advocates draft proposal for new Bristol committee

A group of Bristol residents advocating for the creation of a new “Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” have completed their initial phase of work and outlined both the mission … more

1/14/21

Arlene Violet: Shameful day in D.C. was predictable

No matter whatever way you want to slice or dice it, the attack on the Capitol was an attempted coup encouraged by President Donald Trump and his minion, Rudy Giuliani. Look at the rhetoric by Mr. … more

By Arlene Violet | 1/14/21

Letter: Severance package hardly makes up for low compensation

I did not expect it to occur so quickly, but the battle between the conservatives and liberals on the “new old” Bristol Town Council has begun, as evidenced by the recent kerfuffle … more

1/14/21

Letter: Isn’t this a conflict of interest?

Contributions and expenses of candidates, political parties and registered lobbyists are required to be reported by state law. However, the public does not typically research this kind of public … more

1/14/21