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May 25, 1778, dawned much like any other early spring day, but this tranquil scene was about to be interrupted by invading British and Hessian soldiers intending to burn Bristol to the ground. Join … more

5/21/24

Annual Blossoms & Sweets Sale in Little Compton

Purchase member-grown perennials, small shrubs, vegetable seedlings, green elephant, garden tools and baked goods at the Sogkonate Garden Club’s annual sale. The Little Compton Tree Committee … more

5/21/24

The Barrington Financial Town Meeting will be held in the high school gym on Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m.

Barrington FTM: Monastery property, $5M bond, budgets and more

At the FTM on Wednesday night, May 22, Barrington taxpayers will vote on the future of the Monastery property, a $5 million bond to improve athletic fields, and nearly $100 million in school … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/21/24

On Monday morning, eight Portsmouth High School seniors visited Portsmouth Nursery School, where they all “graduated” as 5-year-olds back in 2011. This year’s class of nursery school students raised $270 toward the June 5 Post Prom event for the Class of 2024. Here, PHS seniors pose with PNS students and faculty. Starting with the third person from left in the back row, they are (from left) Gracin Raposa, Kayla Parsons, Oliver Tibbets, Nick Spaner, Matt Nolan, Colm Dooley, Claire Hook, and Cole Swider. They are all wearing shirts representing the colleges and universities they will be attending next fall. They are flanked by teacher’s aid Kristie Labonte and head teacher Christy Renkawitz (left) and teacher’s aide Caroline Dooley (right).

In Portsmouth: Tiny tots help the big seniors

PORTSMOUTH — When Portsmouth High School seniors enjoy the fun and safety of their “Post Prom” on June 5, they’ll have some youngsters half their size to thank for helping to … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/21/24

Letter: This is not a personal squabble; it’s a wake-up call

To the editor: It’s rare to witness such hypocrisy as is displayed in Shoshana Landow’s LTE published May 8. In the name of inclusive love, she condemns the efforts of our Christian … more

5/21/24

Letter: What does Brave Books mean by Culture and the enemy?

To the editor: I thank the Ryans and Fullers, in their recent letter “DEI’s Godless Agenda,” and Daft and Ryan’s prior letter, for making me aware that our library had … more

5/21/24

Letter: Please evaluate life cycle of artificial turf fields

To the editor: We are writing to express our concern about the proposed plan to install artificial turf playing fields. As members of the Barrington Conservation Commission, we are focused on … more

5/21/24

An accident reconstruction specialist was called to the scene of a car crash on the Wampanoag Trail on Sunday, May 19.

Barrington teenager flips his car on the Wampanoag Trail

Barrington Police are investigating a crash that occurred on the Wampanoag Trail on Sunday morning, May 19. Police said a 16-year-old Barrington boy was driving at a high rate of speed … more

5/21/24

Council approves bids for Walker Farm work, town audit, more

It was a busy night for bids. The Barrington Town Council approved a number of bid requests during the May 6 meeting. BAY Team — $122,832 The Council approved (3-0 vote) … more

5/21/24

The former Knights of Columbus home at 28 Fish Road.

Tiverton KOC sells building, gives away $1 million

A local Knights of Columbus council marked the end of an era last week when members distributed more than $1 million — proceeds from the sale of its old home — to four local churches and … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 5/21/24

Seating for the “Music at Sunset” concert series is BYO – bring your own chairs or blankets – on the great lawn behind Blithewold Mansion in Bristol.

Blithewold announces lineup for ‘Music at Sunset’ series

Weekly concerts are Wednesday evenings from June 12 to Aug. 28 The popular summer concert series at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum is back for another season, beginning in early June. … more

5/21/24

A large patch of Native Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) replaced an area of turf grass lawn in the authors’ Barrington yard. The plant is an important nectar and pollen source for many native bees, especially bumblebees and long-tongued bees. It is a host plant for several native moths and a nectar source for butterflies. The prickly pads escape herbivore browsing but the fruits provide a nutrient rich meal for wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, and foxes. This native plant is rare and endangered in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Is it time to rethink the traditional lawn?

Spring is in the air, and so too are the noxious fumes and aural assault of overpowered lawn equipment. Bird song and children’s voices fill the air only to be abruptly halted by the roar of … more

By Cindy and Ed Moura | 5/21/24

Best 2023 Tournament Team Photo was awarded to team ‘Defiant,’ led by Eugene Burger, with some nice fluke caught by young anglers. This year, the Block Island Tournament is July 27 and 28.

Block Island fishing tourney is getting bigger every year

I t’s not too early to sign up for one of the summer’s most popular fishing events. “We are thrilled that the Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament keeps growing. Last year … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 5/21/24

We’re approaching peak time for state budget debates

In a sure sign that the end of the General Assembly session is approaching, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has slated a budget caucus for Wednesday afternoon at the Statehouse. A … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/21/24

A powerful story of one of the nation’s worst natural disasters

In 1934, a predatory dust storm carried windblown shards of the Great Plains over much of the nation. In Chicago, 12 million tons of dust fell. … more

By Donna Bruno | 5/21/24

Though they have always been technically illegal in Westport, the only Short Term Rental (STR) properties that have been called out by the town to date are those that have been problematic — like this home on Spinnaker Way, whose owners were served cease and desist orders last year after neighbors complained.

Short Term Rentals a "quagmire" for Westport, select board says

Two weeks after voters at Town Meeting rejected a warrant article that would have legalized and regulated Short Term Rentals (STRs) in Westport, members of the Select Board warned Monday night that … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/21/24

Text-based mental health counseling now available to Bristol Warren teachers

Students will also have access to the mental health services starting during the 2024/25 school year. more

5/21/24

Partner Noah Amaral (left) looks on as Austin Carter heaves the javelin during the Special Olympic Games in Dartmouth on Monday.

Westport Special Olympians give it their all

For a few hours Monday, 15 Special Olympians from Westport got to leave everything behind and just focus on competing. Sophia Siddal was as competitive and driven as ever. Ethan Cabral and Ethan … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/20/24

Aquidneck Island towns hosting hazard mitigation workshops

PORTSMOUTH — The towns of Portsmouth and Middletown, and the City of Newport, are developing the first ever multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Aquidneck Island. The … more

5/20/24

Corporal Peter Fletcher, who served in an anti-aircraft missile battalion for the USMC, died on Jan. 20, 1968, in Quang Tri, South Vietnam.

Warren native who perished in Vietnam to be honored Sunday

Peter Fletcher was a direct descendant of Commodore Abbot, a hero of the War of 1812, a one-time commander of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. He was 21 when he died during military service in Vietnam. more

5/20/24

No. 1 singles player James McShane serves for the Townies during a recent EPHS boys' tennis match.

EPHS boys' tennis seniors hopefully leave a lasting legacy

Three matches is all that potentially remains in the noteworthy careers of the seniors on the East Providence High School boys' tennis team as the Townies begin their pursuit of the 2024 Division II … more

By Mike Rego | 5/20/24

Letter: PAYT bags shouldn’t be part of curbside collection

To the editor: I’ve resided in Portsmouth since 1991. I loved using the transfer station and enjoyed the convenience of trashing on my schedule and in my way. Throw it in a bag, a box, or … more

5/20/24

Portsmouth Police deal with domestic assault, DUIs

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Tuesday, May 14 Freddie Valentin DeJesus, 41, of 93 Mason Ave., was charged with domestic violence … more

5/20/24

Finn Madden slides head first into the mud pit while participating in the Hampden Meadows Tough Tiger event, Sunday.

Hundreds try to tame Tough Tiger course at Hampden Meadows School

The cold wet weather on Sunday, May 19, could not dampen the spirits of those who participated in this year’s HMS Tough Tiger adventure race. As usual, a very large crowd turned out … more

5/20/24

Barrington Town Council member Braxton Cloutier (right), shown during a previous FTM, serves as liaison to the DEI Committee. During the May 6 Council meeting, Cloutier said the Westerly Town Council offers a respectful speech statement prior to its public comment period. At left is Barrington Council member Kate Berard.

Barrington Council still hesitant to adopt ‘respectful speech’ statement

One member of the Barrington Town Council pushed pause on a request by the DEI Committee to include a “respectful speech” statement during Council meetings. Another Council … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/20/24