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

The queen and court in Little Compton’s Tricentennial Parade in 1975.

From the Town Crier: Little Compton celebrates 350 years

Editor’s note: Continuing on Little Compton’s 350th birthday celebration, the Town Crier writes of Queens and canes, and their ties to the town’s history. An article in the … more

By the Town Crier | 7/10/24

Democrats have a problem – but is it actually just a Biden problem?

STORY OF THE WEEK: With 122 days until the Nov. 5 election (as of the writing of this column), Democrats find themselves in a fix. Various news reports this week had President Biden weighing a … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/8/24

Commentary: 'My Home Town' – Bristol (1948-1970)

Stroll down Hope Street, What do you see? more

By Donna DeLeo Bruno | 7/3/24

An inspiring story of a resilient actor known to all as ‘The Fonz’

You might be surprised to know that Henry Winkler, better known as “The Fonz” on TV sitcom “Happy … more

7/2/24

Republicans and Democrats – How dare they?

If you watched the June 27 presidential debate you had to ask yourself one question: How dare the Republican and Democratic Parties leave you with a choice of two grievously flawed candidates for the … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 7/2/24

Presidential debate left Democrats reeling

STORY OF THE WEEK: The Kennedy - Nixon debate in 1960 marked the dawning of a new age, when the optics of televised images carried more weight than the substance of what candidates conveyed verbally. … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/1/24

Major moves in the R.I. healthcare landscape

STORY OF THE WEEK: Thursday was the day to buy a lottery ticket if you predicted two key developments involving Rhode Island’s healthcare landscape. Brown University and the state’s … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/24/24

Carolyn Montgomery helps dig a hole for the time capsule placed at Pike’s Peak in 1975. The capsule will be opened in August 2025.

The Town Crier: Little Compton celebrates 350 years

Editor’s note: Over the coming months, the Sakonnet Times will be running regular dispatches from the “The Town Crier” — the voice of the towns’ 350th anniversary … more

By The Town Crier | 6/18/24

A win for law enforcement transparency, and a research race in R.I.

STORY OF THE WEEK: After an update of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights recently got close to the finish line, there was 0.0% chance that legislative leaders wouldn’t get it … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/10/24

Is R.I. healthcare ‘on the precipice of a disaster’?

STORY OF THE WEEK: During a fiery speech last Tuesday in the House of Representatives’ chamber at the Statehouse, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha warned of the growing healthcare … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/4/24

On R.I. healthcare: Keep fiddling while Rome is burning

Legend has it that while a fire destroyed the city of Rome, then Emperor Nero played his violin, thus revealing his total lack of understanding of what was happening during a crisis. If Nero headed … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 6/3/24

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

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

Good vibes and good times for the leaders of the House

STORY OF THE WEEK: Rhode Island House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski has a bit more gray hair these days, but his status as the heir-apparent to House Speaker Joe Shekarchi remains … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/15/24

Column: Deadline and eligibility extended for student mini grants

Our Career Explorers Mini-Grant program is open for enrollment through the end of May. We have $15,000 to distribute to applicants selected from those we receive. more

By Craig Evans | 5/10/24

Brown looks good after peaceful resolution with student protestors

STORY OF THE WEEK: Pro-Palestinian protests at Brown University came to a peaceful end last week – a contrast to the mass arrests and disorder seen on many campuses across the … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/7/24

It’s more clear than ever – the kids are in crisis

STORY OF THE WEEK: State-mandated disclosures about the deaths and near-deaths of Rhode Island children have become increasingly frequent over the last year. Twenty-eight fatalities and an identical … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/30/24

Homelessness should not be a crime

Let me get my bias out of the way when I talk about homelessness. More than 45 years ago, I was privileged to be the executive director of McAuley House, the first soup kitchen in Providence, founded … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 4/30/24

Westport Health Notes: Tackling PSFAs here

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). This month we are talking about PFAS, known as “forever”’ chemicals, their health … more

By Tanja Ryden, Board of Health | 4/23/24

Serious bridge concerns were first documented in 2015

STORY OF THE WEEK: As the state awaits a forensic review of what went wrong with the Washington Bridge, the ProJo’s Patrick Anderson delivered a must-read story this week contextualizing how a … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/23/24

Column: Parents of teens, here’s something to be excited about

As a grandfather with young grandkids, maybe I’m a bit idealistic, but it would seem to me any opportunity to support your child’s pursuit of some FREE MONEY like this is time well spent. more

By Craig Evans | 4/18/24

RIPTA director’s resignation highlights myriad transportation problems

STORY OF THE WEEK: For a long time, it seemed as if Scott Avedisian was destined to be mayor in perpetuity of Warwick. He could be counted on to win re-election as a genial GOP moderate, even amid … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/16/24

Investigative team starts digging for Washington Bridge answers

STORY OF THE WEEK: “We’re leaving no stone unturned as far as accountability,” Gov. Dan McKee said last Friday, as he unveiled Max Wistow and Jonathan Savage as the lawyers who will … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/8/24

Column: I love the smell of machines in the morning

Making stuff, and knowing how to fix stuff, is an art form that for reasons beyond my comprehension, we stopped appreciating as a society for a long time. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/4/24

Ken Block has done a service to this country

Many readers will remember Ken Block as a two-time candidate for Rhode Island Governor and technology entrepreneur who helped the State of Texas save more than a billion dollars in food stamp fraud … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 4/3/24