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

Dan Coogan goes up for a shot during the second half of Sunday's "Elite 8" match against Middletown.

Barrington boys lose to Middletown in Elite Eight showdown

Frustration. Disappointment. Pain. Take your pick but each of these nouns can describe the feeling of the No. 5 Barrington High boys’ basketball team after a 65-59 loss to No. 4 Middletown … more

By Mike Scandura | 3/7/23

Tim Sweeney, Town Councilman from Bristol, was unanimously elected by peers on the Joint Finance Committee to become its next chairman, taking over for Warren Town Council Vice President Steve Calenda.

Joint Finance Committee gives initial praise to Bristol Warren budget

The Bristol Warren Joint Finance Committee (JFC) indicated no major issues after their first pass at the school committee-approved $58.9 million school budget proposed by Superintendent Ana Riley. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/7/23

West Place emerges from avian flu 'nightmare'

All it took was one goose to throw a massive wrench in the honorable mission of West Place Animal Sanctuary. One Canadian goose, flying overhead on its autumnal journey southward, that sentenced the … more

By Paige Shapiro | 3/7/23

Students at Westport Middle High School file in for orientation at the first day of school following the new school's construction.

Westport schools join social media lawsuit

Westport Community Schools have joined a class action lawsuit filed against several popular social media platforms, which alleges that those firms' services have led to a mental health crisis in school-age children. more

By Ted Hayes | 3/7/23

Barrington School Committee: Vaccine policy to be amended

The Barrington School Committee will be changing the district’s Covid-19 policy. more

By Josh Bickford | 3/7/23

Head coach Scot Boudria consoles senior Cam Leary after the Wildcats lost to Mount Greylock 55-52 in the Division 5 Sweet 16 at Westport on Monday night.

End of an era for Westport in Sweet 16 loss

Tears rolled down Owen Boudria’s cheeks. His face was red as he walked from the locker room back to the court. It wasn't just the end of the game, nor the end of the season, it was an end of an … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 3/7/23

Portsmouth High’s Emily Maiato barrels through the North Kingstown defense to get under the basket during Saturday’s “Elite Eight” game on the road, which the Patriots lost to end their season.

Portsmouth girls’ basketball season ends with ‘Elite 8’ appearance

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High girls’ basketball team’s season came to an end Saturday, but not before the scrappy squad overcame expectations to get to the “Eight … more

3/6/23

Riverside resident Dave Tanury had a guitar long before he learned how to play it. Once he did, he never stopped. His wild success with the band Rizzz in the 1970s and ’80s led to his eventual induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

Meet Dave Tanury: From chorus, to guitars, to a Hall of Fame career

At a recent sit down over coffee at Borealis, in his hometown of Riverside, R.I., legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter Dave Tanury reflected on his life and career in music. It’s a career … more

By Michael Khouri | 3/6/23

Homeless encampment in Barrington ordered to clear out

Three homeless men living in the woods behind the Bayside YMCA have 30 days to clear out. On Wednesday, March 1, Barrington Police officers hiked into the Veterans Park woods and served … more

3/6/23

Tiverton School Resource Officer Jacqueline Smaldone walks the Tiverton High School halls Saturday morning.

Tiverton names new resource officer for high school

Jacqueline Smaldone, a Tiverton police officer with prior experience as a mental health professional who has worked extensively with troubled teens, has been appointed Interim School Resource … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 3/6/23

City native and just elected Secretary of State Gregg Amore returned to East Providence High School Monday, March 6, to announce an award his office is creating to annually salute Civics teachers.

Amore announces creation of Civics teacher award during EPHS visit

EAST PROVIDENCE — City native and just elected Secretary of State Gregg Amore returned to a familiar place Monday morning, March 6, to announce a signature initiative of his first term in … more

By Mike Rego | 3/6/23

Team 652 Underdogs (Mya Tucker, Nathan Paquette, Simon Thibault, Corbin Chin, Ian Areia, Owen Scheneck, Brady Paiva, Michael Thibault, Aiden Enes (not pictured Aidan Devine), and Team 3351 TaterBots (Daniel Vittoria, Miles Kindness, Aidan Enjeti, Brian Conway, Declan Reed, Keaton Fischer (not pictured Nathaniel Fisher, Chris Sousa), along with coaches Marny Kindness and Ryan Garrity, after the conclusion of Saturday’s events at NEIT.

Mt. Hope robotics team competes at state championship

Two robotics teams from Mt. Hope competed at the New England Institute of Technology over the weekend at the state FIRST championship competition. more

3/6/23

Miller George Whitley loads the hopper shortly before the closure of Gray's Mill on the Adamsville/Westport town line.

With Gray's gone, jonnycake meal is becoming scarce

This story is not about the correct way to make jonnycakes — everyone east of Narragansett Bay knows they're best thin, not thick. It's not about whether jonnycakes made from anything … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/6/23

The BHS girls swim team celebrates its state championship with Coach Sandy Gorham on Saturday, March 4.

Barrington swimmers dominate at states

Twice as nice. For the second straight year, the Barrington High School boys and girls swim teams won state championships. Eagles Coach Sandy Gorham credited the team-first approach … more

By Josh Bickford | 3/6/23

The Patriots’ Connor Rogers skates in from behind the net to flick a shot toward the North Smithfield goal Friday at Portsmouth Abbey. Portsmouth won the game, 3-1, and went on to win Saturday against the Northmen, 4-3, to advance to the semifinals.

Portsmouth advances to semis after beating North Smithfield

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Patriots boys’ hockey team took one step closer to their goal of a Rhode Island Division II title when they advanced to the semifinals over the … more

3/5/23

Xavier Hazard and Trey Rezendes celebrate after the victory.

East Providence edges Smithfield, advances to boys' hoops state semis

PROVIDENCE — The mantra of basketball in March at any level is “survive and advance,” and that’s exactly what East Providence High School did Sunday, March 5, in the … more

By Mike Rego | 3/5/23

Matt Raffa barrels through the North Smithfield defense to reach the hoop.

Eagles eliminate Northmen, earn a trip to the Elite Eight

Fourth-seeded Barrington survived a scare from 13th-seeded North Smithfield, 56-52, in the first round of the state open tournament. The Division I Eagles, playing in front of a home crowd on … more

By Josh Bickford | 3/4/23

Leah Sylvain shoots a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of Westport's 58-29 victory over St. John Paul II in the round of 32 on Friday night.

Wildcats dominate St. John Paul II 55-29, move on to Sweet 16

Cuts Wildcats dominate St. John Paul II 55-29, move on to Sweet 16 Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. Leah Sylvain scored 22 points as the Westport girls … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 3/4/23

Hunter Brodeur elevates for a jumper in the fourth quarter. The quick as lightning guard scored 17 points including the go-ahead basket.

Westport sinks Ayer Shirley 63-57, gains Sweet 16

The 14-7 Wildcats advance to the Sweet 16 for the second-straight year after dismantling Ayer Shirley 63-57 in the round of 32 at the high school on Thursday night. Westport scored 19 fourth quarter … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 3/3/23

Bristol looking into lessening tax burden on seniors

In a process that will certainly take many months of discussion and research, the town would like to come up with a plan to reduce the tax burden of longtime resident seniors. more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/3/23

Ornithologist and director of avian research for the Audubon Society of R.I., Charles Clarkson will unveil the findings of his recent study, "State of Our Birds".

Bosworth Lecture to focus on maintaining healthy bird populations

The lecture will take place on Thursday, March 9 at the Rogers Free Library in Bristol. more

3/3/23

East Providence parks will receive review, renovations as needed

EAST PROVIDENCE — A process is being put into place so every playground/recreational area in the city will be evaluated on a regular basis going forward and any necessary improvements can be … more

By Mike Rego | 3/3/23

Max Collins plays defense late for the EPHS boys' basketball team as the Townies upset host Classical in Providence Thursday night, March 2, in the opening round of the Open State Championship Tournament.

Townies leave Purple feeling blue, advance in boys' hoops state tourney

PROVIDENCE — Low key, though effective, for most of the night, Will Winfield made his presence known in a large way late for the East Providence High School boys’ basketball team as the … more

By Mike Rego | 3/2/23

Pokanoket Sachem Tracey “Dancing Star” Brown (right), joined by Bristol Town Councilman Tim Sweeney and Victoria Johnson (from the Newport Middle Passage Project) were all smiles as the temporary marker was unveiled.

Location of slave history memorial unveiled at Independence Park

Dozens gathered on a brisk and breezy Saturday morning to celebrate the latest development in the multi-year effort to site a marker to the Transatlantic slave trade on the Bristol waterfront. more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/2/23

Barrington's Lara Tolley competes in a swim meet earlier this season.

BHS swim teams prepare for state championship meets

The Barrington High School boys and girls swim teams finished second at their respective Division I Championship meets last weekend. The BHS boys team finished second behind Bishop Hendricken. … more

By Josh Bickford | 3/2/23