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

Portsmouth council votes to defund island planning group

PORTSMOUTH — In provisionally approving a $69.97 million budget for 2022-23 that calls for a 1.29-percent increase over the current spending plan, the Town Council made a move that several … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/4/22

Isys Dunphy swings at a pitch during the team's home game against Westerly on Thursday night.

Young Barrington High School softball team battles to 3-5 record

The good news is that the Barrington High School softball team is loaded with young, talented players. It’s also one of the challenges for the team. “They’re still in the … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/4/22

Portsmouth sophomore pitcher John Mass struck out 11 and gave up just one hit in a seven-inning complete game against Mt. Hope at Guiteras Field on Friday afternoon.

Portsmouth tops Mt. Hope twice in four days

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — Two games against Mt. Hope High School added up to two Division 1 wins for the Patriots varsity baseball team Friday and Monday. On Friday at Guiteras Field in … more

5/3/22

With the acoustic panels reinstalled, school officials were happy to announce that the Barrington Middle School auditorium has been reopened.

After lengthy delay, Barrington Middle School auditorium reopens

Good news: the Barrington Middle School auditorium has been reopened. Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore said the district was given the green light to reopen the middle school … more

5/3/22

Lt. Thomas Plourde is retiring from the Westport Police Department after 34 years of service to the town.

Veteran Westport cop calls it a career

Lt. Thomas Plourde, a member of the Westport Police Department for more than three decades, is nearly ready to turn in his badge. The Westport resident always wanted to be a cop, and said he lived … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/3/22

A rendering of the new playground being proposed by the Four Hearts Foundation to replace the existing one on Turnpike Avenue.

Portsmouth: Fund-raising begins for new playground

PORTSMOUTH — A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Four Hearts Foundation and the Town Council has been approved so that a new community playground can be built on Turnpike … more

5/3/22

The Patriots’ Elly Skeels tracks a Burrillville opponent along the sideline during Saturday's game at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth beats Burrillville, sit atop D-2 girls’ lacrosse

PORTSMOUTH — In a battle of two undefeated Division II teams, the Portsmouth High varsity girls’ lacrosse made easy work of Burrillville on Saturday, winning 13-2 in impressive … more

5/1/22

Barrington High School again ranked near the top nationally

Barrington High School continues to earn a spot near the top of the annual U.S. News and World Report “Best High School” list. This year, Barrington High School was ranked 308 … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/30/22

Resident said shop noise degrades quality of life, but council votes 5-1 in favor

Tiverton gun shop wins extended hours

The Tiverton Town Council recently approved a request from the owners of a local gun store and indoor shooting range to expand their hours of operation, following a public hearing earlier this month … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 4/29/22

Voters give a near-unanimous show of support for the funding of an assistant town planner position at last year's Town Meeting.

Westport Town Meeting set for Tuesday

Westport is facing one of its toughest budget cycles in recent years, and residents who take part in Tuesday's annual Town Meeting will be asked to approve more than 30 warrant articles to keep town … more

4/29/22

Sakonnet Vineyards license request on hold for now

The Little Compton Town Council will defer action on a request from Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard for a BV retail beverage license until questions can be answered about future business plans for … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 4/29/22

Town Internet plan hinges on Town Meeting vote

Does Westport need better Internet connectivity? Many residents believe it does, and a warrant article on next Tuesday's Town Meeting agenda would, if passed, give the town the means to look more … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/29/22

The town will finish installation on a resident and transient dinghy dock at Stone Bridge over the next several weeks.

Tiverton preps for new dinghy dock

Tiverton's old dinghy dock has been gone from the Stone Bridge abutment and Grinnell's Beach for years, but should be back in plenty of time for this year's busy summer season. Workers will soon … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/29/22

Wire breaks are shown inside the main cables on the Mt. Hope Bridge. The R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority plans to apply a dehumidification project intended to restore the cables’ strength.

$35 million Mt. Hope Bridge work goes out for RFP

The proposed cable dehumidification technology needed to extend the life of the iconic bridge is expensive, with a projected $35 million price tag. But that’s a fraction of what the cost would be for a full cable or bridge replacement. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Huskies second baseman Dan Desilets missed a short throw from shortstop Dayton Van Amberg in an attempt to start a double play during Mt. Hope's home game against South Kingstown on Wednesday. Instead both runners were safe. The Huskies made a combined 15 errors in the South Kingstown away and home series.

Four losses highlight tough run for Huskies baseball

The Huskies were swept in a two-game away and home series to South Kingstown, and lost to North Kingstown twice to fall from a tie for first place to a tie for 10th with a record of 4-4. more

By Richard W. Dionne Jr. | 4/29/22

Rogers Free Library librarians Nancy Kellner (left) and Catherine Murray both won awards for their library work.

Bristol librarian named most outstanding in state

Nancy Kellner is the winner of the 2022 Outstanding Librarian of the Year Award, and Catherine Murray has been voted the winner of the 2022 Meritorious Friend of the Library Award. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

East Passage Boatwrights’ founder Carter Richardson steers the East Passage 24, Classic Boat magazine’s Best New Powered Vessel of the Year in (where else?) the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

Bristol boat maker wins ‘Best New Powered Vessel of the Year’

East Passage Boatwrights was awarded 2022’s Best New Powered Vessel of the Year by Classic Boat Magazine. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Father Angelo Caruso shares a benediction during the Barrington UVC-organized Memorial Day event at Victory Gate last year. The BUVC will again hold a Memorial Day ceremony at Victory Gate this year.

Veterans council holding its own Memorial Day ceremony

There will be two Memorial Day ceremonies held at Victory Gate on Monday, May 30. The first, held by the Barrington United Veterans Council, will begin at 8 a.m. The second, set for 9 a.m., will … more

4/29/22

Diners enjoy a meal outdoors in May of 2021.

Bristol ordinance would perpetuate seasonal outdoor dining on State Street

The Bristol Town Council discussed a draft ordinance that, if approved, will establish an outdoor dining zone on State Street. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Spouses Cathy Plourde (left) and Kara Larson launched their first professional venture together three years ago. Their Rhode Island Spirits products are now being sold in restaurants and package stores throughout Rhode Island, and they are beginning to work on expansion into Massachusetts.

Rhode Island distillery relies on farms, fields and wild foraging

The founders, co-owners and distillers at Rhode Island Spirits have a saying. It’s actually more than a saying; it’s a philosophy, a sales pitch, and the essence of their business … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/28/22

Mt. Hope's Eva White named student athlete of year

Eva White, a Mt. Hope High School multi-sport athlete, will be recognized as student-athlete of the year in May. more

4/28/22

Warren PD: A very busy week

Warren Police activity from April 18-25, 2022. more

4/28/22

Budget increases continue to grow for Barrington schools

In 2018, the school department received a budget increase of 2.53 percent. A year later, the increase was 2.96 percent, and in 2020, the Barrington School Department received a 3.59 percent … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/28/22

Two Portsmouth residents charged with voter fraud

“Vote early and often,” goes the saying. According to the R.I. Attorney General’s Office, two men here took the second part of that maxim to heart during the 2020 General Election. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/28/22

Members of Barrington Daisy Troop 723 carry an American flag through the Memorial Day parade route a previous year.

Barrington continues to plan Memorial Day parade

It’s been a couple years since the town held a Memorial Day parade. And unlike prior years, the 2022 Memorial Day parade in Barrington is being organized by a group other than the … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/28/22