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

Callum Corbishley, Parker White and Hunter Madril (from left) perform a science dance experience combined with kinesthetic learning while they enjoy Marvelous Marvin Novogrodski's program during Monday’s Arts for Life presentations at Hathaway School.

The arts come alive at Hathaway! (Photos)

PORTSMOUTH — On Monday, Hathaway Elementary School welcomed a magician, storyteller, musicians and others in celebration of its its annual Arts for Life Week. The day featured performances … more

4/5/22

Portsmouth breezes through rest of Comprehensive Plan

PORTSMOUTH — Although the process to get there took roughly two and a half years, the Town Council spent less than 40 minutes Monday night to review and tentatively approve the final four … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/4/22

Town Planner Gary Crosby, here thumbing through the draft of the Comprehensive Community Plan, has announced his retirement at he end of the fiscal year, after 18 years of service.

Portsmouth losing one-two planning punch

PORTSMOUTH — Gary Crosby, who as town planner has been the key figure in guiding Portsmouth’s growth and development over the past 18 years, is retiring at the end of the fiscal … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/4/22

The Haines Park project includes construction of new athletic fields and parking areas and carries an estimated cost of $1.8 million.

Two funding sources could fuel recreation projects in Barrington

Federal funding and surplus bond money could bring a number of park and recreation projects to life in Barrington. At the March 24 Barrington Park and Recreation Commission meeting, Chairman … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/4/22

The Barrington School Committee recently voted to release $4 million of the Barrington Middle School construction bond surplus to the town.

Majority of Barrington Middle School bond surplus handed over to the town

During a meeting last week, members of the Barrington School Committee voted unanimously to release $4 million of surplus bond money to the town. The $4 million was left over from the $68.4 … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/4/22

The East Bay Chamber of Commerce spent time with (from left to right) Rep. Susan Donovan, Rep. Liana Cassar, Sen. Wally Felag, Rep. Jason Knight and Rep. June Speakman.

Elected officials discuss how to spend a billion dollars, and change a culture

Five members of the Rhode Island General Assembly met with a room full of local business leaders, and the predominant topic of conversation was how to spend about $1 billion in federal monies. more

By Scott Pickering | 4/1/22

Takeaways from four hours of vaccine mandate testimony

Nearly four hours of testimony offered plenty of information surrounding the Barrington School Committee’s vaccine mandate. What we learned … The Barrington School District’s … more

4/1/22

Thousands and thousands of cobblestones are shown on Horseneck Beach in this photo taken last month.

State, Westport address cobbling at Horseneck Beach

The Westport Conservation Commission has approved a state request that should make it easier for the state to re-distribute cobble at Horseneck Beach when it becomes a problem. Every winter, and … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/1/22

Attorney Greg Piccirilli reacts in frustration during a portion of the appeal hearing on Thursday night. Piccirilli represents teachers Kerri Thurber (left), and Brittany DiOrio and Stephanie Hines (not shown).

Barrington School Committee votes: Unvaccinated teachers are still fired

After listening to nearly four hours of testimony on Thursday night, members of the Barrington School Committee voted 4-1 to uphold their previous decision to fire three unvaccinated Barrington … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/1/22

Barrington School Committee Chairwoman Gina Bae (right) and member Erika Sevetson listen to a comment from BHS Principal Joe Hurley.

Barrington School Committee calls for ‘firm timeline’ for new honors plan

Barrington School Committee members waited for more than two hours to share their comments and ask questions about the honors program at Barrington High School during Wednesday night’s meeting. … more

By Josh Bickford | 3/31/22

Photo shows wire breaks 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.

RITBA outlines project to strengthen Mt. Hope Bridge

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — “Don’t let the pictures scare you; the bridge is safe,” Eric Seabury, director of engineering for the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/31/22

Barrington resident Kara Kelley speaks to the school committee and administrators during Wednesday night’s meeting.

Barrington High School bringing back some honors options

Barrington High School Principal Joe Hurley announced the return of an honors distinction program during a special meeting on Wednesday night, although some parents and students were calling for the re-instatement of full honors courses. more

By Josh Bickford | 3/31/22

This rendering shows where the bike network design team proposes “shared road” safety improvements for cyclists (blue), which would be created by the town; and “bikeable shoulders” for the southern end of town (green), which would be created by the state. It would all feed a new network of bike-friendly streets that link back to the East Bay Bike Path (yellow).

Bristol talking about how to build a better biking community

After a year out of the spotlight, the plan to create safe bike routes throughout Bristol is back on center stage. more

By Scott Pickering | 3/31/22

Warren PD: Suspicious (and not so suspicious) juveniles

Warren Police activity from March 21-28, 2022. more

3/31/22

Bristol Police officers Keith Medeiros (left) and Lt. Steven St. Pierre make a plan of action as the dodgeball game begins.

Community policing done right: Bristol PD enjoys dodgeball versus kids

There were untold numbers of hit and runs reported by Bristol Police at the Quinta Gamelin Recreation Center this past Thursday — however, thankfully not the kind that you’ll find in the Phoenix crime log this week. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/31/22

Fire dept. raises, KMS resource officer funded in Warren's preliminary budget

The Warren Town Council approved its preliminary town budget, comprising $26,498,309 in total tax levy and setting the tax rate at 18.01 per $1,000 of property value, representing an overall tax levy increase of 3.8 percent over last fiscal year and a 1.64 percent increase in the tax rate. The automobile tax rate decreased 23 percent from $26 per $1,000 in value to $20 per thousand. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/31/22

Artist Kirk Seese unveiled his piece, “The Feathers Three,” at the Waterfront Gateway Sculpture Garden in the Watchemoket Square Arts District on Saturday, March 26.

Gallery: 'The Feathers Three' flies into East Providence

The city, the East Providence Arts Council and the Waterfront Commission last weekend unveiled a new piece taking up residence on the Waterfront Gateway Sculpture Garden at Watchemoket Square in the … more

Photos by Rich Dionne | 3/31/22

A view of the Portsmouth wind turbine from Butts Street, off Sprague Street. Activated in August 2016, the turbine replaced one that broke down in 2012. Some neighbors, several of which recently lost their case in Superior Court, say they’re still experiencing excessive noise and shadow flicker generated by the new machine. (File photo)

Portsmouth: Turbine foes vow to keep fighting after losing in court

PORTSMOUTH — A Superior Court judge has denied a request by a group of residents living near the wind turbine at Portsmouth High School for a preliminary injunction to prevent the machine … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/30/22

Basketball champ Rick Julien is slated to play middle hitter for the Huskies volleyball team this season.

Huskies volleyball team has high hopes for success

The team has reached the Division III semifinals two of the last three years, in 2019 and 2021. There was no season in 2020 due to Covid. more

By Richard W. Dionne Jr. | 3/30/22

Congressman David Cicilline and Senator Jack Reed look on as Blount Boats, Inc. president Marcia Blount shows off the engine room of a Blount-built ice cutter commissioned by the State of Maryland.

Women-led and thriving: Blount Boats touts history of strong RI manufacturing

Senator Jack Reed and Congressman David Cicilline were among the dignitaries invited to tour Blount Boats in Warren last Friday afternoon as part of the Rhode Island SBA’s recognition of women-owned businesses in Rhode Island. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/30/22

Dr. James Arruda, professor in the Department: Psychology in the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health.

A potentially game-changing Alzheimer’s test developed by Warren native

A neuropsychologist with Warren roots is on the cusp of a potentially world-changing diagnostic test for people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease, the incurable, degenerative brain disease that impacts more than 3 million Americans annually. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/30/22

Dr. Anthony Fauci will deliver the Commencement address at RWU on May 20, 2022.

Dr. Fauci to speak at Roger Williams graduation

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor to the president of the United States, will deliver the keynote speech and receive an honorary degree at the Roger Williams University Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 20. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/30/22

Warren Police Department seeking Patrol Officer

The Warren Police Department has opened applications for a new Patrol Officer. Applications are due by May 4, 2022. more

3/30/22

Alex Silva of the Portsmouth Middle School unified basketball team prepares to sink a jumper right before the final buzzer to give his team a 32-30 victory over Tiverton on Tuesday afternoon at home.

Portsmouth Middle School unified team wins in buzzer-beater

PORTSMOUTH — Alex Silva sent his teammates and fans home happy Tuesday afternoon. A member of the Portsmouth Middle School unified basketball team, Alex sank a jumper right before the … more

3/30/22

Westport librarian Robin Winters spent months researching the fate of the Industry's crew.

Local researchers instrumental in cracking Westport whaling ship mystery

Robin Winters walked into work at the Westport Free Public Library one morning last September and found a doozy of a request waiting for her: Archaeologists needed help researching the history of a … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/30/22