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

E.P. Zoning Board moves marijuana dispensary matter to special session

EAST PROVIDENCE — To the consternation of the dozens of neighbors and concerned residents in the area, the Zoning Board opted not to take up the matter of the proposed marijuana dispensary in … more

By Mike Rego | 8/12/21

A photo of the Cherry & Webb dunes from the application on file with the conservation commission.

Westport dunes boardwalk plan continued

Westport Conservation on Wednesday continued a hearing on a proposed beach boardwalk sought at Westport Point until its next meeting in September. Applicants Keith Miranda and Michael Tzannes, … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/11/21

Ponaganset High School students listen to a member of the New York City Fire Department talk about the events of September 11th during a school-wide remembrance event that social studies teacher Chris Stanley organized.

Warren resident wins national award for innovative education methods

Christopher Stanley, a Warren resident and teacher at Ponaganset High School, was listed as a first-place recipient of an accolade granted to just 20 educators nationwide. more

By Ethan Hartley | 8/11/21

Kerri Payne of Residential Properties, along with her dog Penelope, pose in front of Hunky Dory in downtown Warren, one of the participating businesses of the Dog Stroll.

Community Dog Stroll this Thursday

Do you love dogs? What about supporting small, local businesses? Assuming you’re not Ebenezer Scrooge prior to his ghostly visitors kickstarting his steely, cold heart, we’ll assume … more

By Ethan Hartley | 7/30/21

McKee stops short of mandating masks in Rhode Island schools

PROVIDENCE — Governor Dan McKee, following up on updated recommendations made earlier this week by the Centers of Disease Control as the “Delta” variant of the coronavirus has … more

By Mike Rego | 7/29/21

Actor Daniel Kozar (left), in character as a Herreshoff client, reacts favorably to the amended plans presented by Nathaniel Herreshoff, portrayed by Jim Moore, in a reenactment for Episode One of “The Boatbuilders.”

Boatbuilding documentary series filming in Bristol

It’s a hot July afternoon, and shipwright Nathaniel Herreshoff has a job to do. He’s delivering a revised set of plans to some important clients, a husband and wife whose desire for a … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/29/21

William Stewart is alleged to have brought a 13-year-old girl from Pennsylvania to Tiverton.

Tiverton man faces federal charges in molestation case

A 20-year-old Tiverton man is facing federal charges on allegations that he enticed and transported a 13-year-old girl from Pennsylvania to Tiverton with the intent to engage in sexual … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/28/21

Grid clears way for demolition of old East Providence High School building

EAST PROVIDENCE — The new East Providence High School Building Committee received word earlier this week regarding the beginning of demolition of the old structure. Eric Andrutis, of the … more

By Mike Rego | 7/28/21

Seapowet area residents opposed to two oyster farms off their shores have mobilized in recent weeks, planting hundreds of signs, launching a website and raising more than $12,000 to cover legal fees.

Seapowet residents mobilize against oyster farms

Members of the Tiverton Town Council on Monday night directed the town solicitor to look over a proposed resolution that, if passed locally and sent to the Rhode Island General Assembly, could give … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/28/21

New England Healing Sports Association volunteer Vee Zenaro instructs and helps out Russ Cokonis, a Navy Sea Bees veteran who was disabled during the Cold War. The pair had a wonderful time paddling on quiet Brickyard Pond.

Veterans offer a clinic in resilience

Ed Dusick met Ralph Marche about 25 years ago. Ed, an Army veteran from Milford, Conn., accepted an invitation from Ralph, who worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs office in … more

By Josh Bickford | 7/28/21

Greg Pennisten stands in front of his newly-finished mural, a spray-paint piece that celebrates the maritime history of Warren. It was commissioned by Blount Fine Foods in collaboration with The Avenue Concept.

Bold, bright and uniquely Warren

There are plenty of reasons to visit Water Street in Warren. From the tantalizing local eateries to the thriving small businesses, it’s a slice of the way life used to be in small towns across … more

By Ethan Hartley | 7/28/21

Tih-Fen Ting wrests a male fledgling from its nest on he East Branch of the Westport River. A team including members of the Mass. Audubon and it's volunteers captured twelve fledglings for the state of Illinois Osprey Recovery Project on Tuesday morning, July 13.

Audubon and volunteers collect osprey for long journey to Illinois

Born on the Westport River, a dozen young osprey took flight recently — in a plane — and landed at their new home in Illinois. There it is hoped that they will help launch an osprey … more

Story and Photos by Richard W. Dionne Jr. | 7/27/21

School committee members Victor Cabral, Marjorie McBride and Tara Thibaudeau discuss a point made by a resident during the open meeting.

Bristol Warren names interim superintendent

A week after Dr. Jonathan Brice resigned as superintendent of the Bristol Warren Regional School District, the School Committee hired his temporary replacement. Robert “Bob” Hicks was … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/27/21

Organizer Mariana Silva-Buck enjoys a moment at the first of her "block parties" in Barrington last week.

Barrington begins allowing liquor sales on public property

Picture this: The rear entrance to Barrington Town Hall has been transformed into a beer garden. Servers from local breweries pour cups of beer while customers line up near the electric car charging … more

By Josh Bickford | 7/23/21

Tim Palmer in the garage with one of his Mean Green electric riding mowers.

The sound of (near) silence — Tim’s Lawn Care goes electric

WESTPORT — Ah, the sweet sounds of summer — birds chirping, children at play and the Friday evening din of the lawn care company’s stand-on mowers and 80-decibel backpack blowers … more

By Bruce Burdett | 7/23/21

Youth readers Sampson Lombard, 13, (left), Fran Lombard, 11, Emily Cabral, 14, co-founder Charles Calhoun (back left), steering committee members Amy Vitale and Renee Soto, and Library Director Ryan Brennan hold up copies of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” the selection for Bristol Bookfest, to be held Oct. 22-23. The books were donated to the library by the steering committee, and will be available for participants to borrow.

Bristol Bookfest to take on ‘Frankenstein’

Following a COVID-delayed but ultimately successful launch in 2020, Bristol Bookfest will return in 2021 for a deep dive on another classic work of fiction: “Frankenstein; or, The Modern … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/22/21

Bruce Burdett at a patio table outside his Bristol home, where he often works. The editor of The Sakonnet Times and Westport Shorelines is retiring this week after 45 years with East Bay Newspapers. “There’s something in all of us that likes to tell people stories, and this was my way to be able to do it,” he said.

After 5 decades in journalism, Bruce Burdett's hanging up his notebook

When Bruce Burdett first arrived in Bristol to start his new job at East Bay Newspapers in the mid-’70s, he was just two years out of college with only minimal experience working for his school … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/22/21

In June, the Bristol Town Council spent more than an hour talking about pay and benefits for the town administrator and town clerk. It is expected to continued the conversation later this month.

Questions about pay and precedent for Bristol's top leaders

When they next meet, Bristol town councilors are expected to resume a thorny conversation about how to compensate the town’s two elected employees. A discussion over pay and benefits for the … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/22/21

Willam Winds of Thunder Guy, sagamore of the Pokanokets, is given a gift at a recent meeting at Massasoit Spring.

Pokanokets, Warren sign historic pact

The Town of Warren and Pokanoket Tribe, which held dominion over what is now Warren for thousands of years prior to the arrival of colonists, have entered into what could be a first in New England … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/21/21

E.P. Council passes Metacomet ordinances, allowing likely redevelopment

EAST PROVIDENCE — Pragmatism won out over passion as it pertains to the future of the former Metacomet Country Club after the City Council, at it July 20 meeting, approved a series of revised … more

By Mike Rego | 7/21/21

Dr. Jonathan Brice jokes with a staff member at Monday night's school committee meeting.

Brice resigns as Bristol Warren superintendent

Bristol Warren Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Brice resigned his post during a closed door meeting with the school committee Monday evening. Dr. Brice confirmed his departure … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/20/21

School committee members Victor Cabral, Marjorie McBride and Tara Thibaudeau discuss a point made by a resident during the open meeting at the high school on Monday night.

School board members give in, then fire back at critics

Bristol Warren schools will not open on the first full day of Rosh Hashanah this fall, after Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Brice issued a directive Monday afternoon that overrules an earlier school … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/20/21

Brice: Bristol Warren schools will be closed for Rosh Hashanah

Bristol Warren schools will be closed on Rosh Hashanah this fall, after Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Brice issued a directive Monday afternoon that overrules the school committee's earlier vote to … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/19/21

The backyard view of the 2021 HGTV Dream Home, located at 470 Vanderbilt Lane.

HGTV ‘Dream Home’ in Portsmouth fetches $2.75 million

PORTSMOUTH — Jeff Yanes never even got to walk through the “Dream House” on Vanderbilt Lane that he won in April. Like many winners of HGTV Dream Home’s contest, he … more

7/16/21

A rendering of the revised "Coastal" side of the "East Point" housing development in Rumford adjacent to the Seekonk River.

Full E.P. Waterfront Commission green lights 'East Point' housing development

EAST PROVIDENCE — Following the positive recommendations of two of its sub-groups the previous week, the full East Providence Waterfront Commission, at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting … more

By Mike Rego | 7/16/21