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Barrington schools updating ‘alcohol sensor device’ policy

The Barrington School Committee is updating its “alcohol sensor device” policy. Last month, committee members conducted a first reading for the new policy. Barrington School … more

By Josh Bickford | 6/2/21

Raccoon runs rampant — bites two Barrington residents

On multiple occasions late last month, residents in a quiet West Barrington neighborhood found themselves under attack. A large raccoon ambushed people on Walnut Road, Grant Street and Bradford … more

6/1/21

Warren looks to ban 'nip' bottles

Plastic 'nip' bottles, the single serving liquor bottles that can be found by the thousand in any package store and are a significant source of litter here, could be a thing of the past here if a … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/30/21

Zachary Pickering, in a Warren police department booking photo.

Man charged in Warren hate stickers case

A Cranston man has been charged in connection with the recent rash of offensive and racist stickers posted around Warren. Zachary Pickering, 22, turned himself in to Warren police Friday morning … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/29/21

Barrington Middle School student Marketa Douglas is a finalists in the Doodle for Google competition.

Barrington student is finalist in Google competition

Barrington’s Marketa Douglas could soon have her artwork displayed on the Google homepage. The Barrington Middle School student is one of Google’s top five national finalists in the … more

5/28/21

Mount Hope Farm representative Merritt Meyer (center) leads a tour of the property with Bristol Historic District Commission members (left to right) John Allen, Oryann Lima and Ben Bergenholtz. To his left is the farm’s executive director, Sheri St. Germain. Behind them all is a foundation poured without any town review or approvals that triggered a cease and desist order, as well as a mandatory review of the farm’s master plan with the town.

Mount Hope Farm working to right their wrongs

Mount Hope Farm is on the road to redemption with the Town of Bristol, after more than a year of odd missteps. Their latest step was a walking tour of the farm last Friday morning for members of the … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/27/21

The Barrington Middle School Science Olympiad team.

Barrington — One of Rhode Island’s most diverse (suburban) communities

Consider two Rhode Island communities. In one, just 3 percent of the students in the public schools are racial minorities — classified as anything other than “white.” In the other, … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/26/21

A firefighter walks 16a Prospect Street resident June Leone and her brother, Brian Jarvis, to a Red Cross truck for treatment Tuesday evening. Another resident of the three-family structure died when it caught fire.

Fire chief identifies victim of Bristol blaze

Bristol Fire Chief Michael DeMello released the identity of the victim in a deadly fire Tuesday evening . The deceased is 34-year-old Corey Rogers, a resident of the 16 Prospect St. multi-family … more

5/26/21

DEI policy goal: Make all students feel sense of belonging

What will the district’s new “diversity, equity and inclusivity” policy mean for students and their families? Barrington School Committee Chairwoman Gina Bae said the direct … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/26/21

Barrington High School senior Sasha Westrick has been rowing since she was 13 years old. She recently signed a letter of intent to row for Temple University next year.

BHS senior will row for Temple University next year

Barrington High School senior Sasha Westrick recently signed a letter of intent to row for Temple University next year. Sasha started rowing when she was 13 years old and quickly took to the … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/25/21

Kevin Mendes, in a booking photograph taken by Warren police Monday, May 24.

No bail for Warren man charged with attempted murder of mother

A Warren man accused of the attempted murder of his mother was ordered held without bail Monday, and was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Kevin M. Mendes, 34, of 22 Birchswamp Road, … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/25/21

Mayor Bob DaSilva, Councilor Robert Britto and Councilor Bob Rodericks look on as Brian Silva and Sandra Medina unveil a memorial plaque in memory of East Providence residents who have lost their lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

East Providence memorializes COVID patients as pandemic deaths in city approach 200

EAST PROVIDENCE — Officials from East Providence hosted a ceremony Monday evening, May 24, at City Hall, where a tree was planted dedicated to the memory of residents who have lost their lives to … more

Words by Mike Rego, Photos by Julie Furtado | 5/25/21

Aerial view shows the location of the planned solar array off West Main Road, between Lehigh Terrace to the north (top) and Freeborn Street (not shown) to the south. Note the cleared area, where the rows of ground-mounted solar panels would be built, surrounded by trees and vegetation.

Zoning board OKs large solar array off West Main, Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Saying the applicant checked all the boxes needed for a special-use permit under the town’s solar ordinance, the Zoning Board of Review Thursday, May … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/24/21

With an eye on the ground, David M. Bird assembles ‘Becorns’ — small figures constructed from found natural items — and leaves them to interact with wildlife.

Artist and toy designer turns to nature for inspiration

About a decade ago, RISD-educated toy designer David M. Bird was sweeping his mom’s driveway in Pittsburgh, remembering fondly a job he had at Lego in Denmark, designing miniature figures for … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/24/21

Warren town manager lobbies for educational funding

The most recent school budget cycle was one of the most painful in recent memory, with Bristol Warren Regional School Committee members on Monday voting to lay off nearly 25 full time employees and … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/21/21

Bristol Police: Two arrests for DUI, plus problems between neighbors

Bristol police officers made a handful of arrests, including two for driving under the influence, from May 10 to 17. Monday, May 10 A sick animal was reported on Dominion Avenue at 2:21 … more

5/21/21

This image shows what the signs for the proposed Chase Bank would have looked like. The bank would have been located in the former AAA building at the corner of Maple Avenue and County Road.

Chase Bank, with drive-up ATM, earns board approval

A once-failed application for a new bank and drive-through ATM has earned enough votes on a second trip to the Barrington Zoning Board. Last month, members of the zoning board voted 4-1 to grant … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/21/21

Wenley Ferguson of Save the Bay directs volunteers where to plant nearly 1,600 trees and shrubs along the future Bristol Golf Course last week.

Volunteers bring life to the Bristol golf course

It’s not often (if ever) you hear of non-profit volunteers being asked to turn up in numbers to supply free labor to enhance a golf course, but that’s exactly what happened last week in … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/21/21

Bristol manages millions in special projects funds

A request at the February Bristol Town Council meeting to establish a special fund to raise money for the restoration of a painting of Thomas Shepard, Bristol’s first superintendent of schools, … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/20/21

Couple and realtor signing papers for new house

The buying frenzy — and frustration — continue

Your company just announced that your division is being relocated from the Midwest headquarters to the East Coast. In fact, your new office is situated in Rhode Island — home to beautiful … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/20/21

Do you take cash?

Here’s a new phenomenon in the local real estate market. An increasing number of buyers are offering to pay cash for properties. Does that mean they actually bring a suitcase of Benjamins to … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/20/21

Some members of the Barrington High School math team are shown during a Zoom meeting. The Eagles won the state championship recently.

Barrington High School math team wins state championship

Another year, another state championship for the Barrington High School math team. The Eagles, led by coach Bob Marley, recently won their 19th state title in the last 22 years, outscoring the … more

5/20/21

Troop 2’s Lachlan Jackson, Eliot Wemple, James Nowinski, Terrence “Jamie” Boylan III, Colin Stabach, Martin Augustin, Harrison Ogden and Peter Birch (from left to right) will be honored at special Eagle Scout ceremony on Memorial Day.

Barrington's Troop 2 will honor eight new Eagle Scouts

Eight young men will earn their Eagle Rank during a special ceremony at Barrington High School on Memorial Day. The new Eagle Scouts are Martin Agustin, Peter Birch, Terrence “Jamie” … more

5/20/21

A large crowd flooded State Street for the Bristol Merchants Association’s State Street Fair and Arts Festival on Saturday. Gorgeous spring weather and the easing of some COVID restrictions helped the event seem almost normal.

Downtown festival felt almost like normal in Bristol

With sunshine and live music, crowds of people in Bristol’s downtown and dozens of vendors, the Bristol Merchants Association put on an event Saturday that went a long way toward dispelling the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/19/21

A bicyclist rolls along the sidewalk near the eastern edge of the Barrington River Bridge. The RI Department of Transportation is planning to make changes to the current detour for the closed bike path bridges. Residents and elected officials asked the DOT to rebuild the bridges.

Public pleads for new bike path bridges

The DOT is offering an improved detour, but stopped short of promising new bike path bridges. During a special public forum earlier this month, a high-ranking Rhode Island Department of … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/19/21