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‘Knock It Off’ T-shirt brand now on barbecue sauce, beer, coffee and more

The “Knock It Off” logo, which has been printed on more than 10,000 T-shirts since soon after the start of the Covid-19 crisis, is popping up all over the state, from beer cans to … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/15/20

Bristol Police: 'Social distancing’ complaints, plus a domestic assault arrest

Bristol police officers made their first arrest in nearly a month, as the quiet streets of the 2020 pandemic continue. Monday, May 4 Officers intervened in a verbal argument between a man … more

5/15/20

Bristol Economic Development Coordinator Chris Vitale (left) and Town Administrator Steven Contente want to work with restaurants to expand their outdoor dining areas.

Bristol ready to fast-track outdoor dining plans

The Town of Bristol is ready and willing to move quickly to help restaurants expand their outdoor seating areas. Gov. Gina Raimondo’s announcement that restaurants will be allowed to reopen to … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/15/20

The closure of school buildings resulted in $290,000 in transportation savings for Barrington.

Barrington schools expect to save $300,000 on busing

The switch to distance learning will save Barrington schools about $300,000 in transportation costs, said the district's director of finance and administration, Doug Fiore. During an interview on … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/15/20

Restaurants with outdoor seating, like Bywater at Water and State streets, hope to see an uptick in business Monday when the state begins allowing outdoor dining at restaurants across the state.

Warren works to get restaurants ready for outdoor dining start

With Rhode Island restaurants set to re-open to limited outdoor dining Monday, May 18, Warren officials are working to make sure that the town’s eateries are able to take as much advantage of … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/15/20

Bristol Oyster Bar owner Jordan Sawyer is planning to open for outdoor dining on the patio in front of his restaurant. He believes that, based on state guidelines, he’ll be able to fit seven tables of four in the space.

Outdoor dining begins Monday, but it’s not for everyone

The Bristol Oyster Bar closed its doors, along with the other restaurants in the state, in mid-March. It had just announced plans to open for takeout service when the governor announced this past … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/15/20

Portsmouth accepting applications for temporary outdoor dining

PORTSMOUTH — The Town of Portsmouth has developed an application process for allowing temporary outdoor dining at restaurants currently licensed by the town, that will continue through … more

5/14/20

E.P. School District prepares annual layoffs with pandemic as the backdrop

EAST PROVIDENCE — The School Committee will hold a special session Tuesday night, May 26, when the body and the administration will review the particularly difficult circumstances pertaining to … more

By Mike Rego | 5/14/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo set June 29 as the target date to open summer camps.

Governor says yes to small-group summer camps

Rhode Island children (and parents) got some good news on Thursday afternoon, when Gov. Gina Raimondo announced she will be allowing summer camps to open on June 29. Like everything in life, camps … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/14/20

Barrington High School will have virtual graduation ceremony

Barrington High School will hold a virtual graduation ceremony this year because of concerns surrounding the coronavirus. School officials emailed students and their families on Wednesday night, … more

5/14/20

Warren police logs: No arrests, but social distancing complaints steady

Monday, May 4 A Wheaton Street woman called police out of concern for her brother, who she thought might have been under the influence of narcotics. Rescue crews were called to Long Wharf … more

5/14/20

DEM park rangers Matt Cordeiro and Jillian Bannon check in cars at the Colt Park entrance Thursday morning

DEM begins counting cars as Colt Park reopens

Colt State Park reopened to vehicular traffic and visitors on Thursday morning, with some restrictions. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will allow only 350 cars inside the … more

5/14/20

The 2020 Mt. Hope High School graduation ceremony won’t look like this 2019 version, with caps and gowns flying in the air, but it will include much of the same pomp and circumstance.

Mt. Hope's 2020 graduation — pre-recorded and full of surprises

Dozens of people will be spending thousands of hours planning and preparing for the 2020 Mt. Hope High School graduation, and the whole affair depends on the timely arrival of caps and gowns. In … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/14/20

Cyrus Allen wears one of the protective masks he has been manufacturing using a 3D printer.

Printing for a purpose

Helping others was already second nature for Little Compton resident Cyrus Allen. For almost three years, the 20-year-old would volunteer his time at the nonprofit LC Makers, sharing with … more

By Kristen Ray | 5/14/20

East Providence District Teacher of the Year for 2020 Jen Ruthven conducts a distance learning session with members of her second grade class from Orlo Avenue Elementary School.

East Providence School District rates Ruthven teacher of the year

EAST PROVIDENCE — The School Department announced the annual recipients of its teacher of the year awards at the May 12 meeting of the School Committee, including as well the selection of … more

By Mike Rego | 5/13/20

You're free to visit Elmhurst Park in Portsmouth as long as you adhere to social distancing guidelines.

So what Portsmouth parks, recreation areas can you visit?

PORTSMOUTH — State parks will begin to open on Saturday, May 9, with social distancing rules still in effect. That includes two state parks in Portsmouth: The Black Regiment Monument at … more

5/8/20

RI Governor Gina Raimondo reminded people that social gatherings are still limited to groups of five or less.

Governor: Gatherings still limited to five on Mother's Day

The governor had a clear message with Mother's Day approaching: Social gatherings are still limited to five people. During her press briefing on Friday afternoon, Gov. Gina Raimondo said she wants … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/8/20

Bristol Warren Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Brice.

Bristol Warren schools projecting $1.4 million in savings this year

Bristol Warren schools could see a surplus of as much as $1.4 million this year, due in large part to spending decreases realized since the start of the Covid-19 crisis. Superintendent Dr. … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/8/20

Westport chase, knife confrontation, lead to arrest

WESTPORT — An attempted traffic stop in Westport early Friday morning led to a pursuit and confrontation with a knife-wielding Fall River man. Westport Officer Jeremy Dellecese was on patrol … more

5/8/20

Rendering of what the Warren gateway site could look like.

Warren eyes preferred partner for National Grid site redevelopment

Warren officials are leaning toward working with a Barrington developer and attorney to redevelop the former National Grid site in North Warren, which the town purchased last year for … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/8/20

Are Barrington schools saving money with distance learning?

While some school districts in Rhode Island are projecting significant savings due in part to the switch to distance learning, that is not the case in Barrington. "We have not had a significant … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/8/20

Relatives Kevin and Stephanie Placido wave to their aunt during Sunday’s surprise thank-you procession.

A big thank you for a hard-working nurse

Sunday, May 3, was an eventful day off for Jennifer Pasqual, a Roosevelt Drive resident and nurse at the Rhode Island Veterans’ Home. According to her husband, Thomas, Jennifer and her … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/8/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo speaks at Thursday's briefing.

Governor: Stay-at-home ends Saturday — 'slowly'

Rhode Island’s stay-at-home order will indeed end on Saturday, Governor Gina Raimondo announced at her … more

By Bruce Burdett | 5/7/20

Joe Estrella Jr. of Fall River offers an elbow (long before Covid-19 eradicated handshakes) to a parade watcher along Hope Street during the 2019 Bristol Fourth of July parade.

Bristol parade? Committee officially taking wait-and-see approach

Michelle Martins doesn’t know what this year’s Fourth of July celebration is going to look like. It’s not a position the Bristol Fourth of July Committee chairwoman anticipated … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/7/20

Thank you, teachers!

Distance learning has been a challenging time for all involved, but the Wilbur & McMahon School team has been doing what they can to ease the burden on families – something that has not … more

5/7/20