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Rep. Terri Cortvriend of Portsmouth walks along the shoreline in front of Baker Road homes on the west side of Portsmouth back in March. Her bill establishing that the public area of the shoreline is 10 feet landward of the recognizable high tide line was later signed into law by the governor.

Federal judge dismisses challenge to R.I. shoreline access law

Wrong court, wrong argument and against the wrong people. So declared U.S. District Court Judge William Smith in his Sept. 19 opinion dismissing a legal challenge to the state’s newly … more

By Nancy Lavin/R.I. Current | 9/22/23

Letter: Leave those tree snags alone!

As Hurricane Lee passed by this weekend, it left behind a variety of trees that have been uprooted or completely fallen as a result of the wind. Trees are the stalwarts of our New England landscape, … more

9/21/23

Gordon School has created a new “Whatever I Need” block in every student’s day, where they have free time for “whatever they need.” In the spirit of social-emotional wellness and growth, classes might go outside for some fun, hold a lively discussion about an important topic, or spend time reading together (above) with the school’s therapy dog, Denver.

For private schools, enrollment growth is a pandemic silver lining

While the global pandemic made a mess of just about everything everywhere, it had a hidden benefit for private schools — it boosted their enrollments. Admissions directors at numerous … more

By Scott Pickering | 9/21/23

Little Compton town solicitor Anthony DeSisto.

Ethics commission sides with LC solicitor

The Rhode Island Ethics Commission has ruled that attorney Anthony Desisto’s role as independent legal counsel for the state Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) does not constitute a … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/21/23

Portsmouth schools end fiscal year with surplus of over $400K

PORTSMOUTH — The school district will have more than $400,000 to spread around for school construction projects, thanks to a surplus left over from the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Chris … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/20/23

Tiverton SRO Jackie Smaldone is being praised for her work at Tiverton High School, though the town and school committee haven’t yet settled on an MOU.

Tensions rise over Tiverton School Resource Officer MOU

A dispute between Tiverton school and town officials regarding provisions within a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the School Resource Officer position came to a head last week, with town … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 9/20/23

Private Education | Fall 2023

Private Education | Fall 2023 more

9/20/23

Tyler Both (12) fires a shot off a Central defender which resulted in a corner kick for the Patriots. Landon Rodrigues (11) would end up scoring on the corner kick by Kyle Bielawa.

Portsmouth edged by Central High in boys’ soccer, 2-1

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High School boys’ varsity soccer team is still seeking its first win this season after being nipped by Central High at home Tuesday night, 2-1. The … more

9/19/23

Tom Hood with a false albacore caught off Narragansett from his kayak last fall.

NOAA Fisheries needs our support

The U.S. House Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 will have a devastating impact on fish and habitat, as it reduces funding by 14 percent for NOAA Fisheries, a cut of $900 million. Yet our … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/19/23

Severe weather creates an array of problems for municipal leaders

STORY OF THE WEEK: If you were driving around North Providence, parts of Providence or other local communities during torrential downpours early last week, you may have felt like an extra in … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/19/23

Staci Del Deo works on math with students Elena Silvia (left) and Lily Brawner.

Inspired choice for Tiverton's Teacher of the Year

Inspiration can move in all sorts of ways. For Staci Del Deo, her desire to teach ebbed and flowed, and it wasn’t until returning to the town that she grew up in that the inspiration surged, … more

By Paige Shapiro | 9/19/23

Maggie Lauder is a senior at Portsmouth High School who is being honored by the R.I. Environmental Education Association.

Portsmouth student honored with environmental award

PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth High School senior is one of the four recipients of the R.I. Environmental Education Association’s (RIEEA) 2023 Environmental Education Award. more

9/18/23

Mark Cole of Southern California sails off his board after a surfing a big swell at South Shore Beach in Little Compton on Friday as Hurricane Lee provided heavy surf to the area.

Lee: A swell beach day in Little Compton

Hurricane Lee is tracking well offshore, sparing the Farm Coast much of its wrath. But surfers came out in numbers to South Shore Beach Friday, catching waves that ran as high as eight to 12 feet. … more

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 9/16/23

Claire Bowen heads out to pick produce in the farm she and husband Patrick recently opened on Long Highway.

New Little Compton farm aims for local

Those well-versed in the goings-on of Little Compton may have noticed a new barn crop up over the last year along the part of Long Highway that stems off Peckham Road. In front of an orchard of apple … more

By Paige Shapiro | 9/14/23

A new URI study has found extensive microplastics in Narragansett Bay. Researchers Victoria Fulfer (shown) and J.P. Walsh estimate that the top 2 inches of the floor of Narragansett Bay now contain more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years.

New URI study finds extensive microplastics in Narragansett Bay

Two University of Rhode Island researchers estimate that the top 5 centimeters (2 inches) of the floor of Narragansett Bay now contain more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years. more

9/14/23

The sheer number of white-tailed deer in the area is causing problems, and residents across Westport and LittleCompton are looking for solutions.

Oh deer — Farm Coast deer herd brings concern

If 911 calls and accidents are any indication, then Westport and Little Compton just may have a deer problem. Since January, Westport police have tallied 57 vehicle vs. deer collisions, and 41 … more

By Paige Shapiro | 9/13/23

The Patriots celebrate a goal scored by Kaelyn Mahoney late in the first half of Tuesday’s home game against North Smithfield. Portsmouth won, 2-0.

Portsmouth girls shut out North Smithfield, 2-0

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High varsity girls soccer team is off to a good start in Division II after winning its first two games. The team shut out North Smithfield, 2-0, during its … more

9/13/23

West Nile Virus found in Tiverton

A mosquito sample taken from Tiverton last week has tested positive for West Nile Virus. The positive sample was collected by the state Department of Environmental Management and Department of … more

9/13/23

East Bay Homes | Fall 2023

East Bay Homes | Fall 2023 more

9/13/23

Two astronauts aboard The International Space Station, which launched in November of 1998, will host a Live Q&A session with Rhode Island students on Thursday.

KMS student to interact with astronauts aboard International Space Station

A Kickmeuit Middle School student will be among a group of Rhode Island students given the unique opportunity to participate in a live question and answer session with two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) this Thursday. more

9/12/23

Amo is the new rising star in R.I. politics

STORY OF THE WEEK: Democratic primary voters had their say and now Gabe Amo is the new rising star in Rhode Island politics. While former state representative Aaron Regunberg was widely perceived as … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/12/23

Nick Papa of South Kingstown, captain of the vessel Ruthless, took first place in the Boston Bluefin Classic with this 788-pound giant bluefin tuna caught off Scarborough Beach, R.I.

Rhode Islanders dominate giant tuna tournament

If you are a woman, and think you want to learn how to fly fish, now is the time to give it a try at the Women’s Introductory Fly Fishing Clinic, Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/12/23

Letter: Confused seasons along the Back 40

Well, whoever is in charge of the weather is certainly confused. All summer I never turned on my new AC, now that it is autumn I don’t know what I would do without it. Apple growers in … more

9/11/23

Linda Peckham (left) and Karen Goulart search for their table after arriving at the Commons.

Little Compton enjoys town-wide family dinner

The threat of rain didn't stop the family from getting together for dinner Sunday, all 500 or more of them. more

9/11/23

Tiverton residents Robert Fazzina (left) and Dr. Robert Bishop discuss the ZBA's decision to support the planning board in its denial of a developer's application to build a crematorium in town. Both have been outspoken critics of the project.

Tiverton lays crematorium appeal to rest

A Tiverton appeals board ruled this week against Sakonnet Partners, LLC, the company that proposed building a crematorium in the north end of town, saying the planning board was justified when … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 9/7/23