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

With no clear future for the broken bridge, questions abound

STORY OF THE WEEK: The timeline for creating a new westbound Washington Bridge remains uncertain, as Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and state Transportation Director Peter Alviti indicated during a … more

7/16/24

Letter: Mystic Aquarium skipped a key step in whale study

The Mystic Aquarium marine rescue team arrived at Little Compton's Briggs Beach on July 10th when the young female minke was still alive . After her death, the team carved out a few inches here and … more

7/16/24

Letter: Trees, and late husband's gift, are now a memory

Thirty-five years ago, my late husband, Phil Harper, planted a number of arborvitae trees on our property in Little Compton. These trees have grown to become a haven for numerous wildlife, providing … more

7/15/24

Letter: Being offered worst possible choices needs to end

To the editor: If we continue to be the leading nation of the world, then certainly our politicians are the most powerful people in civil discourse. Then how is it one party kowtows … more

7/12/24

The queen and court in Little Compton’s Tricentennial Parade in 1975.

From the Town Crier: Little Compton celebrates 350 years

Editor’s note: Continuing on Little Compton’s 350th birthday celebration, the Town Crier writes of Queens and canes, and their ties to the town’s history. An article in the … more

By the Town Crier | 7/10/24

Letter: Walker’s demise — what a shame for Little Compton

Walker’s Roadside Farm Stand started doing business in Little Compton in 1964. I moved to Little Compton about 35-40 years ago. Coll Walker was my neighbor. We became friends and I miss … more

7/9/24

Letter: The Biden ‘catastrophe’: new jobs, low unemployment

To the editor: Nikki Haley has called Trump, among other things, “unhinged,” but has said she will support him because Biden has been a “catastrophe.” Friday, it was … more

7/9/24

Democrats have a problem – but is it actually just a Biden problem?

STORY OF THE WEEK: With 122 days until the Nov. 5 election (as of the writing of this column), Democrats find themselves in a fix. Various news reports this week had President Biden weighing a … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/8/24

Letter: School bond very different than what was sold to voters

To the editor: Portsmouth School Committee Chair Emily Copeland and I agree that a number of the school projects paid for by the recent bond were needed and are valuable. The issue is that the … more

7/3/24

An inspiring story of a resilient actor known to all as ‘The Fonz’

You might be surprised to know that Henry Winkler, better known as “The Fonz” on TV sitcom “Happy … more

7/2/24

Republicans and Democrats – How dare they?

If you watched the June 27 presidential debate you had to ask yourself one question: How dare the Republican and Democratic Parties leave you with a choice of two grievously flawed candidates for the … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 7/2/24

Presidential debate left Democrats reeling

STORY OF THE WEEK: The Kennedy - Nixon debate in 1960 marked the dawning of a new age, when the optics of televised images carried more weight than the substance of what candidates conveyed verbally. … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/1/24

Letter: We need more funding for child care programs

To the editor: As a small business owner running a pediatric occupational therapy institute in Rhode Island, I know that the struggle to find affordable, convenient child care is a daily reality … more

6/30/24

Letter: What did Little Compton do to our evergreens?

I am appalled to find the butchery done to our roadside evergreens without any notice. Surprising in a town that cares for its history and its residents and greenery. But perhaps not. Too … more

6/27/24

Letter: To recent grads: Buckle up, and I wish you fulfillment

This is the season, just past graduations, when many young people, here and elsewhere, are deciding what’s next. For high school grads a gap year, prep for college entrance, or moving into … more

6/27/24

Letter: Tynan’s writing taught me how to live fully

Dear Sakonnet Times or I should say, “Dear Sidney Tynan,” as this is addressed to the Sakonnet Times’s most faithful correspondent . Sidney, how is it possible that we haven’t … more

6/27/24

Commentary: Voters were not misled on school bond

On June 12 at the town budget hearing, Tom Grieb alleged that Portsmouth voters were “deceived” by the School Committee, the Town Council or maybe RIDE (though he admitted he did didn’t exactly know by whom) on the specifics of the 2022 school bond that was presented to the voters. more

By Emily Copeland | 6/25/24

Letter: Crop cannons are essential, and I'm not growing corn without them

I am writing this letter to make my neighbors, friends and customers aware of the fact that Walkers Roadside Stand will not open this season. The reason that we will not be opening this year is … more

6/25/24

Major moves in the R.I. healthcare landscape

STORY OF THE WEEK: Thursday was the day to buy a lottery ticket if you predicted two key developments involving Rhode Island’s healthcare landscape. Brown University and the state’s … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/24/24

Letter: On patience, house guests and furred interlopers

If you live in the country you never can tell what you will see in your backyard, like the wild turkey, who chose to bring up her brood there as it was safer, or a released pheasant whom I … more

6/24/24

Letter: Attention food enthusiasts and community members

Are you looking for a way to give back and contribute? Look no further than the "Condiment Caring Drive" in support of the East Bay Food Pantry. more

6/20/24

Carolyn Montgomery helps dig a hole for the time capsule placed at Pike’s Peak in 1975. The capsule will be opened in August 2025.

The Town Crier: Little Compton celebrates 350 years

Editor’s note: Over the coming months, the Sakonnet Times will be running regular dispatches from the “The Town Crier” — the voice of the towns’ 350th anniversary … more

By The Town Crier | 6/18/24

Editorial: A safer bike path for all

Among the flurry of bills being passed out of the Rhode Island General Assembly is a new law with big impact for the communities along the East Bay Bike Path. The “e-bikes bill” creates a … more

6/14/24

Letter: In praise of acceptance in Little Compton

I write to express my appreciation for the action of our Town Council in their response to a request from Love Wins Coastal for a council resolution. Our town values diversity of opinions and … more

6/11/24

A win for law enforcement transparency, and a research race in R.I.

STORY OF THE WEEK: After an update of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights recently got close to the finish line, there was 0.0% chance that legislative leaders wouldn’t get it … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/10/24