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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.

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

Assistant Warren Harbormaster Dawn Rego heads down the Warren River Monday afternoon.

Open for business, Warren looks to welcome boaters

The rain had just let up Monday afternoon as Assistant Warren Harbormaster Dawn Rego climbed aboard Warren's Harbor Patrol boat and shoved off from the Town Wharf to patrol the Warren … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/16/21

xBryan Ganley (left) lost a close friend to suicide. Melissa Cotta (right) tried to help but could not stop a man from jumping off the Mt. Hope Bridge. Together, they’re asking for suicide prevention barriers on Rhode Island’s three largest bridges.

Activists launch petition drive in support of bridge barriers

Bryan Ganley and Melissa Cotta, co-founders of Bridging the Gap for Safety and Healing, have been working tirelessly for years to have suicide prevention barriers installed on Rhode Island’s … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/15/21

East Providence man sentenced to serve 16 years in state prison for 1st degree child molestation

PROVIDENCE — Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that an East Providence man was sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 16 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions … more

7/15/21

Tiverton man charged with child molestation after missing Pennsylvania girl found

TIVERTON — A Tiverton man faces a charge of first degree child molestation sexual assault after a missing Pennsylvania girl was found at a Tiverton home on Wednesday, July 7. Tiverton Police … more

By Bruce Burdett | 7/15/21

Applications on the way for Spencer Trust money in Barrington

Annelise Conway wants to see a Barrington united, pulled together in its shared philanthropic approach. Neighbors helping neighbors. The town supporting those in need. Less fighting. Less … more

By Josh Bickford | 7/14/21

As of July 8, the Statesman Tavern has not had a liquor license. A sign on the front door Wednesday morning (July 14) said they are “closed for vacation.”

Bristol revokes restarant’s liquor license in show cause hearing

At the last Bristol Town Council meeting on Wednesday, July, 7, the council revoked the Class B Victualer Intoxicating Beverage License of Toasted Bun Hospitality, owned by Christopher Kleyla, doing … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/14/21

Warren's growing 'Gateway' project moves ahead

With financing worries assuaged, members of the Warren Town Council were expected Tuesday evening to vote to continue the town's relationship with its preferred development partner for the Warren … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/14/21

Kickemuit Middle School teacher Donna Stouber filed a discrimination suit against her district, which was dismissed.

Speakers denounce school board for Rosh Hashanah start date (Video)

A series of speakers representing both Jews and educators stood on the front step of United Brothers Synagogue in downtown Bristol on Thursday to denounce five members of the Bristol Warren Regional … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/9/21

This home on Woodland Road in Barrington sold recently — it was the 22nd home in town to sell for a million dollars or more this year.

Median sale price continues to climb in Barrington

Low supply and high demand continue to fuel an increasing median sale price for homes sold in Barrington. Information from the statewide Multiple Listing Service for the month of May showed that … more

7/9/21

Women rescued after kayak capsizes, current pins them under bridge

Two women in their 20s were lucky to escape with scrapes and cuts after their tandem kayak capsized just off the American Tourister plant, leaving it and them pinned under the Palmer River bridge … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/8/21