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

Bright colors, honking horns and school spirit on parade

Members of the Barrington High School senior class were treated to a special car parade on Friday, June 4. The parade started at Barrington High School and followed a route through the western … more

6/9/21

Virginia  Boyle directs the guitar ensemble performing “Merengue,” by Richard Charlton, during Mt. Hope High School's spring concert at the school on Saturday afternoon.

Photos: Music on a sunny afternoon

The Mt. Hope Spring Concert was performed outdoors in front of a large crowd with folding chairs and umbrellas, in the senior parking lot on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The String Ensemble, … more

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 6/8/21

Anders Weiss, who graduated from Barrington High School in 2011, was recently named to the U.S. Olympic Men’s Four boat.

Barrington native headed back to the Olympics

Barrington native Anders Weiss has earned a second trip to the Olympics. Mr. Weiss, who graduated from Barrington High School in 2011, was recently named to the U.S. Olympic Men’s Four … more

By Josh Bickford | 6/7/21

The East Bay Bike Path bridges have been closed since 2019.

East Bay legislators file bill to reopen bike path bridges

Rep. Jason Knight is leading a charge to have the state repair and reopen the two closed East Bay Bike Path bridges. Rep. Knight and a group of his fellow East Bay representatives want the state … more

6/7/21

Kevin Mendes was arrested late last night in connection with a hammer attack on his mother.

Warren woman attacked by son remains in critical condition

A Warren woman who police say suffered a brutal hammer attack at the hands of her son two weeks ago remains in critical condition, and friends of the family have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover … more

6/4/21

Providence police major named new police chief in Barrington

Barrington has hired a new police chief. On Thursday, June 3, the town manager announced that Michael Correia, a 34-year veteran of the Providence Police Department, has been named the … more

By Josh Bickford | 6/4/21

Senior Nathan Lima works with a drill press fitted with a mortise bit in the Mt. Hope High School wood shop. A part of the Construction pathway since he came to Mt. Hope in the 10th grade, Nathan already has a job lined up after graduation.

Mt. Hope building new pathways to adulthood

Vocational training at the high school level has a new look, and a variety of programs are being implemented to help connect students with opportunities — while also connecting the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/4/21

Longtime Barrington High School throwing coach Bob Gourley watches the Eagles’ Liam Capozza throw the hammer during a recent practice session.

BHS coach is ‘one of the best in the nation’

Where do you start when discussing long-time Barrington High hammer and weight throw coach Bob Gourley? Might it be that he has developed at least eight national and six state champions? … more

By MIKE SCANDURA | 6/3/21

Proudly wearing the crowns Saturday night are 2021 Little Miss Fourth of July Eden Sweeney (left) and Miss Fourth of July Victoria Travassos.

After a year's hiatus, Bristol crowns Miss Fourth

Since 1948, the crowning of Miss Fourth of July, and more recently, Little Miss Fourth of July, has been an annual tradition. As with so many things, 2020 broke the pageant streak, though the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/3/21

Gallery: Kettle Point pier ribbon cutting ceremony

EAST PROVIDENCE — A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new public pier on the grounds of the Kettle Point development was held Thursday morning, May 27. A number of state and local officials … more

Photos by Rich Dionne | 6/3/21

Cause of Bristol house fire is still under investigation

Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire that displaced a couple from their 30 Defiance Ave. home in the middle of the night last week. The fire was reported at 1:40 a.m. on … more

By Scott Pickering | 6/2/21

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