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William Schaff of Water Street was one of two artists selected in the first round.

Warren kicks off second public art project

Art will replace drab infrastructure this Spring, when seven commissioned artists spread out to paint electric utility boxes around Warren. This is the second round of public art projects that … more

1/21/21

Julie Brigidi, longtime shelter volunteer and board member of the Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter, spends some time with Ollie, a cat who was temporarily surrendered by his owner, who is struggling to find cat-friendly housing. According to Ms. Brigidi, serving as a temporary shelter for pet owners who are experiencing hardship is one of the many ideal ways the Friends would like to see the shelter utilized. “This could be a godsend for families experiencing displacement or hardship for any of a number of reasons,” said Ms. Brigidi, who added that Ollie’s owner is very much looking forward to reclaiming him as soon as she is able.

Advocates developing a new vision for Bristol’s animal shelter

Things are pretty quiet at Bristol’s new, state-of-the-art animal shelter these days, and yes, COVID shoulders some of that blame — but not all of it. The reality is that even before the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/21/21

With all sailors safe following the capsize of Patriot, work begins to start righting the AC75.

Bristol-built Patriot sustains significant damage in capsize

It was a rough end to the weekend on the other side of the world when Patriot, one of the Bristol-built AC75 foiling monohull American Magic yachts built to challenge for the America’s Cup, … more

1/20/21

Police question man accused of trying to break into Barrington home

A Barrington resident reported a possible attempted break-in last week. The Anoka Avenue resident said the incident occurred on Jan. 7 at about 6:56 p.m., although it was not reported until Monday, … more

1/20/21

The lower Kickemuit Reservoir dam on Child Street is becoming less and less effective at keeping saltwater from traveling north into the reservoir.

Nearby residents oppose Warren dams' removal

Residents near the Kickemuit Reservoir are hiring legal representation and engineers to fight the Bristol County Water Authority's plan to remove the upper Kickemuit dam on Schoolhouse Road, and the … more

1/20/21

Should lacrosse be classified as a high risk sport or moderate? More than 1,000 people say it’s time for officials to change it to moderate risk.

Petition says lacrosse is moderate risk, not high

More than 1,000 people have already signed a petition calling for the state to reclassify the risk level for lacrosse, moving it from high risk to moderate. That move, officials say, would allow … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/20/21

Lifelong Barrington resident Clara DeSpirito celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this month. Her family organized a special car parade past her home.

Lifelong Barrington resident celebrates 100th birthday

Clara DeSpirito calls it a blessing. Earlier this month, the lifelong Barrington resident celebrated her 100th birthday. Her family and friends made the day extra special, as they held a car … more

1/19/21

Water authority proposes another rate increase

Bristol County Water Authority customers should expect rate increases each year for the next 10 years, starting with a proposed 5 percent increase this year. BCWA Executive Director Pam Marchand … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/19/21

Amiyah Johnson, a student at Portsmouth Middle School, recited a nonviolence pledge during the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday.

Choose to love and forgive, says MLK Jr. event speaker

NEWPORT COUNTY — On Jan. 6, hundreds of insurgents — many displaying telltale symbols typically worn by white supremacists, white nationalists and other extremist groups — … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/18/21

Leigh Medeiros with the ribcage of a deer, found on a South County beach.

For this local amateur naturalist, the world is full of treasure

The impulse to collect treasures found in nature has been described as a number of things, including a desire to preserve the past or impose order on the future. Classification of things found in … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/18/21

DPW workers plant a tree a few years back. Members of the town council have been offering updates about how many trees the town plants each month, compared to how many they cut down.

Council reminder: Barrington cut down eight trees last month

Carl Kustell picked up where Kate Weymouth left off. During Monday night’s town council meeting, Mr. Kustell offered an update of the public works department’s tree removal tally. … more

1/18/21

A current architectural drawing shows the proposed site plan at the town's gateway center in North Warren. The site includes at least two buildings, a terrace, riverwalk and public amenities.

Warren gateway project cost currently at $9 million

A public/private effort to transform the old National Grid property in the shadow of the Warren River Bridge into a gateway center with a public area, riverwalk and shops/eateries could be ready for … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/17/21

On Monday, workers were busy installing solar panels onto support structures at the site of a large solar array being built by the Navy on West Main Road, south of Melville School. Although this project did not require town oversight, Portsmouth Residents for Responsible Solar has raised concerns that the current solar ordinance could lead to many similar developments around town.

Citizens group seeks legal appeal of Portsmouth solar ordinance

PORTSMOUTH — A citizens group that protested the recent passage of a new solar ordinance with no success is now turning to the legal system in an attempt to find relief. Portsmouth … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/16/21

Democratic Town Committee returns top three officers to their posts

The Bristol Democratic Town Committee held its biennial reorganizational meeting and election of officers on Monday, Jan. 11. Three officers retained positions first assumed two years ago: Erich … more

1/15/21

RI National Guardsman Darrien Mora readies packs of swabs at the pop-up testing site inside the Barrington Shopping Center on Tuesday morning.

Barrington Town Manager: Take a minute to get tested

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha is recommending residents make time to get tested for Covid-19. The Rhode Island National Guard and the Rhode Island Department of Health are co-sponsoring the … more

1/15/21

The Barrington Fire Department's old ladder truck, shown here responding to a house fire in 2017, was sold to a fire department in Washington state recently for $50,000.

Barrington's old fire truck finds a new home

The Barrington Fire Department’s old ladder truck may be gone, but it is not forgotten. In fact, during the recent council meeting, the truck became the subject of a brief discussion. Early … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/15/21

Dr. Philip Chan, the consultant medical director at the Department of Health's Division of Preparedness, Response, Infectious Disease and Emergency Medical Services, speaks to reporters via ZOOM Friday morning.

Health officials: More than 51,000 Rhode Islanders at least partially inoculated

More than 51,000 Rhode Islanders had been at least partially vaccinated against the coronavirus by Friday morning, according to state Department of Health officials, with 9,243 of them fully … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/15/21

Barrington Police Chief Dino DeCrescenzo (left) and Captain Timothy Harrington accept AAA Northeast’s commendation recognizing 60 years with no pedestrian fatalities.

Safe roads earn Barrington a special distinction

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha shared some good news during Monday night’s council meeting: In 60 years, Barrington has not had a single pedestrian fatality. That record runs in stark … more

1/15/21

Organizers and protestors march into downtown Bristol during a Black Lives Matter rally in June.

Diversity advocates draft proposal for new Bristol committee

A group of Bristol residents advocating for the creation of a new “Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” have completed their initial phase of work and outlined both the mission … more

1/14/21

Despite changes, trash costs keep rising

The cost of trash disposal in Rhode Island is measured in “tipping fees” — the per-ton price municipalities are charged by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation for waste … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/14/21

Photogenic Bobbert comes in for a closeup at Tiverton’s West Place Animal Sanctuary.

West Place says goodbye to beloved Bobbert

Alpaca was Tiverton sanctuary’s foremost ambassador, resident character By Bruce Burdett West Place Animal Sanctuary bid farewell to Bobbert the alpaca late in the evening of … more

By Bruce Burdett | 1/14/21

Maria Ducharme at work in the Incident Command Center for Covid-19 at The Miriam Hospital.

Longtime nurse named hospital president

She has always wanted to help people. Dr. Maria Ducharme volunteered at a senior care facility when she was a teenager, worked for decades as a nurse, and just recently was named president of … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/14/21

Brown University Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Martin calls a play during an earlier game against Duke University. Coach Martin is a Barrington resident.

Brown ‘an awesome place’ for hoops coach

Mike Martin has the best of two worlds. Not only have Martin, his wife Kristen and their three daughters resided in Barrington since 2012, a town they relish, but he also has his dream job: head … more

BY MIKE SCANDURA | 1/13/21

Portsmouth man, 21, killed in wrong-way crash in Somerset

A 21-year-old Portsmouth man died early Wednesday morning after his car was struck head on by another vehicle that was traveling the wrong way on Route 195 in Somerset early, according to … more

1/13/21

Neighbors were first alerted to this fire when the transformer on the utility pole exploded.

Bristol firefighters douse flames quickly

A call came in around 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning that this home at 9 William St. was on fire. Neighbor Oliver Browne, a Mt. Hope High School student, was on the second floor of his family’s home … more

1/13/21