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Maria Fernandez plays with a “Joy for All Companion Pet”, part of a collection created by Pawtucket-based Ageless Innovation LLC. The animatronic cat purrs when petted, meows for attention, and moves around to simulate having a real cat.

Robotic cats bring love and joy to dementia patients in East Providence

The 40 cats donated in honor of a former resident of The Loft at Linn in East Providence might be robotic, but the benefits for the facility's dementia patients are very real. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/9/25

Roger Williams University student Caitlin Brennan (left) sets up a turbine for testing with students Logan Armillotto (right) and others.

Where the wind blows, only the kids know — thanks to students from Roger Williams University

Kids hiding under desks isn't usually a good thing, but sometimes it is. As the countdown to the wind turbine experiment at Rockwell Elementary School in Bristol neared its climax, the fourth-grade … more

By Michelle Mercure | 4/9/25

Westport Select Board candidates at a forum two weeks before the election: From left, Jake McGuigan, Weston Thurston II, Shana Teas and Keith Dias.

Teas, McGuigan tops in Westport Select Board race

Voters sent Shana Teas back to the select board for three more years, and gave Jake McGuigan his first select board seat, in Tuesday’s townwide election. With all five precincts reporting, … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/8/25

Barrington High School's Christopher Promades (right, shown during an early season scrimmage, had three hits in the Eagles' 5-2 win over Coventry on Friday, April 4.

Barrington High School baseball team defeats Coventry and Mt. Hope

The Barrington High School baseball team opened the season with wins over Coventry and Mt. Hope. The Eagles, now competing in Division I, relied on stellar pitching and timely hitting … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/8/25

“Hands Off” protesters gather at the intersection of East Main Road and Turnpike Avenue to show their displeasure with the administration of President Donald Trump.

‘Hands Off’ Portsmouth!

Colleen Pilat stood at the corner of East Main Road and Turnpike Avenue Saturday with a sign carrying a photo of her father, who died when she was 18. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/8/25

Townies head coach Bobby Rodericks (middle) and players cut the ribbon during a brief ceremony to open the seats before their opening day game. To the right is City Council President Bob Rodericks (Bobby’s father), who made the donation of the seats from McCoy Stadium possible.

McCoy seats officially unveiled at East Providence High School

Townies fans will be able to enjoy a game from a row of historic seats for years to come. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/8/25

Speed cameras in Barrington: Safer roads or ‘highway robbery’?

The debate over whether to install speed cameras in town continued during a council meeting on Monday night, April 8. Some members of the Barrington Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee shared … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/8/25

Canvassing for their preferred candidates Tuesday were Kim Fiola Gray (foreground), Linda Richter (middle) and Liz McGuigan (rear).

Election day in Westport

Tuesday is election day in Westport, and polls will be open until 8 p.m. for all town races. Though there are more than a dozen seats open, only two races have competition. Shana Teas is running … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/8/25

DEM sets April 12 as opening of the 2025 trout season

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has stocked more than 100 freshwater locations, including children’s-only ponds, with 60,000 fish — brook, brown, rainbow, and … more

4/8/25

Warren Police Log: Officers make several arrests, help one party understand about 'airtags'

The following is a synopsis of the Warren Police logs from Monday, March 31, to Sunday, April 6: Monday, March 31 A Warren man turned himself into police on an outstanding warrant facing … more

4/8/25

Tiverton Town Council member Craig Committo introduced the resolution opposing House and Senate bills to enact an assault weapons ban in Rhode Island.

Tiverton takes aim at state assault weapons ban

Tiverton Town Council members voted overwhelmingly Monday evening to stand against companion assault weapons bills before the House and Senate, a resolution that deems them “an … more

By Christian Silvia | 4/8/25

Teammates celebrate with Tim Robitaille (left) and Aidan Martins after they scored in the first inning.

Great start for Townies baseball team

The East Providence baseball team has won three straight to start their regular season in Division 1. The Townies have combined timely hitting and solid pitching in beating pilgrim 2-1 on April … more

Story and photos by Rich Dionne | 4/8/25

Theresa Beeley, community nutrition coordinator for the Food Bank of Rhode Island, leads a class of third-grade students at the East Providence Boys and Girls Club, teaching them about the differences between processed and natural sugars.

Sugar, sugar, honey, honey — the difference between natural and added sugars adds up

Popcorn contains a small amount of natural sugar — just a little, but it’s there. When toppings like butter, cheese, or caramel are added, even more sugar is introduced. While this might … more

By Michelle Mercure | 4/8/25

A runner smiles for the camera during the start of the annual Nayatt 5K Road Race on Saturday.

Here are the top 51 finishers from the Nayatt 5K in Barrington

Hundreds of runners — young and old — laced up their sneakers for the annual Nayatt 5K Road Race on Saturday, April 5. Finishing in first place was 43-year-old Andrew Hannah, with a time … more

4/7/25

Macie Comeau strides towards the bag for the Mt. Hope High School softball team in its recent outing against Davies Voc.

Mt. Hope softball side heads into 2025 knowing it's a rebuilding year

The entire Mt. Hope High School softball program, from the players to the coaches to the athletic administrators, came into the 2025 season with the understanding this spring would be one of … more

By Mike Rego | 4/7/25

Police chase suspect through Barrington and into Warren

A high-speed car chase plowed through parts of Barrington on Tuesday, April 1. The chase barreled along County Road at about 12:20 p.m., paused briefly near the intersection with Maple … more

4/7/25

Superintendent Thomas Aubin speaks to school committee members last week.

Westport schools chief fears funding cuts

Westport may have dodged a funding bullet by spending all but about $6 of more than $2.3 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds received by Westport Community … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/7/25

The Highland Road quarry operation has drawn protests from neighbors, but owner's attorney said he's working within the law.

Judge to Tiverton quarry operator: Pound sand

A Rhode Island Superior Court judge ruled last week that five cease and desist orders filed against a Tiverton quarry operator two years ago are valid and will stand. In a decision filed … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/7/25

Bristol Warren mid-year student test scores are stagnant

The results of tests taken by students in Bristol and Warren at the half-way mark of the 2024-25 term were basically stagnant, leaving administrators and instructors admitting there remains much more … more

By Mike Rego | 4/7/25

Friday night hit-and-run in Barrington leaves motorcycle driver injured

A Pawtucket man is facing multiple charges following an accident that occurred in Barrington late Friday night, April 4. Barrington Police charged Henry James DeAndrade, 42, of Pawtucket, … more

4/7/25

Islander charged after alleged altercation on Prudence Ferry

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Wednesday, April 2 Dominic Handren, 21, of 170 Hornbine Ave., Prudence Island, was charged with … more

4/7/25

Firefighters battle a fire that broke out at the Connor Funeral Home’s crematorium on Friday afternoon. No one was injured in the blaze, according to the funeral home.

Firefighters battle structure fire at Portsmouth crematorium

PORTSMOUTH — A fire that broke out at a funeral home’s crematorium Friday afternoon drew a large response from firefighters and police. more

4/4/25

A crew from Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt repaves a Barrington road a few years ago.

Barrington may tap into rainy day fund for road paving work, more

A potential policy change in Barrington could free up millions of dollars for capital improvement projects in town. Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey said the current policy states that … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/4/25

Congressman Gabe Amo and Attorney General Peter Neronha (left) spoke for nearly two hours at Riverside Middle School on Thursday night before an auditorium packed to capacity.

Anxiety underscores Amo, Neronha town hall in Riverside

Nearly 500 people attended a town hall event hosted by Congressman Gabe Amo and Attorney General Peter Neronha on Thursday night. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/4/25

Ward 3 Councilman and long-time youth league referee Frank Fogarty delivered certificates of recognition to each playet from the 5th grade boys travel team with a customary jump high five.

Boys and Girls Club travel champions recognized by EP City Council

Both the 5th grade boys and 8th grade girls basketball travel teams for the East Providence Boys & Girls Club were recognized for their championship seasons. more

4/4/25