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Portsmouth Times - Thursday, September 28, 2023

9/28/23

Offshore wind is the subject of intense debate in Rhode Island.

A Rhode Island citizen activist made a powerful pitch about the dangers of offshore wind projects to a mostly supportive audience in Westport, Mass., on Tuesday, Sept. 19, and a small group of … more

By Mary Lhowe/ecoRI News contributor | 9/27/23

A troubling look behind the scenes in the seafood business

STORY OF THE WEEK: New Bedford’s half-billion-dollar commercial fishing catch is one of the economic bright spots in southern New England. But the underside of the seafood business includes … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/26/23

Brian Abbott, of Barrington, said, “Caught this striper (29”, 8 pounds) in 15 feet of water about 100 yards off Barrington Beach with a Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow.”

Bonito and false albacore running hot, with no catch limits

There is nothing like explosive surface action from Atlantic bonito and false albacore. Last week anglers fishing in the Pt. Judith area were treated to non-stop action on Thursday, just a … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/26/23

Becky Chace had her own band, sold thousands of CDs and played at big venues, before pausing music to become a teacher. These days, she’s playing music on her own terms — and having fun.

Meet Becky Chace: A prolific musician with a future all her own

I had sought out, for some time, singer, songwriter, guitarist Becky Chace for an interview regarding her life and times in music. A life rich in gigs, travel, recordings, starts, stops and … more

By Michael Khouri | 9/26/23

No transfer station will hurt most vulnerable residents

To the editor: Closing the transfer station will impact our most vulnerable residents, seniors and low-income families, in cost and convenience. Many seniors make a combined trip to the … more

9/26/23

Letter: Numbers don’t justify keeping transfer station open

To the editor: As I left the the town council meeting that was to have discussed the transfer station, a woman from the audience approached me, smiled, then said that “You didn’t … more

9/26/23

Steve Cardone helps load donated goods into a shopping cart outside of the food bank last Friday. The food bank was honored with The Portsmouth Award by the Town Council Monday night.

Portsmouth Community Service Award goes to food bank

PORTSMOUTH — St. John’s Lodge Food Bank’s hard work and dedication in serving the community over the past several years has not gone unnoticed. more

By Jim McGaw | 9/26/23

Letter: Transfer station decision is about residents’ choice

To the editor: The transfer station decision impacts all residents’ choices and pocketbooks. Both curbside users and transfer station users need to collaborate on this effort as it’s … more

9/26/23

Letter: Island Park bike event wasn’t wonderful for everyone

To the editor: On Saturday morning, Sept. 9, an event was held in Island Park on Park Avenue. The event was sponsored by Bike Newport and other contributors and presented as a family bike and … more

9/26/23

Op-Ed: A lifeline for those battling substance use disorder

There is a resource available in hundreds of languages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that provides immediate help for those experiencing substance use disorder, thoughts of suicide, mental health crises, and emotional distress – the 988 Lifeline. more

By Tom Joyce | 9/25/23

Portsmouth Police: Car hit 110 mph during high-speed chase

A 34-year-old Pawtucket man turned himself in last week after previously bolting from officers during a high-speed chase, police said. more

9/25/23

The Portsmouth Patriots varsity football team takes the field before facing Bishop Hendricken in a non-league match at home last Thursday night.

Portsmouth gets walloped by Bishop Hendricken, 55-7

PORTSMOUTH — Bishop Hendricken is in a different league than Portsmouth High, and the Hawks proved it Friday night. In a non-league matchup which served as the home opener for the … more

9/25/23

Thais Jackson of Portsmouth, here playing for her high school team, St. Mark's School, has committed to play lacrosse at West Point, where she will be a member of the Class of 2029.

Portsmouth lacrosse athlete commits to play for West Point

PORTSMOUTH — She’s only 16, but Portsmouth’s Thais Jackson already has a commitment to attend West Point, aka The U.S. Military Academy. more

9/25/23

Portsmouth water mains to be flushed starting Oct. 2

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Water and Fire District will be flushing water mains from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. per the following schedule: • Monday, Oct. 2: East Main Road from Pine Tree … more

9/25/23

The state says people should avoid contact with Lower Melville Pond, due to blue-green algae (or cyanobacteria) blooms. A similar advisory is still in effect for the upper pond, now known as Thurston Gray Pond.

State: Avoid contact with Lower Melville Pond, Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — The R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH) and the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Lower Melville Pond due to blue-green … more

9/22/23

Rep. Terri Cortvriend of Portsmouth walks along the shoreline in front of Baker Road homes on the west side of Portsmouth back in March. Her bill establishing that the public area of the shoreline is 10 feet landward of the recognizable high tide line was later signed into law by the governor.

Federal judge dismisses challenge to R.I. shoreline access law

Wrong court, wrong argument and against the wrong people. So declared U.S. District Court Judge William Smith in his Sept. 19 opinion dismissing a legal challenge to the state’s newly … more

By Nancy Lavin/R.I. Current | 9/22/23

Letter: Leave those tree snags alone!

As Hurricane Lee passed by this weekend, it left behind a variety of trees that have been uprooted or completely fallen as a result of the wind. Trees are the stalwarts of our New England landscape, … more

9/21/23

Gordon School has created a new “Whatever I Need” block in every student’s day, where they have free time for “whatever they need.” In the spirit of social-emotional wellness and growth, classes might go outside for some fun, hold a lively discussion about an important topic, or spend time reading together (above) with the school’s therapy dog, Denver.

For private schools, enrollment growth is a pandemic silver lining

While the global pandemic made a mess of just about everything everywhere, it had a hidden benefit for private schools — it boosted their enrollments. Admissions directors at numerous … more

By Scott Pickering | 9/21/23

Portsmouth Times - Thursday, September 21, 2023

9/21/23

Portsmouth schools end fiscal year with surplus of over $400K

PORTSMOUTH — The school district will have more than $400,000 to spread around for school construction projects, thanks to a surplus left over from the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Chris … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/20/23

Private Education | Fall 2023

Private Education | Fall 2023 more

9/20/23

This placard, along Park Avenue, is among several that have popped up around town.

Special meeting looms on Portsmouth transfer station

PORTSMOUTH — Residents are still not done talking trash, apparently. About 100 or more residents crowded the Town Council Chambers and the adjacent hallway to hear an agenda item regarding … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/19/23

Tyler Both (12) fires a shot off a Central defender which resulted in a corner kick for the Patriots. Landon Rodrigues (11) would end up scoring on the corner kick by Kyle Bielawa.

Portsmouth edged by Central High in boys’ soccer, 2-1

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High School boys’ varsity soccer team is still seeking its first win this season after being nipped by Central High at home Tuesday night, 2-1. The … more

9/19/23

Tom Hood with a false albacore caught off Narragansett from his kayak last fall.

NOAA Fisheries needs our support

The U.S. House Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 will have a devastating impact on fish and habitat, as it reduces funding by 14 percent for NOAA Fisheries, a cut of $900 million. Yet our … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/19/23