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Portsmouth Times - Thursday, June 8, 2023

6/8/23

To the editor: A child pretending to be a leader

Some dear friends have a new granddaughter who is a healthy, happy, good baby. Yet they report that a recent overnight stay was harder than they expected or recalled. Babies often get fussy when … more

6/7/23

“I think Common Fence Point was just as angry as I was at that vandalism,” says Samantha Younger, the organizer of Saturday’s Rockin’ Mama’s Pride Market. “It shows that there are still some evil people out there, and we have to show them we’re bigger than that.”

A vandal tried to stop her Pride fund-raiser, so she’s making it even bigger and better

PORTSMOUTH — Samantha Younger is not one to back down over some stolen signs or hateful graffiti. more

By Jim McGaw | 6/7/23

Editorial: Best practices in government

A year ago, no one could have imagined that the Barrington School Committee would quickly become the model for openness in government. For much of the past five years, that board was mired in … more

6/7/23

How open is your government?

With executive orders expired, Rhode Island government agencies are now operating under the same Open Meetings law that was in place pre-Covid. They have no obligation to continue with any of the pandemic-induced adaptations, yet many are doing some of the new best practices, while few are doing all of them. more

By Scott Pickering | 6/7/23

PHS junior Lukas Huffman dives back to first safely on a pickoff attempt in the bottom of the fifth inning against Central.

Central bounces Portsmouth from D-1 baseball playoffs

PORTSMOUTH — The Patriots’ baseball season came to an end on a damp field at Portsmouth High School Monday, but head coach Ryan Long said he has high hopes for this young team next year. … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/6/23

RIPEC sends a strong warning about state spending

STORY OF THE WEEK: It has been clear for a while that the sugar high of consecutive budget surpluses in Rhode Island – a rare occurrence in a state usually dogged by perennial deficits -- … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/6/23

Angler Bob Donald of North Kingstown caught bass to 33” trolling tube & worm north of Conimicut Light. An influx of pogies enhanced the striper bite last week.

Block Island Tournament grows with partner tackle shops

“The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament doubled the number of participants with tackle shop partners last year and added a fly fishing shore and boat division,” said … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 6/6/23

A woman of science who was overshadowed and overlooked

Once again, novelist Marie Benedict focuses her narrative on a brilliant, but overlooked woman, as she did in her earlier novels, “The Other Einstein,” about Albert’s wife Mileva, and “The Only Woman in the Room,” about film star Heddy Lamaar. Both of those books portrayed extremely capable scientists who were overshadowed by male counterparts. more

By Donna Bruno | 6/6/23

Letter: Offshore wind has vast benefits for the public

Editor’s note: The writer submitted this letter to the Portsmouth Town Council in advance of its May 25 workshop on SouthCoast Wind, which he was unable to attend. more

6/6/23

Letter: The AR-15 is indeed an assault-style weapon

To the editor: While I appreciate Mr. Huth’s bringing facts to the discussion of firearms safety (“Preventing criminal gun use requires facts, not fiction,” May 25 Portsmouth … more

6/6/23

Portsmouth High senior Morgan Casey clears the bar at 5 feet, 2 inches to win the girls’ high jump event at Saturday’s Track and Field State Championships at Conley Stadium in Providence. She was the only first-place winner among the Patriots at the meet.

Portsmouth’s Morgan Casey is state’s high jump champion

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth High senior Morgan Casey continued her dominance in the high jump by winning the event at Saturday’s Track and Field State Championships with a best effort of … more

6/5/23

The 9,300-square-foot home features a 40x20-foot saltwater pool.

$4.2M home sale is this year’s highest so far in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A 9,300-square-foot home at 52 Carnegie Abbey Lane recently fetched $4.2 million, Hogan Associates | Christie’s International Real Estate announced. Listed by broker … more

6/5/23

Letter: Volleyball complex would create chaos for area

To the editor: I am responding to your article, “From town dump to sports Oasis”? As a longtime Portsmouth resident, I am familiar with this area. AP Enterprises would be … more

6/4/23

Times are tough at the St. John’s Lodge Food Pantry, which is having trouble keeping up with demand from local families in need.

Numbers show East Bay Food Pantry facing unprecedented need

“We're busier than we've ever been,” said Executive Director Emily Mushen. “With the expiration of COVID-era SNAP benefits, plus ongoing high prices for food, energy, and housing, we're seeing higher numbers than ever before at the pantry.” more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/2/23

Letter: Let’s stick to the facts on SouthCoast Wind proposal

To the editor: Regarding the SouthCoast Wind proposal, it never ceases to amaze me how much misinformation and disinformation gets thrown around on this subject. But, when you examine the … more

6/2/23

Portsmouth Times - Thursday, June 1, 2023

6/1/23

Letter: Windpower benefits are legion, with few downsides

Apropos of your recent correspondence I would like to contribute some facts regarding wind power, and in general the transition away from carbon dioxide emission, which will fairly soon render much … more

5/31/23

The playground behind Hathaway Elementary School, where a 15-year-old boy was assaulted by multiple juveniles after school hours on May 5.

Portsmouth: After-hour crimes on school property a police matter

PORTSMOUTH — An assault or other crime that takes place on school property, but after school hours, is a police matter, the School Committee’s attorney said during a public … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/31/23

A mourner signs the outside of a coffin prior to burial at Prudence Memorial Park. “Natural” burial grounds like this use biodegradable coffins, no embalming, and allow the burial site to revegetate naturally. Memorial plantings of native species are welcomed.

Thinking outside the box: Eco-friendly burial options

Simply put, eco-friendly burials, also known as “green” burials, refer to burying a body in a biodegradable coffin without embalming or a vault. The Green Burial Council (GBC) describes … more

By Bonnie Evans & Robin Weber | 5/31/23

Kaitlin Roche (left) and Elizabeth Skeels celebrate a Portsmouth goal against Lincoln School during the Patriots’ quarterfinal win last week.

Portsmouth girls advance to D-I LAX semis Thursday (photos)

PORTSMOUTH — Members of the Portsmouth High School varsity girls’ lacrosse team have a date with Moses Brown in the state semifinals on Thursday, June 1. The Patriots defeated … more

5/30/23

Letter: Don’t let offshore wind cable come down Sakonnet

To the editor: I writing today because of my concern and opposition to the proposed cable coming down the Sakonnet River. I have lived near the water’s edge in Portsmouth all of my 64 … more

5/30/23

After growing up in a family of successful entertainers, Erik Peterson went to Berklee, worked in Los Angeles and traveled the country as a musician. Today he lives in East Providence and owns a recording studio.

Meet Erik Peterson: Entertaining is in his blood

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with pianist, singer, songwriter, producer, recording engineer Erik Peterson. Over coffee at Borealis in Riverside, the East Providence resident … more

By Michael Khouri | 5/30/23

Tim Rounds, of Idaho, here on vacation, caught this 38” striped bass (his first ever) fishing with light tackle at Popasquash Point, Bristol on No Fluke Fishing Charters.

Mount Hope Bay opens to shellfishing

Great news for recreational and commercial quahoggers, as 515 acres in Mt. Hope Bay are now open as conditional rather than a prohibited shellfishing area. The area can be fished … more

5/30/23

Letter: Concerned about environmental impacts of offshore wind

To the editor: Thank you for reporting on the recent offshore wind rally at Island Park Beach. Having been a participant, I can attest to the accuracy and fairness of the coverage. The issue of … more

5/30/23