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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

Severe weather creates an array of problems for municipal leaders

STORY OF THE WEEK: If you were driving around North Providence, parts of Providence or other local communities during torrential downpours early last week, you may have felt like an extra in … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/19/23

Maggie Lauder is a senior at Portsmouth High School who is being honored by the R.I. Environmental Education Association.

Portsmouth student honored with environmental award

PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth High School senior is one of the four recipients of the R.I. Environmental Education Association’s (RIEEA) 2023 Environmental Education Award. more

9/18/23

Portsmouth Times - Thursday, September 14, 2023

9/14/23

A new URI study has found extensive microplastics in Narragansett Bay. Researchers Victoria Fulfer (shown) and J.P. Walsh estimate that the top 2 inches of the floor of Narragansett Bay now contain more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years.

New URI study finds extensive microplastics in Narragansett Bay

Two University of Rhode Island researchers estimate that the top 5 centimeters (2 inches) of the floor of Narragansett Bay now contain more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years. more

9/14/23

The Patriots celebrate a goal scored by Kaelyn Mahoney late in the first half of Tuesday’s home game against North Smithfield. Portsmouth won, 2-0.

Portsmouth girls shut out North Smithfield, 2-0

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High varsity girls soccer team is off to a good start in Division II after winning its first two games. The team shut out North Smithfield, 2-0, during its … more

9/13/23

Members of the Cote family from Dartmouth pedal their bikes along Park Avenue during the inaugural Sakonnet Coastal Bike and Stroll held Saturday. Jeremy Cote leads his children (from left) Jack, 8, Georgia, 6, and Sam, 6. Park Avenue, Hummocks Avenue and a portion of Anthony Road into Common Fence Point were shut down to motor vehicles so cyclists and pedestrians could enjoy a safe, car-free ride.

Having the whole road to themselves in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Bari Freeman, executive director of Bike Newport, said she asked the kids pedaling along Park Avenue on Saturday what they liked most about the Sakonnet Coastal Bike and … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/13/23

East Bay Homes | Fall 2023

East Bay Homes | Fall 2023 more

9/13/23

Police Chief Brian Peters pitches his Portsmouth Police Department employee retention plan to the Town Council Monday night. The council unanimously approved the program.

Portsmouth OKs police chief’s plan to retain officers

It’s a nationwide crisis that has finally come home to roost within the Portsmouth Police Department — losing good officers to other jobs, which has resulted in a staffing shortage on the force. more

By Jim McGaw | 9/12/23

Amo is the new rising star in R.I. politics

STORY OF THE WEEK: Democratic primary voters had their say and now Gabe Amo is the new rising star in Rhode Island politics. While former state representative Aaron Regunberg was widely perceived as … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/12/23

Nick Papa of South Kingstown, captain of the vessel Ruthless, took first place in the Boston Bluefin Classic with this 788-pound giant bluefin tuna caught off Scarborough Beach, R.I.

Rhode Islanders dominate giant tuna tournament

If you are a woman, and think you want to learn how to fly fish, now is the time to give it a try at the Women’s Introductory Fly Fishing Clinic, Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/12/23

Architect’s aerial rendering shows updated layout of the Island Park OASIS Beach Volleyball complex being proposed for a site over the old landfill in Island Park. The larger of the 13 courts at left could be converted into a sand soccer court. The parking lot has spaces for just over 100 vehicles, and the three temporary buildings in between would be used for storage, ticket sales and restrooms. The gravel entrance road from Park Avenue at right includes a turnaround for emergency vehicles.

Abutters don’t dig plans for sand volleyball complex

PORTSMOUTH — Abutters finally got their turn last Thursday night to sound off on a proposed sand volleyball complex that would be built atop the old town dump in Island Park. more

By Jim McGaw | 9/11/23

Letter: Block Island grateful for Portsmouth firefighters’ help

To the editor: The events of the fire at the Harborside (Inn), downtown Block Island this past weekend (Aug. 19-20) could have proved devastating. It is only because of a strong … more

9/7/23

Letter: Can’t support your dubious CD1 endorsement

To the editor: By your receipt of my letter, the 1st Congressional District special primary will still be underway. Presumably, the glut of Democrat candidates scrambling for a special election … more

9/7/23

Ken Rutter, commander of VFW Post 5390 in Common Fence Point, stands inside the top floor of the hall, which is undergoing a transformation. Behind him are pilates equipment used in classes led by Conley Zani, who rents space in the building.

In Portsmouth: A metamorphosis in the making

PORTSMOUTH — Ken Rutter stands inside the shabby looking basement room of the VFW Post 5390 hall in Common Fence Point and knows there’s a lot of work to be done. But with the … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/7/23

Portsmouth Times - Thursday, September 7, 2023

9/7/23

Letter: Re-igniting America's chilled melting pot

We Americans are different. We’re different from all other industrialized countries, and we’re different from one another. The U.S., for example, is the only industrialized … more

9/6/23