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Portsmouth Times - Thursday, May 12, 2022

5/12/22

This vacant lot on Carnegie Harbor Drive recently sold for $2 million — said to be the highest vacant land sale of the year in Rhode Island.

Portsmouth: Carnegie Harbor Drive lot fetches $2 million

PORTSMOUTH — Residential Properties Ltd. (RPL) has announced the sale of a vacant lot on Carnegie Harbor Drive for $2 million — the highest vacant land sale in Rhode Island this … more

5/11/22

Portsmouth residents still seek clarity on solar ordinance

PORTSMOUTH — Some abutters to existing or proposed commercial solar facilities still want clarification on the town’s solar ordinance, despite a public hearing last fall during which the … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/10/22

PHS defender Joe Rocco pressures his Barrington opponent near the goal Friday night. By the end of the first quarter, the Patriots had already secured a 7-0 lead against the Eagles and went on to win 10-7 for their fourth straight victory.

Portsmouth beats Barrington for 4th straight victory (photos)

BARRINGTON — The Portsmouth High boys’ varsity lacrosse team won its fourth straight game on Friday when it defeated Barrington, 10-7, on the road. more

5/10/22

Letter: Portsmouth should freeze spending, property taxes

To the editor: This letter is addressed to Portsmouth town government, with an urgent request to freeze spending and property taxes for the next two fiscal years due to hyper-inflation, upcoming … more

5/10/22

Letter: Where did Justice Alito get it wrong on the Constitution?

To the editor: As the usual political actors ratchet up their rhetoric after the leak of the first draft of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision, we need to true up what they are … more

5/8/22

May baskets — our forgotten Rite of Spring

By Jenny O'Neill Westport’s old-timers have fond memories of a now forgotten tradition of May baskets. These hand-made paper or cardboard baskets, filled with small treats and trinkets, … more

5/6/22

Letter: America, imploding from within

To the editor: Ka-Boom! Could our democratic society implode from internal causes? Tragically, this is becoming thinkable and even likely. Many Americans seem clueless or … more

5/6/22

Portsmouth Times - Thursday, May 5, 2022

5/5/22

A map from Mayflower Wind shows the projected route of cables required to transport power from its offshore wind farm to a connection at Brayton Point in Somerset, Mass. The connection requires a long stretch up Mt. Hope Bay, across land in Portsmouth, and up the Sakonnet River.

Offshore wind farm proposes cable connection through Sakonnet River, Mt. Hope Bay

The project developer contends it will generate enough clean energy to power 800,000 homes, and will plug into the grid that serves Rhode Island as well. But potential environmental impacts have yet to be discussed publicly. more

By Ethan Hartley | 5/4/22

Portsmouth council votes to defund island planning group

PORTSMOUTH — In provisionally approving a $69.97 million budget for 2022-23 that calls for a 1.29-percent increase over the current spending plan, the Town Council made a move that several … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/4/22

Portsmouth sophomore pitcher John Mass struck out 11 and gave up just one hit in a seven-inning complete game against Mt. Hope at Guiteras Field on Friday afternoon.

Portsmouth tops Mt. Hope twice in four days

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — Two games against Mt. Hope High School added up to two Division 1 wins for the Patriots varsity baseball team Friday and Monday. On Friday at Guiteras Field in … more

5/3/22

Letter: Why won’t council address issues with pension plan?

To the editor: The Portsmouth Town Council has decided to slam the door on further discussion of the Portsmouth pension plan. The Portsmouth Concerned Citizens request for an agenda item about the … more

5/3/22

A rendering of the new playground being proposed by the Four Hearts Foundation to replace the existing one on Turnpike Avenue.

Portsmouth: Fund-raising begins for new playground

PORTSMOUTH — A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Four Hearts Foundation and the Town Council has been approved so that a new community playground can be built on Turnpike … more

5/3/22

The Patriots’ Elly Skeels tracks a Burrillville opponent along the sideline during Saturday's game at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth beats Burrillville, sit atop D-2 girls’ lacrosse

PORTSMOUTH — In a battle of two undefeated Division II teams, the Portsmouth High varsity girls’ lacrosse made easy work of Burrillville on Saturday, winning 13-2 in impressive … more

5/1/22

Wire breaks are shown inside the main cables on the Mt. Hope Bridge. The R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority plans to apply a dehumidification project intended to restore the cables’ strength.

$35 million Mt. Hope Bridge work goes out for RFP

The proposed cable dehumidification technology needed to extend the life of the iconic bridge is expensive, with a projected $35 million price tag. But that’s a fraction of what the cost would be for a full cable or bridge replacement. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Letter: Pay attention to the real threats to our liberty

To the editor: Liberty, in common usage, means “freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.” Thankfully, because of our constitution, we have a system of laws to … more

4/29/22

Commentary: On Mother’s Day, don’t forget moms who struggle

Mother’s Day is the day when we celebrate our moms and the other women in our lives who have given us love, guidance, inspiration, and support.What we don’t often do on Mother’s … more

By Diane LeValley | 4/29/22

Two Portsmouth residents charged with voter fraud

“Vote early and often,” goes the saying. According to the R.I. Attorney General’s Office, two men here took the second part of that maxim to heart during the 2020 General Election. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/28/22

Portsmouth Times - Thursday, April 28, 2022

4/28/22

A three-dimensional rendering of how the new Turnpike Avenue playground would appear if built.

In Portsmouth: We can build it: Bigger, safer, and all-inclusive

PORTSMOUTH — Two local moms with a shared vision to rebuild the Turnpike Avenue playground received permission from the Town Council Monday night to start fund-raising so their dreams become a … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/28/22

Portsmouth High’s Chris Vachon, Kevin Sullivan and Kaden Kluth (from left) run in a pack during the 1,500 meter run at Monday’s home track meet. Kluth would go on to win the event, and also set a new school record in winning the 3,000-meter run.

Portsmouth boys, girls both winners in track meet

Just two weeks after he shattered a 42-year-old Portsmouth High School running record, Kaden Kluth improved on another school best during a home meet on Monday. Competing against East … more

4/26/22

Lea Hitchen of Portsmouth appointed next town planner

PORTSMOUTH — The town didn’t wait long to appoint a successor to Town Planner Gary Crosby, who earlier this month announced his retirement effective June 30 after 18 years of … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/26/22

Chris Zeeman from a Fort Adams work crew uses a trump grinder during Saturday’s cleanup at Butts Hill Fort.

In Portsmouth: Volunteers pitch in to clean up Butts Hill Fort

PORTSMOUTH — Armed with rakes, shovels, tree saws and loppers, 34 volunteers took part in this year’s first cleanup of Butts Hill Fort, a Revolutionary-era earthwork near Portsmouth High … more

4/26/22

Nearly two dozen Marines from the Naval Justice School helped out during the cleanup at the Portsmouth Dog Park on Saturday.

Letter: Thanks Marines, others for cleaning up dog park

To the editor: The Portsmouth Dog Park celebrated Earth Day last Saturday in its own inimitable fashion. All hands and paws were on deck for a very productive, delightfully chaotic spring … more

4/26/22