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Jessica Lynch, general manager and chief engineer of the Portsmouth Water and Fire District (PWFD), and Brian Woodhead, director of the Department of Public Works (DPW), watch as a water main is guided into a ditch dug into the town access road between the police and fire departments and DPW building last Thursday.

Portsmouth water woes addressed through teamwork

PORTSMOUTH — They each had the same problem, so the Portsmouth Water and Fire District (PWFD) and the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) combined forces to solve it. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/7/22

Portsmouth’s Nikolai Loyola keeps a steady eye on the bar after clearing it during the high jump competition, which he won with a best effort of 5 feet, 6 inches, during a dual track meet at Barrington High School on April 5.

Portsmouth finishes second in dual track meet

BARRINGTON — Notching 10 first-place finishes, The Portsmouth High boys’ outdoor track team finished second to Barrington in a dual meet Tuesday afternoon, April 5. The Eagles edged … more

4/6/22

Will Senate Committee thwart gun reforms this year?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The familiar ritual of hearings on gun-related bills played out at the Statehouse last week, with lengthy meetings extending into the night and impassioned testimony on both sides … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/6/22

Letter: Not hard to see who scorns women in US society

To the editor: ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’ This phrase, controversial to some, is embedded in our culture and had to do with spurious or unrequited love. … more

4/6/22

Distinctive Homes - Spring 2022

Click here to read. more

4/6/22

Portsmouth High pitcher John Mass hurls a fastball during the team's win over East Providence on Monday. The right-hander struck out 14 batters, allowing just one hit and no runs over six innings.

Portsmouth downs Townies as 2 pitchers combine for shutout

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Patriots varsity boys’ baseball team defeated East Providence 5-0 on Monday, as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. more

4/5/22

Callum Corbishley, Parker White and Hunter Madril (from left) perform a science dance experience combined with kinesthetic learning while they enjoy Marvelous Marvin Novogrodski's program during Monday’s Arts for Life presentations at Hathaway School.

The arts come alive at Hathaway! (Photos)

PORTSMOUTH — On Monday, Hathaway Elementary School welcomed a magician, storyteller, musicians and others in celebration of its its annual Arts for Life Week. The day featured performances … more

4/5/22

Portsmouth breezes through rest of Comprehensive Plan

PORTSMOUTH — Although the process to get there took roughly two and a half years, the Town Council spent less than 40 minutes Monday night to review and tentatively approve the final four … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/4/22

Town Planner Gary Crosby, here thumbing through the draft of the Comprehensive Community Plan, has announced his retirement at he end of the fiscal year, after 18 years of service.

Portsmouth losing one-two planning punch

PORTSMOUTH — Gary Crosby, who as town planner has been the key figure in guiding Portsmouth’s growth and development over the past 18 years, is retiring at the end of the fiscal … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/4/22

The East Bay Chamber of Commerce spent time with (from left to right) Rep. Susan Donovan, Rep. Liana Cassar, Sen. Wally Felag, Rep. Jason Knight and Rep. June Speakman.

Elected officials discuss how to spend a billion dollars, and change a culture

Five members of the Rhode Island General Assembly met with a room full of local business leaders, and the predominant topic of conversation was how to spend about $1 billion in federal monies. more

By Scott Pickering | 4/1/22

Photo shows wire breaks 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.

RITBA outlines project to strengthen Mt. Hope Bridge

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — “Don’t let the pictures scare you; the bridge is safe,” Eric Seabury, director of engineering for the R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/31/22

Portsmouth Times - Thursday, March 31, 2022

3/31/22

A view of the Portsmouth wind turbine from Butts Street, off Sprague Street. Activated in August 2016, the turbine replaced one that broke down in 2012. Some neighbors, several of which recently lost their case in Superior Court, say they’re still experiencing excessive noise and shadow flicker generated by the new machine. (File photo)

Portsmouth: Turbine foes vow to keep fighting after losing in court

PORTSMOUTH — A Superior Court judge has denied a request by a group of residents living near the wind turbine at Portsmouth High School for a preliminary injunction to prevent the machine … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/30/22

Alex Silva of the Portsmouth Middle School unified basketball team prepares to sink a jumper right before the final buzzer to give his team a 32-30 victory over Tiverton on Tuesday afternoon at home.

Portsmouth Middle School unified team wins in buzzer-beater

PORTSMOUTH — Alex Silva sent his teammates and fans home happy Tuesday afternoon. A member of the Portsmouth Middle School unified basketball team, Alex sank a jumper right before the … more

3/30/22

Portsmouth: We can do our own zoning, thank you very much

PORTSMOUTH — Keep your hands off our zoning, the Town Council is telling state lawmakers. Legislation introduced in the General Assembly that would prohibit single-family residential zoning … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/29/22

Portsmouth school budget calls for 2.6% hike in expenditures

PORTSMOUTH — The School Committee Tuesday night unanimously approved a $42.21 million budget for fiscal year 2023 that calls for a $1.07 million increase in expenditures — a … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/25/22

This special issue of the Sakonnet Times dated Dec. 9, 1971 touted Portsmouth Middle School’s official dedication held a few days later.

Portsmouth Middle School is celebrating 50th birthday

PORTSMOUTH — “A new concept in learning,” boasted the front page of a special issue of The Sakonnet Times from more than 50 years ago. The just-opened Portsmouth … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/25/22

Editorial: Keep meetings open

The benefits of more people accessing, following and interacting with their government far exceed the negative, or potential negative, impacts. Government is best when it not only represents citizens, but involves them. more

3/24/22

Portsmouth Times - Thursday, March 24, 2022

3/24/22

Mia Leroux was a sophomore lacrosse goalie at Barrington High School a year ago. Today she is racing cars throughout the Southeast and hoping to forge a path for female drivers.

‘A girl can totally do this’

A year ago, Mia Leroux was a high school sophomore, a distance-learning student who spent her days at home, Zooming into classes with her friends. Today Mia is going to school full-time in a dual … more

By Scott Pickering | 3/23/22

As the virus persists, will the future repeat the past?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The approach of nicer spring weather makes it easy to think that COVID has been banished. But surges are sparking lockdowns in other parts of the world, and the Omicron BA.2 … more

By Ian Donnis | 3/22/22

The Portsmouth Free Public Library as it appeared in this postcard from 1907. The building has gone several expansions since it first opened in 1897.

Portsmouth Free Public Library is celebrating 125 years

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth was a very different place in early 1897. Fewer than 2,000 people lived in the rural, farm-based community. Its dirt streets were oiled in the summer to keep … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/21/22

A Ukrainian woman is overcome with grief as she makes her way into Poland earlier this month.

Westport photographer captures Ukrainian refugee crisis

Westport photojournalist Alex Carrigg has seen a lot, but that didn't prepare him for the overwhelming crush of humanity that greeted him when he touched down in Warsaw, Poland in early March, rented … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/21/22

Helen Spets (left), a 95-year-old resident of Bay View Estates, chats with R.I. Meals on Wheels Executive Director Meghan Grady during a visit to her apartment on March 15. Town Council Vice President Linda Ujifusa also helped deliver a meal of shepherd’s pie, plus a blanket, slippers and a puzzle.

Portsmouth Senior Center now a Meals on Wheels dispatch site

PORTSMOUTH — Helen Spets opened the door to her third-floor apartment at Bay View Estates and greeted her visitors with a big smile and a warm welcome. “Look at all of you!” … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/21/22

Letter: Must continue push for safe, well-equipped school buildings

Every child in Rhode Island deserves to go to a school that is safe, warm, dry, and equipped for 21st-century learning. In 2018, I co-chaired the state’s School Building Task … more

By Seth Magaziner | 3/18/22