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Lukas Lacourse (left) and Dylan Landreville, both rising seventh-graders, try to wave down a Jepson Lane motorist outside the student-run AgInnovation Farm at Cloverbud Ranch Tuesday morning. Campers had just finished harvesting the produce displayed on the table and were giving it away to passersby. The farm also donates some fruits and vegetables to the food bank at St. John’s Lodge or sends some home with campers.

Campers get hands dirty on Portsmouth's student-run farm

PORTSMOUTH — If you’ve never seen pairs of underwear being harvested before, you’ve probably never visited the AgInnovation Farm at Cloverbud Ranch on Jepson Lane. more

By Jim McGaw | 7/25/24

The social media-drive “Aquapalooza” event at Potters Cove, Prudence Island, is not only a headache for local police but for the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, which manages nearby shellfish grounds.

‘Aquapalooza’ forcing closure of 700-acre shellfish area

PORTSMOUTH — Once again, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) is not taking any chances on shellfish grounds being contaminated by a big party on the water that’s … more

7/24/24

Body of man, 65, found on Portsmouth shoreline

PORTSMOUTH — A man’s body was discovered along the shoreline off Indian Avenue near the town line Monday night. On Tuesday, police identified the deceased as Leonidas Gonzalez, … more

7/23/24

CCRI launches initial table games dealer training course

The Community College of Rhode Island, as part of its partnership with Bally’s Corporation, is launching its first course specific to the gaming industry, "Introduction to Table Games Dealer … more

7/23/24

Damon A. Teixeira, Duarte M. Arruda, and Lee Berry (from left) were arrested as part of a joint sting operation that involved the Portsmouth Police Department.

Portsmouth: Three men arrested in sex trafficking sting operation

PORTSMOUTH — Three men have been arrested following a joint sting operation by the Portsmouth Police Detective Division and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) targeting sex … more

7/22/24

R.I.’s median home price reaches a record high

Despite a 32 percent increase in the number of single-family homes on the market since June of last year, the median price of Rhode Island homes sold last month continued to rise, hitting a new high … more

7/22/24

Portsmouth Police deal with alleged domestic assault, DUIs

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Wednesday, July 17 Frank J. Saunders, 46, of 71 Callender Ave., Newport, was charged with … more

7/22/24

Portsmouth Emergency Management Agency Director Ray Perry (left) and Hummocks resident John Vitkevich on Teddi’s Beach, looking south toward the ocean. The spot in Island Park is one of the most vulnerable locally in the event of a major hurricane.

Portsmouth: When the ‘big one’ comes, will you be ready?

PORTSMOUTH — John Vitkevich stood on Teddi’s Beach on the north end of Park Avenue Tuesday, pointing to the open Atlantic Ocean. “We’re standing in one of the most … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/17/24

With more students attending out-of-district career and tech programs, has the current school transportation system become outdated? (File photo)

Portsmouth lawmakers seek potential changes for school transportation

PORTSMOUTH — A new legislative study commission will look for ways to improve the statewide school transportation system under a resolution that was sponsored by Sen. Linda Ujifusa and Rep. … more

7/16/24

Bike Newport campers showed off their bike skills on the Big Blue Bike Barn’s “Pump Track.”

Teaching kids how to ride with power

A leading bike advocate believes strongly that everyone riding a bicycle needs training and education, and that applies even more strongly to the growing population riding around on electric … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/16/24

Employees of Ocean State Air Solutions pose outside the business’s new building at 3076 East Main Road.

Ocean State Air in Portsmouth hosts open house on July 25

Ocean State Air Solutions (OSA) will host the next “ Portsmouth Business Association After Hours” event from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. more

7/16/24

U.S. Navy veterans stand to receive applause from the crowd as The American Band plays the “Armed Forces Salute” to Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines Corps and Coast Guard retirees at the Friends of the Glen Manor House’s outdoor concert on July 11.

‘Portsmouth Pops’ concert pays tribute to veterans

PORTSMOUTH — Many local veterans were saluted during a free, old-fashioned pops concert outside the Glen Manor House last week. The American Band played a set of standard and … more

7/15/24

Third Newport shooting suspect arrested is from Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A 29-year-old Portsmouth man, one of several suspects wanted in connection with a shooting in Newport on July 5, was arrested last week. more

7/15/24

RIDOT Director Peter Alviti speaks while showing a graph on traffic patterns on the Washington Bridge during a press conference Tuesday, July 9.

Westbound traffic flows improve, east side stalls with lane changes

PROVIDENCE — There's more than a hint of irony in the updated traffic figures for the Washington Bridge provided by state officials last week after they were forced to make dramatic alterations … more

By Mike Rego | 7/11/24

Visitors check out the Portsmouth Dog Park’s new off-leash trail system, located within the Melville Park Recreation Area, which was opened to the public Saturday morning.

Happy trails in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Dogs and owners who prefer the rugged trails to an open space to gallop and socialize now have a happy medium. The Portsmouth Dog Park, nestled within the Melville Park … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/10/24

Attorney Max Wistow speaks July 10 during a review of the legal aspects pertaining to the Washington Bridge closure.

Bridge counselors coyly answer questions about their investigation

PROVIDENCE — It's likely the general public will not get all of the information it would expect and want to know about the Washington Bridge debacle any time soon. At least that's how the … more

By Mike Rego | 7/10/24

Gov. Dan McKee speaks at a July 9 press conference updating the Washington Bridge reconstruction project.

Stresses, strains associated with bridge project likely led to lack of bids

PROVIDENCE — The stresses and strains associated with such a significant and scrutinized project are what state officials believe to be the reasons why no company formally bid to rebuild the … more

By Mike Rego | 7/9/24

State: Avoid upper pond at Melville, Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Avoid contact with upper Melville Pond, the state recommended in a July 5 advisory. The R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH) and the R.I. Department of Environmental … more

7/8/24

Proposed route of the second annual Sakonnet Coastal Bike & Stroll Event, which organizers want to host from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 14, in Island Park, the Hummocks and part of Common Fence Point.

Rare lack of quorum cancels Portsmouth council meeting

PORTSMOUTH — Town Council President Kevin Aguiar made a surprise announcement at the start of Monday’s regular meeting: There would be no meeting. more

By Jim McGaw | 7/8/24

Jhonny Cespedes-Gil as he appeared in his booking photo.

Portsmouth: Man charged with DUI had 2 minors in vehicle

A 32-year-old man from Hartford, Conn. had two young children in his vehicle — ages 1 and 6 — when he was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) on Saturday, July 6. more

7/8/24

Mac McAnally (left) and Scotty Emerick of the Coral Reefer Band play a Jimmy Buffett song during a tribute concert to the late singer-songwriter on the back lawn at Sunset Cove in Island Park Tuesday, July 2. Buffett, who died of a rare skin cancer on Sept. 1, 2023, played his very last gig at the restaurant exactly one year before.

A year after his final show, a tribute to Jimmy Buffett

PORTSMOUTH — Exactly one year after Jimmy Buffett delighted hundreds of “parrot heads” with a surprise appearance at Sunset Cove that turned out to be his last gig, his bandmates … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/3/24

Portsmouth Police make several arrests for assault

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Tuesday, June 25 Michael A. Bucolo, 61, of 29 Pilgrim Lane, was charged with domestic simple … more

7/1/24

State seeks respondents to housing survey

Survey responses are anonymous and will help The Rhode Island Department of Housing and RIHousing establish a better understanding of the state's housing needs. more

7/1/24

Donations (in the red milk can) toward the fireworks display presented by Escobar Farm on Middle Road are always welcome. This year’s show begins at 9:15 p.m. on Friday, July 5.

Where to see fireworks in and around Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Looking for the rockets’ red glare? Here’s a brief guide to some of the best places to see Independence Day fireworks displays this year. more

7/1/24

Church Community Housing’s conceptual rending of the Anne Hutchinson School building (left), which will potentially be developed into market-rate condos, and the new senior center facility and affordable senior housing complex at right.

Residents and council clash on Portsmouth senior complex

PORTSMOUTH — An update on the new senior center that’s part of a 54-unit affordable housing project turned into a debate Monday night on whether local senior residents were being … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/27/24