News | EastBayRI.com - News, Opinion, Things to Do in the East Bay

A sign at the Sapowet Marsh bridge makes it clear how many neighbors think of a plan to establish a one-acre oyster farm at the site.

Sakonnet aquaculture bill dies in session

For the second year in a row, legislation that would restrict aquaculture along the shores of the Sakonnet River failed to make it out of committee before the Rhode Island General Assembly session … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/16/23

Throughout the property on Hedly Street, multiple tributaries meander through into Bloody Brook, which eventually empties into Narragansett Bay.

ALT conserves nearly 10 acres of Portsmouth wetlands

The Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) has announced the conservation of a 9.85-acre wetlands property on Hedly Street. Located across from Maplewood Farm, ALT purchased the land from JIC Capital LLC to … more

6/15/23

The Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board considered Monday whether to continue its review of SouthCoast Wind Farm’s cable plan. (Screenshot)

Mass. wind farm needs R.I. regulators’ approval. But is SouthCoast Wind Farm an impossible choice?

The state’s top energy regulator vented over the “Hobson’s Choice” posed when offshore wind developers seek to renege on their contracts with utility companies. more

By Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current | 6/14/23

Graduates in the St. Mary Academy-Bay View Class of 2023 enter the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence for commencement on Monday, June 5.

St. Mary Academy-Bay View celebrates 147th Commencement

PROVIDENCE — On Monday evening, June 5, St. Mary Academy – Bay View graduated its Class of 2023 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Each of the 49 graduates have been accepted to … more

6/12/23

Portsmouth High seniors toss their caps at the end of Friday night’s graduation ceremony inside the PHS field house. Diplomas were awarded to 195 students.

‘Give yourself completely,’ PHS grads told

PORTSMOUTH — The one hundred and ninety-five Portsmouth High School seniors who received diplomas Friday night were challenged to always make the world a better place for everyone around … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/11/23

“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

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

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

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

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

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

SFC William “Bill” McCollum, U.S. Army (Ret.), was the guest speaker at Monday morning’s Memorial Day observance outside Portsmouth Town Hall. McCollum enlisted in 1968 and served multiple tours in Vietnam through 1971. Serving with the 173rd Airborne as a highly trained combat infantryman, squad leader and drill sergeant, he earned a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and Combat Infantry Badge, along with other medals, during his 27-year active and reserve career.

Portsmouth honors war dead at Memorial Day ceremony

PORTSMOUTH — Many veterans who have been killed or died during wartime have since been honored by having streets, buildings, and schools named after them, said the keynote speaker at … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/29/23

John and Sky Williams of Newport take a photo while gazing at the pansy made out of LEGOs. It used more than 29,000 bricks and took 240 hours to build.

In Portsmouth: LEGO exhibit shows nature’s fragility

PORTSMOUTH — The teddy bear, giraffe, elephant and other bushy buddies at Green Animals Topiary Garden have made some new friends. more

By Jim McGaw | 5/28/23

Mt. Hope Bridge shows its colors

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority jazzed up the Mt. Hope Bridge for the coming Memorial Day holiday, as seen here Saturday night. If you look closely at right, the Pell Bridge far down … more

5/28/23

Lawrence Mott, transmissions development manager for SouthCoast Wind, answers a question by local resident Ralph Craft (left) at Thursday night’s Town Council workshop at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth again denies any deal with SouthCoast Wind

The Town Council, yet again, told a crowd of more than 100 people who turned out Thursday night for a workshop about SouthCoast Wind that there was no current proposal or contract for the town to … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/26/23

The area outlined in white off of Touisset Point in Warren will be opened this Sunday at sunrise, and includes 515 acres of previously prohibited area for shellfishing.

515 acres opened to shellfishing off Touisset Point in Warren

For the first time in decades, shellfishing off the coast of Touisset will be allowed conditionally, a sign of an increasingly healthy bay according to environmental officials. more

By Ethan Hartley | 5/26/23

This new sign that recently cropped up on the Portsmouth side of the Mt. Hope Bridge (an identical sign is posted on the Bristol side) makes it clear that bikes are not welcome, which came as a surprise to local bike advocates. The R.I. Bridge and Turnpike Authority, however, says bicycles have never been permitted despite earlier signs and bike maps to the contrary.

Mt. Hope Bridge ban bewilders bikers

PORTSMOUTH — New signs recently cropped up on both sides of the Mt. Hope Bridge: “NO Pedestrians, Bicycles, Mopeds." more

By Jim McGaw | 5/24/23

Transfer station worker Paul LaPierre picks cardboard out of the metals bin at the Hedly Street facility in October 2022. In light of the ever-increasing expense of trash disposal, the town is looking into providing a town-wide curbside collection program, while keeping the transfer station open just for bulky and diversionary items.

Portsmouth takes another step toward curbside collection

PORTSMOUTH — In an attempt to find a solution to its trash collection problems, the Town Council Monday night narrowly passed a motion to advertise a request for proposals (RFP) to … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/24/23

Woman killed after vehicle strikes tree in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A 69-year-old Middletown woman died from injuries sustained in an accident on Indian Avenue Monday night. more

5/23/23

Moms Madeline Crowell (left) and Katie Grifka (second from right), of Bristol, went to the Sunday show with their daughters, Sophia and Alana Crowell, and Gabriella and Giuliana Grifka. Madline wrote: “The concert was incredible! Wow, what a show!”

Readers rave after a weekend with Taylor Swift

At times last weekend, it seemed like everyone was either going to one of the three Taylor Swift concerts at Gillette Stadium, was talking to someone who was going, or was “Liking” a post … more

5/23/23

A handcuffed Jacob Morrill (center), 24, of Portsmouth, appears at his arraignment late Tuesday morning in 2nd Division District Court in Newport. He was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of his landlord, Xue Feng Wu, and ordered held without bail.

Portsmouth murder victim identified as suspect’s landlord

A 24-year-old local man has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly killing his landlord, 50-year-old Xue Feng Wu, by striking him with a small axe at his rental property. more

By Jim McGaw | 5/23/23

Portsmouth’s terrible night: A homicide and fatal car crash

PORTSMOUTH — Police are investigating an alleged homicide that took place Monday night at 1722 West Main Road. more

By Jim McGaw | 5/23/23

Organizers announced changes to Saturday’s schedule at Ocean Live Park due to a forecast of severe weather, including strong winds and torrential rain.

Ocean Race park makes changes to weekend schedule due to weather

NEWPORT, R.I. (May 19, 2023) — Organizers announced changes to Saturday’s schedule at Ocean Live Park due to a forecast of severe weather, including strong winds and torrential rain. … more

5/19/23