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

Leah Kossak, marketing and engagement director the Aquidneck Land Trust, strolls through part of Little Creek Preserve with Alex Chuman, the Trust’s conservation director.

PORTSMOUTH — At first glance, the Aquidneck Land Trust’s (ALT) latest land acquisition doesn’t look like much. The 9.85-acre property on Hedly Street, purchased outright … more

By Jim Mcgaw | 7/6/23

Patriotic speaker Col. (Ret.) Joseph McGraw delivers a speech towards the end of the Patriotic Exercises in front of the Colt School on Tuesday.

Retired Green Beret: American ideals have united us from the beginning

U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Joseph McGraw, a Portsmouth resident, former Green Beret and current associate professor at the Naval War College, delivered a timely and stirring speech during his keynote at the annual Patriotic Exercises on Tuesday morning. more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/5/23

Nathan Dunlap, lining up a putt during his victory June 24 in the Northeast Amateur, won the 2023 North & South Am played on Pinehurst Nos. 2 & 4 in North Carolina last weekend.

Rhode Island Amateur tees off at Montaup July 10

The Northeast Amateur Invitational at Wannamoisett Country Club in city once again kicked off a scintillating summer of action at courses around the area, including the East Bay, under the auspices … more

By Mike Rego | 7/4/23

Fern Lima, treasurer of the Newport County Branch of the NAACP, reads an excerpt from “Black Heroes of the American Revolution” during a Fourth of July observance in front of the memorial to the 1st Rhode Island Regiment at Patriots Park Tuesday morning.

NAACP honors ‘Black Regiment’ soldiers in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A few members of the Newport Branch of the NAACP kicked off the Fourth of July by paying tribute to a brave contingent of soldiers that helped protect Americans’ … more

7/4/23

Christopher S. Gontarz, Esq. of Portsmouth

Portsmouth resident now president-elect of R.I. Bar Association

PORTSMOUTH — Christopher S. Gontarz, Esq., a resident of Portsmouth, is now president-elect of the Rhode Island Bar Association. His term runs from July 1, 2023, through June … more

7/3/23

Jimmy Buffett laughs between numbers during his surprise set at Sunset Cove on Park Avenue on Sunday. The show was billed as a concert featuring his Coral Reefer Band mate, guitarist Mac McAnally, but Buffett snuck onto the stage just three songs in.

Jimmy Buffett surprises ‘Parrotheads’ in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Mike MacFarlane certainly knows how to throw himself a 50th birthday party. The owner of Sunset Cove in Island Park had a few hundred people on his restaurant’s … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/3/23

Windsurfers cut across the water on a perfectly windy afternoon.

High-stakes racing on Mt. Hope Bay

Many of the best youth sailors in the world spent this week zipping across the waters of Mount Hope Bay, off the shore from Roger Williams University. The university and U.S. Sailing hosted the U.S. … more

6/30/23

Left in limbo – the dreaded college application 'waitlist'

More students are applying to more U.S. colleges and universities than ever before, according to reporting from The Common App, an organization that has dramatically altered the college application … more

By Julia Stearly | 6/29/23

Portsmouth: Premature to support alternative cable route

With the majority of members saying it’s premature to take an official stance at this time, the Town Council Monday declined to support a Little Compton resolution urging SouthCoast Wind to explore a cable path over land in Westport, rather than through the Sakonnet River. more

By Jim McGaw | 6/28/23

R.I. Hockey Hall acknowledges Army's lifetime achievements in the game

The Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame recently named East Providence’s Tom Army as the recipient of the 2023 Malcolm Greene Chace Memorial Trophy recognizing “Achievement & Outstanding … more

6/28/23

R.I. budget gives Portsmouth schools extra $96K in state aid

After debating a course of action when $96,000 more in state aid fell into the school district’s lap, the Town Council Monday night voted 5-2 to approve a total spending plan of $71.52 million for next fiscal year. more

By Jim McGaw | 6/27/23

Owen Windley, here throwing a curveball to a Barrington hitter Monday night, entered the game after starting pitcher Cullen Tesa was roughed up for three runs in the second inning.

Portsmouth All-Stars come from behind to beat Barrington

BARRINGTON — The Portsmouth Little League 12-U All-Stars showed some moxie in defeating Barrington, 4-3, at Sherwood Field in Barrington Monday night. more

6/27/23

Patrick and Sean Bowen, at the site of their proposed oyster farm in August 2021, will have a hearing before the state CRMC on Tuesday, July 18.

Bowens' aquaculture hearing scheduled for July 18

Three years after they first filed an application to establish a commercial oyster farm off Seapowet Avenue, Little Compton's Patrick and Sean Bowen will finally get a hearing before the state body … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/26/23

Some residents who live at the northern tip of Common Fence Point say visitors who access the right of way to the shoreline have caused parking problems, with some vehicles blocking mailboxes and driveways.

Portsmouth to put brakes on problematic parking areas

PORTSMOUTH — After hearing several Common Fence Point residents complain about visitors’ vehicles blocking mailboxes and driveways at the north end of Anthony Road, the Town Council … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/20/23

Sue Janik, a “Break a Leg” dancer, gets a twirl from Brandon Spear, an “All Abilities” dancer, during the “Dance Me In Showcase” at the CFP Arts, Wellness and Community Center on Saturday.

In Portsmouth: Their turn in the spotlight

PORTSMOUTH — Fifteen-year-old Henry Denis had just acknowledged the wild applause after singing a stirring version of “L-O-V-E” to Jill Merlin and Colleen Monahan, when Sue … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/20/23

Clockwise from top left: Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71), Rep. Susan Donovan (D-Dist. 69), Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11), and Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72).

Portsmouth lawmakers busy at end of session

PROVIDENCE — The General Assembly wrapped up its 2023 session last week with legislators scrambling to get a flurry of bills passed — as well as a $14 billion state budget. more

6/19/23

Rep. Terri Cortvriend 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 is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

Bill clarifying public shoreline access clears Assembly

PROVIDENCE — The General Assembly Thursday approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. Mark P. McKenney to establish that the public area of the shoreline is 10 feet … more

6/16/23

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