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The contractor for Rhode Island Oak Counseling and Wellness, a new business where the old Kaufman's Hardware used to sit, plans to put in a curb cut so vehicles can enter via East Main Road and exit onto Patriots Drive.

Council overturns denial of curb cut for Portsmouth business

PORTSMOUTH — The subject that took up the bulk of the discussion at Monday's Town Council meeting was the site of the old Kaufman's Hardware store at the corner of East Main Road and Patriots … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/14/22

Linda Ujifusa is the apparent Democratic primary winner for the R.I. District 11 Senate seat, beating out Matt A. Chappell.

Linda Ujifusa apparent winner of District 11 Senate primary

Linda L. Ujifusa will be the Democrat on the ballot in November for the District 11 R.I. Senate race. more

By Jim McGaw | 9/13/22

James Garman (left), recipient of this year’s Portsmouth Award, is congratulated by Town Council President Kevin Aguiar Monday night.

Portsmouth Award goes to James Garman

J. Mark Ryan remembers sitting with a group of “intellectually unmotivated boys” in a damp, un-air conditioned classroom back in high school. Despite that, the Town Council member said … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/13/22

Kelli Kidd of Portsmouth, nutrition specialist at Health Services and in the Athletics Department at the University of Rhode Island, is among the community volunteers who share vegetables grown at URI’s Agronomy Farm.

Portsmouth woman involved in food sustainability at URI

A Portsmouth woman is among some volunteers at the University of Rhode Island whose efforts have led to recent recognition by the National Association of College & University Food … more

9/12/22

Neal Tullson barrels through the North Kingstown defense to gain yardage for the Patriots in the season-opener Friday at home. The Patriots were defeated, 20-0.

Portsmouth downed by Skippers in season-opener, 20-0

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High School football team couldn’t manage to put any points on the board as North Kingstown won the season-opener Friday night on the turf field, 20-0. The … more

9/12/22

A screen capture from surveillance footage showing the suspect vehicle, a dark-colored Acura MDX, in a hit and run that occurred on Bulgarmarsh Road on Sunday, Sept. 11. Anyone with information on the vehicle is asked to contact Tiverton Police at 401-625-6717.

Tiverton police seek help locating SUV driver that critically injured man Sunday

Tiverton police need help identifying a vehicle believed to be involved in a hit-and-run accident that critically injured a pedestrian Sunday evening. Police and fire crews were dispatched to … more

9/12/22

An example of the graffiti that appeared on a fence outside the CFP Arts, Wellness, and Community Center on Sunday, just hours before the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee’s annual fund-raiser there.

Vandals target Portsmouth Democrats’ event

PORTSMOUTH — Just hours before the Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee’s annual fund-raiser at the CFP Arts, Wellness, and Community Center on Sunday, vandals painted hostile messages on … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/11/22

Matt A. Chappell and Linda L. Ujifusa will square off in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for the R.I. District 11 Senate seat.

Chappell, Ujifusa square off in Democrat primary Tuesday

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — One of the more intriguing matchups in this year’s campaign season will be decided in Tuesday’s Statewide Primary Election, as Matt A. Chappell and Linda L. … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/8/22

Randy Matsch’s display of 250,000 cigarette butts greets drivers and pedestrians on Park Avenue in Portsmouth Saturday.

Portsmouth: No butts about it — many smokers still litterbugs

PORTSMOUTH — If Randy Matsch was trying to start a conversation about littering on Saturday, he succeeded. Four plastic bags stuffed with thousands of cigarette butts — 250,000 to be … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/7/22

Portsmouth High’s Tyler Hurd (left) and Evan Tullson sandwich a Vikings ball-carrier while battling Rogers during an Injury Fund game Thursday in Tiverton. The Patriots won, 6-0.

Portsmouth, are you ready for some football?

PORTSMOUTH — The wait is over. The Portsmouth High School varsity football team’s regular season starts Friday, with a non-league game against North Kingstown at home. … more

9/5/22

The R.I. Department of Health recommends that Sandy Point Beach in Portsmouth be closed to swimming due to high bacterial levels. (File photo)

State recommends no swimming at Sandy Point Beach, Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — The R.I. Department Health (RIDOH) is recommending that town-owned Sandy Point Beach be closed to swimming due to high bacteria levels. Sandy Point is one of four Rhode … more

9/2/22

This open MRI machine now at Portsmouth Imaging Center offers greater comfort for patients who may normally experience feelings of claustrophobia during scans.

Portsmouth has only open MRI machine in Newport County

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth Imaging Center at 69 Turnpike Ave. has acquired what Newport Hospital is calling the only open MRI machine in Greater Newport County. more

9/1/22

File photo of tanker trucks filled with liquefied natural gas at a temporary storage facility on Old Mill Lane, within a residential neighborhood.

Board requests advisory opinions on Old Mill Ln. facility

PORTSMOUTH — The state agency reviewing National Grid’s application for a license to mobilize and operate a liquified natural gas (LNG) vaporization facility at Old Mill Lane formally … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/31/22

Tiverton Harbor Commission vice chairman Dave Stewart (left), who formerly ran a kayak rental shop out of the marina, Tom Fennessey (center) and former marina owner Frank Chase wait for Tuesday morning's tour to begin.

DEM: Tiverton marina project will cost $4-5M

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management officials estimate it will cost between $4 and $5 million to r edevelop the old Chase Marina property at 169 Riverside Drive , which has been … more

8/31/22

A model of the brig Random is located in the foyer on the south side of Portsmouth Town Hall. The wooden model was built by Capt. Alfred Southwick Chase of Portsmouth, the former master of Random.

Random sighting inside Portsmouth Town Hall

PORTSMOUTH — If you’ve been to Town Hall recently, you may have seen something different inside the south entrance. It’s a model of the brig Random that was built by Capt. Alfred … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/30/22

“An apology to the people of color formally from the state is in order,” Ray Rickman told those gathered for the annual commemoration service for the 1st Rhode Island Regiment — also known as the “Black Regiment” — at Patriots Park on Sunday.

‘Rhode Island, I’d like an apology’

PORTSMOUTH — With a likeness of “Black Regiment” soldier looking over his shoulder and several state lawmakers and other government leaders directly in front of him, Ray Rickman on … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/30/22

Hathaway School kindergarten teacher Liz Gill organizes materials in her classroom on Monday as she prepares for the first day of school next week. The 2022-23 academic year begins on Monday, Aug. 29, for staff; Tuesday, Aug. 30, for kindergarten, fifth- and ninth-grade students; and Wednesday, Aug. 31, for all other students.

Portsmouth schools reminder: No free lunches this year

PORTSMOUTH — They’ll be no free lunch for students when they report back to school next week. more

By Jim McGaw | 8/25/22

Mayflower Wind map shows what route the cables for its proposed wind turbine project would traverse Portsmouth.

Portsmouth: Mayflower should explore alternative routes

PORTSMOUTH — Mayflower Wind should explore alternate routes before running a cable up the Sakonnet River and over land in Portsmouth, an attorney for the Town of Portsmouth told the R.I. Energy … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/25/22

A couple of e-bikers travel south on the East Bay Bike Path, approaching Thames Street in downtown Bristol. DEM says electric bikes or other electric apparatus are not allowed on the bike path, but there is very little enforcement or understanding of the regulation.

E-bikes on bike paths — Not allowed and not enforceable

Amid increasing reports of accidents or near-misses on the East Bay Bike Path between people riding electric bicycles and everyone else, Rhode Island lacks clarity on what is or is not allowed on its … more

By Katie Langley | 8/24/22

Tiverton harbor commission, state to tour Chase Marina Tuesday

Members of the Tiverton Harbor Commission, representatives from the state Department of Environmental Management and other town officials will tour the old Chase Marina at 169 Riverside Drive, which … more

8/24/22

Town of Portsmouth ends fiscal year with large budget surplus

PORTSMOUTH — Although the books are not yet closed, the town apparently ended the 2021-22 fiscal year with a large surplus — somewhere in the vicinity of $800,000 or so. more

By Jim McGaw | 8/23/22

Illustration provided by Mayflower Wind shows how proposed cables would make landfall in Portsmouth at Island Park Beach, follow Boyds Lane underground to Anthony Road, and then take one of three as-yet-undetermined routes before transitioning back to offshore in Mt. Hope Bay. The cables would eventually make it to the regional transmission system at Brayton Point in Somerset.

Portsmouth delays vote on resolution opposing Mayflower cable

PORTSMOUTH — A resolution to oppose the installation of the Mayflower Wind transmission cable in the Sakonnet River was on Monday’s agenda for a vote by the Town Council, but no action … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/23/22

The Mt. Hope Bridge is one of four bridges that the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will begin examining through a feasibility study to determine whether a physical suicide barrier could possibly be implemented.

Bridge barrier study expected to take 18 months

According to the projected timeline, the study will begin in October and continue for a year and a half, resulting in a final report by Feb. 28, 2024. more

By Christy Nadalin | 8/19/22

Matt Chappell and Linda Ujifusa will square off in next month's Democratic primary for the R.I. District 11 Senate seat.

District 11 candidates make pitches during League forum

Linda L. Ujifusa said she’s the most qualified candidate for the R.I. District 11 Senate seat because of her experience, while Matt A. Chappell said his “different perspective” is … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/19/22

DEM: Striped bass poacher from Portsmouth hit with $9,000 penalty

PORTSMOUTH — A local man has been assessed a $9,000 penalty for possessing striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Block Island in June. more

8/18/22