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Advocates celebrated back in 2018, when then-Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an executive order making Rhode Island the first state to act on new gun policies since a gunman shot and killed 17 people at a Florida high school earlier that month. The event was attended by hundreds of people, including many students. Rep. Jason Knight (holding microphone) addressed the crowd in the Statehouse lobby at the time.

There are many ways to absorb and process news of a lone gunman slaughtering 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. Images of the smiling, mostly 10-year-olds and their teachers evoke sorrow, … more

By Scott Pickering | 6/2/22

“Nothing can ever replace the hole left behind by a fallen service member, and no medals nor ribbons can comfort the ones left behind,” said guest speaker SFC William “Bill” McCollum, U.S. Army (Ret.), during Monday morning’s Memorial Day observance outside Portsmouth Town Hall.

Portsmouth honors veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice

PORTSMOUTH — The veterans who laid down their lives for our freedoms “were ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways in extreme times,” the guest speaker at Monday … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/30/22

Cathy Winston looks on as teammate David Schwartz returns a serve during a game of pickleball on the Bristol Town Common. The Town of Portsmouth’s grant request for matching funds to build a pickleball facility at Elmhurst Park was recently denied.

State to Portsmouth: No pickleball for you!

PORTSMOUTH — Sorry, pickleball enthusiasts. The sport won’t be coming to Portsmouth just yet. The town recently learned that its 2022 Department of Environmental Management (DEM) … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/29/22

The Portsmouth Free Public Library recently donated this little library, which can be found at the entrance to the Island Park Playground on Ormerod Avenue. It was built by Paul Shoenbucher and installed by the Department of Public Works.

More ‘little libraries’ popping up around Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Is there a little free library near you? Portsmouth has a small but growing number of these tiny free lending libraries — basically free-standing cupboards that are … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/27/22

Volunteer Nate Minese leads visitors on a tour around Butts Hill Fort during Saturday’s event.

Portsmouth: Volunteers make pitch to put Butts Hill Fort on the map

PORTSMOUTH — Speaking under a tent in the center of Butts Hill Fort on Saturday, Craig Clark recalled his days as a Portsmouth High School student, “about 40 years and 600 … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/26/22

Mt. Hope junior pitcher Reily Amaral struck out 11 and allowed just three hits, a walk and four runs in seven innings of work.

Mt. Hope softball clinches division title

The Mt. Hope softball team clinched the Division II South title as they out slugged Portsmouth 8-4 during a home game on Tuesday afternoon. The Huskies are 16-0 in league play with one game … more

Story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 5/25/22

Police Officer Maddie Pirri checks Renesha Duncan for vitals during a mock DUI crash event staged outside Portsmouth High School in front of seniors last week. Duncan, a sophomore, was playing the part of a passenger who was killed after being ejected from a car operated by a drunk driver. Looking on at right is Anastacia Inman, another student who played one of Duncan’s friends. In the middle are Police Officers Amanda Weaver (left) and JeanMarie Stewart.

In Portsmouth: ‘This actually happens in real life’

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth 911 — what’s your emergency? Hi, there’s an accident at the high school. It looks like there’s two cars. I can’t see too well; I was … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/24/22

Marcus Bostic of East Providence chips out of the bunker at the fifth green.

Gallery: 2022 East Division golf playoff match

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth High School was the far-and-away winner of the East Division golf playoff match held over its home layout of Green Valley Country Club Monday afternoon, May 23, as the … more

Photos by Richard W. Dionne Jr. | 5/23/22

Jeff Prater, who chairs the Shoreline Education and Preservation Action Committee in Common Fence Point, carries a tray of switchgrass for volunteers to plant along Common Fence Point Boulevard Monday afternoon. About 100 of that variety were planted.

In Portsmouth: Roots of resiliency

PORTSMOUTH — Along a scenic shoreline on the north side of Common Fence Point Boulevard, volunteers have been getting their hands dirty over the past year, putting in hundreds of plants … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/20/22

Perky Nellissen and 8-month-old Ziti pose together at their Little Compton home. Nellissen and Ziti are both going through guide dog training for the first time.

Guide dog training – learning as they go

1 Perky Nellissen and 8-month-old Ziti pose together at their Little Compton home. Nellissen and Ziti are both going through guide dog training for the first time. 2 Perky Nellissen teaches … more

By Lucy Probert | 5/19/22

Residents of Quaker Manor/Estates have been complaining about maintenance and management issues for the past several years. However, Phoenix Property Management, which took over management in the beginning of 2021, has assured tenants there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Portsmouth: HUD demands Quaker Manor ownership change

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Housing Authority (PHA) will eventually be getting “out of the ownership and management business,” its chairman told tenants of Quaker Manor/Quaker … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/13/22

This vacant lot on Carnegie Harbor Drive recently sold for $2 million — said to be the highest vacant land sale of the year in Rhode Island.

Portsmouth: Carnegie Harbor Drive lot fetches $2 million

PORTSMOUTH — Residential Properties Ltd. (RPL) has announced the sale of a vacant lot on Carnegie Harbor Drive for $2 million — the highest vacant land sale in Rhode Island this … more

5/11/22

Portsmouth residents still seek clarity on solar ordinance

PORTSMOUTH — Some abutters to existing or proposed commercial solar facilities still want clarification on the town’s solar ordinance, despite a public hearing last fall during which the … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/10/22

PHS defender Joe Rocco pressures his Barrington opponent near the goal Friday night. By the end of the first quarter, the Patriots had already secured a 7-0 lead against the Eagles and went on to win 10-7 for their fourth straight victory.

Portsmouth beats Barrington for 4th straight victory (photos)

BARRINGTON — The Portsmouth High boys’ varsity lacrosse team won its fourth straight game on Friday when it defeated Barrington, 10-7, on the road. more

5/10/22

A map from Mayflower Wind shows the projected route of cables required to transport power from its offshore wind farm to a connection at Brayton Point in Somerset, Mass. The connection requires a long stretch up Mt. Hope Bay, across land in Portsmouth, and up the Sakonnet River.

Offshore wind farm proposes cable connection through Sakonnet River, Mt. Hope Bay

The project developer contends it will generate enough clean energy to power 800,000 homes, and will plug into the grid that serves Rhode Island as well. But potential environmental impacts have yet to be discussed publicly. more

By Ethan Hartley | 5/4/22

Portsmouth council votes to defund island planning group

PORTSMOUTH — In provisionally approving a $69.97 million budget for 2022-23 that calls for a 1.29-percent increase over the current spending plan, the Town Council made a move that several … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/4/22

Portsmouth sophomore pitcher John Mass struck out 11 and gave up just one hit in a seven-inning complete game against Mt. Hope at Guiteras Field on Friday afternoon.

Portsmouth tops Mt. Hope twice in four days

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — Two games against Mt. Hope High School added up to two Division 1 wins for the Patriots varsity baseball team Friday and Monday. On Friday at Guiteras Field in … more

5/3/22

A rendering of the new playground being proposed by the Four Hearts Foundation to replace the existing one on Turnpike Avenue.

Portsmouth: Fund-raising begins for new playground

PORTSMOUTH — A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Four Hearts Foundation and the Town Council has been approved so that a new community playground can be built on Turnpike … more

5/3/22

The Patriots’ Elly Skeels tracks a Burrillville opponent along the sideline during Saturday's game at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth beats Burrillville, sit atop D-2 girls’ lacrosse

PORTSMOUTH — In a battle of two undefeated Division II teams, the Portsmouth High varsity girls’ lacrosse made easy work of Burrillville on Saturday, winning 13-2 in impressive … more

5/1/22

Wire breaks are shown 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.

$35 million Mt. Hope Bridge work goes out for RFP

The proposed cable dehumidification technology needed to extend the life of the iconic bridge is expensive, with a projected $35 million price tag. But that’s a fraction of what the cost would be for a full cable or bridge replacement. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Two Portsmouth residents charged with voter fraud

“Vote early and often,” goes the saying. According to the R.I. Attorney General’s Office, two men here took the second part of that maxim to heart during the 2020 General Election. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/28/22

A three-dimensional rendering of how the new Turnpike Avenue playground would appear if built.

In Portsmouth: We can build it: Bigger, safer, and all-inclusive

PORTSMOUTH — Two local moms with a shared vision to rebuild the Turnpike Avenue playground received permission from the Town Council Monday night to start fund-raising so their dreams become a … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/28/22

Portsmouth High’s Chris Vachon, Kevin Sullivan and Kaden Kluth (from left) run in a pack during the 1,500 meter run at Monday’s home track meet. Kluth would go on to win the event, and also set a new school record in winning the 3,000-meter run.

Portsmouth boys, girls both winners in track meet

Just two weeks after he shattered a 42-year-old Portsmouth High School running record, Kaden Kluth improved on another school best during a home meet on Monday. Competing against East … more

4/26/22

Lea Hitchen of Portsmouth appointed next town planner

PORTSMOUTH — The town didn’t wait long to appoint a successor to Town Planner Gary Crosby, who earlier this month announced his retirement effective June 30 after 18 years of … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/26/22

Chris Zeeman from a Fort Adams work crew uses a trump grinder during Saturday’s cleanup at Butts Hill Fort.

In Portsmouth: Volunteers pitch in to clean up Butts Hill Fort

PORTSMOUTH — Armed with rakes, shovels, tree saws and loppers, 34 volunteers took part in this year’s first cleanup of Butts Hill Fort, a Revolutionary-era earthwork near Portsmouth High … more

4/26/22