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Where the East Bike Path repairs are planned in Riverside.

East Bay Bike Path could be impacted by repair projects

PROVIDENCE — Parts of the East Bay Bike Path in Bristol and Riverside could be impacted by repair projects and temporarily close the week of July 18-22 , according to the Rhode Island … more

7/16/22

Cindy and John Bowdren enjoy a brew on the top deck at Ragged Island Brewing Company. The farm brewery will host the Ocean State Beer Festival on Sunday, Aug. 21.

Portsmouth’s Ragged Island to host Ocean State Beer Festival

PORTSMOUTH — After a two-year hiatus, the Ocean State Beer Festival will return on Sunday, Aug. 21, with Ragged Island Brewing Company hosting. The event will run from 2-5:30 p.m. at … more

7/15/22

The Town Council on Monday reversed its earlier decision to enter into a one-year pilot program to install automatic license plate readers on the Mt. Hope Bridge to assist police in suicide prevention.

No license plate readers on Mt. Hope Bridge after all

Four weeks after approving a pilot program that would have put automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras on the Mt. Hope Bridge to assist police in suicide prevention, the Town Council Monday night voted unanimously to rescind its previous vote. more

By Jim McGaw | 7/14/22

A visitor casts a line into the Sakonnet River from the end of the Stone Bridge abutment in Portsmouth on Saturday. Part of Teddi’s Beach is seen at left. The R.I. Department of Transportation has offered to sell both the beach and the abutment to the town for $300,000, and the Town Council on Monday voted unanimously to pursue the proposal.

In Portsmouth: A ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity

PORTSMOUTH — The town is moving ahead with plans to turn the shabby Stone Bridge abutment and adjacent Teddi’s Beach into a waterfront spot that residents can proudly call their … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/14/22

Tyler Boiani blasts a Parker DeWolf pitch over the centerfield fence to give Portsmouth a 2-1 lead in the first inning. Boiani later scored the winning run on a passed ball.

Portsmouth all-stars edge Bristol-Warren, 3-2, earn spot in finals

Centerfielder Tyler Boyani belted a two-run homer and scored on a passed ball to lead the Portsmouth 12U all-stars over Bristol-Warren 3-2 in the winner’s bracket quarterfinal on Saturday … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 7/11/22

This snapshot of a Barrington shoreline shows the variety of activities that can take place on any given day between the water line and private property lines of waterfront estates — swimming, sunbathing, clamming, walking, etc. Advocates want to clearly establish in Rhode Island law that these rights extend from the high tide line to another six feet landward along all coastal shorelines.

Shoreline advocates see both victory and defeat

June 2 was a day of celebration for advocates working to clarify the public’s rights to walk, fish, swim and visit the shorelines of Rhode Island. That was the day the Rhode Island House of … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/7/22

“I’m not retiring, I’m repurposing,” says Ray Davis, who’s retiring from a long career in substance abuse prevention. “I’m 72 years old, I’m in pretty good health. I’m lucky for that, and I have most of my wits about me. I’ve got something in my life — my music.”

In Portsmouth: Stepping down from prevention

PORTSMOUTH — Ray Davis has been involved in substance abuse prevention issues for decades, but said he has nothing on one of his family members. more

By Jim McGaw | 7/7/22

Stephen Farrea of Portsmouth, as he appeared in his East Providence Police booking photo.

Portsmouth man arrested after allegedly posting white nationalist signs

A 32-year-old Portsmouth man was among two people arrested last month in East Providence after they allegedly posted white nationalist recruitment signs in that city, according to police. more

By Jim McGaw | 7/6/22

Jesse Shiner, 6, follows along as his dad, Garett Shiner, reads from the U.S. Declaration of Independence during an event at the Portsmouth Free Public Library that kicked off the Fourth of July on Monday. The Philadelphia family was visiting the area and learned about the event online.

Freedom a fragile thing, ‘Declaration’ readers reminded in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A Philadelphia family somehow found itself spending the morning of the Fourth of July on the grounds of the town’s library, where the very document for which the City of … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/4/22

At a retirement sendoff at Town Hall Thursday, Town Planner Gary Crosby holds up a citation from the R.I. House of Representatives that Rep. Terry Cortvriend had just presented him.

Portsmouth honors retiring Town Planner Gary Crosby

PORTSMOUTH — Municipal staff members, along with a few elected local and state officials, gave retiring Town Planner Gary Crosby a final sendoff this week, thanking him for his leadership … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/1/22

Patrick and John Bowen hope to develop a small oyster farm at Seapowet Avenue, but have run into heavy resistance.

Sakonnet aquaculture bill dead for now as General Assembly adjourns

Legislation that would have restricted aquaculture operations along the Sakonnet River remained stalled in the House of Representatives when the General Assembly's 2022 session ended Friday. … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/1/22

Times are tough at the St. John’s Lodge Food Pantry, which is having trouble keeping up with demand from local families in need.

Cupboards are bare at food bank in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Higher food prices coupled with a greater demand from local families in need have put a strain on the community food pantry at St. John’s Lodge on Sprague … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/30/22

Here are the candidates running for office in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Seven Democrats, four Republicans and two Independents have thrown their hats into the ring for the Portsmouth Town Council race this year. more

6/30/22

Fireworks will light up the East Bay sky this holiday weekend

There are four planned fireworks shows taking place this Sunday and Monday, July 3 and 4, in the East Bay region. Bristol The Bristol Fourth of July Fireworks Display is scheduled for Sunday, … more

6/30/22

Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos (left) and newly appointed Commerce Secretary Liz Tanner (she wasn’t when this photo was taken, but she is now) answer questions from the audience during a “Coffee and Commerce” event at Trafford restaurant on Friday morning.

State leaders talk slushies, mimosas, taxes and regulations

Rhode Island’s (now) Commerce Secretary and Lieutenant Governor meet with business leaders in Warren. more

By Scott Pickering | 6/29/22

Ben Humm hurls a pitch during the team’s game against Riverside on Sunday night. Humm struck out nine, walked one and allowed just four hits and two runs in six innings.

Portsmouth all-stars beat Middletown and Riverside

Great pitching, defense and timely hitting was the formula for Portsmouth Little League 12U all-stars as they shut down Middletown 5-1 at Aquidneck Field on Saturday and thwarted Riverside 5-2 at … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 6/29/22

Portsmouth declines to issue moratorium on solar facilities

PORTSMOUTH — Despite pleas from local residents who live near approved — or once-proposed — commercial solar arrays, the Town Council Monday night declined to enforce … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/28/22

This Purple Heart sign can be found on the base of the Mt. Hope Bridge.

New signs honor Purple Heart recipients in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth is a Purple Heart town, and has the signs to prove it. The Department of Public Works recently installed four signs around town that proclaim “Purple Heart Town … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/28/22

Portsmouth’s $70M budget calls for 2.23% increase in tax rate

PORTSMOUTH — The Town Council Monday night voted unanimously to approve a budget for fiscal year 2023 that calls for a tax rate increase of about 2.23 percent. The spending plan carries a … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/27/22

The state says visitors to Thurston Gray Pond, aka Upper Melville Pond, should be careful not to ingest water or eat fish from the pond. All recreation, including fishing, boating, and kayaking, should be avoided.

State: Avoid contact with Melville pond, Turner Reservoir

PORTSMOUTH/EAST PROVIDENCE — The R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH) and the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Thurston Gray Pond (also … more

6/24/22

“It’s been a wonderful ride,” said retiring Portsmouth High School principal Joseph Amaral.

Retiring Portsmouth principal: ‘My whole life has been around kids’

PORTSMOUTH — When Joseph Amaral’s family first came to the United States from the Azores, he was just 5 years old. “One month later, I was in first grade and didn’t … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/23/22

Clock ticking on Sakonnet aquaculture legislation

With the legislative session set to adjourn at the end of the week, the clock is ticking on legislation that would restrict aquaculture along the Sakonnet River, banning new oyster and other … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/22/22

The Patriots’ Kaden Kluth (left) became the first-ever boys’ New England champion from Portsmouth High School when he won the 800-meter race in a time of 1:52.45 during the New England Interscholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championship held June 11 in New Britain, Conn. At right is the second-place finisher, David Vandi of Lowell, Mass.

Kluth first male New England track champ from Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Kaden Kluth continued his historic running season on June 11 when he became the first-ever Portsmouth High male track athlete to be crowned New England champion. more

6/21/22

Matt Chappell is running for the District 11 state Senate seat which is being vacated by James Seveney.

Matt Chappell announces run for District 11 Senate seat

PORTSMOUTH — There apparently will be a Democratic primary in the race for the Rhode Island Senate in District 11 which is being vacated by James Seveney due to retirement. This week Matt … more

6/21/22

RISPCA assists in saving 40 beagles from research facility

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island SPCA is scheduled to receive a transport of 40 beagles (15 puppies and 25 adults) today from the Humane Society of the United States. The beagles were … more

6/21/22