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

Letter: Being offered worst possible choices needs to end

To the editor: If we continue to be the leading nation of the world, then certainly our politicians are the most powerful people in civil discourse. Then how is it one party kowtows … more

7/12/24

Letter: The Biden ‘catastrophe’: new jobs, low unemployment

To the editor: Nikki Haley has called Trump, among other things, “unhinged,” but has said she will support him because Biden has been a “catastrophe.” Friday, it was … more

7/9/24

Letter: Island Park, Hummocks residents need to prepare

To the editor: To all Island Park/Hummocks residents: In April of 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its 2024 hurricane data. This year is forecasted to be the … more

7/8/24

Democrats have a problem – but is it actually just a Biden problem?

STORY OF THE WEEK: With 122 days until the Nov. 5 election (as of the writing of this column), Democrats find themselves in a fix. Various news reports this week had President Biden weighing a … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/8/24

Letter: School bond very different than what was sold to voters

To the editor: Portsmouth School Committee Chair Emily Copeland and I agree that a number of the school projects paid for by the recent bond were needed and are valuable. The issue is that the … more

7/3/24

Letter: Roundabout could be an issue for voters this fall

To the editor: Charles Levesque’s recent letter to the editor (“Water board had roundabout plans all along,” Portsmouth Times, June 27) only heightens the deafness of our town … more

7/2/24

An inspiring story of a resilient actor known to all as ‘The Fonz’

You might be surprised to know that Henry Winkler, better known as “The Fonz” on TV sitcom “Happy … more

7/2/24

Republicans and Democrats – How dare they?

If you watched the June 27 presidential debate you had to ask yourself one question: How dare the Republican and Democratic Parties leave you with a choice of two grievously flawed candidates for the … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 7/2/24

Letter: The dedication displayed by Jim Nott is unmatched

To the editor: The Town of Portsmouth needs more residents like Jim Nott. Jim has consistently demonstrated leadership and made significant contributions to our community by volunteering 23-plus … more

7/1/24

Presidential debate left Democrats reeling

STORY OF THE WEEK: The Kennedy - Nixon debate in 1960 marked the dawning of a new age, when the optics of televised images carried more weight than the substance of what candidates conveyed verbally. … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/1/24

Letter: We need more funding for child care programs

To the editor: As a small business owner running a pediatric occupational therapy institute in Rhode Island, I know that the struggle to find affordable, convenient child care is a daily reality … more

6/30/24

Letter: Water board had roundabout plans all along

To the editor: As many of you may recall, one of the very contentious issues with regard to the proposed roundabout at East Main Road and Turnpike Avenue was the contention that the … more

6/26/24

Commentary: Voters were not misled on school bond

On June 12 at the town budget hearing, Tom Grieb alleged that Portsmouth voters were “deceived” by the School Committee, the Town Council or maybe RIDE (though he admitted he did didn’t exactly know by whom) on the specifics of the 2022 school bond that was presented to the voters. more

By Emily Copeland | 6/25/24

Major moves in the R.I. healthcare landscape

STORY OF THE WEEK: Thursday was the day to buy a lottery ticket if you predicted two key developments involving Rhode Island’s healthcare landscape. Brown University and the state’s … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/24/24

Letter: Attention food enthusiasts and community members

Are you looking for a way to give back and contribute? Look no further than the "Condiment Caring Drive" in support of the East Bay Food Pantry. more

6/20/24

Editorial: A safer bike path for all

Among the flurry of bills being passed out of the Rhode Island General Assembly is a new law with big impact for the communities along the East Bay Bike Path. The “e-bikes bill” creates a … more

6/14/24

A win for law enforcement transparency, and a research race in R.I.

STORY OF THE WEEK: After an update of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights recently got close to the finish line, there was 0.0% chance that legislative leaders wouldn’t get it … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/10/24

Is R.I. healthcare ‘on the precipice of a disaster’?

STORY OF THE WEEK: During a fiery speech last Tuesday in the House of Representatives’ chamber at the Statehouse, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha warned of the growing healthcare … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/4/24

Letter: If you don’t trust ballot box, be a poll worker

To the editor: The upcoming election is all about “saving democracy,” either from government overreach by Democrats or authoritarian Republicans. I’ve been thinking a lot about … more

6/3/24

On R.I. healthcare: Keep fiddling while Rome is burning

Legend has it that while a fire destroyed the city of Rome, then Emperor Nero played his violin, thus revealing his total lack of understanding of what was happening during a crisis. If Nero headed … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 6/3/24

Letter: Wishing Len and Jhodi sincere wishes going forward

To the editor: I was a Portsmouth resident for 30 years before moving to nearby Swansea in December. I had the privilege of covering politics for The Newport Daily News for 33 years. … more

5/30/24

Letter: Town may have trouble finding curbside customers

To the editor: Your article “Town awards its first curbside collection contract” on May 16 stated that residents with private services are paying $800 to $900 annually for private … more

5/28/24

A large patch of Native Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) replaced an area of turf grass lawn in the authors’ Barrington yard. The plant is an important nectar and pollen source for many native bees, especially bumblebees and long-tongued bees. It is a host plant for several native moths and a nectar source for butterflies. The prickly pads escape herbivore browsing but the fruits provide a nutrient rich meal for wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, and foxes. This native plant is rare and endangered in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Is it time to rethink the traditional lawn?

Spring is in the air, and so too are the noxious fumes and aural assault of overpowered lawn equipment. Bird song and children’s voices fill the air only to be abruptly halted by the roar of … more

By Cindy and Ed Moura | 5/21/24

We’re approaching peak time for state budget debates

In a sure sign that the end of the General Assembly session is approaching, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has slated a budget caucus for Wednesday afternoon at the Statehouse. A … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/21/24

Letter: PAYT bags shouldn’t be part of curbside collection

To the editor: I’ve resided in Portsmouth since 1991. I loved using the transfer station and enjoyed the convenience of trashing on my schedule and in my way. Throw it in a bag, a box, or … more

5/20/24