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

Letter: Trail’s a success, but more work still to be done

To the editor: Just a month ago we officially opened the Portsmouth Dog Park Trail, our new fenced-in woodland path adjacent to the original dog park. The other day I arrived at the park and … more

8/13/24

Volunteer Michael Brennan helps Olivia Fox (middle) and Charlotte Reed remove a hook from a fish that Olivia had just snagged at the during a Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm camp program last month. All fish are released after capture.

Nonprofits win grants for services to Portsmouth residents

PORTSMOUTH — Three local organizations have received grants from the Rhode Island Foundation to provide services to Portsmouth residents. The work includes providing recovery services, … more

8/9/24

Polly Allen, director of prevention for the Newport County Prevention Coalition, and Gregory Thompson, regional drug-free communities grant program director, host a podcast called “Totally Preventable” that’s taped at the regional coalition’s headquarters in the Portsmouth Business Park.

In Portsmouth: This space is the place

PORTSMOUTH — Rebecca Elwell readily admits it was an adjustment moving her office from the bucolic beauty of Glen Farm to the concrete jungle that is the Portsmouth Business Park. … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/8/24

Rebecca Elwell, executive director of Strategic Prevention Partnerships, stands next to the conference table where staff members collaborate — as they did on the “Pick Your No’s” program. She’s hoping to hire a new prevention coordinator for Portsmouth by Oct. 1. “I’m looking for somebody who has a real passion for the community,” she said.

Wanted (again): Prevention coordinator for Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — When Ray Davis stepped down as Portsmouth’s prevention coordinator in 2018, he had been at that job for more than seven years. Since then, the position has been a … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/8/24

Letter: An historic vote for Rhode Island

The danger of a nuclear disaster — either intentional or by accident — is the gravest immediate threat to our very existence. more

8/8/24

Letter: Political paranoia and Constitutional constipation

I would be remiss if I remained silent with regard to the current question of whether or not to call a constitutional convention. more

8/8/24

Has the current statewide school transportation system become outdated?

Portsmouth seeks lower costs on statewide school transportation

PORTSMOUTH — Chris DiIuro painted a stark picture of the school district’s statewide transportation problems at Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting. more

By Jim McGaw | 8/6/24

Three new authors for suspenseful summer reading

After swearing off any series years ago, I’m now attached to too many of them. Yet, they make light, fun summer reading. So, I’m wending my way through more books by Ellery Adams. … more

By Lynda Rego | 8/6/24

Choosing someone to be a healthcare proxy is an important decision, as is accepting the responsibility of being a healthcare proxy for a loved one or friend.

Let’s talk about: Choosing a healthcare proxy

T he Patient Self-Determination Act passed in 1991 mandates that health care organizations receiving federal funds inform all patients of their right to make decisions regarding their medical care … more

8/6/24

Whales off New York crash a school of Atlantic menhaden, a prime example of ecosystem-based fishery management in our region. Photo by Capt. John McMurray.

It’s time to put ecosystem-based management into practice

In 2015, the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association led the nation with an Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) themed Southern New England Recreational Fishing Symposium. The best … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 8/6/24

It’s not too early to keep an eye on the 2026 race for Gov.

STORY OF THE WEEK: It’s peak summer in Rhode Island, so politics is probably far from the minds of most Ocean Staters. But the filing of second-quarter campaign finance reports underscores how … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/6/24

Can we get something right?

No wonder people are skeptical of government. The ineptitude of the Rhode Island executive branch led by Gov. Dan McKee is staggering. Here are just a few examples: The I-195 bridge The … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 8/6/24

The author places her cut oregano on a wood slat bench that sits on her open-air porch, calling it her no fuss “drying rack,” with just the right amount of morning sun and afternoon shade.

Joy of the mountains

My garden is bursting with a favorite herb that has bloomed, been cut back, bloomed again, cut back, blooming again. I harvest its long stems when its white flowers have sprouted. To dry herbs, … more

By Patricia Bailey | 8/6/24

Capt. Rob Taylor of Newport Sport Fishing Charters celebrates the 60-pound bluefin tuna his client Mark Battista caught last week.

Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament big success

The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament ended Sunday, July 28, with a winning striped bass measuring 47.5” caught by Chris Benin of team ‘Vamoose.’ For the second year in … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 8/6/24

Letter: Wind turbines simply can’t produce enough power

To the editor: Clay Commons, regarding your letter in the July 25 edition (“Wind power foes should ponder where energy comes from”): First off, let me say that not all of us … more

8/5/24

Portsmouth: DUIs, public drinking, drug charges top police report

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Saturday, July 27 Eri Lajara, 44, of 8 Marlene Drive, Syosset, N.Y., was charged with obstructing … more

8/5/24

East Bay beaches recently closed recommended to re-open for swimming

After being recommended for closure to swimming on Tuesday, RIDOH announced on Thursday that the beaches had gone back to an acceptable bacteria count suitable for recreation. more

8/1/24

Kaitlyn Reed of Clean Ocean Access (COA) helps Hathaway School student Annabelle Woods dispose of food scraps in the compositing bin in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down school buildings. Although COA folded earlier this year, the lunchroom composting program has since been revived in the school district.

Portsmouth schools keeping it out of the landfill

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth public school students have been doing their best to keep their recyclables and food scraps out of the state landfill, but they’re taking it up a notch. more

By Jim McGaw | 8/1/24

Thirteen-year-old Eshe Stockton, here at her Immokolee Drive home, has big dreams for the future — including competing in the triathlon in the Olympic Games one day.

Portsmouth girl is a veteran of the triathlon — at 13

PORTSMOUTH — If you tuned in to the Paris Olympics this week to root on Americans Taylor Knibb, Taylor Spivey and Kirsten Kasper in the women’s triathlon, remember one day you may … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/31/24

RIDOH recommends beach closures in Bristol, Warren, and Portsmouth

The Rhode Island Department of Health issued a press release on Tuesday indicating that swimming should be avoided at the Bristol and Warren Town Beaches. more

7/30/24

Local poll workers pose on the back lawn of Sunset Cove Friday afternoon during an appreciation lunch hosted by the Portsmouth Board of Canvassers in their honor.

A big ‘thank you’ to Portsmouth poll workers

PORTSMOUTH — Although being a poll worker is often a thankless job, the town’s Board of Canvassers and Canvassing Authority expressed its sincere appreciation to all of them last … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/30/24

Letter: Tax hike for non-resident property owners unfair

To the editor: I just heard of what the (Middletown) Town Council is planning to do with raising the tax rate for non-owner-occupied properties. Totally unfair and not right. I have … more

7/30/24

Rhode Island Energy notifies customers about important upcoming changes

Rhode Island Energy notifies customers about important changes that will require their attention beginning August 19. The upcoming changes will include: a new website, a new bill design, a new phone … more

7/30/24

Letter: R.I. now third state to call for removal of nuclear weapons

To the editor: On June 6, the Rhode Island House of Representatives adopted with broad support a resolution urging the federal government to pursue a wide range of measures to reduce the danger … more

7/29/24

Portsmouth Police make arrests for assault, DUIs

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: more

7/29/24