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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

Five-way governor’s race took a curious turn last week

STORY OF THE WEEK: With less than three weeks until Rhode Island’s Sept. 13 primary, the five-way Democratic race for governor took a curious turn. Nellie Gorbea’s campaign aired an ad … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/29/22

Letter: Let's be reasonable when discussing guns

To the editor: I want to thank Mr. Clyne and Mr. Crosby (August 11 and 18 editions) for replying to my article on gun control (August 3-4 editions); I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this … more

8/28/22

Editorial: State needs clarity and regs for e-bikes on bike paths

There are myriad dangers on every bike path. Tour de France wanna-bees weave through the crowds, believing the path should be theirs alone. Children wobble helmet-less on their tricycles with light … more

8/25/22

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

Letter: How many more will die with lack of bridge barriers?

To the editor: The Portsmouth Times of (Aug. 18) announced the timeline for the study of anti-suicide fences on our island’s bridges. The study will be complete in 18 months. … more

8/22/22

Letter: Why be cautious on Mayflower? Old Mill Lane

To the editor: I am writing in response to your Aug. 11 article regarding the Mayflower Wind Project and I must applaud all the residents who expressed their concerns about the project. … more

8/22/22

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

Fung trying to have it both ways with national GOP connections

If a nationally prominent member of a political party comes to Rhode Island to support a particular candidate, the standard course would be for that candidate to shout about it from the rooftops. But … more

By Ian Donnis | 8/19/22

Letter: Bristol chief’s remarks on plate-reader reversal were insulting

To the editor: I sent the following email to the town councils of Portsmouth and Bristol, our state legislative delegation, and the board of the R.I. Police Chiefs Association. At the Aug. 17 … more

8/18/22

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

Portsmouth schools being spruced up for opening day

PORTSMOUTH — When students and staff enter their respective school buildings this month, they’ll see some improvements the district has been working on over the summer. The … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/17/22

NIMFest Free Concerts: Cee Cee & the Riders, the Digg it Band

King Park in Newport will be holding free concerts every Sunday through August 29 from 3:00-6:00 p.m., as a part of NIMFest. The whole family is welcome, including pets. This Sunday, August 21, … more

8/16/22

Ragged Island to host Ocean State Beer Fest

After a two-year hiatus, the Ocean State Beer Festival will return with Ragged Island Brewing Co. hosting. The event will feature beer from the vast majority of RIBG membership. Tickets include a … more

8/16/22

Newport Weekend of Coaching

A "Weekend of Coaching" will return to Newport from Friday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 21. Nine 19th-century horse-drawn coaches will fill the streets of Newport. The drives start daily at … more

8/16/22

Portsmouth Town Council ratifies 2 employee contracts

PORTSMOUTH — The Town Council, at its Aug. 9 meeting, unanimously ratified separate five-year contracts between the town and two local workers’ unions. One was for the firefighter … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/15/22

Letter: 'Time of Beauty' as summer carries on

I am sure you have noticed how an ordinary looking teenager suddenly changes into someone you want to look at again and again. I call it their time of beauty and that is what is happening in the Back … more

8/11/22