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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

This story of two best friends is a sad portrait of rural America

‘The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America’ By Monica Potts T his is the tale of two young girls – best friends Monica and Darci – … more

By Donna Bruno | 7/9/24

State: Avoid upper pond at Melville, Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Avoid contact with upper Melville Pond, the state recommended in a July 5 advisory. The R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH) and the R.I. Department of Environmental … more

7/8/24

Proposed route of the second annual Sakonnet Coastal Bike & Stroll Event, which organizers want to host from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 14, in Island Park, the Hummocks and part of Common Fence Point.

Rare lack of quorum cancels Portsmouth council meeting

PORTSMOUTH — Town Council President Kevin Aguiar made a surprise announcement at the start of Monday’s regular meeting: There would be no meeting. more

By Jim McGaw | 7/8/24

Jhonny Cespedes-Gil as he appeared in his booking photo.

Portsmouth: Man charged with DUI had 2 minors in vehicle

A 32-year-old man from Hartford, Conn. had two young children in his vehicle — ages 1 and 6 — when he was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) on Saturday, July 6. more

7/8/24

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

Angler Greg Vespe of Tiverton shows the 49-pound striped bass he caught off Newport last week trolling tube and worm.

Experienced or not, it’s a great time to fish

F ishing memories last a lifetime. And, the good news, you do not need a lot of money to start creating them for you, family members and friends. Fishing connects you with the environment, it is a … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 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

Reading choices from light to heavy for those lazy summer days

Just a few choices for your porch, deck, beach or boat reading this summer. “The Wright Brothers” by David McCullough (2015). As with all of his books, McCullough exhaustively … more

By Lynda Rego | 7/8/24

Mac McAnally (left) and Scotty Emerick of the Coral Reefer Band play a Jimmy Buffett song during a tribute concert to the late singer-songwriter on the back lawn at Sunset Cove in Island Park Tuesday, July 2. Buffett, who died of a rare skin cancer on Sept. 1, 2023, played his very last gig at the restaurant exactly one year before.

A year after his final show, a tribute to Jimmy Buffett

PORTSMOUTH — Exactly one year after Jimmy Buffett delighted hundreds of “parrot heads” with a surprise appearance at Sunset Cove that turned out to be his last gig, his bandmates … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/3/24

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

Portsmouth Police make several arrests for assault

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Tuesday, June 25 Michael A. Bucolo, 61, of 29 Pilgrim Lane, was charged with domestic simple … more

7/1/24

State seeks respondents to housing survey

Survey responses are anonymous and will help The Rhode Island Department of Housing and RIHousing establish a better understanding of the state's housing needs. more

7/1/24

Donations (in the red milk can) toward the fireworks display presented by Escobar Farm on Middle Road are always welcome. This year’s show begins at 9:15 p.m. on Friday, July 5.

Where to see fireworks in and around Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Looking for the rockets’ red glare? Here’s a brief guide to some of the best places to see Independence Day fireworks displays this year. more

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

Church Community Housing’s conceptual rending of the Anne Hutchinson School building (left), which will potentially be developed into market-rate condos, and the new senior center facility and affordable senior housing complex at right.

Residents and council clash on Portsmouth senior complex

PORTSMOUTH — An update on the new senior center that’s part of a 54-unit affordable housing project turned into a debate Monday night on whether local senior residents were being … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/27/24

Here’s who is running for office in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Fifteen residents will vie for the seven available seats on the Portsmouth Town Council this election season. more

6/26/24

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

Portsmouth OKs FY25 budget calling for 40-cent tax hike

With little discussion, the Town Council Monday night voted unanimously to formally adopt a total municipal budget of $74,404,959 for fiscal year 2025 that calls for a 3.15-percent increase in the … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/25/24

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