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

Bruce Burdett at a patio table outside his Bristol home, where he often works. The editor of The Sakonnet Times and Westport Shorelines is retiring this week after 45 years with East Bay Newspapers. “There’s something in all of us that likes to tell people stories, and this was my way to be able to do it,” he said.

Editorial: Sight unseen, his pen was most powerful

This has always been a special space in the local newspaper. Whether thoughtfully crafted after hours of research or thrown together on hectic deadline, the editorial is a revered tradition that … more

7/22/21

After 5 decades in journalism, Bruce Burdett's hanging up his notebook

When Bruce Burdett first arrived in Bristol to start his new job at East Bay Newspapers in the mid-’70s, he was just two years out of college with only minimal experience working for his school … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/22/21

Letter: Here comes more West Main Road solar sprawl

To the editor: Nimali power is seeking master plan approval for the development of a large-scale solar project at 2340 West Main Road in Portsmouth. This is on land owned by the Patriot Petroleum … more

7/20/21

The backyard view of the 2021 HGTV Dream Home, located at 470 Vanderbilt Lane.

HGTV ‘Dream Home’ in Portsmouth fetches $2.75 million

PORTSMOUTH — Jeff Yanes never even got to walk through the “Dream House” on Vanderbilt Lane that he won in April. Like many winners of HGTV Dream Home’s contest, he … more

7/16/21

xBryan Ganley (left) lost a close friend to suicide. Melissa Cotta (right) tried to help but could not stop a man from jumping off the Mt. Hope Bridge. Together, they’re asking for suicide prevention barriers on Rhode Island’s three largest bridges.

Activists launch petition drive in support of bridge barriers

Bryan Ganley and Melissa Cotta, co-founders of Bridging the Gap for Safety and Healing, have been working tirelessly for years to have suicide prevention barriers installed on Rhode Island’s … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/15/21

Salve buys Pennfield School property in Portsmouth for $3.4M

PORTSMOUTH — Salve Regina University has purchased Pennfield School’s 19 acres of buildings and grounds for $3.4 million, the university announced Friday, July 2. The long-term … more

7/2/21

Parker Terrell, a “budtender” at Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center and a member of the union negotiating committee, leads a group of striking workers outside the facility on Saturday. His sign refers to CEO Seth Bock, whom some union workers accuse of retaliatory practices.

Union workers hold one-day strike at Greenleaf in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Holding signs reading “Unfair Labor Practices,” “Justice for Ben” and “Respect Workers’ Rights,” about 25 to 30 union workers … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/30/21

Letter: Forgo those signs and get to know your neighbors

To the editor: A quick question for those displaying the “In This House We Believe” signs: Who do you think you’re talking to? In this (conservative republican) house we … more

6/28/21

Jack Marston tosses a “BG4N” bag during a game of cornhole at Saturday’s Be Great for Nate Night at Schultzy’s Snack Shack in Island Park. Jack, an incoming freshman, was playing the game with fellow Every Student Initiative members Hayden Younger, Jacob Kalif and Oliver Jelley. The event raised money for suicide prevention and youth empowerment in memory of Nathan Bruno, a 15-year-old Portsmouth boy who died by suicide in 2018. This year’s event fell on his 19th birthday.

‘He’s going down in history as helping a lot of people’

Members of Every Student Initiative (ESI) had two things to celebrate at the annual Be Great for Nate Night fund-raising event at Schultzy’s Snack Shack on Saturday. more

By Jim McGaw | 6/25/21

Letter: Dec. 6 would be a better day to celebrate the end of slavery

Celebrating the abolition of slavery in the United States is a wonderful observance and a vivid reminder of America’s second greatest evil. The first was the wholesale killing of Native … more

6/24/21

This Daddy Long Legs sculpture will be one of many you’ll be able to find at Green Animals Topiary Garden starting this weekend.

Big Bugs to invade Green Animals in Portsmouth!

PORTSMOUTH — Green Animals Topiary Garden will be buzzing this summer when David Rogers’ Big Bugs takes over from Friday, June 25, through Sunday, Oct. 3. more

6/23/21

Letter: Why are Portsmouth's senior citizens being neglected?

To the editor: The principal role of a town council besides managing and governing the town is to represent the interests of their constituents. Why has the Portsmouth Town Council … more

6/21/21

Letter: Too many of the elderly suffered lonely deaths

Thank you to all the heroic CNAs, nurses and support staff at all long-term care facilities for working through this wretched COVID pandemic. Many of us would have been lost without … more

6/17/21

Letter: Arlene Violet is wrong on Critical Race Theory

I often read Arlene Violet’s columns in the East Bay newspapers. I usually find them interesting and informative. She is an accomplished woman – a former nun, former Rhode Island attorney … more

6/17/21

Letter: A good time to remember lessons from Dad

As Father’s Day approaches it is a good time to remember lessons learned from your Dad. Here is one of my favorites. A lesson in adaptability. In the mid-1950s growing up, my Dad worked … more

6/17/21

Editorial: In this case, 'easier to find' is less likely to be found

Legislation before the Rhode Island General Assembly would take a swipe at both newspapers and transparency in government — two things that are intrinsically linked. House Bill 6375 and Senate … more

6/10/21

Letter: It’s time to restore music, plus more

More than 600 Rhode Island students from grades 7 to 12 were featured in the 2021 RIMEA (Rhode Island Music Education Association) All-State Music Festival Concert, premiering on YouTube on May 2, … more

5/26/21

Aerial view shows the location of the planned solar array off West Main Road, between Lehigh Terrace to the north (top) and Freeborn Street (not shown) to the south. Note the cleared area, where the rows of ground-mounted solar panels would be built, surrounded by trees and vegetation.

Zoning board OKs large solar array off West Main, Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Saying the applicant checked all the boxes needed for a special-use permit under the town’s solar ordinance, the Zoning Board of Review Thursday, May … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/24/21

Couple and realtor signing papers for new house

The buying frenzy — and frustration — continue

Your company just announced that your division is being relocated from the Midwest headquarters to the East Coast. In fact, your new office is situated in Rhode Island — home to beautiful … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/20/21

Do you take cash?

Here’s a new phenomenon in the local real estate market. An increasing number of buyers are offering to pay cash for properties. Does that mean they actually bring a suitcase of Benjamins to … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/20/21

Chris Iseleib and his wife, Ann Marie, moved from the Washington, D.C. area to Barrington, buying a million-dollar house that they saw only on Zoom. Located off Nayatt Road and close to the water, it is more than 100 years old and comes with a unique stone gazebo.

Urban buyers have been moving out to the 'country'

It’s been just over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, shaking up lives around the globe. One phenomenon now becoming a trend is the mass exodus from cities to more rural … more

By Joan D. Warren | 4/30/21

Letter: Learn how legalized pot could impact teens’ lives

To the editor: As the likely legalization of recreational marijuana for residents over 21 years of age in Rhode Island is moving forward, I encourage parents to learn how this could impact their … more

4/20/21

Examples of signs that were erected in front of 184 Bristol Ferry Road by local resident Michael DiPaola, and which were the target of a notice of violation from the Town of Portsmouth. The signs were taken down while the case was being litigated.

Judge OKs settlement in Portsmouth sign lawsuit

PORTSMOUTH — A federal judge has approved the settlement of a lawsuit filed in January by The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Rhode Island that challenged the constitutionality of … more

4/20/21

Letter: Why I decided to get a firearm

To the editor: Several years ago, it occurred to me that I wanted to take greater responsibility for my safety and that of my family. I am a daughter, sister, mother, and a registered nurse. As … more

4/18/21

Editorial: ‘Tax the rich!’

When state governments need money, they often focus on familiar targets: personal sins (drinking, smoking and gambling), fossil fuels and the rich. In the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing … more

4/15/21