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Letter: Thank you for your vote on Election Day

To the editor: I want to thank the citizens of Portsmouth that took the time to vote on Election Day. I am especially grateful and appreciative to those who voted for me and have given me … more

12/19/22

Joseph F. Stankiewicz, 73, Little Compton

Joseph F. Stankiewicz, 73, of Little Compton, unexpectedly passed away at home on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. He was the husband of Susan (Fish) Stankiewicz. Mr. Stankiewicz was born in Fall River, … more

12/19/22

State: All six Barrington schools earn 5-star ranking

Barrington schools have another reason to celebrate this holiday season. Late last week, the Rhode Island Department of Education released a report that gave all six Barrington Public Schools the … more

By Josh Bickford | 12/19/22

Portsmouth picks 5 projects for Discover Newport grants

In an effort to enhance visitors’ experience in Portsmouth, the town has selected five local recipients of a one-time $7,500 community support grant from the Newport & Bristol County … more

By Jim McGaw | 12/17/22

Festively dressed Max Magilton, 9, takes a photo with Kris Kringle himself on the lawn of the Burnside Building during Bristol’s Christmas Festival on Saturday.

Christmas Festival brings seasonal magic to Bristol

The Bristol Christmas Festival brought seasonal magic to the downtown on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 for a weekend of caroling, crafting, live entertainment and lots of tasty food to be bought and enjoyed … more

Photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 12/16/22

On Sunday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., Temple Habonim will hold a candlelight service/vigil on its front lawn to "Shine a Light on Antisemitism."

‘Shine a Light on Antisemitism’ this Sunday in Barrington

Temple Habonim in Barrington will hold a special candlelight service/vigil on its front lawn on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., to "Shine a Light on Antisemitism.” “Our goal is to … more

12/16/22

Coach Mike Raffa and his BHS boys basketball team defeated Mount Pleasant 70-46 on Thursday night, Dec. 15.

Strong second half powers Eagles to 24-point victory

The Barrington High School boys basketball team rebounded from a four-point halftime deficit to defeat Mount Pleasant 70-46 on Thursday night, Dec. 15. The Eagles stormed out to a 19-10 … more

By Josh Bickford | 12/16/22

Elaine Felag spends much of her life inside the cozy, vibrant and totally unique confines of the women’s clothing store she has sustained for more than four decades. With deep passion for what she does, she plans to keep Feminine Fancies going until at least 50.

Four decades of fun and fashion

Elaine Felag has no interest in retiring anytime soon. She is the living embodiment of the expression, “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Felag … more

By Scott Pickering | 12/16/22

Restrictions for blue-green algae in Lower Pond (pictured) and Thurston Gray Pond at the Melville Recreation Area have been lifted by the state.

State lifts restrictions for blue-green algae at Melville

PORTSMOUTH — The Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Environmental Management (DEM) have recommended lifting the advisory restricting recreational activities at … more

12/16/22

Editorial: Caught in the quagmire around the schools

All of Barrington’s six schools have traffic challenges during the morning rush hour and afternoon dismissal. Best are the three elementary schools, which of course have the smallest student … more

12/16/22

Trey Rezendes shared team high scoring honors with Max Collins in the Townies' first Division I league win of the season over visiting East Greenwich Thursday night, Dec. 15.

Townies split a pair to open Division I boys' hoops slate

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence High School boys’ basketball team began its 2022-23 Division I regular season slate last week with a split of two games, including an agonizingly … more

By Mike Rego | 12/16/22

In this map prepared by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (MASSDEP), Westport is depicted almost entirely in light green — the state's designation for watersheds that may be designated as Natural Resource Areas following the promulgation of proposed Title V amendments. Towns shown in gray either have not yet been evaluated for nitrogen impacts, or have been evaluated and determined not to be impacted by nitrogen.Half of New Bedford, a small part of Fairhaven and most of Achushnet, shown in teal, have already been designated Natural Resource Areas.

Town — and maybe homeowners — face expensive Title V changes

Thousands of Westport homeowners could be on the hook for expensive septic upgrades under a series of Title V (septic) amendments being rolled out early next year, though Westport officials are … more

12/15/22

Investigation reveals contamination at Yarn Mill site

Abutters to the Robin Rug/Bristol Yarn Mill site received notices from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) at the end of November, outlining the agency’s findings … more

By Christy Nadalin | 12/15/22

Barrington Lions Club members (from left to right) Doreen Burgers, Cat Horn and Michaela Keohane inspect the burned tree at Barrington Beach.

Scrooge scorches Christmas tree at Barrington Beach

Late Wednesday night, when most Barrington residents lay asleep in their beds, a grinch slunk to the town beach and lit the Barrington Beach Christmas tree on fire. The Barrington Lions Club … more

By Josh Bickford | 12/15/22

This map shows the approximate location of Monast Island in Mt. Hope Bay in red. Touisset Point in Warren is at top left, east Bristol at left, Tiverton at right and Swansea and Somerset at upper middle to right.

Tiverton sells island to the state DEM

It's so tiny, it barely registers in a Google search and unlike its sister Spar Island, is not listed on many navigational charts. But Monast Island, a deserted quarter acre of sand in the middle of … more

By Ted Hayes | 12/15/22

Kelsey Perry, Mayflower Wind’s community liaison coordinator, and Tim Reiher, the developer’s offshore cables package manager (left), speak to residents at the drop-in session on Dec. 7 inside Ragged Island Brewing Company’s Brewery Barn. Another session was held the previous night at the Portsmouth Free Public Library.

Mayflower Wind: ‘People still have a lot of questions’

PORTSMOUTH — What will the cables look like? Why come up the Sakonnet River? What’s in it for Portsmouth? Will recreational and commercial fishing be impacted? more

By Jim McGaw | 12/15/22

Barrington's Lindsey Lemay drives the lane in the first half. Lemay finished the game with 20 points.

Eagles sprint out to big lead, hold on for big win

The Barrington High School girls basketball team survived a second-half rally by Ponaganset and picked up a 45-40 victory in front of a hometown crowd on Wednesday night, Dec. 14. The Eagles built … more

By Josh Bickford | 12/15/22

Letter: Thank you for a wonderful Christmas celebration

To the editor: Thank you, thank you, thank you! We can’t thank Dave Scarpino and the Christmas Festival Committee enough for the spectacular celebration this year. The Christmas Snow Ball was … more

12/15/22

Letter: Phoenix article was a prisoner of three ideas

To the editor: Our society has created a culture of intolerance, preventing our mind from holding multiple views of the the same issue. Increasingly, society pressures us to keep only one belief and … more

12/15/22

Letter: Offensive letter was not surprising

To the editor: Last week's Phoenix contained a letter to the editor lampooning and ridiculing a previous letter by former school committee candidate Tony Morettini regarding the improved test … more

12/15/22

Letter: Ban assault rifles in Rhode Island

To the editor: Last year, the Rhode Island general assembly enacted significant laws that limit gun cartridge capacity, raise the age limit for owning riffles to 21 and prohibit the carry of … more

12/15/22

Letter: Congratulations on open space acquisition

To the editor: The Town is to be congratulated on their acquisition of the property at Gooding Avenue and Metacom. This wooded and partially wetland tract is an important part of the wetlands … more

12/15/22

Letter: Thanks, Bristol!

To the editor: My wife and I are recent Bristolians, and we want to say thanks for the wonderful and welcoming community we’ve found here. The tree lighting, and Christmas celebration this … more

12/15/22

Don Ruest and Lisa Newcity are the talent behind Fenwick & Oliver, a new retail destination on Thames Street. Ruest is a talented woodworker, and Newcity sources fair trade handicrafts that complement Ruest’s creations.

Fenwick & Oliver, in Bristol, offers unique, handmade items

The shop reported a great first weekend, fueled by the crowds drawn to downtown Bristol by the Christmas Festival. more

By Christy Nadalin | 12/15/22

Cannabis sales: ‘It’s not legalized for youth’

Denise Alves is proud of her hometown. The director of the Barrington Prevention Coalition said she was very happy to see Barrington residents vote against allowing the sale of recreational … more

By Josh Bickford | 12/15/22