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

Jessica Lynch, general manager and chief engineer of the Portsmouth Water and Fire District (PWFD), and Brian Woodhead, director of the Department of Public Works (DPW), watch as a water main is guided into a ditch dug into the town access road between the police and fire departments and DPW building last Thursday.

Portsmouth water woes addressed through teamwork

PORTSMOUTH — They each had the same problem, so the Portsmouth Water and Fire District (PWFD) and the town’s Department of Public Works (DPW) combined forces to solve it. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/7/22

Helena Foulkes, Democratic candidate for Governor, speaks at Town Hall on Monday night.

Helena Foulkes brings gubernatorial pitch to East Bay

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes visited Warren on the evening of Monday, April 4, sharing her backstory and answering questions at a meeting of the Democratic Town Committee. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/7/22

Barrington High School's Nate Greenberg (right) crosses the finish line just ahead of Portsmouth's Colby Fahrney (left) in the 100-meter race.

Eagles overpower Patriots and Huskies in track meet

The Barrington High School boys outdoor track team kicked off the dual meet season with wins over Portsmouth (82-71) and Mt. Hope (141.66-8.33) on Tuesday, April 5. Nate Greenberg led the … more

4/6/22

Barrington High School’s Asher Robbins, shown competing at the state indoor track championship, earned All-American status after finishing third at Nike Nationals and fourth at New Balance Nationals.

Barrington High School throwers compete at nationals

Barrington High School senior Asher Robbins racked up a number of accolades during the indoor track season. The standout weight thrower won the Rhode Island state championship with a top … more

4/6/22

Letter: There is no tougher nor dedicated athlete than a gymnast

To the editor: As the high school sports seasons are in transition, please give me the opportunity to share a thought on this past winter season. The Mt. Hope High School gymnastics team had, as … more

4/6/22

Letter: Warren fire rescue pay increase likely to have widespread effect

To the editor: In the last few weeks there has been a considerable amount of debate in Bristol regarding social and historical issues regarding monuments in town, and while I have very strong … more

4/6/22

Parks and Recreation Director Tara Thibaudeau responds to public comments during Thursday night’s community meeting.

‘Back to the drawing board’ for Burr’s Hill project

A proposed facility to be erected on the beach side of Burr’s Hill Park was the subject of considerable discussion last week during a community meeting at Town Hall. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/6/22

Portsmouth’s Nikolai Loyola keeps a steady eye on the bar after clearing it during the high jump competition, which he won with a best effort of 5 feet, 6 inches, during a dual track meet at Barrington High School on April 5.

Portsmouth finishes second in dual track meet

BARRINGTON — Notching 10 first-place finishes, The Portsmouth High boys’ outdoor track team finished second to Barrington in a dual meet Tuesday afternoon, April 5. The Eagles edged … more

4/6/22

Will Senate Committee thwart gun reforms this year?

STORY OF THE WEEK: The familiar ritual of hearings on gun-related bills played out at the Statehouse last week, with lengthy meetings extending into the night and impassioned testimony on both sides … more

By Ian Donnis | 4/6/22

RWU announces $20 million partnership with Cummings Foundation

Roger Williams University announced via press release a $20 million partnership with the Massachusetts-based Cummings Foundation. more

4/6/22

Editorial: Let last week be a low point for Barrington schools

Hopefully last week will be the valley for Barrington school leadership. Hopefully they can find a path to elevate from where they were the final week of March 2022. From our vantage, things were as … more

4/6/22

Barrington's Marie Choi-Schattle clears the bar in the pole vault event on Tuesday. Choi-Schattle finished first in the event.

Barrington girls dominate season-opening track meet

The Barrington High School girls outdoor track team opened the dual-meet season with wins over Portsmouth and Mt. Hope on Tuesday, April 5. The Eagles, who won 12 of the 18 events overall, … more

4/6/22

Letter: Not hard to see who scorns women in US society

To the editor: ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’ This phrase, controversial to some, is embedded in our culture and had to do with spurious or unrequited love. … more

4/6/22

Castmembers of “REVOLTING!” pose for a photo during a recent rehearsal. Pictured are (clockwise, from left) Jack Gravina, Alexa Bothelo, Jay Barrass, Naima Basse and Juliana Quadros.

Barrington students ready to share ‘REVOLTING!’ performance

After a two-year hiatus from the stage, the kids at Barrington Middle School are ready to wow audiences with their performance of an historical musical revue called "REVOLTING!" The … more

4/6/22

Westport Community Schools superintendent Thomas Aubin speaks at an even at the high school earlier

Westport school chief: District needs financial support, override

The head of Westport Community Schools said this week that while the district can live without some of the items he and the school committee proposed under a $4.4 million override budget, the … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/6/22

Letter: It is time for the school district to change course

To the editor: Stop confounding the issues of leveled education and equity in the honors program and offer leveled classes with honors opportunities. "It is easiest to reach the most … more

4/6/22

Letter: Trying to understand why we can’t have honors courses

To the editor: I went to the School Committee meeting the other night to learn once and for all why we can’t have honors English classes for 9th and 10th graders anymore. According to … more

4/6/22

Letter: Stop steamrolling parents and students, and listen

To the editor: On April 1, many news stations began reporting that data surrounding the AP exams that were administered in 2021. Nationwide, 22.5% of students tested scored a 3 or higher on at … more

4/6/22

A vehicle navigates flooded Mathewson Road during a weather event a few years ago. Barrington is working to become more resilient to flooding and other natural hazards.

Online survey will help Barrington officials understand hazard concerns

The Town of Barrington needs your help. Barrington is working to become more resilient to flooding and other natural hazards, and officials are currently preparing a hazard mitigation and … more

4/6/22

Portsmouth High pitcher John Mass hurls a fastball during the team's win over East Providence on Monday. The right-hander struck out 14 batters, allowing just one hit and no runs over six innings.

Portsmouth downs Townies as 2 pitchers combine for shutout

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Patriots varsity boys’ baseball team defeated East Providence 5-0 on Monday, as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. more

4/5/22

Callum Corbishley, Parker White and Hunter Madril (from left) perform a science dance experience combined with kinesthetic learning while they enjoy Marvelous Marvin Novogrodski's program during Monday’s Arts for Life presentations at Hathaway School.

The arts come alive at Hathaway! (Photos)

PORTSMOUTH — On Monday, Hathaway Elementary School welcomed a magician, storyteller, musicians and others in celebration of its its annual Arts for Life Week. The day featured performances … more

4/5/22

Portsmouth breezes through rest of Comprehensive Plan

PORTSMOUTH — Although the process to get there took roughly two and a half years, the Town Council spent less than 40 minutes Monday night to review and tentatively approve the final four … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/4/22

Town Planner Gary Crosby, here thumbing through the draft of the Comprehensive Community Plan, has announced his retirement at he end of the fiscal year, after 18 years of service.

Portsmouth losing one-two planning punch

PORTSMOUTH — Gary Crosby, who as town planner has been the key figure in guiding Portsmouth’s growth and development over the past 18 years, is retiring at the end of the fiscal … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/4/22

The Haines Park project includes construction of new athletic fields and parking areas and carries an estimated cost of $1.8 million.

Two funding sources could fuel recreation projects in Barrington

Federal funding and surplus bond money could bring a number of park and recreation projects to life in Barrington. At the March 24 Barrington Park and Recreation Commission meeting, Chairman … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/4/22

The Barrington School Committee recently voted to release $4 million of the Barrington Middle School construction bond surplus to the town.

Majority of Barrington Middle School bond surplus handed over to the town

During a meeting last week, members of the Barrington School Committee voted unanimously to release $4 million of surplus bond money to the town. The $4 million was left over from the $68.4 … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/4/22