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

A Ukrainian woman is overcome with grief as she makes her way into Poland earlier this month.

Westport photographer captures Ukrainian refugee crisis

Westport photojournalist Alex Carrigg has seen a lot, but that didn't prepare him for the overwhelming crush of humanity that greeted him when he touched down in Warsaw, Poland in early March, rented … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/21/22

Helen Spets (left), a 95-year-old resident of Bay View Estates, chats with R.I. Meals on Wheels Executive Director Meghan Grady during a visit to her apartment on March 15. Town Council Vice President Linda Ujifusa also helped deliver a meal of shepherd’s pie, plus a blanket, slippers and a puzzle.

Portsmouth Senior Center now a Meals on Wheels dispatch site

PORTSMOUTH — Helen Spets opened the door to her third-floor apartment at Bay View Estates and greeted her visitors with a big smile and a warm welcome. “Look at all of you!” … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/21/22

Letter: Must continue push for safe, well-equipped school buildings

Every child in Rhode Island deserves to go to a school that is safe, warm, dry, and equipped for 21st-century learning. In 2018, I co-chaired the state’s School Building Task … more

By Seth Magaziner | 3/18/22

The Seaflex anchors, shown here waiting to be installed and attached to a float, should allow Bristol’s new marina to handle hurricane-strength conditions.

Harbormaster presents progress report on marina

Bristol Harbormaster Gregg Marsili offered a progress report on the state of the marina expansion , receiving authorization from the council to set rates on everything from the 200 amp power that … more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/12/22

The race crew are (from left to right) Olivia Vincent, Sarah Wilme, Gigi Fischer, Sophia Comiskey, Elizabeth Gardner, Milla Clark, and Phoebe Lee. Not pictured: Callie Dawson.

Making history, from Newport to Bermuda

The eight girls making up the yet-to-be-named crew that is set to become the youngest, all-female team to compete in the Newport to Bermuda race hatched their plan at the Bristol House of Pizza. … more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/12/22

Twelve acres near Fogland sell for $1.2 million

A 12-acre stretch of coastal land just south of Fogland Beach has sold for $1.2 million, the biggest land sale in Tiverton in six years. The property at 0 High Hill has two approved buildable lots, … more

3/11/22

Letter: May we be inspired by Ukrainian bravery

To the editor: The political conflict we have been consumed by in the United States is becoming understood by many as a planned tactic to “soften” the American people. The … more

3/11/22

Commentary: Mask Wars: Unvaccinated students should keep masks on in school

In the first Star Wars movie—you know with the Jawas, Sand People, Greedo, “Let the Wookie win” and the trash monster—there’s a scene on the Millenium Falcon where … more

By Dr. Kevin M. Blanchard | 3/11/22

Letter: Barrington’s power structure is overwhelming and intimidating

To the editor: The recent Town Council meeting reinforced to me that there is a Barrington Power Structure in place that feels overwhelming and intimidating. I received a stern admonishment from … more

3/11/22

There will be a random drawing for rental use of the kayak storage rack spaces at Walker Farm.

Barrington switching to random drawing for kayak storage stickers

Barrington will use a random drawing to determine who can purchase boat or kayak storage stickers this year. Town officials decided to use the random drawing as demand for the boat and kayak … more

3/11/22

Bristol Town Council Vice Chairwoman Mary Parella, Bristol Town Administrator Steven Contente, and Bristol Town Council President Nathan Calouro listen to Bristol Warren Superintendent Ana Riley's presentation last Thursday evening.

JFC has high praise for school budget

The $56.9 million budget includes a request of about $510,000 in additional revenue from Bristol and $510,000 from Warren, which would represent an approximately 1.8 percent increase and 3.8 percent increase in allocation from the two communities over last year’s budget respectively. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/10/22

Brandon Nelson works on what he calls a mix of trash and photography for a photo collage during art class last week.

Mt. Hope artwork to highlight Earth Day exhibit

The exhibit is being made possible by a grant made by the Friends of the Rogers Free Library to the Bristol Art Museum. more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/10/22

You can help Barrington find its next high school principal

Members of the community are invited to help search for Barrington High School’s next principal. The school department will host a focus group session for community members on Monday, … more

3/10/22

Lt. Christopher Perreault of the Warren Police Department answers questions from Town Solicitor Tony DeSisto on Thursday morning at the Department of Administration in Providence.

Italo-American Club shooter was highly intoxicated on day of murder

Michael Ouellette, who killed Asst. Fire Chief Brian Remy on Sept. 2, 2021 before taking his own life, was highly intoxicated prior to committing the murder, as revealed during a hearing regarding the Italo-American Club's liquor license on Thursday. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/10/22

Letter: Your property taxes could be much higher

To the editor: The Phoenix printed a story in the East Bay Window section last week, which prompted me to write this letter. The article, written by Scott Pickering and headlined “Tax bills in … more

3/10/22

Letter: Bristol Blooms needs your help now more than ever

To the editor: Bristol Blooms will celebrate its 10th anniversary this spring — a decade of beautifying our historic downtown with blooming flower baskets and festive holiday wreaths! … more

3/10/22

Letter: Looking forward to public input on port marker project

To the editor: The Bristol Middle Passage Port Marker group met recently with our Town Council . Our original plan had been to place a memorial marker near to our waterfront in following the practice … more

3/10/22

Two markers that share information about Bristol’s history and involvement in the slave trade exist currently in Bristol. This one is near DeWolf Tavern on Thames Street. A new memorial proposed nearby is the subject of ongoing discussion and controversy.

Andrade Memorial Boardwalk nixed as possible site for slave monument

Advocates for placing a memorial to the history of Bristol's involvement in the slave trade made it clear that their proposal of the boardwalk site was a mistake and that it would not be the site they propose moving forward. more

By Ethan Hartley | 3/10/22

Letter: Guns remain a looming threat to our children

To the editor: The Leadership of the Bristol Warren Regional School District has done a remarkable job these last two years, prioritizing the health and safety of our kids and staff during the … more

3/10/22

$1 million pledged to study Gooseberry causeway impacts

More times than he can remember, Mark Rasmussen has been asked if he thinks the causeway connecting Gooseberry Island to the mainland is responsible for the many changes this stretch of coast has … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/10/22

Hathaway School students hand over their “Blankets of Hope” Monday morning to Heather Strout, executive director of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, for distribution to homeless people.

In Portsmouth: Dispensing hope, one blanket at a time

PORTSMOUTH — If a little kindness goes a long way, then Hathaway School students’ gesture this week should have a prolonged journey. The entire student body — 423 … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/10/22

Barrington resident points replica gun at tree crew

Barrington Police responded to a New Meadow Road residence after receiving a 911 call on Wednesday, March 2. A tree company worker told police a resident had been pointing a gun out a window at … more

3/9/22

Barrington Town Council President Michael Carroll requested that the March 7 meeting be held on zoom and not in-person.

Why did the Barrington Town Council not meet in-person this week?

On the same day schoolchildren in Barrington went to class without masks (for the first time in more than a year), the Barrington Town Council decided it was still too early to meet … more

By Josh Bickford | 3/9/22

This home on Tee Lane, near the Acoaxet Club, sustained extensive damage in a fire late Saturday evening.

Residents escape injury in Westport fire

A woman who spotted a fire through the woods in southwest Westport Saturday night helped alert residents to a serious fire in their Tee Lane home, and they emerged without injury. Westport fire … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/9/22

Letter: Put away your ‘Hate’ signs and your contempt

To the editor: Have you driven through the tony neighborhoods of Barrington lately? Who are these people behind the "Hate Has No Home Here" yard signs infesting the the landscape like vestigial … more

3/9/22