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The 2021 Bristol Fourth of July Parade will more closely resemble the 2019 edition (above) than the 2020 version, when the procession was converted into a car parade. Expect the Town Crier, the Mt. Hope High School Marching Band and a long host of marchers, floats, celebrities and characters to be looking more like their pre-Covid selves.

There will be bands. Canons. Singers. Dancers. Soldiers. Cadets. War veterans. Princesses. Firefighters. Splash pools. Hugs. Celebrities. Solo cups. Smiles. And Mr. Potato Head. It will be, … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/1/21

Letter: A tale of two towns, two races

This past weekend I participated in two half-marathon road races — one here in Bristol on Saturday, and one in Fairfield, Conn., on Sunday. While both races had some similarities, they also had … more

6/30/21

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

Retiring Barrington Police Chief Dino DeCrescenzo (second from left) smiles while speaking with former police chief John LaCross (right) and current Barrington Police Lt. Kevin Igoe (second from right) during a special retirement party for Chief DeCrescenzo.

Chief retires after 35 years of police work in Barrington

Dino DeCrescenzo had been on the job for less than a year when he responded to a disturbance in Bay Spring. He was working the overnight shift and was not sure what to expect when he drove his … more

By Josh Bickford | 6/30/21

Letter: Senior housing issue needs creative solution

To the editor: A great deal of the debate at this month’s Financial Town Meeting focused on affordable housing for our senior residents. After much discussion, the proposal for taxpayers … more

6/29/21

Mike Gibbemeyer waves flags while standing outside Barrington Town Hall, in support of protecting First Amendment Rights.

Friction over flags — veterans rally, council proposes ordinance

The Barrington Town Council has introduced an ordinance that would ensure space annually on the town hall flag pole for certain flags. The ordinance — introduced during a special meeting … more

By Josh Bickford | 6/29/21

The community’s youth, together with Mayor Bob DaSilva, Sen. Val Lawson and City Council Vice President Bob Rodericks, cut the ribbon on the new Pierce Field Splash Pad Monday, June 28.

Community celebrates opening of second East Providence splash park

EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence city officials and community members celebrated the city’s opening of a second splash pad park during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Pierce Field on … more

6/29/21

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

Editorial: Be it resolved, Barrington botched this one

There are clear differences between following the “letter of the law” and the “spirit of the law.” The Town of Barrington followed the letter of the law by officially posting … more

6/25/21

Arlene Violet: Is democracy in a nosedive?

While the Rhode Island General Assembly fusses over whether to mandate civics education and ponders whether critical race theory will be the demise of democracy, I am forced to admit that I think all … more

By Arlene Violet | 6/25/21

Warren man appeals Chomp ruling to Superior Court

A popular Warren restaurant's planned move to Water Street has hit a snag, as an abutter has appealed to the Rhode Island Superior Court a recent Warren Zoning Board decision facilitating its move to … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/25/21

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

Barrington resident Kira Cortese recently created a Little Free Art Gallery in her front yard.

Little Free Art Gallery pops up in Barrington

Kira Cortese recently installed a Little Free Art Gallery in her front yard on Court Avenue in Barrington. Modeled after the Little Free Libraries, where people can leave or take a … more

6/25/21

Letter: White majority must own up to its dark history

Recently I was privileged to observe the Slave Medallion ceremony at Linden Place. The program was informative and spiritually moving. Members of the Algonquin, Pokanoket, and Wampanoag tribal … more

6/24/21

Concert series has an infusion of local talent

Move over Nashville — Bristol’s got musical talent to spare, and much of it will be on display during the Fourth of July Concert Series June 20 through July 3. Here’s a musical tour … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/24/21

Expert textile conservator Maria Vazquez unfurls a U.S. flag from the mid-1870s, used by the local Bristol Grand Army of the Republic Post 15, known as the Babbitt Post. It was named for Bristol resident Jacob Babbitt of the 7th RI Volunteers, killed in action at the Battle of Fredericksburg on Dec 13, 1862. Andy Santilli, Varnum Armory contractor and volunteer, looks on.

Bristol owns America’s oldest flag

Fresh off her debut as a Fourth of July question on “Jeopardy,” Bristol is once again flexing her patriotic chops as the owner of the Nathaniel Byfield flag. Dating to about 1690, the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/24/21

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

Jeremy Howard poses with Harper Oates, the inspiration for The Play Brigade, alongside the ‘Fearless Girl’ statue in New York City. The statue originally faced the “Bull of Wall Street statue and children often climbed up to pose for pictures with the girl. When Harper first visited she was unable to because of the raised plinth. Her mother was instrumental in advocating for the statue to be repositioned at ground level when it was later moved across the street from the NYSE. This picture was taken at the conclusion of the Fearless Girl relay that Ms. Oates organized.

Little Compton man tackles The Long Trail — at double time

LITTLE COMPTON — On or about June 20, the plan was for Little Compton ultramarathon runner Jeremy Howard to get himself to the village of North Troy, Vt., on the Canadian border. There, at … more

Bruce Burdett | 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

Artist Jessica Brown at work on her utility box painting at Main and Campbell streets. The phrase "Land of the Pokanoket," not yet added by her in this photograph, was later painted over.

Artist, Warren at odds over 'censorship' of public art

An artist commissioned this Spring to paint an image of Pokanoket Massasoit Ousamequin on a utility box near Burr's Hill is accusing the Town of Warren of censorship, after the town directed Warren's … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/22/21

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

Workers remove Patrolman Adam Floor's truck after an accident early Sunday morning. Mr. Floor was charged with DUI and refusal to submit to a chemical test.

Warren officer charged with DUI also faces weapons charge

The Warren police officer accused of crashing his truck into a Metacom Avenue home while driving drunk earlier this month now faces a felony charge of possession of a firearm while under the … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/21/21

Henry Helger (left) and his son Ray in the front seat of Henry’s 1938 Ford convertible. Sousa Image Works photo.

Letter: The little things, like good old cars, make a difference

To the editor: Sunday, June 13, was a beautiful bluebird day for a car show and over 50 antique cars came to support a food drive organized by the Little Compton Republican Town … more

6/20/21

Kate Robertson, Ava Kovolyan, and Tess Gagliano (from left to right) race a Wheeler opponent to a loose ball.

Barrington wins, will play in state championship game on Sunday

The Barrington High School girls lacrosse team punched its ticket to the Division I State Finals by defeating Lincoln School 14-9 in the semifinals on Thursday, June 17. The Eagles will play … more

6/18/21

Barrington's Ned Shapiro blasts a single, scoring a run for the Eagles in the playoff game against Scituate on Tuesday.

Eagles shut out Scituate and Prout, advance to semis

The Barrington High School baseball team has outscored its playoff opponents 22-0 in the first two rounds of the Division II tournament. But starting on Friday, the Eagles will face a new … more

By Josh Bickford | 6/18/21