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Star Riders Motorcycle Club member Kevin Hebert (left) looks on as Vietnam veteran Donald DiPierro of Barrington reacts to seeing his new car at the Bristol VFW on Saturday during a brief ceremony including veterans from the Sidewinders, Star Riders, and the U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Clubs of Bristol County, Rhode Island and New York.

United States Veterans Motorcycle Clubs (USVMC) are popular social and recreational clubs across the country. “Almost every state has at least one or two,” said Paul Mello, himself a … more

4/2/21

A sign in front of Goetz Composites speaks to its anticipated growth. Goetz is using temporary construction trailers to house the majority of its office and administrative teams. Its $1.3 million expansion will create new office space and free up a lot of manufacturing space.

Goetz Composites plans major expansion, 50 new jobs

Composite Energy Technology, doing business as Goetz Composites, is planning a $1.3 million expansion of its 52 Ballou Blvd. facility, allowing it to double its manufacturing space, move its office … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/1/21

Bristol set to get millions in federal aid

If you’re waiting for your stimulus check to appear in your bank account, you’re not alone. Bristol is waiting, too. Unlike most recipients who are anticipating checks for $1,400, the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/1/21

Letter: Is the 11th Commandment about guns?

In response to Peter Hewett’s letter of March 25, “ The 2nd amendment - a different perspective ,” I offer the following for your consideration. I am not a gun owner, but a … more

4/1/21

Letter: Biking is more inviting when you feel safe

As I’ve been following progress on the Bristol Bicycle Connector, the question I hear repeatedly is, “Why should we let people bike through our town? They have the whole East Bay Bike … more

4/1/21

Laura and Zach Rivers sit beside a fire pit in front of their restaurant, Judge Roy Bean, on State Street in Bristol. Many restaurateurs, and diners, are hoping to see the “temporary” outdoor dining options become more permanent.

No end in sight for outdoor dining

Outdoor dining expanded dramatically everywhere in the past year, and most agree it’s one of the few things about 2020 they’re not ready to see in the rearview mirror. Not only is … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/1/21

Letter: Writer’s marijuana claims were misleading at best

I would like to respond to the misleading letter from last week by Michael Byrnes about marijuana legalization . Mr. Byrnes selected six bullet points from “an article that appeared in the … more

4/1/21

As seen in this rendering by Cordelia Dawson Architecture + Design, the “Chestnut Place” apartments would be set into three-story buildings that rise 33 to 34 feet high, with single-level, two-bedroom units on the second and third floors. Four of the 16 units would be restricted as “affordable.”

Small apartment complex proposed on Bristol's Chestnut Street

A Bristol development company is moving forward with plans originally put together about six years ago to build a small cluster of 16 apartments near the intersection of Hope and Chestnut streets, … more

By Scott Pickering | 3/31/21

The men's lacrosse team competes against Eastern Connecticut State University on RWU's Bristol campus on March 23.

Off-campus party fuels COVID-19 spike at RWU

An off-campus party in Bristol hosted and attended by student-athletes the weekend of March 20 contributed to a spike in COVID-19 cases at Roger Williams University last week, according to an … more

By Isabella Gentile and Megan Julian | 3/31/21

Letter: Marijuana legalization is 'legislative malpractice'

To the editor: Legalizing recreational marijuana (RM) is now on the plate of our governor and legislature. The projection is that in as little as a year RM will be in our state, and in a … more

3/31/21

Letter: 400 years later, Pokanokets stand for recognition

To the editor: Thursday, April 1 is the 400th anniversary of the signing of a treaty between the Pokanoket Massasoit Ousamequin and Plymouth Colony Governor John Carver. Their initial … more

3/31/21

Susan Ruggieri said her home’s assessment increased by nearly 35 percent. She is hoping that her recent appeal meeting with an official from Northeast Reval will lead to a reduction in her assessment.

Sticker shock — resident reacts to recent revaluation

Susan Ruggieri is still reeling after the recent town-wide revaluation resulted in a 35 percent increase to her home’s assessment. The Rose Lane resident said her home’s previous … more

By Josh Bickford | 3/26/21

Editorial: The same, but different in Barrington

Football, cheerleading and volleyball were approved for competition at Barrington High School. Unified volleyball was not . Why? There’s no clear reason, other than the school department is … more

3/26/21

Bristol Police: Officers catch up with alleged drunk driver in Warren

In addition to fielding calls about a slew of sick skunks and raccoons, Bristol Police made a couple of arrests from March 15 to 21. Monday, March 15 Leilani, R. Lachica, 58, of Fall River, … more

3/26/21

Bristol Warren Joint Finance Committee Chairman Steven Calenda, a member of the Warren Town Council, will call regular meetings with school administrators in the coming months.

JFC questions Bristol Warren's long-term strategy

Members of the Joint Finance Committee will hold regular quarterly meetings with Bristol Warren administrators in the coming months as they seek ways to improve the district and eliminate the … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/26/21

Editorial: The government giveth and taketh away

The main notion behind the multi-trillion-dollar federal bailout was to pump aid directly and immediately to citizens who have suffered financial harm during the pandemic. That injection of cash will … more

3/26/21

Editorial: South Lake management as smooth as the road itself

Management of scenic South Lake Drive in Barrington has been as bumpy as the road itself. Three months ago, Town Manager Jim Cunha announced he would be closing the road to vehicular traffic. He … more

3/26/21

Who spends least on students? Would you believe … Barrington?

Let’s try a game the kids like to play — two truths and a lie. Following are three statements. Two are true, one is not … 1. Barrington has the best public schools in Rhode … more

By Scott Pickering | 3/26/21

Letter: Responding to the concerns over de-leveling

To the editor: I feel compelled to respond to the concerns over de-leveling at Barrington High School. I am troubled in writing this letter because so much of the opposition to this change comes … more

3/26/21

Letter: The 2nd amendment – a different perspective

I am also a gun owner, veteran and a naval war college graduate, but I disagree with Bill Bullard’s singular argument that the sole purpose for the 2 nd Amendment was to ensure the nation had a … more

3/26/21

Barry Kennedy fights forest fires from the air and sails into some of the world’s most remote places. For the time being, he’s docking his new (to him) aluminum boat in Bristol for some repairs and upgrades.

Adventurous sailor docks in Bristol for a layover

Barry Kennedy, who flies helicopters over forest fires for work and sails to Antarctica for fun, is looking forward to riding route 60 on the RIPTA. “I’ve never lived in a place with … more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/26/21

Bristol Warren Joint Finance Committee Chairman Steve Calenda of Warren.

JFC approves $40.8 million in local funding to Bristol Warren schools

The Joint Finance Committee on Thursday evening approved a 3 percent increase in local funding to the Bristol Warren Regional School District. The towns of Warren and Bristol will pay $40,875,550 … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/25/21

Letter: Yes, please, to a bike path in our front yard

I am writing in support of the proposed Bristol Bicycle Connector . It will provide a safe, attractive multi-use path for walkers, runners and casual bikers who live south of the current East Bay … more

3/25/21

Bob Vanderhoof has been serving Italian specialties in downtown Bristol for 20 years.

Cheers to 20 years for a downtown Bristol staple

For a business that has built its reputation — and a solid base of regulars — on serving dependably great Northern Italian fare, 2020 was not exactly how owner Bob Vanderhoof anticipated … more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/25/21

Letter: Brown needs to open up the Pokanoket lands

Some weeks ago I brought my 10-year-old grandson to Mt Hope Farm to continue our exploration of the history and lives of the Indigenous peoples who once inhabited the very land where we live … more

3/25/21