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

William Schaff of Water Street was one of two artists selected in the first round.

Warren kicks off second public art project

Art will replace drab infrastructure this Spring, when seven commissioned artists spread out to paint electric utility boxes around Warren. This is the second round of public art projects that … more

1/21/21

Letter: Former chairmen launched baseless attack on community leader

I write in response to the letter to the editor in the Jan. 14 issue of the Bristol Phoenix written by Mssrs. Faria, Marshall and Rego. These gentlemen urge the Phoenix to research the issues … more

1/21/21

Letter: Congratulations to The Miriam’s new president

To the editor: It was with great joy that I read in the Barrington Times, that after a national search, Dr. Timothy Babineau announced the appointment of The Miriam Hospitals chief nursing … more

1/21/21

Julie Brigidi, longtime shelter volunteer and board member of the Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter, spends some time with Ollie, a cat who was temporarily surrendered by his owner, who is struggling to find cat-friendly housing. According to Ms. Brigidi, serving as a temporary shelter for pet owners who are experiencing hardship is one of the many ideal ways the Friends would like to see the shelter utilized. “This could be a godsend for families experiencing displacement or hardship for any of a number of reasons,” said Ms. Brigidi, who added that Ollie’s owner is very much looking forward to reclaiming him as soon as she is able.

Advocates developing a new vision for Bristol’s animal shelter

Things are pretty quiet at Bristol’s new, state-of-the-art animal shelter these days, and yes, COVID shoulders some of that blame — but not all of it. The reality is that even before the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/21/21

Letters: I will prioritize ideas over insults and innuendo

I was saddened, though not surprised, to read the letter from my predecessors of the Bristol Democratic Town Committee in which they attempted to paint me as unethical and to sow doubt about me in … more

1/21/21

Editorial: Vaccinate the teachers

Choosing who gets the COVID-19 vaccine, and when, is one of the greatest challenges a public servant has ever faced. That’s saying a lot for a group of both elected and appointed leaders who … more

1/21/21

With all sailors safe following the capsize of Patriot, work begins to start righting the AC75.

Bristol-built Patriot sustains significant damage in capsize

It was a rough end to the weekend on the other side of the world when Patriot, one of the Bristol-built AC75 foiling monohull American Magic yachts built to challenge for the America’s Cup, … more

1/20/21

Many reasons to form and support Bristol 'Diversity' committee

We are writing to make known our support for the Bristol Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion . It is of the utmost importance that we come together as a community to, as the Committee … more

1/20/21

Police question man accused of trying to break into Barrington home

A Barrington resident reported a possible attempted break-in last week. The Anoka Avenue resident said the incident occurred on Jan. 7 at about 6:56 p.m., although it was not reported until Monday, … more

1/20/21

The lower Kickemuit Reservoir dam on Child Street is becoming less and less effective at keeping saltwater from traveling north into the reservoir.

Nearby residents oppose Warren dams' removal

Residents near the Kickemuit Reservoir are hiring legal representation and engineers to fight the Bristol County Water Authority's plan to remove the upper Kickemuit dam on Schoolhouse Road, and the … more

1/20/21

Should lacrosse be classified as a high risk sport or moderate? More than 1,000 people say it’s time for officials to change it to moderate risk.

Petition says lacrosse is moderate risk, not high

More than 1,000 people have already signed a petition calling for the state to reclassify the risk level for lacrosse, moving it from high risk to moderate. That move, officials say, would allow … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/20/21

Letter: Erosion of trust undercuts our Democracy

To the editor: America is facing a deficit far more critical that its sky-rocketing fiscal deficit or even its vaccine deficit. We are experiencing a trust deficit which threatens the very … more

1/20/21

Arlene Violet: It's time to end the Trump welfare checks

As former president Donald Trump exits the White House he leaves behind a legacy of polarization fanned by his inflammatory rhetoric. Economic inequality has never been greater as the tax laws and … more

By Arlene Violet | 1/20/21

Lifelong Barrington resident Clara DeSpirito celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this month. Her family organized a special car parade past her home.

Lifelong Barrington resident celebrates 100th birthday

Clara DeSpirito calls it a blessing. Earlier this month, the lifelong Barrington resident celebrated her 100th birthday. Her family and friends made the day extra special, as they held a car … more

1/19/21

Letter: Free speech, but only if you have council’s support?

To the editor: It seems in this town that governance works like this. Those who are in power choose to follow a certain path, for example, adding banners to the pole which historically has flown … more

1/19/21

Water authority proposes another rate increase

Bristol County Water Authority customers should expect rate increases each year for the next 10 years, starting with a proposed 5 percent increase this year. BCWA Executive Director Pam Marchand … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/19/21

Amiyah Johnson, a student at Portsmouth Middle School, recited a nonviolence pledge during the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday.

Choose to love and forgive, says MLK Jr. event speaker

NEWPORT COUNTY — On Jan. 6, hundreds of insurgents — many displaying telltale symbols typically worn by white supremacists, white nationalists and other extremist groups — … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/18/21

Leigh Medeiros with the ribcage of a deer, found on a South County beach.

For this local amateur naturalist, the world is full of treasure

The impulse to collect treasures found in nature has been described as a number of things, including a desire to preserve the past or impose order on the future. Classification of things found in … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/18/21

DPW workers plant a tree a few years back. Members of the town council have been offering updates about how many trees the town plants each month, compared to how many they cut down.

Council reminder: Barrington cut down eight trees last month

Carl Kustell picked up where Kate Weymouth left off. During Monday night’s town council meeting, Mr. Kustell offered an update of the public works department’s tree removal tally. … more

1/18/21

Letter: State must protect residents from Covid housing loss

To the editor: We the Democratic Town Committee of Little Compton, Rhode Island, call upon our General Assembly, our Governor, and the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to act to … more

1/18/21

A current architectural drawing shows the proposed site plan at the town's gateway center in North Warren. The site includes at least two buildings, a terrace, riverwalk and public amenities.

Warren gateway project cost currently at $9 million

A public/private effort to transform the old National Grid property in the shadow of the Warren River Bridge into a gateway center with a public area, riverwalk and shops/eateries could be ready for … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/17/21

On Monday, workers were busy installing solar panels onto support structures at the site of a large solar array being built by the Navy on West Main Road, south of Melville School. Although this project did not require town oversight, Portsmouth Residents for Responsible Solar has raised concerns that the current solar ordinance could lead to many similar developments around town.

Citizens group seeks legal appeal of Portsmouth solar ordinance

PORTSMOUTH — A citizens group that protested the recent passage of a new solar ordinance with no success is now turning to the legal system in an attempt to find relief. Portsmouth … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/16/21

Democratic Town Committee returns top three officers to their posts

The Bristol Democratic Town Committee held its biennial reorganizational meeting and election of officers on Monday, Jan. 11. Three officers retained positions first assumed two years ago: Erich … more

1/15/21

RI National Guardsman Darrien Mora readies packs of swabs at the pop-up testing site inside the Barrington Shopping Center on Tuesday morning.

Barrington Town Manager: Take a minute to get tested

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha is recommending residents make time to get tested for Covid-19. The Rhode Island National Guard and the Rhode Island Department of Health are co-sponsoring the … more

1/15/21

The Barrington Fire Department's old ladder truck, shown here responding to a house fire in 2017, was sold to a fire department in Washington state recently for $50,000.

Barrington's old fire truck finds a new home

The Barrington Fire Department’s old ladder truck may be gone, but it is not forgotten. In fact, during the recent council meeting, the truck became the subject of a brief discussion. Early … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/15/21