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Dr. Philip Chan, the consultant medical director at the Department of Health's Division of Preparedness, Response, Infectious Disease and Emergency Medical Services, speaks to reporters via ZOOM Friday morning.

Health officials: More than 51,000 Rhode Islanders at least partially inoculated

More than 51,000 Rhode Islanders had been at least partially vaccinated against the coronavirus by Friday morning, according to state Department of Health officials, with 9,243 of them fully … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/15/21

Barrington Police Chief Dino DeCrescenzo (left) and Captain Timothy Harrington accept AAA Northeast’s commendation recognizing 60 years with no pedestrian fatalities.

Safe roads earn Barrington a special distinction

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha shared some good news during Monday night’s council meeting: In 60 years, Barrington has not had a single pedestrian fatality. That record runs in stark … more

1/15/21

Letter: Oppose the petition to establish a Diversity committee

A group of citizens has petitioned the BristolTown Council to establish a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, DEI. The committee will “advise” the Town Council on issues and … more

1/15/21

Letter: This was an attack from within

What took place at our nation’s capital last week was an attack on our country and Constitution from within. It was another 9/11 moment perpetrated not by foreign terrorist but from American … more

1/14/21

Organizers and protestors march into downtown Bristol during a Black Lives Matter rally in June.

Diversity advocates draft proposal for new Bristol committee

A group of Bristol residents advocating for the creation of a new “Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” have completed their initial phase of work and outlined both the mission … more

1/14/21

Arlene Violet: Shameful day in D.C. was predictable

No matter whatever way you want to slice or dice it, the attack on the Capitol was an attempted coup encouraged by President Donald Trump and his minion, Rudy Giuliani. Look at the rhetoric by Mr. … more

By Arlene Violet | 1/14/21

Letter: Severance package hardly makes up for low compensation

I did not expect it to occur so quickly, but the battle between the conservatives and liberals on the “new old” Bristol Town Council has begun, as evidenced by the recent kerfuffle … more

1/14/21

Letter: Isn’t this a conflict of interest?

Contributions and expenses of candidates, political parties and registered lobbyists are required to be reported by state law. However, the public does not typically research this kind of public … more

1/14/21

Letter: Due diligence and a dedicated public servant

The Jan. 7 Phoenix carried a rather lengthy article about a Bristol Town Council discussion on a severance payment to former Town Clerk Louis Cirillo. Mr. Cirillo’s severance was on … more

1/14/21

Editorial: Can we dial down the animosity in America?

If written a week ago, this editorial would describe the shame and embarrassment of watching one of the sad days in American history unfold on live television. It would excoriate all those … more

1/14/21

Despite changes, trash costs keep rising

The cost of trash disposal in Rhode Island is measured in “tipping fees” — the per-ton price municipalities are charged by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation for waste … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/14/21

Photogenic Bobbert comes in for a closeup at Tiverton’s West Place Animal Sanctuary.

West Place says goodbye to beloved Bobbert

Alpaca was Tiverton sanctuary’s foremost ambassador, resident character By Bruce Burdett West Place Animal Sanctuary bid farewell to Bobbert the alpaca late in the evening of … more

By Bruce Burdett | 1/14/21

Maria Ducharme at work in the Incident Command Center for Covid-19 at The Miriam Hospital.

Longtime nurse named hospital president

She has always wanted to help people. Dr. Maria Ducharme volunteered at a senior care facility when she was a teenager, worked for decades as a nurse, and just recently was named president of … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/14/21

Letter: Diversity committee is needed now more than ever

Last fall, the Bristol Town Council considered a petition to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee that would ensure Bristol is welcoming and inclusive for all who live, work, learn or … more

1/13/21

Brown University Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Martin calls a play during an earlier game against Duke University. Coach Martin is a Barrington resident.

Brown ‘an awesome place’ for hoops coach

Mike Martin has the best of two worlds. Not only have Martin, his wife Kristen and their three daughters resided in Barrington since 2012, a town they relish, but he also has his dream job: head … more

BY MIKE SCANDURA | 1/13/21

Portsmouth man, 21, killed in wrong-way crash in Somerset

A 21-year-old Portsmouth man died early Wednesday morning after his car was struck head on by another vehicle that was traveling the wrong way on Route 195 in Somerset early, according to … more

1/13/21

Neighbors were first alerted to this fire when the transformer on the utility pole exploded.

Bristol firefighters douse flames quickly

A call came in around 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning that this home at 9 William St. was on fire. Neighbor Oliver Browne, a Mt. Hope High School student, was on the second floor of his family’s home … more

1/13/21

Town officials have been pressuring Shineharmony LLC, the owners of the property, to secure the vacant buildings, which have become an inviting target to vandals.

Barrington Police called to Zion property last week

The deadline to board up any open windows and doors at the former Zion Bible College property may be fast approaching, but that did nothing to slow down illegal trespassers last week. On … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/13/21

Discarded wood litters the side of South Lake Drive.

Letter: Closing South Lake Drive to cars is a good idea

To the editor: On reading Michael Mangione’s letter to the editor last week about the closure of South Lake Drive, I feel compelled to respond. South Lake Drive is a beautiful … more

1/13/21

Letter: Our devotion must be to the Constitution

To the editor: The Barrington Republican Town Committee condemns the violence that erupted in our nation’s capital Wednesday. As stated in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal editorial: … more

1/13/21

The tower at Belton Court has been the target of vandals recently — most of the windows have been smashed. The property owner is tasked with boarding up the broken windows and doors.

Zion property: Unsecured, unsafe and unsightly

The clock is ticking for owners of the former Zion Bible College property. Last month, members of the Barrington Building Board of Review placed a 30-day deadline for the property owners to … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/13/21

Barrington student enrollment expected to increase

Barrington school officials are expecting the student population will increase by more than 200 over the next 10 years. During a school committee meeting on Thursday night, Barrington Schools … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/12/21

Letter: Barrington Town Manager should be held accountable

To the editor: Barrington’s Town Manager, Jim Cunha, should be held accountable. Last week, this newspaper reported that our former tax assessor, Michael Minardi, while on his … more

1/12/21

Bristol Warren schools plan mass Covid test

Bristol Warren school officials are working with the state Department of Health to organize a one-day mass event in which every person in the towns' school community — students, teachers and … more

By Ted Hayes | 1/12/21

Barrington council: No further action on harassment complaints

The Barrington Town Council voted Monday night to take no further action on harassment complaints filed against a current member of the council and one former member. During its meeting on Monday … more

By Josh Bickford | 1/12/21