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Outgoing Westport Police Chief Keith Pelletier. He will retire later this year after 21 years on the job.

Westport police chief calling it a career

The select board is moving ahead with plans to replace Police Chief Keith Pelletier, who recently announced his retirement after having served 21 years in the position. The board voted this week … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 9/26/23

West unveils draft Short Term Rental bylaw

A new committee formed by the select board in mid-August to study the regulation of short term rentals (STRs) in Westport is wasting no time, and is reviewing a draft bylaw to regulate both STRs and … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/25/23

Korynne Holden makes a kick on goal during Westport's 8-1 home win over Wareham on Tuesday.

Young stars shine for girls soccer team as they even season at 2-2

The Wildcats' young stars shined as the Westport girls soccer team dominated their last two opponents scoring 16 goals while yielding just one in moving to 2-2 for the season. Seventh grade forward … more

Photos and story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 9/24/23

Matt Shivers (left), a middle/high school teacher, is shown at a lacrosse practice last autumn. He resigned Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Teacher in ‘Happy Endings’ controversy resigns

The Westport middle/high school teacher at the head of the “Happy Endings” story controversy has resigned. Matt Shivers, who had been on paid leave since the first week of the school … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/22/23

Letter: Leave those tree snags alone!

As Hurricane Lee passed by this weekend, it left behind a variety of trees that have been uprooted or completely fallen as a result of the wind. Trees are the stalwarts of our New England landscape, … more

9/21/23

Commentary: Fighting for body autonomy and choice

Our Bodies Our Lives Coalition for Reproductive Justice and Bodily Autonomy recently celebrated its first anniversary after a year filled with activism for reproductive justice on the South Coast. … more

9/21/23

Clock ticking for appeal in Spinnaker Way rental mess

The clock is ticking for the owners of a 50 Spinnaker Way home to appeal a recent town order that bars them from renting their home as a short term rental (STR). In mid-August, members of the … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/21/23

Gordon School has created a new “Whatever I Need” block in every student’s day, where they have free time for “whatever they need.” In the spirit of social-emotional wellness and growth, classes might go outside for some fun, hold a lively discussion about an important topic, or spend time reading together (above) with the school’s therapy dog, Denver.

For private schools, enrollment growth is a pandemic silver lining

While the global pandemic made a mess of just about everything everywhere, it had a hidden benefit for private schools — it boosted their enrollments. Admissions directors at numerous … more

By Scott Pickering | 9/21/23

In Westport, echoes of a rebellion

They began on the other side of the world, but the mass protests over women’s rights that began in Iran a year ago continue to echo across the globe. Those reverberations reach Westport late … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/20/23

Westport Shorelines - September 21, 2023

9/20/23

Private Education | Fall 2023

Private Education | Fall 2023 more

9/20/23

Tom Hood with a false albacore caught off Narragansett from his kayak last fall.

NOAA Fisheries needs our support

The U.S. House Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2024 will have a devastating impact on fish and habitat, as it reduces funding by 14 percent for NOAA Fisheries, a cut of $900 million. Yet our … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/19/23

Severe weather creates an array of problems for municipal leaders

STORY OF THE WEEK: If you were driving around North Providence, parts of Providence or other local communities during torrential downpours early last week, you may have felt like an extra in … more

By Ian Donnis | 9/19/23

Westport police arrest three

Monday, Sept. 11 A 911 caller reported an accident with injuries on Gifford at 9 a.m. A caller from Devol Avenue reported identity fraud at 6:26 p.m. A caller from Ridgeline West Drive … more

9/19/23

Scrappy center midfielder Makayla Grace makes plays both defensively and offensively for the Wildcats.

Wildcats wallop Wareham 6-0, win three in a row

The Westport field hockey team is dominating teams with their stout defense and ferocious offensive attack. The Wildcats have won three in a row after walloping Wareham 6-0 in a home game last … more

By Richard W. Dionne Jr. | 9/18/23

The town is taking action after receiving several complaints about jet skiers along the East Branch.

Proposed East Branch no wake zone moves north

The Harbor Advisory Board is moving its requested no wake zone on the East Branch further north, though the ultimate decision on whether to put in a buoy is up to the select board. Last month, … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/15/23

Westport police logs: Car theft reported

Monday, Sept. 4 Police responded to Main Road at 2:16 a.m. for an animal complaint. A similar call came in from Drift Road just after 8 a.m. A 911 caller reported an accident on Route … more

9/14/23

Wildcats’ senior captain Avery Avila leads the team with her gritty, tenacious play on the field. Westport beat Wareham 6-0 during a home game on Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats are currently 3-0.

Wildcats wallop Wareham 6-0, win 3 in a row

The Westport field hockey team is dominating teams with their stout defense and ferocious offensive attack. The Wildcats have won three in a row after walloping Wareham 6-0 in a home game on Tuesday … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 9/14/23

A new URI study has found extensive microplastics in Narragansett Bay. Researchers Victoria Fulfer (shown) and J.P. Walsh estimate that the top 2 inches of the floor of Narragansett Bay now contain more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years.

New URI study finds extensive microplastics in Narragansett Bay

Two University of Rhode Island researchers estimate that the top 5 centimeters (2 inches) of the floor of Narragansett Bay now contain more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, and that buildup has occurred in just the last 10 to 20 years. more

9/14/23

Letter: Look there! Up in the sky! It's art!

Crossing Hix Bridge at night you might glance northwest and notice an odd blue light on a hill, like a little arrow pointing to a constellation. Did Jenny Holzer buy property in … more

9/13/23

The sheer number of white-tailed deer in the area is causing problems, and residents across Westport and LittleCompton are looking for solutions.

Oh deer — Farm Coast deer herd brings concern

If 911 calls and accidents are any indication, then Westport and Little Compton just may have a deer problem. Since January, Westport police have tallied 57 vehicle vs. deer collisions, and 41 … more

By Paige Shapiro | 9/13/23

Westport Shorelines - September 14, 2023

9/13/23

East Bay Homes | Fall 2023

East Bay Homes | Fall 2023 more

9/13/23

Nick Papa of South Kingstown, captain of the vessel Ruthless, took first place in the Boston Bluefin Classic with this 788-pound giant bluefin tuna caught off Scarborough Beach, R.I.

Rhode Islanders dominate giant tuna tournament

If you are a woman, and think you want to learn how to fly fish, now is the time to give it a try at the Women’s Introductory Fly Fishing Clinic, Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 9/12/23

Private residential school proposed for Old Harbor Road

A prospective buyer plans to turn a 10-acre property along Old Harbor Road into a live-in residential educational facility for teens. The property at 435 Old Harbor Road is currently owned by … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/11/23