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

The Black Lives Matter flag flew over Bristol Town Hall for several weeks in June.

After approving two controversial flag requests, Bristol adopts a new flag policy

Minutes after approving a controversial request to fly a first-responders flag for two weeks over Independence Park, the Bristol Town Council voted unanimously to approve a newly-devised flag policy … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/2/20

Diane Medeiros (left), executive director of East Bay Community Development Corp., accepts keys to the residence at 330 High St., former home of the late Richard Simpson, from attorney Joe Proietta on Tuesday. Joining them for the ceremonial transfer are East Bay CDC employees Curt Jouett and Frank Spinella, and consultant Scott Charpentier (far right).

Longtime Bristol resident leaves a lasting legacy

It has been nearly three years since High Street resident Richard V. Simpson died on July 4, 2017, while preparing to participate in the Fourth of July Parade. Always one of his favorite days of the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/2/20

Bristol Town Council Chairman Nathan Calouro, during Wednesday night's meeting on Zoom.

Bristol grants 'Citizens' wish, will fly first-responder flag on Friday

One week after proposing the idea of raising a first-responder flag in downtown Bristol, an upstart citizens group won the day. The Bristol Town Council voted 4-1 Wednesday night to allow that flag … more

By Scott Pickering | 7/1/20

State Police arrest Mt. Hope teacher’s assistant for indecent solicitation

The Rhode Island State Police announce that members of the State Police Computer Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force have arrested a Mt. Hope High School … more

7/1/20

Roxanne Giusti-Lavoie, former owner of Roxie’s consignment clothing store, here getting assistance from Republican Will Grapentine, turns in her papers to run for Bristol Town Council as an Independent.

Candidates flock to file papers in Bristol

The deadline for candidates to officially file to run for office came and went on Wednesday, with many familiar names and a few new ones in the flurry of filings as the 4 p.m. hour approached. All … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/24/20

Bristol Police arrest two, help quiet numerous ‘loud’ gatherings

Bristol police officers made two domestic violence arrests and were called to a number of reportedly loud gatherings from June 18 to 14. Monday, June 8 Police received two complaints about … more

6/19/20

A crowded sidewalk in front of the Portside restaurant on Thames Street shows customers were eager to return to dining establishments when state restrictions lifted. However, not all workers have felt the same.

Many are making more money by NOT coming back to work

One of the great 2020 pandemic safety nets may be having unintended consequences, particularly in the restaurant industry. A weekly bonus in unemployment insurance is discouraging some low-wage and … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/19/20

Scenes like this — resembling a party in the streets — will not be part of the Bristol Fourth of July Parade in 2020. If given permission from the state, Bristol’s proud procession will be small and no one will be marching. It will be a car parade only.

Bristol has a parade plan — now it needs permission

Sunny reports in statewide media this week suggested the Bristol Fourth of July Parade is “back on,” but according to General Chairman Michele Martins, the Fourth of July Committee … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/18/20

Ioannis Miaoulis, Roger Williams University president

Roger Williams has a plan to bring its students back

Roger Williams University is making plans for students to return to campus in the fall, including a significantly altered schedule, a blend of in-person and virtual classrooms, distancing and … more

6/18/20

Linda Bushee looks on as her sister, 2020 Bristol Fourth of July Parade Chief Marshal Suzanne Magaziner makes her Flag Day speech.

Proud day for the Stars and Stripes in Bristol

“Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye,” called Bristol’s Town Crier, Michael Rielly, welcoming the crowd to Bristol’s Flag Day observances on Sunday afternoon on the Town Common. … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/18/20

Without a strong wind, the Black Lives Matter flag is difficult to see beneath the U.S. and Rhode Island flags, but it hangs over Bristol Town Hall for the remainder of June.

Black Lives Matter flag flies above Bristol Town Hall

A Black Lives Matter flag flies over Bristol Town Hall this week, a week after the Bristol Town Council voted unanimously to approve a citizen’s request to take that unprecedented step. Though … more

By Scott Pickering | 6/17/20

Mt. Hope musicians release album to benefit charity

Members of the Mt. Hope High School Vocal Ensemble have released an album and music video, and are using both as part of an effort to raise funds for the Providence Rescue Mission . … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/17/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo begins her COVID-19 briefing on Friday afternoon, June 12.

Governor urges restaurant workers, bus drivers to get tested

PROVIDENCE — The state is expanding its symptomatic testing for COVID-19 to include restaurant workers and bus drivers, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced at a news briefing Friday, June … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/12/20

Bri Pelletier (left) and Scott Walls have dinner on a beautiful Tuesday night on the sidewalk in front of Portside Tavern.

Table for 2 in Bristol — street, sidewalk, patio or parking lot?

Where there’s a will, there’s a way — and after weeks of forced closure followed by weeks of takeout-only business, Bristol restaurants certainly have the will. Some are already … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/12/20

Colby James performs during the 2019 Bristol Fourth of July concert series. If all goes as planned, Colby and his band will be returning to perform at Independence Park in August.

Much of Bristol's Fourth is moving to August*

With Rhode Islanders continuing to (mostly) follow rules and regulations designed to check the spread of Covid-19, state data shows numbers are continuing to trend in a positive direction. While its … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/11/20

Gina Raimondo reveals plans to reopen schools in Rhode Island next fall.

Gov. Raimondo — 'It's time to get back to school'

Distance learning has been a great success, but it is time to get back to school, Governor Gina Raimondo announced at Wednesday's coronavirus press briefing, a session devoted almost entirely to … more

By Bruce Burdett | 6/10/20

Raimondo: Virus illustrates need for big changes in state’s health care system

Though the numbers are trending down, Covid-19 is still very much present in Rhode Island, Gov. Gina Raimondo said during her daily briefing Thursday. Since Wednesday, 14 more Rhode … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/4/20

Cool off, Knock It Off! Warren restaurant joins viral campaign

It started with T-shirts. Then came coffee, beer, personal protective equipment - even barbecue sauce. Now the wildly popular “Knock It Off” design created by a Warren-owned Providence … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/4/20

Dustin Reynolds, double amputee and around-the-world sailor, is docking in Bristol for some repairs and rest, before setting off again on the high seas.

Sailing solo, with two limbs, a big heart and a sense of humor

As one of the capitals of the boatbuilding and yachting world, Bristol has produced some legendary sailors, from Nathaniel Herreshoff to Charlie Enright — and hosted many, many more. None has a … more

By Christy Nadalin | 6/4/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her daily COVID-19 briefing on Friday, May 29.

Nursing homes will remain closed to visitors on June 1

PROVIDENCE — If you’ve been unable to visit a loved one living in a nursing home or an assisted living facility since the COVID-19 outbreak, you’ll have to wait at least … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/29/20

Pastor Burton Bagby-Grose (foreground) with pastor for youth and missions Hilary McLellan will be keeping the doors of the First Congregational Church closed to in-person worship, for now.

Some churches are taking their time before reopening

Pastor Burton Bagby-Grose of Bristol’s First Congregational Church has a familiar call-and-response that he enjoys doing with his congregation. “I’ll say, ‘No matter who … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/29/20

2nd Lt. Nick Williams graduates along with the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 2020, in a socially-distant live ceremony held last Friday in Annapolis, Md. Nick chose to enter the Marine Corps upon graduation.

Navy grad wants to help — so he's going to run for 24 hours

Like every other college student in America, Nick Williams was home a few weeks ago with not much to do. Banished from campus and quarantined mostly at home, he and his younger brother George were … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/28/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo describes what it will look like to dine at a restaurant or get your hair cut in Rhode Island next week.

Welcome back, indoor dining, hair cuts and youth sports

Beginning Monday, when Rhode Island transitions to Phase 2 of its economic reboot, residents will be able to dine indoors, cut and color their hair, get a new coat of nail polish for the first time … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/28/20

The Magaziners, (from left) Jonathan, Ira, Suzanne, Sarah and Seth, pose after Suzanne was named 2020 chief marshal.

Behind the scenes as Bristol introduces its 2020 chief marshal

The Bristol Fourth of July Committee was introduced to the chief marshal for its 2020 celebration by unusual means Wednesday evening. In a brief ceremony held in a courtyard outside of … more

5/27/20

Suzanne Magaziner is chief marshal of the 2020 Bristol Fourth of July Celebration. What that entails remains to be seen, but whatever it is, she has a message for people — things are going to get better.

Suzanne Magaziner is Fourth of July chief marshal for 2020

Suzanne Magaziner has lived a remarkable life. “Only in America could the working-class granddaughter of four impoverished immigrants grow up to attend college and law school, and work in … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/27/20