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

Westbound bridge span must be completely replaced

PROVIDENCE — Confirming the worst and what many anticipated, state officials made the public formally aware the closed westbound span of the Washington Bridge is structurally deficient and … more

By Mike Rego | 3/14/24

Police say Tiverton officer activated taser twice at school functions

The Tiverton police officer charged earlier this week on assault and disorderly conduct charges pulled out and activated his department-issued taser at least twice during school events over the past … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/10/23

R.I. EMA warns of widespread power outages, major storm for Christmas

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) issued a warning to Rhode Islanders Wednesday afternoon to prepare for a significant storm expected to impact the state with high wind and … more

12/23/20

Buyers know that if they want the house of their dreams they have to move quickly and bid aggressively.

Why the 2021 real estate market looks a lot like 2020

Did the real estate market undergo a seismic shift in 2020? Or did it ride a rogue wave that is still cresting here in 2021? The answer to both questions might be … … more

By Scott Pickering | 2/19/21

Tiverton hires new fire chief

William S. Bailey, III, a career firefighter with more than 25 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, has been appointed Tiverton’s new fire chief, effective November … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 10/25/22

Little Compton native Emily Mushen (foreground), shown here with thrift store employees Louise Dion and Kelly Pianka, is taking over the helm as the new director of the East Bay Food Pantry.

New food pantry director takes the lead in a time of need

As a longtime volunteer at the East Bay Food Pantry, Emily Mushen knew the organization well, so when the prior director decided to step down, it was a smooth transition. more

By Christy Nadalin | 11/24/22

Little Compton’s Sweet and Salty Farm, known for its cheese and yogurt, was a must see on the tour.

Chefs get a mouthful in Farm Coast tour

Oysters grown in the clean waters of Buzzards Bay. Meat and cheese produced by small outfits. Produce, and beer, and honey. The cornucopia ran over when 10 chefs from across the region converged on … more

By Ted Hayes | 10/4/23

For buyers, the competition is tougher than ever

Across the country, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the residential real estate market, and Rhode Island’s real estate market shifted with it. According to State-Wide … more

By Sam Tavares | 4/7/21

Officials laud completion of Expressway/Trail resurfacing project

EAST PROVIDENCE — Local, state and federal officials lauded the completion of the East Shore Expressway/Wampanoag Trail resurfacing project via a press release issued Monday morning, Oct. 17. … more

10/17/22

Speaking at Saturday’s rally at Island Park Beach, Portsmouth small business owner and fisherman Ralph Craft said offshore wind developers need to “do their due diligence in finding out what they’re going to do to the marine life.”

In Portsmouth: A rally cry against offshore wind

PORTSMOUTH — Bill Thompson pointed to the wind turbine at Portsmouth High School, just east of Island Park Beach where about 90 people gathered Saturday to rally against offshore wind. … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/16/23

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

(A few) businesses are turning taxes into scholarships

Every July, a small group of people gather in a conference room inside the Rhode Island Division of Taxation offices in Providence and watch as index cards are drawn one by one from a raffle bin. … more

By Scott Pickering | 9/21/22

Pilot Matt Celeste has been flying drones commercially for several years and uses them not just in the wedding and event industry, but in real estate property listings across the state.

For drone pilots and the real estate market, the sky’s the limit

The property is spectacular, even from the ground. A quick turn onto a private drive along Warrens Point Road in Little Compton leads soon to a large shingle-style home, with a charming and … more

By Ted Hayes | 2/18/21

The Tiverton town council voted 5-2 to extend the casino gaming revenue ordinance one more year, now expiring on June 30, 2022, during their March 8 meeting.

Casino revenue move sparks Tiverton council friction

TIVERTON - A discussion about removing the sunset clause from the town's casino gaming revenue ordinance ended in shouting amongst town council members during their regular virtual meeting of Monday, … more

By Kristen Ray | 3/18/21

An architect's rendering of the proposed Seasons Corner Market.

Tiverton residents wary over proposed convenience store

A proposal to build a 24-hour convenience store, gas station and drive-through coffee shop at Souza and Main roads isn't sitting well with neighbors and some planning board members, who are concerned … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 5/27/22

Graduates in the St. Mary Academy-Bay View Class of 2023 enter the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence for commencement on Monday, June 5.

St. Mary Academy-Bay View celebrates 147th Commencement

PROVIDENCE — On Monday evening, June 5, St. Mary Academy – Bay View graduated its Class of 2023 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Each of the 49 graduates have been accepted to … more

6/12/23

Rep. Terri Cortvriend of Portsmouth walks along the shoreline in front of Baker Road homes on the west side of Portsmouth back in March. Her bill establishing that the public area of the shoreline is 10 feet landward of the recognizable high tide line was later signed into law by the governor.

Federal judge dismisses challenge to R.I. shoreline access law

Wrong court, wrong argument and against the wrong people. So declared U.S. District Court Judge William Smith in his Sept. 19 opinion dismissing a legal challenge to the state’s newly … more

By Nancy Lavin/R.I. Current | 9/22/23

Short-term rentals get hearing in Tiverton

The Tiverton Town Council will hold a public hearing Monday, Nov. 14, to allow residents to weigh in on the latest version of a proposed zoning ordinance amendment intended to regulate short-term … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 11/2/22

Christine de Silva takes photos of a hammerhead shark as it is released during an expedition in Biscayne Bay while a student at the University of Miami. (Photo courtesy of Christine de Silva)

She’s a student, a tech CEO and a shark researcher

1 Christine de Silva takes photos of a hammerhead shark as it is released during an expedition in Biscayne Bay while a student at the University of Miami. (Photo courtesy of Christine de … more

2/24/23

Tiverton council backs aquaculture legislation

The Tiverton Town Council last week approved a resolution urging the General Assembly to pass legislation that would restrict any new aquaculture leases on the Sakonnet River to at least 1,000 feet … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 3/22/23

Tiverton Middle school field opening delayed

The opening of a new softball field at Tiverton Middle School has been delayed due to a difference of opinion between town and school officials on whether the Recreation Commission should manage … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 5/6/22

Longplex owner Jim Long (right) and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee go over original blueprints from the complex's construction, which began four years ago.

Governor visits Tiverton's Longplex

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has coached basketball, ran his own health and racquetball club in Woonsocket, and has been involved in sports since he was a kid. Though he's seen a lot of sports … more

By Ted Hayes | 2/22/23

Offshore wind is the subject of intense debate in Rhode Island.

Two sides to the wind farm debate

A Rhode Island citizen activist made a powerful pitch about the dangers of offshore wind projects to a mostly supportive audience in Westport, Mass., on Tuesday, Sept. 19, and a small group of … more

By Mary Lhowe/ecoRI News contributor | 9/27/23

Little Compton seniors want place of their own

Senior citizens frustrated at the lack of town services told the Little Compton Town Council recently that they're tired of waiting for the town to support what is its largest segment of the … more

By Jen Campisi | 8/19/22

An artistic rendering by Mayflower Wind shows the layout of the proposed wind farm south of Nantucket.

Tiverton passes on attorney as Mayflower plan moves ahead

The Tiverton Town Council last week decided against hiring an environmental attorney to represent the town's interests as the Mayflower Wind proposal moves forward. Town councilor Donna Cook … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 8/19/22