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This faked photos purportedly shows a brown bear at Bootleg BBQ over the weekend. Though it’s not real, there was a sighting of a black bear at the transfer station Thursday.

Bear spotted at Westport Transfer Station

About a month after first making its appearance in Westport, a black bear forced the closure of the Westport Transfer Station for about half an hour early last Thursday morning. Animal control … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/28/23

This home at 50 Spinnaker Way was purchased late last year solely to rent out as a short term rental.

Westport sides with neighbors over 'house from hell'

One neighbor called it “the house from hell.” Another said she’s afraid to go outside, and for her young daughter to be out on the front lawn. Others have talked about the influx of … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/25/23

Host of animal complaints this week in Westport

Monday, August 14 A 911 caller from Pine Hill Road lodged animal complaints at 7:05 p.m., but police deemed them unfounded. Police pulled over nine vehicles and issued eight citations over … more

8/24/23

Political consultant Peter Fenn, of Westport.

Noted political consultant to address Democrats

The Westport Democratic Town Committee will host Peter Fenn , a long-time consultant to Democratic presidential candidates, at a meeting at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 16. … more

8/23/23

Suspect is currently tied up at Westport Point, and association members are learning to sail her.

Built in 1892, Suspect sails again

A rare racing catboat built on Cape Cod 131 years ago has been lovingly restored and is sailing again, three years after local cat lovers found her in considerable disrepair in East Dennis, Ma., … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/23/23

Beach abutters: Fence makes a good neighbor

The old saying goes that fences make good neighbors. Four years after residents appropriated nearly $25,000 to replace one at Cherry and Webb Beach, a group of nearby residents hopes the adage will … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/22/23

Ducks lined up in a row prior to the start of last year's Duck Derby at Allens Pond.

It's ready, set, duck! in Westport

There's still time to sponsor an entry in Mass Audubon's much-anticipated Duck Derby, which races this Friday, August 25. The popular fund-raiser annually features thousands of rubber ducks … more

8/21/23

Owner Lisa McClarren works in the kitchen, as she’s done since opening last summer.

Westport countryside market celebrates one year

Opening a sandwich shop had always been a far-off dream for Countryside Market owner Lisa McClarren; ever since she was a kid growing up in a big Portuguese family, she imagined sharing her culinary … more

By Paige Shapiro | 8/17/23

Little Compton artist Ian Silvia, at his studio, has begun a month-long residency in Westport.

Little Compton artist settles in at Westport Woods

Little Compton artist Ian Silvia, of Fried Glass Studios, has begun a month-long residency at Westport Woods. Silvia, who works primarily in glass, metal and stone, will be working in Westport … more

8/17/23

Volunteers shuck little necks at last year's Shellstock.

Clams, clams, clams: Westport's Shellstock is Saturday

Shellstock, the annual Westport fund-raiser that beenefits the Shellfish Propagation Fund, runs Saturday afternoon and into the evening at the Westport Fairgrounds at 200 Pine Hill Road. Organizers are … more

8/16/23

Westport police logs: Two DUIs this week

Monday, August 7 A caller from Route 88 and Hix Bridge Road lodged an animal complaint just before 7 a.m. A similar call came in from Beeden Road at 6:52 p.m. A South Berryman Street caller … more

8/16/23

Boats line up tightly along Westport’s ‘boat beach’ one recent Saturday afternoon.

'Boat beached' in Westport

AAfter a slow and rainy start to Westport’s summer season, Westport Point has become a very busy place. One recent weekend day, local officials counted as many as 70 pleasure vessels lined up … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/15/23

Voters at May’s Town Meeting approved a $1 million appropriation based on the passage of a future override, but that override failed at the polls in late July.

Westport regroups after override failure

A $3 million override that would have boosted school and municipal budgets failed at the polls less than a month ago. And while yearly budget deliberations don’t usually start until the fall, … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/14/23

Westport re-starts high school future talk

The ultimate fate of Westport’s old high school building remains unknown, three months after voters approved $200,000 for a consultant to help the town determine what should be done with the … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/11/23

A map rendering showing the proposed path of power lines from SouthCoast Wind up the Sakonnet River to connect in Somerset, Mass.

SouthCoast Wind files court challenge to R.I. regulators

An offshore wind developer wants a state supreme court justice to vacate a decision by state regulators to suspend their review of a Sakonnet River transmission line for the project. In a … more

By Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current | 8/10/23

Westport police logs: Two arrests this past week

Friday, July 28 A caller from Main Road reported shoplifting just before 12:30 p.m. Larceny, forgery or fraud was reported by a Hix Bridge Road resident at 2:18 p.m. Police served a … more

8/9/23

A file photo of a bear spotted in the region, taken by state wildlife officials.

Bear spotted in Westport

Black bears are expanding their range east across Massachusetts and into the Southcoast region, and one was spotted last week in Westport. Animal Control Officer Nicholas Vidmar reported … more

By Ted Hayes | 8/8/23

Next Level Rowing athletes are joining forces with Westport’s Dharma Voyage.

Dharma Voyage, world class rowing team join forces

Dharma Voyage, Westport’s community rowing non-profit, is joining forces with Next Level Rowing, which has become one of the world’s top rowing programs on both the adult and junior … more

8/7/23

Warren man dies in Tiverton motorcycle accident

A Warren man died Saturday after losing control of his motorcycle just before noon on Route 24 in Tiverton. Tiverton police said Joseph Morris, 48, was traveling north when he veered off the … more

8/7/23

Westport police logs: Two face DUI charges

Monday, July 17 A caller reported an accident on Route 88 at 5:44 a.m. Another, with injuries, was reported on State Road at 12:20 p.m. Animal complaints came in from State Road at 10:20 … more

8/2/23

Man charged in would-be Westport phone scam

A Boston man has been charged by Westport police with attempting to scam a local couple. Hector Arias-Guzman, 28, of 20 Mallard St., Boston, faces charges of conspiracy and attempted larceny … more

8/1/23

The late Richard "Sweet Pea" Hart will be honored this year.

Save your clams — Shellstock is coming

Shellstock is coming in just over two weeks, and organizers hoping to raise funds to keep the town's shellfish stocks healthy are dedicating the event in honor of long-time shore engineer, assistant … more

8/1/23

Butch Souza (left) and another volunteer stack steamers into a huge pot at Saturday’s clamboil.

A farm coast legend lives

If you ever shop at Lee’s Market, you probably remember Michael Hanley, who worked in the meat department for 47 years and considered pretty much everyone he met his friend. Hanley, 63, … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/31/23

Shelly Morris coaching field hockey at Northeastern.

Westport hires new athletic director

A long-time collegiate field hockey coach is the new director of athletics and student activities for Westport Community Schools, following the departure of former athletic director Jason Pacheco in … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/27/23

Voters soundly defeat $3 million override plan

Westport voters soundly rejected a proposed $3 million override to Proposition 2 1/2 Tuesday, in a vote that officials said could have profound ramifications for future town and school budgets. … more

By Ted Hayes | 7/26/23