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

Senate, House back bills requiring regular reporting on Washington Bridge status

PROVIDENCE — The General Assembly backed bills sponsored by two high-ranking East Providence legislators seeking to hold the Rhode Island Department of Transportation accountable going forward … more

By Mike Rego | 5/3/24

Bristol PD: Three arrests and an injured baby seal

Bristol Police made three arrests and also responded to a humorous call at a dock on Thames Street after a resident raised concerns about a "coyote" in the area. more

5/3/24

Danny Savery, a former Tiverton police officer and corrections officer, now has three locations where he trains clients in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The newest spot is within the plaza formerly occupied by Benny’s on Metacom Avenue

Former cop shares secrets on training the body and mind

Danny Savery opened his first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studios in Tiverton and then Somerset after leaving law enforcement about 18 years ago. Now he has three locations, in Somerset, Fairhaven, and most recently, Bristol. more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/3/24

Jimmy Campagna hard at work from his home kitchen preparing a batch of pizzelles, a storied Sicilian cookie.

Bristolian is making a booming business out of this long-beloved Sicilian cookie

Traditionally prepared using irons with family crests or regional designs, these cookies are more than just a treat; they are a celebration of family, festivity, and the sharing of Sicilian culture with the world. more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/2/24

Cole Brauer, the first American woman to sail solo around the world, will speak at Roger Williams University on May 15.

First American woman to sail solo around world to speak at RWU

After sailing 30,000 miles and spending 130 days alone at sea, Cole Brauer made history on March 7, 2024. On May 15, she'll share stories about her journey at Roger Williams University. more

5/2/24

Patti and Rick Baccus were named the 2024 Chief Marshals for the 239th Fourth of July Celebration during a ceremony on Tuesday evening.

Rick and Patti Baccus named 2024 Fourth of July Chief Marshals

In a moment coming full circle, well-known community volunteers Rick and Patti Baccus met, where else, but the Bristol Fourth of July Parade. more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/1/24

Ethan LoBollita comes out of goal to stop a shot while battling Toll Gate at home, Tuesday.

Huskies’ lacrosse halts skid, buries Burrillville 11-2

Sophomores Charlie Knapman and Ben Browne each scored 4 goals as the Mt. Hope lacrosse team buried Burrillville 11-2 in a home game on Friday. The win halted a two game skid and evened their record … more

Story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. Photos by Julie Furtado | 4/30/24

Portsmouth: Two charged with assault in domestic disturbance

PORTSMOUTH — Police arrested two people following a report of a domestic disturbance at a Glen Road home on Sunday, April 28. Shortly before 7 p.m., officers responded to 62 Glen Road … more

4/29/24

A Roger Williams University student asked the Council for permission to temporarily install this trio of artistic sculptures on various light poles in Town. That request was summarily denied when then Council learned each statue weighed around 50 pounds. They suggested finding private property to host them.

50-pound statues get the thumbs down from Bristol Town Council

Property rights, nosy cameras, a town-wide cleanup and many other topics got discussed at the April 17 meeting of the Bristol Town Council. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/26/24

RWU educational wind program has now reached over 1,000 local 4th graders

Now in its fifth year, KidWind has now reached more than 1,000 fourth graders who have learned from RWU engineering and education students. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/25/24

The Firefighter, watching over the Firemen’s Memorial Park at Thames and Church streets.

New firefighter statue pops up at Bristol's Firemen's Park

It appeared suddenly about a week ago, but the statue of the firefighter has actually been a plan in the works for nearly 20 years. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/24/24

Members of the Kickemuit Middle School Science Olympiad Team for 2024 included only four students from last year’s team that went to Kansas to represent Rhode Island in the national competition. Clearly, interest in the club hasn’t faltered.

Kickemuit Middle School headed to Science Olympiad Nationals for second consecutive year

There’s no better team of science-loving adolescents in Rhode Island right now than the Kickemuit Middle School Science Olympiad squad. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/23/24

The Tea House is the signature building at the Shore Road compound, but it is not the only. There are multiple living spaces, from cottage to bungalow, from main house to greenhouse.

A shoreline property like no other

Visit 10,000 properties, tour every million-dollar listing in the Northeast, swipe through Zillow for days … you will never find anything similar to the compound nestled along the western … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/19/24

Dr. Vassil Zlatarski with some coral specimens from Cuba.

Did you know that the King of Coral is a Bristol resident?

From Bulgaria to Bristol, Vassil Zlatarski has studied fossil and modern corals and reefs for seven decades — and counting. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/19/24

Third westbound lane on bridge opens April 20

A third lane of travel westbound on the east portion of the Washington Bridge will be available to drivers as of Saturday, April 20. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation made the … more

By Mike Rego | 4/18/24

Trace Dubois, of Bristol, throws a pitch during the team’s 3-1 win over Toll Gate, where Dubois threw a no-hitter in his first start as a member of the varsity squad.

Mt. Hope freshman tosses no-hitter in first ever start

Trace Dubois wasn't even supposed to play on varsity his freshman year. He wound up accomplishing one of the sport's most coveted accolades on his very first start. more

By Ethan Hartley | 4/18/24

Town Clerk Melissa Cordeiro attempts to thwart an active shooter in a virtual police scenario during a citizen police academy classmates discuss a criminal scenario during class at the Bristol Police Department on Thursday night.

Could you handle the pressure of a law enforcement situation?

Participants of the Bristol Police Department's Citizens Police Academy found out during a virtual simulation of encounters that police officers could come across during any given day on the job. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/18/24

Laura Bell crosses the finish line at The Boston Marathon on Monday.

Bristol resident runs Boston for Doug Flutie Foundation

Laura Bell said the 'uniquely human' experience was grueling, but unforgettable. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/17/24

19-year-old Bristol mother arrested following sudden death of infant

A teenage mother was arrested in Bristol on Tuesday and charged with child endangerment and obstructing an officer following the sudden death of her 2-month-old child that occurred on April 12. more

4/17/24

‘David vs. Goliath’ – the East Bay and the affordable housing fight

Shown here are the “affordability” metrics for the communities in the East Bay of Rhode Island. East Providence leads the way with the highest affordabilty ranking in the region, and it … more

By Douglas Gablinske | 4/17/24

Rep. Susan Donovan (left), or Bristol and Portsmouth, makes a point during a wide-ranging discussion at an East Bay Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. Sen. Pamela Lauria, or Barrington, East Providence and Bristol, looks on.

Lawmakers discuss a shortage of doctors and a bridge tumbling down

The East Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted a breakfast meeting with legislators earlier this month, with topics ranging from healthcare crisis to bridge crisis, from affordable housing to the minimum … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/16/24

Gail Burmeister, president of the Bristol Garden Club, decorates a display in a storefront at Hope and State Streets in anticipation of ‘Daffodils Downtown’, a celebration of the 30,000 daffodils planted to date since the launch of the Daffodil Project in 2020.

‘Daffodils Downtown’ kicks off soon throughout Bristol

The Bristol Garden Club will present ‘Daffodils Downtown’ from April 15 through the 29th. Bristol merchants will be showcasing daffodil-themed paintings by local artists in their windows, and several restaurants will be offering daffodil themed delights. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/12/24

Bristol PD: Multiple people arrested on warrants

Police made three arrests between April 1-8, 2024. more

4/12/24

Consultant Nancy Morgan begins a Community Conversation with more than 60 people who gathered at Mount Hope Farm on March 27 to discuss the future of a proposed Sowams National Heritage Area.

Sowams Heritage Area talks generate significant interest

More than 130 people attended the Community Conversations presented by the Sowams Heritage Area Project in Bristol and Seekonk recently. more

4/12/24

The Coyote Brass of the 88th Army Band jams on the Bristol Fourth of July Concert stage during the opening concert of the 2023 series. The 88th Army Band, a perennial favorite, is scheduled to perform on Monday, June 24.

Bristol's 2024 4th of July Concert Series lineup announced

Here it is, folks, your 2024 July 4th Concert Series lineup! more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/11/24