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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

Gov. Raimondo previews state’s 'Phase 2’ reopening plans

PROVIDENCE — Explaining “a lot of information will be coming out in next couple of weeks as we start reopening our economy,” Gov. Gina Raimondo spent the better part of her Friday, … more

By Mike Rego | 5/22/20

DEM issues COVID-19, other boating safety guidelines

PROVIDENCE — As Memorial Day and the start of the boating season approaches, the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is asking boaters to follow COVID-19 social distancing rules and … more

5/22/20

Bristol Police: ‘Large’ gatherings and two domestic violence arrests

Bristol Police spent much of the weekend chasing down complaints of "large" groups gathering in violations of state restrictions. Some were legitimate complaints that ended with officers dispersing … more

5/22/20

Bristol Patrolman Sean Gonsalves is about to have the COVID-19 test administered by a member of the Rhode Island National Guard, who operates behind a protective shield inside a mobile trailer.

National Guard tests first-responders in Bristol and Warren

The Rhode Island National Guard rolled into Bristol on Thursday afternoon and set up a mobile COVID-19 testing facility at the Bristol Fire Department headquarters. Working out of two trailers … more

5/22/20

Bristol church's soup giveaway is a huge hit

The First Congregational Church in Bristol took 300 cases of donated Blount Fine Foods soups and distributed them to families in need during a two-and-a-half-hour stretch on Tuesday. They are … more

5/22/20

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo reminded people that large gatherings are still not allowed and the guidelines governing travel are still in place.

Governor responds to 17% unemployment rate, questions about new app

As the country prepares to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo reminded people that large gatherings are still not allowed and the guidelines governing travel are … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/21/20

Lory Snady-McCoy (left) and friend April Carleton have lunch at the Beehive’s outdoor covered patio on Monday.

Bristol starts approving new outdoor dining plans

While people continue to enjoy takeout from local restaurants, several of those that can adapt to the state’s newest outdoor dining regulations are trying to do so. The town has, to date, … more

5/21/20

Commentary: Underage drinking during COVID-19

EAST BAY — Today we face a national crisis in the form of a deadly pandemic. However, we at the East Bay Regional Coalition remind all there is a hidden link between COVID-19 and other national … more

5/21/20

The Rev. Marinaldo Batista, in the inside of St. Elizabeth’s Church, where they have taped off pews and made preparations to hold in-person Mass beginning May 31.

Bristol churches adapting to new rules to be ready for reopening

With some 500 families in his parish, the Rev. Marinaldo Batista is used to saying Mass before a crowd. In fact, he says Mass four times every Sunday to accommodate the people who want to come to St. … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/21/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her Friday, May 15 briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor: Phase 2 of re-opening won’t begin until after Memorial Day

PROVIDENCE — At her daily COVID-19 briefing Friday, Gov. Gina Raimondo explained the criteria being used to determine when the state is ready to move into a different phase of re-opening … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/15/20

Bristol Police: 'Social distancing’ complaints, plus a domestic assault arrest

Bristol police officers made their first arrest in nearly a month, as the quiet streets of the 2020 pandemic continue. Monday, May 4 Officers intervened in a verbal argument between a man … more

5/15/20

Bristol Economic Development Coordinator Chris Vitale (left) and Town Administrator Steven Contente want to work with restaurants to expand their outdoor dining areas.

Bristol ready to fast-track outdoor dining plans

The Town of Bristol is ready and willing to move quickly to help restaurants expand their outdoor seating areas. Gov. Gina Raimondo’s announcement that restaurants will be allowed to reopen to … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/15/20

Bristol Oyster Bar owner Jordan Sawyer is planning to open for outdoor dining on the patio in front of his restaurant. He believes that, based on state guidelines, he’ll be able to fit seven tables of four in the space.

Outdoor dining begins Monday, but it’s not for everyone

The Bristol Oyster Bar closed its doors, along with the other restaurants in the state, in mid-March. It had just announced plans to open for takeout service when the governor announced this past … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/15/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo set June 29 as the target date to open summer camps.

Governor says yes to small-group summer camps

Rhode Island children (and parents) got some good news on Thursday afternoon, when Gov. Gina Raimondo announced she will be allowing summer camps to open on June 29. Like everything in life, camps … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/14/20

DEM park rangers Matt Cordeiro and Jillian Bannon check in cars at the Colt Park entrance Thursday morning

DEM begins counting cars as Colt Park reopens

Colt State Park reopened to vehicular traffic and visitors on Thursday morning, with some restrictions. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will allow only 350 cars inside the … more

5/14/20

The 2020 Mt. Hope High School graduation ceremony won’t look like this 2019 version, with caps and gowns flying in the air, but it will include much of the same pomp and circumstance.

Mt. Hope's 2020 graduation — pre-recorded and full of surprises

Dozens of people will be spending thousands of hours planning and preparing for the 2020 Mt. Hope High School graduation, and the whole affair depends on the timely arrival of caps and gowns. In … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/14/20

RI Governor Gina Raimondo reminded people that social gatherings are still limited to groups of five or less.

Governor: Gatherings still limited to five on Mother's Day

The governor had a clear message with Mother's Day approaching: Social gatherings are still limited to five people. During her press briefing on Friday afternoon, Gov. Gina Raimondo said she wants … more

By Josh Bickford | 5/8/20

Bristol Warren Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Brice.

Bristol Warren schools projecting $1.4 million in savings this year

Bristol Warren schools could see a surplus of as much as $1.4 million this year, due in large part to spending decreases realized since the start of the Covid-19 crisis. Superintendent Dr. … more

By Ted Hayes | 5/8/20

Relatives Kevin and Stephanie Placido wave to their aunt during Sunday’s surprise thank-you procession.

A big thank you for a hard-working nurse

Sunday, May 3, was an eventful day off for Jennifer Pasqual, a Roosevelt Drive resident and nurse at the Rhode Island Veterans’ Home. According to her husband, Thomas, Jennifer and her … more

By Christy Nadalin | 5/8/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo speaks at Thursday's briefing.

Governor: Stay-at-home ends Saturday — 'slowly'

Rhode Island’s stay-at-home order will indeed end on Saturday, Governor Gina Raimondo announced at her … more

By Bruce Burdett | 5/7/20