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

Barrington Front Porch Project brings smiles and lifts spirits

Like everyone, Devon McWilliams has been mostly stuck inside for weeks. Aside from short strolls with her husband and son, or a few stretches outside in the yard when the weather has been tolerable, … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/8/20

Owner Phil Kinder (right) and Kirby Dwyer, at the finishing stage of constructing shield masks, which are first sanitized, and then boxed up for delivery to Rhode Island hospitals.

Bristol businesses churning out thousands of shield masks

Like everyone else, Phil Kinder has been both captivated and impacted by the coronavirus taking over all aspects of daily life. And he heard the call, day after day, from state leaders asking private … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/3/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo (right) speaks during Friday's coronavirus briefing.

State encourages people to wear cloth-based face coverings in public

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Islanders are now being encouraged by the state to wear cloth-based face coverings in public, Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the R.I. Department of Health, said … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/3/20

Food is available to Barrington residents in need.

Food available for Barrington residents in need

Help is available for residents in need. Any Barrington residents facing an emergency and needing food should call the Town of Barrington's coronavirus hotline at 401-247-1900 ext. … more

4/3/20

Bristol Police: Residents report kids playing, groups gathering, all over town

The Bristol Police log saw a noticeable increase in residents calling to report their neighbors or strangers gathering, playing or congregating in public. Police officers also arrested a Barrington … more

4/3/20

Colin Cook competes at the recent World Adaptive Surfing Championships in California.

Cook wins at world Adaptive Surfing Championships

TIVERTON — Going on five years since a large tiger shark took much of his left leg, Tiverton surfer Colin Cook found himself standing atop a California medal podium two weekends ago, being … more

By Bruce Burdett | 4/3/20

Gov. Gina Raimondo and her husband, Andy Moffit, adopted a casual tone to talk to Rhode Island children on Thursday.

Governor talks to kids, reveals Easter Bunny is an ‘essential worker’

Gov. Gina Raimondo debuted a new look, new format and new co-star in her Thursday coronavirus briefing, and she steered the hour-long session to a new audience — kids. The governor and her … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/2/20

Virus cases continue to rise in RI: April 2 town-by-town numbers

On a day that saw 91 new coronavirus cases in Rhode Island, for a total of 657, cases in East Bay towns continue to rise as well. The Thursday, April 2, town-by town numbers, as reported by the RI … more

4/2/20

Search for new BCWA director takes another strange turn

Two Warren residents who had been told they couldn’t apply are back in the running in the on-again, off-again attempt to fill a vacant seat on the Bristol County Water Authority’s board … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/2/20

A performer entertains at sunset at Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery.

Something to look forward to — summer music at Westport Rivers Winery

WESTPORT — In the spirit of ‘betters days are coming,” Westport River Winery offers this announcement … “We believe that there is a 'light at the end of … more

4/2/20

The town has closed all parks, the beach and the high school track.

Barrington's parks, fields and beach ordered closed

All parks, fields and the town beach in Barrington will be closed, starting on Friday. Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha signed an executive order on Wednesday, April 1 mandating, among many things, that … more

By Josh Bickford | 4/2/20

Brian Weeks of Carlone’s Florist brings some flowers out to the delivery van Tuesday afternoon. Deemed a “non-critical” business by the State of Rhode Island, the flower shop was ordered to close its doors through at least April 13 to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The business is still filling delivery orders, however.

Doing business — or not — during COVID-19 in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Shop on East Main Road celebrated its 39th year in business on Wednesday, April 1. more

By Kristen Ray and Jim McGaw | 4/2/20

Natalie Vieira, registered medical assistant, and Dr. Geoff Hamilton, M.D, were staffing the Respiratory Care Center on Monday afternoon. “We’ve been pretty busy,” said Ms. Vieira. “Patients were a little nervous coming in, but they’re happy we’re here.”

Bristol medical center opens new ‘Respiratory Care Center’

Most people agree that the worst of the coronavirus crisis is yet to come. How the community prepares today will determine if hospitals and intensive care units can manage the influx of cases, … more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/2/20

Governor Raimondo announced a new program to gather information from all people visiting Rhode Island from New York.

Governor: State Police will be stopping cars with New York license plates

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo announced on Thursday, March 26, an aggressive new program to gather information about anyone traveling from New York to Rhode Island, in an effort to limit the … more

3/26/20

Small acts of kindness: Warren's sunshine garden

Another in our series of small good deeds being done by Warren residents as the Covid-19 crisis continues: A Beach Street resident with an abundance of daffodils put this sign in front of her house … more

3/26/20

John Cambra (left) and Bristol fisherman Billy Silvia with a bushel and a half of littleneck clams talk with Andrade’s Catch employee Sampson Kneath (not pictured) before the catch is brought into the store on Wednesday morning.

Shellfish dealer innovates ways to keep fishermen fishing

David Andrade, longtime fisherman and owner of Andrade’s Catch on Wood Street, lost the lion’s share of his business when Covid-19 closed restaurants across the region. With restaurants … more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/26/20

Executive order: Barrington prohibits gatherings of 10 or more; imposes fine

Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha signed an executive order on Thursday morning, March 26, banning gatherings of 10 or more people, requiring visitors to Barrington to self-quarantine, and making any … more

3/26/20

Live feed still taken from the Wednesday, March 25 Joint Finance Committee meeting at Warren Town Hall.

JFC approves $40.275 million for Bristol Warren schools

In a historic "virtual" meeting closed to the public but live-streamed over the Internet, the Bristol Warren Joint Finance Committee on Wednesday night unanimously approved $40.275 million in local … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/26/20

Bill Braun and Dee Levanti at their Ivory Silo Farm in Westport. (NOFA-Massachusetts photo)

‘Seed saver’ to lease space at Westport Town Farm

Westport organic farmer and ‘seed saver’ Bill Braun will soon be sub-leasing space at Westport Town Farm. The Board of Selectmen approved the arrangement unanimously at its March 2 … more

By Bruce Burdett | 3/26/20

Bristol Police Chief Kevin Lynch talks to members of the command team, including captains Brian Burke (rear, left) and Scott McNally, during a meeting held in the station garage to allow adequate social distancing.

Covid-19 crisis plan — Bristol forms two police forces

Bristol now has two police departments. In reaction to the Covid-19 crisis, the department has been split in two, north and south, with two units operating independently of each other. The bold … more

By Scott Pickering | 3/26/20

Gov. activates Guard, says there is no plan for a total lockdown

During her daily press briefing, Gov. Gina Raimondo made one big announcement and answered the biggest question on everyone’s mind: She has no plan to order a full lockdown in Rhode … more

3/20/20

Rhode Island shutting down schools for one week

Rhode Island public school students will be staying home next week as the state government steps up measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Shortly after a conference call with school … more

By Scott Pickering | 3/13/20

Al and Val Carreiro enjoy one of the new benches Al has built for Mount Hope Farm walkers to enjoy. He was motivated to provide a resting spot for walkers like himself and his wife of six decades.

Retirement hobby becomes a donation to Mt. Hope Farm

Bristol’s Mount Hope Farm is a favorite place for a walk, and maybe a stop at the pond on the way to Cove Cabin to feed the resident ducks and swans. The walk has been a pastime for Bristol … more

By Christy Nadalin | 3/6/20

Bristol Warren Education Foundation cancels annual 'Bee'

COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of a beloved event in the Bristol Warren Regional School District, as the annual "Bee," a fundraiser and team spelling event formerly known as the … more

3/6/20

Second developer eyes National Grid site in Warren

A second potential partner has stepped forward with a plan to redevelop the former National Grid site in North Warren. The Warren Town Council is expected to discuss his plan, and another proposed … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/6/20