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Fishermen have been capturing images of what they find while out on the water.

Fishermen come out in support of balloon-release bill

The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing Tuesday, Jan. 28, on legislation, introduced by Rep. Susan Donovan (D-69), which attempts to protect the environment and wildlife by banning the … more

By Christy Nadalin | 2/8/20

Letter: May God bless you and guide you, President Trump

To the editor: I have always been proud to be an American. I am thankful for the beautiful country that I live in. After watching the State of the Union, I cannot express the emotion, love and … more

2/6/20

Letter: Loose balloons pollute our waterways and our fish

Thank you for bringing attention to my legislation to ban the release of balloons into the environment. I would like to add a few more reasons we need this bill: released balloons not only pose a … more

2/6/20

By making high-end, sustainably-fashioned furnishings accessible, artist Jeff Soderbergh hopes to inspire others to take small steps toward greener living.

Local artist finding beauty in reusing

The showroom and gallery inside Jeff Soderbergh’s new studio at 549 Park Ave. in Portsmouth is bright and airy, intimately sized but expertly outfitted with only a few select, show-stopping … more

Kristen Ray | 2/1/20

Letter: Legal gun owners are not the problem

To the editor: On Monday evening (Jan. 27), Tim White did an article on the Rhode Island Blue Card. He started out by saying that due to the shooting in Westerly, he wanted to know if the … more

1/31/20

Brian Ganley (left) and Melissa Cotta both spoke to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors recently, urging them to investigate how to install suicide prevention barriers on the state's tall bridges.

Advocates celebrate bill to put suicide barriers on bridge

Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr., a Warwick Democrat, has introduced legislation that would require safety barriers or netting on the three tallest bridges in the state. The bill (2020-H 7366) would … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/31/20

Rep. Susan Donovan is proposing a bill that would ban the intentional release of balloons, such as these during a fund-raiser in Colt State Park in Bristol in October 2015.

Donovan bill would ban intentional release of balloons

PROVIDENCE — The House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing tomorrow, Jan. 28, on legislation introduced by Rep. Susan Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) to protect the … more

1/27/20

Editorial: Taxes and the damage done

Bravo to Governor Gina Raimondo for aiming to make Rhode Island the first state in the nation to get all of its power from renewable energy. That end-of decade goal might just be achievable and could … more

1/23/20

A recent photo of Jake, an 80-pound Labrador retriever who suffered severe injuries when he was mauled by a coyote Tuesday night on Windstone Drive.

Coyote attacks, severely injures 80-pound dog in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A Windstone Drive resident, whose 80-pound Labrador retriever was brutally mauled by a coyote Tuesday night, is warning others to take extra precautions to keep their pets … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/22/20

Editorial: State priorities should be schools and jobs

Welcome to January, the season of rebirth, when all hope springs eternal … Something seem amiss? It is. Gov. Gina Raimondo’s State of the State address was easy to cheer. She … more

1/17/20

Arlene Violet: Can political leaders stop the madness?

With the onset of the new legislative session, taxpayers are gritting their teeth to see what fiscal ignominies will be piled onto their backs. One thing is for certain. The governor is out of … more

By Arlene Violet | 1/15/20

With the launch of a new legislative session, East Bay lawmakers discuss priorities

The Rhode Island General Assembly got back to work last week, and with it, your elected representatives. East Bay Life spoke to several local senators and representatives to hear what issues are at … more

By Christy Nadalin | 1/15/20

Letter: Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel were modern day prophets

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were close friends back in 1965. They shared the dream that our nation should be “a place where civil and human rights … more

1/10/20

A letter of thanks to our community

Newspapers are dying. I hear it all the time; on the news, from strangers, acquaintances, even from some customers. To be sure, it’s hard to hear … every single time. Not because this is … more

1/9/20

Breezy Grenier clowns around near an icebreaker at the North Pole during her trip in 2016.

Portsmouth woman aims to inspire future adventurers

PORTSMOUTH — Just one glance at Capt. Breezy Grenier’s extensive résumé and it becomes clear that she has never been one to follow the status quo. As a mariner, … more

By Kristen Ray | 1/9/20

Letter: Either Columbus stands, or we fall

In the spirit of Columbus Day 2010, 2015 and 2017, one or more moonbats continued the new Elmwood tradition last year — bloodying the explorer’s likeness — and chained to its base a … more

1/9/20

Brian Ganley (left) and Melissa Cotta both spoke to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors on Wednesday morning, urging them to investigate how to install suicide prevention barriers on the state's tall bridges.

To prevent suicides, citizens ask bridge board for a safety study

The Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority Board opened its final meeting under Director Buddy Croft’s tenure on Wednesday morning with public comments from citizens concerned with stopping … more

1/8/20

Editorial: The things we learned from Big Bird

Caroll Spinney, the whole body puppeteer who brought Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life, died Sunday at age 85 in Connecticut. Big Bird, like most six-year-olds, would … more

12/13/19

Letter: Legislators, opponents wrong in labor contract legislation issue

To the editor: This is soooo much drivel! Both the Federal Labor Relations Authority and the National Labor Relations Board honor the labor law and regulation of "Status Quo Ante". Which means … more

12/11/19

This photo of the Mt. Hope Bridge was taken Sunday morning, Dec. 1, at Mt. Hope Park in Portsmouth.

Suicidal juvenile thwarted from attempted Mt. Hope Bridge jump

PORTSMOUTH — A juvenile was prevented from jumping from the Mt. Hope Bridge by police and several citizens Sunday night, Dec. 1. According to Detective Lt. John Cahoon, Portsmouth … more

By Jim McGaw | 12/2/19

Bryan Ganley (left) lost a close friend to suicide. Melissa Cotta (right) tried to help but could not stop a man from jumping off the Mt. Hope Bridge. Together, they’re asking for suicide prevention barriers on the 90-year-old span.

Can bridge barriers save lives?

Bristol resident Bryan Ganley was about 21 years old when he got a late night call from his best friend, who said he wanted to end his life. Mr. Ganley was unable to change his friend’s … more

By Christy Nadalin | 11/28/19

Letter: The paper continues its history of anti-union views

There are certain recurring things in life that you can always set your clock by, such as long lines at the mall on Black Friday, hot and humid weather in July, and of course a regular bashing of … more

11/27/19

Letter: Editorial showed a bleak picture of unions

As a former municipal employee, now retired, I want to respond to the Bristol Phoenix editorial, entitled ”The end of contract give-and-take.” The editorial paints such a bleak picture … more

11/27/19

Letter: Thanksgiving — For some a day of sadness, not celebration

To the editor: Everyone is making plans for a festive Thanksgiving except Indians, many of whom will be in Plymouth at their 50th national day of mourning. They will walk for miles and talk … more

11/21/19

Letter: Suicide prevention barriers on bridges save lives

To the editor: As a lifelong East Bay resident, I have always enjoyed the beauty of Narragansett Bay. But behind this cozy New England life, the beauty is often marred by the sound of helicopters … more

11/14/19