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VFW 5390 in Portsmouth hosts Memorial Day event Monday

PORTSMOUTH — The public is invited to a Memorial Day ceremony and reception scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday, May 27, at VFW Post 5390, 822 Anthony Road. more

5/22/24

Keira and Makayla Boxell (left), seniors at Portsmouth High School, founded Shades of Knowledge along with Jully Myrthil (right) of Providence, to get representative literature into the hands of underserved communities in other countries. They hope to continue their literacy efforts in Rhode Island as well.

Getting the right books to underserved children

PORTSMOUTH — When Portsmouth High School senior Keira Boxell joined her twin sister, Mayakla, and their Providence friend, Jully Myrthil, on a leadership journey to South Africa last … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/22/24

On Monday morning, eight Portsmouth High School seniors visited Portsmouth Nursery School, where they all “graduated” as 5-year-olds back in 2011. This year’s class of nursery school students raised $270 toward the June 5 Post Prom event for the Class of 2024. Here, PHS seniors pose with PNS students and faculty. Starting with the third person from left in the back row, they are (from left) Gracin Raposa, Kayla Parsons, Oliver Tibbets, Nick Spaner, Matt Nolan, Colm Dooley, Claire Hook, and Cole Swider. They are all wearing shirts representing the colleges and universities they will be attending next fall. They are flanked by teacher’s aid Kristie Labonte and head teacher Christy Renkawitz (left) and teacher’s aide Caroline Dooley (right).

In Portsmouth: Tiny tots help the big seniors

PORTSMOUTH — When Portsmouth High School seniors enjoy the fun and safety of their “Post Prom” on June 5, they’ll have some youngsters half their size to thank for helping to … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/21/24

Aquidneck Island towns hosting hazard mitigation workshops

PORTSMOUTH — The towns of Portsmouth and Middletown, and the City of Newport, are developing the first ever multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Aquidneck Island. The … more

5/20/24

Portsmouth Police deal with domestic assault, DUIs

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Tuesday, May 14 Freddie Valentin DeJesus, 41, of 93 Mason Ave., was charged with domestic violence … more

5/20/24

Stock photo of a Cane Corso, the same breed that was subject to a vicious dog hearing in Portsmouth on Thursday, May 16.

Three dogs deemed vicious following attack in Portsmouth

Three dogs owned by a Grain Terrace woman have been deemed vicious just over a month after they escaped from their yard and attacked a leashed dog that was being walked in the neighborhood. more

By Jim McGaw | 5/17/24

A crew from Waste Management makes the rounds Tuesday morning collecting trash left curbside in Portsmouth. The night before, the Town Council voted to award a curbside collection contract To MTG Disposal, LLC. The deal doesn’t affect the transfer station on Hedly Street. The council will issue a separate request for proposals for that operation and release it to bidders in December.

Portsmouth awards its first curbside collection contract

PORTSMOUTH — Taking another step toward establishing the town’s first municipal curbside trash collection program, the Town Council Monday night voted unanimously to award a contract … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/17/24

Nominations sought for Portsmouth Award

PORTSMOUTH — Know of a local individual or group you think is worthy of some praise for their community efforts? more

5/16/24

This relatively large electric bicycle would be banned from the East Bay Bike Path and other state bike paths if a current Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management bill becomes law this spring.

E-bikes bill allows some, bans others

The State of Rhode Island recently moved one step closer to a law that would regulate electric bicycles on all state properties, including bike paths. Passed by the full House of Representatives two … more

By Scott Pickering | 5/15/24

Portsmouth's provisional budget adds 40¢ to tax rate

PORTSMOUTH — The Town Council voted 5-1 Monday night to provisionally approve a $74,404,959 municipal budget for next fiscal year that would increase the current tax rate by about 3.15 … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/15/24

“I wake up pretty late; I have a hard time getting up,” says U.S. Presidential Scholar Maggie Lauder, whose loaded schedule keeps her pretty busy.

U.S. Presidential Scholar has her hands in nearly everything

PORTSMOUTH — Peruse Maggie Lauder’s résumé and you’ll find it filled to the brim with awards and recognitions. more

By Jim McGaw | 5/14/24

Portsmouth Police deal with B&E, assault, weapons charges

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Tuesday, May 7 Kayvan Castellanos, 29, of 646 Bristol Ferry Road, Apt. 2, was charged with … more

5/13/24

Portsmouth High’s Barbara Rainey blasts a hit to centerfield during the Patriots’ 12-1 win over Barrington on May 7.

Portsmouth softball team on a tear, wins four straight games

PORTSMOUTH — Everything seems to be clicking right now for the Portsmouth High School softball team, which is on a four-game win streak. more

5/11/24

Maggie Lauder of Portsmouth has been named a 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholar.

Portsmouth High student named U.S. Presidential Scholar

PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth High School senior is one of only 161 across the country to be honored as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. more

5/10/24

The new playground along Turnpike Avenue is making speedy progress and expected to open in grand fashion on Saturday, June 1

Portsmouth counting down to opening of new playground

PORTSMOUTH — In less than three weeks, children of all ages and abilities will be swinging, sliding, and scampering at a brand-new playground on Turnpike Avenue. The Four Hearts … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/8/24

Portsmouth High sophomore Emily DeConto won the 300-meter hurdles in a time of 16.66 seconds at the RIIL Eastern Division Track and Field Championships held Saturday at Barrington High School.

PHS boys take 2nd, girls 4th in Division track meet

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth High track and field athletes won several events at the RIIL Eastern Division Championships held Saturday at Barrington High School. more

5/6/24

Portsmouth Police deal with alleged assaults, DUIs

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent arrests made by the Portsmouth Police Department: Monday, April 29 Mackenzie P. Bowman, 23, of 646 Bristol Ferry Road, Apt. 2, was charged with … more

5/6/24

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

Portsmouth High’s Jack Casey fires a spike over the net during the first set of last Thursday’s home volleyball match against Scituate/Prout.

PHS boys’ volleyball team extends No. 1 squad to 5th set

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High boys’ varsity volleyball team came oh so close to upsetting the top-ranked team in Division III Thursday night. more

5/3/24

Lee Silva of the Cosmopolitan team, with a Cosmo firmly in hand, prepares to throw the bag during Monday night’s cornhole championship at the VFW Post 5390 in Common Fence Point. “It’s the only sport where it’s legal to drink,” said league organizer Bob Dyl. “In fact, in most cases it’s encouraged.”

Taking their cornhole seriously in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — It was an epic battle between the Half in the Bags and Challengers teams inside the VFW Post 5390 hall in Common Fence Point Monday night. more

By Jim McGaw | 5/3/24

Volunteers clean up the grounds at Butts Hill Fort. The Battle of Rhode Island Association was the recipient of a grant from the Aquidneck Land Trust for grounds restoration of the fort.

Land trust awards grants to Portsmouth organizations

PORTSMOUTH — Two local groups were the beneficiaries of grants awarded last week by the Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT). more

5/3/24

Jackson Irwin and Sutton Powers lead the Newport Pediatric Dentistry team onto the field during Portsmouth Little League’s Opening Day ceremony on Friday at Glen Park.

In Portsmouth: Let's play ball!

PORTSMOUTH — It was a fine day to run the bases as Portsmouth Little League Baseball & Softball hosted its Opening Day ceremony Friday at Glen Park. Dozens of players in uniform … more

4/30/24

Sonny (left) and Cameron Beausoleil of Beausoleil Bros. unload spools of straw wattle — used for erosion control, stabilizing slopes, or filtering stormwater runoff — off a truck last Friday just outside the dog park. The company is clearing the north and west sides of the Portsmouth Dog Park for a series of fenced-in trails.

Portsmouth: New trails will take a dogleg at dog park

PORTSMOUTH — If you’re dog owner who has always wanted to take your pooch for an unleashed hike at the Melville Recreation Area, you’ll soon be in luck. Works recently began … more

By Jim McGaw | 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

The Patriots’ Sonia Starschick on her way to winning the 400-meter run in a time of 1:04.8.

Portsmouth notches several 1st-place finishes at track meet

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High girls’ and boys’ outdoor track teams hosted Barrington and Mt. Hope Tuesday and came away with several first-place finishes. Boys’ … more

4/25/24