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Sandy Point Lighthouse on Prudence Island will be turned over to the Prudence Conservancy, according to U.S. Sen. Jack Reed.

Prudence lighthouse, 2 others getting new owners

PRUDENCE ISLAND — The oldest continuously operating lighthouse in Rhode Island will soon have a new owner. more

7/11/23

Portsmouth teen charged with domestic assault

PORTSMOUTH — A 19-year-old Portsmouth woman was charged with domestic assault on Monday, July 3. more

7/10/23

Terry Sullivan will take over as executive director of the Aquidneck Land Trust on Sept. 18.

Terry Sullivan named director of Aquidneck Land Trust

PORTSMOUTH — Conservation leader Terry Sullivan has been appointed executive director of Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT), an organization that preserves and stewards the island’s open spaces … more

7/7/23

Aerial view of one of the five wind turbines 3.8 miles southeast of Block Island generating electricity at the Block Island Wind Farm. A separate wind farm project, SouthCoast Wind Farm, is under scrutiny amid new allegations by a state coastal engineer.

State engineer alleges SouthCoast developer lied to regulators

Financial headwinds aren’t the only obstacle a Massachusetts offshore wind farm developer must overcome to secure critical approvals from Rhode Island regulators. SouthCoast Wind Energy LLC is … more

By Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current | 7/7/23

Leah Kossak, marketing and engagement director the Aquidneck Land Trust, strolls through part of Little Creek Preserve with Alex Chuman, the Trust’s conservation director.

To protect and conserve in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — At first glance, the Aquidneck Land Trust’s (ALT) latest land acquisition doesn’t look like much. The 9.85-acre property on Hedly Street, purchased outright … more

By Jim Mcgaw | 7/6/23

Patriotic speaker Col. (Ret.) Joseph McGraw delivers a speech towards the end of the Patriotic Exercises in front of the Colt School on Tuesday.

Retired Green Beret: American ideals have united us from the beginning

U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) Joseph McGraw, a Portsmouth resident, former Green Beret and current associate professor at the Naval War College, delivered a timely and stirring speech during his keynote at the annual Patriotic Exercises on Tuesday morning. more

By Christy Nadalin | 7/5/23

Portsmouth Police deal with several domestic incidences

PORTSMOUTH — Here are some recent highlights from the Portsmouth Police report: Monday, June 26 Anastacia Inman , 19, of 61 Cedar Ave., was charged with domestic assault after … more

7/5/23

Nathan Dunlap, lining up a putt during his victory June 24 in the Northeast Amateur, won the 2023 North & South Am played on Pinehurst Nos. 2 & 4 in North Carolina last weekend.

Rhode Island Amateur tees off at Montaup July 10

The Northeast Amateur Invitational at Wannamoisett Country Club in city once again kicked off a scintillating summer of action at courses around the area, including the East Bay, under the auspices … more

By Mike Rego | 7/4/23

Fern Lima, treasurer of the Newport County Branch of the NAACP, reads an excerpt from “Black Heroes of the American Revolution” during a Fourth of July observance in front of the memorial to the 1st Rhode Island Regiment at Patriots Park Tuesday morning.

NAACP honors ‘Black Regiment’ soldiers in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — A few members of the Newport Branch of the NAACP kicked off the Fourth of July by paying tribute to a brave contingent of soldiers that helped protect Americans’ … more

7/4/23

Christopher S. Gontarz, Esq. of Portsmouth

Portsmouth resident now president-elect of R.I. Bar Association

PORTSMOUTH — Christopher S. Gontarz, Esq., a resident of Portsmouth, is now president-elect of the Rhode Island Bar Association. His term runs from July 1, 2023, through June … more

7/3/23

Jimmy Buffett laughs between numbers during his surprise set at Sunset Cove on Park Avenue on Sunday. The show was billed as a concert featuring his Coral Reefer Band mate, guitarist Mac McAnally, but Buffett snuck onto the stage just three songs in.

Jimmy Buffett surprises ‘Parrotheads’ in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Mike MacFarlane certainly knows how to throw himself a 50th birthday party. The owner of Sunset Cove in Island Park had a few hundred people on his restaurant’s … more

By Jim McGaw | 7/3/23

Windsurfers cut across the water on a perfectly windy afternoon.

High-stakes racing on Mt. Hope Bay

Many of the best youth sailors in the world spent this week zipping across the waters of Mount Hope Bay, off the shore from Roger Williams University. The university and U.S. Sailing hosted the U.S. … more

6/30/23

Left in limbo – the dreaded college application 'waitlist'

More students are applying to more U.S. colleges and universities than ever before, according to reporting from The Common App, an organization that has dramatically altered the college application … more

By Julia Stearly | 6/29/23

Portsmouth: Premature to support alternative cable route

With the majority of members saying it’s premature to take an official stance at this time, the Town Council Monday declined to support a Little Compton resolution urging SouthCoast Wind to explore a cable path over land in Westport, rather than through the Sakonnet River. more

By Jim McGaw | 6/28/23

R.I. Hockey Hall acknowledges Army's lifetime achievements in the game

The Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame recently named East Providence’s Tom Army as the recipient of the 2023 Malcolm Greene Chace Memorial Trophy recognizing “Achievement & Outstanding … more

6/28/23

R.I. budget gives Portsmouth schools extra $96K in state aid

After debating a course of action when $96,000 more in state aid fell into the school district’s lap, the Town Council Monday night voted 5-2 to approve a total spending plan of $71.52 million for next fiscal year. more

By Jim McGaw | 6/27/23

Owen Windley, here throwing a curveball to a Barrington hitter Monday night, entered the game after starting pitcher Cullen Tesa was roughed up for three runs in the second inning.

Portsmouth All-Stars come from behind to beat Barrington

BARRINGTON — The Portsmouth Little League 12-U All-Stars showed some moxie in defeating Barrington, 4-3, at Sherwood Field in Barrington Monday night. more

6/27/23

Several face domestic violence charges in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Several local residents were recently arrested on domestic violence charges in unrelated incidents. On Saturday, June 17, police responded at 58 Islington Ave. around … more

6/26/23

Patrick and Sean Bowen, at the site of their proposed oyster farm in August 2021, will have a hearing before the state CRMC on Tuesday, July 18.

Bowens' aquaculture hearing scheduled for July 18

Three years after they first filed an application to establish a commercial oyster farm off Seapowet Avenue, Little Compton's Patrick and Sean Bowen will finally get a hearing before the state body … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/26/23

Some residents who live at the northern tip of Common Fence Point say visitors who access the right of way to the shoreline have caused parking problems, with some vehicles blocking mailboxes and driveways.

Portsmouth to put brakes on problematic parking areas

PORTSMOUTH — After hearing several Common Fence Point residents complain about visitors’ vehicles blocking mailboxes and driveways at the north end of Anthony Road, the Town Council … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/20/23

Sue Janik, a “Break a Leg” dancer, gets a twirl from Brandon Spear, an “All Abilities” dancer, during the “Dance Me In Showcase” at the CFP Arts, Wellness and Community Center on Saturday.

In Portsmouth: Their turn in the spotlight

PORTSMOUTH — Fifteen-year-old Henry Denis had just acknowledged the wild applause after singing a stirring version of “L-O-V-E” to Jill Merlin and Colleen Monahan, when Sue … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/20/23

Clockwise from top left: Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71), Rep. Susan Donovan (D-Dist. 69), Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11), and Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72).

Portsmouth lawmakers busy at end of session

PROVIDENCE — The General Assembly wrapped up its 2023 session last week with legislators scrambling to get a flurry of bills passed — as well as a $14 billion state budget. more

6/19/23

Rep. Terri Cortvriend walks along the shoreline in front of Baker Road homes on the west side of Portsmouth back in March. Her bill establishing that the public area of the shoreline is 10 feet landward of the recognizable high tide line is now awaiting the governor’s signature.

Bill clarifying public shoreline access clears Assembly

PROVIDENCE — The General Assembly Thursday approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend and Sen. Mark P. McKenney to establish that the public area of the shoreline is 10 feet … more

6/16/23

A sign at the Sapowet Marsh bridge makes it clear how many neighbors think of a plan to establish a one-acre oyster farm at the site.

Sakonnet aquaculture bill dies in session

For the second year in a row, legislation that would restrict aquaculture along the shores of the Sakonnet River failed to make it out of committee before the Rhode Island General Assembly session … more

By Ted Hayes | 6/16/23

Throughout the property on Hedly Street, multiple tributaries meander through into Bloody Brook, which eventually empties into Narragansett Bay.

ALT conserves nearly 10 acres of Portsmouth wetlands

The Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) has announced the conservation of a 9.85-acre wetlands property on Hedly Street. Located across from Maplewood Farm, ALT purchased the land from JIC Capital LLC to … more

6/15/23