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

Marcus Bostic of East Providence chips out of the bunker at the fifth green.

Gallery: 2022 East Division golf playoff match

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth High School was the far-and-away winner of the East Division golf playoff match held over its home layout of Green Valley Country Club Monday afternoon, May 23, as the … more

Photos by Richard W. Dionne Jr. | 5/23/22

Jeff Prater, who chairs the Shoreline Education and Preservation Action Committee in Common Fence Point, carries a tray of switchgrass for volunteers to plant along Common Fence Point Boulevard Monday afternoon. About 100 of that variety were planted.

In Portsmouth: Roots of resiliency

PORTSMOUTH — Along a scenic shoreline on the north side of Common Fence Point Boulevard, volunteers have been getting their hands dirty over the past year, putting in hundreds of plants … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/20/22

Perky Nellissen and 8-month-old Ziti pose together at their Little Compton home. Nellissen and Ziti are both going through guide dog training for the first time.

Guide dog training – learning as they go

1 Perky Nellissen and 8-month-old Ziti pose together at their Little Compton home. Nellissen and Ziti are both going through guide dog training for the first time. 2 Perky Nellissen teaches … more

By Lucy Probert | 5/19/22

Residents of Quaker Manor/Estates have been complaining about maintenance and management issues for the past several years. However, Phoenix Property Management, which took over management in the beginning of 2021, has assured tenants there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Portsmouth: HUD demands Quaker Manor ownership change

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Housing Authority (PHA) will eventually be getting “out of the ownership and management business,” its chairman told tenants of Quaker Manor/Quaker … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/13/22

This vacant lot on Carnegie Harbor Drive recently sold for $2 million — said to be the highest vacant land sale of the year in Rhode Island.

Portsmouth: Carnegie Harbor Drive lot fetches $2 million

PORTSMOUTH — Residential Properties Ltd. (RPL) has announced the sale of a vacant lot on Carnegie Harbor Drive for $2 million — the highest vacant land sale in Rhode Island this … more

5/11/22

Portsmouth residents still seek clarity on solar ordinance

PORTSMOUTH — Some abutters to existing or proposed commercial solar facilities still want clarification on the town’s solar ordinance, despite a public hearing last fall during which the … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/10/22

PHS defender Joe Rocco pressures his Barrington opponent near the goal Friday night. By the end of the first quarter, the Patriots had already secured a 7-0 lead against the Eagles and went on to win 10-7 for their fourth straight victory.

Portsmouth beats Barrington for 4th straight victory (photos)

BARRINGTON — The Portsmouth High boys’ varsity lacrosse team won its fourth straight game on Friday when it defeated Barrington, 10-7, on the road. more

5/10/22

A map from Mayflower Wind shows the projected route of cables required to transport power from its offshore wind farm to a connection at Brayton Point in Somerset, Mass. The connection requires a long stretch up Mt. Hope Bay, across land in Portsmouth, and up the Sakonnet River.

Offshore wind farm proposes cable connection through Sakonnet River, Mt. Hope Bay

The project developer contends it will generate enough clean energy to power 800,000 homes, and will plug into the grid that serves Rhode Island as well. But potential environmental impacts have yet to be discussed publicly. more

By Ethan Hartley | 5/4/22

Portsmouth council votes to defund island planning group

PORTSMOUTH — In provisionally approving a $69.97 million budget for 2022-23 that calls for a 1.29-percent increase over the current spending plan, the Town Council made a move that several … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/4/22

Portsmouth sophomore pitcher John Mass struck out 11 and gave up just one hit in a seven-inning complete game against Mt. Hope at Guiteras Field on Friday afternoon.

Portsmouth tops Mt. Hope twice in four days

PORTSMOUTH/BRISTOL — Two games against Mt. Hope High School added up to two Division 1 wins for the Patriots varsity baseball team Friday and Monday. On Friday at Guiteras Field in … more

5/3/22

A rendering of the new playground being proposed by the Four Hearts Foundation to replace the existing one on Turnpike Avenue.

Portsmouth: Fund-raising begins for new playground

PORTSMOUTH — A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Four Hearts Foundation and the Town Council has been approved so that a new community playground can be built on Turnpike … more

5/3/22

The Patriots’ Elly Skeels tracks a Burrillville opponent along the sideline during Saturday's game at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth beats Burrillville, sit atop D-2 girls’ lacrosse

PORTSMOUTH — In a battle of two undefeated Division II teams, the Portsmouth High varsity girls’ lacrosse made easy work of Burrillville on Saturday, winning 13-2 in impressive … more

5/1/22

Wire breaks are shown inside the main cables on the Mt. Hope Bridge. The R.I. Turnpike and Bridge Authority plans to apply a dehumidification project intended to restore the cables’ strength.

$35 million Mt. Hope Bridge work goes out for RFP

The proposed cable dehumidification technology needed to extend the life of the iconic bridge is expensive, with a projected $35 million price tag. But that’s a fraction of what the cost would be for a full cable or bridge replacement. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/29/22

Two Portsmouth residents charged with voter fraud

“Vote early and often,” goes the saying. According to the R.I. Attorney General’s Office, two men here took the second part of that maxim to heart during the 2020 General Election. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/28/22

A three-dimensional rendering of how the new Turnpike Avenue playground would appear if built.

In Portsmouth: We can build it: Bigger, safer, and all-inclusive

PORTSMOUTH — Two local moms with a shared vision to rebuild the Turnpike Avenue playground received permission from the Town Council Monday night to start fund-raising so their dreams become a … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/28/22

Portsmouth High’s Chris Vachon, Kevin Sullivan and Kaden Kluth (from left) run in a pack during the 1,500 meter run at Monday’s home track meet. Kluth would go on to win the event, and also set a new school record in winning the 3,000-meter run.

Portsmouth boys, girls both winners in track meet

Just two weeks after he shattered a 42-year-old Portsmouth High School running record, Kaden Kluth improved on another school best during a home meet on Monday. Competing against East … more

4/26/22

Lea Hitchen of Portsmouth appointed next town planner

PORTSMOUTH — The town didn’t wait long to appoint a successor to Town Planner Gary Crosby, who earlier this month announced his retirement effective June 30 after 18 years of … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/26/22

Chris Zeeman from a Fort Adams work crew uses a trump grinder during Saturday’s cleanup at Butts Hill Fort.

In Portsmouth: Volunteers pitch in to clean up Butts Hill Fort

PORTSMOUTH — Armed with rakes, shovels, tree saws and loppers, 34 volunteers took part in this year’s first cleanup of Butts Hill Fort, a Revolutionary-era earthwork near Portsmouth High … more

4/26/22

Comedian Ashley Gutermuth (far left) entertains the crowd inside Greenvale Vineyards’ tasting room on Sunday during the winery’s first-ever Comedy for Conservation event.

In Portsmouth: Recycling jokes for a good cause

PORTSMOUTH — They were yukking it up inside Greenvale Vineyard’s tasting room on Sunday for the winery’s first-ever “Comedy for Conservation” event. Proceeds from the … more

4/26/22

Tiverton Budget Committee member Joseph Sousa protests against President Joe Biden Monday in front of Stateline Tobacco on Stafford Road. Note: portions of his sign have been blurred electronically.

Tiverton official says he won't stop waving anti-Biden sign

"F*** Biden." The words on Joe Sousa's white sign, and a drawing of a hand with uplifted middle finger, are clear as day and leave no doubt where the elected Tiverton Budget Committee member … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/26/22

Alyssa Gotovich watches as a bike owned by her mom, Nicole Gotovich, is inspected by Art Leland, owner of Your Bike Shop in Warren. Nicole Gotovich was the main organizer for the safety forum.

Safety first at bike event in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Pedals, police and popcorn were on the bill last Wednesday, April 20, for the first Bicycle Safety Forum in Common Fence Point. Children and adults brought their bikes to the … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/25/22

Portsmouth zoners to consider amendment of housing development

PORTSMOUTH — Aquidneck Country Club is seeking Zoning Board of Review approval to amend a previously approved special-use permit to develop 22 single-family dwellings and six duplex units … more

4/22/22

What’s working well — Aaron Tessier helps his daughter Aubrey, 5, cast into Thurston Gray Pond from the small dock at Melville Park last Thursday. Residents last week pointed to Melville Park’s fishing spots and hiking trails as among the best examples of the town’s open space and recreational facilities.

Parks and recreation: How’s Portsmouth doing?

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth still needs a community recreation center, as well as a facility for the fastest-growing sport around — pickleball. The hiking trails and fishing … more

By Jim McGaw | 4/22/22

Nancy and Bill Wilson are shown on the second floor of their home. The diamond pattern on the wallpaper is a prevalent design theme throughout the property.

The family home – for six generations

When Charlotte Condit Parker arrived at Portsmouth’s Greenvale Farm in 1918, she found the once-proud homestead that had been built by her uncle more than a half century earlier in ruins. … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 4/21/22

Portsmouth High pitcher Megan Malone fires one in during the fourth inning of a home game against Tiverton on Thursday, April 14. The sophomore also had two base hits. The Tigers prevailed in a close one, 7-6.

Tiverton edges Portsmouth in softball, 7-6 (photos)

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Patriots’ softball team dropped a close one to Tiverton on Thursday at home, 7-6. Mary Rainey, a PHS freshman, earned the player-of-the-game … more

4/17/22