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Volunteer Elizabeth Peters helps client Joe Barreiro with selecting produce during a visit to the East Bay Food Pantry in Bristol last week.

Food prices are rising, and so are trips to local food banks

Everything is getting more expensive, and that includes food. According to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual rate of inflation in the United States was 6.2 … more

By Scott Pickering | 12/2/21

These two undernourished dogs were found abandoned at Glen Farm Thanksgiving morning. The dark-colored one later had to be euthanized due to her poor health, according to police.

Emaciated dogs found abandoned in Portsmouth on Thanksgiving

PORTSMOUTH — Two underfed, sick dogs were found abandoned Thanksgiving morning at Glen Farm, and one of them later was euthanized due to poor health, according to … more

11/29/21

Every Student Initiative (ESI) members Charlie Townsend and Anna Conheeny discuss the best way of joining two pieces of material to make a blanket in the basement of St. Barnabas Church on Sunday. ESI has been making and giving away the blankets to children with cancer for the past four years.

In Portsmouth: Coverings of kindness

PORTSMOUTH — Young cancer patients at Hasbro Children’s Hospital will soon be a little warmer at night, thanks to members of Every Student Initiative (ESI). more

By Jim McGaw | 11/16/21

AJ Amaio (left) a senior member of the Portsmouth High School Marching Band, personally thanks Army veteran George Cushman, 90, for his service during a Veterans Day tribute at Thriving Tree Coffee House on Thursday, Nov. 11. Cushman, who regrets having stopped playing piano when he joined the military many years ago, urged band members to always keep playing music throughout their lives.

In Portsmouth: ‘This is one Veterans Day I will never forget’

PORTSMOUTH — George Cushman was pumped up. The 90-year-old Army veteran shook his fist and waved other veterans over to join him in front of the Portsmouth High School Marching Band before … more

By Jim McGaw | 11/12/21

Rear Admiral Shoshana S. Chatfield, the president of the Naval War College in Newport, was the keynote speaker at Thursday’s Veterans Day ceremony at Portsmouth Town Hall. She said Rose Sherbune Clancy, the first woman from Rhode Island to enlist in the military (during World War I), opened the doors for many other women like herself who wanted to serve their country.

Portsmouth: Women take center stage at Veterans Day ceremony

PORTSMOUTH — Rear Adm. Shoshana S. Chatfield is the first woman to ever become president of the Naval War College in Newport. Yet she may never have achieved that distinction, she said … more

By Jim McGaw | 11/11/21

The restaurant industry faces a crisis, as nearly every business struggles to find and retain the workers who keep them running

Restaurants short on staff and high on stress — Apply within

The signs are everywhere. Literally, the signs are everywhere. “Help Wanted.” “Now hiring.” “Seeking: Line Cooks, Bartenders, Dishwashers.” Almost … more

By Scott Pickering | 11/11/21

A section of the U.S. Navy’s solar facility on West Main Road as it appears from the west end of Mill Lane. Many residents are worried that similar-looking, large-scale facilities will keep popping up around town. This development did not require town oversight, however, so it did not need to conform to minimum setbacks or buffers to appease abutters.

In Portsmouth: Larger solar arrays barred from residential zones

PORTSMOUTH — After a three-hour hearing in which 16 residents testified in favor of changes to Portsmouth’s current solar ordinance, the Town Council Monday night voted unanimously to … more

By Jim McGaw | 11/9/21

Portsmouth school employees asked to get vaccinated by Dec. 1

PORTSMOUTH — By Dec. 1, teachers and all other employees of the Portsmouth school district must submit proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19. If they don’t, they will need to … more

By Jim McGaw | 11/2/21

Hathaway School third-grade teacher Ashley Adamson, the 2021 R.I. Teacher of the Year, stands in front of the entrance to the White House during her trip to Washington, D.C. last month.

For Portsmouth teacher, school bell 'comes full circle'

PORTSMOUTH — When she was a little girl, Ashley Adamson wanted to be a teacher so badly that she’d play one at home. She even owned a school bell, as a picture she keeps in her … more

By Jim McGaw | 11/2/21

Russ Shipp salutes the memory of his brother, Corp. Thomas A. Shipp, after placing a rose to a wreath outside the Portsmouth Historical Society during the annual Beirut Memorial Service on Saturday. Corp. Shipp was among the nine Rhode Islanders killed in the Beirut terrorist bombing attack on Oct. 23, 1983.

‘Rhode Island Nine’ are memorialized in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Lt. Col. Scott Stephan, USMC, said he was just 5 years old in October 1983 when 241 U.S. service men and women were killed in a terrorist attack while on a peacekeeping … more

By Jim McGaw | 10/23/21

The Samaritans Team gathers for a photo on top of the bridge at the Pell Bridge Run, held Sunday, Oct. 17. The group includes barrier advocates Sen. Louis DiPalma and Rep. Joseph Solomon, as well as Melissa Cotta and Bryan Ganley of Bridging the Gap for Safety and Healing.

A temporary proposal to permanently save lives

Melissa Cotta and Bryan Ganley, co-founders of Bridging the Gap for Safety and Healing , the group working toward getting suicide prevention barriers on the state’s four tallest bridges, are … more

By Christy Nadalin | 10/21/21

Replacing the stormwater system in Portsmouth Park — Aquidneck and Narragansett avenues — is considered the No. 1 priority on a draft list of local resilience capital infrastructure improvement projects.

In Portsmouth: Building a path toward climate resiliency

PORTSMOUTH — The town isn’t waiting around for Park Avenue to go under water permanently. Working proactively in an attempt to stem the tide of climate change, the town and the … more

By Jim McGaw | 10/14/21

Sasha and Casey Jones are Ed Aldrich's constant companions.

Little Compton fund-raiser is for the birds, literally

Ed Aldrich isn't worried so much about himself as the cold weather approaches, but for his two long-time companions and best friends, Sasha and Casey Jones. Sasha is a former rescue bird, a … more

By Ted Hayes | 10/8/21

New state virtual learning academy growing

75 students from 10 districts across the state have signed up for the Rhode Island Connections Academy, an all-virtual school program. more

By Ethan Hartley | 10/7/21

Glen Ridge Farm, with over 8 acres of ocean-view pastoral farmland and equestrian facilities, was sold this week for $3.25 million.

$3.25 million land sale said to be highest ever in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — About 8.3 acres of waterfront property on Frank Coelho Drive has sold for $3.25 million, which is reportedly the highest land sale in Portsmouth ever recorded. more

10/6/21

Jonathan and Erin Chapman relax on the small deck on the north side of their home, overlooking Mint Water Brook. “It’s funny,” Erin said. “Jonathan’s parents’ house is on a rushing river and my parents are on a brook, so I think for both of us, that was always a part of what we grew up with.”

In Portsmouth: From historic mill house to ‘a fun place to live’

PORTSMOUTH — After stepping out of your car in Erin and Jonathan Chapman’s driveway that sits at the edge of the woods on Glen Farm Road, the first thing you hear is the peaceful … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/30/21

The Hunt Ocean 63 was named the Best New Powerboat Over 40 Feet at the 2021 Newport International Boat Show Newport.

Portsmouth’s Hunt Yachts wins for best new powerboat over 40'

PORTSMOUTH — Hunt Yachts has a winner. The Portsmouth company’s Ocean 63 was named the best new powerboat over 40 feet at the 2021 Newport International Boat Show. Newport … more

9/24/21

Pennfield School eighth-grader Spencer Mazur works on a drawing during an outdoor art class.

These schools opened — and stayed opened

When The Pennfield School in Portsmouth recently held an assembly on their front lawn celebrating the 50th anniversary of the start of classes, students and staff, all masked and spread out, were … more

By Lucy Probert | 9/24/21

“Part of the goal is to champion the youth — that they can actually make a difference,” said Capt. Ann Ford of Youth With a Mission, here on the deck of the 98-foot, sloop-rigged Pacific Star, which is being restored at Hinckley Boat Yard for a mission trip to Micronesia later this year.

In Portsmouth: Crew prepares boat for long service journey

PORTSMOUTH — There are holes in the hull, rotted wood, a mess of equipment in the cabin, and patches of rust everywhere. After a cursory inspection of the 98-foot, sloop-rigged Pacific … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/23/21

Whit Collier, atop his wingfoil, catches the wind as he heads out from Fogland last Wednesday. He made it as far as Sakonnet Point.

Foiled! Tiverton fund-raiser brings in $1,500 for alzheimer's research

If you happened to look out to the Sakonnet River between Fogland and Sakonnet Point last Wednesday, and spotted a strange-looking inflatable sail attached to a stubby elevated surfboard, with a … more

By Ted Hayes | 9/23/21

A conversation with the team behind Bristol Porchfest (PODCAST)

Host Kevin Centazzo, aka Kevin from Bristol, speaks with Bristol Porchfest Co-Chair Nancy Kellner and Co-Technical Director Joe Caron on the highly popular event coming to downtown Bristol this … more

9/15/21

Mindy Zhang, owner of Mindy’s Restaurant and Sushi Bar, hopes to also offer breakfast at her place soon.

Portsmouth diner transformed into modern Asian restaurant

PORTSMOUTH — Goodbye meatloaf dinner, hamburger and fries and fish and chips. Hello Dragon Roll, Shio Ramen and Shrimp and Scallop Hibachi combo. When you step inside Mindy’s … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/9/21

A town worker looks over the lower portion of Fairview Lane after the street collapsed early Thursday morning.

Crew continues repair work on collapsed Portsmouth road

PORTSMOUTH — Work crews remained busy Thursday afternoon in hopes of reopening access for many people who live off the east end of Fairview Lane, which partially collapsed due to the heavy … more

By Jim McGaw | 9/2/21

Steven Peterson, executive director for Be Great for Nate, and Anna Conheeny, a senior member of Every Student Initiative (ESI), recognize a bidder during the live auction at the Be Great for Nate Fundraising Gala at Ochre Court in Newport.

Words of love and hope — all in Nate’s memory

During a difficult transition to eighth grade more than four years ago, Hailey Pratt said she struggled with making friends. Her confidence waned, and she couldn’t figure out where she belonged … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/31/21

A van that was involved in the serious accident on West Main Road sits at the side of the road.

Five people seriously injured in Portsmouth accident

PORTSMOUTH — Five people with serious injuries were transported to local hospitals following a head-on collision Thursday morning, Aug. 12, on West Main Road near Melville … more

8/12/21