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Rep. Terri Cortvriend of Portsmouth 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 was later signed into law by the governor.

Federal judge dismisses challenge to R.I. shoreline access law

Wrong court, wrong argument and against the wrong people. So declared U.S. District Court Judge William Smith in his Sept. 19 opinion dismissing a legal challenge to the state’s newly … more

By Nancy Lavin/R.I. Current | 9/22/23

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

Christine de Silva takes photos of a hammerhead shark as it is released during an expedition in Biscayne Bay while a student at the University of Miami. (Photo courtesy of Christine de Silva)

She’s a student, a tech CEO and a shark researcher

1 Christine de Silva takes photos of a hammerhead shark as it is released during an expedition in Biscayne Bay while a student at the University of Miami. (Photo courtesy of Christine de … more

2/24/23

Tiverton council backs aquaculture legislation

The Tiverton Town Council last week approved a resolution urging the General Assembly to pass legislation that would restrict any new aquaculture leases on the Sakonnet River to at least 1,000 feet … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 3/22/23

Four extension options explored for East Bay Bike Path

For the past several years, the Town of Bristol has been looking into ways to connect the end of the East Bay Bike Path to the Mt. Hope Bridge and RWU. Major progress has been made toward that goal, and some safety improvements are already moving forward. more

By Christy Nadalin | 4/12/23

Longplex owner Jim Long (right) and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee go over original blueprints from the complex's construction, which began four years ago.

Governor visits Tiverton's Longplex

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has coached basketball, ran his own health and racquetball club in Woonsocket, and has been involved in sports since he was a kid. Though he's seen a lot of sports … more

By Ted Hayes | 2/22/23

Offshore wind is the subject of intense debate in Rhode Island.

Two sides to the wind farm debate

A Rhode Island citizen activist made a powerful pitch about the dangers of offshore wind projects to a mostly supportive audience in Westport, Mass., on Tuesday, Sept. 19, and a small group of … more

By Mary Lhowe/ecoRI News contributor | 9/27/23

Polar divers scamper out of the water at Island Park Beach on Jan. 1 of this year. They’ll be running back in at noon sharp on Monday.

In Portsmouth: They’ll be diving in again on Monday

PORTSMOUTH — The annual Polar Dive set for noon sharp on New Year’s Day will once again benefit the Island Park Preservation Society. The lighting of the bonfire will be at 11:18 … more

12/28/23

Patriot is the first second-generation AC75 racing yacht to be launched.

Built in Bristol, America's Cup challenger launches in New Zealand

A boat conceived and constructed in little Bristol, R.I. launched into the waters of of Auckland, New Zealand today, beginning the next step in its quest to win the oldest international competition … more

10/16/20

Amiyah Johnson, a student at Portsmouth Middle School, recited a nonviolence pledge during the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday.

Choose to love and forgive, says MLK Jr. event speaker

NEWPORT COUNTY — On Jan. 6, hundreds of insurgents — many displaying telltale symbols typically worn by white supremacists, white nationalists and other extremist groups — … more

By Jim McGaw | 1/18/21

McGaw re-introduces bill to ban controversial recycling practice

Rep. Michelle E. McGaw (Democrat, District 71 Tiverton, Little Compton, Portsmouth) has re-introduced legislation that would bar high-heat waste processing facilities in Rhode Island, after it … more

1/20/23

Construction work on Memorial Drive, which allows vehicles to access the Portsmouth High School campus from Turnpike Avenue, is not expected to be completed until the end of October.

Portsmouth: Two bond projects at high school not completed

PORTSMOUTH — As students return to Portsmouth High School this week for the new academic year, they’ll find a couple of major upgrades still not complete: Memorial Drive and air … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/29/23

RIDOT begins Bristol-to-Providence ferry service on December 20

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that it has contracted with SeaStreak, Rhode Island Fast Ferry and the Block Island Ferry to offer free ferry service to … more

12/18/23

Five Portsmouth juveniles charged with assault

PORTSMOUTH — Five juveniles have been arrested in connection with an assault that took place on May 5 on the property of Hathaway Elementary School, according to police. At about … more

5/17/23

Gov. Gina Raimondo talks about a new executive order that authorizes fines for those not following the state's isolation or home quarantine directives.

State adds teeth (fines) to quarantine measures; governor says surge is weeks away

The State of Rhode Island is getting more serious about its orders for people to stay in isolation or self-quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier today, Gov. Gina Raimondo signed an … more

By Scott Pickering | 4/9/20

Yes, there is free lunch

I’m breaking protocol to tell this story in the first person, because the whole project really began at home in our kitchen. First, a little background. [If you want to skip my personal … more

By Scott Pickering | 2/2/22

The URI’s men’s heavyweight varsity four, which won the American Collegiate Rowing Association club national title, is poised to start at the national regatta in Tennessee. From left are Kathryn McGee of East Providence, coxswain (barely visible), Isaiah Kittel of Portsmouth, Gunnar Rinkel, Bradley Schmidt and Levi Comire.

Portsmouth man wins national title with URI rowing team

PORTSMOUTH — They were among 40 club members who trained six days a week, and shoveled snow, raked leaves and completed other projects for local residents to raise money for their training … more

7/19/22

Forum features Democrats for state Senate and Barrington Council

Democratic candidates for the Barrington Town Council and Senate Districts 11 and 32, which have some voters in Barrington, Bristol, East Providence and Portsmouth, have been invited to debate on … more

8/10/22

Portsmouth High boys’ hockey team head coach Greg Cunningham talks with his players during an Injury Fund game against Barrington in December.

PHS boys' hockey team forfeiting 2 games after drinking incident

PORTSMOUTH — In the wake of a Snapchat video showing three members of the Portsmouth High boys’ hockey team drinking alcohol in the locker room following a Feb. 3 win in West … more

2/9/23

Cooper Keyes checks to see where the ball is while racing toward home plate during a Wiffle ball game last Thursday night on the special field behind Patriot Upholstery on East Main Road. Two separate leagues for youngsters and adults compete there.

On this field in Portsmouth, the score hardly matters

PORTSMOUTH — Before he took the mound to show off his pitching skills, 13-year-old Jacob Labonte was busy putting up the numbers on the Patriot Field scoreboard last Thursday night. … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/17/23

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

DEM, Marine association provides boating community with virus guidelines

PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association last week issued the following guidance regarding the safe operation of … more

4/9/20

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

The state says visitors to Thurston Gray Pond, aka Upper Melville Pond, should be careful not to ingest water or eat fish from the pond. All recreation, including fishing, boating, and kayaking, should be avoided.

State: Avoid contact with Melville pond, Turner Reservoir

PORTSMOUTH/EAST PROVIDENCE — The R.I. Department of Health (RIDOH) and the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) are advising people to avoid contact with Thurston Gray Pond (also … more

6/24/22

Nathan Bruno was 15 and a student at Portsmouth High School when he died by suicide in February 2018.

Portsmouth: Court limits access to cell phone data in Bruno lawsuit

PORTSMOUTH — A Superior Court judge has ruled that the defendants in a lawsuit alleging negligence that resulted in the suicide of 15-year-old Nathan Bruno in 2018 may have access to only a … more

7/20/22