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Beach-goers traverse cobbles as they look for a sandy spot at South Shore Beach Friday.

Locals decry overcrowding at Little Compton beach

With the summer season rapidly approaching, a handful of Little Compton residents –– a crowd, by the small town’s standards –– sat in on the Beach Commission meeting … more

By Paige Shapiro | 4/18/23

Farmers Skip Paul (left) and Ben Wolbach hope to ease local pressures on farming here by housing seasonal workers on-site.

Farm labor — a hard row to hoe in Little Compton

In an industry so historically intrinsic, a Damoclean sword seems to hang precariously over the farmers of Little Compton, much of it driven by the high cost of doing business in a place so serene … more

By Paige Shapiro | 4/13/23

The Longplex Family & Sport Center sprawls across several hundred thousand square feet of space in North Tiverton.

Tiverton OKs upcoming Longplex events

After cautioning that crowd control, public safety, and the potential for overflow parking continue to be major concerns, the Tiverton Town Council voted Monday to allow the Longplex Family & … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 4/12/23

“Chuck, you’re not supposed to talk — quiet,” local resident Sharlene Patton tells Town Council member Charles Levesque after he assured her there was no agreement between the Town of Portsmouth and SouthCoast Wind in place — or even being discussed. Patton was referring to Levesque’s earlier comment that he was recusing himself from any council deliberations regarding the wind energy developer’s proposal because his family owns property off Boyds Lane, through which SouthCoast wants to run transmission cables. Levesque, meanwhile, said Patton and others should not be speaking because the item was not on the agenda.

SouthCoast Wind foes demand answers from Portsmouth council

PORTSMOUTH — For a topic that wasn’t even on the council’s business agenda, it sure drew a lot of discussion. more

By Jim McGaw | 4/12/23

A comparison of the first quarter in 2022 to the first quarter in 2023 shows that actual sales have slowed in all categories of residential housing. The writer believes the market is in a period of transition, but it does not know which way it’s heading yet.

Analyst: The local real estate market is frozen

A review of the cities and towns up and down the East Bay, from Newport and Little Compton to East Providence, comparing the first quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023, shows that unlike our … more

By Douglas Gablinske | 4/11/23

Walker's will re-open in Little Compton this summer

The news of Walker's Roadside Stand demise has apparently been greatly exaggerated — the Little Compton institution is back in business under the leadership of Ian Walker, founder Coll Walker's … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/11/23

Patriots starting pitcher Damon Owen hurls one toward the plate during Portsmouth’s 4-1 win over Tiverton at home on Saturday. The righty surrendered one run on four hits over four innings, striking out six.

Portsmouth tops Tiverton, Cumberland to start season

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Patriots varsity baseball team got its season off on the right foot with back-to-back wins on Saturday and Monday. In a non-league game against … more

4/11/23

Missing Tiverton girl, 16, found safe

A 16-year-old Tiverton girl reported missing late last month has been found. Police said Avah Flower, 16, was found last week, days after her mother reported her missing on Friday, March 31. … more

4/10/23

Robert Fazzina, a Tiverton resident and abutter closest to proposed site, speaks vehemently against the proposed crematorium at a meeting last month.

Planning chairman admits misstep in Tiverton crematorium review

More than 200 residents crowded the Tiverton Middle School auditorium Tuesday evening for a planning board public hearing on a controversial proposal to build a crematorium in the north end of … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 4/6/23

John Migliori with a 25.5-inch pickerel he caught on Aquidneck Island last week.

Opening Day for fishing season is this Saturday

O pening Day of the freshwater fishing season in Rhode Island is at 6 a.m. this Saturday, April 8. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has stocked 100 waterways, many … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 4/5/23

The new school resource officer will join current SRO Jacquelie Smaldone, who was recently appointed to the post.

Tiverton eyes second school resource officer

Tiverton Police Chief Patrick Jones has received town council approval to apply for a federal grant that, if approved, could result in the hiring of a second school resource officer for … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 4/4/23

McGaw introduces 'human composting' bill

While Tiverton residents try to prevent the construction of a crematorium in the North End, Rep. Michelle McGaw has introduced legislation that would give those at the end of life a more … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/3/23

Providence Country Day School announces 2022-23 second trimester honor roll

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Providence Country Day School has named its 2022-2023 second trimester honor roll. For Middle School (Classes of 2027-2030), students earn High Honors with all grades of … more

4/3/23

New St. Mary Academy-Bay View president Amy Gravell.

St. Mary Academy-Bay View names Gravell as new school president

EAST PROVIDENCE — Amy Gravell, a Providence resident and alumna with a long history in leadership positions for non-profit organizations, has been selected to become the fourth president in the … more

4/3/23

Simmons Cafe and Marketplace is on the market for $985,000.

Iconic Simmons Market for sale in Adamsville

An unexpected sight has replaced the crowded bulletin board that hangs over the porch of Simmons Market and Cafe –– a 'For Sale' sign. The listing of the cafe and market, previously … more

By Paige Shapiro | 3/30/23

Longplex owner Jim Long (right) and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee go over original blueprints from the complex's construction, at a tour of the Tiverton facility last month.

Feud between Longplex, Town of Tiverton simmers over

A long simmering feud between the Town of Tiverton and Jim Long, owner of the Longplex Family & Sports Center, escalated Monday night when the town council delayed taking action on two special … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 3/29/23

The Ming Nie Global Change and Ecosystem Lab in Shanghai invited Mark Bertness (center) to study saltmarsh degradation in their region.

Endangered species: Saltmarshes — and what to do about it

The Barrington Land Conservation Trust kicks off its 2023 Land Trust Learning Series on Monday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation on saltmarsh degradation by Mark Bertness at the Barrington … more

3/29/23

Veterans often charter River Rebel Charters of Bristol to fish for free as part of the Veteran Angler Charters program.

Trout fishing is the ticket this month

Rhode Island lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams designated as trout-stocked waters are currently closed for fishing. However, the season opens Saturday, April 8, and runs through Feb. 29, … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 3/28/23

Anthony DeSisto, during a Warren Town Council meeting in 2020.

Little Compton close to hiring new solicitor

Little Compton could soon have a new town solicitor, after town council members voted 4-1 last week, with Paul Golembeske opposed, to negotiate a contract with Anthony DeSisto of Anthony DeSisto Law … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/28/23

Adamsville welcomes new fitness studio

For those looking for a place to give their long-lost New Year’s resolutions a kick in the tail feathers, a new fitness studio is set to open in the heart of Adamsville. Henhouse Studios, … more

By Paige Shapiro | 3/24/23

Honored Tiverton and Little Compton teachers (from left) Samantha Reimels, Kim Smith, Carla Woodhouse, Lee Cusumano, Shana Roper, Jill Godbout and Christine Kraus pose for a photo at the recent Lions Club celebration.

Tiverton Lions recognize local heroes

The Tiverton Lions Club recently recognized 12 Tiverton and Little Compton public servants for the contributions they have made to their communities this past year. The club’s 2023 … more

By Ruth Rasmussen | 3/23/23

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

Jessica Kaela, shown in studio singing her newly released single, “Crying.”

Meet Jessica Kaela: A young singer focused on career growth

At 23, singer, songwriter, recording artist Jessica Kaela is a contemporary songster whose commitment to hard work, positivity, doing for others and doing what’s right, in the midst of a … more

By Michael Khouri | 3/22/23

Constance Gee of Westport (middle left), Mary Chalke of Nantucket (in the whale suit) and others listen to Timmons Roberts, a professor of environmental studies and sociology at Brown University and the executive director of the Climate Social Science Network.

Hundreds pack offshore wind forum in Little Compton

Hundreds of residents concerned about the impact of offshore wind projects on the shores of Little Compton, Westport and other area communities flooded the Wilbur McMahon School gymnasium... more

By Paige Shapiro | 3/21/23

RMT team photo with the Division II Championship trophy.

RMT comes back to beat Portsmouth 3-1 in state hockey final

The Rogers-Middletown-Tiverton Co-op team came from behind to beat Portsmouth 3-1 for the Division II state hockey title at Schneider Arena on Saturday afternoon. Matt O’Hagen, Keaton … more

Story and photos by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 3/20/23