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

Democrats have a problem – but is it actually just a Biden problem?

STORY OF THE WEEK: With 122 days until the Nov. 5 election (as of the writing of this column), Democrats find themselves in a fix. Various news reports this week had President Biden weighing a … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/8/24

An inspiring story of a resilient actor known to all as ‘The Fonz’

You might be surprised to know that Henry Winkler, better known as “The Fonz” on TV sitcom “Happy … more

7/2/24

Republicans and Democrats – How dare they?

If you watched the June 27 presidential debate you had to ask yourself one question: How dare the Republican and Democratic Parties leave you with a choice of two grievously flawed candidates for the … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 7/2/24

Presidential debate left Democrats reeling

STORY OF THE WEEK: The Kennedy - Nixon debate in 1960 marked the dawning of a new age, when the optics of televised images carried more weight than the substance of what candidates conveyed verbally. … more

By Ian Donnis | 7/1/24

Letter: We need more funding for child care programs

To the editor: As a small business owner running a pediatric occupational therapy institute in Rhode Island, I know that the struggle to find affordable, convenient child care is a daily reality … more

6/30/24

Letter: What did Little Compton do to our evergreens?

I am appalled to find the butchery done to our roadside evergreens without any notice. Surprising in a town that cares for its history and its residents and greenery. But perhaps not. Too … more

6/27/24

Letter: To recent grads: Buckle up, and I wish you fulfillment

This is the season, just past graduations, when many young people, here and elsewhere, are deciding what’s next. For high school grads a gap year, prep for college entrance, or moving into … more

6/27/24

Letter: Tynan’s writing taught me how to live fully

Dear Sakonnet Times or I should say, “Dear Sidney Tynan,” as this is addressed to the Sakonnet Times’s most faithful correspondent . Sidney, how is it possible that we haven’t … more

6/27/24

Letter: Crop cannons are essential, and I'm not growing corn without them

I am writing this letter to make my neighbors, friends and customers aware of the fact that Walkers Roadside Stand will not open this season. The reason that we will not be opening this year is … more

6/25/24

Major moves in the R.I. healthcare landscape

STORY OF THE WEEK: Thursday was the day to buy a lottery ticket if you predicted two key developments involving Rhode Island’s healthcare landscape. Brown University and the state’s … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/24/24

Letter: On patience, house guests and furred interlopers

If you live in the country you never can tell what you will see in your backyard, like the wild turkey, who chose to bring up her brood there as it was safer, or a released pheasant whom I … more

6/24/24

Letter: Attention food enthusiasts and community members

Are you looking for a way to give back and contribute? Look no further than the "Condiment Caring Drive" in support of the East Bay Food Pantry. more

6/20/24

Carolyn Montgomery helps dig a hole for the time capsule placed at Pike’s Peak in 1975. The capsule will be opened in August 2025.

The Town Crier: Little Compton celebrates 350 years

Editor’s note: Over the coming months, the Sakonnet Times will be running regular dispatches from the “The Town Crier” — the voice of the towns’ 350th anniversary … more

By The Town Crier | 6/18/24

Editorial: A safer bike path for all

Among the flurry of bills being passed out of the Rhode Island General Assembly is a new law with big impact for the communities along the East Bay Bike Path. The “e-bikes bill” creates a … more

6/14/24

Letter: In praise of acceptance in Little Compton

I write to express my appreciation for the action of our Town Council in their response to a request from Love Wins Coastal for a council resolution. Our town values diversity of opinions and … more

6/11/24

A win for law enforcement transparency, and a research race in R.I.

STORY OF THE WEEK: After an update of the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights recently got close to the finish line, there was 0.0% chance that legislative leaders wouldn’t get it … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/10/24

Letter: What is to become of South Shore Beach?

I was startled that the page-one display story in the May 30th 2024 Sakonnet Times was not the news that for the first Memorial Day in memory, there was no sand beach at Little Compton’s … more

6/5/24

Is R.I. healthcare ‘on the precipice of a disaster’?

STORY OF THE WEEK: During a fiery speech last Tuesday in the House of Representatives’ chamber at the Statehouse, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha warned of the growing healthcare … more

By Ian Donnis | 6/4/24

Letter: If you don’t trust ballot box, be a poll worker

To the editor: The upcoming election is all about “saving democracy,” either from government overreach by Democrats or authoritarian Republicans. I’ve been thinking a lot about … more

6/3/24

On R.I. healthcare: Keep fiddling while Rome is burning

Legend has it that while a fire destroyed the city of Rome, then Emperor Nero played his violin, thus revealing his total lack of understanding of what was happening during a crisis. If Nero headed … more

By Arlene Violet, Esq. | 6/3/24

Letter: Musings on Little Compton's Town Meeting, and the way things were

The 2024 Little Compton Financial Town Meeting is now history. Once everyone had checked in, it was called to order at 7:22 p.m. To include extensive instructions from our Town Moderator, it lasted … more

5/24/24

A large patch of Native Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa) replaced an area of turf grass lawn in the authors’ Barrington yard. The plant is an important nectar and pollen source for many native bees, especially bumblebees and long-tongued bees. It is a host plant for several native moths and a nectar source for butterflies. The prickly pads escape herbivore browsing but the fruits provide a nutrient rich meal for wild turkeys, deer, coyotes, and foxes. This native plant is rare and endangered in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Is it time to rethink the traditional lawn?

Spring is in the air, and so too are the noxious fumes and aural assault of overpowered lawn equipment. Bird song and children’s voices fill the air only to be abruptly halted by the roar of … more

By Cindy and Ed Moura | 5/21/24

We’re approaching peak time for state budget debates

In a sure sign that the end of the General Assembly session is approaching, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi has slated a budget caucus for Wednesday afternoon at the Statehouse. A … more

By Ian Donnis | 5/21/24

Letter: Fishing is a problem at Nanaquaket Bridge, too

Regarding t he article on fishing restrictions from April 9 (Anglers balk at fishing restrictions proposed in Tiverton), the Town of Tiverton definitely needs to take action and start imposing and … more

5/17/24

Letter: Yes, be careful what you wish for

To the editor: Well, one thing Will Newman and I agree on is to be careful what you wish for (Letter: 'Careful what you wish for,' The Post, May 2, 2024 edition). Several weeks ago he wrote an … more

5/16/24