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A female ruby-throated hummingbird visits a coral honeysuckle (Lonicera semperverins) in the authors’ Barrington yard.

Welcome spring with the return of the hummingbirds

For those impatiently watching for new signs of life in the garden, the annual return of hummingbirds is one of the most eagerly anticipated springtime events. Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in … more

By Cindy and Ed Moura | 3/26/24

Lessons from the past for our modern-day government mess

‘To Rescue the Constitution: George Washington and the American Experience’ By Bret Baier A book steeped in history, “To Rescue the Constitution” traces the development … more

By Donna Bruno | 3/26/24

Alewife and Blueback Herring are collectively known as River Herring. Locally many call them ‘buckies’.

Atlantic Herring hurting, fish mangers look for solutions

Atlantic Herring numbers are down — way down. According to NOAA Fisheries, the stock is overfished. In 2022, overall commercial landings totaled 9.3 million pounds. By comparison, a decade … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 3/26/24

Holly (left) works with volunteers to frame up a wall in this photo taken in August 2022.

Habitat's homes, sweet homes in Westport

Some time soon — it could be a month, maybe two — Holly will finally have a beautiful new home to call her own. When that day comes, the 1989 Westport High School graduate and single … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/26/24

Westport residents at last year’s Town Meeting.

Town Meeting demystified Wednesday evening

Confused about Westport’s Town Meeting? How it works, the process and procedure, and more? On Wednesday evening, Westport middle schoolers become the teachers. The eighth grade class will … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/25/24

Letter: Act now, vote YES for clean water in Westport

The long-planned North Westport water and sewer system is a public investment whose time has come. The Town of Westport has arrived at a unique confluence of new opportunities and old needs. It is … more

3/25/24

Contractors prepare the approach to the eastbound side of the Washington Bridge to soon receive three lanes of motorists.

RIDOT closes East Providence exit overnight to accommodate bridge lane changes

EAST PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is informing motorists as part of it ongoing effort to alleviate the intense congestion on the Washington Bridge since the … more

By Mike Rego | 3/25/24

Judy’s Island is about two thirds of the way up the West Branch, on the eastern shore.

Capsized Westport quahogger rescued

A commercial shellfisherman who capsized his center console on a remote stretch of the Westport River’s west branch last Thursday was able to make it safely to shore with the help of a nearby … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/25/24

A plan to develop a live-in school for adolescents with substance abuse problems on the Westport/LittleCompton town line has caused a furor in the quiet Acoaxet area.

Old Harbor ‘school’ plan delayed — again

It will be at least another two months before a controversial plan to develop a live-in school for teens with substance abuse issues gets another hearing before the town. For the third time … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/22/24

Westport police logs: Two DUIs this week

Monday, March 11 A 911 caller reported an accident with injuries on American Legion Highway at 7:35 a.m. A 911 caller reported a suspicious person at Hix Bridge Road and Route 88. But … more

3/21/24

Letter: A 'YES' on Route 6 vote will improve my family's life

I am a 30-year resident of East Briggs Road in Westport, where I raised my two children, and where my husband and I plan to retire. Our home is on a parcel of five lots which, when added together, do … more

3/21/24

Letter: Vote ‘YES’ for sewer and water — here’s why we need them now

On Tuesday, April 9, voters will consider approving a project to extend a sewer and water trunkline along Route 6 from Fall River to Dartmouth. For decades voters have been unconvinced of the need to … more

3/21/24

Letter: Worried about some changes zoning, Route 6 project could bring

Bringing an integrated sewer and water system to the Route 6 corridor has been discussed for years among Westport town officials concerned about the contamination of well water by cesspools and … more

3/21/24

Letter: Moving forward with required dredging would be a mistake

It is astonishing that these engineering experts don't seem to know exactly what is on the ocean floor of our waterways after the past 100 years of dumping our untreated waste there. more

3/21/24

Westport ballot set — several open seats with no candidates

The ballot for next month's election is set, with several contested races and more than a few with nobody interested in running. Apart from a $35 million debt exclusion question that will face … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/20/24

Westport Shorelines - Thursday, March 21, 2024

3/20/24

Books, people who love them, and a Regency romp

Two books about books and the people who love them and a romp through Regency London. Enjoy! “Blank” by Zibby Owens (2024). Pippa Jones is in her 40s and lives in Los Angeles. She is … more

By Lynda Rego | 3/20/24

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg talks to the assembled media after touring the Washington Bridge with local officials Tuesday morning, March 19.

Secretary Buttigieg tours decrepit westbound span

PROVIDENCE — Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg promised the federal government would do all it could to help assist and expedite the process of replacing the westbound side of the … more

By Mike Rego | 3/19/24

Shaina Boyle and Gary Vandemoortele, Smithfield, with a 27” summer flounder caught fishing with Capt. Dave Monti. Monti’s seminar is Monday, March 25.

Experts weigh in on ‘How to catch bigger fluke’

It is my honor to be the guest speaker at the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association seminar Monday, March 25, at 7 p.m. at the West Warwick Elks, 60 Cyle St., West Warwick. The … more

By Capt. Dave Monti | 3/19/24

A thrilling story of a woman who left her mark on the world

The very best in historical fiction, “ The Lioness of Boston” focuses on Isabella (“Belle”) Stewart Gardner, a … more

By Donna Bruno | 3/19/24

Westport Grange talks climate resiliency and agriculture

Members of Westport’s agricultural community will meet next Wednesday at the Grange, 931 Main Road, to learn a bit more climate change and how it could continue to impact Westport in the coming … more

3/18/24

David and Diane MacGregor, grand marshals of this year’s parade, thank the crowd during the post-parade concert.

Little Compton grand marshals: “It feels so good”

This year’s Grand Marshals, long-time Little Compton teachers Diane and David MacGregor, drew some of the loudest cheers as the parade worked its way east on Main Road. Later in the day, during … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/18/24

Little Compton, meet Miss Rhode Island Red 2024

There were plenty of smiles to be had at Sunday’s World’s Shortest St. Paddy’s Day parade in Adamsville, but few as wide as Caroline Wilkie Wordell’s. Occupying spot 39A … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/18/24

PHOTOS: Adamsville knows how to throw a party

2024 is the year the World’s Shortest St. Paddy’s Day parade got big. Thousands of people crowded into Little Compton Sunday for the third annual parade, started as a joke in 2022 by … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/17/24

Joining Rep. McGaw (second from right) as special guests during Thursday’s House session were parade organizer Chuck Kinnane (right), this year's parade grand marshals David and Diane MacGregor, and John Sperduti, treasurer (not pictured).

Kinnanes honored as world's shortest St. Paddy's Day parade nears

State Representative Michelle McGaw (District 71, Tiverton, Little Compton and Portsmouth) had special guests when the House celebrated St. Patrick's Day Thursday: Organizers of the world's … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/16/24