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Two left in Westport superintendent search

Two career educators with more than a half century of work experience between them are finalists to become Westport’s new school superintendent, following the expected retirement of Thomas … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/22/25

Wind turbines well offshore, as seen from the border of Little Compton and Westport last Friday.

Westport wind group's future blowing in the wind

A town board formed five months ago to monitor the potential impacts of offshore wind on Westport could soon go on an extended hiatus, or meet much less frequesntly. The reason? Changes in the … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/21/25

An extreme high tide in October 2024 completely flooded an access road at Gull Cove, off Route 24.

Coastal photos needed of Saturday’s king tide

Get your cameras ready! Extreme high tides will return to Rhode Island coastlines on Saturday, April 26, at 7:33 p.m. The University of Rhode Island is asking Rhode Islanders to join … more

4/21/25

Westport resident Kevin McGoff fishes Grays Mill Pond Saturday morning with his daughter Carolyn and son Wesley.

Biting cold, and a few bites, in Adamsville

The mercury was at 35 degrees, with a wind chill that made it feel like 19 at Grays Mill Pond in Adamsville early Saturday morning. Still, that was good enough for the brave souls who came out for … more

By Christian Silvia | 4/17/25

Thomas Harrington teaches drumming to students at the Macomber School several years ago.

Blood drive honors memory of two who left too soon

The late Thomas Harrington and Tracy Pereira touched countless lives in Little Compton and Westport. Two years after Harrington’s death at age 19, and nine months after Pereira followed, loved … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/17/25

Professor Bernardo Motta sits with his students, engaging in one-on-one conversations about environmental issues.

The call of the wild in the East Bay — calls for environmental advocacy

“Waaah” is a sound not sought by most, but there are some who seek it nightly. They head outside, after sunset, specifically listening for a low pitched “Waaah” sound. It is … more

By Michelle Mercure | 4/17/25

The old Westport High School is a valuable town resource, but residents at a meeting Thursday said the town needs more financial data before deciding the best use for the town.

Old high school a new ‘community campus' for Westport?

PICS HS1 Ted Hayes The old Westport High School is a valuable town resource, but residents at a meeting Thursday said the town needs more financial data before deciding the … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/16/25

Connor James celebrates with a coach after hitting a run-scoring single during the Wildcats 10-2 win over Shore Shore on Wednesday afternoon.

Westport baseball team beats South Shore Vo-Tech, twice

Westport broke out for 10 hits as they clobbered South Shore Vo-Tech 10-2 during a home game on Wednesday. The Wildcats also beat the Vikings 5-3 in an away game on Thursday to improve their record … more

Photos and story by Richard W. Dionne, Jr. | 4/15/25

Westport will soon seed the river with thousands of seed quahogs during its yearly shellfish relay. Above, a load of tiny scallops are released in a relay a few years back.

$100,000? That's a lot of clams!

A few short notes from last week’s recent shellfish advisory board meeting: Shellfish fund Marine services director Chris Leonard had a nice day earlier this month when he opened the … more

4/15/25

Kiana Wright, 30, (In yellow) visits the aquarium frequently, listening to music while enjoying the tranquility of the sea creatures.

Sandy shores open doors at Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium

Sand is a curious substance — soft yet gritty, smooth underfoot but rough to the touch. It’s fun to play with at the beach, yet impossible to fully shake off afterward. Now imagine a sand … more

By Michelle Mercure | 4/15/25

A satellite view of the area, with the land in question shown in red.

Owners propose giving unwanted land to Westport

More than 50 acres of wooded land in north Westport could soon become town property, if a warrant article at next month’s Town Meeting is approved by voters. The 51.3 acres of landlocked, … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/11/25

Incoming select board member Jake McGuigan, who will serve a one-year term, was sworn in Thursday morning by town clerk Kristin Stinson, along with returning select board member Shana Teas, not shown. The board’s first meeting with new members is scheduled for Monday, April 14.

Teas, McGuigan sworn in Thursday

It’s official — voters sent Shana Teas back to the select board for three more years, and gave Jake McGuigan his first select board seat, in Tuesday’s town-wide election. Both were … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/10/25

Westport police logs: Women faces charges following crash

Monday, March 31 Police attempted to serve a warrant on Meadow Road at 9:13 p.m., but were unable. A caller reported a road hazard on Route 88 at 10:19 p.m. Police responded a few minutes … more

4/9/25

The Block Island Wind Farm, pictured, offered Rhode Island its first foothold into the offshore wind industry. Negotiations to buy more wind power from the SouthCoast Wind project have stalled amid federal uncertainty.

Big changes for Southcoast wind farm projects

No one knew exactly how President Donald Trump’s first-day order halting new offshore wind leases would affect the federal approvals already granted for the SouthCoast Wind project planned … more

By Nancy Lavin | 4/9/25

Westport Select Board candidates at a forum two weeks before the election: From left, Jake McGuigan, Weston Thurston II, Shana Teas and Keith Dias.

Teas, McGuigan tops in Westport Select Board race

Voters sent Shana Teas back to the select board for three more years, and gave Jake McGuigan his first select board seat, in Tuesday’s townwide election. With all five precincts reporting, … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/8/25

Canvassing for their preferred candidates Tuesday were Kim Fiola Gray (foreground), Linda Richter (middle) and Liz McGuigan (rear).

Election day in Westport

Tuesday is election day in Westport, and polls will be open until 8 p.m. for all town races. Though there are more than a dozen seats open, only two races have competition. Shana Teas is running … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/8/25

DEM sets April 12 as opening of the 2025 trout season

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has stocked more than 100 freshwater locations, including children’s-only ponds, with 60,000 fish — brook, brown, rainbow, and … more

4/8/25

Superintendent Thomas Aubin speaks to school committee members last week.

Westport schools chief fears funding cuts

Westport may have dodged a funding bullet by spending all but about $6 of more than $2.3 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds received by Westport Community … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/7/25

Westport Highway Department crews remove cobbles and sand from East Beach Road following a strong winter storm in late 2023.

Westport barrier beaches under the microscope

Scientists studying how to best manage Westport’s fragile barrier beaches hope to have a clear map to follow by June or July, when they complete their study of beaches at East Beach Avenue, the … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/3/25

A sign at the New Bedford YMCA wishes Westport swimmer Brandon Medeiros well this week.

Westport swimmer going for gold

Westport and New Bedford are rooting for a local swimmer currently competing in North Carolina in hopes of adding more gold medals to his collection. Westport High School senior Brandon … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/2/25

’The Coop’ across the street from Gray’s Daily Grind in Adamsville.

'Coop' controversy in Adamsville

Will Adamsville’s ‘Coop,’ the shiny chrome food trailer by the pond across from Gray’s Daily Grind, ever re-open? The ball appears to be in Gray’s court. ’The Coop’ across the street from Gray’s Daily Grind in Adamsville. Bassett cover Interim Westport building official … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/1/25

Steven Correia, in a booking photo provided by Westport police.

Westport man faces multiple child rape, assault charges

A Westport man faces multiple sexual offenses against a child, following his arrest Friday. Following an investigation, Steven Correia, 52, of 48 Blossom Road, was arrested Friday, March 28, and … more

3/31/25

Steve Ouellette spends a moment with his grandson Linkin at Monday's select board meeting, his last.

New Westport Rep: I loved 'the good you can do'

If Monday night’s Westport Select Board meeting felt like a retirement party, Steven Ouellette wasn’t having it. “You’ll still be seeing me, don’t worry,” he … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/26/25

Visitors participate in sanding and prepping a rain barrel for painting at last year’s rain barrel event in Barrington.

Gardeners have the best dirt

The smell of dirt is intoxicating. It is said to be a natural antidepressant. It’s spring, and it’s Earth Month — the perfect time to get dirty. The Eastern Rhode Island … more

By Michelle Mercure | 3/26/25

Ashley Ernest sits outside her camper van turned mobile art studio on a beautiful day.

Creative Wanderings wanders around the state

School buses have turned into tiny houses on wheels. Vans have become synonymous with a nomadic existence that enables travel. And one local camper has turned into a mobile art studio. Turning … more

By Michelle Mercure | 3/20/25