2021-03-04 E-Edition

Rogers’ Girls Advance to Semis

The Rogers High girls basketball team, the second seed in Division II-South, took the first step in the state tournament on Feb. 27, besting West Warwick, the third seed in D-II North, 56-47, on their home court. Sophomore Maeve Crowley (pictured above at far right) led all scorers with 15 points, but she received plenty of support. Junior Riz Winters […]

Major Repairs and Delays for First Beach


Several structures at Easton’s Beach will need steel and concrete repairs exceeding $1 million in the coming year, according to City Manager Joseph J. Nicholson, Jr. Nicholson made the announcement during a Capital Improvement Projects workshop on March 2 after touring the beach earlier in the day with Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano and Bill Riccio, director of Public Services. He said […]

Construction Up, But So Are Building Costs


The one economic area that has continued to thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic has been construction and remodeling. However, due to demand outstripping supply, along with a hurricane, tariffs and other factors, the skyrocketing cost of materials, particularly lumber, has reduced homebuilding profits to a fraction above costs. “The recent unplanned and unprecedented materials cost increase has negatively affected projects […]

Waites Wharf Hotel Developer Makes Case


The process to build a new 150- room hotel on Waites Wharf took a step forward with the developer presenting an application to demolish several buildings on the site during the Newport Planning Board’s March 1 meeting. Objections of those opposing the development shaped the evening. They included objections from city staffers who have recommended denying the application. The Planning […]

Broadway’s Crows Are Fascinating Theater

NATURE in the NEIGHBORHOOD

On winter evenings, just as the sun begins to go down, I hear the crows coming long before I see their black silhouettes swoop in and gather in the trees. Their cacophonous cawing, clicking and croaking fills my ears as I watch them swirl over the rooftops and land in the branches, only to suddenly startle and fly around again. […]

City Council Tables Food Truck Issue


It looks like there is a burning issue on historic Bellevue Avenue, and the aroma emanating from food trucks, restaurants and mobile carts have nothing to do with it. The good news? On Feb. 24, the Newport City Council unanimously approved the license renewals of La Costa Lobster and Tacos and A Mano Pizza & Gelato, and a cart renewal […]

10,000 Doses a Week Goal for Middletown Vaccine Site


The site of the former Benny’s store at 1400 West Main Road will now be used as a state-run COVID-19 vaccination site. The announcement was made on Feb. 25 by Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, the director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. State and local officials said they hope to have the site up and running by the middle […]

Middletown Property Revaluations Expected Soon


Middletown officials announced via press release on Feb. 26 that property owners could expect the triennial letters in the mail soon informing them of the recent townwide reassessment of their real estate holdings. Per Rhode Island state law, reassessments that help determine annual tax bills must be conducted every three years. The reassessments were administered by Massachusetts-based Vison Government Solutions, […]

Comp Plan May Get Rewrite


Can a Comprehensive Plan that took half a decade to develop, by the finest planners in the city leave people out by what it doesn’t include? On Feb. 24, the Newport City Council accepted a communication from the Planning Board, which inspects the city’s Comprehensive Plan, for omissions that could foster diversity, equity and inclusion. Board Chair Kim Salerno cited […]