Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes; enjoy!
Rhode Island
Posted inNews
Heritage Restaurant Group under contract to acquire The Mews Tavern in Wakefield
The Mews Tavern, a longtime South County gathering spot that has operated on Main Street since 1947, is set to change hands after Heritage Restaurant Group announced Monday it is under contract to acquire the Wakefield establishment. The transaction is expected to close later this year, pending customary approvals. The restaurant will continue operating at […]
Posted inNews
What Sold: A look at 13 homes that traded hands last week in Newport County (Jan. 26-30)
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today, forecasting another six weeks of winter. But in the Newport County real estate market, spring is already starting to make an early appearance. As we move through the first quarter of 2026, activity is picking up in a way that feels healthy and encouraging for both buyers and sellers. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senate Majority Leader Ciccone prepares legislation to lay down the law on ICE tactics
by Christopher Shea, Rhode Island CurrentFebruary 2, 2026 Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone III says he will soon file legislation to protect Rhode Islanders from the examples of unconstitutional conduct by federal immigration officers making headlines in other states. “Look at what’s taking place across the country, we don’t want that to happen here,” Ciccone […]
Posted inSports
Lightning’s historic 4-goal comeback stuns Bruins in NHL Stadium Series game
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nikita Kucherov scored the tying goal in the third period, Jake Guentzel scored the only goal in the shootout, and the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied from a four-goal deficit to beat the Boston Bruins 6-5 in front of 64,617 at an NHL Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay’s […]
Posted inSports
La Salle wins four-team meet at Newport YMCA; Portsmouth honors seniors
La Salle captured first place at a four-team gymnastics meet Saturday at the Newport YMCA, scoring 132.8 to edge host Portsmouth’s 129.3. Barrington finished third with 122.2, followed by Toll Gate/Pilgrim with 113.2. Portsmouth honored seniors Kiley Wordell, Lucy Amand and Leah Hutchinson before the meet. Teammates, coaches and visiting team members recognized the trio […]
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Ruggeri’s buzzer-beater forces double OT as Rogers tops West Warwick
Victor Ruggeri hit a three-pointer at the buzzer in overtime to force a second extra period, and Rogers held on to defeat West Warwick 53-50 on Friday night at Rogers High School. The Vikings trailed 26-14 at halftime before storming back with 25 second-half points to force overtime. Juelz Peer led all scorers with 17 […]
Posted inSports
Pritchard scores 29 points to lead Celtics to dominant 112-93 win over Kings
BOSTON (AP) — Payton Pritchard scored 29 points, Baylor Scheierman had 16 and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 112-93 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. Neemias Queta added 10 points and 15 rebounds for the Celtics, who rebounded from Wednesday’s home loss to Atlanta. Pritchard and Scheierman combined to shoot 9 of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Standing at the CUSP of Newport’s Art Scene: Curtis Speer, CUSP Gallery, and the Newport Artists Collective
For 2026, on the advice of a wise mentor, I’m expanding the scope of my WUN Voices column from exclusively spotlighting women-led organizations’ “Voices” to include the Voices of all Rhode Islanders doing ground-breaking work that is making an outsized impact in the smallest state.” Enter Curtis Speer I recall sitting at a Greater Newport […]
Posted inNews
Three Newport County nonprofits receive grants for animal care programs
Three Newport County nonprofits will share in $636,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation to support low-cost veterinary care, animal rescue and educational programs. The Potter League for Animals in Middletown received the largest local grant at $72,000 to subsidize veterinary care at its Animal Care and Adoption Center. The funding supports spaying, neutering, […]
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RISSA’s winter fundraiser returns to O’Brien’s Pub, supporting a mission of learning for life
Newport’s coldest months have a way of bringing people together, and few gatherings do it better than the Rhode Island Social Skills Academy’s annual Winter Party. On Sunday, February 1, from 4-7pm, friends and supporters of the Rhode Island Social Skills Academy (RISSA) will gather at O’Brien’s Pub to raise a glass, reconnect with the […]
Posted inNews
Freezing reptile dubbed ‘Lizard in a blizzard’ is rescued after being buried in Rhode Island snow
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Pres PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Wildlife officials say a “lizard in a blizzard” has been rescued after a man discovered the large cold-blooded reptile buried in snow in Rhode Island, somehow surviving the frigid temperatures. According to the New England Wildlife Center, the Providence man spotted the tegu lizard from his […]
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Contaminated pilings to be removed from Providence River near Point Street Bridge
About 300 deteriorating wooden pilings will be removed from the Providence River near the Point Street Bridge later this year, state and conservation officials announced Friday. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, The Nature Conservancy and the city of Providence plan to remove 250 tons of derelict creosote timbers and piers from the river […]
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On the Market: A look at 19 homes hosting Open Houses this weekend in Newport County (Jan. 31 & Feb. 1)
As January comes to a close and we turn the page into early February, the Newport County real estate market is off to a surprising start this year, showing encouraging signs of momentum. Inventory has begun to improve, ever so slightly, and buyer engagement remains strong given the time of year and the conditions we […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport police towing vehicles as parking bans continue; Saturday ban ahead
Newport police are towing vehicles Friday morning as city crews work to clear snow from side streets, with another mandatory parking ban set for Saturday and more snow in the forecast. Capt. Joseph Carroll, the department’s public information officer, said many vehicles remained parked on streets in the Lower Thames area Friday despite the ban. […]
Posted inSports
Bruins dominate Flyers 6-3 behind Minten and Mittelstadt with a goal and two assists each
By BRENDAN McGAIR Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Fraser Minten and Casey Mittelstadt each had a goal and two assists and the Boston Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-3 on Thursday night. Pavel Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson, Tanner Jeannot and Marat Khusnutdinov also scored for the Bruins, while Jeremy Swayman made 33 saves to win his […]
Posted inSports
Quigley’s 21, Beverly’s late score help Binghamton beat Bryant 63-60 in comeback win
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) — Jeremiah Quigley had 21 points and Zyier Beverly gave Binghamton a lead with 11 seconds left in a 63-60 victory over Bryant on Thursday. The Bearcats (5-18, 1-7 America East Conference) closed with a 10-0 run over the final three minutes, with Quigley scoring or assisting on all 10 points. Quigley […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Aquidneck Island Land Trust announces student art and writing contest winners
The Aquidneck Island Land Trust has announced 29 student winners in its 2025 Art & Writing Contest, an annual competition that promotes the importance and value of conserving open spaces. Students at Aquidneck Island schools and those who reside on the island were invited to enter artwork or written work depicting their favorite local vista. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Island lawmakers reintroduce bill to make fossil fuel companies pay for climate damage
Two Rhode Island lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would require the largest fossil fuel companies to pay for climate-related damage already affecting the state’s infrastructure, public health and economy. Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa, D-Portsmouth, and Rep. Jennifer Boylan, D-Barrington, are sponsoring the bills (2025-S 2024, 2025-H 7004), which follow a cost-recovery model similar to laws […]
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OceanPoint Funding announces agreement to acquire Florida-based Lending Associates
OceanPoint Funding Inc., an affiliate of OceanPoint Financial Partners MHC, announced Wednesday it has entered into an agreement to acquire Lending Associates Inc., a marine, RV and aircraft lender headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. The agreement was signed Jan. 14, according to a news release from the Middletown-based company. Lending Associates is led by Grant […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Van Beuren Charitable Foundation awards grant to Newport Children’s Theatre for costume expansion
Newport Children’s Theatre has received a grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation to purchase professional theatrical costumes and expand its inventory of period and specialty pieces. The grant will allow the nonprofit youth theater organization to stage productions featuring up to five costume changes per performer, according to a news release from the organization. […]
Posted inCity & Government
RIPEC: Governor’s budget holds spending in check, but millionaire’s tax raises competitiveness concerns
Governor Dan McKee’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget moderates state spending growth after years of extraordinary increases, but relies on a new millionaire’s tax that could harm Rhode Island’s economic competitiveness, according to a new analysis from the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. RIPEC released its policy brief Thursday examining highlights from the governor’s spending […]
Posted inSports
Alexander-Walker scores 21 points, Hawks beat Celtics 117-106 to avenge blowout loss
By KEN POWTAK Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 21 points, Jalen Johnson had 19 points and 14 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Boston Celtics 117-106 on Wednesday night to avenge a lopsided home loss. Onyeka Okongwu added 17 points, Dyson Daniels had 15 and Corey Kispert 13 to help the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Carson releases 2026 constituent survey, plans March meeting to discuss results
State Rep. Lauren Carson has released her 2026 constituent survey and is inviting District 75 residents to share their priorities on issues ranging from housing to healthcare. The online survey will be available through Feb. 20. “Listening to my constituents and learning directly from their experiences is essential to how I represent our community,” Carson […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center exhibition celebrates early childhood creativity through play
Jamestown Arts Center will dedicate its winter galleries to an exhibition exploring how young children learn and create through play. “Picturing Play: Playful Learning in Early Childhood” runs Jan. 31 through March 28 at the arts center, located at 18 Valley Street. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Rhode Island Art Education Association, features […]