A Providence man admitted to a federal judge that he bought cocaine, transformed it into crack cocaine, and then sold it to others. He will spend six years in federal prison after getting convicted. Juan Gonzalez, 46, was sentenced on Tuesday to six years in federal prison. He will also serve four years of supervised […]
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Hikers and cyclists can now cross Vermont on New England’s longest rail trail, a year after floods
By WILSON RING Associated Press HARDWICK, Vt. (AP) — A year after epic summer flooding delayed the official opening of New England’s longest rail trail, the 93-mile route across northern Vermont is finally delivering on the promise made years ago of a cross-state recreation trail. The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is open to cyclists, hikers, horseback riders […]
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Providence Secures $3.7 Million in Fire Safety Funding
A new federal law will increase funding for local fire departments across the country. The new law, which was authored by Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, will help fire departments purchase new equipment, hire and retain firefighters, and improve their training. “Rhode Island’s firefighters work around the clock to keep us safe and respond to […]
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Rep. Magaziner pushes for a National Paid Time Off Policy
U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) is pushing to enact a national paid time off policy, arguing the legislation is a matter of fairness and respect for workers. Under current law, nearly one in five U.S. workers do not have access to paid annual vacation leave. Magaziner says the legislation would change that by requiring employers […]
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Archeologists find musket balls fired during 1 of the first battles in the Revolutionary War
By MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press CONCORD, Mass. (AP) — Nearly 250 years ago, hundreds of militiamen lined a hillside in Massachusetts and started firing a barrage of musket balls toward retreating British troops, marking the first major battle in the Revolutionary War. The latest evidence of that firefight is five musket balls dug up last […]
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Rhode Island State Council on the Arts awards $898,650 to 149 area arts entities
The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts has awarded over $898,650 in grants to 149 arts and culture organizations, individual artists, and arts educators in Rhode Island. The funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts and supports a variety of programs including arts education, individual artistic development, and arts and health. “On […]
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NUWC Division Newport engineer wins Society of Women Engineers Helen Martha Sternberg Award for 2024
A junior computer software engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center announced her win of the Society of Women Engineers Helen Martha Sternberg Award for 2024. Molly “Meagan” Haradon, a Mansfield resident, has been working for the division since October 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Wentworth Institute of Technology and […]
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The Jane Pickens Theater to host Ocean-Themed film events featuring Water Brother and Jaws
The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center (The JPT) is celebrating the summer season with two ocean-themed film events: the new documentary Water Brother starring Newport legend Sid Abbruzzi, and The JPT’s annual Jaws Summer Party, a tradition that brings the thrill of the classic film Jaws back to the big screen. Jaws Summer Party (July 18 and 19): Hosted by The JPT […]
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Peter Courtney, Oregon’s longest-serving state lawmaker, dies at 81
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Peter Courtney, Oregon’s longest-serving lawmaker and a politician who was known for his bipartisanship and skills as a dealmaker, died Tuesday, officials said. He was 81. Courtney died of complications from cancer at his home in Salem, Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement. Courtney served 38 years in the Legislature, […]
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BankNewport and Jamestown Philomenian Library celebrate project completion
BankNewport CEO Jack Murphy recently joined representatives from the Jamestown Philomenian Library to celebrate the completion of the Library’s renovation and expansion project, a significant community investment to modernize the Library and enhance its capacity to serve all residents. The Bank provided a $50,000 grant in support of the project, with a special focus on the […]
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Recap: Middletown Town Council Meeting on July 15
The Middletown Town Council held its regular meeting on Monday, addressing various municipal matters and committee appointments. Council members discussed the continuation of an affordable housing update presentation by Penrose, originally scheduled for July 1. The presentation was postponed to allow the Affordable Housing Committee to review the information and provide an advisory opinion to […]
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Middletown, Newport receive $7.5 million in funding for a regional community learning center
Newport and Middletown are among 20 regions statewide that will receive millions of federal dollars to fund community learning centers that Gov. Dan McKee hopes will create “a culture of learning throughout Rhode Island,” and elevate income for hundreds of families. ” The more educated we are, the more income,” McKee said at a press […]
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A wind turbine is damaged off Nantucket Island. Searchers are combing beaches for debris
NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — Offshore wind developers have sent teams to search for debris on the beaches of Nantucket Island, a popular summer tourist destination, after one of their turbine blades suffered damage. Vineyard Wind said Tuesday it is mobilizing teams on Nantucket to recover debris on south-facing beaches. The development said a “blade damage […]
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Obituary: Carol Ann (Hopkins) De Ruggiero
Carol Ann (Hopkins) De Ruggiero, 87, of Middletown, RI, formerly of Newport, RI, passed away on July 12, 2024, in the Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center. She was the wife of the late CDR Saverio De Ruggiero, Jr., USN, (Ret.). Born in Palmer, MA, she was the daughter of the late John and Edna (Davis) […]
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Barstool owner rescued by Coast Guard after losing control of boat off Nantucket
The owner and founder of Barstool Sports lost control of a boat off Massachusetts before being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Dave Portnoy, 47, said in a TikTok video that the harrowing Monday rescue off Nantucket happened after he unhooked his boat from buoys. Heavy winds then caused him to drift out to sea, […]
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Cranston’s Park Theatre introduces staff and announces the 2024 Fall line-up
At a press conference held earlier today, Park Theatre staff and local officials announced the re-opening of the historic Cranston venue. Officials also shared the first round of concerts, including five events scheduled for the fall, with more to be added soon. Media and community members welcomed Brandon Caron, Chief Operating Officer of Lexington, MA-based […]
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Bacteria levels prompt closure of Hope Community Service Pond
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has recommended closing the swimming area at Hope Community Service Pond in Scituate as of Tuesday due to high bacteria counts. RIDOH officials say they will continue to monitor the water quality at the pond through Labor Day. The most up-to-date information on beach conditions is available by […]
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Senator Sheldon Whitehouse co-sponsors bill to reduce stillbirths
The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, which was signed into law by President Biden last week, is a bipartisan bill that will allocate federal funds towards research and prevention efforts. The goal of the new law is to reduce the shockingly high rate of stillbirths and maternal mortality in the United States. Stillbirths […]
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Former Woonsocket felon sentenced to 10 years for drug smuggling
A former Woonsocket felon was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after his drug smuggling operation shipped more than 100 kilos of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Rhode Island, federal officials announced Tuesday. Efrain Colon-Garcia, 43, was accused of leading the drug ring with his wife, Yaniris Colon-Senquiz, 47, federal prosecutors said. The two […]
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Living history left an indelible mark in Newport with Lafayette, Rochambeau, and several re-enactors representing the French contribution to America’s independence
Costumed re-enactors took over Washington Square Park and the Colony House in downtown Newport over the weekend. Despite the dismal weather, the rain cleared up by the afternoon, allowing plenty of locals and visitors to experience living history thanks to the Newport Historical Society, National Park Service Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail, and the Alliance Française, […]
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Gulls win both games against North Shore
It was a beautiful afternoon for a coastal division doubleheader as the Newport Gulls took on the North Shore Navigators. Starting on the mound for the Gulls was Ty Starke (Louisville). Toeing the rubber for the Navigators was Josh Lajoie. The first game was continued from a rainout on June 21 and began in the […]
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Vermont police say a Rhode Island man was shot and injured by troopers after he fired at them
BURKE, Vt. (AP) — A Rhode Island man remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries Monday afternoon, a day after he was shot and injured during a confrontation with Vermont State Police troopers in Burke. Brenden Sackal, 30, of Hopkinton, Rhode Island, shot at troopers during his arrest following a vehicle chase Sunday night, state police said. […]
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Cape Cod’s fishhook topography makes it a global hotspot for mass strandings by dolphins
By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press The recent stranding of more than 100 dolphins on Cape Cod, the largest such event involving dolphins in U.S. history, is partly due to the peninsula’s geography, with its gently sloping sand flats, tidal fluctuations and proximity to productive feeding grounds, experts said. The elements, along with the hook-like shape of the […]
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‘Ocean Mist’ on Ocean Avenue in Newport sells for $7.125 million
A home with direct views of the ocean has sold for $7.125 million, making it the highest sale in Newport County and the second highest in all of Rhode Island so far in 2024. The 4 bedroom, 5 and a half bath home, named Ocean Mist, sits on nearly a half of an acre at […]
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USS Carney visits Newport, shares warfighting experiences
By Leisa Premdas, U.S. Naval War College The guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) visited Naval Station Newport, July 11-15, engaging with various training and education commands to share lessons learned from the crew’s September 2023 to May 2024 independent deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. Part of a series […]