Representative Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) has introduced legislation to the Rhode Island state legislature that would prohibit the construction of any new high-heat waste processing facilities in the state. The legislation, which has 40 cosponsors, is a response to efforts by the American Chemistry Council, a plastics industry advocacy group, to […]
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Providence woman pleads guilty to conspiring in $330,000 bank fraud scheme
A Providence woman has admitted to stealing the banking information of unsuspecting individuals, businesses, and a law firm while she was employed at Citizens Bank. Savonnah Briggs, 28, provided the stolen information to the leader of a bank fraud conspiracy, Richard Kobi, 27, of Providence, who used it to create fraudulent personal and business checks. […]
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This lunar year will be the Year of the Rabbit or the Year of the Cat, depending on where you live
Megan Bryson, University of Tennessee On Jan. 22, 2023, more than a billion people globally will welcome the Year of the Rabbit – or the Year of Cat, depending on which cultural traditions they follow – as the start of the Lunar New Year. In the New York City public school district, Lunar New Year […]
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Bretton Woods Ski Resort re-introduces popular winter activities
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire’s largest ski area located at Omni Mount Washington Resort, has recently re-introduced some of its top outdoor winter recreational activities following its 2022-23 Ski Season opening. These activities, which were temporarily on a hiatus due to the Pandemic, include Fat Tire Biking, Snowshoe Expedition, Après Ski, Snowshoeing, The Slopeside Climbing Wall, […]
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Feds try to improve fishing data with new monitoring rules
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Changes to U.S. rules about the monitoring of Northeast commercial fishing activities are going into effect this month with a goal of providing more accurate information about some of the nation’s oldest fisheries. The U.S. mandates observers to work onboard fishing boats to collect data and make sure fishermen adhere to […]
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All Rhode Island Counties now at ‘Medium’ level for COVID-19 spread
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the COVID-19 community levels for Rhode Island’s counties. All five counties are now at the “medium” level. (Providence County had the “high” designation previously.)
Each week the CDC identifies the COVID-19 community level in every county in the country as “low,” “medium,” or “high” using case rates, data on hospital admissions, and percentage of hospital beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. Regardless of the designation of someone’s county, everyone should take certain prevention measures.
– Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination, including booster doses. The Omicron booster doses currently being administered are providing good protection against the dominant variant circulating in Rhode Island.
– Ventilate indoor spaces as well as possible.
– Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
– Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
– Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
– If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with a healthcare provider about additional prevention actions.
Additionally, CDC recommends that people in “medium” counties consider self-testing and masking when around those who are at high risk for getting very sick. The full recommendations by community level from the CDC are available online.
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Local students named to President’s List at Plymouth State University
Plymouth University has released its President’s List for the Fall 2022 semester, and two students from Newport County are among the 89 named to the list. They are Griffin Spinney of Newport and Tyler McDonald of Portsmouth. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.7 or […]
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Island Moving Company is now ‘Newport Contemporary Ballet’
Island Moving Company (IMC) today revealed its new name and branding at “Transforming our Future,” a special presentation held at their Newport studios. IMC is now Newport Contemporary Ballet, and their dance academy, NAB, is now The Academy at Newport Contemporary Ballet. The change is an evolutionary one building on 41 years of history, said […]
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Rhode Island governor releases proposed $13.75B state budget
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island’s governor submitted a $13.75 billion state budget plan to the General Assembly on Thursday that seeks to invest in schools, provide tax relief to residents and repair roads and bridges. Democratic Gov. Dan McKee said in the budget documents that he wants to demonstrate a commitment to education at […]
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TSA: Record number of firearms detected at New England airports in 2022
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) this week announced that officers at six New England airports detected a record 46 firearms in 2022, three more than the previous record of 43 in 2018. The increase in firearms detected at New England airports mirrored what happened around the country. Throughout 2022, TSA officers nationwide detected a record 6,542 firearms in […]
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Biggest snowfalls recorded in Massachusetts history
Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of ’78, the Storm of the Century, any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms—the kind you measure all other snowy days against—are becoming more regular. Despite […]
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Biggest snowfalls recorded in Rhode Island history
Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of ’78, the Storm of the Century, any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms—the kind you measure all other snowy days against—are becoming more regular. Despite […]
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Biggest snowfalls recorded in Vermont history
Almost everyone who lives in areas prone to snow seems to have a legendary snowstorm story: the blizzard of ’78, the Storm of the Century, any of the blizzards or bomb cyclones that have happened since then. And according to experts, historic snowstorms—the kind you measure all other snowy days against—are becoming more regular. Despite […]
Posted inBusiness
Bouchard Restaurant & Inn to rebrand as ‘Chanterelle Restaurant’
Bouchard Restaurant & Inn is welcoming the new year with a new name, but promising to continue to deliver the same great experience. The restaurant shared the following letter today on its website; Bouchard Restaurant & Inn Will Re-Open As Chanterelle RestaurantThe new year will bring the same great experience under a new name It […]
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Presidents Day: Ten facts everyone should know (but probably doesn’t) about President George Washington
On the third Monday in February, the nation honors its first President, George Washington, born on February 22, 1732. A revered leader who was the only political independent to hold the office, the actions of President Washington established many fundamental precedents that remain intact today, while his words offered cautions about threats to America and its democratic […]
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Construction company says illegal dumping charges baseless
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Massachusetts construction company charged with illegally dumping thousands of tons of contaminated fill in Rhode Island during a highway construction project says it has done nothing wrong. The Rhode Island attorney general’s office announced Wednesday that Barletta Heavy Division, Inc., of Canton, is charged with illegal disposal of solid waste, […]
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Loss of tiny organisms hurts ocean, fishing, scientists say
By PATRICK WHITTLE Associated Press PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The warming of the waters off the East Coast has come at an invisible, but very steep cost — the loss of microscopic organisms that make up the base of the ocean’s food chain. The growing warmth and saltiness of the Gulf of Maine off New […]
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NFL: 5 teams to play home games in Germany, London in 2023
The Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots will each play international games during the NFL’s 2023 regular season. The Chiefs and Patriots will play in Germany. The Bills, Titans and Jaguars will play in London. The Bills and Titans are the designated home teams for two games at […]
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What’s Up Today: Thursday, January 19
Good Morning! Today is Thursday, January 19, 2023. Today’s newsletter is 1,063 words – approximately a 5-minute read. 🛢️ On this day in 1996, the worst oil spill in Rhode Island history occurred when the tank barge, North Cape, and the tugboat, Scandia, grounded off Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown. The grounding occurred after the […]
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Town of Middletown looks into Bike & Pedestrian Board
Emily Tessier wants Middletown to pay closer attention to bicycle and pedestrian safety. The new Town Councilwoman proposed the creation of a Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee at the Town Council’s meeting Tuesday night in Town Hall, a request approved unanimously by her colleagues. Tessier said those duties have been handled by the town’s Open […]
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Newport School Superintendent’s Community Update: Jan. 18
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain shared the following message on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.
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What’s On The Agenda: Newport City Council Meeting on Jan. 25
Newport City Council will host their next Regular Council Meeting on Wednesday, January 25. Here’s a look at what’s on the agenda. CITY OF NEWPORT DOCKET FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 25, 2023 The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the […]
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Mass. firm charged with illegally dumping contaminated fill
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Massachusetts construction company and a former employee have been charged with illegally dumping thousands of tons of contaminated fill in Providence during a highway construction project, the Rhode Island attorney general’s office said Wednesday. Barletta Heavy Division, Inc., of Canton, is charged with two counts of illegal disposal of solid […]
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Man who had more than 200 firearms at home pleads guilty
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man who had more than 200 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition at his home pleaded guilty on Wednesday to lying to federal authorities about his drug use when he purchased the weapons. Ronald Andruchuk, 38, admitted that he was an unlawful user of controlled substances, including […]
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Prosecutor: Brian Walshe looked up how to dispose of body
The husband of a Massachusetts woman who has been missing since New Year’s Day went online to look up ways to dismember and dispose of a body, and items belonging to the woman with her DNA were found at a trash processing facility, a prosecutor said at his arraignment Wednesday on murder and other charges. Not guilty […]