Johnston Sun Rise - RhodyBeat

HOLDING FIRM: John Hanley, 10, remained outside the law offices of House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello as his father George and others protesting the lack of a state budget went inside to see Mattiello. “I want him to get back to his job [at the State House],” John said of Mattiello.

Johnston to send out car tax bills soon, as Speaker vows relief

While a handful of people gathered outside his Park Avenue law office demanding he get back to work at the State House and settle the budget impasse, House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said … more

By Tim Forsberg and John Howell | 7/13/17

GRAND GIFT: Rev. Peter J. Gower, pastor at Our Lady of Grace Church, receives a special surprise - a key to Johnston - from Mayor Joseph Polisena during last Friday night’s 60th birthday bash at Silvio’s Restaurant.

Our Lady of Grace's Father Gower celebrates 60th birthday

To say the number seven has been significant in Rev. Peter J. Gower's life would be an understatement. For example, the Our Lady of Grace pastor was born on seventh hour of the seventh day in 1957 and the seventh child who just so more

By Pete Fontaine | 7/13/17

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: Superintendent Dr. Bernard DiLullo, pictured here at a recent technology showcase, fears the budget impasse will affect elementary school students and their one-to-one computer program.

Gridlock to affect Johnston schools

The state budget impasse has left more than $45 million in school funding up in the air, with $936,573 of that being unavailable to Johnston as the fiscal year begins. Funding for Johnston’s … more

By Tim Forsberg | 7/13/17

Get over it, approve the state budget

Like petulant kids, the leaders of the legislative branch of our state government have left the state without a budget and each blaming the other for the resulting confusion. In theory the fight comes down to a few words over a measure that would bring more

7/11/17

Nominations open for Nonprofit Best Practice Award

Nominations are now open for the 2017 Nonprofit Best Practice Awards. With Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Foundation’s Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence once again … more

7/10/17

FAN FAVORITE: Panarello chats with some fans during his recent performance in Cranston. The group includes, from left, Mary Gizzarelli, Claudia Gizzarelli, Ann Marie Panarello and Barbara Perez.

Oh, what a night for St. Brigid’s Church

“Oh what a night”– indeed! Those are the opening words to “December 1963,” one of many hits recorded by music legends Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. However, the line also best … more

By Pete Fontaine | 7/9/17

2nd Story’s ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’ is difficult adaptation

Truman Capote’s novella, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” was brought to the screen in 1961, starring Audrey Hepburn in her most famous role as Holly Golightly. Richard Greenberg adapted it for … more

By Don Fowler | 7/9/17

INNOVATION FELLOWS: This year’s recipients of the Rhode Island Foundation’s Innovation Fellowships, Ditra Edwards and Donna Childs, are flanked by the Foundation’s Neil Steinberg and Jessica David at the recent announcement. Edwards and Childs, of Warwick, were chosen from nearly 200 applicants to receive $300,000 over three years to pursue their proposals for improving civic engagement in Rhode Island.

Warwick woman's proposal to increase civic engagement wins $300,000 Innovation Fellowship

The Rhode Island Foundation selected a Warwick woman as one of just two recipients of its 2017 Rhode Island Innovation Fellowships. Donna Childs was chosen from nearly 200 applicants to receive $300,000 over three years to pursue their proposals for more

7/9/17

BLOWN AWAY: A state-run roadside litter campaign will target debris blown from waste disposal trucks.

Program to target town’s roadside litter

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) joined with the Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (Resource Recovery) on a new initiative aimed at … more

7/8/17

Scott's Squad

The combined Johnston-Scituate Girls Softball League Minor Division all-star team that recently competed in the R.I. Little League District 4 Tournament includes, in the bottom row from left: Hannah … more

7/8/17

State budget affecting town’s car tax bills

The Speaker of the House has no intention of altering his plan to bring car tax relief to the owners of motor vehicles even though the state budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is in … more

By John Howell | 7/7/17

Johnston-Scituate earns District 4 title

CALABRO’S CHAMPS: Members of the Johnston-Scituate Girls Softball all-star squad that has advanced to the Rhode Island Little League Major Division State Tournament after winning the District 4 … more

7/7/17

SCHIAPPA’S SQUAD: This is Gershkoff Auto Body-Auburn Post 20 of Cranston/Johnston, which is one of two Rhode Island teams that will play in the already-prestigious West Point Classic at the U.S. Military Academy in New York.

Gershkoff to play in Army West Point American Legion Baseball Classic

Even though it’s been three decades since Jim Foster played American Legion Baseball, the Warwick native – who now lives in New York – still has a special and soft spot in his heart for the … more

By Pete Fontaine | 7/7/17

Pocasset Bay residents rock the fashion runway

There was a fashion show unlike any other at Brookdale Pocasset Bay on Saturday, June 24, as residents modeled their best attire for the benefit of all the facility’s residents. The fun-filled … more

By Tim Forsberg | 7/7/17

AWESOME AUTHORS: Rhode Island Clam Shack co-author David Norton Stone (center) holds the book he wrote with Christopher Scott Martin (right) and was the focus of last Wednesday night’s JHS meeting hosted by President Louis McGowan.

JHS clam shack presentation a pearl in the rough

The quahog queries came by the dozens and were as tastefully done on a night when the award-winning Johnston Historical Society turned its attention to many of Rhode Island’s most famous clam … more

By Pete Fontaine | 7/6/17

BEAUTIFUL BUCKET: Classic car collector Joe Terino (left) is joined by Meeting Street School staffer Sharon Allworth aside his 1923 Ford T-Bucket that features a 383 Stroker Engine while her colleague Jessica Brodeur and JSM President Gary Maddocks learned more about the vintage vehicle that has two, four-barrel carbs and 620 horsepower.

Cruizin’ for a Cause isn’t staying idle

It’s a non-profit that’s dear to Johnston Street Machine Treasurer Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian’s heart. It’s a non-profit that her father – veteran Johnston Police Sergeant Emilio “Emo” … more

By Pete Fontaine | 7/6/17

Faster service hopeful as new DMV computer system launches

The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has successfully entered the launch stage of their new $20 million computer system – dubbed “RIMS” – and is currently servicing residents, … more

By Ethan Hartley | 7/6/17

Melikian honored for outstanding academic work

A year ago, Gillian Melikian delivered a moving and memorable speech inside the Providence Performing Arts Center. It was one of the highly-accomplished teenager’s best works, the Class … more

By Pete Fontaine | 7/6/17

FULL HOUSE: This was the scene during the Jan. 10 special meeting where the Town Council approved a plan to sell water to supply Invenergy’s proposed power plant in Burrillville.

AG finds no open meetings violations concerning special January meeting

An investigation by the Department of the Attorney General’s office into 23 Open Meetings Act complaints against the Town of Johnston regarding the Town Council’s January 10, 2017 meeting has … more

By Tim Forsberg | 7/6/17

At the Assembly

Here are the highlights from news and events that took place in the General Assembly last week. For more information on any of these items visit www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease. House approves 2018 budget bill The House voted 64-11 to approve a $9.2 more

7/6/17

Increased awareness is never a negative

Although a resolution by Representative Camille Vella-Wilkinson (D-21 District, Warwick) to set up a panel of five people to objectively investigate sexual harassment claims within the Rhode Island National Guard was ultimately unsuccessful, the base more

7/5/17

NFL TALENT: Will Blackmon of the Washington Redskins interacts with a youth football player and his mother at Blackmon’s first football clinic back in 2015.

Redskins’ Blackmon to host annual football clinic July 8

Washington Redskins’ and Rhode Island native Will Blackmon will return home to the Ocean State in July to host his third annual USA Football FUNdamentals clinic for youth. The free, one-day clinic, … more

7/2/17

Council Roundup

Highlights of the decisions made, and items discussed, at the Johnston Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 13. Status on Public Hearings An ordinance amending Section 340-33 of the Town of Johnston code of ordinances entitled Parking or Storage of" more

7/2/17

Tiffan Borelli (Marian Paroo) and Jason Ostrowski (Harold Hill).

Magnificent ‘Music Man’ at Theatre-By-The-Sea

It’s back to the ’50s, when Broadway musicals were bright and cheery, the music was memorable, and the choreography splendid. Bill Hanney’s Theatre by the Sea has recreated “The Music … more

By Don Fowler | 7/2/17

JHS plans historic house tour this weekend

If you're a history buff and enjoy browsing in-and-out of ageless structures of yesteryear, there will be plenty to do this Saturday, July 1, in Johnston. The award-winning Johnston Historical Society has agreed to team up with Historic more

By Pete Fontaine | 7/1/17