Stories - RhodyBeat

Langevin statement on United States air strikes in Syria

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) issued the following statement through a press release after the United States air strike in Syria Thursday evening: "I believe the response taken tonight by the … more

4/8/17

TRAVELING TROUPE: This is the Johnston Youth Wrestling team and coaching staff that traveled to Portland, Maine, last weekend for the annual Marshwood Invitational Tournament that featured upwards of 1,000 kids from a number of states throughout the northeast.

Johnston Youth Wrestling travels to Maine for Marshwood Invitational

It seems that no stage is too tough - or large - for the well-organized and coached Johnston Youth Wrestling team. That theory surfaced eight-fold, in fact, as eight of 11 Johnston wrestlers won awards in the highly-competitive Marshwood more

By Pete Fontaine | 4/7/17

MIGHTY MARTINO: Nick Martino stands atop the podium after winning the New England championship at 285 pounds last month. He recently finished 3-2 at nationals in Virginia.

Martino competes in National High School Championships

Although he didn't bring home the title, Johnston resident and Bishop Hendricken star Nick Martino proved he's among the best schoolboy wrestlers in the country during the National High School Championships held recently in Virginia more

By Pete Fontaine | 4/7/17

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS: Greg and Taylor Flynn outside the home they bought last year.

Advice of first-time home buyers

For newlyweds Taylor and Greg Flynn, the initial steps on the journey to owning their first home came rather naturally. “Not sure I ever had a dream,” Taylor said. “I just kind of always … more

By Dawn Anderson | 4/7/17

LaPlante makes $46,399.66 restitution in theft of school equipment

David LaPlante, the former director of school building and grounds who was charged with misappropriating more than $70,000 in school materials and equipment, pleaded nolo to charges on April 4 and sentenced to five years suspended with five years of more

4/7/17

Bristol Police: Homicide, DUI, underage drinking, and more

The Bristol Police Department responded to the following calls between March 27 and April 2: Monday, March 27 Bristol Police assisted with a fire at Sawa Asian Bistro on Wood Street just after … more

4/7/17

Greenville Avenue Big Dig set to begin next week

According to the Narragansett Bay Commission, construction of the new water and sewer lines on Greenville Avenue will begin on Monday, April 10, weather permitting. Their plan is to start work just … more

4/7/17

CUTTING OUT A CAREER: Sarah Poppe, who build much of the sets for Pilgrim Player productions will be technical theater at the University of Maine Orono this fall. She is excited about a career that she envisions will have her traveling the world while gaining the satisfaction of working on a team.

At Pilgrim: A lot happens when the lights go off

The Pilgrim High School Players will present the murder mystery comedy play “While the Lights Were Out” this weekend, April 7th-April 9th. Tickets can be bought at the door, $8 for adults and … more

4/7/17

Mary Watkinson and David Barboza, both from Bristol, or at the medical clinic at the Haiti’s Child compound near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, last month.

‘I was just compelled’ to help

Gleaming vacation resorts with pristine beaches full of happy tourists. Busy ports with cruise ships continually coming and going, dropping off and picking up thousands of vacationers for a stay in … more

By Patrick Luce | 4/7/17

Off the Market: Homes sold around East Bay

The following homes have changed hands recently in towns around the East Bay: Barrington 50 Sowams Road — $290,000 14 Hillside Ave. — $389,000 487 Sowams Road — … more

4/7/17

Police Log

The Police Log is a digest of reports provided by the Johnston and Rhode Island State Police Departments. ROAD RAGE According to a press release Wednesday from Col. Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the more

4/7/17

HERA: Kyaah Irizarry played the goddess of women and marriage.

Barnes students celebrate Greek gods and goddesses

Second graders at Barnes Elementary School recently held a “living” wax museum celebrating Greek Gods and Goddesses that took place on Friday, March 31. The event followed a month-long project … more

4/7/17

Holding school administrators accountable

To the Editor: On March 23, the public found out that the fire alarm systems at Norwood and Holliman Elementary Schools had been broken since February 24 of this year. The parents and many of the teachers were not informed for those four weeks, either. more

4/7/17

LIVING LEGENDS: 101-year-old Orlando Ricci, seated right, met Sen. Bob Dole during his Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

Johnston’s Ricci takes trip of a lifetime

The Honor Flight Network that initiated the program in 2005 to bring World War II veterans to the nation’s capital to visit the World War II memorial, other war memorials and Arlington National … more

By John Howell | 4/7/17

Cranston hosts R.I. National Geographic Bee

By OLIVIA PERREAULT & JACOB MARROCCO Fifty students competed in the annual Rhode Island National Geographic Bee on Saturday at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, where one Providence student was crowned champion and a Cranston resident finished in the top more

By Olivia Perreault & Jacob Marrocco | 4/7/17

This coyote, carring a leg-hold trap, was spotted in Portsmouth earlier this week.

Coyote shot in Portsmouth, RIDEM seeks info on traps

PORTSMOUTH — The coyote seen around town dragging a leg-hold trap was shot and killed by a property owner Tuesday, according to the R.I. Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), … more

4/7/17

GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS: The Rhode Island chapter of Alienated Grandparents Anonymous seeks to strengthen laws granting grandparents visitation rights.

Laws aim to give grandparents visitation rights

Grandparents play a vital role in the development of a child, but some grandparents and their grandchildren are alienated from each other and denied a relationship. Thanks to a local group's efforts, however, grandparents may soon have more

By Tim Forsberg | 4/7/17

SURPRISE GUESTS: Reidel poses with fifth-grade teacher Jim Gemma, Sophia Appel and her parents, Carrie and Jason, who were hiding behind the curtains during the event.

Surprise announcement at Rhodes

By JEN COWART On Friday afternoon as fifth-grader Sophie Appel and a fellow student spoke to their peers about an upcoming Pennies for Patients fundraiser that would soon be starting, she had absolutely no idea that she was about to have the surprise of more

By Jen Cowart | 4/7/17

Police Log

CHECK CONDITION Officers Christian Vargas and Eric Lima responded to the Best Buy on Universal Boulevard on March 31 just after 4 p.m. after the department received a call about an unattended small child inside a locked and running car. The officers more

4/7/17

Barrington High School captured its third straight URI Calculus Bowl on Wednesday, April 5.

Barrington wins URI Calculus Bowl for third straight year

Barrington High School made it a "three-peat" at the URI Calculus Bowl on Wednesday, as the local students won their third straight title. The team of Andrew Sheinberg, Conor McGartoll, … more

4/6/17

TALENTED TROUPE: From left to right, Kathleen Jaroma, Elias Turner, Jaime Conti and Jacsmile Cassion will all play multiple roles in “Just Another High School Play.”

JHS drama back with ‘Just Another High School Play’

If Laurie Whitman’s love for the arts offers any measuring stick, the Johnston High School Drama Club just may have an award-winner in next Wednesday night’s production of “Just Another High … more

By Pete Fontaine | 4/6/17

THANK YOU FOR COMING: Kevin Ascoli, school social worker at Cranston West, Principal Tom Barbieri, and members of the school’s SADD club, pose with representatives from the Sandy Hook Promise organization after the event. The school’s SADD club presented them with flowers and a donation was made to the organization as a thank you for their time.

CPS schools host Sandy Hook Promise program

By JEN COWART Last week, all seven Cranston Public Schools middle and high schools hosted speakers from the Sandy Hook Promise organization, presenting the Say Something violence prevention program to students there. In a collaboration initiated by Kevin more

By Jen Cowart | 4/6/17

Clock ticking on enormous Tourister warehouse

The end is near for the large aluminum warehouse building on the old American Tourister site in north Warren. A realtor marketing units within the site for Tourister Mill LLC/Brady Sullivan said … more

By Ted Hayes | 4/6/17

Police Log

The Police Log is a digest of reports provided by the Johnston and Rhode Island State Police Departments. ROAD RAGE According to a press release Wednesday from Col. Ann C. Assumpico, … more

4/6/17

FIRST FOUR: These are the four Johnston High School students who’ll leave Tuesday for the first-ever Sister City Cultural Exchange in Panni Foggia, Italy. Seated are juniors Sara Echeverria and Allison Vessella and standing are Mark Cruz and Miguel Azanon. (Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine

Johnston students preparing for historic trip to Italy

Four Johnston High School students, Allison Vessella, Sara Echeverria, Miguel Azanon and Mark Cruz, are about to become international ambassadors during a unique and historic two-week journey to Italy. They'll represent the town, as well more

By Pete Fontaine | 4/6/17