Johnston Sun Rise - RhodyBeat

PIPING HOT: Artist Kate Champa needed assistance to lift the outer kiln cover to expose the still red hot student pieces of raku art.

JHS art students fired up with raku pottery

Students at Johnston High School recently experienced a trip through time as they explored the world of Japanese raku pottery. “We’re celebrating tradition with raku pottery, it goes back to … more

By Tim Forsberg | 5/20/17

Tsonos named Ferri Middle School principal

The Johnston School Committee has unanimously approved Matthew Stephen Tsonos as principal of Ferri Middle School, awarding him a two-year contract. Tsonos, who served as interim principal at the school this past year, had previously more

By Tim Forsberg | 5/19/17

FUN(D)RAISERS: This will be the scene inside all Johnston elementary schools as well as the ECC next Thursday when Red Nose Day II tries to raise money that will fight poverty that strike children.

Red Nose Day coming to Johnston

Kristy Pistacchio wants to set a record and she’s asking for your support. The Johnston resident is spearheading a heart-warming drive – for the second time in as many years – that she hopes … more

By Pete Fontaine | 5/19/17

SENIOR SENDOFF: This year’s senior NHS members were advised to retain a sense of childlike wonder, to be more creative, imaginative, innovative, and open to possibilities.

Johnston High's National Honor Society celebrates students' successes

Seventy five Johnston High School students were celebrated during their induction into the National Honor Society (NHS) in a May 10 candlelight ceremony filled with music, pomp and circumstance. I'd like to take this opportunity to" more

By Tim Forsberg | 5/19/17

PROLIFIC PANTHERS: One-time JHS football All-State quarterback Tom Centore (left) is all smiles while holding the Silver Dozen Helmet he presented to Evan Pennacchia during the recent Emo DiNitto-Chapter Awards Dinner.

Pennacchia receives prestigious football honor

At 5-foot-11 and weighing 185 pounds, Johnston High School's Evan Pennacchia appears to have the make-up of an average high school football player in Rhode Island. For starters, the 18-year-old son of Albert and Shae Pennacchia ranks more

By Pete Fontaine | 5/19/17

DelFino seeks to regulate marijuana

Two ordinances recently introduced by District 1 Councilman Richard DelFino III seek to limit the expansion of marijuana and other substances in Johnston, which if approved will set strict regulations for growers and other businesses. more

By Tim Forsberg | 5/19/17

Ferri Middle School announces third quarter honor roll

EIGHTH GRADE HIGH HONOR ROLL Kayla Aquilante, Alisha Biswas. Nicholas R. Carlino, Alex A. Cavanaugh, Grace B. Centracchio, Trista L. Clark, Nicholas L. Cronan, Maxwell El Hage, Julianna E. Ferruccio, Michael Foncellino, Laila Harrington, Jennifer more

5/19/17

Magaziner honors two Johnston students

Super students Two Johnston students were among 58 high school juniors from across the state who received Young Leader Awards from Seth Magaziner, Rhode Island's General Treasuer, during a special ceremony Monday at the State House. The award is more

By PETE FONTAINE | 5/19/17

Johnston High School announces third quarter honor roll

SENIOR CLASS OF 2017 HIGH HONORS Rawaa Abdulrahman, Renee M. Flynn, Kathleen Jaroma, Kristiana Parrillo, Tiffany Scoco, Vanida L. Singharath, Bradford Townsend, Laura Wilson FIRST HONORS Nour Abaherah, Sarah E. Banno, Adam Bouchard, Anthony Cabral, Nina more

5/19/17

Police Log

The Police Log is a digest of reports provided by the Johnston and Rhode Island State Police Departments. TURNED HERSELF IN On May 7 around 9:46 p.m., Michelle A. Leonardo, 37, of 346 Union Ave., first floor in Providence, responded into Johnston Police more

By | 5/19/17

Growing pot: Lucrative opportunity, medical miracle

By TIM FORSBERG While the state considers legalizing recreational marijuana and city and town leaders look to set guidelines on its development, local corporations are now preparing to cultivate, process, and sell both medical and recreational cannabis. more

By JOHN HOWELL | 5/19/17

Treasurer Magaziner recognizes students with `Young Leader' awards

On May 15, Rhode Island Treasurer Seth Magaziner recognized fifty-eight high school juniors from across the Ocean State with the Young Leader Award. The award is presented to high school juniors in the state of Rhode Island who have demonstrated more

By JOHN HOWELL | 5/19/17

Council Roundup

Highlights of the decisions made, and items discussed, at the Johnston Town Council Meeting on Monday, May 8. STATUS ON PUBLIC HEARINGS A petition for a zone change for referral to the Planning Board submitted by Drywater, LLC requesting to change the more

5/18/17

SUPER SUPPORTERS: Doug Jeffrey (left), chairman of the Rec. Center committee, is joined by former PC and Boston Celtics star Kevin Stacom and Johnston resident Tom Lopardo, chairman of the zoning board at Saturday’s official grand opening-dedication ceremony.

Rec. Center committee chairman pleased with progress

His name is featured on the beautiful bronze plaque affixed to the main entrance wall inside the sparkling new Johnston Indoor Recreation Center at 1741 Atwood Ave. His name also appears at the … more

By Pete Fontaine | 5/18/17

TEAMING UP TO FIGHT CANCER: GloriDays, a 44-mile walk over three days, will be held June 2 to 4. This is a scene from last year’s walk.

GloriDays: Walking 44 miles in fight against breast cancer

GloriDays 2017 is Gloria Gemma's weekend journey where participants walk 44 miles over three days or 24 miles over two days. The third GloriDays takes place June 2 to 4. For the first time, the 2017 walk will be based at Goddard more

By Meri R. Kennedy | 5/16/17

Foxwoods Resort Casino celebrates Rhode Island residents this month

Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Northeast's premier resort destination, is celebrating its 25th anniversary by continuing their commitment to local guests and offering an array of unparalleled experiences all year long. Throughout the month of May, Foxwoods more

5/14/17

Breaking the piggy bank

Meet Ben, an amazing fourth-grade student at Thornton Elementary School in Johnston. He is 10 years old, and described as kind, intelligent, funny and thoughtful to others. Ben has made his school proud by truly embracing more

5/13/17

WATERWAY WORKERS: Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena (second left) and District I Town Councilman Richard J. DelFino III, are flanked by Pat Nero (left), Chairman of the Pawtuxet River Authority and Michael Maddalena (right), a member of the PRA’s Board of Directors. Saturday, they’ll lead the 3rd Annual Pocasset River Cleanup that the men hope will set a record for volunteers and the amount of debris removed from the prize water way.

Pocasset River clean-up planned for this weekend

By PETE FONTAINE Richard J. DelFino III, who represents District 1 on the Johnston Town Council, doesn't like seeing decaying or deteriorating land anywhere. So much so that the second-term Councilman will continue his battle this Saturday during the more

By JESSICA BOTELHO | 5/12/17

Mazzulla celebrates opening of Indoor Recreation Center

It is seldom, if ever, that when a coach and former athlete breaks into tears that the room where he or she is speaking fills up with a thunderous round of applause. However, that happened … more

By Pete Fontaine | 5/12/17

JHS Junior Prom an enchanted evening

Friday, May 5, was a rainy and cold day, but Junior Prom was still going on! Students arrived at 6:30 p.m. at the Alpine Country Club in Cranston to take pictures with their dates. Pictures had to be taken inside more

By Dylan Lavoie, Student Contributor | 5/12/17

SPECIAL SPEAKERS: Mayor Joseph Polisena greets Rev. Chris Adhulime (left) of King’s Tabernacle Church and NAACP Providence Chapter President James Vincent, who both played a part in Saturday’s grand opening.

Polisena dedicates new athletic facility

“This project was a difficult one,” Mayor Joseph Polisena told some 1,000 people Saturday during the official grand opening of the new Johnston Indoor Recreation Center. “I must also tell you … more

5/12/17

Auditors give town clean bill of health

According to an independent auditors’ report of Johnston’s financial statements for the 2016 fiscal year, the town now finds itself in better economic shape. “First of all, we find … more

By Tim Forsberg | 5/12/17

DERBY SMILES: Pictured are Maria Gemma, Executive Director of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation and breast cancer survivor Pat Andrews of Johnston at the fashion show.

Johnston breast cancer survivor rocked the runway

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation once again put a Kentucky Derby spin on its 9th Annual “Our Heroes” Survivor Fashion Show, themed “A Night at the Races,” on Saturday at the … more

By Meri R. Kennedy | 5/12/17

QUESTIONS ANSWERED: Kim Christel (left) a representative of New England Institute of Technology, answers Elisha Perito’s questions while her daughter, Krystiana Card, fills out request for information forms.

Crunch time approaches for JHS Juniors

With their prom in the history books and the end of the school year right around the corner, Johnston High School juniors may be focused on finishing the year and enjoying summer break. But the decisions those students make now could more

By Tim Forsberg | 5/12/17

OFFENSE AND DEFENSE: Madison Plouffe pitched a complete game and drove in the game-winning run for Johnston against Mount St. Charles.

Panthers score six unanswered runs to down Mounties

Junior Madison Plouffe pitched a complete game and knocked in a run to help the Johnston Lady Panthers beat the second place Mount St. Charles Mounties, 6-4, on the road on Tuesday … more

By Ryan D. Murray | 5/12/17