WEST BAY
Hot weather = bigger, earlier harvest
Turn up the heat and vegetables go into overdrive. Vegetables have been growing and ripening quicker than had temperatures been more normal for July. Testimony to the overflowing cornucopia was all around Morris Farm in Warwick – sacks stuffed with corn, boxes of red tomatoes as large as softballs, stacks of squash and red and green peppers. And, as The Warwick Beacon reports, the larger harvest means lower prices.
Consolidation leads to more bus routes
First Student is looking for a few – actually, 15 – people who like kids, have a driver’s license, and would want to make some money working part time. The bus company says it has enough drivers for Warwick’s first day of school, but would like to hire more. The Warwick Beacon has more on that plus how school consolidation is affecting bus routes in the city this year.
RELATED: Warwick School Bus Schedule »
Cranston begging state lawmakers to tackle panhandling
As the issue of panhandling continues to draw statewide attention, the City Council has unanimously approved a resolution urging the General Assembly to take action. The Cranston Herald has more on the contentious debate.
Cranston set to welcome full-day kindergarten
With Cranston’s schools scheduled to open Thursday, Sept. 1, the rush is on to beat deadlines with construction, supplies, hiring, bus routes, and more. Final preparations are also being made for the all-day kindergarten program, which this year for the first time will be implemented across the district. The Cranston Herald has more on the preparations.
SOUTH COUNTY
Rest stop reopening on I-95
The state is planning to reopen the shuttered rest stop and tourist welcome center on Interstate 95 between Exits 2 and 3 in Richmond. Workers from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation began work cleaning up the site this week. But, as The Westerly Sun reports, local leaders say they’re in the dark about the project.
MADD honoring Richmond officer
Over the past 14 years, Cpl. William P. Litterio has earned a reputation as being one of Rhode Island’s top traffic-enforcement officers, and another honor will come his way on Sept. 23 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The Westerly Sun has more.
A special space for a beloved professor
The University of Rhode Island community was in mourning last fall after colleague Dr. John A. Knauss passed away at 90 years of age. This September, the long-time marine scientist, and educator will be honored with a new terrace at the university’s Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO). The North Kingstown Standard Times has more on Knauss’ legacy.
New field, new beginning for Narragansett HS football
When the Narragansett High School football team broke their team huddle following a Monday morning scrimmage against Shea and Scituate, the rallying cry was “new year”. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more accurate motto for a team in Rhode Island this season. A year ago, Narragansett was without a home field due to the ongoing construction at Zepp Field and was mired in a campaign that saw them win just two games overall. Fast forward a calendar year, and Zepp Field’s renovations are complete, and the Mariners are fielding a team much bigger in size. The Narragansett Times has more.
BLACKSTONE VALLEY
Doors closing on popular eatery
For fans of Mexican-inspired cuisine and those keen on sampling the subtle nuances of the distilled spirits of agave, The Burrito Company in Woonsocket became a local institution in casual dining. For Denise and Anthony Sierra, who built the 104 Cass Ave. restaurant from scratch, it also became a home. The Sierras reluctantly said farewell to all that Saturday, when they closed the doors after nine years for the very last time. But is it really the end? Read more in The Call.
New life for old church
The historic First Baptist Church, a landmark in the North End of Woonsocket, has been purchased by a Christian group from North Providence that has embarked on a total renovation of the long-vacant deteriorating structure. Read about it in The Call.
Central Falls honors nation’s heroes with new memorial
Military veterans and government officials were happy to attend the groundbreaking last week for Veterans Memorial Park in Central Falls. It is being constructed on a site where the Eugene T. Lefebvre VFW Post once stood. “I don’t think you’ll see any nicer,” said Russell Bourski, an Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War. More details are in The Times.
Key roles driving force behind PawSox
Brooke Coderre of Woonsocket, Nick Narodowy of North Smithfield and Dom DiSano of Central Falls play key roles in the behind the scene operations of the Pawtucket Red Sox. You might enjoy Brendan McGair’s three-part series in The Call and The Times about the trio and their jobs.
NORTHWEST
New administration in place at Johnston H.S.
Johnston High School’s new leadership team is complete. The School Committee recently hired Donna Pennaccchia to fill the vacant assistant principal’s post. As The Johnston Sun Rise reports, the hire rounds out the entirely new Johnston High administration.
Pannese Society travels to Italy
Joseph Spremulli, elder statesman of the Pannese Society, walked around his son’s home at 21 Deer View Road in Johnston wearing a smile that seemed brighter than Monday’s sparkling sun. Preparations were being made for a historic journey that will lead to today’s signing of the unique “Sister City” agreement between Johnson and the town of Panni in the Foggia region of Italy. The Johnston Sun Rise has more on the special bond.
EAST BAY
Schools playing catch up with repairs
Years of deferred maintenance together with a school construction moratorium have left many Rhode Island districts scrambling to replace leaky roofs, repair broken plumbing and bring buildings designed on a factory model into the 21st century. Now that the financial spigot is open, Barrington is one of several school districts finally embarking on long-overdue projects. The Providence Journal has more on the big picture.
PROVIDENCE
Butler Hospital leading the charge against Alzheimer’s
When researcher Dr. Stephen P. Salloway describes the magnitude of effort that will be required to defeat Alzheimer’s disease, a public-health scourge with few modern parallels, he speaks in terms of a mighty military campaign. And, as The Providence Journal reports, the director of the Butler Hospital Memory and Aging Program, rightly ranks as a general in the gathering assault. Read more on how the hospital is leading the charge.
West Elm putting down roots in Providence
Wayland Square is a cozy shopping hub that offers a mix of residences, mom-and-pop shops, and eateries. They are the reasons why home décor retailer West Elm said it chose the Providence neighborhood for its first Ocean State store, which will bring 30 jobs when it opens Sept. 1 at 179 Wayland Ave., a company spokeswoman said. The Providence Journal has more on what neighbors think.
SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS
Powerboats start your engines
By Saturday afternoon, the parking lot of a former Quaker Fabric Corp. plant down on the waterfront was full of boats, every one of them sleek as the blade of a knife. On Sunday, they’ll be battling each other out on the river, looking for a win, while thousands of people watch from the shore, reveling in the display of speed. The Fall River Herald News has more on what goes into planning the event.
Back to School comes at a cost
Attention moms and dads: it’s that time of year again. That’s right, summer’s slowly fading away, the sun’s setting earlier and school’s rapidly nearing. And while late August and early September come with excitement and nerves, a family’s bank account can take quite the hefty hit. The Fall River Herald News has more on how local parents are coping.
In-Depth: Back to School »