Hurricane Lee largely bypassed Rhode Island this weekend. For a group of campers at Sachuest Beach, the storm wouldn’t have made a difference.
Local
Posted inArticle, Local, Newport Bureau
Newport Orthodox congregation can remain at Touro Synagogue while they appeal an eviction order
A Rhode Island Superior Court judge says a local Orthodox congregation due to be evicted from Touro Synagogue in Newport can remain there as tenants for a limited amount of time.
Posted inArticle, Local, Newport Bureau
Rhode Island judge will rule on status of eviction of Touro Synagogue congregation
On Thursday, a Rhode Island judge will decide whether to lift a stay of eviction against the Orthodox congregation at Touro Synagogue in Newport. For the last 10 years, the local group has been embroiled in legal disputes with another congregation in New York over ownership of the synagogue and its property.
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Local, Politics, South Coast Bureau
Judge fines DA for withholding information about fatal police shooting in Fall River
Justice James Budreau ordered $1,000 in punitive damages against the Bristol County District Attorney’s office — the lowest amount allowed under the law — for shielding the names of police officers involved in the death of Anthony Harden and the subsequent investigation.
Posted inArticle, Education, Local, Newport Bureau
Newport schools superintendent is ready for the challenges and possibilities of a new school year
As she prepares for the first day of school, Superintendent Dr. Colleen Burns Jermain is wearing many hats, including a construction hat. Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch sat down with Jermain to talk about her role as an educator and administrator who is also overseeing a multi-year construction project of the new Rogers High School.
Posted inArtscape, Episode, Local, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford says goodbye to a downtown eccentric
Ira Cohen, a bookseller and art model who kept a literary spirit alive in a tough New England seaport, died this January at 70 years old after a brief illness. Cohen was the focus of what turned out to be the last show UMass Dartmouth exhibited at its gallery in downtown New Bedford before the university abruptly closes its campus there at the end of the month. For this week’s Artscape, South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke interviewed more than a dozen people who knew Cohen. The result is a collection of stories, memories and impressions that form another lasting portrait of Cohen.
Posted inArticle, Local, Newport Bureau
Newport celebrates the victorious return of hometown 11th Hour Racing team
A crowd of fans gathered in downtown Newport last Friday to celebrate the return of the victorious 11th Hour Racing team. The sailing team and its skipper Charlie Enright won the epic around-the-world Ocean Race in June 2023. They’re the first American team to bring home the trophy in the 50 years of the race’s history.
Posted inArticle, Local, Newport Bureau
Newport election administrator resigns after offensive texts revealed
Just three months into the job, the Newport elections administrator has resigned, after recent revelations that he’d made inappropriate and offensive comments during his previous role at the District Court.
Posted inEpisode, Local, Newport Bureau
Priced out of Newport, Jeffrey Marcus calls his SUV his home
Newport is one of the few communities in Rhode Island that exceeds the state’s mandate for affordable housing. Yet, local officials say Newport has a housing crisis and risks losing its diverse community, as tourists, part-time residents and investors drive up rents and home prices. It’s becoming more common for local residents to fall on hard times and more difficult for them to get back on track to find stable housing. In part five of our series “Falling Short: In search of affordable housing,” we hear the story of a man who’s struggled to make the city by the sea his home and is currently living in his car.
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau
Ex-Fall River cop sentenced to prison in police brutality case
Michael Pessoa will serve at least a year and a half in state prison after a jury convicted him of using excessive force and covering it up in false reports.