Archive - News Article

Rec board discusses beach, role in town

January 16, 2013

NARRAGANSETT - The Recreation Advisory Board met on Monday evening, discussing a number of topics including the ongoing repairs at Narragansett Town Beach in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Wright stressed the town is doing everything it can to have the beach and its facilities operational in time for the beach season.

Shellfishing management plan proceeding

January 7, 2013

NARRAGANSETT - In partnership with the Rhode Island Department of of Environmental Management (RIDEM) and the University of Rhode Island’s Coastal Institute, Rhode Island Sea Grant aims to develop a management plan for shellfishing in Rhode Island. The environmental research group will hold a kick-off meeting on Jan. 7 at URI’s Bay Campus in Narragansett, pulling together community stakeholders, including members of the shellfishing industry and scientists.

Ticket price increase expected for BI Ferry

January 3, 2013

BLOCK ISLAND – Passenger ticket prices on the Block Island Ferry could increase beginning this Memorial Day.

Interstate Navigation, the company that operates the Block Island Ferry recently filed a request with state regulators to raise passenger ticket prices by about 8 percent in the coming year on traditional “slow” ferries to account for rising fuel costs and upgrades to its fleet.

The New London, Conn.-based company would also eliminate a same-day travel discount and a discount for Block Island residents, but it plans to offer significantly lower rates to transport vehicles.

South County Hospital receives an 'A' for safety

January 3, 2013

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – South County Hospital recently received a hospital safety score rating of “A,” one of only two hospitals to earn the highest ranking in Rhode Island.

The Leapfrog Group, an independent, non-profit healthcare transparency advocacy group, assessed the hospital’s performance based on national performance measures.

Resident seeks undercover officers in schools

December 31, 2012

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – A local man and his wife recently formed an organization advocating for greater protection and security in South Kingstown’s elementary and middle schools.

Richard Nuttall, a South Kingstown resident, formed FEDUP, which stands for Fortified Essential Devoted Undercover Protection. Through FEDUP, Nuttall is advocating for the placement of armed, undercover, retired local and state police officers in schools.

School committee talks graduation requirements at Narragansett High

December 31, 2012

NARRAGANSETT - At the Dec. 19 meeting, the school committee heard a presentation from Narragansett High School Principal Daniel Warner regarding graduation requirements for 2014 seniors. Although the framework remains the same, the Rhode Island Department of Education has stipulated a few new changes.

Warner and social studies teacher John O’Brien listed the basic requirements that NHS students are expected to fill, such as 26 credits of coursework, six more than the state requirement, and 30 hours of community service.

RI employment numbers increase during November

December 31, 2012

CRANSTON – Rhode Island unemployment remained unchanged last month, holding steady at 10.4 percent, the same as it was in October, though it is down from Nov. 2011, according to Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training statistics released Dec. 20.

Unemployment in the Ocean State dropped seven-tenths of a percentage point in Nov. 2012 compared to Nov. 2011, when unemployment was 11.1 percent.

Superior Court denies Village Liquors request

December 26, 2012

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – A Providence County Superior Court judge denied Village Liquors a Class A liquor license Friday, overturning the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation’s June decisions, granting the license.

Judge Michael Silverstein sided with the South Kingstown Town Council and its Nov. 2011 decision denying the proposed South County Commons wine boutique a liquor license.

Pier Council talks Middlebridge Fate

December 26, 2012

NARRAGANSETT - The town council met for a work session Thursday evening to discuss the most pressing issues that the new council members will face in their two-year term, such as setting the 2013-14 fiscal year budget and looking at beach policies. The council specifically touched upon the future usage of the properties at 94 and 95 Middlebridge Road, purchased by the town in August for $1,442,000.

Embury calls Judge Stern's decision a 'head-scratcher'

December 26, 2012

By TRACEY O’NEILL
Special to the Standard

NORTH KINGSTOWN– Town Manager, Michael Embury, in response to Friday’s Superior Court decision rendered by Judge Brian J. Stern, fired off a three-page letter to the town council bullet-pointing his concerns and suggestive remedies for the judge’s legal rulings.