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EDITORIAL: Homelessness not an issue that’s going to go away

May 4, 2011

Over the past four weeks, we’ve taken a special look at the issue of homelessness in North Kingstown. More specifically, homelessness and the effect it has on local children in the North Kingstown School District.
What we’ve learned is that the issue isn’t a simple one.
Perhaps it’s the economy. Maybe it’s the increased costs of basic necessities like food and gas. Whatever the reason, the signs all point to homelessness being an issue that will continue to grow over the next couple of years unless something is done to stop it.

Special Report: Homelessness in North Kingstown (Combating the problem requires a personal touch)

May 3, 2011

By
Paul J. Spetrini
pspetrini@ricentral.com

NORTH KINGSTOWN—Bonnie Smith stands inside the small, cramped space of the North Kingstown Food Pantry with a determined look on her face.
As signs of spring blossoms throughout the neighborhood around her, Smith works as quickly as possible in a dark office building so the pantry can provide local families with food and paper supplies.
Smith says demand for service is greater than ever.
“I can’t give you an accurate percentage but I would say it’s probably at least 80-90 percent higher than it was a year ago at this point,” Smith says.

New shop’s wares are hare today

May 2, 2011

By
Martha Smith

NORTH KINGSTOWN – At Rhonda Barner’s new shop, Mr. Willoughby’s Country Store, the economic trend is neither bullish nor bearish. It is bunnyish.
And if your idea of a country store is spinning wheels, butter churns and jars of homemade jelly, think again. Things are really hopping in this updated idea of rustic chic.
Opening earlier this month, Mr. Willoughby’s, a tiny boutique located on the side of a large storefront, features an inventory of country-style decorative pieces such as stuffed rabbits, sheep and cows as well as wreaths and candles.

Historic homes being prepared for relocation

May 1, 2011

By
Martha Smith

NORTH KINGSTOWN – A shabby little green-trimmed house that historians trace to the founding family of North Kingstown is being moved from a waterfront site on Cold Spring Lane to Smithfield where it will be restored and occupied.
It will join two large colonial homes in a Limerock-area compound owned by a pair of devoted preservationists.
Identified as the Updike-Lawton House by an official at the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission, the early Cape Cod-style cottage was built by descendents of Lodowick Updike.

Fogarty eager to help Jamestown library turn the page

April 30, 2011

By
Martha Smith

JAMESTOWN – When Judith Bell retired after 24 years as director of the Jamestown Philomenian Library, the ad for her replacement might just as well have read, Wanted: Legend in Training.
The woman who stepped forward to fill her shoes – and was chosen unanimously by the hiring committee and the library board – has had lots of small-town experience but is poised to guide the Jamestown facility into the modern electronic era of e-reading.

School budget talks get heated

April 29, 2011

By
Paul J. Spetrini
pspetrini@ricentral.com

NORTH KINGSTOWN—Frustrations over the proposed 2012 budget for the North Kingstown School District boiled over Tuesday night as School Committee members Larry Ceresi and Lynda Avanzato openly questioned whether or not the NK Town Council did everything it could to avoid potentially level-funding the district for the next fiscal year.

Preview this week's Standard Times today!

April 28, 2011

Five months ago, one of the hottest topics in and around North Kingstown was the proposed moving of the Beechwood House. Now, months after the project seemed to be wrapping up, nothing’s really been done. What gives? Find out in this week’s Standard Times in an exclusive story by Martha Smith.
In addition, we wrap up our month-long investigation into homelessness in North Kingstown with a look at some of the local residents who do their part to eliminate the problem.
And, if that wasn’t enough, we’ve got you covered on everything budget related, both in NK and Exeter.

Special Report: Homelessness in North Kingstown (Crossroads not just an affordable housing development)

April 27, 2011

By
Paul J. Spetrini
pspetrini@ricentral.com

NORTH KINGSTOWN—Jan Hall-Stinson sits at her desk in the Crossroads Family Housing Complex with a small coffee from Dunkin Donuts, a big, white calendar and a stack of paperwork piled high.
On the wall nearest the door are newspaper clippings reporting the athletic achievements of some of Crossroads’ student athletes enrolled at North Kingstown High School. Displayed on a small table directly below is a scale model of what the buildings at Crossroads will one day look like.

NK seniors put their passion on display as part of swing group

April 26, 2011

By
Kendra Leigh Miller

They sing, they tap dance, they laugh and just have fun!
A group of senior citizens at the Beechwood Senior Center has been getting together a couple times a month for more than 30 years to practice their favorites before they bring their show on the road.

Mulligan ready to serve as new NK police chief

April 25, 2011

By
Paul J. Spetrini
pspetrini@ricentral.com

NORTH KINGSTOWN—For Thomas Mulligan, North Kingstown is home.
From the moment he graduated from North Kingstown High School, Mulligan wanted to be a police officer on the North Kingstown Police Department, to serve his community the same way many of his family members and friends in law enforcement had.

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