Friday, May 24, 2013
Towns across the East Bay are endorsing a bill that would put state senators and representatives under the authority of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.
Its the norm for elected and appointed officials in Rhode Island to answer to the state Ethics Commission, but up on Smith Hill legislators are exempt from its authority. The state's ethics laws prohibit officials from participating in decisions where a conflict of interest exists and can impose fines and even prosecute officials who engage in ethically corrupt activities. Four years ago a June 2009 decision by the Rhode Island Supreme Court stripped the commission of its power to enforce the state's ethics code against the "core acts'' of legislators during a case against former senate President William V. Irons. The decision held that the “speech in debate” clause of the state Constitution provides immunity from prosecution for members …
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The town of Portsmouth filed a restraining order in U.S. District Court against the implementation of bridge tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge Thursday.
The town of Portsmouth filed a restraining order in U.S. District Court on Thursday against the implementation of bridge tolls, only a day after the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced construction of a toll system. The temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction calls for restraining the defendents from proceeding in any way with or towards the imposition of tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge, including the transfer of the bridge from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, and any actions relating to the construction and installation of a proposed All Electronic Toll Collection (AETC) system. The full order reads as follows: Plaintiff, the Town of …
Parents are being warned after a suspicious man allegedly approached Portsmouth Middle School students at a bus stop this morning.
The Portsmouth School District is warning parents of a suspicious man after he allegedly approached Portsmouth Middle School students at a bus stop this morning. The Portsmouth School District released the following special bulletin to parents on Thursday. Portsmouth police were called to assist. This morning at the Park & Mason bus stop in Island Park several middle school students were approached by male who sought to engage them in conversation. This male was also seen at several bus stops on Park Avenue, including the one at Park and Morgan in Island Park. The students became uncomfortable with the individual’s presence. The incident was immediately reported to the bus monitor who then reported this information to the administration…
Newport joined Middletown and Portsmouth to make feeding and leaving food outdoors illegal.
In an attempt to control the coyote population, Newport has joined Middletown and Portsmouth to prohibit feeding wild animals. Newport City Council unanimously approved the ordinance Wednesday with a stated purpose “to protect the health and safety of residents in the City of Newport with respect to dangers associated with coyotes and other non-domesticated animals by minimizing opportunities for such animals to obtain food from sources controlled or controllable by humans.” Christie Smith, Executive Director of the Potter League for Animals said it is important Newport joins the other communities on Aquidneck Island. “These animals don’t know where one town border ends and where one begins,” said Smith. “Newport can step up to the plate…
Take a look at the upper end of the car market in Rhode Island with this selection of luxury cars listed on AOL Autos.
While you may not have won the recent $590.5 million Powerball jackpot, you can get a slice of the good life with one of this week's selection of luxury cars available at dealerships around Rhode Island. The best part? Most of these classy rides can be had for under $60,000. Be sure to check out more cars for sale on AOL Autos.com 1. 2013 Volvo XC60 T6 — $49,444 Always known for its safety standards, Volvo adds some oomph with this latest SUV entry. Pairing a 3.0L inline 6-cyl. turbo with a six-speed automatic transmission, the XC60 adds creature comforts like automatic A/C, headlight cleaners, saved settings for up to three different drivers, and leather interior. For sale at: Viti Volvo, Tiverton 2. 2013 Lincoln MKX Base — $50,295 For …
Middletown residents spoke in support of the town's 2013-14 budget during a hearing on Wednesday.
Middletown residents and council members praised the proposed 2013-14 budget during a hearing on Wednesday night - the budget represents the lowest increase in the town in more than 10 years. Despite minimal increases comparative to nearby towns, Town Administrator Shawn Brown applauded the town's efforts to cut spending while maintaining a focus on addressing capital improvement and public infrastructure needs with a long-term project list. "One of the bigger challenges in the town other than the economy has been addressing public infrastructure projects," said Brown. "There are simply more projects than we can afford." Over the next five years the town will continue to contribute $200,000 to a capital improvement fund in order to …
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For fun in the sun without the crowds, check out these hidden shorelines across Newport County.
Just like sand and surf, crowds and seagulls have become synonymous with many of Newport County's famous beaches. If you're looking to escape the chaos of area's more popular beaches while you sunbathing this summer, you have to know where to look. Here 's a peek at five hidden beaches along Newport County's shoreline. 1. Reject's Beach, Newport A favorite for locals, Rejects Beach is situated at the end of the Cliff Walk by the intersection of Bellvue and Coggshell avenues in Newport. The cleverly-named Reject's Beach is a 100-foot strip of shoreline on the edge of the exclusive Bailey's Beach private club. Reject's is free and accessible to the public via a foot path, but no restrooms, parking or lifeguards are provided. The wide, …
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Who’s NOT planning a BBQ this weekend? If the weather holds and you’ve got propane or charcoal, chances are, you’re grilling something with your friends and family. Here, new ideas for keeping your costs down. Sponsored by Home Depot.
Here at Patch, we like to be thrifty, so we talked to two barbeque experts and uncovered some really good ideas to help you save money on your next outdoor party. 1. Start with a marinade. This means planning ahead -- say, Friday. But it’s worth it, says Rick Browne, host of Barbeque America on PBS, because you can pass up that well-marbled ribeye steak and buy a less tender and less expensive choice to grill like a flank steak or chuck steak. Just marinate it or brine for one or two days and then cook long and slow on the barbeque grill to break down tissues but maintain moisture. “You need to include an acid in the marinade, perhaps juice, vinegar or soy sauce, but avoid cola which is so acidic it can turn meat into a soggy mess.” …
A fire was extinguished at 27 Lawton Brook Road on Wednesday night. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters from three area communities extinguished a fire at a seven-unit condominium complex in Portsmouth Wednesday night. Only one of the units was occupied at the time. Portsmouth firefighters received a 911 phone call at 8:49 p.m., reporting a kitchen fire at 27 Lawton Brook Road. "Because of the fire extending up to the second floor, they struck a second alarm," said Portsmouth Fire Deputy Chief Michael O'Brien. "The fire was quickly knocked down." Crews from the Middletown and Bristol Fire Departments were called to the scene to assist. "We have high levels of carbon monoxide in all of the units at this time," O'Brien said. "We're going through and ventilating all of the structures." Fire crews ventilated all seven units of …
Catch the action of the inshore race at Fort Adams this Saturday and Sunday!
John
10:58 am on Friday, May 24, 2013
Absolutely! Rhode Island has a history of corruption and insider dealings that has earned the state an unenviable reputation. Our ethics laws and regulations should apply equally to state employees, elected and appointed officials, and the ethics commission should have the teeth to make those regulations stick. Ethics requirements at the federal level should provide the model for the state, … more ›