WESTERLY

WESTERLY — Central Baptist Church of Westerly has named Enrique Newman as the new associate pastor of youth and family ministries, according to Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Cal Lord.

WESTERLY — The Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce and Westerly Education Center will host a job fair for seasonal, part-time and full-time workers on Monday, June 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Westerly Education Center Annex, 116 High St.

With warmer weather here, and with Rhode Island still a high-incidence state for Lyme disease, the Rhode Island Departments of Health and Environmental Management are urging people to take precautions to prevent tick bites when outdoors.

CAROLINA — The Richmond Democratic Town Committee will host a conversation with state Rep. Megan Cotter on Saturday, June 3, at the Clark Memorial Library, 7 Pinehurst Drive.

WESTERLY — After assurances about funding and a stamp of approval from a key subcommittee, Westerly’s School Committee last week voted to draw up a contract for work to replace the high school’s football field with artificial turf.

WESTERLY — An award-winning educator with more than 20 years of experience in Massachusetts schools has been selected to become the next principal of Westerly High School.

PROVIDENCE — A seasonal surge heading into Memorial Day weekend has led to a rise in prices at the gas pump to kick-off summer.

WESTERLY — A Westerly resident has started a fundraising drive to help in what she describes as a “David vs. Goliath” battle shaping up over a public access right-of-way to the beach off of Spring Avenue.

WESTERLY

WESTERLY — The Westerly Armory, 41 Railroad Ave., will open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Monday, May 29, Memorial Day, for tours.

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — The annual South Kingstown Memorial Day Ceremony and Wreath Laying Service will be held on Monday, May 29, at 10:30 a.m., at Saugatucket Park, 101 High St.

WESTERLY — The permanent record of Westerly’s war veterans grew by 132 names Thursday with the unveiling of a new plaque on the War Memorial Rolls of Honor.

WESTERLY — How can we, as a community, best build community?

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers of so-called “forever chemicals," commonly referred to as PFAS, saying they have caused significant harm to the state's residents and natural resources. Neronha faulted the companies for engaging in what he described as “a massive and widespread campaign to knowingly deceive the public." The American Chemistry Council, an industry group, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Other states have taken similar legal action, including Massachusetts. Rhode Island’s General Assembly recently prohibited food packaging containing PFAS.

Rhode Island police have identified the two people killed by a man in the town of Johnston who was later shot to death by officers. Police said Thursday that the body of 83-year-old Janet Harrison, the mother of suspect 52-year-old James Harrison, was found in her home Wednesday morning. Police also found the body of a neighbor, 44-year-old Thomas May, in his garage. May's 15-year-old daughter was also shot, but is expected to survive.  After fleeing the home Harrison was spotted by police in neighboring Cranston where he was shot by officers when he got out of his vehicle with a gun.

WESTERLY — A residential subdivision proposal for Ledward Avenue presented more than two years ago and in the works for twice that time is back before Westerly’s Planning Board.

WESTERLY — It has involved a nearly 10-year process to dot all 'i’s" and cross all "t’s," but the Westerly Police Department is nearing completion of a rigorous review to earn full accreditation from the Rhode Island Police Accreditation Commission.

When making plans to enjoy the unofficial kick-off to summer on Memorial Day weekend, make sure to buckle up or be ready to receive a ticket.

PROVIDENCE — The average price for a gallon of gasoline in Rhode Island dropped two cents this week despite mild weather and a positive economic forecast due in part to less-than-expected demand and low oil prices.

Joseph Henry Potter was quite the businessman in Westerly in the mid- to late-1800s.

WESTERLY — The worlds of literature, theater, film and painting will all come together at the United Theatre next week in "Life is a Story — The Journey of 'Life of Pi' from Story to Screen to Stage," an avant-garde program featuring several artists of note.

WESTERLY — The state’s push to inject $100 million into 23 projects that create affordable housing will benefit a Westerly developer with plans to build off Wells Street.

WESTERLY

WESTERLY — Members of the School Committee were still hesitant Wednesday to vote to install artificial turf at Westerly High School’s athletic field, but said they were getting closer to a decision as more information comes in, especially about cost and funding sources.

Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee has signed a bill into law that would let state funds be used to pay for health insurance plans that cover state workers and Medicaid recipients seeking abortions. The signing ceremony was held Thursday almost immediately after the Rhode Island Senate approved the measure. The 24-12 vote followed less than an hour of debate. The democratic governor says he is proud to sign the bill and include related funding in his state budget proposal. Opponents say the state shouldn’t require state taxpayers to cover the cost of abortions.

WESTERLY — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved Westerly’s updated 2023 Hazard Mitigation and Flood Management Plan.

WESTERLY — The Miceli’s Furniture building on High Street could be home to a dozen residential units, some offering views of Wilcox Park, as part of a proposal from the property’s owner that went before the Planning Board.

WESTERLY — Westerly High School senior Eric Towne may be a relative newcomer to the world of theater, but he's learned quite a bit about the stage over the last year — about what goes into learning lines, performing, rehearsing and producing plays.

WESTERLY — The Town Council on Monday made several appointments to its ad hoc study committees for Westerly Marina, the former Bradford School site and affordable housing.

WESTERLY — The state’s Ethics Commission has cleared two Westerly officials of conflict of interest concerns over work they’ve done with organizations outside of their elected roles.

WESTERLY — Westerly Hospital has forged an arrangement to tap into electricity from a solar farm in Smithfield.

WESTERLY — Artist Serena Bates completed her most recent project on the exact day she prayed she would — Saturday, May 13, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fátima.

PROVIDENCE — Drivers in the northeast could benefit from stable prices heading into Memorial Day weekend as gasoline prices dropped nationwide over the past week despite a rise in demand.

WARREN — A nearly 150-year-old stained-glass church window that depicts a dark-skinned Jesus Christ interacting with women in New Testament scenes has stirred up questions about race, Rhode Island’s role in the slave trade and the place of women in 19th century New England society.

WESTERLY — The Town Council is preparing to consider up to $1.3 million in requests for local Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funding when it meets on Monday.

WESTERLY — The Pastoral Care Commission at Christ Episcopal Church, in partnership with RI Elder Info, will host a Senior and Caregiver Resource Fair on May Thursday, May 18, from 3 to 5 p.m. The free event will take place at the church, 7 Elm St.

WESTERLY