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 — 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.

    PROVIDENCE — School One and Write Rhode Island are hosting a Creative Writing Institute for students in grades 7-12. The institute will be held at School One, 220 University Ave., Providence, Monday to Friday, July 31 to Aug. 4. 

    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.

    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 Westerly Anti-Racism Coalition will celebrate Juneteenth with a free, family friendly event titled "Celebrating the Journey" on Sunday, June 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westerly Post Office, 5 High St.

      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 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 — The Pax Christi Rhode Island and Westerly Area Peace and Justice will hold an Interfaith Vigil for Peace on Sunday, May 21, at 4 p.m. at Christ Church, 7 Elm St. The vigil will provide an opportunity for members of community to share thoughts, prayers, and visions for a more peace…

        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.

        Spring is a time for growth and renewal … and this is not just true in Wilcox Park, where the grass is lush and the flowers are blooming. No, big changes are coming to the library as well! For the past year, Ocean State Libraries — the consortium of public libraries in the state of RI — has …

        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.