Smithfield bus drivers, monitors irate over merge with Lincoln
SMITHFIELD – School bus drivers and monitors in town, many of whom have been working their routes for decades, say they’re about to be discarded in favor of drivers from another town. The employees turned out for Tuesday’s Town Council…
Noble Serenity Garden officially christened in North Smithfield (video)
NORTH SMITHFIELD – At a surprise retirement party for Cindi Noble last Saturday, she got a conceptual look at a new stone that would be placed in her honor at the new Noble Serenity Garden at Hotchkiss Cemetery. It was an emotional…
Pallotta seeks re-election to North Providence school board
NORTH PROVIDENCE – As a member of the North Providence School Committee for 28 years, says Frank Pallotta, he is pleased to announce his candidacy for re-election. “I want to thank the voters of District 1 and the entire community for their…
We need state-level action to ensure our schools get more than level funding
By Dino Autiello, president, North Providence Town Council This may be that rainy day. I said those words recently, and I meant them. After 16 years on the North Providence Town Council, I’ve seen tight budgets before, but this one is different.…
United Way honors local philanthropists
PROVIDENCE – In recognition of “their extraordinary philanthropy and dedication to helping their fellow Rhode Islanders,” the United Way of Rhode Island presented Betsey Purinton and James English with the Tocqueville United Award. A special donor celebration event was held May 9…
Gendron announces he’s running for Woonsocket mayor
WOONSOCKET – City Council President Daniel Gendron has announced that, “after overwhelming encouragement from residents across the city and conversations with constituents throughout Woonsocket,” he will officially run for mayor this year. Gendron said the decision comes after months of discussions with…
Amanda V. Broadmeadow – Lincoln
Amanda V. Broadmeadow, 27, of Lincoln, died peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at home, surrounded by her loving family, following a courageous battle with glioblastoma. She was the loving wife of Cole Durham, with whom she celebrated her second wedding anniversary…
North Smithfield’s 1761 Bible restored for America’s 250th
NORTH SMITHFIELD – One of the North Smithfield Heritage Association’s oldest artifacts, a 1761 royal-authorized Thomas Baskett Bible, has now been meticulously restored by a local preservation expert, say members of the NSHA. Al Menard, archivist for the preservation group headquartered at the…
Weiss Words: A retrospective look at commencement speech advice
By Herb Weiss Note: This column first appeared in RI News Today. With the arrival of spring and college graduation season, I am returning to a personal tradition. Once again, it is time for me to pen my annual commencement-style commentary saluting…
Protecting healthcare means protecting Latino families in Rhode Island
By Awilda Reinoso Lopez, M.A and Morgan Leonard, MPA A young mother walked into Clínica Esperanza’s walk-in clinic in Providence with a minor kitchen injury. She almost did not come at all. Like thousands of uninsured patients in Rhode Island, she had…
With no free lunches at Woonsocket splash pad, organizations looking to bridge gap
WOONSOCKET – The Woonsocket Education Department won’t be providing meals at the World War II Veterans Memorial Park splash pad this summer, school officials confirm, but they will still be served at three schools. Supt. Patrick McGee told The Local Insider they are…
