Publication

Land chosen for Rhode Island’s Vietnam veterans memorial

In 1967, Woonsocket’s Ernie Boisvert returned from Vietnam, having served about a year before he was injured in a rocket launcher attack that killed his platoon’s lieutenant. He came back to a country that was different from when he left it after being...

Pawtucket’s Burbage Theatre announces season’s show lineup

PAWTUCKET – Rhode Island’s 2026-27 theater season comes alive in September, and the company with a most intriguing lineup is based right here in the Blackstone Valley. Burbage Theatre Company, at 59 Blackstone Ave., has announced the theme of its 15th...

JM Walsh School seniors look forward to new school year

PAWTUCKET – For decades, thousands of children have considered the first day back at school the end of summer, moments of frivolity and fun and doing what you want when you want. But when the numerous elementary, middle and high schools in the city...

Pawtucket Arts Festival’s rst weekend wows thousands

PAWTUCKET – When Bora Ivy awoke early Saturday morning in his Providence home, he knew he wanted to do something fun with his wife, Carissa, and eight-year-old son, Elijah, but didn’t know what. He began scrolling on his cellphone and looked at...

Primary

WOONSOCKET – As Primary Day nears, four candidates for the Woonsocket mayoral seat have ramped up their door-knocking and campaign pitches in an attempt to become Woonsocket’s newest leader. That foursome includes current Mayor Chris Beauchamp; City...

FeedRI, CVS, RIDE bring new food pantry to WHS

WOONSOCKET – According to Woonsocket Superintendent of Schools Patrick McGee, the new partnership between FeedRI, CVS Health, the Rhode Island Department of Education and his own school district is going to bring a whole lot of joy to Woonsocket High...

O cials advance plan to redevelop Apex property

PAWTUCKET – The Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency, in coordination with the city, has advanced the redevelopment of the former Apex department store site by selecting the top applicants from the six proposals submitted for the Downtown Gateway...

Local pols look to raise money for Colombia earthquake victims

CENTRAL FALLS – In response to Monday’s horrific and devastating earthquake in Colombia, federal, state and local dignitaries – including General Treasurer James Diossa, Gov. Dan McKee, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and many more –...

MOVING ON UP

WOONSOCKET – The Police Department highlighted its latest round of promotions with a traditional ceremony attended by city officials, family and friends in historic Harris Hall Monday afternoon. Sworn in to their new department roles were Captain...

Washington County Fair returns to Southern RI

RICHMOND — The Washington County Fair is back. So is much of its past. The 60th Washington County Fair opened Wednesday for five days of livestock, country music, midway rides, competitions, and the agricultural traditions that have defined it for...

LOUNGING AROUND

PAWTUCKET – When a couple of friends asked the husband-wife team of Alan Cohen and Katarina Ezikovich to attend the 20th Larry’s Lounge Variety Show a few weeks ago, they didn’t have a clue as to what they would witness. Their friends asked them if...

CF unveils new Mobile Food Pantry

CENTRAL FALLS – According to Mayor Maria Rivera, food insecurity is rampant in Central Falls – one of the country’s most densely-populated cities and Rhode Island’s lowest-income community – and it remains a significant challenge. One in four...

Fazzio gives his D-Day award to the Veterans Memorial Museum

WOONSOCKET – Richard Fazzio, 101, likes to stay home at Jillson Avenue these days but went over to the Veterans Memorial Museum at 78 Earle St. for a special occasion on Saturday. The survivor of the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, gave...

Beloved, family-run Attleboro golf course to close a er 72 years

ATTLEBORO — After 72 years and several generations, the beloved, family-owned Stone-E-Lea golf course on County Street will close in December at the end of the season. Regulars could often find David LaPierre, 57, the third-generation owner who...

Siemens Mobile eXplore Tour teaches innovation in Pawtucket

PAWTUCKET – Gov. Dan McKee, Mayor Donald Grebien, State Reps. MaryAnn Shallcross Smith of Pawtucket/Lincoln and Steve Casey of Woonsocket and manufacturing leaders throughout the state descended on the former Apex department store site late Tuesday...

Boys & Girls Club takes in Pats training camp practice

FOXBORO — Sitting under a tent that’s typically reserved for high-ranking attendees of Patriots training camp, the guests of honor started to raise their voices. Drake! Christian! A.J.! “The older kids watch NFL games, so they know who’s out there....

BRISTOL- BOUND

The Lincoln Little League 12U team celebrates after winning the Rhode Island Little League State Championship, beating Barrington 2-1 in the championship final at Varrato Field in Western Cranston Saturday. The team will now play in the Metro Regional...

Holy Family Carnival continues despite inclement weather

WOONSOCKET – Periodic bouts of rain didn’t stop some hardy area residents from keeping tradition alive Thursday evening while enjoying the annual Holy Trinity Carnival at 1409 Park Avenue. The event typically signals the approach of a new school year...

THE BOOMS ARE BACK RIFC adds fourth reworks show on Sept. 19

PAWTUCKET – Fans who have already purchased tickets to watch Rhode Island FC face Miami FC in a big USL Championship contest on Saturday, Sept. 19, will experience an added bonus. The club announced Wednesday afternoon that it has added a fourth...

‘Titanic’ at Theatre By The Sea brings doomed ship’s voyage to life

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Nearly 1,800 nautical miles from Matunuck’s Theatre By the Sea rests the sunken Titanic, but the playhouse’s stage brings seemingly alive the passengers, crew and others for a real-life reprise of the ocean liner’s first and last...

Do you like speed cameras in your town?

METAL HEADS

PAWTUCKET – City resident Mizael Rodriguez hopes someday to become a welder and add to his family’s tradition in the trades. Thanks to his graduation from the third annual Heavy Metal Summer Experience Camp at Unique Metal Works in Pawtucket on...

O cials celebrate opening of Dexter Street Commons

PAWTUCKET – Lee Peyser, the president/CEO of the Pesyer Real Estate Group, realized a dream on Thursday afternoon. In front of the brand new Dexter Street Commons, naturally located at 71 Dexter St., he emceed the long-anticipated ribbon-cutting...

FOOTBALL FEVER

PAWTUCKET – As soon as University of Rhode Island men’s soccer head coach Gareth Elliott blew his whistle and told the group of kids he was working with it was time for a water break, nine-yearolds Phoenix Cosme, Jaselle Fernandes and Olivia Luis ran...

2 arrested on drug, gun charges a er police sting

PAWTUCKET – Pawtucket police, in conjunction with the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force, on Tuesday morning served a court-authorized search warrant at 1362 Newport Ave. stemming from a Providence police...

SUMMER OF SOCCER

PAWTUCKET — Jody Flanagan cited three reasons for attending the Pawtucket Summer of Soccer Finale Fan Fest & Watch Party at the City Hall municipal parking lot on Sunday afternoon, and none had to do with watching the World Cup championship tilt...

ROUND AND ROUND Kids of all ages revel in PPC's 'Free Carousel Rides' event

PAWTUCKET — Josh Salmon didn’t have a choice but to join his wife, Meredith, and young children Beatrix, four, and twin, nearly two-year-old boys Elliott and Charlie at the Pawtucket Parks Commission’s “Summer Free Carousel Rides” event at Slater...

Smoke

yellow,” said Brent Williams, head of the soil, water and climate department at the University of Minnesota. The area “could be looking at weeks to months of continued smoke and flare-ups off and on as the winds blow in different directions,” he...

BUILDING RHODE ISLAND

PAWTUCKET – In front of dozens of Rhode Island union laborers, assorted elected officials and numerous other business people, Gov. Dan McKee held a ceremonial bill signing for two construction-related pieces of legislation at the future site of the new...

Mayor, City Council agree — 'Woonie Crit' was a huge success

WOONSOCKET — During the “public comment” portion of the City Council meeting on Monday night, Sean Clark, an avid Woonsocket cyclist and member/ambassador of the Tri-State Cycling Club, addressed the board about the “Woonie Crit” cycling event held in...

A LOOK AT HISTORY

WOONSOCKET — Area residents interested in viewing an early copy of the Declaration of Independence lined up outside the Museum of Work & Culture for a time on Saturday as part of Rhode Island’s observances of the 250th Anniversary of the nation’s...

‘GO GET ’EM, DAVID’

WOONSOCKET – Muriel Dubois sat in an office chair just in front of a huge bay door at the Woonsocket Fire Department Station 2 on Friday afternoon and used a tissue to dab her eyes. She had just watched Fire Chief Bob Cahill, Mayor Chris Beauchamp and...

‘Jackie Robinson of Women’s Soccer’ visits with city students

PAWTUCKET — Describing herself as the Jackie Robinson of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, Kim Crabbe came to the city not to tout her accolades and the honors that she’s received. Standing at a podium, Crabbe told an audience of middle school...

RI artists look to showcase work at Wickford Art Festival

NORTH KINGSTOWN — Art lovers and artists alike will gather at Wilson Park this weekend for the 63rd annual Wickford Art Festival. Heather Schold, Wickford Art Festival director, said the festival serves as a yearly celebration of fine art, artists and...

RI designer aims to bring sustainable fashion to ‘Project Runway’

Another Rhode Islander is about to make her national television debut, and she is doing it with soda can tabs, bubble wrap and old newspapers. Anna Molinari, 27, of New York City, spent part of her teenage years in Jamestown while her father served in...

Carcifero becomes Woonsocket Rotary president for second time

BURRILLVILLE – The Woonsocket Rotary Club made history the night of Thursday, June 25, at Bella Restaurant. During its annual Charter Night, it installed Lisa Carcifero as its newest president. In the process, she became the first female to repeat in...

A HOT ONE HUNDREDTH

Large crowds brave the scorching heat while enjoying the 100th Arnold Mills 4th of July Parade along Nate Whipple Highway in Cumberland Saturday. Right: The British Red Coats brave the scorching heat. Below right: The Cumberland High School Clipper...

America celebrates 250

WASHINGTON (AP) — Festivities commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence ramped up across the United States on Friday as demonstrations of national pride were balanced with efforts to stay safe as much of the country baked under the...

FIRED UP FOR THE FOURTH

CUMBERLAND – Amazing as it may seem, the annual Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade turns 100 this Saturday, and chairwoman Joyce Koutsogiane and her board have been working extremely hard to make this the most memorable and meaningful ever. “It’s hard...

Lightning strikes again with ‘Grease’ at TBTS

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — If there’s a choreographer and dance auteur with the Midas touch, it is Kevin P. Hill at Theatre By The Sea, who made the aging Grease production worth seeing for its terpsichore. Terpsichore is the Greek Muse of dance and choral...

Infant, two women found dead a er vehicle sank in river

PAWTUCKET — Three family members, including a 2-year-old girl, were found dead after a submerged car was pulled from the Seekonk River Monday afternoon. The vehicle was removed about 2:45 p.m. following an intensive search by police and firefighters...

School Committee receives update on high school construction

PAWTUCKET – The School Committee received some good news and a bit of bad when it was provided an update on the construction of the new Pawtucket High School on the former McCoy Stadium site at their meeting last week. On the positive side, Gordon...

McKee, Rebelo, others celebrate Boys & Girls Club’s 70th birthday

CUMBERLAND – Brad Dean is in his mid-70s now, but his mind often drifts back to the great times he had as a kid playing at the then-Cumberland Boys Club in the late 1950s and early ‘60s. He admitted he’s thinking even more about it now, since the Boys...

Pawtucket Schools Summer Meal Kicko event today

PAWTUCKET – The Pawtucket School Department, Aramark Student Nutrition and the Rhode Island Department of Education will host the Pawtucket Schools Summer Meal Kickoff Celebration, which is scheduled for today from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cunningham...

REQUIRED READING: Declaration of Independence goes on brief display

With America’s 250th birthday fast approaching, a local library did its part to connect Southern Rhode Island residents to their nation’s history with a tradition dating back to this country’s founding. A line of people was seen pouring out of the...

Thanks for the support!

WOONSOCKET – Construction of the new George T. Nasuti Elementary School at Barry Field hit another milestone Thursday as workers fitted in a steel beam signed by local students, officials and residents. The capping-off beam was placed on the...

BEACONS OF THE FUTURE

Top: Beacon Charter High School for the Arts graduates, from left, Grace Togher, Dorothy Piekarski, and Illyana Alicea gather at the Stadium Theatre before the start of commencement last Wednesday evening. Forty-one students graduated during the...

Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series opens in River Island Park

WOONSOCKET – The Levitt AMP Woonsocket Music Series returned to the city’s River Island Park Friday evening with a kick-off performance by headliner soul, jazz and blues artist Shayna Steele, an opening act featuring the YONKS from Providence and even...

Slater Liberty Tree planting commemorates USA’s 250th

PAWTUCKET – Secretary of State Gregg Amore visited Slater Park on Monday morning for the Pawtucket 250th Committee’s Liberty Tree Planting ceremony next to the R.I. Watercolor Society, but about 10 minutes before its start, he offered a humorous story...

Saints’ Class of ‘26 embraces courage, resilience

PROVIDENCE – Jacob Faria stood in the basement of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul early Sunday afternoon surrounded by a group of people he had spent the past four years with learning, studying, toiling, laughing and, on a few occasions,...

Perseverance de nes Shea High Class of ’26

PAWTUCKET – As the Shea High School Class of 2026 congregated inside the Francis J. Varieur Elementary School cafeteria late Friday afternoon, classmates Lara Martins and Lara Fortes spoke quietly among themselves in a hallway about their lead-up to...

Tolman awards diplomas to 215 worthy grads

PAWTUCKET – The start of Yamil Ayala’s graduation ceremony from Tolman High School was still over an hour away, but he couldn’t help but admit he doubted his readiness for the event. “I really can’t believe all this; it just flew by, and now we’re...

Davies Tech delivers diplomas to 212 in proud Class of 2026

LINCOLN – You could see the uneasiness on Moshood Lawal’s face. Just minutes away from his commencement from the William M. Davies, Jr. Career & Technical High School on Tuesday night, the North Providence resident stood among a few friends in a...

‘Be here right now and nowhere else’

WOONSOCKET – – An afternoon of time-honored tradition and attention to bright futures marked Mount St. Charles Academy’s 102nd Commencement honoring 113 members of the Class of 2026 on Sunday. The ceremony capping up to seven years of school at the...

‘Time to open the door, step outside’

WOONSOCKET – Gaining praise for their accomplishments, the 306 members of Woonsocket High School’s Class of 2026 were encouraged during graduation ceremonies Friday afternoon to continue learning, continue growing in the years ahead. The ceremonies in...

Blackstone Academy honors 62 grads

PROVIDENCE – Just as the doors had opened to parents, family members and friends for the Blackstone Academy Charter School’s 23rd commencement at Bishop McVinney Auditorium on Thursday afternoon, senior Isaiah Perry stood on the stage downstairs...

Mount’s top students to lead commencement ceremonies

WOONSOCKET – After completing their high school years with distinction, Mount St. Charles Academy’s three top students of the Class of 2026 are more than ready to lead the school’s 102nd Commencement Ceremonies on Sunday. Mia M. Rocco of Portsmouth is...

Gonzalez, Torres named Tolman 2026 valedictorian, salutatorian

PAWTUCKET – Unusual as it may sound, Naima Gonzalez has been consumed by the idea of finishing as the top student in her class since elementary school. Now that she has been announced as Tolman High School’s newest valedictorian, she’s feeling quite...

Lopes, Rosales named top scholars at BV Prep High

PAWTUCKET – When Jazleen Lopes entered Blackstone Valley Prep High School as a freshman four years ago, she never really thought about finishing atop her class. She just wanted to do the best she could and challenge herself academically. “I never...

LESSONS FROM THE FRONT LINE

WOONSOCKET – When police are routinely showing up among teenagers to do an unpopular job – like breaking up fights, for example – the shots the cops take to their public image are often harder to heal than any physical injuries the combatants may...

Man arrested a er hours-long stand o with Woonsocket Police

WOONSOCKET – A tense police stand-off with a domestic incident suspect at 613 Grove Street ended after 4-1/2 hours when police patience paid off with the man’s surrender just after 3 p.m. Friday. Woonsocket Police had surrounded the three-family...

McKee, Grebien, Beauchamp highlight RhodeRestore initiative

PAWTUCKET – Gov. Dan McKee, Mayors Don Grebien of Pawtucket and Chris Beauchamp of Woonsocket, RIDOT Interim Executive Director Bob Rocchio and other state and municipal leaders gathered on Broadway on Thursday morning to highlight the success of the...

Woonsocket native pens book inspired by journey to India

WOONSOCKET – Over 30 years, GiGi Desaulniers made more than 20 trips to India, most often to Kolkata, in West Bengal. Her purpose was charitable work, including volunteering with Mother Teresa. Now Desaulniers has written a book inspired by what she...

Bally’s picked to launch Rhode Island’s second online sportsbook

RhodeIslandCurrent.com As soon as late November, Rhode Island will have a new online option to bet on any sports matches — one from the very company that already operates the state’s in-person sportsbook. The Rhode Island Lottery on May 8 awarded...

Barnai Worsted founder Naismith honored at Museum of W&C

WOONSOCKET – Robert William Naismith, 81, never knew his grandfather, William Naismith, but thanks to some research into the city’s industrial past he is now helping the Museum of Work & Culture learn more about the former mill it calls home at Market...

Duschang, Lebeuf are St. Raphael valedictorian and salutatorian

PAWTUCKET – St. Raphael Academy valedictorian Michael Duschang is sure many things will cross his mind while he and the rest of the Class of 2026 parade through the massive Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul during commencement exercises on Sunday...

‘Summer of Celebration’ events announced by Grebien, McKee

PAWTUCKET – At a most appropriate venue, Centreville Bank Stadium, on Thursday morning, Mayor Donald Grebien, Gov. Dan McKee, State Treasurer James Diossa and a host of other dignitaries unveiled numerous events that have been scheduled as parts of the...

Woonsocket High scholars savor rewards of academic challenges

WOONSOCKET – The high school’s top two students of the Class of 2026, Valedictorian David A. Vega and Salutatorian Timothy Silvia now know that hard work pays off when it comes to their academic pursuits. Vega achieved his top honors by challenging...

Council opposes state’s bid to hamper camping enforcement

WOONSOCKET – The City Council voted 6-0 on Monday night to pass a resolution in opposition to House Bill H-8000 Substitute A and any companion bill in the Senate in connection with the enforcement of camping bans on public property. The ruling comes...

URI commencement encourages students to seize opportunity

Graduation weekend 2026 at the University of Rhode Island has come and gone, a time for faculty, leaders, and students themselves to give graduates advice on their way off campus. This year’s encouraging messages appeared to have a theme: uncertain...