Top Stories | Warwick Beacon

School budget review stops before it starts

School Committee Chair David Testa had planned to go to Mayor Frank Picozzi on Tuesday with a school budget request less than the $6.5 million in additional funds proposed by the superintendent and … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 5/4/23

Bridge dismantled

If there was a bridge between the owners of 175 Post Road and the Pawtuxet neighbors who are looking to halt development of the commercial-zone property and save most of the 15 acres as open space, … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 5/4/23

A race to save lives from sepsis

A sore throat shouldn’t kill someone. But in 2017 that’s what happened to Skip and Tara Cirella’s 16-year-old daughter Gianna. On a Thursday, Gianna developed a sore throat and felt … more

By ANN MacDONALD | 5/4/23

What a catch

If you enjoy eating clams on the half shell, clam cakes and clam chowder there’s a better than a 50 percent chance that the quahogs were harvested from a 1,900-acre stretch of the Providence … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 5/4/23

LOST: Dillon Viens, 16, a Johnston resident and student at William M. Davies Jr. Career and Technical High School, died following a shooting in a Cedar Street home on Feb. 12, 2022.

Dillon Viens' shooting death ruled homicide

Following more than a year-long investigation, Johnston Police arrested a juvenile last week and charged him with manslaughter in the 2022 shooting death of Dillon Viens. Viens’ death, first … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/27/23

Council moves to get ‘another set of eyes’ on new high schools

Questioning whether the city can build two new high schools for $350 million, despite assurances from school administrators that that is possible, the City Council is moving ahead with obtaining a … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/27/23

A DISAPPOINTING 10 MINUTES: David Mozzoni didn’t record a single buckeye as he kept watch over Buckeye Brook on Saturday about noon. Those volunteering to perform the river herring count stand watch for 10 minutes and then log results in a book in a lockbox on the site where Warwick Avenue crosses the brook.

Buckeyes are back, but it’s too early to call it a good run

By JOHN HOWELL David Mozzoni stood watch at the Warwick Avenue bridge over Buckeye Brook Saturday about 2 p.m. He focused on a white plastic strip that spanned the brook no more than two … more

4/27/23

DIGGING INTO DETAILS: Richard Langseth, who has doggedly pursued the reasoning for the proposed air cargo facility, talks with Renee Codega of VHB, civil engineers subcontracted to work on the environmental assessment, at Thursday’s informational session.

Air cargo plan closer to taking off

Consultants and airport representatives outnumbered residents Thursday evening to view the proposed $100 million plan to relocate and expand air cargo facilities from the Airport Road side of the … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/27/23 | 1 comment

GREETING: House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senator Mark McKenney chat with constituent Pearl Holloway prior to a listen session the two legislators held Saturday at the library. Rep. Joseph Solomon joined them. (Warwick Beacon photos)

Legislators get earful on guns, schools

What was billed as listening session by three Warwick legislators Saturday morning started with gun control and continued with rapid fire questions about recycling, taxes, litter, education, plans to … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/27/23

1,000 property owners receive tax sale notice

Kayla Jones has run city tax sales long enough to know too many people wait until the last moment to pay up or make an arrangement to save their property. And now that certified letters went out … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/20/23

TOUR PLANNERS: Betty Ann Rogers, superintendent of the Warwick Sewer Authority and assistant superintendent Michael Bedard at one of the first tanks those attending the tour of the treatment will get to see on at the April 29 open house and tour April 29. (Warwick Beacon photo)

After the flush…

Last year more than 200 people, many of them children, took an hour or more out of a Saturday to tour, seemingly, one of the least likely Warwick attractions – the waste water treatment plant, … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/20/23

SISSY ROPE: You wouldn’t have caught Mayor Frank Picozzi climbing this rope as a junior high school student – it was called the “sissy rope” back then - but he was seriously considering giving it a try Tuesday when he and prospective bidders for the former Aldrich Junior High School toured the building. (Warwick Beacon photos)

First step to new role for Aldrich

Mayor Frank Picozzi fingered the hefty rope hanging from the rafters with big knots every couple of feet. “This is the sissy rope,” he said remembering his days in junior high when he … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/20/23

ONCE PARKING NOW DINING: The parking lot that has transformed into the Pawtuxet Village Square.

‘Pawtuxet Village Square’ still al fresco

“The village square,” as some have renamed the parking lot for six Pawtuxet businesses, will get to keep outdoor seating, bar and dance floor at a cost to the three … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/20/23

Magaziner pursues federal dollars for RI

Since talking office three months ago, Congressman Seth Magaziner said he has submitted 400 requests, an average of about seven a day, for federal funding for Rhode Island projects and … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/13/23

HOW ABOUT MAKING THE TURN? Questions have been raised whether FedEx and UPS trucks will be able to navigate the Green Airport traffic pattern to access Post Road and their impact on passenger traffic. (Warwick Beacon photo)

Analysis looks at impacts of air cargo facility

Residents, and those interested in the future of Green Airport, will get to ask airport officials and their consultants about plans for a $100 million air cargo facility south of the terminal backing … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/13/23 | 1 comment

VLOTS OF QUESTIONS: Ron Long who owns Gearhead DIY Super Center with his wife Cheryl is accustomed to being questioned about the replica anti-aircraft emplacement guarding the roof of the shop. (Warwick Beacon photo)

Keeping skies safe over Oakland Beach

At the intersection of Oakland Beach Ave and West Shore Road stands what is quite possibly the most well-defended auto repair shop in the country. If nothing else, Gearhead DIY Super Center … more

By DANIAL J. HOLMES | 4/13/23

BEATING INCIDENT:  In August 2021, a woman was dragged from her car and beaten by a gang of around 10 dirt bike and ATV riders after she honked her horn at a Providence intersection, while her young child and dog were inside the car. Providence Police asked for tips to identify the suspects and eventually made one arrest. These images were taken from screenshots of video footage from the incident. Johnston, Cranston and Providence police have all pledged to crackdown on the illicit operation of recreational vehicles on town and city roads as warm weather approaches in the Ocean State.

‘Off-road’ means stay off the damn road!

In August 2021, a woman was dragged from her car and beaten by a gang of around 10 dirt bike and ATV riders after she honked her horn at a Providence intersection. Her young child and dog were inside … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/12/23

SEIZED: The following items were seized during the warrant searches at three separate locations (20 Metcalf Ave. in North Providence, 113 Sisson St. in Providence, and 716 Central Ave. in Johnston): kilogram presses, stamps, and molds; digital scales and packaging material for redistribution; 908 grams of Heroin; 229 grams of Fentanyl; and $82,550 in US Currency.

Johnston man one of three arrested for drug trafficking and failing to report a death

The Rhode Island State Police (RISP) announced the arrest of three suspects and the discovery of a dead body following a task force raid in North Providence. more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/7/23

CAPTURE THE SUN: Applicant Revity Energy LLC wants to build solar fields on seven Central Avenue lots at 1252-1262 Central Ave. The land is zoned R-40.

Solar energy without clearing Rhode Island's forests?

Legislation has passed the Rhode Island State Senate aimed at helping developers build solar fields without clearing carbon-eating trees. On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed what a press … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/6/23

Former Gov. Noel reflects on career, but he hasn’t retired

“When I get older, I’m going to retire.” With a little wink and a nod, that’s how former Rhode Island Governor Philip W. Noel, who will turn 92 this coming June, answered … more

4/6/23 | 2 comments

September 28, 2023