You could almost call this a tale of two towns, within the confines of one municipality. In downtown Westerly and nearby areas, drivers riding in two-way traffic pass between rows of vehicles parked on both sides of the street. Pedestrians stroll along sidewalks, and trucks make delivery stops in the middle of the road. But […]
shoreline access
Posted inArticle, Local, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
ACLU represents beach access advocate sued by Weekapaug Fire District
The Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union is defending a Westerly resident and beach access advocate being sued by the Weekapaug Fire District for advocating that the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council designate a public right-of-way to the Quonochontaug Barrier Beach. The ACLU is working with former Rhode Island Assistant Attorney […]
Posted inSouth County Bureau
Feds complete Watch Hill Lighthouse transfer, and public access guarantees aren’t included
The U.S. General Services Administration said this week it has finalized the transfer of the historic Watch Hill Lighthouse to a private nonprofit and officially executed the deed to the property for its new owner, the Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association. The planned transfer was first announced last July by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed. It […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
ACLU says fire district letters to shoreline access donors could threaten free speech
The Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union is asking the Weekapaug Fire District to stop notifying shoreline access advocates that they may be called to testify in an ongoing legal matter because they donated to a GoFundMe campaign meant to support opening up public beach access in that case. In a Dec. […]
Posted inLocal, South County Bureau, Stories
Weekapaug Fire District takes new legal action against Westerly and Rhode Island
The Weekapaug Fire District filed a lawsuit in Rhode Island Superior Court on Dec. 6, arguing the state’s review of the Sand Trail at the Quonochontaug Barrier Beach for potential designation as a public right-of-way to the ocean should be closed by the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council. Weekapaug’s suit says the review that […]
Posted inArticle
Viral TikTok video shows clash between beachgoer and property owner over Rhode Island’s shore
Beachgoer Cheyne Cousens was trying to get to a beach area at the end of a state-designated right-of-way to the Easton Bay shoreline, when he ended up getting into a confrontation with a property owner. Cousens’ video of the incident went viral, with over seven million views at last count, and he’s since been charged with trespassing. He met up with our South County Bureau Reporter Alex Nunes at the site of the confrontation to explain what happened.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Shoreline access goes viral, a formerly homeless woman helps the unhoused, and more
Rhode Island’s fight for shoreline access went viral this week, with a TikTok video featuring a confrontation in Middletown between a beachgoer and property owner. We hear from the man behind the video. And what does a controversy over falsified signatures tell us about the integrity of voting in Rhode Island? Ian Donnis gives us the 4-1-1 on that and more from the week in politics. Also, a conversation with Rhode Island’s Housing Secretary, and a story from a formerly homeless woman who is now dedicated to supporting the unhoused. Plus, the Artscape team walked over to Weybosset Street where artist Michelle Perez was finishing a new mural. And we offer a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, RI’s new shoreline access law, and more
Starting July 1, Rhode Island will allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver’s license. We hear from Marcela Betancur of the Latino Policy Institute about the impact this will have, and how to get the process started. Also, Marine and coastal law expert Dennis Nixon takes us on a deeper dive into the Ocean State’s new shoreline access law – and we hear a few takes from our listeners, too. Looking at the arts, two photo exhibits in Providence explore the power of words and negative speech. Plus, the latest in politics, and a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Rhode Island shoreline access bill heads to governor’s desk
A bill, passed Thursday by Rhode Island House lawmakers, aims to end decades of disputes between members of the public and private property owners in coastal communities.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
The latest in the fight for shoreline access, a panel on peace and nuclear abolition, and more
The fight over shoreline access took a big step this week. Also, The Golden Rule peace boat comes to Rhode Island. Plus: the week in Rhode Island politics, and the latest in arts and culture.