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 […]
Westerly
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, Environment, South County Bureau
Fight for public access to Westerly beach moves one step forward
A legal battle over a contested right-of-way to the beach in Westerly has become a flashpoint in the debate over shoreline access.
Posted inEpisode
One Square Mile: Westerly voters face contrasting choices for new state senator
For the past 30 years, Westerly Republican Dennis Algiere has represented the 38th District in the state Senate. Now that he’s retiring, three candidates making three very different pitches to voters are vying to take his place in what’s become one of the more closely watched races in South County. As part of our series One Square Mile: Westerly, Joe Tasca reports.
Posted inArticle
Watch Hill Cove: How Congress changed the law to benefit private interests
The Watch Hill Yacht Club controls more than half of the moorings in Westerly’s exclusive Watch Hill Cove, a flashpoint for public access to Rhode Island’s coast. A new investigation found local, state and federal officials worked to change U.S. law to help keep it that way.
Posted inEpisode
One Square Mile: Conservative Westerly voter says gun rights, inflation are top issues in 2022
Registered Republicans are a minority in Westerly, but the influence of conservative voters on local politics is hardly insignificant in a town where many residents lean right on hot-button issues. As part of our series One Square Mile: Westerly, reporter Joe Tasca spoke with 33-year-old voter Philip DeBartolo. He owns an excavation business and is campaigning for Republican candidate Westin Place in the state’s 38th Senate District. They spoke about gun control, inflation, and political polarization, among other issues.
Posted inEpisode, Politics
One Square Mile: Westerly veteran says abortion, LGBTQ rights are among top priorities in 2022 election
Rhode Islanders have many issues on their minds as we get closer to Election Day. As part of our series One Square Mile: Westerly, we hear today from Danielle Beliveau, a 33-year-old Navy veteran who works at a local bookshop. Reporter Joe Tasca spoke with Beliveau about her priorities this year, her thoughts on political polarization, and the importance of voting.
Posted inArticle, Business
Ice cream parlor perseveres during shutdown
For the past eight years, Mel’s Downtown Creamery has provided the Westerly area with quality ice cream year-round. Joe Tasca spoke with owner Melanie Goggin about her journey through the ongoing business shutdown.
Posted inArticle, Health, South County Bureau
How One RI Town Got It Right During The Spanish Flu Pandemic
The COVID-19 crisis has drawn comparisons to the Spanish Influenza of 1918 and warnings about the risks of responding to a pandemic by doing too little too late. But the town of Westerly serves as a different kind of historical lesson. Officials there took bold and quick steps in 1918 and prevented deaths.
Posted inArticle, Education
Making The Most Of Distance Learning
Rhode Island children are learning from home, as schools remain closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Reporter Joe Tasca recently spoke with Westerly town councilor Suzanne Giorno about what she’s doing to make the adjustment easier for her two kids.
