Before the Ocean State’s Constitution gets around to mentioning freedom of the press, freedom of speech or the right to bear arms, it enshrines the concept of “shore privileges.” “The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery and the privileges of the shore,” reads Article 1, Section 17, “including […]
South County Bureau
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Coastal council to hear public testimony on contested beach right-of-way
If you’ve never heard of Quonochontaug Barrier Beach, you’re forgiven. This exquisite stretch of sand in Westerly is one of Rhode Island’s best kept secrets, because wealthy property owners have tried to keep it mostly for themselves. ”We would love nothing more than to be able to use it year round,” said Joy Cordio, a […]
Posted inHousing, Local, South County Bureau
Judge deals blow to Winnapaug redevelopment
Plans to turn the Winnapaug Country Club into something bigger and more profitable have once again found themselves in the rough. The owner and would-be developer of the 120-acre golf course, Winn Properties, has long wanted to do something more with it. But Winn’s redevelopment plans have repeatedly failed to win approval from town planners. “It’s […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local, South County Bureau
Rhode Island beaches hosted tiny gelatinous visitors this summer: salps
This summer, beachgoers across Rhode Island noticed something a little different in the water: tiny gelatinous blobs – smaller than a marble – floating in the waves and washing up onshore. But these squishy spheres were not jellyfish. Instead, they’re a different sea creature, called salps. “They’re a zooplankton,” according to Sean Colin, a professor […]
Posted inArticle, Environment, Local, South County Bureau
Sharks! A Rhode Island reality check
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the movies comes the return of Jaws! To celebrate the blockbuster’s 50th anniversary, Spielberg’s classic thriller returns to select theaters Labor Day weekend. That same weekend, thousands of Rhode Islanders are planning to head to the beach. Leo Bourque of Gloucester, Mass., has had […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, Labor, Local, New England News Collaborative, Politics, South County Bureau
Rhode Island lawmakers tilt at windmills, hoping to save Revolution Wind
Revolution Wind, the massive offshore wind farm under construction off the Rhode Island coast, appears to be dead in the water for now. Citing unspecified security concerns, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued an immediate stop-work order Friday. Now, Rhode Island lawmakers are pushing back, insisting that mothballing the project would cost thousands […]
Posted inLocal, South County Bureau, Weather
Hurricane Erin brings out a ‘Surfin’ Safari,’ Rhode Island-style
Surfing Rhode Island, especially on a day such as this, is not for the faint of heart. Bob Mancini and Andrew Wright were at Narragansett Town Beach on Thursday at the crack of dawn, hoping to ride the waves without so much as a surfboard. “This is the World Series of bodysurfing right here,” Mancini […]
Posted inArts And Culture, Local, South County Bureau
South County event takes sand castles to a whole new level
If you’ve ever built a sand castle before, Atlantis Rising will certainly bring some humility. And a sense of wonder. Ten artists from around the globe are competing in Rhode Island’s first and only international sand sculpting competition, now in its third year. They’ve come from Russia, South Korea, Lithuania and elsewhere to work their […]
Posted inLocal, Shoreline Access, South County Bureau
Westerly voters seek to oust town council president over beach access settlement talks
Shoreline access advocates who want to remove Westerly Town Council President Chris Duhamel from office have initiated the process to force a recall election, submitting a “declaration of intent to petition for recall” at Monday night’s council meeting. The declaration was formally submitted towards the end of a public comment period in which numerous speakers […]
Posted inLocal, South County Bureau
Matunuck Oyster Bar owner says he’s committed to reopening after devastating fire
The owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar, Perry Raso, is expressing gratitude to members of the public who have reached out to him after a devastating fire early Tuesday morning. In a statement sent to The Public’s Radio, Raso said his priority right now is assisting the restaurant’s 300 full-time and seasonal employees. He said he’s […]
