The bill seeks to clarify where people are allowed to be along the state’s shoreline and help diffuse decades of disputes between property owners and beachgoers.
South County Bureau
Posted inArticle, Education, South County Bureau
Westerly Town Council rejects resolution backing library obscenity bill
Proponents of the bill hoped the symbolic resolution would jumpstart activity at the State House in support of a bill that would expand the list of explicit materials and hold public and charter school libraries liable for distributing the content to minors.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Ethics Commission issues opinion on ethics questions around Westerly Town Council president, but issues in shoreline access case remain unresolved
A legal fight over a town-designated path to the beach has put the town council president’s connections to the Watch Hill resort community in the spotlight.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Watch Hill Fire District files lawsuit against Westerly and state of Rhode Island over popular shoreline right-of-way
The legal action comes in an escalating battle over the Fort Road right-of-way to the undeveloped Napatree Point beach and conservation area.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
RI Attorney General backs legislation to reform CRMC
Expressing support for two bills under consideration by the General Assembly, Attorney General Peter Neronha told state lawmakers that the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council is “in desperate need of reform.”
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
In Westerly, town councilor’s work for coastal fire district raises questions about potential conflicts of interest
Public records show Town Council President Edward Morrone accepted $30,000 in consulting fees to “monitor issues” for property owners in the Watch Hill vacation community, an area that’s become the focal point of ongoing coastal access debates.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
RI James Beard Award semifinalist serves up indigenous foods and stories in Charlestown
The James Beard Foundation has nominated three Rhode Island chefs as semifinalists for the honor of best chef in the Northeast region. Among them is Sherry Pocknett, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe whose cooking showcases the ingredients and traditions of local indigenous cuisine, with a focus on comfort foods.
Posted inArticle, South County Bureau
Chariho School Committee seat hangs in balance, as contested appointment advances conservative agenda
The Rhode Island Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments soon in a case that could influence the direction of the Chariho Regional School District. At issue is the contested appointment of a far right activist to the school committee that underscores the continued influence of conservative politics in some school districts.
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 inArticle, South County Bureau
Legal battle mounts over possible public access to Rhode Island barrier beach
The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council Rights-of-way Subcommittee will meet Tuesday about a contested path to the shore in Westerly that’s become emblematic of the debate over shoreline access in the Ocean State. If designated public, the path would open a long-closed gateway to one of the most inaccessible, undeveloped beaches in the state.
