Monday, October 29, 2012
Last year, Irene's winds created breathtaking waves, took down trees and the island's power. After the winds subsided, hurricane parties celebrated her departure at local bars.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Olga Enger
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Monday, October 29, 2012
As New England closely watches Hurricane Sandy slow journey to the United States, it brings us back to last year's Hurricane Irene. Irene pushed through the island on August 28 of last year, and although it was not as strong as initially feared, the strong winds took down trees and power across Aquidneck Island. After Irene passed, many congregated at local bars for hurricane parties — a Rhode Island pasttime that has ridden out many storms over the years. Look through the photos and tell us, what are Irene memories have stood out? Was it the anticipation before the storm? Or was it losing power and sitting around the candles? Or was it the storm itself, watching the sea crash over Ocean Drive?
Friday, July 13, 2012
Boaters will pay anywhere from an extra $2 to $20 for the state to recover abandoned boats.
Boaters throughout the state will have to pay extra fees in order for the state to fund the removal of abandoned boats, reports The Providence Journal. The state hopes to create a $100,000 yearly fund to remove waterway obstructions, according to The Journal article. Boaters will have to pay an extra $2 to $20 yearly. A barge that had been hired to paint the Newport Pell Bridge recently sunk during a storm last October. It was later raised in December. There have been a couple sunken vessels in Portsmouth in the last 12 months, especially after Hurricane Irene. In March of this year, Portsmouth Patch blogger Doug Smith reported a boat still remained sunk in The Cove, just south of Spectacle Island, more than six months after the …
Friday, December 2, 2011
A National Grid leader says the company will be more active in trimming trees around electrical wires, if towns give them permission.
After a litany of speakers criticized National Grid's preparation for Tropical Storm Irene and the Halloween weekend storm Thursday night, the president of National Grid Massachusetts said her company would get more aggressive at trimming trees, if towns let them. National Grid Massachusetts President Marcy Reed said to the audience during a public hearing: "Last year new legislation passed, which allows us to present an annual tree-trimming plan to a town or city's tree warden. If the tree warden approves the plan, we can then go into the town and do our work without the need to attend weekly meetings and talk about particular areas of concern." How do you feel? Should National Grid get more aggressive at cutting back trees located near …
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a disaster declaration that will benefit local farmers who suffered damages from Hurricane Irene.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, September 24, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jack Reedand Sheldon Whitehouse on Thursday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a disaster declaration for nine Massachusetts counties, which will also benefit farmers in the adjacent Rhode Island counties of Bristol, Newport, and Providence with damages as a result ofHurricane Irene, which was downgraded to a tropical storm designation.The declaration paves the way for farmers in those counties to seek financial assistance for their losses due to the severe weather. “We are pleased the Obama Administration has once again taken steps to help the state and we urge the USDA to expedite disaster assistance to our hardworking farmers who need assistance,” Reed and Whitehouse …
Monday, September 19, 2011
40 million clam cakes served. Hurricanes or no hurricanes.
Flo’s Clam Shack has been famous for their clams since 1936. What a history they have had. Flo’s was founded in 1936 on Island Park in Portsmouth, only to be wiped out by the Hurricane of 1938. In 1954, Hurricane Carol destroyed it again. In 1960, Hurricane Donna blew Flo’s over. Then the hurricanes left them alone until 1985, when Gloria visited, and 1991, when Hurricane Bob devastated the area. Still, they don’t give up: Flo’s added a Middletown location in a beach cottage (near the Middletown – Newport line on Rt 214 Valley road). That cottage survived the Hurricane of '38. Flo’s is still there and thriving. The Middletown location is open from early March until New Year’s Day; their Island Park location as well opens in early March …
Friday, September 16, 2011
Cox Communications customers could be entitled to a refund from outages caused by Irene.
Did you lose internet service and cable during tropical storm Irene? Did your phone lines cut out during the storm? If you are a Cox Communications customer, you may be entitled to a refund for service outages from the storm. According to Amy Quinn of Cox Communications, the company will supply reimbursements for customers whose internet, cable and/or phones were down as a result of tropical storm Irene. "We will credit their account based on the number of days they were out," she said. Bristol resident Cynthia Osmanski is one of thousands of customers who lost internet and cable during the storm, so after a friend told her to call her provider, she discovered she could get credited for the lost service. "They were very nice and gave me no…
Saturday, September 3, 2011
In the midst of last week's storm, some folks looked for ways to lighten up.
Follow these links for more on these stories: Warren Family Embraces Irene, Camps Out in Front Yard Residents Make the Most Out of a Power-less Situation Scampis, Anna D's Offer Free Food, Ice Cream After Irene Newport Soldiers On Through Irene Seekonk Youth Set Out to Document Hurricane Fury
Friday, September 2, 2011
Today at 10:15 a.m., U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is joining with local businesses and tourism officials to try to help ensure the aftermath of Irene doesn't dampen what should be a busy holiday weekend.
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, September 2, 2011
Tropical Storm Irene put a dent in Rhode Island's tourism industry, forcing many people across the country to alter or cancel plans to visit the Ocean State last weekend. Today at 10:15 a.m., U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is joining with local businesses and tourism officials to try to help ensure the aftermath of Irene doesn't dampen what should be a busy holiday weekend. One of the challenges many hotels, restaurants and businesses face in the wake of the storm -- especially from out-of-state visitors - is the perception that things are still shutdown. Tourism officials in Newport are trying to get the word out that the city is open for business. "Tourism is vital to our state's economy, and I want to help spread the word that Newport'…
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Only 20 customers remain without in power in Newport.
According to a release from the Newport Emergency Management Team Thursday afternoon, National Grid has restored power to Newport. National Grid reported that, as of 1:11 pm, 348 customers are still affected by outages in Newport Country. Twenty Newport customers remain without power and have an estimated restoration time of Sept. 2 at 11:45 pm. There are 52,618 customers still without power throughout Rhode Island. Customers still experiencing power issues are encouraged to call National Grid Customer Service 800-322-3223.
The park has been closed to swimming due to high bacteria levels.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, September 1, 2011
The Department of Health (HEALTH) recommended the closure of Fort Adams State Park and Mackerel Cove Beach in Jamestown to swimming due to high bacteria counts. Officials will continue to monitor the water quality and recommend re-opening when the areas are safe for swimming. Water quality analysis is conducted by the HEALTH laboratory or a state certified laboratory. Beach status may change on a daily basis. For up to date information about swimming at Rhode Island beaches, go to the HEALTH website at www.health.ri.gov or for recorded information about RI Bathing beaches call (401) 222-2751.
Rich
3:52 pm on Friday, July 13, 2012
So instead of going after the responsible parties - the people who OWN these abandoned boats - the state wants to charge EVERY boat owner? Makes perfect sense.......... more ›