http://block-island.villagesoup.com?source=rss Latest news stories from The Block Island Times. Fri, 24 May 2013 18:30:30 EDT Fri, 24 May 2013 18:30:30 EDT en-us Copyright 2011 The Block Island Times http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/a-scientific-summit-tries-to-answer-a-poetic-question-why-does-the-ocean-make-us-relax/1006842?source=rss Anyone who has experienced a moment of stress knows that a walk along the beach is a quick way to ease the tension. Water, for some reason, has the ability to calm us down. But why is that? And what will happen if this enormous and beneficial natural resource is in turn irreparably harmed? If we knew more about the connection between the human mind and the bodies of water around us, argues Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/a-scientific-summit-tries-to-answer-a-poetic-question-why-does-the-ocean-make-us-relax/1006842 Fri, 24 May 2013 15:50:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Lars Trodson) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/it-s-may-24-new-ferry-rates-go-into-effect/1005545?source=rss ]]> Ferry travelers will see a rate change on Friday, May 24: new fees for passenger tickets, vehicles and freight begin. This is the result of the April 29 approval by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of a settlement agreement between Interstate Navigation and the R.I. Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. That agreement allows the ferry company to generate $579,388 in additional traditional ferry revenues ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/it-s-may-24-new-ferry-rates-go-into-effect/1005545 Fri, 24 May 2013 12:06:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Stephanie Turaj) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/storm-trysail-club-s-68th-block-island-race-begins-friday/1005828?source=rss Ushered in with snow and rain, a messy spring in the Northeast looks to be giving way to more acceptable conditions for Memorial Day Weekend and the Storm Trysail Club’s 68th Block Island Race that coincides with it. Scheduled to start Friday, May 24 at 2 p.m. (1400), the 186 nautical mile race (from Stamford, Conn., down Long Island Sound, around Block Island, R.I. and back to Stamford) is an annual rite of ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/storm-trysail-club-s-68th-block-island-race-begins-friday/1005828 Fri, 24 May 2013 08:50:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/council-suggests-deer-hunters-only-take-one-buck/1002909?source=rss If the state Department of Environmental Management adopts a Town Council suggestion, hunters on Block Island this year would only be allowed to hunt one buck, or male antlered deer, on Block Island for the season. “If you want to reduce the deer, reduce the does,” said resident Chris Blane, a hunter. Blane said that for every doe, or female deer, that is hunted, essentially three deer (the other two its potential... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/council-suggests-deer-hunters-only-take-one-buck/1002909 Thu, 23 May 2013 12:15:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Stephanie Turaj) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/judging-a-book-by-its-cover/1001633?source=rss ]]> With an appraising eye and a gentle hand, rare book appraiser Ray Rickman leafed through pages of a hardcover edition of Hemingway’s “The Old Man and The Sea.” The copy was a curiosity. Every indication was that it was a first edition published by Charles Scribners & Sons in 1952 and it had the original dust jacket. Yet, something was amiss. “Not a first edition,” Rickman finally announced pointing to a mysterious... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/judging-a-book-by-its-cover/1001633 Thu, 23 May 2013 10:56:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/congrats-darren-mccormick/1002335?source=rss ]]> Darren McCormick, son of Roberta and Jim McCormick of Old Center Road, graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Master’s of Science Education on May 10. http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/congrats-darren-mccormick/1002335 Wed, 22 May 2013 11:34:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/true-high-speed-internet-alternative-now-available-to-islanders/1001881?source=rss ]]> Islanders now have an alternative to their slow or stuttering internet service. A new high speed service, called Exede, is now available. Verizon and DirecTV have been the only connections to internet and cable service on the island and Verizon’s coverage has been especially frustrating for island residents. Mark Gagnon, owner of South County Sound and Video in Wakefield since 1999, is the Exede agent on Block ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/true-high-speed-internet-alternative-now-available-to-islanders/1001881 Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Lars Trodson) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/sewer-plant-receives-recognition/1002629?source=rss ]]> The New Shoreham Wastewater Treatment Plant has received an award that recognizes the staff for its “commitment to ongoing training and advancement in wastewater technology.” The “Outstanding Wastewater Operations” award, issued by Atlantic States Rural Water and Wastewater Association (ASRWWA), was presented to the plant on May 8 in Burrillville, R.I. “There have been many improvements completed,” at the plant ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/sewer-plant-receives-recognition/1002629 Tue, 21 May 2013 11:35:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Stephanie Turaj) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/budget-projections-for-bihs-on-target-for-first-quarter/993101?source=rss Budget projections for Block Island Health Services (BIHS) came out close to target for its first fiscal quarter from January to March 2013, but, as expected, the center is operating in the red. The BIHS finance committee discussed the budget at its April 19 meeting. For the first quarter, the Medical Center saw a net net loss of $109,243. Income for the quarter totaled $70,809 and expenses were tallied at ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/budget-projections-for-bihs-on-target-for-first-quarter/993101 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:35:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Stephanie Turaj) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/bihs-meeting-cancelled/1002325?source=rss A meeting called for May 14 by the Membership Committee of Block Island Health Services (BIHS) was cancelled when chair Kay Lewis said that a public notice announcing the meeting had not been posted 48 hours in advance, as is required by law. The meeting had been scheduled in response to requests by some candidates who are running for the BIHS board, and members of the board itself, for the membership lists to be ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/bihs-meeting-cancelled/1002325 Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Gloria S. Redlich) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/spring-taste-of-block-island-kicks-off-the-season/1002680?source=rss ]]> Five dollars gets you a passport. That’s all it costs for a button that will take you into some of the great places in and around the island for the annual Spring Taste of Block Island event. The button is on sale now for $5 at the Block Island Ferry, the Block Island Express Ferry and at the Block Island Visitor’s Info Center (located at the Ferry dock). This year, more than 60 Block Island businesses and ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/spring-taste-of-block-island-kicks-off-the-season/1002680 Mon, 20 May 2013 13:39:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Lars Trodson) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/letters-to-the-editor-may-18-2013/1000413?source=rss To the Editor: I would like to provide a history on the establishment of Block Island Health Services Inc. (BIHS) and the original by-laws. I was on the Board of Directors before the medical center existed. At that time, our doctors were providing medical care out of two rooms in the doctor’s house. The third room was used as a waiting room and the hall was used as a reception area. The board decided to ask the ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/letters-to-the-editor-may-18-2013/1000413 Mon, 20 May 2013 10:24:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/deepwater-pays-application-fee/1002670?source=rss Deepwater Wind paid a $598,000 fee to the Coastal Marine Resources Council (CRMC) on Monday, which covers its application costs for permitting its $205 million wind farm proposed for off the coast of Block Island. Jeff Grybowski, Deepwater’s CEO, said now that the fee is paid, Deepwater can move forward in its permitting process with the CRMC. Deepwater had asked the CRMC to waive the application fee, which had ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/deepwater-pays-application-fee/1002670 Sun, 19 May 2013 12:00:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Stephanie Turaj) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/appeal-to-puc-settlement-discussed/1002747?source=rss ]]> The Town Council this week discussed whether it should appeal a decision by the R.I. Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that included a freight rate increase as one of the means by which Interstate Navigation can increase company revenue next year. “The proposed changes greatly, disproportionately, affect lifeline services,” said Town Councilor Sean McGarry. Whether the town should appeal the decision, McGarry ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/appeal-to-puc-settlement-discussed/1002747 Sun, 19 May 2013 11:54:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Stephanie Turaj) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/order-this-sushi-and-sake-at-the-oar/1002341?source=rss ]]> Under The Oar’s distinctive arbor, you’re dining while you watch the sun glimmer off the water, boats lying at anchor, and all the rest of the action in the New Harbor. It’s beautiful — relaxing — entertaining. Could there possibly be anything missing? The Oar’s manager, George Venezia, was sure it was sushi, and he has turned out to be right. George found Jared Graves, who is now returning for his third year as ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/order-this-sushi-and-sake-at-the-oar/1002341 Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/sewer-and-water-commissions-review-2014-budgets/1002399?source=rss The Sewer and Water Commissions have approved a preliminary $1,584,182 budget for the sewer company and a preliminary $728,689 budget for the water company for 2014. The sewer department is predicted to earn $977,349 in user fees and $71,529 in customer charges, according to the commission. The remainder of the department’s revenue comes from its reserve fund, a water contract and various fees. Sewer customers ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/sewer-and-water-commissions-review-2014-budgets/1002399 Fri, 17 May 2013 13:50:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Stephanie Turaj) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/lifeguard-certification-classes/1001276?source=rss The Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Parks and Recreation will administer conditional “Non-Surf” and “Surf Lifeguard Certification” tests on Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23, and again next month. Lifeguard positions all require certification and special training in first aid, CPR, and lifeguard training. Non-surf tests will be given from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 22; June 12 and June 27 ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/lifeguard-certification-classes/1001276 Fri, 17 May 2013 11:09:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/r-i-s-good-samaritan-law-offers-protection-up-to-a-point/1002266?source=rss Since the recent untimely death of a young man on island, community members have come together to find ways to support and protect young people here in the face of the wide-spread availability of lethal substances. Though the death in question has not been legally attributed to an overdose, the family openly stated it was because of a drug overdose. That incident kicked off a series of public discussions, and ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/r-i-s-good-samaritan-law-offers-protection-up-to-a-point/1002266 Fri, 17 May 2013 10:07:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Gloria S. Redlich) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/bringing-the-topic-of-substance-abuse-into-the-open/1001217?source=rss ]]> An energized group of 20 islanders met for the second time last week, determined to continue the dialogue about drug and alcohol abuse on Block Island and to seek reasonable approaches to tackle these issues. After much deliberation, it was decided to hold small groups in private homes that would include parents in the discussion and would be out of the public eye. The groups would discuss education and prevention... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/bringing-the-topic-of-substance-abuse-into-the-open/1001217 Fri, 17 May 2013 09:57:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Judy Tierney) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/bipco-s-net-metering-policy-challenged-by-eutg/998502?source=rss The Electric Utility Task Group (EUTG) has recommended that the Block Island Power Company (BIPCo) extend its net metering policy to include more customers. The EUTG would like the power company to reimburse renewable energy customers who have 5 kW (kilowatt) systems that produce energy — which is the same as state regulation. Net metering is an electricity policy for BIPCo customers that produce energy (for ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/p/bipco-s-net-metering-policy-challenged-by-eutg/998502 Thu, 16 May 2013 10:55:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Stephanie Turaj) News