http://block-island.villagesoup.com?source=rss Latest news stories from The Block Island Times. Thu, 17 May 2012 01:02:47 EDT Thu, 17 May 2012 01:02:47 EDT en-us Copyright 2011 The Block Island Times http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/nonnies-cottage-gets-a-hedge/822370?source=rss A continuation of the Zoning Board’s public hearing on an addition to a small house along West Side Road known as “Nonnie’s Cottage” (Plat 15, Lot 8) was the only case heard during the board’s special meeting Wednesday night. Applicants Ned Phillips and Mary Anderson testified that following the previous March 29 hearing, when they agreed to landscaping to protect neighbor John Dickinson’s privacy, they planted a ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/nonnies-cottage-gets-a-hedge/822370 Wed, 16 May 2012 02:48:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Judy Tierney) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/island-8th-graders-visit-the-big-apple/821874?source=rss ]]> On a rainy day in the last week of March, the 8th grade class headed out on its annual trip to New York City, sponsored by the Block Island Prevention Task Force, as part of the “Roots and Wings” Program. We traveled by ferry, van and train and visited many places and people over three days in the city. Here’s what occurred through the eyes and ears of the eighth graders:Jameson Brown-Padien: Grand Central ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/island-8th-graders-visit-the-big-apple/821874 Mon, 14 May 2012 10:58:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (By Shannon Morgan) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/planning-approves-first-west-side-20-garage/822409?source=rss The first application asking to add a garage to a dwelling on West Side Lane, also known as the West Side 20, came before the Planning Board Wednesday night and Chair Margie Comings cautioned the board to give it a careful review, as similar requests could follow.Each of the subdivision’s affordable homes is 832 square feet. The allowed building envelope for the houses is 1,157 square feet. Anything above that ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/planning-approves-first-west-side-20-garage/822409 Mon, 14 May 2012 10:54:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Judy Tierney) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/baumann-new-library-director/821952?source=rss Kristin Baumann has been named the new director of the Island Free Library. Connie LaRue, chair of the library board of trustees, announced Wednesday that Baumann will replace longtime director Lonni Todd, who steps down from the post May 18.Baumann, who earned a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Rhode Island in 2008, has worked at the library since January 2002. She has been a full-time ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/baumann-new-library-director/821952 Mon, 14 May 2012 10:30:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Gloria S. Redlich) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/bringing-in-the-troopers-and-then-some/820587?source=rss ]]> Last July 4, the island’s Rescue Squad was overwhelmed with calls.“We had 10 percent of the calls we have all year on that one day,” squad captain Bryan Wilson told assembled town leaders and volunteers Monday. The volunteer squad responded to 27 calls last Independence Day, all alcohol-related. The average number of calls in a year is roughly 282, Wilson said.Wilson vividly recounted the scene at the Medical ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/bringing-in-the-troopers-and-then-some/820587 Sun, 13 May 2012 10:13:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Gloria S. Redlich) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/a-new-lease-on-life-for-the-surf/818970?source=rss ]]> The doors and windows once again stand open at the iconic Surf Hotel, where the sounds of hammering and vacuuming fill the morning air at the corner of Water and Dodge streets. Workmen, some moving furniture, others ripping up carpeting, pursue a hectic schedule as they attempt to meet a July 4 deadline for re-opening.Restoration work began on the old building, which has stood empty for the last five years, ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/a-new-lease-on-life-for-the-surf/818970 Sat, 12 May 2012 09:08:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Gloria S. Redlich) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/fisherman-rescued-off-block-island/822571?source=rss The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a fisherman early Wednesday morning two miles west of Block Island after receiving a call from a commercial fishing boat, according to WPRI.com.The Coast Guard sent a 47-foot vessel to the New Bedford-based fishing boat Explorer to transport the injured fisherman to the Point Judith Coast Guard station. He was then taken to South County Hospital.The fisherman reportedly suffered a ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/fisherman-rescued-off-block-island/822571 Fri, 11 May 2012 02:26:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/voters-pass-11-5-million-budget/821576?source=rss ]]> Voters at Monday’s Financial Town Meeting approved a town budget of $11,523,654 for fiscal year 2013, a 2.6-percent tax increase over 2012. In the process, voters agreed to reallocate $37,000 in savings from personnel changes at the library to the Early Learning Center (ELC) and Planning Board capital projects. The meeting was attended by 80 registered New Shoreham voters.The library savings commanded much of the ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/voters-pass-11-5-million-budget/821576 Fri, 11 May 2012 01:20:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Judy Tierney) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/where-to-eat/819914?source=rss Beachead (466-2249) Fri.— Sun......Lunch/Dinner Bethany’s Airport Diner (466-3100) Daily.......Breakfast/Lunch Block Island Depot (466-2403) Mon — Sat.....Breakfast/Lunch Block Island Grocery (466-2949) ~ Club Soda (466-5397) Daily.....Dinner Eli’s ~ (466-2230) Daily.......Breakfast/Lunch beginning Friday, May 25th Juice 'n Java (466-5220) Daily.......Breakfast Mabel’s (466-5333) Daily...Breakfast & Lunch Maniss... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/where-to-eat/819914 Thu, 10 May 2012 14:17:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/quonset-inks-new-deal-with-deepwater/818012?source=rss A new deal has been reached between the Quonset Development Corp. (QDC) and Deepwater Wind that reconfigures and reduces the amount of land for a potential wind turbine manufacturing facility in the Quonset Business Park. In July 2009, QDC agreed to a lease option with Deepwater for three parcels totaling 117 acres, which Deepwater paid $575,000 for over the last three years. That agreement expired in October. The... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/quonset-inks-new-deal-with-deepwater/818012 Wed, 09 May 2012 10:36:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (By Chris Church, South Co. Independent) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/crmc-denies-matunuck-erosion-plan/818011?source=rss For the second time in as many weeks, the state Coastal Resources Management Council has denied a request from South Kingstown that would have provided an avenue to combat intensified erosion along Matunuck Beach Road. After four hours of testimony last Tuesday night, the state council voted 6-2 to deny the town’s petition to reclassify a 1,400-foot stretch of coastal Matunuck as “manmade shoreline,” which would ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/crmc-denies-matunuck-erosion-plan/818011 Tue, 08 May 2012 10:33:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (By Iain Wilson) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/tourism-preparing-for-july-4/818324?source=rss ]]> Tourism Council Executive Director Jessica Willi reported Tuesday, May 1, that discussions continued with Chief of Police Vincent Carlone and the town about plans to grapple with July 4 revelry that has turned into an increasingly ugly spectacle, severely straining the island’s police and medical resources.In the last few years, hundreds of young people carrying coolers filled with alcoholic beverages have ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/tourism-preparing-for-july-4/818324 Sun, 06 May 2012 09:23:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Gloria S. Redlich) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/school-board-ratifies-contracts/818356?source=rss ]]> At a special meeting on April 30, the Block Island School Committee voted to ratify an agreement that had tentatively been reached by the Town of New Shoreham with Local 2855 of Rhode Island Council 94. According to Superintendent Robert Hicks, the contracts affect several clerical and custodial staff members at the school who are members of that union.Specifically for those individuals, “effective July 1, 2012, ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/school-board-ratifies-contracts/818356 Sat, 05 May 2012 09:44:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Gloria S. Redlich) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/budget-meetings/819198?source=rss The Town Council has scheduled a special work session for Monday, May 7, at 12 p.m. at Town Hall after learning that the town’s Blue Cross Blue Shield costs for employees could be 1-percent less than originally estimated. This could potentially free up thousands of dollars for other priorities or to reduce the budget. Final numbers will be available just prior to the meeting on Monday. The Financial Town Meeting ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/budget-meetings/819198 Fri, 04 May 2012 13:53:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/no-scotch-at-the-beach/819041?source=rss ]]> Police Chief Vincent Carlone was on hand Wednesday night to help shepherd the Town Council’s adoption of a law banning alcohol from Block Island beaches — be it in open or closed containers.The town already has a law prohibiting open containers in all public places, including beaches; the council has now voted to add language making it “unlawful to possess, carry or by any means convey in closed containers of any ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/no-scotch-at-the-beach/819041 Fri, 04 May 2012 09:24:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Judy Tierney) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/thundermist-receives-large-grant/819328?source=rss As reported in the May 3 edition of the "Providence Journal," Thundermist's Health Center announced the receipt of a $5 million federal grant. A Thundermist spokesperson said the grant was only to be used for the relocation of their current South Kingstown facility and in no way would have an impact on talks with the Block Island Health Center. http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/thundermist-receives-large-grant/819328 Thu, 03 May 2012 14:41:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/block-island-school-honor-roll-third-quarter-2011-2012/815441?source=rss Block Island School Honor Roll, third quarter 2011-2012 Highest honorsDanielle Woodward - Grade 12Kathleen Hemingway - Grade 9Thea Monje - Grade 9High honorsAlexandra Brady - Grade 11Tom Conant - Grade 11Oliver Mott - Grade 10Alessandra Chieffo - Grade 9Kiley Hall - Grade 9Richard Conant - Grade 8Elaina Smith - Grade 8HonorsNoah Gasner - Grade 12Jaixen Hall - Grade 11Madison Tretheway - Grade 11Camille Starr - ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/block-island-school-honor-roll-third-quarter-2011-2012/815441 Thu, 03 May 2012 11:05:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Staff) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/all-aboard-wickford-train-station-open-for-business/814787?source=rss ]]> Travel to Boston just got a bit easier for those living in southern Rhode Island. The extension of the commuter train line beyond Providence to Green Airport and on to Wickford Junction is complete and began running on Monday. The Wickford Junction station is near the intersection of routes 4 and 102 on Ten Rod Road next to the Staples and Walmart stores and has a parking garage that holds 1,000 cars. According ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/all-aboard-wickford-train-station-open-for-business/814787 Tue, 01 May 2012 11:06:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Judy Tierney) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/harbors-says-boaters-need-heads-inspected/815840?source=rss ]]> The Harbors Committee met Wednesday and discussed how the town could better enforce its no-discharge and boat registration rules in New Harbor. The state requires that a boat moored in the harbor for more than 30 days have its head inspected. Currently there is no one on the Harbors Department staff certified to do the inspections, and the committee voted to request that the department arrange for a staff member ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/harbors-says-boaters-need-heads-inspected/815840 Tue, 01 May 2012 10:02:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Dan West) News http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/time-to-make-a-garden-and-be-with-the-grandkids-father-dan-leaves-st-anns/815307?source=rss ]]> Standing amid the boxes filling up the rectory at Saint Ann’s-by-the-Sea, Fr. Dan Barker and his wife Meg take a break from packing to reflect on the series of events that led to his taking up the pulpit on island four years ago this season.Barker grew up in western Mass-achusetts, spent six years in the Air Force, graduated from the University of Massachusetts and took his “first job out of school managing a ... http://block-island.villagesoup.com/news/story/time-to-make-a-garden-and-be-with-the-grandkids-father-dan-leaves-st-anns/815307 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EDT flang@blockislandtimes.com (Gloria S. Redlich) News