Warwick Beacon

VLOTS OF QUESTIONS: Ron Long who owns Gearhead DIY Super Center with his wife Cheryl is accustomed to being questioned about the replica anti-aircraft emplacement guarding the roof of the shop. (Warwick Beacon photo)

At the intersection of Oakland Beach Ave and West Shore Road stands what is quite possibly the most well-defended auto repair shop in the country. If nothing else, Gearhead DIY Super Center … more

By DANIAL J. HOLMES | 4/13/23

BEATING INCIDENT:  In August 2021, a woman was dragged from her car and beaten by a gang of around 10 dirt bike and ATV riders after she honked her horn at a Providence intersection, while her young child and dog were inside the car. Providence Police asked for tips to identify the suspects and eventually made one arrest. These images were taken from screenshots of video footage from the incident. Johnston, Cranston and Providence police have all pledged to crackdown on the illicit operation of recreational vehicles on town and city roads as warm weather approaches in the Ocean State.

‘Off-road’ means stay off the damn road!

In August 2021, a woman was dragged from her car and beaten by a gang of around 10 dirt bike and ATV riders after she honked her horn at a Providence intersection. Her young child and dog were inside … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/12/23

SEIZED: The following items were seized during the warrant searches at three separate locations (20 Metcalf Ave. in North Providence, 113 Sisson St. in Providence, and 716 Central Ave. in Johnston): kilogram presses, stamps, and molds; digital scales and packaging material for redistribution; 908 grams of Heroin; 229 grams of Fentanyl; and $82,550 in US Currency.

Johnston man one of three arrested for drug trafficking and failing to report a death

The Rhode Island State Police (RISP) announced the arrest of three suspects and the discovery of a dead body following a task force raid in North Providence. more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/7/23

CAPTURE THE SUN: Applicant Revity Energy LLC wants to build solar fields on seven Central Avenue lots at 1252-1262 Central Ave. The land is zoned R-40.

Solar energy without clearing Rhode Island's forests?

Legislation has passed the Rhode Island State Senate aimed at helping developers build solar fields without clearing carbon-eating trees. On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed what a press … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/6/23

Former Gov. Noel reflects on career, but he hasn’t retired

“When I get older, I’m going to retire.” With a little wink and a nod, that’s how former Rhode Island Governor Philip W. Noel, who will turn 92 this coming June, answered … more

4/6/23 | 2 comments

Letters from the grave of a Union soldier

“We have the strictest orders at night to run the bayonet through any man that attempts to run the guard…” reads a line in one of the 13 letters written by Albert Fenner Waite in … more

4/6/23

SPACIOUS ENTRY: A directors’ table left by Plan International USA presently dominates the entrance to the new Rhode Island SPCA building. The table will be moved.

Warwick soon to be new home for RISPCA

By JOHN HOWELL “This is my retirement job,” says Wayne Kezirian, as a workman wearing a hard hat and carrying a tool box walks by him in a hallway with a drop ceiling waiting for … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/6/23

STANDING UP AGAINST A CHANGE IN TAXATION: Showing their support, members of the business community stood as Central RI Chamber President and CEO Lauren Slocum urged the council to deny a provision allowing the city to alter the ratio between the residential and commercial tax rates. (Warwick Beacon photo)

Businesses wary of revised tax ratio plan

The administration says the resolution approved Monday night by the City Council, allowing for an alteration in the ratio of between residential and commercial taxes, is a “tool” to … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 4/6/23 | 2 comments

Rhode Island's aging meters are nearing obsolescence. It may cost ratepayers $200 million to replace the Ocean State's more than 525,000 electric meters.

Meter replacement carries $200M shock

Rhode Island Energy’s “advanced metering” proposal will cost the Ocean State nearly $200 million and require the manual replacement of approximately 525,000 electric … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/30/23 | 1 comment

FROM THE DARK SKY: These images of the Amazon construction site in Johnston, following the sunset, were captured by drones piloted by Trevor Bryan, an FAA Licensed and insured drone pilot, the owner and operator of New England Aerial Services, on Sept. 21. The illuminated project has been taking shape on the Hartford Avenue hill overlooking Johnston.

Will Johnston’s Amazon deliver?

While empty Amazon warehouses litter the nation, the online mega retailer insists their Johnston distribution center will open as planned. And the company plans to hire “more than 1,500” local job-seekers. more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/30/23

Rare quahog migration event expected April 1

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… a colony of clams? Warwick lies directly in the middle of the anticipated flight path for an extremely rare aerial migration of quahogs, … more

By DANIEL J. HOLMES | 3/30/23 | 1 comment

Could she be smiling, could he be flying?

One of the victims in the murder mystery comedy, Bloody Murder, to be staged by the Pilgrim Players Drama Club this weekend, Sarah Burnham, cracks a smile during rehearsals last week. Story and more … more

3/30/23

Up for auction…again

Even before stepping into the corner office at City Hall, Mayor-elect Frank Picozzi listed the sale of vacant city properties, mostly schools, as a means of lessening the burden on the city and, more … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 3/30/23 | 1 comment

POLITICAL ACCESS: On March 17, Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. announced on Twitter that he had toured the Amazon construction site with US Sen. Jack Reed. He released four photos from the tour. (Photos courtesy Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.)

No public tours or answers on Johnston Amazon opening

Johnston’s local newspaper has been trying to land a tour of the Amazon construction site for more than a year. The Sun Rise received its first official rejection from Amazon on Jan. 18, … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/27/23 | 1 comment

WATER WORKS: An employee at Town Hall lanes said the bowling alley will be without water for months as they construct a new bank branch building along Atwood Avenue. Because of the utility work, the bowling alley will shut its doors forever in a few weeks.

Town Hall Lanes’ time is up

Johnston’s lane time has expired. The town’s lone bowling alley will soon close. Although an exact date has not been released, Town Hall Lanes will cease operation in several … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/23/23

No added risk, chief says of removal of sex offender restrictions

Although the news might not sit well with some parents, the Warwick Police Department says that the elimination of residency restrictions for Level III sex offenders does not pose a danger to … more

By DANIEL HOLMES | 3/23/23

Revaluation likely this year

While arguable whether the real estate market has stabilized - the reason for delaying revaluation last year - the administration is leaning toward implementing the revaluation this year. Citing … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 3/23/23 | 1 comment

Steve Belanger, who played Shakespeare, and challenged students to stump him.

Much ado about Shakespeare

Editor’ note: Every play in the Bard’s first folio is mentioned at least once in the following article - either by title, by allusion to dialogue, or by a discussion of its characters and … more

By DANIEL J. HOLMES | 3/23/23

Matter of the heart, not politics

A 100-year old constituent played a role in House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s decision not to use a “free pass” to run for the First Congressional District seat that is being … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 3/23/23

SCAN FIRST: Police found a skimming device attached to this ATM on Killingly Street. If you utilized the machine, check your bank balance and report any suspicious activity to police and your bank.

Johnston police investigate ATM skimming discovery

Have you swiped your bank card at this automatic teller machine (ATM)? Hours after Johnston Police discovered a “skimming device” attached to a Killingly Street ATM, they were looking … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/22/23

June 9, 2023