NEWS
FORMER OR LADDER: Johnston spent a little over $1.1 million on its new Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus aerial ladder truck. (Photos courtesy JFD)
Johnston Fire Department adds new $1.1M ladder truck to its apparatus arsenal
Have you seen the Johnston Fire Department’s newest investment? A new Ladder 1 started responding to calls in town last month.
DARK SIDE OF THE MOON: Backyard astronomer Steve Massarone helped library-goers view the rare eclipse through a telescope and a pair of special glasses. Immaculate Conception students Arseni, 13, and Aaron Aguilar, 8, stopped by to take a look.
We all got mooned
Sun-gazers gathered at the Marion J. Mohr Public Library and Johnston Senior Center Monday afternoon to cover their eyes with cardboard and stare at a slowly shrinking orange sphere. Backyard …
Planet Fitness gets three bomb threats in three weeks
The Planet Fitness on Warwick Ave. has been the target of three bomb threats in three weeks, with the location having to evacuate on March 28, April 4 and April 9. According to Warwick Police …
PACKAGE DELAYED: These images of the Amazon construction site in Johnston, after sunset, were captured by a drone piloted by Trevor Bryan, an FAA Licensed and insured drone pilot, the owner and operator of New England Aerial Services, on Sept. 21, 2022. The illuminated project has been taking shape on the Hartford Avenue hill overlooking Johnston, but its opening date has now been pushed to late 2024.
Amazon renegotiates tax deal with Johnston
Since Amazon has not yet opened for business in Johnston, the mega-retailer has invoked a costly construction clause in its contract with the town. Over the past few months, the company …
Déjà 42: Kelsey Coletta, Dennis Cardillo Jr., and state Rep. Edward Cardillo Jr. are competing in the Democratic primary rematch this September. They also ran against each other in 2022 (Ed Cardillo narrowly won that race).
Déjà 42: District 42 Democratic primary is repeat performance
Voters in Rhode Island House District 42, which contains parts of Johnston and Cranston, will likely see a 2022 Democratic primary rematch this September. All three candidates who ran last election, …
Griffin
Griffin
Are you ready to get outside and enjoy exploring with a new puppy? Then meet Griffin, he can't wait to join your family! He is an adorable seven-month-old mixed breed puppy with a fun loving …
Cici
Cici
Cici is a beauty queen, all dressed in her pearls and ready to be part of your family! She was rescued with her eight puppies that were born under a porch. Luckily for Cici someone stepped up to …
SITE WORK: The construction site off Atwood Avenue behind Johnston High School is a busy mess. Soon, the mess should give way to a brand new Elementary Center, and eventually, a new High School.
Johnston School Building Committee awards $40M+ in construction contracts for new elementary
The Johnston School Building Committee has so far awarded more than $40 million in contracts to Rhode Island firms for the construction the town’s new elementary center.  “This …
JUST THE FACTS: Led by Johnston native Christopher B. Frenier, Probation & Parole Supervisor for the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (DOC), the FACT (Fostering Alternative Choices and Thinking) program has been going strong for close to a decade. They spoke to Johnston eight-graders two weeks ago, and Cranston West high schoolers last week.
Ex-prisoners deliver strong dose of reality to Johnston eighth-graders
Alex Snow loomed large in the prison yard. On a recent Friday morning, he looked even bigger in the Johnston High School auditorium. In prison, Snow cultivated the friends he needed to watch his …
CONGRATULATIONS PETE: In this 2017 file photo, Pete Fontaine was presented with a special commendation by Town Councilman Robert Civetti. He was recognized for doing a “great job for the Town of Johnston and the athletes of the town at all levels,” he was honored for his coverage of events of all kinds. That same year, Fontaine was inducted into the Johnston High School Hall of Fame.
PETE FONTAINE (1946-2024) Ink in his veins, heart on his sleeve
Pete Fontaine died an hour after deadline last week. Although he had submitted his final byline several weeks earlier, the Johnston Sun Rise’s faithful freelancer held on until the last pages of the paper were on the presses. The man had ink in his veins.
Michael Carlino (Photos by Alex Sponseller)
Champs roll to win in opener
The Johnston boys volleyball team looked primed to defend its Division III title when it swept host Times2 Academy 3-0 on Monday afternoon in Providence. The Panthers haven’t lost a match since …