Top Stories | Johnston Sun Rise

SOLAR ECLIPSED: Residents gathered for January's Johnston Zoning Board meeting delivered a standing ovation to the board once it voted to deny Cranston-based Green Development’s application to build a solar farm. After the vote, and residents lined up to shake the board members’ hands.

LETTER: Why should solar company get more time?

Dear Fellow Johnston Residents and Neighbors, On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, the Johnston Planning Board will consider extending the timeline on their decision from March 3, 2022, relative to … more

Stop Johnston Solar (SJS) | 4/1/24

FROM JOHNSTON TO THE BOOT: Spirit of Hope founder Louis J. Spremulli poses with Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Jr. following their review of the “Sister City” agreement with Panni, Foggia, Italy.

Two new mayors consider reinvigorated Sister City pledge

A group of Johnston residents planned a trip to Italy for a few weeks. Louis and Carla Spremulli and the group visited their hometown of Panni, Foggia, Italy. The Sister City was celebrated in 2015, … more

By LOUIS J. SPREMULLI/Special to the Sun Rise | 11/2/23

NO MORE GRAVY TRAIN: Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi, and his Director of Communications, Larry Berman, joined Beacon Communications editors for breakfast Friday morning.

Breakfast with Joe

The Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives set his eyes on the biscuits slathered in sausage gravy across the table. “There’s no more … gravy train coming from the federal government,” said state Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi more

By RORY SCHULER | 12/27/23

Is anyone fighting for the ‘right to learn’ in RI?

Should Rhode Island’s children have a constitutional right to an education? The U.S. Constitution doesn’t actually guarantee Americans the right to an education, according to legal … more

By RORY SCHULER | 11/2/23

Longtime Beacon Communications freelancer Pete Fontaine dead at 77

Sad news to report. Our longtime freelancer Pete Fontaine died Wednesday afternoon. For decades, you've been reading his upbeat stories highlighting community giving. His bylines have regularly … more

3/29/24

FEDERAL FUNDS: U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner visited Johnston last week to deliver a $485,000 federal grant to Johnston’s Police Department.

Feds deliver $485K for public safety in Johnston

Johnston’s Police Department received $485,000 in federal funding last Monday that will be used for emergency services equipment. This funding comes from one of U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner’s … more

By RAYMOND BACCARI/Special to the Sun Rise | 4/18/24

$V\CATCHING THEIR ATTENTION: Warwick quahogger Jody King came armed with a rake, lots of photos and his personal experiences documenting a decline in quahog catches. He spoke Tuesday before the Special Legislative Commission studying a decrease in quahog catches. (Warwick Beacon photos by Will Steinfeld)$

Declining quahogs

After a half-year and counting, a Special Legislative Commission studying decreased quahog catch is nearing the finish line. The commission will discuss their recommendations in an early April … more

By WILL STEINFELD | 3/7/24

Panthers finding answers early

The Johnston boys basketball team improved to 2-0 last week when it rolled to a 78-43 win over Mt. Hope at home. The Panthers dominated from start to finish and saw three players reach double figures … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 12/20/23

MOSTLY SWEET FAREWELL: Troop 171 started in 2011 as a Daisy troop. Now, it consists of four Ambassador members, all seniors in high school — Rebekkah Condon, Magdalena Echevarria, Emily Packer and Ailani Reed.

Johnston Girl Scouts hold final cookie booth

Last call for cookies. Johnston Girl Scout Troop 171 will host its final cookie booth on Sunday, March 30 at the Burger King on Putnam Pike, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. According to troop leader … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/15/24

Warwick-08/16/2023 The new mayor of Johnston, RI, Mayor Joe Polisena Jr. demanded that the publisher of the Johnston Sun Rise newspaper, John Howell fire his editor, Rory Schuler after he has written critical stories about his administration. Howell looks over a layout of the front page of the Warwick Beacon newspaper near stacks of the newspapers in the office. JohnTlumacki/Globe Staff (metro)

In a small town, a big issue about the First Amendment

JOHNSTON, R.I. — As small local newspapers struggle with dwindling circulation and shrinking revenue, public officials unhappy with critical news stories are hitting where it hurts — yanking away their contracts to advertise legal notices. more

By Amanda Milkovits, Globe Staff | 9/28/23

St. Robert’s Bellarmine in Johnston will be holding a Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 30 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Trunk or Treat at St. Robert Bellarmine in Johnston

St. Robert’s Bellarmine will be holding a Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 30 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The church, at 1804 Atwood Ave., Johnston, would like to invite the public to the event, which … more

9/23/21

CATHOLIC LEARNERS: Taken on the front steps of St. Pius V. School in Providence, students posed for a photo on Wednesday, Sept. 15. Back row: Chris Weber, principal of Blessed Sacrament School, Sister Josemaria Pence O.P., principal of St. Pius V School, Janet Rufful, principal of St. Augustine School. Middle Row: Gina Hand, principal of St. Rocco School, Father Kenneth Sicard O.P., president of Providence College, Msgr. Albert Kenney, Vicar General, Diocese of Providence. (Photo/Stew Milne)

Providence College renews commitment to Catholic Education

Providence College has announced that it is making a second gift of $100,000 to the Diocese of Providence Catholic School Office (CSO) to support Catholic education in Rhode Island through its … more

9/23/21

SUPER SMILES: Countless children were all smiles during the fest and festival as they enjoyed a variety of rides like the Orient Express.

Saint Rocco’s Feast in Johnston bounces back, breaks records

Team Saint Rocco’s 81st Feast and Festival is now in the books and as Co-Chairman Richard Montella offered Monday afternoon: “This was one to remember; for as long as I have records, this … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 8/23/21

Warwick schools join national social media lawsuit

The Warwick School Committee has joined a national lawsuit suing major social media companies Meta, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat, doing so in a 4-0 vote taken during Nov. 14’s School Committee … more

By ADAM ZANGARI | 11/30/23

ATWOOD RIVER: A family was rescued by firefighters in a boat from their stuck vehicle in the middle of Atwood Avenue during one of last year's widespread flood events in Johnston.

Johnston voters will likely face a ‘flood bond’ in the fall, though state and federal grants may soften the blow

Johnston’s impending flood bond may be a little less hefty thanks to some help from state and federal agencies. While sections of Johnston are still drying out, both the state and federal … more

By RORY SCHULER | 2/9/24

‘A long ride’

The Johnston boys basketball team’s season came to a close last Friday night when it fell in the opening round of the open state tourney 58-54 to host East Providence. The Townies trailed until … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 3/13/24

ROADS SUBMERGED: Early Wednesday morning, Jan. 10, Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Jr. took this photo from “Old Pocasset at Briarcliffe.” According to the mayor, “There’s also large-scale residential flooding throughout Johnston.”

Johnston roads closed following fresh flooding; apartment building evacuated

As the Johnston Sun Rise went to the printers Wednesday morning, Johnston’s emergency management officials had barely finished celebrating good news from the federal government when a fresh … more

By RORY SCHULER | 1/10/24

LOST TOO SOON: David Viens visits the site of a future memorial to his son Dillon and other Johnston youngsters lost too young at Johnston’s Memorial Park. Two years ago, Dillon lost his life when he was accidentally shot with an improperly stored gun belonging to the relative of a friend. David Viens hopes legislation passes the Rhode Island House and eventually reaches the governor’s desk. One day, he also hopes the bill, once adopted, may be named for his son.

Gun bill step closer to becoming RI law

Rhode Island is one step closer to enacting a safe storage law. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Pam Lauria, cleared the Rhode Island Senate 28-7 on Tuesday, March 19. It now heads to the House, … more

By RAYMOND BACCARI | 3/28/24

FROM THE AIR: These images of the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) Central Landfill and Material Recycling Facility in Johnston were captured by drones piloted by Trevor Bryan, an FAA Licensed and insured drone pilot, the owner and operator of New England Aerial Services. For more information on the Warwick-based company, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/newenglandaerialservices.

Rhode Island's Central Landfill says 'pay first, read later'

The Central Landfill wants the Johnston Sun Rise to pay $900, in advance, to search for documents that may (or may not) exist, detailing the past business relationship between Rhode Island Resource … more

By RORY SCHULER | 1/10/24

Panthers ready to roll in DIV playoff race

The Johnston girls basketball team resumed its regular season this week after cruising to a 5-1 start to take second place in Division IV before the holiday break. After a tough opening night loss to … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 1/10/24

April 19, 2024