News | Johnston Sun Rise

PASSING TIME: Tri-County facilities director Joe Russo now helps maintain the Calef School, the same building where he attended the fifth grade. Here's the class photo from Miss Templeton’s class.

Tri-County breathes new life into an old Johnston school

The tiny backpack hooks are as empty as the hallways. Old classroom decorations still hang on the walls, crafted by students and teachers who’ve long since walked out of the building … more

By RORY SCHULER | 10/26/23

OCEAN STATE DATA: According to state data, only one in 10 Johnston MLL students are meeting or exceeding expectations in reading — and only one in 20 scored proficient in math.

Johnston’s MLL population soars

In 2015, Johnston schools counted just 113 multilingual learners (MLL) in the district. Eight years later, that number has more than doubled, to 270 MLL students in 2023, and that number continues to … more

By RORY SCHULER | 10/26/23

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

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

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

LOOMING SYMBOLS: The American flag flapped high above the crowd gathered outside St. Rocco School for last Friday’s “Prayer for Peace and Healing on the 20th Anniversary of 9/11.”

St. Rocco School in Johnston pauses to remember those lost on 9/11

Matthew Newell was playing on the St. Rocco School playground on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. The carefree 9-year-old heard a teacher calling his name. The fourth-grader, wearing his … more

By RORY SCHULER | 9/17/21

SPECIAL SCRAMBLE: Andrea Aiello (lest) and Olivia Miele enjoy a brief stop during this ride in Rockwell Amusements famed Scrambler.

Johnston's Our Lady of Grace celebrates 101st Feast

Our Lady of Grace Church’s annual feast and festival, which is named in honor of La Madonna della DiFesa, was a fun and food-filled event that featured many MVPs (Most Valuable Parishioners) … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/17/21

PLENTIFUL PRIZES: Our Lady of Grace Rev. Peter J. Gower (left), Joe Andreozzi and Normand Bessette enjoy a lighter moment while standing near some of the more than 50 prizes that people will win from now until Sunday at Festival Field in Johnston.

Our Lady of Grace celebrates 101st Feast and Festival in Johnston

Armed with 140-plus volunteers, “Team Our Lady of “Grace” will present the Roman Catholic Parish’s 101st LaMadonna della DiFesa Feast and Festival that officially opened last … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/10/21

SEASONAL SIGNS: This is the large banner draped across the fence at Our lady of Grace Church  on George Waterman Road in Johnston, which also features 40 sponsorship banners for the Roman  Catholic parish’s 101st Feast and Festival.

Johnston's Our Lady of Grace Church set for 101st Feast and Festival

It’s a feast and festival unlike any other, an event that’s been going on for decades at Our Lady of Grace Church in Johnston. And it will be back beginning next Thursday, Sept. 9, and … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/3/21

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

THE DRAGON AWAITS: Saint Rocco’s Feast was expected to kick off Thursday night and continue through this weekend. Earlier this week, the Orient Express Chinese Dragon mini-coaster sat patiently awaiting its first eager riders.

UNLEASH THE FEAST: St. Rocco's kicks off 81st celebration

It was 5 o’clock Monday evening and Jeremy Bousquet had just finished climbing a ladder and began hammering nails into a corner of two pieces of long lumber when someone asked: “What are … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 8/13/21

SPECIAL STAFF: Saint Rocco’s Church Sisters Donna, Marie Antoinette and Daisy, who will all play a huge part in the upcoming feast and festival, join Church Friends Association president Ralph Ciunci in the parish’s beautiful St. Francis Garden after a meeting Sunday morning.

Johnston's St. Rocco’s Church readies for 81st Feast and Festival

Three ladies – namely Sr. Marie, Antoinette, Sr. Daisy and Sr. Donna – as well as Ralph Ciunci are gearing up for the annual Saint Rocco’s Feast and Festival, which will make its … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 8/6/21

FATHER’S FLOCK: Rev. Peter J. Gower (third from left top) joins and thanks parishioners like Tom Kowal, Joe Grasso, Rob Desiderato, Norman Thompson, Vito Montecalvo, Renato Montecalvo, Peter Lombardi and Mike Capobianco who were part of the record crowd for the unique 5th annual OLG event.

Johnston's Our Lady of Grace celebrates fifth Steak, Scotch and Cigars Night

There was another vintage Rev. Peter J. Gower gathering Saturday evening at Festival Field located beside Our Lady of Grace Church in Johnston. It was yet another example of the popular priest … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 8/6/21

DIVINE DUTY: Richard Montella (left), long-serving co-chairman of the now 81-year-old Saint Rocco’s Fest and Festival, is joined by Seminarian Stephan Coutcher outside the Roman Catholic Church conveniently located on the corner of Plainfield Pike and Atwood Avenue in Johnston.

Saint Rocco’s Feast and Festival returns to Johnston this month

The south section of Atwood Avenue is lined with American and Italian flags. However, it’s the iconic banner — hung over the heavily traveled road around this time every year … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 7/30/21

April 19, 2024