News | Johnston Sun Rise

BUSY SCHEDULE: Rayna DiGiacomo takes a photo with Gov. Dan McKee as she gets ready to compete in the Miss Rhode Island’s Teen event. (Submitted photos)

It has been a busy few weeks for Johnston’s Rayna DiGiacomo. The JHS sophomore is getting prepared to compete in her third Miss Rhode Island’s Teen competition as Johnston’s … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 4/24/24

STUCK WITH AN ARROW: Torrie Aceto shared these photos of the injured swan on the Johnston Sun Rise Facebook page.

UPDATE: Two swans, one arrow

UPDATED: There’s a special place at the bottom of Oak Swamp Pond for someone with a bow and quiver full of black arrows with blue and white fletching. Rhode Island Environmental Police searched the … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/24/24

Rio

Rio lights up the room with his big smile and happy energy! Rio is a young mixed breed with a fluffy coat of many colors and eyes to match! He is a two years old and is an active boy so he's looking … more

4/24/24

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha

AG: Johnston man sentenced to life in prison for 2021 nightclub murder

Prosecutors argued a Johnston man was in a scuffle outside a Providence club. He walked away from the fight, but “90 seconds later … returned with a gun.” Now he’ll likely … more

Staff Reports | 4/23/24

NEW EXIT: Construction crews started an access road to Belfield Drive off the shoulder of I-295 following January flooding. It served its purpose and has since been closed. Now funding has been allocated, mostly through the federal government, to buy homes and demolish them along Belfield Drive.

More than $5 million committed to Belfield Drive home buyout program

Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena Jr.’s office announced more than $5 million in funding for home buyouts on Belfield Drive, the site of “persistent flooding issues.” Now … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/22/24

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

Girls on the gridiron

Johnston High hosted the Jennifer Welter All Girls Football Camp this past weekend at the school’s field, teaching the game to local girl athletes looking to get into the sport. The clinic … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 4/17/24

From WRWC: Looking for a fun way to give back in the sun this Earth Day? Join us for the JOHNSTON EARTH MONTH CLEAN DAY on Saturday, from 10 AM - 2 PM. Free to participate! Just need to pre-register and sign the Liability Waiver and you're in!

Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council hosts Earth Day cleanup

Earth Day this year is scheduled for Monday, April 22, 2024. The annual celebration, which first began in 1970 on April 22, has been going strong year to year, with people all over the globe doing … more

By RAYMOND BACCARI/Special to the Sun Rise | 4/17/24

POLITICAL ACCESS: On March 17, of last year, 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.)

Amazon’s first ‘help wanted’ signs in Johnston

Can you operate with “significant autonomy and discretion,” “work all shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays” and “some overnight shifts as necessary”? … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/17/24

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. more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/15/24

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 … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/15/24

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 … more

By ADAM ZANGARI | 4/11/24

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 … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/10/24

Helena Moronta from BayCoast Bank and Brian McCrae took home the Judge’s Choice award. Helena raised $2,363.00.

Sweet 17

4/10/24

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, … more

By RAYMOND BACCARI | 4/10/24

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 … more

4/10/24

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 … more

4/10/24

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 … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/5/24

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 … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/4/24

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. more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/4/24

April 24, 2024