News | Johnston Sun Rise

KINGS OF THE MAT: The Johnston Youth Wrestling program. (Photos by Alex Sponseller)

Johnston Youth Wrestling puts on show at King of the Mat

Johnston Youth Wrestling traveled to New Hampshire to participate in the annual King of the Mat youth tournament, which features some of the best grapplers in New England, and would put on a show as … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 3/27/24

Santiago

Have you been searching for some puppy love, well here you go! Meet Santiago, this little chunky boy is everything you could ever want. He's fun, playful, smart, currently in a foster home with … more

3/27/24

ON THE SCENE: Around 8:24 a.m., Thursday, March 21, Warwick Police responded to 71 Frawley St. for a reported domestic disturbance. According to a department press release, they “discovered the deceased body of a small child as well as an adult male who was also deceased; having suffered from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

Child shot and killed in Warwick

UPDATED: Warwick Police have identified the victim in Thursday's tragic shooting. more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/21/24

THE PLANS: Market Basket’s hired engineering consultant, James R. Lamp said spring-time is still the target for road improvements outside the Johnston store. RIDOT confirmed receipt of the plans, and said they’re currently under state review.

RIDOT confirms receipt of Johnston Market Basket traffic improvement plan

The residents got sick of all the road rage and head-on collision close-calls. So they got together and started attending Johnston Town Council meetings. Then their local newspaper finally wrote … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/21/24

FALCON FLYING ABOVE JOHNSTON: The town purchased three Flock Safety Falcon Flex cameras, like this one, and they were installed in October of last year. Since, they’ve helped police make at least four arrests, and detect nearly 200,000 vehicles on Johnston’s roadways each month.

Traffic ‘safety cameras’ recorded 162,180 plates in Johnston over the past 30 days

Have you driven on Hartford Avenue recently? If so, your license plate was likely one of 162,180 vehicles detected in the last 30 days by one of three Flock Safety cameras monitoring traffic in … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/21/24

Ferri hopes for ‘bright future’ with big year

The Ferri girls basketball team had a big winter as it finished the regular season unbeaten to win its division. It would go on to a solid run in the postseason, reaching the state semifinals to wrap … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 3/20/24

Scarlett

This face, how can you not fall in love with those eyes and those velvety ears! Bloodhounds are such unique and beautiful dogs! Scarlett wants to grace you with her presence every day! She loves to … more

3/20/24

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

PACKAGE DELAYED: These images of the Amazon construction site in Johnston, following the 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 been pushed to late 2024.

Amazon wants to revise Johnston tax deal

Amazon’s looking to re-negotiate their tax deal with Johnston. The estimated opening date of Johnston’s Amazon has been bumped back several times. While the company says … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/14/24

ARRESTED: Police arrested two suspects tied to an alleged “grandparents scam” in Warwick and throughout Rhode Island. Police identified the two suspects as Jason Rhodes, 34, of Flushing, New York (the alleged suspect at the residence)

Alleged ‘grandparent scammers’ arrested in Warwick

A pair of alleged “grandparent scammers” have been arrested by Warwick Police. According to Warwick Police Detective Capt. John McAniff, local victims nearly taken for more than … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/14/24

‘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

Sparky

Add the spark back into your life! Meet Sparky from Go Fetch Rescue. This young, handsome boy has all of the qualities that you look for in a pup! He's smart, friendly, adventurous, lovable, likes … more

3/13/24

TEAM DESIGNER: Janelle Nunez and Coach Kerry Murphy pose for a photo in the official Johnston High Academic Decathlon sweatshirt, which Nunez designed.

MEDAL COLLECTORS: Johnston’s Academic Decathlon team places fifth, wins 18 medals

Students from 15 Ocean State high schools struck gold, silver and bronze in the 41st annual Rhode Island Academic Decathlon held Sunday at Bryant University. “We ran out of medals,” … more

By JOHN HOWELL | 3/8/24

Statewide Vaping Prevention conference set March 13 at Quidnessett Country Club

Teachers and school administrators from around the state will gather on Wednesday, March 13 at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, for ENVISIONING A NEW ERA (THE VAPE-FREE … more

3/8/24

FED UP: Residents photographed the flashing lights responding to a crash outside Market Basket on Hartford Avenue. Confusing road arrows and a backway shortcut have led to countless near-collisions and neighboring residents are fed up with the situation.

Accidents waiting to happen: Johnston Market Basket traffic frustrates neighbors

As residents prepared to leave their Hargreaves Street homes for the Jan. 8 Town Council meeting, they heard the familiar crunch of metal, plastic and reflector glass. Then, the sirens got louder … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/7/24

THE GROUP: Judge Francis “Frank” X. Flaherty, a former Warwick Mayor and retired Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice, joined a group of Warwick history buffs in City Hall Friday. The group included: Pegee Malcolm, the Chairperson of the Warwick Historical Cemeteries Commission and Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Commission; Felicia Castiglioni Gardella, President of the Warwick Historical Society; current Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi; City Archivist Jackie Picozzi; and Mark Brown, Vice-Chairman of the Warwick Historical Cemeteries Commission.

Unpacking history

Judge Francis “Frank” X. Flaherty carried a pair of huge sealed cardboard boxes into Warwick City Hall’s subterranean conference room. Flaherty, a former Warwick Mayor and … more

By JOHN HOWELL & RORY SCHULER | 3/7/24

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

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

Hope upsets Johnston

The top-seeded Johnston girls basketball team was upset 45-42 by No. 3 Hope in the Division IV Championship on Monday at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The Panthers had beaten the Blue Wave … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 3/6/24

44 Johnston educators ‘essentially’ laid off

The “non-renewal” list included the names of 40 Johnston educators. “Special Educator, Ferri Middle School … Guidance Counselor at Barnes School … Math Teacher, … more

By RORY SCHULER | 3/6/24

Coco

Coco is in search of a loving, kind and patient home! She would also love to have a doggie friend to help build her confidence. She is shy when you first meet her, but she has so much love inside … more

3/6/24

April 18, 2024