News | Johnston Sun Rise

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

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 … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 4/3/24

CHARGED: Scott Avedisian, Warwick’s longest-serving mayor, entered a not-guilty plea Wednesday morning at Kent County Court to charges he left the scene of a car crash.

Ex-Warwick Mayor Avedisian pleads not guilty to leaving scene of fast food fender-bender

Scott Avedisian, Warwick’s longest-serving mayor, entered a not-guilty plea Wednesday morning at Kent County Court to charges he left the scene of a car crash. The fender-bender occurred … more

By ADAM ZANGARI | 4/3/24

Chipotle

Chipotle has the biggest smile and it matches his big heart! Playful should be his middle name. This two year old mixed breed has a gorgeous black and white coat accented by his sparkling chocolate … more

4/3/24

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

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

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

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

April 30, 2024