Johnston Sun Rise

The victim’s family provided video footage of the alleged assault to a Rhode Island ABC 6 television news reporter. The reporter posted the video on social media. In the video, two children start fighting underneath a basketball hoop. Eventually, as one child gains the advantage, an adult male who was watching the fight, jumps into the brawl and tackles one of the children, falling on the street. The video posted on social media ends immediately after.

Johnston man charged with child abuse after breaking up fight between kids

Johnston Police have arrested a Johnston man and charged him with child abuse after he broke up a fight between two children and allegedly assaulted one of them. David A. DelGreco, 35, of … more

By RORY SCHULER | 9/8/22

FATHER’S FRIENDS: Among the many people who enjoyed Saturday’s Steak and Cigar Night at Our Lady of Grace were from left: Ron and Marie Curtis, Jen Burns, Father Peter J. Gower, Joe Grasso, Sen. Frank Lombardo and Marvin Carter.

Our Lady of Grace Italian Feast and Festival follows steak & cigar night

Perhaps the title of tonight’s entertainers — “Second 2 None” — best describes the 102nd Annual Our Lady of Grace Italian Feast and Festival that will be held through Sunday night when tickets for the Grand Raffle worth $7,000 in prize money will be drawn at Festival Field in Johnston. more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/8/22

GENEROUS GUY:  Last year, Bruno Ramieri, center, held a special T-shirt he received from Goodfellas Motorcycle Club treasurer Cal Calabro, left, and president Gene Benedetti as thanks for his pledge to match up to $20,000 raised through the fifth annual Goodfellas Motorcycle Run. Ramieri has offered to do the same for this year’s run.

Sixth annual Goodfellas Bike Run kick starts Saturday in Johnston

There are few, if any, motorcycle clubs like the Johnston-based Goodfellas. Fact: Since 2017 the Goodfellas Bike Run has raised over $60,000 for Hasbro Children’s Hospital in … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/8/22

GRANT GIVER: State Rep. Deb Fellela (second left) presents Johnston High School Music Director Ronald Lamoureux with a $1,000 State Legislative Grant that will help the highly acclaimed program to continue purchasing world class percussion equipment. Looking on are JSMA member Melissa Loffler and President Beth Littlefield.

Rep. Fellela delivers state grant to Johnston High music department

Even though school wasn’t in session, State Rep. Deb Fellela made a special visit to Johnston High School several weeks ago where she continued a long tradition. Fellela met with JHS Music … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/8/22

PUMPKIN SPICE: Pumpkins outnumbered apples at last year’s festival. Fall was certainly in the air.

Johnston Apple Fest ripens as summer flees

The time is ripe for Johnston’s apple celebration. The 34th Annual Apple Festival will be held this weekend, Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11. The festivities will stretch from 10 … more

9/8/22

BRIARCLIFFE FAMILY: Centenarian Joan Ruberg poses for a photo with her Briarcliffe caregivers and family.

Secret to Johnston woman's longevity: ‘Don’t give a damn!’

The year was 1922 … the price of gas was just 21 cents a gallon and an automobile could be purchased for between $1,100 to $2,000. It was a year that many prolific women were born: Judy … more

By Stefany L. Reed/Sun Rise Special Report | 9/8/22

SCOOPS LOSS: Meri Kennedy, 59, of Cranston, co-author of the weekly Johnston Sun Rise Scoops column, passed away peacefully on Sept. 1

Meri Kennedy, bearer of good news, dies peacefully

Merilyn (Meri) Kennedy, 59, of Cranston, passed away peacefully on Sept. 1 with her longtime companion, Stephen F. Popiel, at her side. Born in Warwick, Meri was a daughter of the late Mitchell … more

9/6/22

SPECIAL SESSION: Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha addresses the unique District 2 Neighborhood Watch group at a recent meeting held inside the Johnston Senior Center Board Room.

Watching out for their Johnston neighborhood

It was back on June 4, 2021, when Johnston Town Councilwoman Lauren A. Garzone — in conjunction with the Johnson Police Department — launched and held the town’s first-ever … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/2/22

PICTURE PERFECT: The artists-for-an-evening above — Sandra Lentini, Barbara DeCubellis and Monica DiDonato — are just a few of the many people who enjoyed the Pannese Society’s first-ever Paint and Vino event.

Pannese Society hosts ‘vino & paint’ night in Johnston

“Saluti membri della Society!” That was the Italian opening statement from David Venditelli, proud president of the iconic Pannese Society, that appears inside the nonprofit’s … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/2/22

EVERY DEPARTMENT: Last year, Johnston Police Chief Joseph P. Razza referred to a collection of patches from every department in the Ocean State as he discussed a new program aimed at equipping all of Rhode Island’s front-line police officers with body-worn cameras.

CHIEF: Johnston Police 'still in the initial phases of implementing a body-worn camera program'

Local law enforcement agencies have taken a pledge of transparency, and the layers between the police and the public are about to become as clear as video. A program aimed at equipping Ocean … more

By RORY SCHULER | 9/2/22

US ATTORNEY: Johnston man sentenced to federal prison for possessing child pornography

A Johnston man who admitted to possessing more than 2,000 videos and images of child pornography has been sentenced to three years in federal prison, according to a press release from United … more

9/1/22

MEMORIAL MEN: Johnston Fire Department Battalion Chief Richard Boehm and Rev. Richard Narciso stand in front of late firefighter Richard F. Gemma’s still full locker after the special blessing before the salute moved outdoors.

Johnston Fire Chief: ‘Do random acts of kindness; let’s do this in Richard’s memory’

It has been three difficult years for Richard and Kathleen Gemma — as well as the highly-respected brotherhood of the Johnston Fire Department — since the passing of Richard R. Gemma. … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/1/22

PROUD PLEDGE: Anthony Carlino, a long-time member of the Graniteville Veterans Foundations, leads the Pledge of Allegiance in front of the memorial off Putnam Pike in Johnston.

Johnston remembers the veterans of Graniteville

It was approximately 10 o’clock when Anthony Carlino stood under a sparkling sun in front of the impressive monuments that continue to serve as a mighty memorial for “The Boys from … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 9/1/22

CAMPAIGN HQ? The incumbent state representative for District 42 (Cranston, Johnston), Rep. Ed Cardillo, alleges his nephew, Dennis Cardillo Jr., does not live at the address he provided on state election forms — 1757 Plainfield Pike. In fact, he alleges his nephew and opponent for the Democratic primary does not live within District 42. The home, which is also a commercial address, is occupied by the candidate’s father. The yard is packed with election signs.

Johnston Board of Canvassers rejects Cardillo complaint for third time

State Rep. Ed Cardillo stood up at the end of Tuesday’s hearing. “An absolute joke!” He said loudly, following the Johnston Board of Canvassers’ third rejection of a … more

By RORY SCHULER | 9/1/22

FOR THE KIDS: St.Rocco School children helped run the successful feast.

Johnston's St. Rocco’s Church treats the public to an incredible 82nd feast

Never before, according to records dating back to 2004, has the St. Rocco’s Feast and Festival enjoyed as much sparkling success as last week’s four-day fun, food and music … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 8/26/22

NEW SPEED HUMP: Johnston Police Chief Joseph Razza and Deputy Chief Mark Vieira inspect a new speed hump as a car crosses it on Cavalcade Boulevard.

Johnston traffic calming project gets new device

In an ongoing effort to reduce speeding in town while also responding to residents’ traffic concerns, the Johnston Police Department continues to modify and improve upon its temporary speed … more

8/26/22

Johnston Police Log, Aug. 25, 2022

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following police log information has been taken from public record police incident and arrest reports provided by the Johnston Police Department. more

8/26/22

Panthers eyeing playoff return

The Johnston football team got back to work this week at practice and is looking to return to the playoffs once again. The Panthers reached the Division III Super Bowl in the spring of 2021 and … more

By ALEX SPONSELLER | 8/25/22

OFFICIAL OPENING: With JPD Chief Joseph P. Razza (left) and Deputy Chief Mark Vieira (right) holding a red ribbon alongside Sophal Cheng and Bob Moulton, Mayor Joseph Polisena performs the ceremonial cutting at last Thursday’s Grand Opening of Rhode Island Homemade Donuts in Johnston.

Rhode Island Homemade Donuts opens Johnston location

Move over Dunkin, there’s a new kid on Rhode Island’s donut block. It’s called Rhode Island Homemade Donuts and has two locations — one at 1745 Main Street in West … more

By PETE FONTAINE | 8/25/22

TOWN EMPLOYEE/SENATOR PARKING: A black, four-wheel drive Ford Explorer with a blue and white town license plate sat outside Lombardo’s home at 10 Anson Brown — a small dead-end waterfront street. Next to the Explorer, Lombardo parked his white Jaguar Pace SUV, with “SENATE” license plates.

Johnston state senator joins the town’s payroll

Johnston’s state senator has been working for the town since Jan. 1. His opponents say the position was a maneuver to keep him out of the mayor’s race. State Sen. Frank Lombardo III … more

By RORY SCHULER | 8/25/22

June 10, 2023