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Memorial Day heralds the start of boating season in the Ocean State. With record numbers of recreational boaters on the Bay and new boaters dropping in each season, boating safety has become vitally important to Rhode Island summers.

National Safe Boating Week, an initiative by the National Safe Boating Council, takes place from May 20-26 and highlights both reminders and new legislation for individuals utilizing all types of watercraft.

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The Narragansett Town Council on Monday passed a motion, 3-2, to add three additional “add-alts” for the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library Renovation Project via a $108,000 boost to the capital improvement budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24.

Council President Ewa Dzwierzynski, Councilor Susan Cicilline-Buonanno and Councilor Deborah Kopech voted “yes” while Council President Pro-Tem Jill Lawler and Councilor Steven Ferrandi voted “no.”

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Spain restaurant on Ocean Road reopened this month after a winter-season flirt of selling the business or shutting the doors completely.

Spain restaurant owners had listed their Ocean Road property for $4.5 million and shuttered the long-time restaurant and laid off staff. Reportedly the restaurant owners received purchase offers, but rejected them.

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Pappas OPT Physical, Sports & Hand Therapy clinic located at 650 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown received its Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island LGBTQ+ Safe Zone certification.

Certification requirements for BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zones include staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ+ patients, protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender identity or expression, gender neutral bathrooms, inclusive forms and procedures, and a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ community.

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U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, along with state representatives and officials on Friday cut the ribbon on the future of ocean studies at the University of Rhode Island’s Bay Campus.

“Today marks a transformational first-step towards a renewed Narragansett Bay Campus,” URI Dean Paula Bontempi said. “More than a pier behind me, it’s home for a new research vessel, it’s a research platform, and it’s a symbol of URI’s position as an anchor for the Blue Economy.”

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Lilly Manfredi has found that South Kingstown’s Career and Technical Education program (CTE) has given her in high school a hands-on education as well as advanced learning in the classroom.

“Getting hands-on experience and the opportunity to get real-world experience,” the junior said and the CTE program helps students “figure out what you want to do for your future career (and) it also helps to create friendships with people who are interested in the same career paths are you.”

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A ransomware attack is less likely these days to create a hostage-taking of information in local governments, say officials, because of beefed-up security.

North Kingstown recently faced the threat of one but quickly beat back any effort to extort money for unlocking information that was illegally accessed. Narragansett and South Kingstown officials said their towns have strong protections in place.

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The Narragansett Planning Board last week unanimously denied a master plan for Boston Neck Road, LLC, to insert a 20-unit development on six acres along Route 1A, near the University of Rhode Island’s Bay Campus, along the Westerly side of Boston Neck Road.

The applicant can appeal the decision, drop the project — a comprehensive permit under the affordable housing law — or return with a revised version of the application.

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The Narragansett Town Council on Monday unanimously approved the lining of existing basketball and tennis courts in town for added pickleball play and the $5,302 purchase of paint, six portable pickleball nets and three storage containers.

The town six years ago transformed three tennis courts on Clark Road into pickleball courts, Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Kershaw said on Tuesday.

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The town of Narragansett is spending more money on a shared dog pound with South Kingstown than on a joint program for senior citizens.

And the dogs and cats only number about 200, while the seniors served are well over 1,000, a number that stands to increase each year as the population ages.

This interesting comparison came to light from South Kingstown Town Manager James Manni Monday night during an unusual appearance before the Narragansett Town Council, which he asked to restore a nearly $50,000 cut in senior aid for their joint program.

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The Narragansett Town Council granted a one-day Class F alcohol beverage license to the casino at 11 Pier Market Place, for the University of Rhode Island award ceremony scheduled for April 21.

The motion passed on a 3-2 vote after Council President Ewa Dzwierzynski and councilors Susan Cicilline-Buonanno and Deborah Kopech approved the measure. Council President Pro-Tem Jill Lawler and councilor Steven Ferrandi voted no.