Kevin Maloney is back on the North Kingstown Town Council after being sworn in during a special session Monday night in the Municipal Courtroom to fulfill the remainder of former councilor Stacey Elliott’s term.

Tourists are coming back to South County, say many local business owners and tourism officials, in ways unexpected just a few months ago.

Tracking data for various accommodations in South County shows that brand name hotels as well as vacation cottage rentals are seeing more reservations following the easing of restrictions and the start of the summer vacation season, local officials say.

The North Kingstown School Committee met via Zoom Tuesday night to approve the statewide academic calendar for the 2020-21 school year, approve the hiring of a new Athletic Director and pass several other measures ahead of the new school year, which while only a month out is still filled with uncertainties due to COVID-19. 

Though Rhode Island officials have applauded the state’s robust rate of testing for COVID-19 in comparison to other states, recent data shows that tests have nevertheless reached only a small fraction of those in the general population, including those in Narragansett, South Kingstown and North Kingstown.

An analysis of state-provided data on testing for the coronavirus shows only 12 percent — 9,265 — of the three towns’ combined population of 72,492 residents had tests as of a week ago for the coronavirus. The number could even be lower when repeat testing counts are removed, state officials said.

For the first time in nearly 15 years, the Suez water company along with South Kingstown and Narragansett officials have issued an urgent and immediate order that bans outdoor water uses for homeowners.

More people from Florida — than any other state — have filed an address change for the areas surrounding Narragansett, South Kingstown, North Kingstown or New Shorham-Block Island since the coronavirus began, according to a preliminary analysis of United States Postal Service data.

The North Kingstown School Department unveiled its Proposed Reopening Plan for the 2020/21 school year last Friday in an email sent out to staff and families of students by Superintendent Phil Auger, which showed four potential scenarios for the district to return to classes in the fall depending on the situation in town in regards to COVID-19.

Five South County police departments, the first in Rhode Island to create specially trained crisis intervention teams, last week received federal recognition with a $100,000 grant to support new approaches when called to aid people with mental health conditions.

The North Kingstown Town Council voted Monday night to hold a special meeting on July 27 to officially appoint and swear in Kyle Maloney as a member of the council to fulfill the remainder of Stacey Elliott’s term.

Some time between Monday night and Tuesday morning, 11 Perception Sound 10.5 kayaks and two Hobie Eclipse pedal boards used for rentals were stolen from outside The Kayak Centre, according to a Facebook post by the Wickford business.

Operating under strict rules laid down by the state, nursing homes and assisted living centers in South County welcomed visitors this week for the first time since shutting their doors in March to protect residents from the chance of contracting COVID-19.

Roberts Health Centre in North Kingstown was among the facilities able to reopen its doors starting July 8.

Bowling is a sport steeped in Americana. While it may not be the national pastime, the sound of crashing pins, balls rolling on polished wooden floors and arcade games combined with the sights of classic bowling shoes, video displays and snack bars are ingrained in the memories of many, from the leisurely funseeker to the dedicated league bowler, in communities large and small across the country and beyond.

Recent federal data shows that nearly 1,375 local businesses received federal stimulus and Payroll Protection Program funds that helped them from shutting the doors permanently, said area owners.

With the June 24 deadline for candidates to file to run for office now past, the Sept. 8 primaries for both local and statewide elections are now set with a mix of some old and new faces, and a few surprises as well.

June 30 marked the beginning of Phase III of Rhode Island’s reopening plans, and just in time for the Fourth of July weekend, state beaches are now able to operate at 75 percent capacity, adding back over an additional 2,200 parking spots at the seven state beaches, including South Kingstown’s East Matunuck Beach and Narragansett’s Scarborough Beach.