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.

With the Fourth of July just two days away, local police are ready for the potential of more home-based sparklers and glowing fireworks in the dark night time sky usually lit up by thunderous displays from area towns.

As the state plans to soon allow increased numbers of people to mingle in public places large and small, mixed reviews come from local businesses about the benefits to them while others welcome the changes.

The calendar and the thermometer say summer is here, but it’s been a less than happy start to the season at Brickley’s Ice Cream.

Local school superintendents say they are awaiting guidance expected June 19 from the state Department of Education for crafting detailed plans for a required report next month about ways each district will handle changes brought by Coronavirus apprehensions.

Bells are the “voice of the church,” poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called them, and poet John Donne in his famous line from For Whom the Bell Tolls, writes “It tolls for thee.”  

And that’s the dual message more than nine South Kingstown and Narragansett churches want Friday night by having nine minutes of bell ringing at 8 p.m.

Reversing a ban on hunting at the Chafee National Wildlife Refuge in Narragansett and South Kingstown continued to draw opposition this week as the deadline for comments drew to a close amid warnings of danger area residents face from hunters.

Removal of restrictions for an underwater national park sealed off from commercial fishing trawlers and lobstermen will now provide a bonanza of opportunities for fishing boats in Point Judith, said Fred Mattera, advocate for commercial fishing.

Joining their Narragansett neighbors, residents in South Kingstown spoke out last week against a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to open parts of the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge in Narragansett and South Kingstown to hunting.

More churches in South County this Sunday plan to re-start gathering together even while others will remain shuttered amid tradeoffs between religious succor and the threat of coronavirus infections.

The coronavirus has killed the entire 2020 season for the Rhode Island Fast Ferry’s Martha’s Vineyard service and various sightseeing tours a staple in Rhode Island tourism.

Elective surgeries have resumed at South County Hospital, a change that staff and officials there welcomed after more than a month of idled operating rooms because of COVID-19.

South County’s sandy ocean shores have seen few people, even with last weekend’s holiday, but the test is coming as daily increasing temperatures in the air and water invite local patrons and tourists.

Every aspect of the economy has been touched in some way by government-imposed coronavirus restrictions, and car dealerships are no exception — facing the task of selling and maintaining cars during a time when fewer people are on the road, and many have lost income, in addition to needing to bring extra attention to cleaning and disinfecting both the cars and facilities.

East Matunuck in South Kingstown and Scarborough in Narragansett will lead the way in the re-opening of Rhode Island’s state beaches, which starts this Memorial Day weekend.