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POLITICAL ACCESS: On March 17, of last year, Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr. announced on Twitter that he had toured the Amazon construction site with US Sen. Jack Reed. He released four photos from the tour. (Photos courtesy Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.)

Amazon’s first ‘help wanted’ signs in Johnston

Can you operate with “significant autonomy and discretion,” “work all shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays” and “some overnight shifts as necessary”? … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/17/24

DON’T STOP BELIEVIN: A selfie by Glyn Morgan while at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, March 2013.

Cranston resident has his own vision on how to beat cancer

There are very few words more life shattering to hear than “you have cancer”. But, for Cranston’s Glyn Morgan, that is what happened to him in 2013. “My connection … more

By PAM SCHIFF | 4/17/24

Dragons everywhere

And you thought Roger Williams Park Zoo was the only place to find dragons at this time of year. Well, Peter Legg who was watching the sunset at Fort Getty in Jamestown Sunday, grabbed this shot of … more

4/17/24

Councilwoman resigns suddenly

Editor’s note: On the morning of publication of this paper, evidence was brought to light of potential misconduct by Hope and Change for Haiti, which lost its 501-C3 status in 2022. The … more

By RAYMOND BACCARI | 4/17/24

PACKAGE DELAYED: These images of the Amazon construction site in Johnston, after 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 now been pushed to late 2024.

Amazon renegotiates tax deal with Johnston

Since Amazon has not yet opened for business in Johnston, the mega-retailer has invoked a costly construction clause in its contract with the town. Over the past few months, the company … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/10/24

Déjà 42: Kelsey Coletta, Dennis Cardillo Jr., and state Rep. Edward Cardillo Jr. are competing in the Democratic primary rematch this September. They also ran against each other in 2022 (Ed Cardillo narrowly won that race).

Déjà 42: District 42 Democratic primary is repeat performance

Voters in Rhode Island House District 42, which contains parts of Johnston and Cranston, will likely see a 2022 Democratic primary rematch this September. All three candidates who ran last election, … more

By RAYMOND BACCARI | 4/10/24

OUT OF THIS WORLD: Planetary was the wardrobe theme for West Warwick Library staff. (Photo by Barbara Polichetti)

Getting a ‘safe’ peek of solar show

The solar eclipse was the main event Monday, with day turning to dusk as the moon slid between the earth and the sun in a rare astronomical event which will not … more

By BARBARA POLICHETTI | 4/10/24

GLOBETROTTING: Cranston East student Liam DeRosa will be performing around North and South America this summer with the Carnegie Hall National Youth Orchestra. (Photo provided by Cranston Public Schools)

Student musician inducted into national youth orchestra

One of Cranston’s own will be crossing hemispheres this summer as a viola player in one of the country’s most prestigious youth orchestras. Liam DeRosa, a junior at Cranston East and … more

By KEVIN FITZPATRICK | 4/10/24

Correction

The article entitled “Austerity budget cuts spending” printed in the April 4, 2024 edition of the Cranston Herald incorrectly stated that Mayor Kenneth Hopkins intended to downsize the … more

4/10/24

Johnston School Building Committee awards $40M+ in construction contracts for new elementary

The Johnston School Building Committee has so far awarded more than $40 million in contracts to Rhode Island firms for the construction the town’s new elementary center. “This … more

By RORY SCHULER | 4/5/24

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

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

Gunnar gets ready for the show at a previous eclipse party at the Cranston Public Library last year. (Photo provided by Cranston Public Libraries)

Library booked for near-total solar eclipse

Next Monday at around 2:15 p.m., Warwick’s skies will begin to dim and 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon as the city experiences a partial solar eclipse. While the city is … more

By ADAM ZANGARI | 4/3/24

SBA and FEMA return to the Cranston library

It’s like they never left. With President Biden having signed on March 20 disaster declarations for the severe storms which hit Rhode Island on December 17 and January 9, the Federal … more

4/3/24

JOINT SESSION: Mayor Kenneth Hopkins addresses the city council on Monday with his proposed budget for fiscal year 2025. (Photo by Kevin Fitzpatrick)

Austerity budget cuts spending

Mayor Kenneth Hopkins addressed the city council in chambers on Monday afternoon to highlight his FY 2025 Cranston budget starting this July 1. During the special meeting, Hopkins described his … more

By KEVIN FITZPATRICK | 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

Disaster declared for December and January storms

Rhode Islanders impacted by the floods in December and January will now be eligible for federal relief funding due to a disaster declaration signed by President Joe Biden last week. Following … more

CRANSTON HERALD REPORTS | 3/27/24

Inspectors uncover flood damaged bridge

A small bridge in Cranston will be undergoing immediate repairs following the discovery of structural deficiencies during the city’s bridge and culvert inspection. … more

By KEVIN FITZPATRICK | 3/27/24

PHASE TWO BEGINS: Mayor Kenneth Hopkins speaks to the press from Itri Park about the next chapter of Knightsville’s revitalization. (Photo provided by Cranston City Hall)

Spring brings life to Knightsville revitalization

With the coming of spring, Knightsville’s beautification is underway once again. Branching out from Itri Park, phase two of the neighborhood’s revitalization project will stretch into the … more

By KEVIN FITZPATRICK | 3/27/24

April 18, 2024