🌱 Patch AM: How Johnston kept a 118-year-old Italian feast thriving this year

Good morning Johnston! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Johnston kept a 118-year-old Italian feast thriving this year
• What does Johnston's Flock camera portal really reveal about your data?

Also on today's calendar: Taco Barn – Johnston, RI and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy and humid, with a high of 79 and low of 67 degrees.
• Friday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 81, low: 49.
• Saturday: Cooler with clouds and sun, with a high of 68 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Spirit & Sustenance (johnstonsunrise.net) — Our Lady of Grace parishioners just wrapped up the 118th Feast of La Madonna Della Difesa in Johnston, drawing thousands for four nights of food, music, and prayer. Volunteers spent days cooking traditional Italian favorites, and longtime attendees say the event's multigenerational traditions and religious roots keep families coming back, even as some now travel from out of state to remember Johnston's special feast weekend.
   

• ACLU: RI Flock Camera Portals Hide Their Own History (upriseri.com) — Johnston is one of several Rhode Island towns whose Flock license-plate camera portals, according to the ACLU, don't clearly show which outside agencies receive shared data. The group warns that Flock's web pages lack an accessible historical record, complicating public oversight as state leaders review how this growing camera network should be governed and how residents' data is retained and shared.
   

📸 Around Johnston

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Johnston

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday September 21
• Escada Restaurant & Bar – Johnston – RI →
  Escada Restaurant & Bar, 39 Putnam Pike, Johnston
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday September 18
• Classical at Johnston →
  Johnston High School, 345 Cherry Hill Rd, Johnston
  6:00 pm
• Strings →
  Strings, 183 George Waterman Rd., Johnston
  8:00 pm
Monday September 21
• DAY CLASS Bartending & Mixology →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  9:30 am
• Johnston Republcan Town Committee Monthly Meeting →
  Bishop Hill Tavern, 2868 Hartford Avenue, Johnston
  6:00 pm
Tuesday September 22
• Open Practice/Study session 9:30am-3pm →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  9:30 am
Thursday September 24
• Mixology Practical Exam Check in time is 12:00pm →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  12:00 pm
Saturday September 26
• Goldsmith Street Friends Group Volunteer Day on the Greenway →
  15 Goldsmith St., Johnston
  10:00 am
• Taco Barn – Johnston, RI →
  Escada Restaurant & Bar, 39 Putnam Pike, Johnston
  9:00 pm
Sunday September 27
• Lifestyles of 1776 →
  Lifestyles of 1776, 101 Putnam Pike, Johnston
  12:00 pm
Monday September 28
• Night Class Bartending & Mixology →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  5:00 pm
Tuesday September 29
• Open Practice/Study session 2pm-5pm →
  Rhode Island School of Mixology, 1395 Atwood Ave. Ste. 208, Johnston
  2:00 pm

📣 Johnston Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Popeyes posted a job opening for Popeyes Team Member - Johnston, RI in Johnston. Apply here.
• Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Pizza Makers All Shifts! (03921) in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.

🗞 Nearby News

North Providence

• Here are the winners from Tuesday's high school games across RI (providencejournal.com)
• A movie lover's tour of Rhode Island — from Woonsocket to Newport (oceanstatemedia.org)
• Board of Elections begins recount of Republican primary in Rhode Island governor's race (turnto10.com)

Cranston

• NBC 10 AM Flash Briefing: September 16, 2026 (turnto10.com)
• Ballots to be recounted in 3 RI primary races (wpri.com)

Providence

• Massachusetts Man Charged With DUI: Cops (patch.com)
• Providence Man Charged With Possessing Stolen Vehicle: Cops (patch.com)

Ok Johnston! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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