Hey there, Portsmouth! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Joe Rocco's Newport Comedy Series and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Portsmouth Town Council ratifies new finance director (eastbayri.com) — Portsmouth's Town Council has ratified Town Administrator Richard Rainer Jr.'s choice of Elizabeth Draper as the town's new finance director, despite concerns raised about audit findings from her previous job in Hopkinton. After a tense discussion over staffing issues, audit details, and the hiring process, councilors ultimately approved her 5–2 to replace outgoing finance director Kayla Marsden.
2. Council clash exposes charter divide in Portsmouth (eastbayri.com) — Portsmouth's Town Council is sharply divided over whether members should sit on an advisory panel to interview candidates for finance director, raising big questions about where the council's authority ends and the town administrator's begins. After a heated debate featuring conflicting legal opinions and public testimony, the council tabled the proposal, leaving the charter issue unresolved for now.
3. A Beginner's Guide to Recreational Shellfishing in Rhode Island (uri.edu) — Rhode Islanders curious about shellfishing can learn how to harvest quahogs and other shellfish safely while following RIDEM rules on size limits, open areas, and daily quotas. The guide highlights beginner-friendly spots, including Gull Cove in Portsmouth, and points residents to DEM resources and Sea Grant videos so they can check water quality and regulations before heading out.
4. RI fugitive allowed to access his accounts to hire a lawyer (wpri.com) — A long-time Rhode Island fugitive convicted of a 2003 sexual assault aboard his yacht while it was docked at a Portsmouth marina has been granted limited access to his frozen assets so he can hire a lawyer. Now back in custody after more than 20 years on the run, he remains held without bail and faces a potential life sentence as his next court date approaches.
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Ok Portsmouth! 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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
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