🌱 Patch AM: Why 219 purple flags are flying outside Portsmouth Town Hall

Hello Portsmouth! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why 219 purple flags are flying outside Portsmouth Town Hall
• How Portsmouth plans to educate residents as kratom hits local shelves
• Headed to Glen Farm? Don't miss the hidden Barbados getaway key

Also on today's calendar: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair and 1 more event.

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Clouds and sun; less humid, with a high of 76 and low of 58 degrees.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 79, low: 66.
• Monday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 79 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• In Portsmouth: 219 flags honor R.I. lives lost to opioids in 2025 (eastbayri.com) — Hundreds of purple flags now line Portsmouth Town Hall, each honoring a Rhode Islander lost to opioid overdose in 2025, and the display will remain through Sept. 3. Backed unanimously by the Town Council, the annual memorial organized by local prevention coalitions aims to both remember loved ones and spark conversations about addiction, recovery, and support in Portsmouth.
   

• Portsmouth puts kratom under the microscope (eastbayri.com) — Portsmouth's Town Council has approved up to $15,000 from opioid settlement funds for a new kratom education campaign and an opioid-safety program for older residents. The Portsmouth Prevention Coalition will use the money for community workshops, outreach to retailers and health providers, and tools like lock bags and naloxone kits, aiming to prepare residents as kratom sales expand statewide.
   

• Newport vs. Palm Beach Polo Returns for White-Hot Summer Showdown (thenewportbuzz.com) — Newport Polo is hosting the Newport vs. Palm Beach showdown this Saturday at BD Field at Glen Farm in Portsmouth, with gates opening at 1 p.m. Expect fast polo action, a showcase of Aston Martin and Lotus cars, a white-themed divot stomp, and even a hidden key to a Barbados getaway. It's a high-energy way for Portsmouth-area residents to send August out in style.
   

📸 Around Portsmouth

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth

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★ Featured events ★

Friday September 18
• RWU Law Providence Law School Fair →
  Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms St, Providence
  12:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday August 30
• Paint Pottery! →
  Art by You at Weirdgirl Creations Pottery Studio, 10 Wampanoag Trl, East Providence
  1:00 pm
Monday August 31
• First Day of School for Students
  Bristol Warren Regional SD All Schools
Monday September 7
• No School/Holiday - Labor Day
  Bristol Warren Regional SD Bristol, RI 02809

📣 Portsmouth Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday August 29
• Aquidneck Growers Market →
  Middletown, RI Calendar, 792 Valley Rd, Middletown
  9:00 am
• Family Day 2026 →
  North Kingstown, RI Calendar North Kingstown, RI 02852
  12:00 pm
• Live Music: How's About Charlie — Sakonnet Vineyard →
  Sakonnet Vineyard, 162 W Main Rd, Little Compton
  1:00 pm
• The Revolution Comes to Watson Farm →
  Historic New England's Watson Farm, 455 North Rd, Jamestown
  1:30 pm
Sunday August 30
• Melo Green — umbrellaskynpt.org →
  Brick Marketplace, Goddard Row, Newport
  12:00 pm
Monday August 31
• First Day of School - Grades 1 - 5
  SUZANNE M. HENSELER QUIDNESSET North Kingstown, RI 02852
• Kindergarten Orientation
  SUZANNE M. HENSELER QUIDNESSET North Kingstown, RI 02852
• First Day of School for Students
  Bristol Warren Regional SD All Schools
• FROSH PHOTOS Taken
  NORTH KINGSTOWN SR. HIGH North Kingstown, RI 02852
  8:00 am

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

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Portsmouth PatchAM possible:

• Newport Comedy Series — (401) 556-5779
• Inspire Painting — (774) 712-6190

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hello, new on this site.
  I thought I would try to reach out for any rental property in Portsmouth, Bristol, or Middletown. My fiance and I need to find a pet friendly place … (Nextdoor Portsmouth II)

• Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Middletown. Apply here.
• Walashek Industrial & Marine, Inc. posted a job opening for Pipefitter in Newport. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.

🗞 Nearby News

Middletown

• People's Credit Union names Justin Lombardo head of Middletown branch (whatsupnewp.com)
• Middletown Library Project Budget Confusion (newportthisweek.com)
• Newport County voters have cast more than 1,300 primary ballots so far - What's Up Newp (whatsupnewp.com)

Tiverton

• Tiverton pauses Flock camera installation; Bellingham opts out (wpri.com)
• StoryWalk trail opening planned at Tiverton Library (heraldnews.com)

Warwick

• Warwick Man Charged With Driving While License Suspended: Cops (patch.com)

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 bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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