Coffee in hand, Portsmouth? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Bingo Night ! and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Prudence Island residents rejoice as boil-water era ends after 8 years (providencejournal.com) — Prudence Island residents, part of the town of Portsmouth, no longer need to boil their tap water after eight years, thanks to new chlorination and filtration systems. Funded partly with Portsmouth ARPA money and federal infrastructure support, the $4 million upgrades now provide cleaner, safer water, though some islanders remain cautious as they adjust to life without constant boiling and bottled water.
2. Dip in Portsmouth scores called statistically insignificant (eastbayri.com) — Portsmouth students are still outperforming most of Rhode Island on state tests, even though English and math proficiency slipped slightly this year in a way officials say is statistically insignificant. Local elementary and middle schools posted especially strong student growth scores, suggesting many children are making solid academic progress despite mixed proficiency trends.
3. Hathaway earns first five-star school rating (eastbayri.com) — Portsmouth's Howard Hathaway School just earned a coveted five-star rating from the Rhode Island Department of Education, while the town's three other public schools each received four stars. Despite small, statistically insignificant dips in test proficiency, Hathaway and the district showed strong student growth, keeping all four schools well above most Rhode Island schools in the state's accountability system.
4. Looking for RI high school scores from Friday's games. Here they are (newportri.com) — Portsmouth High's boys soccer team shut out East Greenwich 3–0 in Friday night action, one of many Rhode Island high school results rounded up here. Local fans can also scan girls soccer, field hockey, volleyball, and tennis scores, plus see when several area teams, including Barrington and others, are scheduled to play today.
5. Barrington energy aggregation program's winter rate on the rise (eastbayri.com) — Barrington is raising winter electricity rates in its community aggregation program, but officials say prices will still undercut Rhode Island Energy while adding extra local renewable power. Portsmouth is one of eight towns in this regional program, so residents here may want to understand how aggregation pricing, bill credits, and renewable options could affect their own electric costs.
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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: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
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