Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Portsmouth’s new lawsuit could reshape housing and development rules here

Also check out Joe Rocco's Newport Comedy Series on the Portsmouth Patch calendar

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Friday September 25th Patch AM
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Hi there, Portsmouth! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Portsmouth's new lawsuit could reshape housing and development rules here
  • See where and why Portsmouth police made these recent arrests
  • See how Portsmouth gas prices stack up across Newport County this week

Also on today's calendar: Joe Rocco's Newport Comedy Series and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Who's in favor of bringing back Roman Numerals? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Cloudy and windy; p.m. rain, with a high of 66 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Saturday: Rain, becoming heavy at times, temps: high: 61, low: 57.
  • Sunday: Very windy; rain, with a high of 65 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Portsmouth takes aim at RI housing laws with lawsuit (newportri.com) — Portsmouth officials are preparing a major lawsuit challenging more than 60 recent state housing and zoning laws they say strip local control over development. The town, joined by Portsmouth Concerned Citizens, argues Rhode Island's housing reforms give too much power to developers and violate municipal home-rule authority, setting up a high-stakes court fight that could shape future building, density, and affordable housing projects locally.
   

2. DUI, domestic charges among Portsmouth police arrests (eastbayri.com) — Recent Portsmouth police logs detail several DUI stops on local roads, domestic-related arrests involving town residents, and a fireworks case served on a Portsmouth warrant. The incidents, spanning Sept. 16–22, highlight overnight traffic enforcement on West Main Road and East Main Road, as well as domestic cases at Wapping Road addresses, offering residents a snapshot of current public safety concerns.
   

3. Lowest regular gas price in Newport County hits $3.99 for week ending Sept. 19 (southcotimes.com) — Portsmouth drivers are seeing regular gas around the mid‑$4 range, with the week's lowest reported Newport County price dipping to $3.99 at one station. The report compares prices across Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, and Tiverton, and explains how global events and refinery issues are pushing Rhode Island's average to about $4.37 per gallon.
   

4. Remembering Carrigan Nelson during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (wpri.com) — Portsmouth parents Paul and Tammy Nelson are keeping their daughter Carrigan's legacy alive this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by continuing her Sunshine in a Box care packages for young cancer patients. From scholarships and a charity golf tournament to a podcast and national CureFest tributes, their efforts ensure her advocacy for better pediatric cancer support and research still reaches families across Aquidneck Island and beyond.
   

5. Sports must go on, even as storm bears down on RI. Here are the scores (newportri.com) — Portsmouth High's football team is scheduled to travel to Burrillville for a 6 p.m. kickoff as part of a packed Friday slate, even with a storm approaching Rhode Island. The roundup also recaps Thursday's high school soccer, field hockey, tennis, and volleyball results statewide, giving local fans a quick way to track rivals and division standings.
   

📸 Around Portsmouth

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This is a very recent watercolor that I did of boats at the dock on State & Thames in Bristol RI.
    I always find the light and reflections at this location particularly mesmerizing and have photographed these boats innumerable times. I realized… (Nextdoor Heelhin)
  • HOLIDAY FAIR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH, 2026
    St. Anthonys Church of Portsmouth will be hosting our first annual Holiday Fair which will be held at the Bradley School, (Behind St Anthonys), on… (Nextdoor Island Park)
  • TJX posted a job opening for Backroom Associate in North Kingstown. Apply here.
  • TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Industrial Electrician III in North Kingstown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.

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: I for 1. (Thank you Bill L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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