Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Portsmouth residents need to know about Lower Melville Pond’s algae warning

Coming up on the Portsmouth Patch calendar: Public Meeting - Naval Station Newport Restoration Advisory Board (RAB)

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

In today's newsletter:

  • What Portsmouth residents need to know about Lower Melville Pond's algae warning
  • How one sixth-grader pushed Portsmouth to rethink Jepson Lane safety
  • What Portsmouth hopes to change by suing over RI housing laws

Also on today's calendar: Public Meeting - Naval Station Newport Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between black eyed peas and chick peas? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and nice, with a high of 70 and low of 60 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mainly cloudy and humid, temps: high: 75, low: 66.
  • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 77 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Department of Health: Avoid Lower Melville Pond due to algae blooms (turnto10.com) — Residents in Portsmouth are being urged to stay out of Lower Melville Pond after state health officials detected a harmful algae bloom that can sicken people and pets. Swimming, fishing, and boating are discouraged, and anyone who contacts the water should rinse off quickly and wash affected clothing or pets to reduce health risks.
   

2. Sixth-grader gets action on Jepson Lane in Portsmouth (eastbayri.com) — Portsmouth officials are responding to a sixth-grader's safety concerns about walking to Portsmouth Middle School along Jepson Lane, stepping up police patrols and exploring new crosswalk signals and sidewalk extensions. The town's public works and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee will collaborate on improvements, with leaders publicly promising to make the school's main entrance safer for students and families.
   

3. Portsmouth Votes 5-2 to Sue Over RI Housing Laws (upriseri.com) — Portsmouth's Town Council has voted 5-2 to immediately file a court complaint challenging Rhode Island's 2025 affordable housing laws, committing up to $20,000 from the town contingency fund. The suit questions state limits on local zoning and permitting, and Portsmouth hopes other municipalities and community groups will join as plaintiffs or financial backers in the coming weeks.
   

4. Domestic offenses, DUI top Portsmouth police report (eastbayri.com) — Portsmouth's latest police report details several recent arrests, including a DUI stop on West Main Road and a domestic assault case that began on Flint Corn Road. Officers also served a no-contact order violation warrant originating from an earlier investigation, offering residents a snapshot of the types of incidents local police have been handling this month.
   

5. Here are the winners from Tuesday's high school games across RI (newportri.com) — Portsmouth athletes had a strong showing in Tuesday's statewide high school action, with girls tennis edging PCD/St. Raphael 4-3 and girls volleyball topping Westerly 3-1 behind standout performances from Peyton Winn and Kamryn Lehner. The roundup also highlights scores and schedules for soccer, field hockey, tennis, and volleyball teams across Rhode Island that Portsmouth fans may be following.
   

📸 Around Portsmouth

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Does anyone know a local insurance company that insures mobile homes?
    Just looking to do some price comparisons. Thanks (Nextdoor Island Park)
  • Coronado Stone Products posted a job opening for LAUNDRY ATTENDANT (Full-Time) in Newport. Apply here.
  • Rohrer posted a job opening for Machine Operator (Press-OFFSET) 3RD SHIFT in Warwick. 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: Black eyed peas can sing us a song but chick peas can only hummus one. (Thank you Bev H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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