Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Portsmouth hired a new finance director despite audit concerns
Happening soon: Joe Rocco's Newport Comedy Series on the Portsmouth Patch calendar
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:
- Why Portsmouth hired a new finance director despite audit concerns
- Why Portsmouth's council is fighting over who helps hire department heads
- Thinking about clamming at Gull Cove? Read this first.
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!)
- Friday: Not as warm with rain, with a high of 72 and low of 66 degrees.
- Saturday: Cloudy, showers around; humid, temps: high: 73, low: 67.
- Sunday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 75 and low of 66 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
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.
📸 Around Portsmouth
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Joe Rocco's Newport Comedy Series →
Newport Elks Lodge, 141 Pelham St, Newport, RI, 02840,
7:30 pm - Gong Bath & Meditation With Sound →
Common Fence Point Arts, Wellness, and Community Center, 933 Anthony Rd, Portsmouth
6:00 pm
Saturday August 22
Sunday August 23
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit →
Portsmouth Historical Society, 870 E Main Rd, Portsmouth
10:00 am - St. Barnabas Parish Community Yard Sale →
1697 E Main Rd, Portsmouth
8:00 am - Class of 1986 reunion →
Wyndham Newport Hotel
6:00 pm - School Committee Meeting
Bristol Warren Regional SD MHHS Cafeteria
7:00 pm - Staff Orientation Day
Bristol Warren Regional SD Bristol, RI 02809 - Elementary Schools Orientation Day
Bristol Warren Regional SD Elementary Schools - RW Kindergarten Meet & Greet
Bristol Warren Regional SD Rockwell Elementary School
1:00 pm - Staff PD Day
Bristol Warren Regional SD Bristol, RI 02809 - KMS Orientation
Bristol Warren Regional SD Kickemuit Middle School - Paint Pottery! →
Art by You at Weirdgirl Creations Pottery Studio, 10 Wampanoag Trl, East Providence
1:00 pm
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
Wednesday August 26
Thursday August 27
Sunday August 30
📣 Portsmouth Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
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! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- This cat was in my yard today.
It has green collar. I live between Sandy Point and Cooper Beach and my yard is set back pretty far. If you're missing him, he's in this area. (Nextdoor Wapping Rd)
- SPECTRUM posted a job opening for Retail Sales Specialist in Middletown. Apply here.
- Wendy's posted a job opening for Crew Member in Middletown. 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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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