🌱 Patch AM: How Smithfield’s first historic district could shape future property rules

Coffee in hand, Smithfield? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Smithfield's first historic district could shape future property rules
• Why Smithfield school lunches just got pricier—and online payments paused

Also on today's calendar: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair.

Today's riddle: How fast is milk when you pour it? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 81 and low of 57 degrees.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and beautiful, temps: high: 77, low: 56.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Smithfield Planning Board Backs First Historic District (upriseri.com) — Smithfield's Planning Board has endorsed a rewritten historic-preservation ordinance that would create the town's first local historic district, initially covering two town-owned buildings in Esmond. Members debated how future rules might affect private homeowners and appeals before sending a favorable recommendation to the Town Council. The board also pushed a runoff-plan review for 20 Levi Lane into February 2027.
   

• Smithfield Lunch Prices Up 25 Cents Amid $9,500 Fee (upriseri.com) — Smithfield school families will pay 25 cents more for student lunches as the district raises prices while grappling with an unbudgeted $9,500 yearly fee to restore online meal payments. Elementary lunches rise to $3.15 and secondary lunches to $3.25 when students return. For now, families must load meal accounts with cash or checks while a new Heartland contract is negotiated.
   

📸 Around Smithfield

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Smithfield

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ 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

Saturday August 29
• NorthStar Special Olympics Team (SHS Track)
  Smithfield Senior High School Smithfield, RI 02917
  7:30 am
Sunday August 30
• Paint Pottery! →
  Art by You at Weirdgirl Creations Pottery Studio, 10 Wampanoag Trl, East Providence
  1:00 pm

📣 Smithfield Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Monday August 24
• Back to School for Staff- Lifetouch Staff Photos
  Smithfield Senior High School Smithfield, RI 02917
  7:30 am
• Probate Court →
  Lincoln, RI Calendar Lincoln, RI 02865
  8:45 am
• Harmony Café – Manville, RI →
  Harmony Cafe, 47 Summer St, Manville
  7:00 pm
• Taylor Hollingsworth with Stev Delmonico and Rachel Jorgensen →
  The Parlour Providence, 1119 N Main St, Providence
  8:00 pm
Tuesday August 25
• Library Board of Trustees →
  Lincoln, RI Calendar, 145 Old River Road, Lincoln
  5:30 pm
• CHIODOS: IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S ME TOUR →
  Fete Music Hall, 103 Dike St, Providence
  6:00 pm
Wednesday August 26
• Planning Board →
  Lincoln, RI Calendar, 100 Old River Road, Lincoln
  7:00 pm
Thursday August 27
• Lincoln Housing Authority →
  Lincoln, RI Calendar Lincoln, RI 02865
  6:30 pm
• Comedy Night →
  Napolitano's Lounge & Brooklyn Pizzeria, 375 Putnam Pike, Smithfield
  8:30 pm
Saturday August 29
• NorthStar Special Olympics Team (SHS Track)
  Smithfield Senior High School Smithfield, RI 02917
  7:30 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 Smithfield PatchAM possible:

• Constantin Floors corp — (401) 999-0199

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

• I LOVE ALL THE NAMES EVERYONE CAME UP WITH FOR THE FROG.
  I DECIDED HIS NAME IS GOING TO BE SEYMOUR!!!! LOVE THAT NAME.. THANKS RICHARD GREAT NAME. (Nextdoor Deer Run Trail)
• I WAS CLEANING TODAY.
  GOING THREW A BAG AND LOOK WHAT I FOUND SO CUTE. (Nextdoor Deer Run Trail)

• Subway - 18372-0 posted a job opening for Shift Manager in Greenville. Apply here.
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers posted a job opening for Restaurant Manager in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Smithfield here.

🗞 Nearby News

Lincoln

• See the architectural styles that got their start in Rhode Island (providencejournal.com)

Johnston

• Landscape on the Shore (late 1880s/early 1890s) by Edward Mitchell Bannister (artsy.net)
• When Federal Funding Is Used to Censor: National Queer… (broadwayworld.com)
• RI Lottery Powerball, Numbers Midday winning numbers for Aug. 22, 2026 (providencejournal.com)

Ok Smithfield! 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: It's "Pasturized" before you know it! (Thank you Judy M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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