Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How will Westerly’s volleyball girls handle their jump to Division I?
Also, don't miss Tricycle on the Westerly Patch calendar

Good day Westerly! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How will Westerly's volleyball girls handle their jump to Division I?
- What really happened in Westerly's tense transgender athlete policy showdown?
- Why Westerly's council says it can't shut off license-plate cameras.
Also on today's calendar: Tricycle and 6 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 75 and low of 65 degrees.
- Saturday: Cloudy, showers around; humid, temps: high: 75, low: 67.
- Sunday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 77 and low of 64 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Westerly girls volleyball takes step up in competition (thewesterlysun.com) — Westerly High's girls volleyball team is moving up to Division I this fall, with longtime coach Erinn McKinnon-Beal returning to lead the Bulldogs after a three-year break. Despite graduating star hitter Lyla Auth, the team brings back a deep core of experienced players and expects a large turnout, with plans for varsity, JV, and possibly a freshman squad.
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2. Westerly Trans Athlete AG Request Fails on 3-4 Vote (upriseri.com) — Westerly's School Committee has voted 4–3 against asking the Rhode Island Attorney General whether the district's transgender athlete protocol conflicts with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling, leaving current rules unchanged. After emotional testimony from nearly 30 speakers, members clashed over legal interpretations, process, and personal attacks, but agreed no immediate policy change or further transgender athletics agenda item will move forward before school starts.
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3. Westerly Residents Demand Action on License-Plate Cameras (progressive-charlestown.com) — Westerly residents pressed the Town Council about automated license-plate cameras, only to learn the two devices in town are privately and state-owned, beyond local control. Councilors stressed the town has no contract with the camera company, described privacy concerns and data-sharing risks, and suggested any future debate would require a formal agenda item at a later meeting.
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4. E-bike crash leads to arrest in Johnston (wpri.com) — A man wanted on drug charges out of Westerly was arrested after crashing his E-bike into a car near a Johnston parking lot, police said. The Cranston resident suffered minor injuries, was treated at Rhode Island Hospital, then held on a no-bail Superior Court warrant tied to controlled substance possession charges originating in Westerly.
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5. Rhode Island overdose death leads to the arrest of two brothers (fallriverreporter.com) — Westerly police detectives helped Hopkinton officers arrest two Connecticut brothers after a controlled fentanyl buy linked to a suspected overdose death in Rhode Island. Investigators say the men were caught delivering drugs, with more narcotics and packaging seized from their vehicle, and both are now held without bail as the case continues.
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📸 Around Westerly
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 Westerly
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Tricycle →
Deans Mill Farm, 1189 Pequot Trail, Stonington
3:00 pm
Saturday August 22
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Mystic Museum of Art Presents: LUXE, CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways →
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Mystic Museum of Art 9 Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355 - Seine Net Program
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Napatree Point Conservation Area Fort Road, Watch Hill RI 02891
9:00 am - Summer Book Sale
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce 221 Post Road Westerly, RI 02891
9:00 am - Marie Nichols (Kynlee and the Sparkle Dress) Saturday Storytime
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Bank Square Books 80 Stonington Road Suite 8 Mystic, CT 06355
11:00 am - Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruise →
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Fort Trumbull State Park 90 Walbach St, New London 06320
11:00 am - In Our Nation's Defense. Military Stories on the Thames →
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Submarine Force Museum 1 Crystal Lake Rd, Groton 06340
11:30 am - Discover the Thames →
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Fort Trumbull State Park Dock 90 Walbach St, New London 06320
1:15 pm - Mohegan Life on the Massapequatuck: Origins of the Mohegans →
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Submarine Force Museum 1 Crystal Lake Rd, Groton 06340
3:00 pm
Saturday August 22
📣 Westerly 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
- Family Day Summer Finale!
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce 715 Noank Ledyard Road Mystic, CT 06355
10:00 am - Family Hike and Picnic →
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center 109 Pequotsepos Road Mystic, CT 06355
5:30 pm - Concert on the Green: Sing & Play with Bergin and Melissa
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce La Grua Center 32 Water Street Stonington Borough, CT
6:00 pm - SIP 'N' SPIN POTTERY WORKSHOP
Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Stonington COMO Pottery Studio 45 Cutler Street Stonington, CT 06378
6:00 pm
Friday August 21
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 Westerly PatchAM possible:
- Deans Mill Farm — (860) 245-5487
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
- Hi Neighbors,
I hope all is well. My name is Michael Nenna. I am 21 years old and own a landscape company. Summer is here, If you need any brush removal, spring… (Nextdoor Airport Rd) - I wanted to let everyone know that I have availability again THIS Saturday 8/22.
You can message me or text me to book. Located in Charlestown, RI. Have a great day!! (Nextdoor Airport Rd)
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Westerly. Apply here.
- Stop & Shop posted a job opening for PT Nonunion Closer - Store Admin - 0736 in Westerly. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Westerly here.
Ok Westerly! 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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