Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What big housing and Route 1 changes is Westerly’s Planning Board advancing?

And on the Westerly Patch calendar - RWU Law Providence Law School Fair

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Hi Westerly! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What big housing and Route 1 changes is Westerly's Planning Board advancing?
  • How an 11-year-old Westerly boy became a life-saving hero
  • How one Westerly 11-year-old turned a bike ride into a rescue.

Also on today's calendar: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 81 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Saturday: Periods of sun; less humid, temps: high: 81, low: 59.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny and humid, with a high of 81 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Planning report shows a busy year for board (thewesterlysun.com) — Westerly's Planning Board has had a packed year, advancing major housing, zoning, and development decisions that will shape traffic, affordability, and growth along Route 1 and in key neighborhoods. From new businesses and fire station expansions to affordable housing tracking and a state-funded land-use study, the board's work directly affects where residents live, shop, and drive.
   

2. NBC 10 AM Flash Briefing: August 26, 2026 (turnto10.com) — An 11-year-old Westerly boy is being praised as a hero after helping an elderly man in medical distress get critical assistance, putting our town at the center of NBC 10's morning briefing. The roundup also highlights safety incidents elsewhere in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, from a Smithfield house fire to a submerged vehicle in Bourne and an overturned dump truck in Cumberland.
   

3. 11-year-old assists elderly man suffering medical emergency: 'He wasn't fine' (newsnationnow.com) — An 11-year-old Westerly boy, Tucker Gourlay, helped an elderly man in distress on Cross Street, walking him to Babcock Village and making sure 911 was called until officers arrived. Impressed by his quick thinking and kindness, Westerly police later surprised him with a new bike, while the man he aided is now home recovering.
   

4. An uphill battle for once-proud Westerly cross country (thewesterlysun.com) — Westerly High School's once-dominant cross country program is now struggling just to field full boys' and girls' teams, with only a handful of runners in preseason practices. Coaches describe how a shrinking school population, competing sports, and demanding training loads have thinned rosters, even as they prepare for the Sept. 5 Injury Fund meet and hope more students step up.
   

5. Shortchanged RIPTA Flexes On Demand (ecori.org) — RIPTA's Flex On Demand service offers Uber-style rides across several Rhode Island zones, including a dedicated Westerly flex area, for just $2 a trip. The piece argues the microtransit program and regular buses are undervalued tools for cutting traffic and emissions, and urges better funding so riders in places like Westerly have more frequent, later service.
   

📸 Around Westerly

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Chipotle Mexican Grill posted a job opening for Crew Member in Westerly. Apply here.
  • Ocean House Management Collection posted a job opening for Front Desk & Night Auditor 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: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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