Around the Valley

SMITHFIELD – An annual event that raises funds for housing for veterans brought out hundreds of local Jeep drivers and motorcyclists, and raising thousands for the volunteer organization that does the work. Rolling for Homes is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Habitat for Humanity of West Bay and Northern Rhode Island, an organization with a mission...

GLOCESTER – The 95th Ancients & Horribles Parade took place on Saturday, July 3 - with both marchers and crowds of spectators out in full force despite the rain showers.

The following are news briefs and announcements for residents in and around the Blackstone Valley. DHS, RIDE announce summer P-EBT program benefits for Rhode Island families The Rhode Island Department of Human Services and Department of Education have announced that the USDA Food and Nutrition Service recently granted Rhode Island approval to extend Pandemic-EBT benefits (P-EBT) through the summer months...

GLOCESTER – Glocester police say a man accused of attempting to abduct a cheerleader from Ponagansett High School had legitimate reasons to be on school grounds, and is not facing any charges. According to a release from the department, the statement follows on incident that took place around noon on Sunday, June 20, in which a man approached a...

Senate advances bills protecting LGBTQ rights The Senate has recently passed several bills aimed at preventing discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. The bills strengthen protections in housing discrimination law, expand civil action protections against discrimination, and amend the hate crimes law to include gender identity and expression. The first bill S 0563, sponsored by Sen. Meghan Kallman of District 15, updates...

BURRILLVILLE/NORTH SMITHFIELD – With restaurants returned to full capacity, masks mandates lifted and summer upon us, life is slowly getting back to normal in northern Rhode Island, a reality demonstrated by the large number of events, gatherings, fundraising drives, concerts and more taking place this weekend. While NRI NOW mentioned some of these events in Monday's "Five things to know,"...

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Fish and Wildlife is offer a number of summer activities for 2021, from fishing days and archery lessons, to hunter education and virtual wildlife conservation programs. DEM’s Aquatic Resource Education, Hunter Education, and Wildlife Outreach program staff have planned a summer full of opportunities for youth and adults to learn...