July 2020

Block Island has always been a wonderful spot to go birding, not only because the island is an important stopover during migration, but due to the many species that live here. At the Block Island School, we are following the tradition started by Elizabeth Dickens, who began the bird program at the School in the […]

The building that now houses the Empire Theatre has been many things over the past 100 or more years. It’s been a skating rink, a live theater, a movie theater, of course, and now it has even another incarnation: artisan emporium. According to theater owner Gary Pollard, the movie business has been in steady decline

Claiming that she was unlawfully terminated from her position at the Block Island Medical Center, Liz Dyer, a nurse practitioner, has filed a lawsuit against the Medical Center. The lawsuit, which was filed in Superior Court in March, states that Dyer is “seeking injunctive relief, attorney’s fees and litigation expenses and other equitable relief, including

“We will need patience and flexibility to get through the next 12 months,” said Town Finance Director Amy Land. She was speaking about the fine line that the proposed 2021 municipal budget walks in what she called these uncertain times. “The budget acknowledges some pretty significant reduction in revenue and it is constrained on the

Given that testing of the town’s wastewater recently revealed the presence of COVID-19, Sewer Company Supt. Dylan Chase has asked for about $6,000 to do more testing in order to better track the virus. Chase’s request was approved by the members of the Sewer Commission at its virtual meeting on Monday, July 20. Tests taken

The Block Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, seeking financial assistance on a fire engine refit and upgrades to the aging Fire Barn, recently reached out to the Town Council to see if there were any funds available to do those projects. In the end, the Council and officers from the Fire Department agreed on

The following was submitted by Town Hall: Financial Town Meeting is 7 p.m. on Monday, July 27 at the Block Island School, utilizing the gym, cafeteria and a designated outdoor space. The meeting will follow or exceed the Department Of Health safety guidelines. Attendees will be with their neighbors, family and friends and everyone must

As to how the Block Island School will reopen at the end of August, the School Committee, Supt. Mike Convery and School Principal Kristine Monje admitted there were things about re-opening that were known, things that were unknown, and things that cannot be anticipated. They all admitted that it was frustrating not to have more

Jenny Noonan, longtime summer resident, is inspired to create her paintings and drawings by viewing the beauty and vivid colors of Block Island through her studio window. Jenny captures the vivid hues of the sun, sky, water and earth and interprets these images through her unique creations. Exploring the colors of nature brings Jenny a

The following update was shared by Allison Brown of the Old Post Office Bagel Shop on Wednesday, July 22: Working in close conjunction with the Block Island Medical Center and guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Health, my staff and I completed testing for COVID-19 on Tuesday [July 21] morning and are now patiently