August 2020

The Atlantic Shark Institute (ASI) announced that their acoustic Shark Array off Block Island, R.I. detected another great white shark visiting the island recently. This is the fifth different great white shark that the ASI has confirmed this summer and the largest number of white sharks identified to date in this study. The shark was […]

The following update was provided by Block Island Medical Director Dr. Tom Warcup on Sunday, Aug. 23: “Block Island has now had nine cases. Our most recent positive was quickly identified. We have coordinated with the Department of Health and there are no concerns for contact tracing on the island,” said Warcup. Warcup also announced

What a difference a day makes, said the island’s first responders. “Just drive around this island. Everyone is driving politely. Feel the atmosphere. It feels like a new island in just one day,” said Police Chief Vin Carlone on Saturday, Aug. 22. The Block Island Times checked in with Carlone, Fire Chief Kirk Littlefield and

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

Jan Wampler has been coming to Block Island for more than 50 years and has owned a house there for 35 years. An architect and urban designer, he has designed projects in China, Turkey, India and the United States and has received numerous awards for his buildings. He has also written two books, “All Their

Recognizing that Block Island has been facing an almost kaleidoscopic amount of social, economic, and public relations setbacks this summer, a new coalition called #RespectBI held a Zoom meeting with more than 130 attendees to address thoughts and strategies on moped reform, safety and enforcement. There were a broad range of options shared on the

In 2018, he covered 22 miles in 48 hours, with no luck. In 2019, after another unsuccessful day left him physically and emotionally exhausted, his girlfriend, Lisa, suggested they head back via a stretch of sand near Payne’s Dock. There, Lisa casually found an orb hidden in an old tire. “I now believe it’s more

During the virtual Town Council meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19, First Warden Ken Lacoste announced the new Town Manager Maryanne Crawford will “start on Monday, Aug. 24.” Crawford was the Chief Financial Officer of the South Kingstown School system. She will succeed Interim Town Manager Jim Kern. Kern stated he would “come out mid week next

Shirlyne Gobern, the town’s long-time Assistant to the Town Manager, lives in the house that was built by her ancestors and it is a home she spent time in as a child. Right next door to this familiar yellow house (which is about to undergo a dramatic change in color) is the monument dedicated to

In the early months of 2020, the uncertainty on whether or not there would be any business on the island during the summer was heightened enough that town financial planners braced for a 50 percent drop in revenue associated with tourism. The Wastewater Treatment plant and the Water Company were no exception. The two departments