Superintendent Bob Gerardi gave a Covid update to the School Committee at its December 20 meeting and discussed the decision to switch to distance learning for the last week of school before Christmas break. He reported that nurses Liz Dyer and Linda Closter had performed 134 PCR Covid tests, as well as 180 rapid Covid […]
School Committee reviews distance learning decision Read More »
The Island Free Library Board of Trustees met for the final time of 2021, with Director Kristin Baumann reporting on the end-of-year holiday events in progress and the upcoming programs scheduled for the new year. Her report also included a new section: library updates submitted by the staff.Chair Lisa Nolan applauded the move as a
Jim Stevenson-inspired rail restored, and Library Updates Read More »
Block Island’s 2021 Christmas season brings people together, allows islanders to practice traditions old and new, and brings decorations to brighten the island.Islanders and tourists celebrate this year’s holiday season by honoring their favorite holiday traditions and activities. Austin Morin, creator of Queer Block Island, a year-round resident shared his favorite island holiday treats. “I
As Covid cases continue to rise on the island, with 15 cases in the past three weeks, please remember that Block Island’s indoor mask mandate is still in effect.Governor McKee recently issued a mask mandate for Rhode Island for venues of over 250 people, with smaller venues having the option ofrequiring masks or proof of
Open enrollment through HealthSource R.I. began November 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2022 to help connect Rhode Island residents with high-quality, low-cost, or no-cost coverage for 2022. Thanks to the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), coverage through HealthSource R.I. is now more affordable than ever.Residents have until December 23 to pick and pay
HealthSource R.I. continues open enrollment period Read More »
Interstate Navigation met with the New Shoreham Town Council for its yearly Q and A session, and the answers to the questions leaned heavily toward “maybe.” With two of the three members of the Town Council, Martha Ball and Mark Emmanuelle, admitting that they rarely use the ferry, and with Second Warden Sven Risom absent,
The Hotel Manisses was back in front of the Historic District Commission on Monday, December 6, with updates to the design for the addition. The plan is to construct a three-story wing on the existing basement. The HDC approved the sizing and massing previously, and had asked the applicant to come back with an updated
There is a small nonprofit organization on Block Island that has had an oversized impact on the island over the past forty-plus years: Block Island Economic Development Foundation, Inc. Established in 1977, BIED’s primary objective is “to promote adequate housing opportunities to retain a year-round population on Block Island, to promote reasonable-cost energy and utilities,
The Old Harbor Task Force gave a report to the Town Council on December 6 and presented a host of problems and solutions for the downtown area. Chair Margie Comings was available to answer any questions of the council, which had received the written report in the meeting packet, but there were not many questions
The Champlin Foundation announced its latest round of grant funding on December 6 with a total of $13.20 million in capital funding for 126 non-profit organizations, mainly in Rhode Island. (One grant went to Mystic, Conn.)Among those grants were two for Block Island organizations. The Block Island Medical Center is receiving $400,000 towards its expansion