Block Island

Block Island Nurse Mary Donnelly Honored by the State

John Bender — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:18:30 +0000

In commemoration of National Nurses Week a celebration was held today at the State House in honor of Block Island nurse, Mary Donnelly.

Donnelly retired from her position as a state nurse on the island after more than 55 years of work. She recalled the beginning of her career, when there was no doctor on the island.

“Best time of my life was when there was no doctor. Do you know? Because you had to use your head, use whatever you could to help a person. And that was innovation I’ll tell you, to work that way.”

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Lydia Rogers — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:31:45 +0000

House lawmakers consider an e-verify bill for employers. The General Assembly begins hearings this week on the state's budget for next year. These stories and more on the RIPR Morning News Podcast.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.org

Flame Box Crab found around Block Island

John Bender — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The flame box crab, or Calappa Flammea, has recently been caught twice in the waters off Block Island.

The crab, distinct for the red flame-like pattern on its shell, is generally found in the Gulf Coast, though it has been found as far north as Massachussetts.

Chair of the Block Island Shellfish Commission, Hermann Gempp, told the Block Island Times that the crabs most likely migrated north in a storm, or traveled up the Gulf Stream.

He wants Rhode Island's inner poetry to be revealed

Flo Jonic — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:56:24 +0000

(PROVIDENCE, RI) Rhode Island has a new state poet. Dr. Rick Benjamin of Warwick has been selected to replace outgoing state poet Lisa Starr of Block Island, whose 5 year term has expired. Benjamin lectures at Brown, RISD and is on the faculty of Vermont’s Goddard College. He has published two volumes of poetry and has edited several others.

Comment period extended for Block Island Wind Farm

Bradley Campbell — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:38:20 +0000

The Army Corps of Engineers has extended the comment period for the wind farm off Block Island to early February. It’s the second time the corps has extended the deadline.

Ticks, disease, and the environment

Kristin Gourlay — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

This week, we’re all about Block Island here on RIPR. It’s the focus of our annual “One Square Mile” series, where we bring you stories on a variety of angles about one particular part of Rhode Island. As we started exploring this beautiful island, it became clear to me that one of the biggest health stories is how ticks have come to be such a menace. So, I invite you to listen to the three stories I’ve reported about the problem:

Sail Away to Block Island with us this week

Scott MacKay — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:00:50 +0000

Today RIPR kicks another in our `One Square Mile’ reports on a Rhode Island community. RIPR political analyst Scott MacKay takes a break from the political circuit to take us to the Point Judith ferry dock.

Block Island‘ is just nine miles from the Rhode Island mainland but a world away. Home in January to just 1,000 hardy souls, in summer the pork-chop shaped island’s population bulges to ten times that.

No Deal with Thundermist for Block Island Health Service

Kristin Gourlay and krist — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Block Island Times reports that the island’s health center won’t be partnering with Thundermist, a partnership the health center hoped would help defray costs and boost resources. The news came, according to the BI Times, as a surprise to attendees of a recent town council meeting. BIHS is also reeling after losing its director suddenly – for reasons that aren’t yet public.