Ethan Shorey, Author at The Local Insider News

A bear seen off Bear Hill Road in Cumberland.

Bear sightings in Cumberland, North Attleboro, Smithfield, across the area

Bear sightings are being reported in towns across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, including in Cumberland and North Attleboro. Chuck Conklin posted a video and photo of the bear on Ursa Way off Bear Hill Road in Cumberland, and numerous…

June 25, 2026

Planning in full gear on future of Overbrook Academy in Smithfield

SMITHFIELD – Town officials will soon be changing the name of the Overbrook Academy property, even as they sort out best uses for it in the future. Overbrook has been referred to as the municipal government complex during budget talks,…

June 24, 2026

Marissa Maroni in the Rick's Music space.

Maroni returns to roots, takes ownership of Rick’s Musical Instruments

CUMBERLAND – A woman who got her start teaching at Rick’s Musical Instruments 16 years ago is now fulfilling a dream and taking over the store. Marissa Maroni, a Woonsocket native who grew up near the high school and later…

June 24, 2026

Pawtucket Planning Commission approves 120 more homes

PAWTUCKET – The City Planning Commission has approved a new 120-unit housing complex within the Conant Thread zone, adding to a boom of housing around the new-ish Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center. On June 16, Nulco Lofts LLC and Piccadilly LLC…

June 24, 2026

Andy Brown, right, questions Dylan Conley and Brad Clark as residents come up to the table to get the latest version of plans for 28 homes off Wilbur Road on Monday.

Residents slam Wilbur Road project in Lincoln, pledge prolonged fight

LINCOLN – More than 75 residents turned out Monday evening to the Knights of Columbus at 171 Jenckes Hill Road to oppose a 28-unit residential development on Wilbur Road, pledging to come back again during the coming formal review process.…

June 23, 2026

Dan Kroeber speaks during Monday's event near Centreville Bank Stadium.

Officials announce ‘critical’ investment in Pawtucket riverfront

PAWTUCKET – The restaurants and stores will come, say officials, but both sides the city’s riverfront first need to be attractive and inviting places. On Monday morning, local and state officials announced a $30 million infrastructure investment “to unlock Phase…

June 22, 2026

A section of Go Play's existing facility.

Cafe will join indoor children’s playground in Woonsocket plaza

WOONSOCKET – Le Petit Café, serving pastries and coffee, is planned for a former skate park space in the Diamond Hill Plaza, 2000 Diamond Hill Road. Allison Ciminero, owner of applicant Go Play Corp., went before the City Council on June…

June 22, 2026

Lincoln residents will meet with Wilbur Road developer Monday

UPDATE: Here is our story on Monday’s contentious forum. LINCOLN – Developers behind a controversial housing development off Wilbur Road plan to meet with residents on Monday evening, June 22, to hear their concerns. Opposition organizer Andy Brown notes that the…

June 22, 2026

Allie Ambrose plants in Franklin Farm's allotment garden.

Record participation in Franklin Farm’s allotment garden

CUMBERLAND – Franklin Farm is all about feeding Rhode Islanders in need, but it’s also a place where people can grow their own food in an ideal environment. Allie Ambrose, allotment garden coordinator at the farm at 142 Abbott Run Valley Road,…

June 20, 2026

Barbara Rich, right, honors Tom Gruczka at this week's Smithfield Town Council meeting.

North Smithfield’s Gruczka awarded for maintaining Smithfield’s trails

SMITHFIELD – The Town Council has honored local trail-keeper Tom Gruczka for his hard work maintaining the places where people hike. Barbara Rich, of the Land Trust, told the Town Council on June 16 that the trust received a grant…

June 19, 2026