How do you think the town of Portsmouth handled communications during Hurricane Irene?  Some residents have criticized town officials for how they communicated to residents during the storm.  "Hard to get any information from Portsmouth on what was going on. What ever happened to 'reverse 911,'" wrote Doug Smith in Local Voices. "No one home at the Town Hall and no contact point for information about what was going on in town." What do you think? What could town officials have done differently to communicate before, during or after the storm? Tell us in the comment section below! 

The Portsmouth Pride Coalition (PPC) held its first gathering this past Thursday at Glen Park, where many gathered for free food and music. However, some Portsmouth Patch users are questioning this group's development. "I smell a hidden agenda sneaking around behind the guise of 'pride.' Just the fact that they listed PCC as a challenge says volumes about who they are and what they're really up to," wrote the user who goes by the name "nun." Nun names the PCC, or Portsmouth Concerned Citizens, another group of citizens well-known in town. Organizers of the grassroots organization, Portsmouth …

On April 26, Town Administrator Robert Driscoll, who has served as administrator since 1990, said he would not seek renewal of his contract.    The Portsmouth Town Council is now searching to find the town's next administrator. On Wednesday, the council voted 4-3 to hire a private recruiting company to find town administrator candidates instead of forming a resident search committee. To read the full article on this decision, click here. The hiring of a firm is anticipated to cost between $8,000 to $20,000. We want to know what local residents think about this decision. Who should select town…

On Tuesday, Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed legislation that states that any youth under the age of 18 who sends sexually explicit messages of themselves can be charged with a "status" offense in Family Court. Children will not be prosecuted under the state's child pornography statutes, which was a possibility under previous law. However, those who possess or forward sexually explicit images of another minor other than themselves can be prosecuted under the state’s child pornography laws, and if convicted, may have to register as a sex offender. We want to know what local residents think about …

Portsmouth residents, what are you doing for the summer of '11? Are you attending a summer camp? Holding cookouts in the backyard? Going to any concerts? From the Newport Yatching Center Sunset Concert Series to the Newport International Polo Series at The Glen, there's so much happening on Aquidneck Island this July and August. We want to know what you're doing to have "fun in the sun!" So, our question for this week is: What are you doing this summer? Tell us in the comment section below!

At Monday's Town Council meeting, one councilor accused another of committing "physical assault" during a previous executive session meeting. The alleged incident took place during the council’s executive session on June 13 around 1 a.m. at Town Hall, said Town Councilor James Seveney. To read more about this, click here. The accusation led to a discussion about punishments for councilor's behavior. Councilor Keith Hamilton proposed having the Charter Review Commission set guidelines for punishment if a councilor acts inappropriately. His proposal was denied in a 4-3 vote with Joe Robicheau, …

Earlier this week, the Portsmouth School District sent out a survey to parents, asking them whether or not they approved of a proposal to start school 90 minutes late during the next school year. The late time would only be once or twice per month, according to the district, and provide the opportunity to train teachers without paying for substitutes. "The purpose of late start days would be to provide teachers with professional development time without putting substitute teachers in our children's classrooms so frequently. This would also allow the school department to provide professional …

On Monday, the Portsmouth Town Council regular meeting ended just after 11:30 p.m. The council voted to enter executive session, but after some objections. "It's 11:30 p.m. at night. I don't think we should be going into executive session at this hour," said Councilor Liz Pedro. The vote was 5-2 with Pedro and Judi Staven opposed to entering an executive session, which reportedly ended at 1:30 a.m. The late hours for council meetings have been questioned by town officials and employees, but we want to know what you think:  Do town council meetings last too long? Should there be a time limit? …

Earlier this week, the Portsmouth School Committee filed a complaint against the teachers' union, National Education Association (NEA) Portsmouth, in Superior Court. The complaint was filed as part of an ongoing dispute between management and workers over how the workers should be promoted. The school administration has switched to a promotion system based on employee performance. Previously, and per an expired union contract, employees were promoted based on seniority in the district. But we want to hear more on this from other Portsmouth residents: Should teachers be promoted based on …

Earlier this week, we brought you the story on how the town plans to replace firefighters with "civilian dispatchers." The proposal calls for replacing firefighters, who serve as dispatchers at the department's call center, with "civilian dispatchers" or retired firefighters. The part-time dispatchers would receive an hourly rate of $20 with, if any, minimal benefits. Driscoll says the proposal would save an estimated $91,000 in the proposed budget. The firefighters, who previously served as dispatchers, would remain as members of the department. We want to know what you think about this plan…

This Monday is Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer. Some families plan cookouts, set up the grill and prepare to be the neighborhood's barbecue master. Others head to the beach or, a more traditional route, place flags on the gravestones to honor fallen soldiers. Patch wants to know what you are doing this Memorial Day. Will it be a barbecue or beach volleyball? Or, will you attend a ceremony to honor veterans? What are your Memorial Day plans? Tell us in the comment section below!

School officials say more than two dozen. Students and parents speculate the number to be closer to 100. Regardless, at least more than 24 students were sent home or asked to leave the froshmore dance at Portsmouth High School on Friday, May 13, for "inappropriate dress." Principal Robert Littlefield said chaperones asked students to leave or did not allow them entry for violating the school's dress code. The school enforces a strict dress code for semi-formal dances. The girls were asked to go home and change after arriving in short skirts and dresses, school officials said. Boys were sent …

On Monday, Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced his decision to place a hold on the opening of three state-approved medical marijuana centers following a letter sent by U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha.  Neronha reportedly said he opposes the opening of these medical marijuana centers, including one in Portsmouth.  On March 15, the state Department of Health approved an application from Dr. Seth Bock to open a medical marijuana center or "compassion center" in Portsmouth. Neronha told Projo.com he hopes the three don't open and that he might have to take "some action" if they do. To read the full story …