Portsmouth Private School Buys Family Farm for $1.5 Million

The private school has purchased the Briggs Family farm on West Main Road.

The Portsmouth Abbey School has purchased the locally famous Briggs' Farm, reports The Sakonnet Times.  The private school purchased the former family farm, which includes the farmhouse and more than 20-acres of land, for $1.5 million, according to The Sakonnet Times.  Former state Rep. Vincent Mesolella, a well-known developer, was previously in talks to purchase this land. He also petitioned the town to change the zoning on the property from light industrial to commercial. The proposal led to public hearings, in which the group Preserve Portsmouth encouraged residents to oppose commercial development at this location.  Future plans for the site are unknown, the Portsmouth Abbey tells The Sakonnet Times. The land is located on the corner …

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VIDEO: Portsmouth Abbey Students Break Out Jam Session

Abbey students were spotted practicing their songs at a local coffee shop last week.

A few Portsmouth Abbey students were caught practicing music last week at Custom House Coffee.  A video of the jam session can be seen above! This was not an official performance, but a practice session for the newly-formed group of musicians. 

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Attorney General Wants More Digging Into Governor's Son's Party

The Office of the Attorney General is asking State Police to provide more information into an alleged graduation party allegedly hosted by the governor's son.

It's been seven weeks since a "highly intoxicated" woman was found walking along Route 102 after leaving a graduation party allegedly hosted by the governor's son, but the investigation into this incident continues.  The Office of the Attorney General now wants the State Police to provide more information about this alleged party and continue their investigation, reported The Providence Journal Tuesday.  The 18-year-old woman was hospitalized after apparently drinking too much at the May 28 graduation party allegedly hosted by Caleb Chafee.  Chafee, son of Gov. Lincoln Chafee, allegedly hosted the party and told the girl not to call 911 until she was away from the property, according to a report by WPRO.  A State Trooper has also been …

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State's Best Swimmers To Race 1.2 Miles This Saturday in Portsmouth

The Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame's inaugural swim will be held this Saturday at the Portsmouth Abbey.

Many of the state's master swimmers will convene this weekend in Portsmouth for the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame's inaugural swim. Athletes will swim on one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways at the Portsmouth Abbey School, New England's co-ed Catholic Benedictine boarding school on Narragansett Bay, in a 1.2 mile open water swim.  The race will take place Saturday, July 14, at 9 a.m., rain or shine. Wet suits are allowed for this 1.2 mile triangular course swim.  Awards will be presented in two categories: wetsuits and non-wetsuits. There will be three age categories for both men and women: ages 29 and younger, 30 to 49 and ages 50 and older.  Six awards will be presented to men and women as the overall race winner in each …

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Teen Treated After Reportedly Drinking At Governor's Son's Party

State Police are investigating allegations of an underage drinking party reportedly hosted by the governor's 18-year-old son, Caleb Chafee.

An 18-year-old woman was hospitalized after apparently drinking too much at a graduation party hosted by the governor's son, reports WPRO.com.  State Police are investigating an incident in which a "highly intoxicated" 18-year-old woman was found walking along Route 102 in Exeter on May 28 after apparently leaving a party, according to a report by WPRO.  Caleb Chafee, son of Gov. Lincoln Chafee, allegedly hosted the party and told the girl not to call 911 until she was away from the property, according to the report.  Caleb Chafee, 18, graduated from the Portsmouth Abbey School on May 27.  This is the second incident in the past year in which Caleb Chafee has been involved with police. In April, the teen was arrested after allegedly …

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Portsmouth Coffee Shop Seeks Liquor License

Custom House Coffee, with locations in Portsmouth and Middletown, and a soon-to-open shop in Fall River, MA, are seeking to serve alcohol at its Clock Tower Square location.

One Portsmouth coffee shop is seeking to add shots other than espresso to its menu.  The owners of Custom House Coffee, which celebrated its 10th business anniversary last Friday, want to serve alcohol at its Portsmouth shop. The store's owners are seeking to secure a liquor license for the King Charles Drive and West Main Road location.  However, the King's Grant Fellowship church across the street might prevent establishing a liquor license at this shop. State law prohibits any establishment to serve liquor within 200 feet of a church.  In a mailing sent to customers this week, the owners say the interest in a liquor license is a reaction to the "poor economy."  "Unfortunately, we have not been immune to the poor economy over the past …

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Governor's Son, Abbey Student Allegedly Tries to Buy Beer

Caleb Chafee, a senior at Portsmouth Abbey, allegedly attempted to purchase beer in Jamestown.

Portsmouth Abbey Boys' Soccer Team Captures EIL Championship

The boys' soccer team won the championship this past weekend with a 2-0 win against the Landmark School.

The Portsmouth Abbey boys' soccer team clinched their first ever EIL Boys Soccer championship this past Saturday with a 2-0 win against the Landmark School.  "Second-half goals from Antonio Minondo '12 and David Armenta '12 powered the Abbey to the victory," according to a release on the Portsmouth Abbey Web site.  "A rush by midfielder Sean Quinn '12 was only stopped by a foul in the Landmark box, setting the table for Armenta to convert the PK insurance tally. Andrew Lowis '13 earned the shutout in goal and further lowered his league-best GAA." The win on Saturday earned the Ravens team a new Abbey boys record for highest wins in a season. This leaves the team at 13-1-2 overall (and 11-1-0 in the EIL) for wins in a season with two …

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Project Runway's Tim Gunn Visits Portsmouth Abbey [VIDEO]

Tim Gunn strutted into Portsmouth Abbey last Friday to talk with students as part of an ongoing lecture series.

Project Runway's Tim Gunn made a special appearance at Portsmouth Abbey last Friday.  Gunn, the "den mother" for contestants on the Bravo reality series Project Runway, spoke to students as part of the annual Dom Luke Childs' Lecture series: "Making it Work with Tim Gunn." Tim shared tips with students and faculty that apply to life both on and off the runway. In a talk based heavily on one of his books, Gunn's Golden Rules, Tim provided several anecdotes to tell the students why it's important to always take the high road and take responsibility for their own actions. Tim's experience in the fashion industry has included a few encounters with substantial egos, and Tim urged the students to recognize the fact that none of them are entitled…

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Portsmouth Abbey Grad 'Raises' New Energy Star Home for Faculty

A new Energy Star, "green" home was recently unveiled and "raised" on the Portsmouth Abbey campus.