Block Island hotel fire; beach dispute gets ugly; candidate quiz: Top stories this week
Here are some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of Aug. 20, supported by your subscriptions.
Non-English speakers are often at a loss for words in Rhode Island's municipal and probate courts, where language interpretation in many cases is haphazard and, in the words of one law professor, "clearly unconstitutional." Translation is frequently provided by family members – even children – or sometimes by a prosecutor called upon to translate for a defendant. Some legal experts say the situation may violate federal law.
A Republican contender in the 1st Congressional District special election answers The Journal's candidate Q&A on key issues.
You don't have to be Scottish to appreciate the country's polarizing national dish, haggis (but it probably helps). Now, Rhode Island's foremost expert on this love-it-or-hate-it food is sharing his secrets.
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Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:
Why fire spread so rapidly through a Block Island hotel – and other buildings may be in danger
Block Island’s volunteer Fire Department waited only about 10 minutes before calling for backup in the blaze that broke out in the 133-year-old Harborside Inn.
On Sunday – two days after the flames were sparked and the island was under a state of emergency – the hotel was still hot.
Fire Chief Chris Hobe says other buildings on the island that are aging and not built to today’s code run the same risk as the Harborside, which had no fire stops in its walls, allowing the flames to spread until they consumed the hotel.
Local news: Why fire spread so rapidly through a Block Island hotel – and other buildings may be in danger
North Kingstown beach access dispute gets ugly; homeowner arrested after breaking umbrella
NORTH KINGSTOWN – A waterfront property owner was arrested Sunday after he allegedly antagonized a family that was sitting on the beach near his house, breaking their beach umbrella when they refused to leave.
The incident unfolded after 63-year-old Christopher Brady and his wife and young daughter set up their umbrella and chairs just south of North Kingstown Town Beach. According to the police report, the family was below the high tide line – meaning they were on a portion of the beach that the public has the right to use under Rhode Island's new shoreline access law.
But 61-year-old Andrew McClatchy, who owns the house next to North Kingstown Town Beach, said the family was above the high tide line and on his property, according to the report, and later told police that he thought Brady was a "Marxist antagonizer."
Access to the shoreline south of North Kingstown Town Beach is a hot topic on the Facebook group Saving RI Coastal Access/Rights Of Way, where multiple people have described being harassed by McClatchy and others while trying to use the waterfront.
Local news: North Kingstown beach access dispute gets ugly; homeowner arrested after breaking umbrella
We gave the CD1 special election candidates a quiz on the district. Here's how they did.
How well do the candidates competing in the special election to replace former U.S. Rep David Cicilline know Rhode Island's 1st Congressional District?
For instance, can they tell you where Touisset is located? Or where to find a chimi? How many are familiar with the bloody history of the Saylesville Massacre – or know that a "coffee cabinet" isn't a piece of furniture?
To find out, Political Scene put the candidates to the test, inviting each to take a short trivia quiz on the district's history, culture and lore.
Political Scene: We gave the CD1 special election candidates a quiz on the district. Here's how they did.
Fighting to the end, Smithfield's run in Little League World Series closes with loss to Calif.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Winning was almost out of the question. But that was no reason for the Smithfield Major Little League All-Stars to stop competing in their final inning at the Little League Baseball World Series.
Manager Eric Gibree urged his team to “make a mess out of it” for West Region champion El Segundo, California. Smithfield did just that, scoring three times while down to their final out before ultimately falling, 9-3, to El Segundo in a U.S. Elimination Bracket quarterfinal.
"We could have just folded up shop and said, ‘Hey, let’s just go get some pizza,'" Gilbree said. "But, we decided to come back with a three spot and give the fans something to think about on the ride home.”
Sports: Fighting to the end, Smithfield's run in Little League World Series closes with loss to Calif.
Vote: Choose the best spot to get a lobster roll in RI
Maine lobster rolls may get all the credit, but Rhode Island has some great, fresh-from-the-boat options, too.
We've previously narrowed down seven great lobster rolls found around Rhode Island in 2021, and our sister paper, The Newport Daily News, has taken a close look at the offerings on Aquidneck Island. But now you get to vote: Where's the best place to get a lobster roll in Rhode Island?
The voting will close on Sunday, Aug. 27, at 11 p.m.
Food: Vote for the best spot to get a lobster roll in RI
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Journal top stories: Block Island fire; Little League
