Romney Takes Rhode Island

The former Massachusetts governor won 66 percent of the North Kingstown vote, beating his nearest competitor by 44 points.

Mitt Romney looked certain to continue his march toward a showdown with President Barack Obama, leading Rhode Island in Tuesday’s primary with 63 percent of the statewide vote with 96 percent of districts reporting as of 10:15 p.m., according to Secretary of State Ralph Mollis's election results web page. Locally, Romney won North Kingstown with 66.4 percent of the vote. The former Massachusetts governor garnered 534 total votes, beating Ron Paul with 180 votes (22.4 percent), and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with 53 votes (6.6 percent). Sen. Rick Santorum, whose name remained on the ballot despite his decision to back out of the race two weeks ago, managed 32 votes (4 percent). Statewide, the former Massachusetts governor garnered 8…

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6 Kid-Friendly Events Happening Over April Vacation

Nothing planned for April vacation? We have six kid-friendly events happening right here in town.

Panicking about what to do with the kids over April vacation next week? Well, don't panic. Please. Why? Because we love you so much, we've put together six kid-friendly events happening next week – all right here in North Kingstown.   Saturday, April 14 at 8 a.m. through Sunday, April 15 at 5 p.m. in Wickford Village Help usher in the change of the season at this year’s Daffodil Days. On Saturday, catch a spring fashion show featuring recycled and free trade products (2 p.m. in Updike Park) and an antique car show (weather permitting). On Sunday, bring your (leashed) pet for a “Daffy Dog” parade at noon starting at St. Paul’s. Also on Sunday, take the “Women’s Roles in Wickford Over the Centuries” tour with local historian Tim Cranston (…

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VIDEO: How To Get A Rhode Island Voter ID

This one-minute video shows you how to get a free identification card that you can use when voting this year.

Starting with the 2012 election season — including the Apr. 24 Presidential primary in Rhode Island — all eligible voters will be required to show proof of identification at their polling place. North Kingstown voters have a chance to get their voter IDs April 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during a voter card drive at Essex Village off Newcomb Road. Although the deadline to register to vote for the Presidential primary has already passed, those seeking to vote in the September primaries and November elections still have time to register and obtain a Voter ID card. The accompanying video (running time 1 min.) provides a summary of how to get a free Rhode Island Voter ID card through the office of Secretary of State Ralph Mollis. For more …

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Who Would You Vote For in the N.H. Republican Primary?

While politically inclined RI residents can't vote in Tuesday's N.H. Republican primary, here at Patch, we don't think it's right that our friends up north have all the January fun. We want to know: who would you vote for?

While politically inclined RI residents can't vote in Tuesday's N.H. Republican primary, here at Patch, we don't think it's right that our friends up north have all the January fun. We want to know: who would you vote for? The Republican race for a presidential candidate is heating up. The New Hampshire primary is under way and the caucus in Iowa slimmed down the potential Presidential nominations with Michele Bachmann dropping out of the race after getting just 5 percent of the vote (6,073 ballots). Mitt Romney took the caucus with a needle-thin win over Rick Santorum, gathering just eight more ballots. Romney had 24.6 percent of the vote (30,015 ballots) with Santorum in a surprising second with 24.5 percent (30,007 ballots). Both Newt …

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Will Langevin's Challenger in 2012 Hail From NK?

Mark Zaccaria has announced he will not repeat his challenge against Rep. James Langevin next year.

Town Settles ACLU Suit, Loosens Restrictions On Political Signs

The Town of North Kingstown has settled a lawsuit filed by the ACLU on behalf of former Congressional candidate John O. Matson.

The political landscape of North Kingstown may look very different in the next election cycle, literally. The town of North Kingstown has agreed consider political signs the same as other signs erected across town. The town settled a lawsuit filed last year in U.S. District Court by American Civil Liberties Union volunteer attorney Richard Sinapi on behalf of 2010 Independent Congressional candidate John O. Matson. Due to the size of the signs, the town asked Matson and about five other candidates to remove the signs or face a fine of up to $100 a day. According to a press release from the ACLU, a “major component” of the lawsuit was that the old ordinance treated political signs “in a discriminatory manner” while allowing other types os …

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WRNI's Scott MacKay Offers His Take On RI's 2010 Election

WRNI's political analyst gives his views on the Nov. 2 elections in a discussion hosted by the West Bay League of Women Voters.

Scott MacKay, political analyst for WRNI Rhode Island Public Radio, joined locals at Sonoma Pub to discuss his take on last week's elections.  Sponsored by the West Bay League of Women Voters, the discussion kicked off at 6 p.m. and lasted more than an hour. MacKay opened the evening with his analysis of the gubernatorial race. MacKay attributed part of Lincoln Chafee's victory to his ability to capture the remnants of the state's moderate Republicans, the moderate "Yankees", Latino groups in Providence and other minorities, and the traditional liberal Democrats. "He won 51 percent of the vote in Providence, which is remarkable considering he only got 36 percent of the vote statewide," said MacKay. According to MacKay, Chafee's domination …

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NKers Give OK For Sewer Bond

A look at how North Kingstown voted on state and local questions.

Though much discussion has been given to who got votes and who didn't, don't count out the influence of the ballot questions that passed (or didn't pass) Tuesday. Seventy-eight percent of voters statewide overwhelming voted against dropping "Providence Plantations" from the state's official name by nearly 180,000 votes in Question 1. In North Kingstown, the percentage jumped to 81 percent against the name change. North Kingstowners also voted on par with state results for Question 2, allowing the construction of a new chemistry building at the University of Rhode Island and for the renovation/addition of the Art Center at Rhode Island College, with 55 percent of statewide voters and almost 60 percent of North Kingstowners approving the …

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Council Members Proud of Accomplishments, Hopeful for Future

The North Kingstown Town Council will bid farewell to Steven DeToy and greet newcomer Charles Brennan, while trying to retain the same sense of agreement and peace that they held the past two years.

Folks crowded in at Sonoma Pub on Post Road as Republican candidates for the North Kingstown Town Council and School Committee, along with dozens of anxious supporters and residents, waited to hear the news of the election turnout. Though the incumbents claimed they would be content with whatever results stemmed from the election, most members of the town council and school committee admitted that they are more than happy with the way that things have been going for the past two years and wouldn’t mind if the status quo remained.   Elizabeth Dolan, who will retain her position as president of the town council, was the first of the council members to arrive, sitting with fellow residents and discussing current issues in North Kingstown. …

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