Rise & Shine! Your Newport County guide for Feb. 3

Scott Barrett, Newport Daily News

February 3, 2022 at 8:51 PM·3 min read

Rise & Shine! I’m Scott Barrett, digital editor for The Daily News, and today is Feb. 3, the 34th day of the year — 331 days remain in 2022. On this day in 1959, musicians Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson, better known as “The Big Bopper,” died in a plane crash. They were memorialized in the Don McLean song “American Pie.”

Here & Now

? There are currently more than 100 students on Aquidneck Island experiencing homelessness, an issue partially driven by the housing crisis.

"The families are just between a rock and a hard place in finding long-term, stable housing," said Chris Ashley, director of teaching and learning for the Newport School District.

Reporter Bethany Brunelle-Raja reports on what local school districts are doing to aid these students, and how such a situation impacts their mental well-being and ability to learn. She also explores what else can be done to curb the problem. Read her story here.

? Has Captain James Cook's ship of discovery Endeavour finally been found in Newport Harbor? Australian maritime experts seems to think so, but D.K. Abbass, the executive director of the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project, says not so fast. Read the story here.

? Newport County reported the lowest number of COVID-19 cases in a single week since the end of December. Find the latest town-by-town data from the state Department of Health here.

? The Tiverton Town Council tabled a proposed short-term rental ordinance Monday night after residents voiced their concerns. Read more here.

? The Winter Games are set to begin in earnest Friday, and Daily News food columnist Dan Lederer wonders who would strike gold if an Aquidneck Island restaurant Olympics were held. Read his column here.

? As the high school basketball regular season winds down, sports reporter Steve Rogers takes a look where the local boys teams stand. Read his story here.

? Speaking of high school sports, today marks your last chance to vote for The Daily News Athlete of the Week. Cast your ballot here.

? Tell Newport will hold an event tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Theater. What's Tell Newport? It's where regular people get up in front of an audience and tell a 10-minute personal story. Some are funny, others sobering. Learn more here.

? I came across a post on social media yesterday and wanted to do my part to spread the word.

The Portsmouth Community Food Bank at the St. John’s Lodge is running very short on goods. Among the items needed are canned baked beans, canned chicken, soups, pasta sauce, RiceARoni, instant mashed potatoes, canned pasta meals, cereal, oatmeal, tea, juice boxes, Pop Tarts, individual bags of cookies or crackers, Hamburger or Tuna Helper, canned fruit and apple sauce.

Paper bags with handles also are needed. The food bank accepts donations Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more here.

? From the inbox: According to a recent study, Rhode Island is the sixth "happiest" state in the U.S., based on factors such as health, education, work-life balance and income. North Dakota ranks No. 1, while Kentucky is No. 50. Find the state-by-state list here.

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