Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Will Coventry’s ADU basement fight change how homes can be built?
Coming up: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair on the Coventry Patch calendar

Good morning Coventry! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Will Coventry's ADU basement fight change how homes can be built?
- How Coventry's new vape detectors will actually work in school bathrooms
- How Coventry riders can tap RIPTA's $2 on-demand transit option
Also on today's calendar: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair and 2 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 78 and low of 53 degrees.
- Sunday: Times of sun and clouds, temps: high: 82, low: 65.
- Monday: Brief afternoon showers, with a high of 81 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Coventry ADU Basement Square-Footage Rule Challenged (upriseri.com) — A Coventry family's plan for a large accessory dwelling unit at 100 Reservoir Road has sparked a dispute over whether basement square footage should count toward ADU size limits. At a recent Technical Review Committee meeting, their representative argued town and state rules are silent on basements, while officials defended counting total area and hinted at possible compromise. The Planning Commission is set to weigh the variance request and could trigger a separate appeal on the zoning interpretation.
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• Coventry Middle School installs vape detectors (turnto10.com) — Coventry Middle School has installed four vape detectors in student bathrooms as part of a broader push to curb youth vaping in town schools. Funded by a grant to the Coventry Substance Prevention Coalition, the system alerts staff when vaping is detected and pairs enforcement with quit kits and counseling resources. Officials are already considering expanding detectors to the high school while emphasizing education for students and parents.
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• Shortchanged RIPTA Flexes On Demand (ecori.org) — RIPTA's Flex On Demand service offers $2 curb-to-curb rides in several zones, including a West Warwick/Coventry area that can help residents reach local destinations more easily. The app-based system works like Uber or Lyft but without surge pricing and includes wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Advocates say better funding and later hours could make this flexible transit option even more useful for Rhode Islanders.
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📸 Around Coventry
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Coventry
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- RWU Law Providence Law School Fair →
Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms St, Providence
12:00 pm
Friday September 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Car Seat Safety Check - Free! →
Coventry Public Library, 1672 Flat River Rd, Coventry
9:00 am - Coventry Boys Varsity Soccer @ Chariho →
Chariho Regional High School, 453 Switch Rd, Wood River Junction
6:30 pm - Forestry for the Birds, with Paul Dolan →
Coventry Public Library, 1672 Flat River Rd, Coventry, RI, 02816 (Council Chambers Room)
6:15 pm - West Warwick Boys Varsity Soccer @ Coventry →
Coventry High School, 40 Reservoir Rd, Coventry
6:00 pm
Thursday September 3
Friday September 4
Thursday September 10
Friday September 18
📣 Coventry Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Hot PeasNButter →
The Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main St, East Greenwich
1:00 pm - HOT PEAS 'N BUTTER →
The Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main St, East Greenwich
1:00 pm - Leyden Winery Seafood Event! — Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery →
Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery, 160 Plain Meeting House Rd, West Greenwich
6:00 pm - Hope Boys Varsity Soccer @ Scituate →
Scituate High School, 94 Trimtown Rd North, Scituate
4:00 pm - Ponaganset Girls Varsity Soccer @ Scituate →
Scituate High School, 94 Trimtown Rd North, Scituate
4:30 pm - EWGHS Girls Varsity Volleyball @ Scituate →
Scituate High School, 94 Trimtown Rd North, Scituate
6:30 pm - Emerson, Lake & Palmer — The Greenwich Odeum Tickets →
The Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main St, East Greenwich
8:00 pm - Raise the Barn →
Tilted Barn Brewery, One Hemsley Pl, Exeter
1:00 pm
Saturday August 29
Tuesday September 1
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
Thursday September 10
Saturday September 12
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Furry Fellas Pet Service LLC posted a job opening for AM & PM Coventry Pet Care Professional (Pet Sitting & Dog Walking) in Coventry. Apply here.
- Travel America / Petro - TA Operating, LLC posted a job opening for Popeyes Cashier I - PT in West Greenwich. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Coventry here.
🗞 Nearby News
West Warwick
- Apparent mortar shell discovery prompts bomb squad response in West Warwick, RI (nbcboston.com)
- Beth Bixby (pbn.com)
- Glazer Capital LLC Makes New $12.81 Million Investment in AstroNova, Inc. $ALOT (marketbeat.com)
East Greenwich
- Local Event: btone FITNESS Opens New Studio in Cranston This Weekend (patch.com)
- Star Power: The River Farm Park Kids (timeforkids.com)
- Letter to the Editor: Keith Hoffmann: Uniquely Qualified for AG (eastgreenwichnews.com)
Warwick
- Warwick Man Charged With Driving While License Suspended: Cops (patch.com)
Ok Coventry! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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