Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Take a peek inside Johnston’s brand-new consolidated elementary school
Spotted on the Johnston calendar: Escada Restaurant & Bar – Johnston – RI
Hi there, Johnston! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Take a peek inside Johnston's brand-new consolidated elementary school
- What Johnston voters will decide about the George Waterman Road land grab
- How Johnston's trailblazing team helped win varsity status for girls flag football
Also on today's calendar: Free Qigong in the Park.
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Some sun, warm; a p.m. shower, with a high of 87 and low of 63 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Partly sunny and beautiful, temps: high: 78, low: 63.
- Saturday: Cloudy, showers around; humid, with a high of 73 and low of 65 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Students get exciting peek at their brand new classrooms (johnstonsunrise.net) — Families in Johnston are getting their first look inside the new Johnston Elementary School, which replaces four neighborhood schools and will serve about 1,000 students in grades 2–5. With color-coded floors, touchscreen-equipped classrooms, a flexible Da Vinci creative area, and a modern library, the building opens its doors to students on Aug. 26. 
2. Failed eminent domain case puts town land grab on the ballot (johnstonsunrise.net) — Johnston officials are moving ahead with plans to acquire 31 acres on George Waterman Road for a new public safety complex, despite a recent federal ruling that halted their first eminent domain attempt. The Town Council has approved a fall ballot question to strengthen eminent domain powers and begun steps to create a Municipal Public Building Authority, giving residents a direct say in how the town proceeds.
3. Girls flag football sanctioned as varsity sport (johnstonsunrise.net) — Johnston helped pioneer girls flag football in Rhode Island, hosting the first state tournament and fielding the state's first team, and now the sport has been officially sanctioned as a varsity offering starting in 2027. Local athletic director Justin Erickson and former Johnston coach Randy Phillips say the move validates years of work and could open new scholarship opportunities for Johnston's female athletes.
4. How to spot, identify and squish spotted lanternflies in RI right now (providencejournal.com) — Spotted lanternflies are now widespread across Rhode Island, including at vineyards in Johnston, and state officials want residents to kill them on sight. The article explains how to recognize each life stage, remove their favored tree-of-heaven host, and destroy egg masses so Johnston property owners can help protect local grapes, fruit trees, and other plants.
📸 Around Johnston
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 Johnston
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Escada Restaurant & Bar – Johnston – RI →
Escada Restaurant & Bar, 39 Putnam Pike, Johnston
6:30 pm
Monday August 24
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Free Qigong in the Park →
Crescent Park, 753-779 Bullocks Point Ave, East Providence
9:00 am - Taco Barn – Johnston, RI →
Taco Barn, 198 Putnam Pike, Johnston
9:00 pm
Saturday August 22
Saturday September 12
📣 Johnston 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
- Taste of EG Stroll
East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce 580 Main St, East Greenwich, RI 02818
5:00 pm - Parent University: Prepare your child for PreK and learning about the Special Education process →
Providence Public Schools Virtual
5:30 pm - ESOL Class (BVCAP) →
Cumberland, RI Calendar, The Amaral Building 16 Mill Street, Cumberland
6:00 pm - Municipal Court →
Lincoln, RI Calendar Lincoln, RI 02865
6:00 pm - Paint Nite: "Majesty" →
BattlegroundZ, 100 Higginson Ave, Lincoln
7:00 pm - Collective Soul →
Bally's Lincoln, 100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln
8:00 pm - NorthStar Special Olympics Team (SHS Track)
Smithfield Senior High School Smithfield, RI 02917
7:30 am - Magnetic Magic (Mad Science) →
Cumberland, RI Calendar, The Amaral Building 16 Mill Street, Cumberland
10:00 am - Back to School for Staff- Lifetouch Staff Photos
Smithfield Senior High School Smithfield, RI 02917
7:30 am
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
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
- The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Kitchen Designer in Johnston. Apply here.
- Planet Fitness, Inc. posted a job opening for Future Opening: Overnight Custodian in Johnston. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Johnston here.
Ok Johnston! 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: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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