Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why 219 purple flags are flying outside Portsmouth Town Hall
Happening soon: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair on the Portsmouth Patch calendar

Hello Portsmouth! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why 219 purple flags are flying outside Portsmouth Town Hall
- How Portsmouth plans to educate residents as kratom hits local shelves
- Headed to Glen Farm? Don't miss the hidden Barbados getaway key
Also on today's calendar: RWU Law Providence Law School Fair and 1 more event.
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Clouds and sun; less humid, with a high of 76 and low of 58 degrees.
- Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 79, low: 66.
- Monday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 79 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• In Portsmouth: 219 flags honor R.I. lives lost to opioids in 2025 (eastbayri.com) — Hundreds of purple flags now line Portsmouth Town Hall, each honoring a Rhode Islander lost to opioid overdose in 2025, and the display will remain through Sept. 3. Backed unanimously by the Town Council, the annual memorial organized by local prevention coalitions aims to both remember loved ones and spark conversations about addiction, recovery, and support in Portsmouth.
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• Portsmouth puts kratom under the microscope (eastbayri.com) — Portsmouth's Town Council has approved up to $15,000 from opioid settlement funds for a new kratom education campaign and an opioid-safety program for older residents. The Portsmouth Prevention Coalition will use the money for community workshops, outreach to retailers and health providers, and tools like lock bags and naloxone kits, aiming to prepare residents as kratom sales expand statewide.
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• Newport vs. Palm Beach Polo Returns for White-Hot Summer Showdown (thenewportbuzz.com) — Newport Polo is hosting the Newport vs. Palm Beach showdown this Saturday at BD Field at Glen Farm in Portsmouth, with gates opening at 1 p.m. Expect fast polo action, a showcase of Aston Martin and Lotus cars, a white-themed divot stomp, and even a hidden key to a Barbados getaway. It's a high-energy way for Portsmouth-area residents to send August out in style.
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📸 Around Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth
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
- Paint Pottery! →
Art by You at Weirdgirl Creations Pottery Studio, 10 Wampanoag Trl, East Providence
1:00 pm - First Day of School for Students
Bristol Warren Regional SD All Schools - No School/Holiday - Labor Day
Bristol Warren Regional SD Bristol, RI 02809
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Monday September 7
📣 Portsmouth 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
- Aquidneck Growers Market →
Middletown, RI Calendar, 792 Valley Rd, Middletown
9:00 am - Family Day 2026 →
North Kingstown, RI Calendar North Kingstown, RI 02852
12:00 pm - Live Music: How's About Charlie — Sakonnet Vineyard →
Sakonnet Vineyard, 162 W Main Rd, Little Compton
1:00 pm - The Revolution Comes to Watson Farm →
Historic New England's Watson Farm, 455 North Rd, Jamestown
1:30 pm - Melo Green — umbrellaskynpt.org →
Brick Marketplace, Goddard Row, Newport
12:00 pm - First Day of School - Grades 1 - 5
SUZANNE M. HENSELER QUIDNESSET North Kingstown, RI 02852 - Kindergarten Orientation
SUZANNE M. HENSELER QUIDNESSET North Kingstown, RI 02852 - First Day of School for Students
Bristol Warren Regional SD All Schools - FROSH PHOTOS Taken
NORTH KINGSTOWN SR. HIGH North Kingstown, RI 02852
8:00 am
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Portsmouth PatchAM possible:
- Newport Comedy Series — (401) 556-5779
- Inspire Painting — (774) 712-6190
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hello, new on this site.
I thought I would try to reach out for any rental property in Portsmouth, Bristol, or Middletown. My fiance and I need to find a pet friendly place … (Nextdoor Portsmouth II)
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Middletown. Apply here.
- Walashek Industrial & Marine, Inc. posted a job opening for Pipefitter in Newport. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.
🗞 Nearby News
Middletown
- People's Credit Union names Justin Lombardo head of Middletown branch (whatsupnewp.com)
- Middletown Library Project Budget Confusion (newportthisweek.com)
- Newport County voters have cast more than 1,300 primary ballots so far - What's Up Newp (whatsupnewp.com)
Tiverton
- Tiverton pauses Flock camera installation; Bellingham opts out (wpri.com)
- StoryWalk trail opening planned at Tiverton Library (heraldnews.com)
Warwick
- Warwick Man Charged With Driving While License Suspended: Cops (patch.com)
Ok Portsmouth! 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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