Latest news with #TheProvidenceJournal
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Very large shark' creates a stir in Block Island's Great Salt Pond
The sighting of a large shark in Block Island's Great Salt Pond caused a stir over Memorial Day weekend. The Atlantic Shark Institute received "a number of calls" on May 26th as they "were treated to quite the scene, kicking off the 2025 summer season!" the Wakefield research institute wrote on Facebook. The institute posted a video sent by Jen Seebeck, who was dining at Dead Eye Dick's and "noticed the fin slicing through the water inside the pond," according to the Atlantic Shark Institute. As the video displays the shark's dorsal and tail fins moving behind a small boat, somebody in what seems to be a distinct Rhode Island accent can be heard saying, "There's a shaahk in the pawnd." The Atlantic Shark Institute wrote, "Clearly a very large shark and reminiscent of a scene from Jaws on this 50th anniversary of the film. Can you guess what the species is?" More: Are there sharks in Rhode Island? 8 sharks that can be found off the shore A few Facebook users guessed basking shark, which feeds on plankton and are harmless to humans. Jon Dodd, executive director of the Atlantic Shark Institute, later confirmed that it was indeed a basking shark. He estimated the shark's length at 15 to 20 feet, probably closer to 20. Basking sharks can grow to 40 to 50 feet long and weigh up to 10,000 pounds, Dodd said in an interview. Filter feeders, they eat plankton and are normally found in the open ocean, Dodd said. "This guy made a mistake," swimming into the pond, Dodd said. "It's the first one this year, but it won't be the last," Dodd said, noting that other types of sharks, like threshers and smaller makos, sometimes swim into Great Salt Pond. "Sharks are arriving in Rhode Island daily as the water temperature continues to rise and more and more species of shark find them suitable to their liking," the Atlantic Shark Institute wrote. "Hopefully, this shark will find its way out of Great Salt Pond soon and continue on its way!" the institute wrote. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Very large shark' swims into Blocks Island's Great Salt Pond
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Beach season is here. This RI spot was named one of the 'most underrated' in America
It's not a secret in Rhode Island, but now U.S. News and World Report is telling everyone that Block Island is one of the 'Best Underrated Travel Destinations in the U.S.' The media company ranked the island off the coast of Rhode Island as the fifth best underrated destination in the list released May 12. U.S. News and World Report uses both user and editors scores to rank vacation destinations. The destination's user score is calculated by tallying the percentage of 'yes' votes compared to the total votes a given destination receives. The editors' score is based on the average score a destination receives on categories including sights, culture, adventure, and food. U.S. News and World Report said that Block Island 'remains an understated getaway for East Coasters.' 'The island's 17 miles of beaches are largely undeveloped, and shorelines range from the rugged Mohegan Bluffs to the idyllic Crescent Beach,' said the ranking. 'You can also bike to the historic Southeast and North lighthouses or take an aquarium tour at the Block Island Maritime Institute. For a fun and different activity, search for handmade glass orbs (hidden along beaches and trails) as part of the Glass Float Project, a public art installation and scavenger hunt.' Block Island is located 12 miles south of mainland Rhode Island. You can get to Block Island by personal boat, ferry, or plane. A ferry can take 30 minutes to one hour, depending on if you go on the high-speed one or not and weather conditions. The top underrated travel destination in the U.S. according to U.S. News and World Report is St. Simons Island in Georgia. Here are the top ten best underrated travel destinations on the list: St. Simons Island, Georgia Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho Door County, Wisconsin Chattanooga, Tennessee Block Island, Rhode Island Big Bend National Park, Texas Portsmouth, New Hampshire Duluth, Minnesota Charlottesville, Virginia Crested Butte, Colorado (The photo was changed on this story.) This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Block Island named one of 'best underrated' destinations in America
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Inside the secret love nest: Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce planning something bigger than we think?
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have taken refuge in a $20 million rental home (Getty Images) Pop icon Taylor Swift and NFL superstar Travis Kelce have been quietly spending quality time together, largely away from the public eye. Following her whirlwind Eras Tour and Kelce's Super Bowl heartbreak earlier this year, the couple has settled into a stunning waterfront mansion in Boca Raton, Florida — a retreat that's quickly become the heart of their blossoming romance. A luxury rental that feels like home for the famous duo The couple has taken refuge in a $20 million rental home that boasts six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a private dock, home theater, pool with a cascading waterfall, and even a sleek bar — ideal for both relaxing and entertaining. Built in 2020, the residence offers modern opulence paired with the privacy celebrities crave. Though neither Swift nor Kelce has officially confirmed their cohabitation, Travis sparked fan speculation with a cheeky remark about the property. 'We've got chimneys and we've got furniture,' he quipped, sending Swifties into a frenzy over his use of 'we.' When asked about interior design decisions, Kelce jokingly added, 'That's an executive decision by myself for the betterment of everyone.' Taylor Swift's real estate empire continues to grow While this Florida estate is a temporary nest, Swift's long list of properties means the couple has no shortage of glamorous options to call home. The singer's $150 million portfolio includes a 12,000-square-foot mansion in Rhode Island that features seven bedrooms and eight fireplaces — a spot famous for her star-studded Fourth of July parties. The home is even slated for a $1.7 million renovation, according to The Providence Journal. She also owns a lavish Tribeca penthouse in New York, complete with ten bedrooms and a dramatic staircase, as well as multiple properties in Nashville, including one she purchased at just 20 years old. A relationship grounded in authenticity and mutual support Since going public with their romance in September 2023, Taylor and Travis have won hearts with their candidness and clear affection for one another. 'That's my girl. That's my lady,' Travis said on the Bussin' With the Boys podcast. 'I'm proud of that… She really won me over.' Recalling Taylor's down-to-earth presence during his game against the Bears, he shared, 'She was just like, 'I just want to be around the family and friends…' She wants to support me and do things like that.' Also Read: Taylor Swift accused of 'hiding out' with Travis Kelce as Caitlin Clark exposes their secret vacation life It seems love, luxury, and loyalty define this power couple's new chapter — and they're just getting started. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The first theme park in RI opened almost 200 years ago. Here's its story
As the weather gets warmer, it's almost time to return outdoors to some of your favorite summer attractions, including beaches, festivals and theme parks. While it might be custom today to travel outside of Rhode Island and over to Massachusetts for a day at the amusement park, nearly 200 years ago, the state was home to one of the oldest theme parks in the country. Though closed now, Rocky Point Amusement Park was one of the state's biggest attractions during its near 150-year run. Here's the story of the oldest theme park in Rhode Island: how it started, where it went and what remains of Rocky Point today. Rocky Point Amusement Park dates back to the 1840s, when steamboat captain William Winslow purchased the park's property and started hosting picnics there. Various owners throughout the following decades added attractions, including a baseball field where Babe Ruth once played and a ballroom that hosted performers like Janis Joplin. Meals also continued to draw crowds to Rocky Point, which became known for its clambakes at the Shore Dinner Hall. Rocky Point grew into a success as an amusement park in the 1950s-60s, with popular rides including a Ferris wheel, the Corkscrew Loop Roller Coaster, the Log Flume and the Castle of Terror. However, throughout the 1980s, attendance at the park declined, and financial struggles pushed Rocky Point Amusement Park to close in 1994. The following years saw rides sold and demolished, leaving nothing but scattered parts and memories in the Warwick lot. Today, the old grounds of Rhode Island's first theme park stand as Rocky Point State Park, a 120-acre park that offers hiking, fishing, biking, picnicking, birding and more. While the former amusement rides have been removed, some structures still remain on the grounds for exploration, along with plaques explaining the old rides. Rocky Point Amusement Park is free to visit daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The park is located at 1 Rocky Point Ave., Warwick. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What was the first theme park in RI? It closed in the 90s
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Brace for rain, heavy wind as a Nor'easter approaches RI. What to know about weather forecast
While the unofficial start of summer is just a few days away, a late season Nor`easter will bring a cold, heavy rain to the Rhode Island this week, according to the National Weather Service. The storm is expect to move into the region overnight, according to Kyle Pederson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service branch in Norton, Massachusetts. "We will be looking at heavy rain and wind by the time Thursday morning rolls around," Pederson said. Rhode Island is expected to see between 1.5 and 3 inches of rain, according to forecasts. The forecaster's discussion on the National Weather Service website added that "wind gusts of 40-50+ mph will be possible along the coast with pockets of minor coastal flooding also possible." Nor'easters are most commonly associated with winter blizzards, thought they don't have to include snow. They're defined as large, low pressure storm that brings heavy rain or snow, high winds, rough seas and occasional coastal flooding to the East coast of North America. The storms are called "nor'easters" because their signature strong winds are typically from the northeast. In this case, snow isn't expected in Massachusetts, but that's not true for all of New England. The mountains in New Hampshire may get some snow in this storm, according to the National Weather Service. Pederson said that it will start clearing up late Thursday night, with the system clearing by Friday morning. "A few showers will remain possible Friday afternoon into Saturday," the online forecaster's discussion stated. Meteorologist Frank Nocera, also of the Norton branch of the National Weather Service, told USA Today Network on Tuesday of this week that, "It's looking like a mainly dry weekend," adding that the area could experience more "unseasonably cool" temperatures for the rest of this week. Nocera noted that Monday, May 26 will be the best day of the weekend, as it will be dry and in the upper 60s or low 70s. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI Weather: Heavy rain, wind expected in Thursday Nor'easter
