Daily Briefing: Has the light dimmed on a piece of shoreline access?

ALSO: What's true and false about Jeffrey Epstein and the individuals on his list Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Fri Jan 5 2024 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at The Providence Journal and this is the Daily Briefing. Lighthouses have long been a beacon guiding people along rocky shores. Across Rhode Island people flock to them, taking tours via boat to see them from the water or visit them on land to grab the perfect picture. But a visit, at least by land, may no longer be possible in Westerly. In the latest chapter of Rhode Island's shoreline access saga, there is the case of the Watch Hill Lighthouse. [Watch Hill Lighthouse] The nonprofit Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association has maintained the lighthouse and its 4-acre property since 1986 under an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard. Frieda Squires/The Providence Journal, file Made available by the federal government after being deemed surplus land, the decision has been made to deed the property to the Watch Hill Lighthouse Keepers Association. It's a move opposed by the Town of Westerly and those who want to maintain access to the prized fishing destination. Why is there so much concern? The Journal's Antonia Farzan reports on the decision and how the association has found information that doesn't ensure continued access to the site which also includes a sweeping view of the Atlantic Ocean and Taylor Swift's house. [Check out Antonia's story and learn more about the future of the Watch Hill Lighthouse.]( A subscription to The Providence Journal will light the way to information. [Find our latest offer here.]( WORTH A READ ✔️ [What's true and false about Jeffrey Epstein]( and the individuals on his list 📺 A former three-sport athlete from Swansea, Massachusetts, will [host a new sports show on NESN]( 📰 Overdoses, assault and restraints: [Inside a damning report on St. Mary's Home for Children]( [Today's Weather]( 🌦️ A couple of showers of rain or snow this morning, then sun and clouds with a shower in spots late this afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s TOP STORIES [How 3 Woonsocket mill buildings will get new life as apartments]( [Politicians gather to throw ceremonial dirt in front of one of three mill buildings being converted into 70 income-restricted housing units in Woonsocket on Jan. 3, 2024.]( Three mill buildings in Woonsocket are 16 months away from becoming 70 income-restricted housing units. [READ MORE]( Advertisement [Cities and towns northwest of Interstate 95 should see all snow from the storm and have the greatest chance of seeing more than 6 inches, according to the National Weather Service.]( [First snow of the season could cause travel trouble and power problems]( Rhode Island is preparing for what forecasters are saying could be the first major snowstorm to hit Rhode Island in two years. [READ MORE]( [A 2013 Journal file photo of, left to right, Jeffrey Osborne, St Mary's executive director Carlene Casciano-McCann and Osborne's nephew, Terrell Osborne, holding a photo of a check that Jeffrey Osborne presented to the St. Mary's Home for Children.]( [Head of St. Mary's Home for Children out after scathing report]( The report, which detailed everything from physical and sexual abuse at the facility to bikers guarding campus, was released this week. [READ MORE]( [A statue of a Rhode Island State Police trooper stands in front of the current headquarters in Scituate.]( [Ex-state trooper sues, says he was fired amid mental health crisis]( Former Rhode Island State Police Lt. Jason Lawton is alleging civil rights and sick leave abuses. The state is asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit. [READ MORE]( [David Green of URI drives in for a lay up between Hawk defenders Christ Essandoko and Xzayvier Brown in the first half.]( [URI opens Atlantic 10 season in style with upset of St. Joseph's]( 'New team, new season,' coach Archie Miller said. 'Now that we have some things figured out, we can keep tweaking it a little bit more.' [READ MORE]( Advertisement Sign up for the news you want Exclusive newsletters are part of your subscription, don’t miss out! We’re always working to add benefits for subscribers like you. [SEE ALL NEWSLETTERS ➔]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. The universal eNewspaper, the digital version of our print paper, plus bonus monthly magazines and hundreds of local papers. Original reporting of our hometown teams, from high school sports to the pros. [Unlock news for $1]( [SUBSCRIBE TODAY]( Follow Us Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback](