Good morning, South Kingstown. South Kingstown Insider is back after a break, and we will land in your inbox Monday through Friday with local news, events, and deals.

A soaking rain arrives today, so we lead with the weather. You will also find the final word on Tuesday's local races, a new rule from Town Hall, a Rebels football playoff game, a standout run by a Rebels freshman, and a short list of things to do this weekend.

In this issue: Weather · Town News · Schools and Sports · This Weekend · Deals · Coming Up

WEATHER

Flood Watch for a wet Friday

The National Weather Service has a Flood Watch in effect for our area from 4 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday. Expect rain, patchy fog, and possible thunderstorms today with a high near 66. Forecasters say 2 to 3 inches of new rain is possible during the day, with another 1 to 2 inches possible tonight.

Showers are likely Saturday with a high near 64, then Sunday looks mostly sunny with a high near 60. Please allow extra time on the roads and never drive through standing water. Read the full forecast.

TOWN NEWS

Bergner tops the field as Town Council returns unopposed

The Town Council race drew no Republican candidates this year, and Deb Bergner was the top vote getter for the fourth time, finishing 503 votes ahead of Council President Rory McEntee. Bergner said Wednesday that she will again seek the council presidency. About 58 percent of the town's 22,263 registered voters cast ballots, according to the state's preliminary count.

For the four open School Committee seats, voters chose Democrats Jennifer Krueger, Carol A. Vetter, and James L. Restivo, along with Independent Katherine M. Macinanti. Read more in The Independent.

Voters reject a police chief rule change

Unofficial results also show voters rejected a local ballot question that would have given the police chief more authority to change departmental rules without Town Council approval, 6,324 to 5,863. Read more at South County Star.

Council approves a ban on data centers

At its Oct. 26 meeting, the Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits data centers in town unless a developer wins a use variance or a zoning change. Councilor Michael Marran, who proposed the rule, said the facilities draw large amounts of electricity and water, and he noted that the town is already in a drought. Town Solicitor Amy Goins said a use variance is very difficult to obtain. South Kingstown has no data centers today. Read more in The Independent.

Report storm problems through the new 311 portal

If today's rain causes trouble on your street, the town's new 311 portal lets you report nonemergency issues such as drainage and flooding, potholes, and fallen tree limbs, then track each request online. For immediate safety or utility hazards, call South Kingstown Police dispatch at (401) 783-3321, and call 911 in a life threatening emergency. Find the 311 portal on the town website.

Community Electricity rates update this month

New South Kingstown Community Electricity residential supply prices begin with the November 2026 meter read and run through the May 2027 read. Program Standard is listed at 16.929 cents per kWh, compared with Rhode Island Energy Last Resort Service at 17.029 cents per kWh. Current participants need take no action to stay enrolled. To change, leave, or join, use the program site or call NextEra at (888) 387-1085. Town notice.

SCHOOLS AND SPORTS

Rebels freshman Emma Morrissey posts the fastest time in the state

South Kingstown ninth grader Emma Morrissey won the Class B girls cross country title on Oct. 31 at Ponaganset High School, covering the 5K course in 18:24.22. That was the fastest time of the day across all three girls class meets. Morrissey returns to the same course this Saturday for the RIIL state meet. Read more in The Independent.

Rebels football opens the playoffs at Barrington

South Kingstown visits Barrington on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the RIIL football quarterfinals. The Rebels fell to Cranston West 40 to 20 on Oct. 31. Schedule and scores on MaxPreps.

Rams open the season with a win at the Ryan Center

URI men's basketball opened its season Tuesday night at the Ryan Center with a 103 to 59 win over Holy Cross. Jonah Hinton led all scorers with 24 points and made 6 of 9 three point attempts. The Rams play Monmouth at the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday at 4 p.m., then come home to host Maine on Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Maryland Eastern Shore on Thursday, Nov. 12, with both games at 7 p.m. at the Ryan Center. Game recap and full schedule on GoRhody.

URI men's soccer hosts Davidson tonight in the A10 quarterfinals

The Rams host Davidson in the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals tonight at 7 p.m. at the URI Soccer Complex in Kingston. It is Rhody's first trip to the conference tournament since 2021, and the Rams beat Davidson 3 to 1 when the teams met on Oct. 7. The match streams on ESPN+. Match preview.

Around Rhody

• Football. URI beat Maine 14 to 13 in overtime on Oct. 31. Marquis Buchanan caught the winning 25 yard touchdown, which moved him past Brian Forster for the most career receiving yards in program history. The Rams play at New Hampshire on Saturday at 1 p.m. Game recap.

• Men's cross country. Nick Martin won the Atlantic 10 individual title on Oct. 31, the first individual conference champion in program history, and the Rams placed third as a team. Next up is the NCAA Northeast Regional on Friday, Nov. 13. Race recap.

THIS WEEKEND

With heavy rain in the forecast, please check with organizers before you head out.

• Kids Art Spot. Kingston Free Library hosts an all ages process art and free play session on Friday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Potter Hall. Please check with the library before heading out in the rain. Register with the library.

• King Jeremy at Ocean Mist. A Pearl Jam tribute plays Friday at 8 p.m. at 895 Matunuck Beach Road. Doors open at 7, and the show is 21 and over. Tickets.

• Night of the Living Dead Live. Contemporary Theater Company stages the show Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at 327 Main Street in Wakefield (ages 14 and up), with more performances through Nov. 13. Showtimes and tickets.

• Legally Blonde Jr. Rhode to Broadway's young cast performs at South Kingstown High School, 215 Columbia St., on Saturday at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Event details.

• Yoga for Beginners. Peace Dale Library hosts a beginner friendly class on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Peace Dale Meeting Room. Mats are provided, and registration is required. Register with the library.

• Girls cross country state meet. Emma Morrissey and the Rebels run at Ponaganset High School on Saturday. Preview in The Independent.

• Rebels football playoff. South Kingstown plays at Barrington on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the RIIL quarterfinals. MaxPreps.

• Early Holiday Outdoor Craft Fair. Fayerweather House, 1859 Mooresfield Road in Kingston, hosts a craft fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday, Nov. 8. Shoppers can browse handcrafted gifts from artisan members inside, then visit local craft vendors on the grounds. Event details.

• Theresa Schimmel book signing. Local author Theresa Schimmel signs her new young adult novel, I Belong in the Game, at Wakefield Books, 160 Old Tower Hill Road, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Event details.

• Dean Petrella at Tower Hill Brewing. Live music on Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 25 Village Square Drive. Event details.

• Super Dog Adoption Day. Clark Farms, 2984 Commodore Perry Highway in Wakefield, hosts more than 300 dogs and puppies from local rescue groups on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The event is rain or shine. Event details.

• Angry Unicorn Half Marathon and 5K. Runners and walkers gather Sunday at Matunuck Elementary, 380 Matunuck Beach Road, with the half marathon at 8 a.m. and the 5K at 8:10 a.m. Sunday should be mostly sunny. Registration.

DEALS

COMING UP

• Town Council, Monday, Nov. 9. Agendas are posted on CivicClerk, and meetings stream live on the council's YouTube channel.

• Chamber workshop on AI at work, Tuesday, Nov. 10. The Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce hosts "Beyond the Chatbot: AI Infrastructure, AI Policy, and the Future of Your Workplace" from 10 to 11 a.m. at its office at 230 Old Tower Hill Road in Wakefield. Workshop details.

• Mah Jongg open play, Tuesday, Nov. 10. Kingston Free Library, 2605 Kingstown Road, opens Potter Hall from 3 to 5 p.m. for anyone who wants a place to play. Two sets of tiles are on hand, and there is no instruction. Facebook event.

• Veterans Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov. 11. The town's Veterans Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m., presented by the parade committee and VFW Post 916, with a ceremony after at the veterans monument in Saugatucket Park, 101 High St. in Wakefield. Any weather changes will be posted on the town website. Facebook event.

• Guitars for Vets benefit open mic, Wednesday, Nov. 11. Sons of Liberty Spirits Company, 1425 Kingstown Road, turns its weekly open mic over to the Rhode Island chapter band of Guitars for Vets from 6 to 10 p.m. Sign in starts at 5:30, and the goal is to buy a veteran a guitar. Facebook event.

• Fraud prevention talk, Thursday, Nov. 12. Senior Services hosts members of People's Credit Union from 9 to 10 a.m. to explain the latest scams and how to protect yourself. Call 401 789 0268, extension 2, for details. Town notice.

• Southern RI Young Professionals, Thursday, Nov. 12. The Chamber's quarterly young professionals gathering meets at the Ryan Center from 6 to 9 p.m. during the URI men's basketball game against Maryland Eastern Shore. Pre-registration is required, and tickets will not be sold at the door. Event details.

That is all for this week. Stay dry today, look out for your neighbors, and we will see you Monday morning.