Johnston Sun Rise

Even before the cake, the balloons and the flowers, Elsie Lombardo had what she wanted for her 106th birthday. A special birthday Mass was held for her in one of the bright common areas of Anchor Bay Pocasset senior living community and more than 60 family members and friends gathered to join in with prayers and best wishes.

“I just want to thank the Lord for all these years,” she said after the Mass, blinking back some happy tears. “I am grateful for this beautiful Mass and my husband who gave me 52 wonderful years. Thank you, Lord, and thank you all.”

A petite woman with soft white curls, Lombardo was meticulously dressed in creamy beige slacks and jacket, with the outfit accented by a pink corsage and a big, festive button that declared, “My big day.” See comments for story.

The Town Council last Tuesday unanimously passed the town’s budget for the coming year which begins July 1. The council did not make any changes to the budget as proposed that night by Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.

In addition to maintaining current town service, the approximately $144 million budget adds two new fire inspectors to the Fire Department and two positions to the Department of Public Works. Polisena said all the revenue growth the council sees in the budget is from an increase in commercial and tangible taxes.

The new budget will result in a residential tax rate $12.48 per $1,000 of assessed value. The new commercial tax rate is $26.98. See comments for story.

Seniors were giddy with anticipation – their moment to walk across the stage and turn that tassel had finally arrived.

Loved ones and friends gathered at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium on June 4 to celebrate the graduates of Johnston High School’s class of 2026.



“We did it!” said graduate He Fang before the ceremony started.



Heather Forgetta was a proud mom that night, adjusting her daughter, Olivia’s cap.

“I’m so proud of her,” she said, as she waited for the main doors to open. See comments for story.

The seniors were happy to receive their yearbooks with the correct spelling of the school’s name on the binding at their senior banquet Tuesday night after a misprint brought unceremoniously to the public’s attention last week caused a stir in the school district’s highest office.

In a letter to the community from Schools Supt. Scott Sutherland last week, he acknowledged that there had been significant discussion about the printing error on the spine of this year’s Johnston Senior High School yearbook. He said while the misspelling on the spine of the book was understandably disappointing, it was important to provide the community with the full context of the situation. See comments for story.

There were shouts of surprise and recognition mixed in with hugs and tears as teachers, students, former teachers and alumni mixed in crowded hallways at Thorton Elementary School during last Thursday’s farewell night.

There was an incredible turnout in which everyone had the rare opportunity to go see their old classrooms and desks one more time and swap their own bits of history from their time spent in a place they still hold dear.

“I had Mrs. Wetstone,” said alumna Madeline Soccio. “I had her for her last year before she retired. I loved it here. This was a great school. I’m so sad, and this walk-through is very nostalgic.” See comments for story.

A family’s battle to stop the town from taking its property by eminent domain continues in federal District Court, with the court recently hearing arguments for summary judgment.

The lawsuit, brought by the Santoro family – doing business as SCLS Realty LLC and Sixty Three Johnston, LLC – contends that the town violated its constitutional rights when it moved quickly in March 2025 to take ownership of roughly 31 acres at 178 and 200 George Waterman Rd. rather than let the family proceed with plans to build affordable housing there.

The town has contested the family’s claims, contending that it proceeded legally and in the best interest of the town to take the land for the creation of a public-safety complex. See comments for story.

Need help making plans? Our guide hit the streets this week. see comments for link