This Just In: Is Exeter greenhouse proposal a look at the future of farming?

Also, the Block Island marina dispute drags on in court. [providencejournal.com]( This Just In Thursday, August 26 [A photograph on the Rhode Island Grows website shows what Schartner Farms' glass-encased hydroponic greenhouse will look like. Two-story-high plants will grow year-round, producing 15 million pounds of beefsteak tomatoes a year.]( [Is Exeter greenhouse proposal a look at the future of farming?]( Also, the Block Island marina dispute drags on in court. Good afternoon and welcome to This Just In. I'm Mike McDermott, managing editor of The Providence Journal. It's been a tragic day in Afghanistan, where a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport has killed 12 American servicemembers and an unknown number of Afghan civilians. [The latest developments are here]( A proposal by Schartner Farms to build [a mall-sized greenhouse to grow hydroponic tomatoes]( has ignited a contentious battle over the character of rural Exeter, and over the very future of farming. Tim Schartner says the plan will allow his family to remain in the agriculture business, and avoid having the land developed for some other use, such as a subdivision. It will also produce a lot of tomatoes: 15 million pounds a year. But the Schartners' critics say the immense project is more a commercial and manufacturing enterprise than farming as they know it. A Superior Court judge is facing [an early September deadline]( to decide on the validity of a settlement agreement that would allow an expansion of Champlin's Marina on Block Island. The 18-year dispute currently pits the marina and the state's Coastal Resources Management Council against longtime opponents who say they were excluded from mediation talks late last year. Jim Hummel has been following the court hearings, where the bitterness between the sides has been on full display. The Rhode Island Department of Health on Thursday reported two more coronavirus-related deaths and 355 additional cases of COVID-19, along with 14,130 negative tests, for a 2.5% positive rate. Rhode Island has reported 20 COVID-related deaths so far this month, compared to just six in July. (In August 2020, there were 52 COVID-related deaths in Rhode Island.) There were 123 COVID-positive patients in Rhode Island hospitals at last count, up from 117 reported Wednesday, with 23 in intensive care. The state has reported an average of 278 new cases a day over the last seven days, down 10% from a week ago and up 17% from two weeks ago. With Rhode Island hospitals getting fuller and a health-care worker vaccination mandate looming, Gov. Dan McKee said today that he will sign an executive order that will allow retired nurses and health-care workers [to go back to work]( without impacting their pensions. In his regular podcast with The Journal's G. Wayne Miller, Dr. Ashish Jha discussed his [four requirements for a safe return to school]( Six schools in Warwick [won't be opening on schedule]( in most cases because renovation projects are not yet complete. The School Department blames pandemic-related supply-chain disruptions. McKee's embattled chief of staff, Anthony Silva, is [resigning his side job]( as deputy emergency management director for the town of Cumberland. Rhode Island is in the midst of [its third heat wave]( this summer. Unfortunately, you won't be able to seek relief with a dip at any of [these seven beaches]( Our small state is host to wealth of gourmet food markets, and Gail Ciampa tells you which ones [you've got to visit]( Finally, sports writer Mark Daniels says he's seen enough: the Patriots [should go with Mac Jones as their starting quarterback]( Have a great night. And remember, if you enjoy This Just In, [please encourage a friend to sign up]( [Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.]( [click here]( 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]( © 2021 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902