Bumper Cars on Ice, Buried by Snow... Again

Friday, January 23rd, 2026 | Edition 02

Brace yourselves, Warwick — another round of snow is headed our way this weekend. Stock up on milk, bread, rock salt, and booze before the entire city shuts down. We just dug out from Sunday's 4-6 inches... here we go again.

Mayor Picozzi Wants Bumper Cars. Yes, Really.

Forget figure eights — the mayor wants you doing donuts.

The city is looking at buying 14 electric bumper cars for the new outdoor ice rink in Apponaug, at a cost of $124,000. The doughnut-shaped cars would be available for rent at $12 per 15-minute session during certain times when the rink is open.

The idea comes from Michael Farny, a 65-year-old semi-retired guy who's had quite the career arc: horse training, flying airplanes, running a restaurant, and now... building ice bumper cars in Colorado. He told the city he got the idea from a ski resort in Steamboat Springs where the rink was profitable despite the equipment collecting dust most of the day.

The cars are powered by electric motors, made in China, and weigh about 300 pounds. They go a blistering 4-5 mph (slower than your kid on a tricycle), and yes, senior citizens can drive them too.

The proposal goes before the City Council on Jan. 26. Ward 6 Councilman William Mott has questions about revenue projections and where exactly 14 bumper cars would be stored. Fair points.

But also: bumper cars on ice. Tell me you're not at least a little curious.

Solomon Throws His Hat in the Ring for Attorney General

State Rep. Joseph Solomon Jr. of Warwick made it official Tuesday: he's running for Rhode Island Attorney General.

Solomon, 42, is the son of the late Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon and is the fourth Democrat to announce for the seat. Incumbent Peter Neronha is term-limited, with a Sept. 8th primary determining who lands on the November ballot.

He's already raised $252,000 for his campaign fund and plans a "kickoff fundraiser" Feb. 10th. Expect to see him crisscrossing the state between now and September, and don’t be surprised if you get a few creepy pre-recorded phone calls asking for your support.

Rocky Point Getting a Facelift (At the Entrances, Anyway)

The city and state held a public workshop at Warwick Public Library last week to get feedback on the Rocky Point gateway project — a $4.4 million effort to upgrade both the northern and southern entrances to the park.

What's on the table: more pedestrian-friendly walkways, better signage, a reconfigured parking lot, a potential guard booth, and maybe even that iconic red, white, and blue archway that says "Rocky Point."

The project has been in the works since 2020 and is funded through a federal earmark from Sen. Jack Reed, plus money from the RI Infrastructure Bank and RIDEM. Two more public meetings are scheduled for spring and fall before construction kicks off. The City of Warwick aims for completion by 2028.

Chick-fil-A #2 Is Open

The second Chick-fil-A in the area officially opened Jan. 15 at 1225 Division St. in East Greenwich — right on the Warwick line near Showcase Cinemas.

Local franchise operator Mike Dacey said the restaurant will employ 115+ people, mostly local teenagers. He's a youth soccer and basketball coach, so expect him to sponsor every travel team within a 10-mile radius. They have launched a mobile order drive-thru lane at this location, differentiating it from the other Chick-fil-A in Warwick - you know, the one that’s interestingly located 2 minutes down the road from this new development… but hey, at least this new location might help alleviate the parking lot traffic in location #1. LA Fitness members are psyched. That line was too long, and the erratic drive thru commuters were getting way too feisty on their way to snagging their spicy chicken sandwiches at 10:30 in the morning…

Hours: 6:30am–10pm, Monday–Saturday. (Closed Sundays, obviously.)

⛽ Gas Prices Keep Dropping — RI's average is now $2.82/gallon, down 9 cents from a month ago and 17 cents lower than this time last year. Fill up and feel smug.

⚖️ Warwick Lawyer Nominated for Judge — Gov. McKee tapped Michael McCaffrey, former Senate Majority Leader and Warwick attorney, for a District Court seat. His past opposition to same-sex marriage drew scrutiny last summer, but Senate President Valarie Lawson endorsed him anyway.

🗳️ School Bond Reminder — Early voting continues at City Hall through Feb. 2. The $50M bond vote is Feb. 3. If you haven't made up your mind yet, this is your weekend to do some homework.

🐟 Black Sea Bass News — Regulations may be loosened by 20% for 2026. Bay anglers are pushing for an earlier season start so they can actually catch these fish before they migrate to deeper water. Public hearing Feb. 17.

Providence Restaurant Weeks Starts Saturday

The 20th anniversary of Providence Restaurant Weeks kicks off Jan. 25th and runs through Feb. 7th — and yes, Warwick restaurants are on the list.

Participating locally:

Prix fixe menus, creative dishes, and a good excuse to try somewhere new. Full list at ProvidenceRestaurantWeeks.com.

Sneakerheads, This One's For You

If you've ever waited in line for a drop, know what "deadstock" means, or have strong opinions about which Jordans are the best (Metallic 5s, obviously) — Kicks & Tricks is throwing a party and you're invited.

Local entrepreneur Anthony Gorton is celebrating the 4-year anniversary of his sneaker and streetwear venture with the "Something for Everyone Homecoming" event this Saturday, Jan. 24th, from 12–6pm at 2081 Post Rd. in Warwick.

Anthony pioneered this “meeting of the artistic minds”–style event, creating a community where positivity, creativity, and authenticity are celebrated and elevated—and where Rhode Island’s most creative artists all somehow end up in the same room.

Expect sneakers (obviously), plus streetwear, art, and collectibles. Whether you're hunting for heat or just curious what all the hype is about, it's a solid excuse to get out of the house before the snow hits.

That's it for today. Got a tip, story idea, or strong opinion about ice bumper cars? Hit reply.

Stay informed, Warwick ☕

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