Good morning, Warwick.

Home heating oil prices jumped to $5.75/gal from $4.25/gal last year, so Southern New England homeowners, including those in West Warwick, ordered smaller fuel deliveries + postponed tank refills as winter approached.

School Committee Chair Shaun Galligan said a potential $2.6M deficit could affect Warwick schools this fiscal year, according to a letter sent last week to local and state leaders.

Providence Water announced plans to build a new water treatment plant next to its current facility and invest roughly $1 billion+ to update the century-old system.

Officials said they will meet with state regulators and funding partners to determine if water rates must change in coming years.

The Social Security Administration announced the October payment schedule: SSI checks are sent today and retirement benefits will arrive on Oct.

14, Oct. 21, and Oct. 28, with November payments arriving early on Oct. 30 in Warwick. Local Social Security offices offer further assistance.

A $1M grant bolstered Rhode Island’s suicide prevention and crisis lifeline during National Suicide Prevention Month — the funding raised awareness, reduced stigma, and helped connect those at risk to vital support.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is calling for bold reform after the Health Insurance Commissioner approved rate hikes set for 2027 that will affect 170,000 consumers, as the changes—which include new premium subsidies for 20,000 income-eligible individuals buying coverage through HealthSource RI—aim to curb rising health care costs.

Former Alabama QB AJ McCarron is set to be the head coach for Rhode Island’s first United Football League team debuting in 2027 at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket.

His team’s name and logo will be announced in October.

The Providence Journal is hosting an online poll to pick the midseason MVP in boys soccer, featuring nominees from local teams such as Johnston & Exeter-West Greenwich.

Voting remains open until Oct. 7 at 11:59 p.m., and only online submissions will count.

Wednesday's high school sports saw wins in boys and girls soccer, field hockey, tennis and volleyball across the state with key plays like a penalty goal trio and strong saves from goalkeepers; Thursday, local teams will face off in competitions from soccer to cross country at community fields and schools.