[VIDEO] Beisel Returns to Rousing Homecoming

Olympic medalist and North Kingstown native Elizabeth Beisel returned home Wednesday to a crowd of several hundred.

  Nothing quite beats a State Police escort from the airport to a homecoming rally held in your honor. Olympic swimmer and two-time medalist Elizabeth Beisel received just that when she returned home to Rhode Island following her medal-winning performances in the 2012 London Olympics.  [Johnston readers: Did you go to the rally for Elizabeth Beisel? Add your photos and video to this article by clicking the "Upload" button.] Hundreds upon hundreds of fans from around the state flooded the athletic complex at North Kingstown High School for the homecoming event, sponsored by WJAR-TV Channel 10. Beisel arrived around 7:40 p.m. by State Police escort from T.F. Green State Airport after flying into Washington, D.C. from London. Overwhelmed by …

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Heading to the Beisel Rally Tonight? Here's What You Need to Know

Fans from all over the state are expected to attend Wednesday night's homecoming for Rhode Island Olympian Elizabeth Beisel. We've got directions from Johnston, and helpful tips on where to park.

  Rhode Island is ready to welcome home its Olympic swimmer Elizabeth Beisel Wednesday evening at a special homecoming event at North Kingstown High School. How to get there from Johnston: Take I-295 South to I-95 South. Stay right onto Rt. 4 South to Exit 5A (Rt. 102 South) toward Wickford. Enter the addresses below into Google Maps or a GPS device to find shuttle locations. In anticipation of a large crowd, event organizers plan to open three satellite parking sites nearby at Wilson Park (201 W. Main Street, North Kingstown), Wickford Middle School (250 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown) and Wickford Elementary School (99 Philips St., North Kingstown). The sites will open at 6 p.m. and buses will shuttle event goers to the high school's …

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Rally For Beisel To Be Held Wednesday in NK

WJAR is planning a homecoming rally for Elizabeth Beisel — and we've included directions from Johnston if you're planning to go.

  Rhode Island will welcome home its biggest star of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London this Wednesday. WJAR-TV (Channel 10) is organizing a homecoming rally for North Kingstown native Elizabeth Beisel on Aug. 8 at 7 pm at North Kingstown High School. How to get there from Johnston: Take I-295 South to I-95 South. Stay right onto Rt. 4 South to Exit 5A (Rt. 102 South) into the village of Wickford. Bear right onto Rt. 1A South. Fairway Drive is about 3/4 mile ahead on the right. According to North Kingstown School Superintendent Phil Auger, the rally will be held on the athletic field at the high school. Those planning to attend the event are encouraged to wear their Team Beisel T-shirts and to bring signs. Beisel, a 2010 graduate of North …

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5 Things To Know Today

July 31: School's on the Horizon

July, 2012, ends with nice weather, a look ahead — and your 5 Things to Know Today.

  1. School's on the Horizon: The students out there will probably not like to hear this — and the parents have already heard enough Back to School ads — but Johnston Public Schools are scheduled to open on Aug. 29. We'll be posting helpful articles about how to get ready. 2. Warm and Pleasant: Today's forecast is for a repeat of yesterday's sunny skies and temps in the high 70s. Humidity builds in tomorrow, with a chance of rain into Thursday morning. 3. Olympic Celebrations: As the fortnight of competition continues across the Pond, Rhode Islanders have been getting into the Olympic sprit — check out our video of Cherry Hill Manor's parade and celebration last Friday, and the scene from North Kingstown High School, where hundreds of …

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VIDEO: Hundreds Cheer on Beisel at Viewing Party

Hundreds gathered to cheer on Elizabeth Beisel.

  North Kingstown High School's cafeteria was a sea of "Team Beisel" T-shirts Saturday afternoon as hundreds gathered to root on Elizabeth Beisel in her first event of the Olympic Games. Bryan Flanagan, co-captain of the NKHS Swim Team, helped organize the viewing party at the high school – Beisel's alma mater. Proceeds and donations gathered at the event will benefit the swim team and the North Kingstown Food Pantry. Members of the North Kingstown Police Department, local politicians, friends of the Beisel family and hundreds of others donned their red, white and blue garb to cheer on North Kingstown native Beisel. The 19-year-old swimmer was favored to take home the gold in Saturday's event, the 400-meter individual medley. The two-time …

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5 Things To Know Today

July 27: Watch the Skies

It's the last Friday of July, 2012. Here are your 5 Things to Know Today.

  1. Eye on the Sky: Cloudy conditions and a 50-percent chance of rain top today's forecast. Watch for flooding in some areas. Highs in the mid-80s. Gray conditions persist through Saturday; clear on Sunday with temps in the low 80s. 2. The Games: Today marks the beginning of the 2012 Olympics in London — and Cherry Hill Manor is scheduled to host a celebration beginning at 1:30 pm with a torch run by Mayor Polisena starting at the Johnston Police Department. If you're looking for a way to honor this year's games, read about Olympic Fun Day and bring a little but of London home to Johnston. 3. Who's the Best?: We asked for nominations, and now we're looking for your votes in 25 categories in our Readers' Choice contest. Check out the …

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Meet Your Olympians

Meet the local athlete from Rhode Island who will be competing in the 2012 Olympic Games.

  They've put in innumerable hours of sweat, blood and tears to get where they are today. They are among the best of the best and are ready to prove their mettle. 529 athletes from 45 states will represent the United States at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. They are competing in events as diverse as athletics, fencing, rowing, soccer and basketball. For everyone, from swimmer Katie Ledecky, 15, to 54-year-old equestrian jumper Karen O’Connor, these Games represent the culmination of all the hard work and dedication they've put in to win the coveted medal. It's time to meet the Olympian from Rhode Island! Here are a few quick facts about your Olympian! Elizabeth Beisel Sex : Female  Competing in Swimming Event / position / class : 200m …

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