Posted inNews

Aquidneck Island Land Trust accepting community grant applications through March 13

The Aquidneck Island Land Trust is now accepting applications for its Merritt Neighborhood Fund community grant program, with a deadline of March 13. The endowed fund, established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the Land Trust’s president emeritus, supports the preservation of small parks, community gardens and other natural spaces on Aquidneck […]

Posted inCity & Government

Public workshop on Naval Station Newport compatibility study set for March 3 in Newport

The Town of Portsmouth is encouraging residents to attend a second public workshop for the Aquidneck Island and Naval Station Newport Compatible Use Study, set for Tuesday, March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway, Newport. The study is examining opportunities to improve transportation, land use and water-related infrastructure as Naval […]

Posted inCity & Government

Newport Councilor again cited for campaign filing violation

One local councilman, Newport’s David Carlin III, apparently continues to ignore state campaign finance filing requirements, while another, Xaykham “Xay” Khamsyvoravong is raising significant funds as he’s rumored to be considering a run at a significant statewide office. Meanwhile, legislators in powerful positions are padding campaign accounts as elections now are only months away. These […]

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Authorities are using deep-sea tech to try find the sunken fishing boat off Massachusetts

By RODRIQUE NGOWI and PATRICK WHITTLE Associated Press GLOUCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A coalition of authorities is deploying technology to try to locate the wreck of a fishing boat that sank last month off Massachusetts, killing all seven aboard. But winter weather and sea conditions have thus far slowed their efforts. The 72-foot (22-meter) vessel […]

Posted inInstagram, Real Estate

What Sold: A look at 10 recent sales across Newport County (Feb. 9-13)

Activity remained consistent across multiple price points, with recent sales ranging from the low $300,000s to over $1.3M including single-family homes, condominiums, and multi-family properties.  What continues to stand out is how much the outcome depends on positioning. Properties that enter the market with thoughtful preparation and realistic pricing are attracting attention and moving efficiently. […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra to present ‘Tradition vs. Innovation’ concert March 8

The Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra will explore the tension between classical tradition and musical innovation when it takes the stage for its winter concert on Sunday, March 8, at 3 p.m. at East Providence High School. Guest conductor Zeke Fetrow will lead the orchestra through a program spanning more than a century of orchestral […]

Posted inInstagram, Real Estate

On the Market: A look at every Open House in Newport County this weekend (Feb. 14-15)

Even with February temperatures and a few snowstorms mixed in, the housing market across Aquidneck Island and the surrounding towns has quietly started to wake up. Showings have increased week over week, open houses are drawing steady traffic, and buyers who paused during the holidays are actively re-engaging. The early signs point towards what will […]

Posted inSports

Portsmouth Middle School girls basketball captures state championship with 51-40 win over Gallagher

Simone Orr scored 15 points to lead Portsmouth Middle School to a 51-40 victory over Gallagher Middle School (Smithfield) in the girls basketball state championship on Thursday. The seventh grader paced a balanced Portsmouth attack that featured four players in double figures. Ryen May added 13 points, while Paige Anderson and Camryn Donovan each contributed […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Larry E. Ryan

Larry E. Ryan February 16, 1938 – February 4, 2026 Larry E. Ryan, formerly of Union WA and most recently of Tiverton, RI, passed away on February 4, 2026, just days before his 88th birthday. Born in Deadwood, South Dakota, on February 16, 1938, Larry grew up with a strong sense of adventure, discipline, and […]

Posted inCity & Government

Rogers High School principal placed on leave following independent investigation

Rogers High School Principal Jared B. Vance has been placed on leave for the remainder of the school year following an independent investigation into the assault of a special needs student, according to a memo released Tuesday by School Committee Chair James Dring. The investigation, conducted by former Rhode Island State Police Col. Steven G. […]

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St. George’s School completes $26 million renovation of historic dormitory in Middletown

St. George’s School has completed a $26 million renovation of its historic Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, transforming the building into a community hub designed to bring boarding and day students together. The project, designed by Philadelphia-based Voith & Mactavish Architects, adds a central addition beneath the dormitory’s iconic clock tower that serves as community space, a day […]

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401Gives returns March 31 with goal of topping $5 million; more than 300 nonprofits already registered

Registration is open for the 2026 edition of 401Gives, Rhode Island’s largest statewide philanthropic initiative in support of local nonprofits, with organizers aiming to surpass $5 million raised this year. More than 300 nonprofits have already signed up to participate in the event, which will kick off on Tuesday, March 31, and run until 6 […]

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URI students seeking public input on sustainable design solutions for Easton’s Pond area

University of Rhode Island landscape architecture students are inviting Middletown residents to share their ideas for sustainable design solutions along Easton’s Pond at a community workshop next week. The workshop will be held Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road. Food will be served starting at 6 […]

Posted inReal Estate

Home of the week: 11 Barton Lane, a 4 bedroom 2.5 bathroom Raised Ranch under $700,000 in Middletown

Finding real value in today’s Aquidneck Island market is getting harder and harder. Right now, there are only 14 single family homes on the entire island priced under $700,000. When you factor in size, condition, location, and potential, 11 Barton Lane stands out as, in my opinion, the best value for your dollar. Tucked away […]

Posted inColumns

Just My Opinion: What is the United States of America?

What is the United States of America? We are white, black, brown, red, yellow … we are a rainbow. We are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, evangelicals, atheist, agnostic. We embrace all who worship and those that do not. We are Latino, American Indian, Asian, German, French, English, Italian, Irish, African, Portuguese, Iranian, Israeli, multi-racial. We […]

When your period is disrupting your life, it’s time to talk about it

For many women, heavy or irregular menstrual cycles are often brushed off as “normal”—something to endure quietly while juggling work, family, and daily life. But changes in menstrual bleeding can be a sign that it’s time for a closer look—and effective treatment options are available. Heavy Bleeding Is Common — But Not Normal At the […]

Posted inPolice & Fire

Middletown Fire Department conducts rope and water rescue at Purgatory Chasm

The Middletown Fire Department conducted a rope and water rescue at Purgatory Chasm on Saturday after an individual was found in distress in the water near the chasm, according to a press release from Fire Chief Robert J. McCall. At approximately 10:05 a.m., Middletown Fire and Police Dispatch began receiving 911 calls reporting the individual […]

Posted inCity & Government

Hegseth touts speed and innovation in tour of Quonset Point facilities

by Christopher Shea and Laura Paton, Rhode Island CurrentFebruary 9, 2026 NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — On his first official visit to Rhode Island Monday morning to celebrate and inspire workers at America’s shipyards and defense manufacturing facilities, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth kept about 250 of them standing around waiting for him. Hegseth was […]

Posted inOpinion

What’s in the Dash: Real voices from older Rhode Islanders

Names have been changed to protect privacy. The voices and experiences shared here are real, sometimes uplifting and sometimes raw. In 1996, thirty years ago, Linda Ellis wrote a poem called The Dash. It’s a poem often read at funerals, a reminder It’s not the years on your gravestone that matters most. What matters is […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Newport Art Museum launches the Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Society

The Newport Art Museum has launched the Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Society, a new fund designed to support dynamic and ambitious exhibition programming at the Bellevue Avenue institution. The initiative, first previewed at the opening of the Members’ Show Exhibition, will be shared with the broader museum community at the upcoming Julie Keyes Gallery Pop Up […]

Posted inSports

Blanchard’s goal lifts East Bay Riptide past Northern RI Yeti in Sophie’s Squad mental health awareness game

Freshman forward Lorelei Blanchard scored in the first period and the East Bay Riptide held on for a 1-0 victory over the Northern RI Yeti Co-Op in a girls hockey game played Friday night at Portsmouth Abbey. The game was played in support of Sophie’s Squad, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness around mental health […]

Posted inCity & Government

Bill would update references to ‘elderly’ in state law

Rep. Lauren H. Carson has introduced legislation to update state laws to eliminate outdated terms describing older Rhode Islanders. The legislation would initiate a review of state laws for references to “elders” and “elderly person(s),” to enable the drafting of legislation next year to replace those terms with the phrase “older adults.” The bill, which […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Jacqueline Ferreira

Jacqueline Ferreira, 85, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away on January 14, 2026, supported by her loving family at La Marea Senior Living in Carlsbad, CA.Jacqueline was born in Fall River, MA to the late Manuel Ferreira and the late Hilda Ferreira.Jacqueline was married to Robert Brasher for 30 years from 1970-2000.Jacqueline was an extremely […]

Posted inNews

Trump ends Obama-era restrictions on commercial fishing in protected area off New England

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday reopening a huge swath of protected sea in the Atlantic Ocean to commercial fishing. Trump said the order would reestablish fishing in Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the New England coast, a nearly 5,000-square-mile preserve east of Cape Cod that was created […]

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Castle Hill Inn fire under investigation; restaurant could reopen ‘in coming months,’ Newport Restaurant Group says

Updated Feb. 6 at 3:25 p.m. The Newport Restaurant Group said Friday afternoon that damage from the overnight fire at Castle Hill Inn was “significant” but expressed confidence that the iconic Ocean Drive property would be restored. “We are in the process of assessing the damage from last night’s fire. While significant, we are confident […]

Posted inCity & Government

Newport City Council to hold public hearing on five-year capital plan at Feb. 11 meeting

The Newport City Council will hold a public hearing on the city’s fiscal year 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program when it meets Wednesday evening, headlining a packed agenda that includes infrastructure projects, new ordinances and a resolution recognizing Black History Month. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 43 Broadway. The capital plan […]

Posted inNews

Rhode Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund seeing rising demand for heating assistance as cold deepens

More Rhode Island households are turning to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund for help paying their heating bills this winter as persistent high costs for essentials like food and rent compound the strain of cold weather, United Way of Rhode Island said Tuesday. United Way, which administers the fund, is reminding residents facing temporary financial […]

Posted inCity & Government

R.I. Supreme Court rules Newport, Cumberland not required to reimburse DCYF for general education costs of children in residential placements

The Rhode Island Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that municipalities, including Newport, are not obligated to reimburse the Department of Children, Youth, and Families for the cost of general education for children placed by DCYF in residential treatment programs who are not receiving special education services. The decision, written by Associate Justice Erin Lynch Prata, […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Panel of R.I. preservation leaders to discuss ‘America 250 and Beyond’ at Rosecliff

Six of Rhode Island’s top preservation and history leaders will gather at Rosecliff on Thursday, Feb. 12, to explore how the nation’s semiquincentennial will shape commemorative activities, inclusive storytelling and preservation efforts across the Ocean State. “America 250 and Beyond: Perspectives from Preservation Leaders,” hosted by The Preservation Society of Newport County, will run from […]

Posted inInstagram

Home of the Week: Thoughtful design and elevated living at 2269 East Main Road, Portsmouth

Tucked just off East Main Road along a quiet, tree-lined drive, 2269 East Main Road in Portsmouth offers the best of both worlds: space and convenience in one of Rhode Island’s most treasured coastal communities. Built in 2003, this beautifully renovated Cape-style residence combines classic New England character with refined modern design, creating a home […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Madeleine M. Pencak

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Madeleine M. Pencak, who departed this life on her 77th birthday, January 29, 2026. Born on January 29, 1949, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Madeleine gracefully touched the lives of all who knew her with her kindness, warmth, and dedication to others. Madeleine was a proud graduate of Bristol […]

Posted inNews

Hundreds gather in Middletown to celebrate the life of Carrigan Nelson

Hundreds of family members, friends, medical professionals and musicians gathered Sunday at the Wyndham Hotel to celebrate the life of Carrigan Nelson, a 24-year-old Portsmouth woman who became a nationally recognized childhood cancer advocate during her seven-year battle with osteosarcoma. Nelson passed away on Christmas Day at Boston Children’s Hospital surrounded by loved ones and […]

Posted inNews

Coast Guard suspends search for people missing from fishing vessel that sank off Massachusetts

By MICHAEL CASEY, RODRIQUE NGOWI and PATRICK WHITTLE Associated Press GLOUCESTER, Mass. (AP) — The search for survivors on a commercial fishing vessel that sank off the coast of Massachusetts with seven aboard has been suspended, the U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday. The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue mission early Friday after receiving […]

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Three Newport County nonprofits receive grants for animal care programs

Three Newport County nonprofits will share in $636,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation to support low-cost veterinary care, animal rescue and educational programs. The Potter League for Animals in Middletown received the largest local grant at $72,000 to subsidize veterinary care at its Animal Care and Adoption Center. The funding supports spaying, neutering, […]

Posted inNews

RISSA’s winter fundraiser returns to O’Brien’s Pub, supporting a mission of learning for life

Newport’s coldest months have a way of bringing people together, and few gatherings do it better than the Rhode Island Social Skills Academy’s annual Winter Party. On Sunday, February 1, from 4-7pm, friends and supporters of the Rhode Island Social Skills Academy (RISSA) will gather at O’Brien’s Pub to raise a glass, reconnect with the […]

Posted inNews

Contaminated pilings to be removed from Providence River near Point Street Bridge

About 300 deteriorating wooden pilings will be removed from the Providence River near the Point Street Bridge later this year, state and conservation officials announced Friday. The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, The Nature Conservancy and the city of Providence plan to remove 250 tons of derelict creosote timbers and piers from the river […]

Posted inCity & Government

Newport police towing vehicles as parking bans continue; Saturday ban ahead

Newport police are towing vehicles Friday morning as city crews work to clear snow from side streets, with another mandatory parking ban set for Saturday and more snow in the forecast. Capt. Joseph Carroll, the department’s public information officer, said many vehicles remained parked on streets in the Lower Thames area Friday despite the ban. […]

Posted inObituaries

Obituary: Donald Malcom Berrett

Donald Berrett passed away in his Portsmouth home while asleep in his favorite chair. He slipped away into eternal rest with his wife beside him. Their daughter, Debbie, had just arrived for a visit. Don is survived by his wife, Sarawyn (Henderson) Berrett, their daughter, Debra Wynne Berrett Legassie, grandson, Connor Wynne Legassie, and son-in-law, Michael Legassie. Also […]

Posted inCity & Government

Rep. Carson releases 2026 constituent survey, plans March meeting to discuss results

State Rep. Lauren Carson has released her 2026 constituent survey and is inviting District 75 residents to share their priorities on issues ranging from housing to healthcare. The online survey will be available through Feb. 20. “Listening to my constituents and learning directly from their experiences is essential to how I represent our community,” Carson […]

Posted inArts & Culture

Jamestown Arts Center exhibition celebrates early childhood creativity through play

Jamestown Arts Center will dedicate its winter galleries to an exhibition exploring how young children learn and create through play. “Picturing Play: Playful Learning in Early Childhood” runs Jan. 31 through March 28 at the arts center, located at 18 Valley Street. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Rhode Island Art Education Association, features […]

Posted inArts & Culture, Instagram, Music & Entertainment, Things To Do

House of Waves brings ‘Situations’ to The JPT for a one-night Newport screening

This Friday night, Newport audiences are invited to gather for a special one-night screening of Situations, presented by House of Waves at the iconic Jane Pickens Theatre. The film marks the feature directorial debut of actor-turned-filmmaker Greg Vrotsos, who also co-wrote and stars in the project. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with the film beginning […]

Posted inCity & Government

Legislative commission recommends creating medical school at URI to address primary care shortage

A legislative commission studying Rhode Island’s physician shortage has recommended establishing an MD-granting medical school at the University of Rhode Island, according to a final report released Tuesday. The commission, which began its work in August 2024, found that a public medical school — combined with expanded residencies, loan forgiveness programs and higher reimbursement rates […]

Posted inNews

Bitter cold grips the eastern US as winter storm deaths rise and power outages linger

By SOPHIE BATES, KRISTIN M. HALL and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press Three Texas siblings who perished in an icy pond were among several dozen deaths in U.S. states gripped by frigid cold as crews scrambled Tuesday to repair hundreds of thousands of power outages in the shivering South and forecasters warned the winter weather is expected to get worse. […]

Posted inSports

Bill Belichick snubbed by Pro Football Hall of Fame in first year of eligibility, report says

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer Six-time Super Bowl champion head coach Bill Belichick didn’t get voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, according to a report from ESPN. Citing four unidentified sources, ESPN reported Tuesday that Belichick didn’t receive the necessary 40 votes from the 50-person panel […]

Posted inSports

Patriots’ latest Super Bowl run can put cap on improbable turnaround

There’s something about second-year New England Patriots quarterbacks and playoff games in the snow. In the 2001 season, Tom Brady and New England were trailing the Oakland Raiders late in the divisional round of his first-ever playoff game, when he had an apparent fumble wiped away by the then-little known — and since-abolished — “ Tuck […]

Posted inCity & Government

Newport lawmaker proposes comprehensive review before closing hospital maternity unit

by Nancy Lavin, Rhode Island Current January 26, 2026 Aquidneck Island residents breathed a sigh of relief when Brown University Health committed to keeping the Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center at Newport Hospital open through Sept. 30, 2026. But Rep. Lauren Carson, a Newport Democrat, remains worried about the future of the award-winning labor and […]

Posted inCity & Government

Newport extends sidewalk clearing deadline to Tuesday; parking ban remains in effect until 9 p.m.

The city has extended the deadline for residents and business owners to clear their sidewalks until daylight hours Tuesday as crews continue working to clear streets from the winter storm. Newport’s Public Services team worked a full day and night Sunday and will continue clearing streets throughout Monday and overnight, according to a press release […]

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