The fourth annual Rhody Regatta, set for Saturday, May 30, is off to an impressive start in both registration and fundraising for its beneficiary, Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island. The single 18-mile course circumnavigates Conanicut Island and offers a mix of open-water sailing and tactical shoreline strategy. Early registrations include some notable entries: Wendy […]
Newport County
Posted inBusiness
Portsmouth resident J.J. Silvia III appointed as new BankNewport corporator
Portsmouth resident John JB “J.J.” Silvia III has been appointed as a new BankNewport corporator, OceanPoint Financial Partners announced. The appointment was made at OceanPoint Financial Partners’ annual meeting on April 20. Corporators serve as community ambassadors for the mutual community bank, helping represent the communities BankNewport serves. “BankNewport’s strength has always come from its […]
Posted inCity & Government
RI Secretary of State Gregg Amore calls mid-cycle gerrymandering “a race to the bottom”
“This is a race to the bottom … not good for American Democracy.” — Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore, commenting on the mid-cycle gerrymandering that’s gripping the nation. Amore in a wide ranging interview discusses the impact of gerrymandering, the federal government’s attempt to seize voter information, and, in what will be an […]
Posted inCity & Government
McKee proposes $1.6 million in state funding to help preserve Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center
Gov. Dan McKee’s administration on Friday submitted a budget amendment that would provide $1.6 million in additional funding to Newport Hospital’s Noreen Stonor Drexel Birthing Center, the governor’s office announced Monday. The funding would be exclusive to the birthing center and contingent on its continued operation. The proposal comes in direct response to financial challenges […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Blood Center urges donations ahead of Memorial Day as summer “trauma season” begins
The Rhode Island Blood Center is urging Rhode Islanders to donate blood ahead of Memorial Day weekend as hospitals brace for the start of “trauma season,” a period marked by increased accidents, emergency surgeries and higher demand for lifesaving blood transfusions. Rhode Island is currently experiencing a critical need for Type O blood donations following […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Alan MacMillan
Alan R. MacMillan of Portsmouth, RI, died suddenly on the 13th of May 2026. He was born in Châteauvillain, France, to the late Warren and Loretta (Gill) MacMillan. After completing a degree in archeology from Harvard, Alan joined the United States Navy,where he was introduced to the beauty of Aquidneck Island. After the Navy, he pursued his […]
Posted inNews
St. George’s School to hold 21st annual Ramleh Benefit Yard Sale June 6 in Middletown
The 21st Annual Ramleh Benefit Yard Sale will return to St. George’s School next month, with proceeds funding summer camp experiences for children from the local community. The free, public yard sale runs from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 6, at the school’s Cabot-Harman Ice Center, 384 Purgatory Road. A public presale will […]
Posted inCity & Government
Emily Conklin launches campaign for Newport City Council Ward 2 seat
Emily Conklin, a science communication specialist and chair of Newport’s Energy and Environment Commission, announced Monday she is running for the Ward 2 seat on the Newport City Council. Conklin, a six-year resident of Ward 2, said her campaign will center on affordability, resilient infrastructure, climate readiness and government transparency. “I have seen far too […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Carol J. Bolhouse
With hearts full of gratitude and deep sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother Carol J. (Brazil) Bolhouse, after a long illness. Carol resided in Newport, RI and recently Sarasota, FL. She turned 94 this April and was delighted to reach that milestone. She carried it like a badge of honor, and who […]
Posted inNews
Salve Regina University awards 525 bachelor’s degrees at 76th commencement
Salve Regina University conferred 525 bachelor’s degrees on the Class of 2026 during its 76th commencement Sunday, sending graduates off with a charge to lead with mercy and meet a difficult moment with courage. The ceremony, held on the university’s oceanside campus, featured remarks from broadcast journalist and author Ray Suarez, Salve President Kelli J. […]
Posted inNews
Newport police investigating bomb threat at hospital as ‘swatting’ call
Newport Hospital was the target of an apparent “swatting” call Sunday morning when someone phoned in a false bomb threat, prompting a sweep by police and a Rhode Island State Police bomb detection K-9 unit, authorities said. The Newport Police Department responded to the reported threat at 7:02 a.m. on May 17, according to a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rogers and Middletown students bring “Chicago: Teen Edition” to new Rogers auditorium May 29-30
The joint Rogers and Middletown High School Theater Company will bring “Chicago: Teen Edition” to the stage on May 29 and 30, marking the first musical production in Rogers High School’s new state-of-the-art auditorium. Both performances are at 7 p.m. at Rogers High School, 15 Wickham Road. Tickets are $10 and will be available at […]
Posted inColumns
Dr. Micheal Fine: What’s crazy about firing the Commissioner of FDA
So the saga aka circus in health care in Washington continues. This week Marty Makary MD, the Commissioner of the FDA, resigned/was fired by RFK,Jr. and the Trump administration. I didn’t know Dr. Makary but I have colleagues who do. We once presented at the same conference and were in a room together, but I don’t […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Karen (Mellekas) Dimattia
Karen (Mellekas) Dimattia, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her husband, Philip, on May 9, 2026, at the age of 82. Born on August 22, 1943, at Newport Hospital in Newport, Rhode Island, Karen lived a life defined by hard work, determination, enduring faith, and deep love for her […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: James L. Trombley II
James “Jay” L. Trombley II, 75, of Newport, RI, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026. Born May 31, 1950, in Pawtucket to Veneta Welsh and James Lawrence Trombley, he attended Case High School in Swansea, MA. In 1969, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Naval Seabees and volunteered for Vietnam, serving two decorated tours as […]
Posted inArts & Culture
“Jaws” returns to The JPT for annual summer parties starting May 29
Amity Island is coming back to Washington Square. The Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center will once again kick off summer with its annual “Jaws” party on Friday, May 29, before returning the Steven Spielberg classic to the big screen for three more screenings in July. The annual celebration of the 1975 blockbuster, presented in […]
Posted inNews
Newport Mental Health unveils 2026 lineup of signature fundraising events
Newport Mental Health has announced its 2026 schedule of signature fundraising events, three gatherings the nonprofit says will help underwrite no-cost mental health and substance use care across Newport County. Proceeds from the events benefit Newport Mental Health’s Annual Fund, which last year helped provide $1.2 million in no-cost care to children, families and individuals […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport’s William Riccio named one of nation’s top 10 public works leaders
Newport’s longtime Director of Public Services has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 public works leaders by the American Public Works Association. William R. Riccio Jr., a professional engineer, was announced as a recipient of the APWA’s Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year award in the run-up to the annual […]
Posted inInstagram
Tickets on sale for 30th annual Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff
Tickets are on sale now for the 30th annual Newport Flower Show, set for June 19-21 at Rosecliff. This year’s theme, “Pearls of Newport,” takes its name from the traditional 30th anniversary gemstone and is meant to evoke both the elegance of Newport’s Gilded Age and the city’s coastal and maritime identity. “The Flower Show […]
Posted inInstagram
Jamestown Newport Ferry returns Saturday for 2026 season
The Jamestown Newport Ferry will launch its 2026 season on Saturday, May 16, kicking off the summer with its popular Hop-On Hop-Off service across Narragansett Bay. The opening coincides with the Oyster & Chowder Festival at Bowen’s Wharf on May 16 and 17. Hop-On Hop-Off service will operate daily through Oct. 12, with stops at […]
Posted inNews
Bike to work day rolls into Newport on Friday
Commuters are invited to leave the car at home this Friday as Bike Newport and RIPTA Commuter Resources host the annual Bike to Work Day, part of May is Bike Month on Aquidneck Island. From 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Friday, May 15, organizers will greet bike commuters in front of Newport City Hall […]
Posted inSports
Portsmouth boys lacrosse holds off Middletown 10-3 at Gaudet Field
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — Portsmouth boys lacrosse leaned on a dominant performance at the faceoff X and a six-goal night from Rafe Dionne to roll past Middletown 10-3 at Gaudet Field on Friday. Dionne, a junior attackman, scored six times to lead all scorers. Senior attackman Ted Gersen added three goals, and senior midfielder Luke Brandariz […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Newport Classical Music Festival returns July 2-19 with 30 concerts across 11 venues
The Newport Classical Music Festival will present 30 concerts across 11 venues from July 2 through 19, the organization announced Thursday, marking its 57th year showcasing classical music in some of Newport County’s most iconic settings. Performances will take place at The Breakers, The Elms, Castle Hill Inn, Blithewold Mansion, Rosecliff Mansion, Redwood Library and […]
Posted inInstagram, Real Estate
On the Market: A look at 22 homes hosting Open Houses this weekend (May 9-10)
Mother’s Day weekend is upon us and in two short weeks, Memorial Day Weekend… With many families spending Sunday together, we’re seeing a much lighter open house schedule overall and a heavier concentration of activity pushed into Saturday. Across Newport County, there are only 22 addresses hosting public showings this weekend, noticeably lower than what […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter to the Editor: Newport School Committee chair addresses misinformation on superintendent search
To the Editor, I would like to address misinformation surrounding the Newport School Committee’s decision to hire an interim superintendent for Newport Public Schools. Our current superintendent is retiring at the end of next month, and the School Committee has a responsibility to ensure there is qualified leadership in place without interruption. The decision to […]