Good Morning, Newport! Today is Tuesday, June 3, the 154th day of 2025. There are 211 days left in the year.
- Today: Sunny, with a high near 73. Light west wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.
🚨 You need to know
Middletown officials are postponing public hearings for the “Middletown Center” project due to incomplete paperwork from the development team.
The town announced Monday that the much-talked-about June 23 and 30 hearings at Gaudet Middle School won’t happen as planned. These dates, which the Town Council hadn’t officially approved, depended on getting final draft documents from the project developers.
The decision to delay came as the cost to advertise and record the hearings was expected to top $21,000. Town leaders didn’t want to move forward without all the necessary paperwork in hand.
New hearing dates haven’t been set yet. Officials plan to meet with the developers soon to reschedule.
The “Middletown Center” project, planned for 600-740 West Main Road, has been in the works since the Navy declared the Navy Lodge property surplus in March 2008. Last October, the Town Council green-lit a development agreement with Chris Bicho, James Karam and Rocky Kempenaar.
The proposed mixed-use development includes a 144-room extended stay hotel, 150 apartments, retail spaces, and a community park. In late April, the Planning Board gave a thumbs-up to the concept, with about two dozen conditions attached.
Town officials are highlighting the project’s potential benefits, including an estimated $1.1 million in new yearly revenue for Middletown. The development also aims to help with housing needs, setting aside 18 of the 150 apartments as affordable units.
Even if the council approves the project, it still faces a long review process. This includes master plan and final plan reviews, plus permits from various state departments.
The town has also brought back the Middletown Center Citizens Advisory Committee. They’ll work on plans for five acres of open space within the development, making sure the community has a say in the project’s recreational aspects.
Read more here.
Here’s what else you need to know
🏫 The Tiverton School Committee has selected three finalists vying to replace Dr. Peter Sanchioni, who is retiring June 30 after eight years as superintendent of schools, according to a press release posted on the school system’s website.
🍶 Sake lovers are in for a treat as Yagi Noodles prepares to host a special “Izakaya and Nihonshu” dinner tonight.
👉 Middletown Town Council public hearings on the “Middletown Center” project are being rescheduled.
🚧 Heads up, Newport drivers! Road work is scheduled to begin today on Bellevue Avenue and will continue through June 6. Here’s what you need to know.
🗓️ On tap this week and weekend: Elliot’s Ride For Everyone, Ragged Island Music Fest, Little Clam debuts, Canine Couture Show, and more. Get the full rundown.
📅 What’s Up Today
Next up on the cruise ship schedule is the Volendam on June 10.
Things To Do
- 11 am: Winery Tours at Newport Vineyards & Restaurant
- 6 pm: Concert & Dinner Experience with Cellist Joshua Roman at The Reef
- 7 pm: Izakaya and Nihonshu Sake Dinner at Yagi Noodles
Live Music & Entertainment
- JPT Film & Event Center: When Fall Is Coming at 5 pm, Say Anything at 7:30 pm
- Landing: Dan Decristofaro at 12:30 pm, Adam Hanna at 4 pm, John Erickson at 8 pm
- Narragansett Cafe: Trivia at 7 pm
- Newport Craft: Indoor Cornhole Tournament at 7 pm
- One Pelham East: Stu Sinclair at 9 pm
Newport County Public Meetings
- Jamestown: Jamestown Fire Department at 7 pm
- Little Compton: Little Compton Planning Board at 7 pm
- Middletown: Middletown School Committee at 4:30 pm, Middletown Tax Exploration Sub-Committee at 6 pm
- Newport: Newport Canvassing Authority at 11:30 am, Newport City Council at 5:30 pm, Newport School Committee – Wellness Subcommittee at 6 pm
- Tiverton: Tiverton Charter Review Commission at 6 pm, Tiverton Semiquincentennial Commission at 6:30 pm, Tiverton Planning Board at 6:30 pm, Tiverton Litter Committee at 6:30 pm
Cruise Ship Schedule
Next up on the cruise ship schedule is Volendam on June 10.
📈 Yesterday’s most-read
The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.
- What Sold: A look at 20 homes that changed hands last week in Newport County (May 26 – 30)
- Belmont Chapel Restoration to receive National Award from Victorian Society in America
- Obituary: Donald F. Shea
- Obituary: Patricia Murphy
- Sam Waterston to revisit ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Newport lecture
- Newport Restaurant Group to open ‘J.T. Commons’ in former Foodlove Market space
- Obituary: Godofredo P. “Fred” Pico
- For Safer Streets: Ocean Drive swaps cars for bikes again at ‘Elliot’s Ride for Everyone’
- What’s Up in Newport County this week and weekend: June 2 – 8
- Obituary: Ronald Murdock
