After being canceled in 2021 and 2020, The Aquidneck Island National Police Parade will celebrate its 37th Police Parade in Middletown and Newport on May 1. “After a very trying two years for the law enforcement community, we are pleased to announce the return of the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade,” the Aquidneck Island National Police […]
Ryan Belmore
Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020).
He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide.
Ryan is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Online News Association, and Local Independent Online News Publishers. He is committed to the codes of ethics of these organizations: accuracy, independence, accountability, and transparency.
In Newport, Ryan served on the boards of the Fort Adams Trust and Potter League for Animals, and hosted a daily radio talk show for four years.
In 2021, Ryan moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to support his wife Jen's career. He launched The Alexandria Brief in 2025, applying what he learned in Newport to a new community. With the help of some talented on-the-ground contributors, he still runs What's Up Newp — and always will.
Contact: ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
Posted inReal Estate
Home near Beavertail State Park in Jamestown fetches $2.525 million
Hogan Associates today announced the March 15 sale of 30 Battery Lane in Jamestown. A gracious Colonial with a stylish guest house, the property sold for $2,525,000. According to Hogan Associates, Gordon King of Hogan Associates represented the Buyer, and Dianne Grippi of Island Realty represented the Seller. Situated on a private 2.5-acre lot, just […]
Posted inNews
Adoptable Pet of the Week: Peter
Meet your new best friend, Peter – this week’s Adoptable Pet of the Week! The Potter League for Animals shares that Peter is an 8-year-old male Retriever/Labrador/Pointer mix. Peter is considered a large-sized dog, weighing in between 60-99 pounds. Here’s what else Potter League for Animals has to say about Peter; Peter is what you […]
Posted inCity & Government
R.I. Senate will host a roundtable public discussion on environmental priorities
The Rhode Island Senate on Tuesday, March 22 will host a public conversation focused on several key environmental priorities. “An Environmental Roundtable Discussion: Renewable Energy, Clean Water & Jobs” will bring together senators, advocates, and others from the community. The discussion will center on proposals to increase Rhode Island’s reliance on renewable energy, protect water resources, and […]
Posted inNews
RIPTA to hold public hearings in Newport on proposed service changes and improvements
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will hold public hearings on proposed service changes and improvements on April 4 through April 7, 2022. The proposed changes would affect Routes 1, 13, 29, 49, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 78, 80 and the R-Line and include the following changes: increasing service frequency and span of service; expanding service […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Mary N. Sheekey
Mary N. Sheekey, of Newport, RI passed away peacefully on March 12, 2022, in Newport surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas J. Sheekey. Born in Newport on July 8,1934 to the late Philip C. Nagle and Mary (Mckenna) Nagle. Mary was a faithful member of St. Augustin’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Art Museum to host Call & Response 2022 Artist Talk
Newport Art Museum today announced that it will present a Call & Response 2022 Artist Talk with exhibiting artists Diane Barceló, Emily Belz, and On-Kyeong Seong on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at 5:30 pm. The talk will be followed by an informal Q&A with artists in the galleries. The event is free and open to all and can be enjoyed in person […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up in Newport County this weekend: March 18 – 20
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County this weekend. Friday, March 18 Six Picks Events: What’s Up in RI this weekend – March 18-21What’s Up Interview: RI guitar great Duke Robillard releasing new album ‘They Called It Rhythm & Blues’ Friday March 18Celtic Woman’s “Postcards From Ireland” arriving at […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Rhode Island State Police Trooper, a Salve alumnus, and his K-9 are the inspiration for a new Netflix movie
Rhode Island State Police Trooper, who is also a Salve Regina University alumnus, Dan O’Neil, and his K-9 companion Ruby are the inspiration for the new Netflix movie, “Rescued by Ruby.” The film, which premieres on Thursday, March 17, depicts the story of Cpl. O’Neil and his partner Ruby who was adopted from RI Society […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Jobs
Newport Vineyards to host Interactive Culinary Job Fair Demo on March 23
Calling all culinary cru! Interested in working in farm-forward, 100% scratch kitchens? Newport Vineyards is inviting you to experience their kind of kitchen firsthand during an Interactive Culinary Job Fair Demo on Wednesday, March 23 from 5 pm to 7 pm. For invited applicants, Newport Vineyards will be holding a whole-animal breakdown demo, right in […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Save The Date: Spring Newport Restaurant Week will take place April 1 – 10
Save the date, and make those reservations, Newport Restaurant Week returns for its Spring edition April 1 – 10. For 10 days, restaurants across Newport and Bristol Counties will be offering an assortment of crave-worthy discounts and deals for you to choose from. Think BOGO deals, prix-fixe offerings, gift cards promotions, and more. Over the coming […]
Posted inBusiness
140 Broadway, formerly the Salvation Cafe, sells for $2.2 million
140 Broadway, formerly home to Salvation Cafe, sold on March 10, 2022, for $2.2 million, according to Rhode Island Statewide MLS records. The sale included the building, restaurant and liquor license, plus two residential apartments. According to City of Newport real estate records, Sue Lamond, the sole member of Star Nation, LLC, sold the property […]
Posted inCity & Government
DEM will conduct controlled burn on a portion of Dutch Island
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announced in a press release that it is scheduled to conduct a one-day prescribed burn on part of Dutch Island, a state property located in Narragansett Bay between Jamestown and North Kingstown, at some point in the next 30 to 45 days. The exact timing of the burn, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Cox to invest $120 million to bring multi-gig internet service to R.I., $20 million will go towards 100% fiber-optic buildouts on Aquidneck Island
At the Old Colony House in Newport this morning, Cox Communications announced the company will invest more than $120 million over the next 3 years to deliver multi-Gigabit symmetrical speeds over high-speed broadband connections to residents and businesses of Rhode Island. Cox says that more than $20 million of the committed funds will go towards […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up in Newport County this week: March 15 – 20
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County this week. Tuesday, March 15 Things To Do 11 am to 5 pm – Service Industry Tuesdays at Newport Vineyards2 pm to 9 pm – Gurney’s Ice Skating Rink is open6 pm to 8 pm – New to Newport Happy Hour with The Huddle7 pm – Born to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
More than one million daffodils are ready to bloom for the return of Newport Daffodil Days in April
With well over one million daffodils planted in the past fourteen years, Newport has become the self-proclaimed Daffiest City in New England. To celebrate the blazing yellow bounty that will soon flourish, a roster of daffodil-themed activities is planned throughout April. First up? For a yappy good time, join the Daffy Dressed Doggy “Paw-rade” marching from Bannister’s Wharf to historic […]
Posted inNews
The Wallflowers to perform at The JPT in May
The Wallflowers are coming to Newport. The popular rock band will perform at The JPT Film & Event Center on Thursday, May 26th at 8 pm. A big part of the mid-90s revival of roots-rock, The Wallflowers ruled the airwaves with hits including One Headlight, 6th Avenue Heartache, and The Difference. They will be debuting their newest album Exit Wounds on July 9th. The show […]
Posted inNews
Roger Williams Park Zoo celebrates its 150 Birthday
In 1872, Ulysses Grant was president; there were 37 states in the union; the U.S. Patent Office issued the first patent; the Metropolitan Museum of Art opened in New York City; suffragette Susan B. Anthony was arrested by a U.S. Deputy Marshal and charged with illegally voting and a portion of Roger Williams Park was […]
Posted inColumns, Food & Drink
Tiny Kitchen Magic: Thai-inspired Peanut Chicken
Oh, you thought I was going to do something Irish-inspired? Nah, didn’t feel like doing the cliched thing here. Plus, I sort of did that already with the cottage pie. Instead, I think it’s time we take a trip to Asia. This is a quick and easy recipe to make, and it’s not short on […]
Posted inBusiness
Now Hiring: 101 job opportunities available right now in the Newport area
Looking for a new gig, job, or career in or around Newport? Here’s a roundup of some of the companies that are hiring right now in the Newport area. The opportunities listed below were provided to us or curated from hiring websites. All opportunities were available in the last seven days and are located within […]
Posted inStyle & Shop
Ocean State Job Lot will offer First Responder Deal Days March 17 – 23
Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) his week announced that it offer its First Responder Deal Days March 17th through March 23rd. During this period, current or retired first responders who spend a minimum of $20.00 will receive 40% of their purchase price back on a Crazy Deal Gift Card. First responders are also invited to pick up free hand sanitizer, hand wipes, disinfecting wipes, […]
Posted inReal Estate
15 Open Houses to check out in Newport County this weekend (March 11 – 13)
It’s a tough market for homebuyers right now and it helps to have a local professional guiding you through this process. If you have any real estate questions or want more details on any of the properties below, please give me a call directly at 401-241-1851 or email me at TylerB@remaxnewportri.com. Here are the open houses happening […]
Posted inNews
11 bills introduced to help address Rhode Island’s housing crisis
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Rep. June S. Speakman, chairwoman of the Special Legislative Commission to Study the Rhode Island Low and Moderate Income Housing Act, today announced a package of 11 bills to help address the state’s housing crisis. According to a press release from the Rhode Island General Assembly, the bills aim to streamline […]
Posted inNews
Newport’s Redwood Library & Athenæum announces 275th Anniversary plans, Governor Dan McKee visits
Members and visitors gathered this morning at the Redwood Library & Athenæum to welcome Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and to hear plans marking the Redwood’s 275th anniversary. After brief remarks, the Governor presented Benedict Leca, Redwood Executive Director with a Certificate of Special Recognition, “In appreciation of the enduring commitment to lifelong, interdisciplinary learning […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up in Newport County this weekend: March 11 – 13
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this weekend. This story may be updated as we learn about additional events or listings. Have an event you’d like to see added to this list or a future list? Add it to our event calendar. Note: An event or performance may change at […]