City Councilors will be holding interviews this Wednesday and Thursday with applicants vying to fill a vacancy left on the School Committee following the resignation of Kathleen M. Silvia. In all, a total of eight candidates have submitted applications to serve out the remainder of Silvia’s term. Interviews are scheduled to be held over a two-day […]
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 inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up Newp, JPT to present ‘There’s Something About Mary’ on April 30
What’s Up Newp and JPT Film & Event Center will host a special one-night only screening of There’s Something About Mary (1998) on Thursday, April 30th. Directed by Rhode Island-favorites Peter and Bobby Farrelly, There’s Something About Mary among the most popular and favorite movies to ever be filmed in Rhode Island. This event will […]
Posted inSports
Qualifying for U.S. Senior Open to be conducted at 34 Sites
Thirty-four sites have been chosen to host qualifying for the 41st U.S. Senior Open Championship, which will be conducted at historic Newport Country Club, June 25-28. Newport is hosting its first U.S. Senior Open and fifth USGA championship. Conducted over 18 holes, qualifying will be held between May 11 and June 4. Online entry applications […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Brick Alley Pub to host 10th Annual Post-Parade Day Clean-Up, volunteers wanted
The Annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is arguably one of the busiest days of the year in Newport, and there’s no secret that our city needs a pick-me-up when the crowds go home. For the 10th year in a row, Brick Alley Pub will once again host their Annual Post-Parade Day Clean-Up! For the 6th consecutive year, […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Great American Beer Bars: Norey’s named Best Beer Bar in Rhode Island
CraftBeer.com—the Brewers Association‘s website for beer lovers—released its annual list of Great American Beer Bars last week, celebrating establishments across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, that readers voted as top spots to enjoy independent beer. With nearly 8,000 breweries in the U.S., beer bars continue to lead the way in introducing great beers with great […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Dine & Drink: Restaurant news and notes; What to eat and drink this week
Here’s the latest from the Newport County restaurant scene, enjoy! Have something that you’d like to see added here or include in a future edition? Email Ryan@whatsupnewp.com. Dine & Drink News & Notes We are getting closer to knowing a whole lot more about what restaurant is going to open at Hammetts Wharf. Hammetts Hotel […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s up in Newport County this week: March 2 – 9
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport County this week. Monday, March 2nd Agenda for Newport Planning Board Meeting (March 2) Things To Do 9 am – Walk-In Hours for National Grid Consumer Advocate4:30 pm & 7:30 pm – Portrait of A Lady On Fire at Jane Pickens Theater & Event Center7 pm – Awards Night at […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Saint Raphael Academy: Two members of their community have tested positive for coronavirus, following school trip to Europe
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s announced Sunday morning the first case of coronavirus in Rhode Island. Late last night, RIDOH announced they have identifieda second presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 and confirmed a separate person was tested for COVID-19 yesterday. All three individuals participated in a recent trip to Europe in mid-February with […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson honors RI Slave History Medallion leader
Rhode Island General Assembly’s Legislative Press & Public Information Bureau announced today that Representative Lauren H. Carson recently honored the Newport man behind a statewide project to identify and educate the public about sites that were significant in Rhode Island’s participation and promotion of the slave trade. Newporter Charles Roberts is leading the Rhode Island […]
Posted inReal Estate
Condo on Thames Street in Bristol sells for $1.675 million
Residential Properties Ltd (RPL) announced today the sale of 345 Thames, Unit 506 in Bristol for $1,675,000. According to RPL, the Buying Agent for this property was Sales Associate Morgan Lowis, a member of RPL’s Barrington office, who has now sold this property three times. According to MLS, this sale is tied with Lowis’ previous […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Blues Cafe, The 40 team up to raise funds for local non-profits
The Newport Blues Café and the band The 40 have teamed up to sponsor three separate Sunday afternoon /early evening performances of The 40. The 40 ( which is made up of Ray Davis, Nick Manousos, Thomas Shaheen, Alex Radiches and Kevin Simon) describes themselves as “a Rhode Island based Rhythm and Blues based band […]
Posted inNews
RIDOH confirms second case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19); testing a third individual
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s State Health Laboratories announced this evening that they have identified a second presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and a separate person has been tested for COVID-19 today. The presumptive positive case is a teenager. She is at home with mild symptoms. The adult being tested […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RIDOH confirms first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Rhode Island (Updated)
This story was originally published at 8:56 am on March 1st. It has been updated following a press conference that took place at 11:45 am today. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced this morning the state’s first presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The person is in their 40s and had […]
Posted inNews
Top 10: The most-read What’s Up Newp stories in February 2020
For what’s usually a quiet(er) month around Newport County, there was plenty to keep up on and to do in February. Our What’s Up Newp crew continued to grow and cover more of the things you care about. Our websites saw more website traffic than they ever have in a February. Big thanks to all […]
Posted inCity & Government
Agenda for Newport Planning Board Meeting (March 2)
The Newport Planning Board will meet on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm in the Newport City Hall – Council Chambers. The Planning Board is the steward for the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which sets the long-term goal for the City and is a key measure by which large development projects and zoning relief are evaluated. The […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport, Aquidneck Land Trust among seventeen groups to receive grants to protect open space
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that they have awarded more than $3.33 million in grants to help communities and local organizations protect valuable green space throughout the state. Seventeen projects will receive matching grants to protect 904 acres of open space and farmland across Rhode Island. The funding is made possible […]
Posted inReal Estate
House Hunting? Check out these 28 Open Houses on Aquidneck Island this weekend
Looking for a new house to make a home on Aquidneck Island? Check out these open houses taking place across the Island this weekend! Aquidneck Island Open Houses are brought to you by William Raveis Newport. Contact William Raveis for all of your real estate, mortgage, and insurance needs! Aquidneck Island Open Houses February 29 – March 1, […]
Posted inBusiness
Richard Sardella, Patrick Fitzgerald, and Ellen Fitzgerald-McCallum honored at Newport Mental Health’s Annual Meeting
Richard Sardella and Patrick Fitzgerald, owners of Sardella’s Restaurant, were presented with Newport Mental Health’s Outstanding Community Service Award at the 2020 Newport Mental Health Annual Meeting on Monday, February 24th. “They have been donating meals to our 65 Valley Road location since 1992. That’s roughly over 12,000 meals for many who might otherwise go […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s up in Newport County this weekend: February 28 – March 1
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport County this weekend Friday, February 28th Things To Do 10 am – Community Zumba Class at MLK Center12 pm – Coffee with a Cop at Jamestown Housing Authority4 pm – Eat for COA – Bar and Board Bistro4:30 pm & 7:30 pm – Portrait of A Lady On Fire at Jane Pickens […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
Rescue Me: 5 pets in need of loving homes this week
It’s Friday, which means it’s time again to highlight some pretty awesome (and adorable pets) from the Potter League For Animals. If you’re looking to give the right dog, cat or other companion animal a “furever home”, these five are ready to love and be loved. I am Houdini. I’m a 5-month-old male domestic shorthair. […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator DiPalma bill that protects families with parents that have disabilities passed by Senate
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma’s (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) legislation (2020-S 2139) that precludes the disability of a parent from serving as a basis for denial or restriction in matters involving a child’s welfare, foster care, family law, guardianship and adoption has been passed by the Senate. “Individuals with disabilities continue to face […]
Posted inNews
Eight Newporters apply to fill School Committee vacancy, public interviews scheduled for next week
The following was written and provided by the City of Newport. City Councilors will be holding interviews next week with applicants vying to fill a vacancy left on the School Committee following the resignation of Kathleen M. Silvia. In all, a total of eight candidates have submitted applications to serve out the remainder of Silvia’s […]
Posted inNews, Things To Do
Pell Center and League of Women Voters to celebrate centennial of women’s suffrage with public lecture
The Pell Center at Salve Regina University and the League of Women Voters, Newport County announced today that they will host Susan Ware, historian and leading feminist biographer to present “Why They Marched: Celebrating the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage” on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 as part of the Pell Center’s spring lecture series. The lecture will […]
Posted inBusiness
The Hilb Group acquires certain assets of D. F. Dwyer & Associates
The Hilb Group, LLC, a Richmond, Virginia based insurance agency, announced today that it has acquired certain assets of Newport-based D. F. Dwyer & Associates, LLC . “Based in Newport, RI, D. F. Dwyer & Associates provides a full range of property & casualty insurance products and services to businesses and individuals,” a press release from The […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport Restaurant Group opening new restaurant in former Outback Steakhouse in East Greenwich
Newport Restaurant Group is growing (again) in Rhode Island. What’s Up Rhode Island has confirmed that Newport Restaurant Group has plans in place for a new restaurant at 1000 Division Road in East Greenwich, which until recently was home to Outback Steakhouse. “It will be a new concept for us, we are currently finalizing the […]