Here’s what sold on Aquidneck Island between February 4th – 11th, 2020. Aquidneck Island real estate sales and transactions on What’s Up Newp are brought to you by OUR Real Estate, a locally owned full service, boutique brokerage and lifestyle company. Read more about this locally owned full service, boutique brokerage and lifestyle company below. Reminder […]
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
Potter League for Animals launches annual ‘P.S. I Love You Pet Calendar Photo Contest’
Back for its 4th year, the Potter League for Animals’ “P.S. I Love You Pet Calendar Photo Contest” raises funds for the Potter League’s vital services which include animal sheltering and adoptions, veterinary care, education programs for youth and adults, spay and neuter and so much more! It’s easy to participate! Submit your favorite photo […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 80+ job opportunities in and around Newport
Looking for a new gig, job, or career? Here’s who’s hiring right now in and around Newport! All job opportunities are within five miles of downtown Newport and have been posted or confirmed available within the last seven days. Featured Job Listings 22 Bowen’s – Busser – 22 Bowen’s Restaurant 7-Eleven – Sales AssociateAdmiral Weaver […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, Style & Shop, Things To Do
Restore, Rejuvenate, & Relax: Castle Hill Inn to offer ‘Spring Equinox Retreat’ in March
With the advent of spring on the horizon, Castle Hill Inn is inviting guests to say goodbye to the winter blues and welcome the new season with its first ever Spring Equinox Retreat. Surrounded by panoramic ocean views and enveloped in the luxury and service of a Relais & Châteaux property, guests will find that Castle […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for Manuel L. Escobar
Manuel L. Escobar of Portsmouth, RI died on Tuesday, February 18, peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Born in Faial of the Azores, on July 3, 1943, he was the son of the late Francisco P. and Ana (Garcia) Escobar. He was the husband of Frances S. (Perry) Escobar. In addition to his wife, […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
22 Bowen’s will host wine tasting with winemaker Kelley Fox on February 22nd
22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grille will welcome Oregon winemaker Kelley Fox, of Kelley Fox Wines, on Saturday, February 22nd from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, for a special night of education, wine tasting and light bites. Established in 2007, Kelley Fox Wines is considered one of the finest pinot noir producers in Oregon and […]
Posted inNews
Preview: Agenda for Middletown Town Council’s February 18th Meeting
The Middletown Town Council will host their next regular meeting on Tuesday, February 18th at 7 pm at Middletown Town Hall.
Posted inCity & Government
Preview: Agenda for Newport Historic District Commission meeting on February 18th
The City Of Newport’s Historic District Commission will host a meeting on Tuesday, February 18th at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall, here’s what’s on the agenda; Current Agenda ItemsMeeting Agenda, Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 6:30 p.m. (Pre-meeting at 6:15 p.m.) Second Floor, Council Chambers, City Hall, 43 Broadway I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL […]
Posted inNews
Wire Fox Terrier from Newport wins Terrier Group at Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Vinny, a Wire Fox Terrier from Newport, won the Terrier Group under Judge Norman Kenney at the 144th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City on February 11, 2020. The dog was handled by Robert M. Carusi for owners George and Nannette Herrick. Vinny, a 3-year-old male, officially known as GCHB Irvonhill Voignier, […]
Posted inCity & Government
First North End Urban Plan Public Forum slated for February 25th, public welcome
Newport is creating a North End urban plan and inviting residents, business owners, and the public to give their perspective and see what they’ve heard from Newporters so far. John Harlow, who is working with the City of Newport and NBBJ on the North End Urban Plan, told What’s Up Newp on Thursday that they […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Video: February 12th Newport City Council Meeting
Newport City Council met for nearly three hours on Wednesday night. While the application to approve the submittal of the Rhode Island Dept of Education Stage II application to build a new high school and construct an addition at Pell Elementary School was among one of the biggest (and longest) discussions, there certainly was other items of importance that […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Council awards multi-year contract for July 4th Fireworks Display
After some confusion and rescheduling last year surrounding the Fourth of July Fireworks Display, the City of Newport and City Council has moved forward to make sure that the City’s Fourth of July Fireworks do in fact fall on July 4th going forward. City Council voted this evening to award a contract for a multi-year […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Council approves RIDE Stage II application to build new high school, addition at Pell Elementary School
Just one night after Newport School Committee voted 5-1 to approve submittal of the Rhode Island Dept of Education Stage II application to build a new high school and construct an addition at Pell Elementary School, Newport City Council had their say on the application. After much comment and discussion from the public and among City Council, Council ultimately voted […]
Posted inReal Estate
What Sold: 10 Aquidneck Island real estate sales, transactions (Feb. 4 – 11)
Here’s what sold on Aquidneck Island between February 4th – 11th, 2020. Aquidneck Island real estate sales and transactions on What’s Up Newp are brought to you by OUR Real Estate, a locally owned full service, boutique brokerage and lifestyle company. Read more about this locally owned full service, boutique brokerage and lifestyle company below. Reminder – Check […]
Posted inCity & Government
School Committee approves RIDE Stage II application to build new high school, construct an addition at Pell Elementary School
Ahead of a nearing deadline, Newport School Committee voted 5-1 this evening on the submittal of the Rhode Island Dept of Education Stage II application to build a new high school and construct an addition at Pell Elementary School. Newport School Committee member Robert Leary was the lone vote against moving forward with the application (agenda item – 5.1 Request […]
Posted inFood & Drink, Things To Do
Polar Pineapples: Ice bar popping up at Gurney’s this weekend
Polar Pineapples is returning to Goat Island this weekend. Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina invites you to treat yourself to one of their signature cocktails from the ice bar. Stay warm around one of their eleven firepits, all while enjoying the best views of the bay. Polar Pineapples will be open on Friday, February 14th and Saturday, February 15th […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Newport Blues Cafe changing management, will temporarily close
The rumors aren’t true, Newport Blues Cafe isn’t permanently closing, becoming a hotel, becoming a restaurant, being changed into a store, or anything else you recently heard. After 13 years, Brian Foley, who owns the building, has decided to take over operations of the business from Kate and Jim Quinn, Foley will continue to run […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, Real Estate
Nomi Park: Mission Group announces name, details for new restaurant at The Wayfinder Hotel
Get ready, a new restaurant is opening this spring in Newport. As What’s Up Newp first reported back in July, the Mission Group is opening a fifth restaurant on Aquidneck Island. The Mission Group, the family run restaurant group that is lead by Chad Hoffer, Anna Burnley, and Tyler Burnley, opened the famed Thames Street […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, News, Real Estate
Hammetts Wharf: Hotel, retail opening in June; restaurant soon after
The $29 million Hammetts Wharf construction project at the former Newport Yachting Center is just a few short months from completion. Colin Kane, Founding Partner of Peregrine Group and Managing Partner of Hammetts Wharf LLC, and Sam Bradner, Managing Partner of the Peregrine Group, gave me a tour of the hotel, restaurant, and retail space […]
Posted inThings To Do
DEM invites Rhode Islanders to explore Fort Adams, Eisenhower House, other state parks during February School Vacation Week
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that they are hosting a series of events throughout February school vacation week to encourage families to get outdoors and explore Rhode Island. Opportunities include daily guided tours of Fort Adams, an open house at Eisenhower House, birdwatching, guided nature expeditions, letterboxing, youth fly-tying, and a tree […]
Posted inCity & Government
Agenda: Newport School Committee Meeting on February 11th
Newport School Committee will host their next regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30 pm in the cafeteria at Pell Elementary School. The meeting is open to the public. Here’s what’s on the agenda;
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport’s Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission will meet on Feb. 12, here’s what’s on the agenda
The Newport Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission will host their next meeting on Wednesday, February 12th at 4 pm at Newport Public Library. The Newport Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission is dedicated to the preservation of the City’s historic burying grounds. The meeting is open to the public. Here’s what’s on their agenda;
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council hosts workshop with State Legislators
Newport City Council hosted a two hour workshop with State Legislators on Saturday morning at City Hall. Prior to their workshop with State Legislators (which took place from 10 am to 12 pm), they hosted a workshop to discuss what would be discussed during the legislative workshop (which took place from 9 am to 10 […]
Posted inThings To Do
Pollstar names Newport Folk Festival ‘Music Festival Of The Year’
The 31st Annual Pollstar Awards were held on Thursday evening in Los Angeles. Pollstar Awards honor the artists, executives and road warriors who have been leading the concert industry over the past year. Newport Folk Festival walked away from the event with an award for Music Festival of The Year (US Only; under 30K attendance). The […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Newport Mansions will offer discounted admission prices, programs for children during Newport Winter Festival
The Preservation Society of Newport County announced today that the Newport Mansions will once again offer a warm welcome to all during the Newport Winter Festival, with discounted admission prices and a week of programs for children. The 32nd Newport Winter Festival is scheduled to take place from February 14-23 throughout Newport County. Programming is […]