Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport County this weekend and weekend. Monday, January 13th Middletown Conservation Commission Meeting scheduled for January 13th has been cancelledAgenda: Portsmouth Town Council Meeting (Jan. 13)Agenda: Newport Planning Board Meeting (Jan. 13) Things To Do 4:30 pm – Parasite at Jane Pickens Theater6:45 pm – PFLAG Meeting at Channing Memorial […]
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 inCity & Government, News
Agenda for Newport School Committee Special Meeting, Regular Meeting on Jan. 14
Newport School Committee will host two meetings on Tuesday, January 14th. At 5 pm they will host a special meeting and at 6:30 pm they will host their regular meeting. Both agendas are below for your review.
Posted inArts & Culture
Jamestown Arts Center names Maureen Coleman new Executive Director
The Jamestown Arts Center (JAC) announced today the appointment of Maureen Coleman as its new Executive Director. “Coleman brings to the JAC over 25 years of non-profit leadership and development experience”, the JAC writes in the announcement. She will be the JAC’s second executive director when she starts her new role on February 3, 2020. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Agenda: Portsmouth Town Council Meeting (Jan. 13)
Portsmouth Town Council will meet in Monday, January 13th at 6 pm in the Town Council Chambers at Portsmouth Town Hall. Here’s what’s on the agenda.
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown Conservation Commission Meeting scheduled for January 13th has been cancelled
The Middletown Conservation Commission scheduled for Monday, January 13th at 5:30 pm has been cancelled, according to the Secretary of State’s website. The meeting was cancelled on January 10th, because “the agenda was not posted early enough”, according to the Secretary of State’s website. The website states ” We are working to determine a new […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo will deliver State of the State Address on Tuesday
A joint session of the General Assembly will receive Governor Raimondo’s State of the State Address at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the House chamber in the State House. The Senate and House of Representatives will each hold their regular floor session at 5 p.m. that day. Senators will then join representatives in the […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Newport City Council to host workshop on Council Communication, Best Practices, and Planning for 2020
Newport City Council will host a City Council Workshop on Wednesday, January 15th at 6 pm in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. The focus of the workshop is “communication, best practices and planning for 2020”, according to the agenda. “All are welcome to join the City Council for a special workshop on Council […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink
Owners of Midtown Oyster Bar, Surf Club opening Freaky Burrito
Burritos and bowls. That’s what the owners of Midtown Oyster Bar and Surf Club will be offering and specializing in when they open Freaky Burrito in March. The restaurant will open in Perry Mill (337 Thames Street), in the space that was formerly Roasted & Brewed Cafe. Larry Silverstein and Patrick Kilroy, Owners of Midtown Oyster Bar […]
Posted inNews
More than 160 volunteers participate in Fort Adams Beach Cleanup, 438 pounds of debris removed
Near record high temperatures on Saturday was a great mother nature assist for the 164 volunteers who spent a few hours along the shoreline of Fort Adams State Park. The volunteers came together to assist Clean Ocean Access and Sail Newport with their annual cleanup of the park. In just two hours, 164 volunteers removed […]
Posted inSports
International Tennis Hall of Fame policies amended to include eligibility for groups in Contributor Category
The International Tennis Hall of Fame has amended the Policies & Procedures of Enshrinement, specifically for the Contributor Category. They write in a press release; Starting with the Class of 2021, the eligibility criteria for the Contributor Category has been amended to be defined as “a true pioneer, visionary leader, or individual / group who has […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport hoping to engage hard-to-reach population in latest census
The following story was written by Tom Shevlin, Communications Officer for the City of Newport. As the 2020 Census gets underway, the City of Newport is taking steps to ensure that this year’s demographic count is the most accurate possible. As one of Rhode Island’s identified “Hard to Reach Communities” in the 2010 Census, the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport County Road Report: RITBA and RIDOT scheduled lane closures, construction (Jan. 11-18)
Here’s what’s on tap for road construction and traffic in Newport County this upcoming week. Rhode Island Department of Transportation The following road and lane closure notices are effective for the week of January 11-17, 2020. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. No Lane Closures at This Time Visit RIDOT’s Travel Advisories website for a full […]
Posted inBusiness, Real Estate
Haynes Group tapped to transform The Mainstay Hotel & Conference Center into The Wayfinder
Haynes Group Inc. announced today that they have begun the transformation of The Mainstay Hotel & Conference Center into The Wayfinder, a 115,000-square foot hotel and conference center. Owned by Dovetail + Co., and with the help of designers Reunion Goods & Services, the boutique-style hotel will open re-imagined in the spring of 2020. From […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Wellness Week returns this month with largest Wellness Marketplace ever and new experiences throughout the week
Newport Wellness Week returns January 18-25, 2020 with a robust roster of events, special offers, discounts and deals throughout Newport and Bristol Counties dedicated to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The week’s signature event, the Wellness Marketplace, taking place inside the Newport Marriott Atrium on Sunday, January 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., is […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Agenda: Newport Planning Board Meeting (Jan. 13)
The City of Newport’s Planning Board will host a meeting on Monday, January 13 at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. The meeting is open the public. According to the City’s website, The Planning Board is the steward for the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which sets the long-term goal for the City and is […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor Raimondo’s Juvenile & Criminal Justice Working Group issues recommendations
Governor Gina M. Raimondo’s Juvenile & Criminal Justice Working Group today issued its final report, which includes dozens of recommendations to address barriers to reentry and better support justice involved youth. Full press release Governor Gina M. Raimondo’s Juvenile & Criminal Justice Working Group today issued its final report, which includes dozens of recommendations to […]
Posted inBusiness, News
Ragged Island Brewing expanding distribution into Massachusetts
Ragged Island Brewing Co. and Night Shift Distributing announced a partnership that will place the popular Portsmouth-brewed craft beer in bars, restaurants and liquor stores in Massachusetts starting in January of 2020. “Our goal in expanding to Massachusetts is to offer our products to our neighbors where they live and work,” says Matt Gray, President […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport County this weekend: Jan. 10 – 12
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in Newport County this weekend. Friday, January 10th 12 pm – Eight Bells Lecture, “The Leadership Genius of Admiral Nimitz” at Sail Newport4:30 pm – Parasite at Jane Pickens Theater5 pm – Guns N’ Hoses Police Vs. Fire Charity Hockey Game at St. George Ice Rink7 pm – Conservation Film Series – Mission Blue at […]
Posted inNews
Newport Folk Festival adds Black Pumas to 2020 lineup
Just two days after kicking off their 2020 lineup announcements, Newport Folk Festival returned to social media on Thursday to announce Black Pumas would be joining them at Fort Adams this summer. Newport Folk Festival posted this morning, “ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT! Please welcome Black Pumas to this year’s Saturday lineup. Newport Festivals Foundation has made a donation on behalf of […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Environment & Health
‘Ayurveda Unveiled’ coming to Jane Pickens on January 16th
Jane Pickens Theater, which is currently re-branding itself to “JPT Film and Event Center”, will be showing the new documentary by filmmaker Gita Desai titled Ayurveda Unveiled: art and science of a life well lived. This is a one night event taking place on Thursday January 16th at 7:30pm, just a couple days before the opening of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Castle Hill Inn will celebrate Chinese New Year with a five-course Cantonese-inspired menu
In celebration of the Year of the Rat in 2020, Castle Hill Inn will be offering a special Cantonese-inspired menu crafted with direction from Castle Hill Inn Chef de Cuisine Andy Taur, whose parents are Chinese-American restaurateurs. The five-course Cantonese-inspired menu will be available from January 24th – February 2nd. Guests will enjoy Wonton Soup, […]
Posted inBusiness, Style & Shop
Music Box toy store closes on Thames Street
The Shops at Music Box has closed the toy store that they operated adjacent to their stores on Thames Street. “We have chosen not to renew our lease on the property where the Music Box toy store was located,” Jay Lasky of Helly Hansen, Life Is Good, and Music Box, told What’s Up Newp on […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Quick Recap: January 8th Newport City Council Meeting
Newport City Council hosted their first meeting of 2020 on Wednesday evening. Here’s a quick look at how the votes fell; 1.CONSENT CALENDAR. (THE CONSENT CALENDAR IS APPROVED IN ITS ENTIRETY UNLESS THE COUNCIL REMOVES AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION. ALL LICENSES ARE GRANTED SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH ORDINANCES #31-80 AND #98-40.) a.Special Events: 1)Newport Art […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Irish tenor Ronan Tynan to perform at Jane Pickens Theater on March 1st
Spectacle Management, a booking, marketing, and promotion company with offices in Boston and Lexington, MA, announced today that they will present Ronan Tynan at the Jane Pickens Theater on Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 pm. “You’ve seen him as part of the Irish Tenors – now see Ronan Tynan in a more intimate light as he […]
Posted inBusiness, Food & Drink, News
Kilwin’s opening second location in Newport
Kilwin’s is opening a second location in Newport. Kilwin’s, which has been serving up chocolate, fudge, and ice cream at 262 Thames Street since 2009, will open soon at 359 Thames Street. The space formerly was the home of a Pinkberry, a frozen yogurt restaurant. Kirby Properties officially announced that they leased the space to […]