The following is a press release from the The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has named Officer Nathaniel Schaffer, of the Jamestown (RI) Police Department, as the recipient of its Officer of the Month Award for December 2018. On December 6, 2018, rookie Police Officer Nathaniel Schaffer was working an extra […]
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 inNews
Thai Cuisine, Wholesome Fresh, and 1908 Public House properties now available for lease
In the market for real estate where you can open your own restaurant? You’re in luck! Our friends at Kirby Properties have announced the follow three restaurant opportunities and properties are now available. Photos and descriptions via Kirby Properties. 517 Thames Street – For Lease An opportunity to lease a fully equipped restaurant space on […]
Posted inNews
MLK Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport, Newport Salvation Army to benefit from $100,000 grant from Rhode Island Foundation
The new year just got a lot brighter for people who rely on local food pantries to make ends meet thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation. Sparked by a recent report about rapidly rising food prices, the Foundation made the special donation to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and challenged […]
Posted inCity & Government
Portsmouth Democrats support Reform Caucus rules recommendations
Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee, at their monthly meeting on January 3, 2019, passed a resolution supporting the RI House “Reform Caucus” package of proposed rules changes to address issues with transparency, accountability, and participation. “Most Rhode Islanders are frustrated with the legislative process in the General Assembly,” said Portsmouth Democratic Town Committee Chair Len Katzman […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rhode Report: Newport County road and lane closures this week (Jan. 5 – 12)
The following road and lane closure notices are effective for the near future, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. RIDOT (Jan. 5 – 11) No lane closures scheduled at this time. RITBA (Jan. 6 – 12) […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – January 4th: Weather forecast and things to do
Here’s a look at what’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport today. Weather Forecast Today – Sunny, with a high near 45. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.Tonight – A chance of rain, mainly after 4am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 40. Southwest wind […]
Posted inPeople & Profiles
New playground brings Forest Avenue Elementary School even closer together
A dynamic new playground is going in at Forest Avenue Elementary School, according to Forest Avenue Elementary School Parent Teacher Group (Forest Avenue PTG) . The project, being spearheaded by the volunteer Parent Teacher Group, provides the state-of-the-art playground the school needs and deserves. And what the school deserves is quality wet pour surfaces by […]
Posted inNews
New Officers join Newport Historical Society’s Board of Trustees
The following is a press release from the Newport Historical Society. At the Newport Historical Society Annual Meeting on December 13, 2018, President Thomas P.I. Goddard, and Treasurer Dickson Boenning, both long-serving officers, retired from the Board. Both plan to stay involved. A new slate of officers was presented to the membership: Paul McGreevy, President, […]
Posted inNews
Newport Folk Festival was among top 20 ‘Most Instagrammable Locations’ in US in 2018
We all love to use a hashtag when we can, but we never know if we are the first, second or thousandth person to tag it. Play Picks has looked into different categories to find the most hashtagged places in America. Newport Folk Festival has the honor of being the only spot in Rhode Island […]
Posted inNews
‘Blue Garden’ placed under permanent conservation easement
Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) and the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust have announced that the Blue Garden, a historic Newport property designed from 1910–1918 by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., has been placed under permanent conservation easement. The 3.68-acre property will remain under the ownership and care of the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, which donated the easement, […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – January 3rd: Weather forecast and things to do
Weather Forecast Today – A chance of showers, mainly before 10am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 45. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.Tonight – Mostly clear, with […]
Posted inCity & Government
Aquidneck Island ‘Reform Caucus’ members recommended changes to House Rules
The Reform Caucus, made up of conservative, moderate, and progressive Democrats, announced their push for changes in the House Rules for a more open and transparent legislative process. The Reform Caucus is committed to changing the way business is conducted and after years of careful observation and first-hand experience, we are working to make it happen. “There is […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary for George Silvia
This obituary originally appeared on Memorial Funeral Home, it has been republished with permission. Mr. George Silvia, age 98, of Portsmouth, passed away on January 2, 2019, at the Grand Islander Nursing Center in Middletown. George was born on September 23, 1920, in Middletown, RI, to the late John Silvia and the late Mary (Freitas) […]
Posted inNews
Coast Guard suspends search for missing fishermen near Block Island
Coast Guard crews suspended their search for two missing fishermen near Block Island, Rhode Island Wednesday at approximately 5:13 p.m. The two fishermen have been missing since their boat Mistress capsized and sank Tuesday morning. The fishing boat Captain Bligh initially responded to the scene and rescued one fisherman from a lifeboat. Crews searched for […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Playhouse to host auditions for ‘The Lone Star Love Potion’
Newport Playhouse & Cabaret Restaurant has announced that they will host auditions for their next scheduled performance, The Lone Start Love Potion, on January 7th. Auditions Announcement Monday January 7, 2019 7pm The Lone Star Love Potion Show runs Thursday, February 21 – Sunday, March 31, 2019 Synopsis: The Wealthy Owner of a 200,000 acre Texas ranch […]
Posted inNews
Save The Bay kicks off the new year by opening annual Swim registration on January 7
Save The Bay announced recently in a press release that they will mark the season of new beginnings by opening registration for the Annual Save The Bay Swim on January 7. The iconic open-water swim, taking place this year on Saturday, July 27, challenges skilled swimmers to a 1.7-nautical-mile journey from the Naval War College […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Indoor Golf opens in Portsmouth
Newport Indoor Golf has recently opened its doors in a 5,000 sq. ft. facility located adjacent to the Newport Car Museum in Portsmouth. The new indoor virtual golf facility gives new and seasoned golfers the ability to play the game year-round, regardless of the weather. Four Trackman Golf Simulators allow golfers to practice on a […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society sponsoring ‘Write Your Way to Hamilton Essay Contest’
Are you a 10th grade student who wants to see the award winning musical Hamilton in the room where it happened first on Broadway? The Newport Historical Society is once again sponsoring the “Big Ideas for a Changing World: Write Your Way to Hamilton Essay Contest.” The prize for the winning essay writers is a trip to New York City […]
Posted inNews
2018-19 Rogers High School Science & Engineering Fair Winners announced
Rogers High School announced today in a press release the winners of the annual science fair. “Scoring was extremely close as many projects were judged to be outstanding by the volunteer judges from the community including Salve Regina University, URI, INSPIRE environmental, UMass Dartmouth, the Highlander Institute, Thompson Middle School, The Norman Bird Sanctuary, NUWC, […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring: 50 businesses looking for help in Newport
Does the new year have you looking for a new job or career? You’re in luck, we’ve rounded up more than 50 job opportunities that are available in and around Newport right now! Here’s who’s hiring in Newport right now! All jobs are within 5 miles of Newport and have been posted within the last […]
Posted inNews
Today In Newport – January 2nd: Weather forecast and things to do
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport today. Weather Forecast Today – Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.Tonight – Rain likely, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southeast wind 7 to 13 […]
Posted inNews
Coast Guard continues search for missing fishermen near Block Island
Multiple Coast Guard crews and good Samaritans searched throughout the day Tuesday for two missing fishermen after their boat capsized and sank approximately two and half miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island. The captain of the fishing vessel Mistress notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at around 1:30 a.m. that the […]
Posted inThings To Do
25+ events in 2019 that you shouldn’t miss
Call them the “biggest”, “best”, “most popular”, “top” or whatever else you want – we think these are the events you shouldn’t miss in 2019! Start marking those calendars. (In chronological order) Newport Wellness Week – January 19 – 25 Newport Wellness Week, a week-long celebration of mind, body and spirit, returns January 19-25, 2019. […]
Posted inThings To Do
What to do in Newport this week (Jan. 1 – 7)
Here’s what’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week. Tuesday, January 1st 10 am to 1 pm – New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet at Diego’s Bodega Cantina10:30 am – New Years Day Vinyasa and Yin Yoga11 am – Polar Dive 2019 at Island Park Beach in Portsmouth12 pm – 2019 POLAR BEAR PLUNGE- NEWPORT, RI 028402 pm, […]
Posted inNews
Where to find live music and entertainment in Newport this week (Jan. 1 – 7)
Here’s where to find live music, comedy, movies, and other forms of entertainment in and around Newport this week. Tuesday, January 1 Diego’s Barrio & Cantina (Middletown) – Live music with The Teledynes at 1 pmJane Pickens Theater – Mary Queen Of Scots at 2 pm, 4:45 pm, & 7:30 pmNarragansett Cafe (Jamestown) – Trivia from 7 pm […]