The Newport County YMCA is honored to announce Saccucci Honda of Middletown, will be the Primary Sponsor for the Newport County YMCA’s 32nd Annual Pie Run held on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 23, 2017. The race, originally founded by the Newport Running Club, collects donations for local food pantries as well as raises money for local […]
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
Household hazardous waste, electronic waste collection scheduled for Newport
Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation will be running an Eco-Depot for Household Hazardous Waste and Indie Cycle will be collecting Electronic Waste on September 30th, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The collection will take place at Easton’s Beach, located at 175 Memorial Boulevard. This free program is open to all Rhode Island residents […]
Posted inNews
5th annual Four Bridges Ride will take place this weekend
The fifth annual 4 Bridges Ride, sponsored by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, will take place on Sunday, September 17th. Cyclists will have an opportunity to pedal across four of Aquidneck Island’s Newport County’s major bridges in a 26-mile course that will provide stunning views and a tour of some of Rhode Island’s most […]
Posted inNews
Newport woman arrested for selling counterfeit goods
Another arrest has been made for the sale of counterfeit goods in Newport, RI. As What’sUpNewp previously reported, Sergeant Joseph Carroll confirmed on Wednesday, August 23rd that in June the Newport Police Department received information that several businesses operating in Newport were selling high-end counterfeit goods. Based on this information, the Newport Police Department’s Criminal Investigations […]
Posted inCity & Government
Coyotes spotted in and around Braga Park, Newport Police provides recommendations and reminders
The Newport Police Department has received complaints of coyotes in and around Braga Park. Dog walkers are reporting that coyotes are walking very close and following them in the park. The coyotes have been observed lounging out in the open, near dwellings and have displayed no fear of humans. This behavior may be due to […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
25 things to do this week: September 11 – 15
Here’s what’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this week. Monday, September 11th 11 am – Busking at Bowen’s Wharf 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Wind River at Jane Pickens Theater Tuesday, September 12th 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Wind River at Jane Pickens Theater Wednesday, September 13th 10 am […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Live music and entertainment listings: September 11 – 15
A look at where to find live music, comedy, movies, karaoke and more this week. Monday, September 11 11 am – Busking at Bowen’s Wharf4:30 pm – Brian Scott at The Landing4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Wind River at Jane Pickens Theater6 pm to 9 pm – Julio Amaro at Perro Salado7 pm to 10 pm – The Groove Merchants […]
Posted inNews
Waterfront home in Jamestown sells for $1.625 Million
Lila Delman Real Estate International has announced the sale of 102 Battery Lane in Jamestown for $1,625,000. According to Lila Delman Real Estate International, sales associate Michael Dupre represented the seller. “102 Battery Lane offers 3.25 acres of waterfront property with incredible views, magnificent sunsets, beach access, mature landscaping and privacy,” said Dupre in a […]
Posted inBusiness
Benny’s to close all 31 stores by end of year
A Rhode Island retail fixture will be no more by the end of 2017. Benny’s stores will cease operations at all locations in Rhode Island Connecticut and Massachusetts by the end of 2017, the company announced via press release today. Citing the desire of the Bromberg family ownership to retire from the operation of the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Construction and lane closures expected to begin again on Newport Bridge on September 19th, will run thru end of November
Construction is returning to the Newport Pell Bridge on September 19th, resulting in traffic being limited to one lane in each direction on the Newport side of the bridge, both east and west bound 24 hours a day through November 2017. After avoiding lane closures in July and August, Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) […]
Posted inCity & Government
What To Watch For: September 13th Newport City Council Meeting
The Newport City Council will next meet on Wednesday, September 13th at 6:30 pm in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall, here’s what they will review, vote on and discuss. The meeting is open to the general public and there is an opportunity for the public to speak (on a topic not already on […]
Posted inNews
State Alliance of Rhode Island YMCAs Donates $5,000 to the YMCA of Greater Houston
The State Alliance of Rhode Island YMCAs donates $5,000 to the YMCA of Greater Houston’s Support Harvey Relief Efforts. The City of Houston is experiencing unprecedented flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey. Donations to the Y’s Relief Effort will help provide the families and individuals who come to the Houston YMCA with basic needs in this […]
Posted inNews
Norman Bird Sanctuary invites high-schoolers to hike trails and learn naturalist skills for stipend and community service hours
Local high school students can now serve the community by getting active and learning in nature at Norman Bird Sanctuary’s new Ready, Set, Hike program this fall. Over the course of 5 Sunday hikes, high-schoolers will explore all seven miles of hiking trails at NBS with an eye out for birds and native wildlife. During […]
Posted inNews
adidas will donate equipment, time to Newport County YMCA
Employees of one of the worlds largest brands and manufacturers of shoes, clothing and accessories are coming to Aquidneck Island to give back. On Thursday, September 14th, employees from adidas will be coming to the Newport County YMCA to donate sports equipment and their time training Y staff. The relationship came from Steven Noble, whose […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
Live music and entertainment listings (September 8 – 10)
Discover where to find live music, karaoke, comedy, dancing and entertainment this weekend in and around Newport! YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE –20+ things to do this weekend (September 8 – 10) *Unless otherwise noted, the venue is located in Newport. Friday, September 8 Buskers: Grace Morrison at 9 pmCeltica: Karaoke at 10 pmClarke Cooke House: DJ & Dancing in the Boom […]
Posted inOpinion
Op-Ed: Representative Lauren Carson – Lessons from Harvey, R.I. must plan with flooding in mind
In recent days we’ve seen harrowing images of Texans carrying their children, belongings and pets against strong currents in chest-deep waters, and heard the heartbreaking stories of loss as one of the most-damaging storms in history wreaked its havoc on the Gulf coast. Here in the Ocean State, we must take heed. We may be […]
Posted inNews
Middletown woman arrested in counterfeit goods crackdown
An arrest has been made after the Newport Police Department executed search warrants on 7 area businesses. As What’sUpNewp previously reported, Sergeant Joseph Carroll confirmed on Wednesday, August 23rd that in June the Newport Police Department received information that several businesses operating in Newport were selling high-end counterfeit goods. Based on this information, the Newport […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Newport Rugby Club set to kick off 37th year of competition on September 9th
Newport Rugby returns to Fort Adam’s State Park this Saturday at 1 pm with a clash against New Hampshire powerhouse, Amoskeag, to kick off their 2017 season. Coming off a successful season that took Newport to the New England Championship title game, the club has high expectations ahead of their 9-game season. President, Chris Behan believes the coaching appointment of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Wet Paint raises record-breaking $145,651 for Newport Art Museum
The Newport Art Museum’s beloved art making event and fundraiser, Wet Paint, presented by Russell Morin Catering & Events and Newport Restaurant Group, wrapped up on Sunday, August 13 raising a grand total of $145,651 for the Museum’s exhibitions, outreach, education and historic preservation efforts and setting a new record for the event. On Saturday, 448 artists of all backgrounds, skill levels […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Stage takes shape at the Newport Opera House Theater & Performing Arts Center
A major construction milestone was achieved at the Newport Opera House Theater & Performing Arts Center with the construction of the expanded stage. Combining the historic architecture of the theater with state-of-the-art technology and features, the stage will accommodate all art forms and heralds a new era for live performance in Newport as a “world-class performing […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Restoration Foundation releases fall 2017 program schedule
This Fall, Newport Restoration Foundation will be hosting public programs at all three of their museum properties that tie in with the theme of landscapes and nature in the 2017 special exhibition Nature Tamed in the Landscape, Gardens and Collections of Rough Point. Mark your calendars for these and other special events in September and October […]
Posted inThings To Do
20+ things to do this weekend (September 8 – 10)
Discover all that’s happening, new and to do in and around Newport this weekend. You Might Also Like – Live music and entertainment listings (September 8 – 10) Friday, September 8th 10 am to 5 pm – Secret Garden Tours – Fall 4:45 pm & 7:30 pm – Wind River at Jane Pickens Theater 8 pm – Live improv […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
‘Busking @ Bowen’s’ will bring live music to Bowen’s Wharf in September and October
The Busking @ Bowen’s Fall Series will return for its third year at Bowen’s Wharf to welcome visitors and entertain local residents during the autumn season. In one of the highest foot-traffic areas in Newport, this “busking” or street performance concept is a time-tested cultural tradition in which performing artists bare their souls and connect […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Richard Grosvenor
Born in St. Jean de Luz, France, July 29th, 1928, Richard (Dick) Grosvenor came from an established Newport family. He was the youngest of six children and graduated from Groton School and Harvard University, ’51. He married Margot Sullivan, on October 19th, 1949 and later received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Salve Regina University, […]
Posted inNews
Police identify body that was found in water off of Beavertail State Park
Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, advises that members of the Rhode Island State Police Major Crimes Unit, Forensic Services Unit and the State Medical Examiner’s Office announced this morning in a press release that they have identified the body that was […]