Nicholas J. Giordano, 95, died Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Newport Hospital of complications due to pneumonia. Born and raised in New York City, he moved to Newport, RI eight years ago. His life was ‘the American Dream.’ Growing up in the depression era, he put himself through school, served proudly in the United States […]
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
Obituary for Gloria Gene Ivey
Gloria Gene Ivey, 70, of Lawrenceville Georgia passed away on January 24, 2017. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. January 28, 2017 at Gregory B. Levett and Sons funeral home located at 914 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 (770) 338-5558. Pastor Rodney Massey of Berean Bible Church will be officiating. Visitation will […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Fire Department’s Honor Guard to Present Colors at Boston Bruins Game Tonight
Before the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Boston Bruins tonight at 7 p.m. at TD Garden, Newport Fire Department’s Honor Guard will be on hand to present the colors during the National Anthem. Those representing Newport Fire Department’s Honor Guard tonight is Chris Mariotti, Mark Riding, Kyle McKenna, Michael Page, Chris Garafalo and Brad Cronin. The […]
Posted inNews
President Trump’s Pick for Navy Secretary Has Ties to Newport
President Donald Trump announced yesterday his intention to nominate Philip Bilden, a resident of Newport and member of the Board of Trustees at the Naval War College, as the 76th Secretary of the Navy. Bilden, a highly successful business leader, former Military Intelligence officer, and Naval War College cybersecurity leader will bring strategic leadership, investment […]
Posted inCity & Government
Residents Voice Concerns Over John DePetro at Newport City Council Meeting
John DePetro took to the Newport airwaves for the first time on Wednesday at 1 p.m., about 24 hours after his announcement that Newport would be the new home for The John DePetro Show. Following the announcement on Tuesday, several residents and opponents quickly started to call for a boycott of the station and its advertisers […]
Posted inThings To Do
New Rosecliff Exhibition Displays Fashion and Satire of the Gilded Age
A new loan exhibition opens in the second floor gallery at Rosecliff on Saturday, January 28, 2017. Fashion and Satire: The Drawings of Orson Byron Lowell and Charles Dana Gibson pairs a collection of satirical illustrations with Gilded Age fashion pieces and accessories. Focusing on the life of “high society” in New York City, the […]
Posted inNews
Salve’s Administration of Justice Department to Cut Ribbon on New Digital Forensics Lab
Salve Regina’s broader cyber community of students, faculty, business leaders and state dignitaries will gather on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6:15 p.m. to officially celebrate the opening of its new digital forensics lab, part of the university’s Administration of Justice (ADJ) department. The event will be held in the new lab (Room 261 of O’Hare […]
Posted inCity & Government
Navy’s Intermediate Leadership Course Officially Underway
Developed as a joint effort by U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) College of Operational and Strategic Leadership (COSL) Department and the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center (NLEC), the Intermediate Leadership Course (ILC) is designed to replace the Navy’s former Department Head Leadership Course. The course was developed to directly reflect the Chief of Naval Operations’ […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Reginald P. Parker, Sr.
Reginald P. Parker, Sr., 85, of Middletown died Sunday, January 22, 2017 at home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of the late Rita Marion (Holmes) Parker Born on March 16, 1931 in Newport, RI, he was the son of the late John and the late Zoe (Munro) Parker. Mr. Parker served in […]
Posted inBusiness
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina Debuts
Gurney’s Newport Resort & Marina debuts this month in the former Hyatt Regency Newport hotel. George Filopoulos of Metrovest and BLDG Management, owners of Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, along with affiliates of Square Mile Capital Management LLC, purchased the Hyatt Regency Newport and are leading the transition of the property. Situated on nearly […]
Posted inNews
John DePetro Returns To Radio, Will Host Daily Weekday Show in Newport
Following his departure from the 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. time slot on News Talk 630 WPRO earlier this year, many have been wondering where John DePetro would land on the local and national dial. John DePetro announced this morning that he will be taking The John DePetro show to AM 1540 WADK in Newport, the […]
Posted inBusiness
Dockwa to Acquire Marinas.com
Dockwa, Inc., the Newport, Rhode Island headquartered slip and mooring reservation platform which boaters use to connect to marinas online and by app, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Marinas.com, the world’s most extensive online marine directory of more than 75,000 marine locations, including 15,000 marinas, yacht clubs, and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Agenda Released for Newport City Council Meeting on January 25th
The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at its regular meeting to be held on January 25, 2017 at 6:30 p.m in the Council Chambers at Newport City Hall. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Suggested Action: CITIZENS’ FORUM: (Speakers must […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Ronald Dario Bacchiocchi
Ronald Dario Bacchiocchi (Sailor Ron) of Belmont Dr., Portsmouth, RI passed away suddenly on Friday, January 20, 2017. Born in Providence, son of the late Dario Anthony Bacchiocchi (BA Dario) and Sylvia Bouchard Bacchiocchi, has lived on Aquidneck Island for many years. Ron had many passions throughout his colorful life including riding horses, yachting, deep […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Howard S. Hench Jr.
Howard S. Hench, Jr., 92, of Middletown, RI and Naples, FL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 22, 2017 with his family at his side. He was the husband of the late Patricia L. (McFalls) Hench and the father of the late Howard S. Hench III (Chip). Born in Altoona, PA on November 8, 1924, […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Joan Fields Handy
Joan Fields Handy, 91, of Portsmouth, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017 at Silver Creek Nursing Home in Bristol, R.I. She was the wife of the late Frank E. Handy for 71 years. Born on March 9, 1925 in Bluefield, VA, she was the daughter of the late Jack C. Fields and Clara Belle […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Carson Highlights Legislative Priorities for 2017 Session
Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) is highlighting her legislative priorities for the 2017 General Assembly session. She intends on continuing her focus on the economic impact of sea rise and flooding, and chairing the House Tourism Study Commission. She is also focusing on aging citizens’ issues, and creating a small business council for […]
Posted inNews
Support Newport’s History, and its Future, at an Event to Celebrate the Breakers on January 26th
“Celebrate Newport’s Deep Connection with The Breakers”, hosted by the newly-formed Friends of Newport Preservation, will be held at LaForge Casino Restaurant onThursday, January 26th. The event will the first in a series to create public awareness and build community spirit to preserve the historic integrity of The Breakers. The evening event will feature Vanderbilt […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Michael Angelo Ribera
Michael Angelo Ribera “Mike” died at the Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford, Florida on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017 less than one week prior to his 66th birthday. Mike is survived by his wife of 20 years, Patty Ruscoe. Mike was born on January 24, 1951 at Newport Hospital to the late Michael S. Ribera […]
Posted inNews
Norman Bird Sanctuary Will Install Water Filling Station, Donated by Greenlove Foundation
On Wednesday, January 25th at 3:30 pm Norman Bird Sanctuary will unveil its new water fountain and bottle filling station donated by the Greenlove Foundation in honor of Luc Bandoni. Greenlove Foundation honors the memory of Kendra L. Bowers, a Newport resident and environmentalist who was fatally injured in a 2014 skiing accident at the […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
2017 Class Announced for International Tennis Hall Of Fame
Former world No. 1’s Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick have been elected to receive the highest honor in tennis – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Joining them in the Hall of Fame Class of 2017 will be Monique Kalkman-van den Bosch, a 4-time Paralympic medalist in wheelchair tennis, being honored for her […]
Posted inNews
Obituary For Dennis Arthur Shea
Dennis “Denny” Arthur Shea, age 75, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the Newport Hospital. A native Newporter, he was the son of the late Dennis J. Shea and Elizabeth “Mae” (Morris) Shea. He is survived by his wife, Arlene (Park) Shea, two daughters Karen and husband Randy Pribbernow and Christine and husband […]
Posted inNews
Rhode Island Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Appeal on Breakers Welcome Center
The Preservation Society of Newport County today issued this statement in response to the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s refusal to hear an appeal of the Newport Zoning Board’s approval of a Special Use Permit for a welcome center at The Breakers: The Preservation Society of Newport County welcomes today’s decision by the Rhode Island Supreme Court […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up For This Week: Jan. 23 – 27
Discover what’s happening, new and to do this week in and around Newport, RI. Monday, January 23rd 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. – Jackie at Jane Pickens Theater 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. – Newport Skating Center is open 6 p.m. – Planning Board Sub-Committee at Newport City Hall Tuesday, January 24th 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. […]
Posted inOpinion
Letter To The Editor: Project Purple Week is Coming to Newport County
January 23-27 marks the 5th year for Project Purple Celebrations and this year Portsmouth, Middletown, Tiverton , Little Compton ,Newport and Jamestown are ALL turning Purple for the week. So what is Project Purple- read on? In 2011 Chris Herren, the former NBA basketball professional with the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, and now a […]