John S. Silvia, 95, of Portsmouth died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Grand Islander Health Care Center of Middletown, RI. He was the husband of Alexandria (Morris) Silvia. Born on February 2, 1921 in Portsmouth, RI, he was the son of the late Jesse and Mary (Rosa) Silvia. Besides his wife of 14 years, he […]
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 Florence Twomey
Florence Twomey, 92, of Portsmouth, died Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Royal Middletown Nursing Center of Middletown, RI. She was the wife of the late William Earl Twomey, CWO, USN (Ret). Born on September 13, 1924 in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Eva Vadnais. Florence was raised in Providence, […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Colleen A. McRoy
Colleen A. (Phelan) McRoy, 74, of Portsmouth died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Jimmy D. McRoy. Born on August 7, 1942 in Fall River, MA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph B. and Helen (Malone) Phelan. Mrs. McRoy was a 1963 graduate of […]
Posted inNews
Faculty-Student Researchers at Salve Regina University Publish Study Examining Collegiate Sports Injuries
An article co-authored by Dr. JD Swanson and two of his students that examines and compares injuries sustained in the martial arts versus other NCAA contact sports has been published today in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The goal of the researchers is to help alleviate concerns from a risk management perspective for collegiate clubs. “Comparison […]
Posted inArts & Culture, Things To Do
What’s Up For This Weekend in Newport: Jan. 20 – 22
Newport, RI – Here’s what’s up for events, activities, live music and entertainment in and around Newport this weekend. Scroll down for live music and entertainment listings Friday, January 20th 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. – Jackie at Jane Pickens Theater 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Newport Skating Center Is Open 6 […]
Posted inNews
Official Trailer For ‘The Discovery’ Released, Will Premiere This Week at 2017 Sundance Film Festival
The movie that took Aquidneck Island by storm in March, April and May of 2016 will make its World Premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival tomorrow. In the lineup of Premiere’s, “A showcase of world premieres of some of the most highly anticipated narrative films of the coming year.”, The Discovery is expected to make […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
Healy 1 point off J/70 Class lead at Quantum Key West Race Week
At the midpoint of the 30th anniversary Quantum Key West Race Week Narragansett Bay sailors are featuring in several class battles. In the J/70 Class, the largest class at race week with 42 entrants, it looked as if Carlo Alberini’s Calvi Network from Italy was charting a course to a third consecutive class victory. Then […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senator Whitehouse to Join Women’s March on Washington
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse announced this afternoon in a press release that he will join hundreds of thousands of women from across the country in what promises to be a historic Women’s March on Washington on Saturday, January 21. The event is scheduled for the day after President-elect Donald […]
Posted inNews
What About Bobby: Introducing the “Do Something Good For Aquidneck Island Grant”
Hi my name is Bobby Forster, I am a 27-year-old Newport resident living with ALS. I have been incredibly lucky to have the love and support of the Newport and Aquidneck island community. As a result, I have been trying to figure out a way to give back to the community that I love so […]
Posted inBusiness
People’s Credit Union Appoints New Business and Residential Lending Manager
Middletown, RI – People’s Credit Union has announced the appointment of Steven Carneiro to the position of Business and Residential Lending Manager. In this position, Mr. Carneiro is responsible for soliciting, developing, and expanding member business relationships, producing a variety of business and commercial loans, managing a portfolio of businesses and corresponding loan relationships, as […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Jazz Festival Releases First Wave of 2017 Lineup
With specially-priced Flex Tickets and Early Bird Multi-Day Passes already sold out, Producer/Founder George Wein and Artistic Director Christian McBride have announced the first wave of artists for the 2017 Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management, which takes place at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at […]
Posted inHistory
Newport’s History With The Circus: Host of the First Performance in the Country to Ringling Bros.
Feld Entertainment Inc., parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment, announced on Saturday that the iconic 146-year-old circus would hold its final performances later this year. Ringling Bros. two circus units will conclude their tours with their final shows at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Eugene Sartori
A memorial service for Eugene (Gene) Ferdinand Sartori who passed away on January 15, 2017, will be held at 11:00, January 20, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, RI. Gene was born on November 14, 1920 in Kansas City, MO to Margaret DeMayo Sartori and Emil Baptist Sartori. His love of music, which began […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Marjorie Mae Mercer
Marjorie Mae Mercer, 93, of Portsmouth, formerly of Roy Ave Middletown, died on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Newport Hospital in Newport. Marjorie was born June 26, 1923 in Fall River, MA. She was the daughter of the late Alfred Walton and Frances (Giddins) Walton Pilkington. Marjorie grew up in Fall River and Roslindale, MA, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
January 22nd to be Proclaimed as “Island Moving Company Day” in Newport
Dancers and supporters of Island Moving Company (IMC) will gather in the afternoon of January 22, 2017 to hear Newport, RI Mayor Harry Winthrop proclaim “Island Moving Company Day” at the Company’s studios on Washington Square in Newport. The Mayor helps to celebrate the start of IMC’s 35th season and the “new look” of the […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Joyce M. Woolhouse
Joyce M. (Brinton) Woolhouse, 80, of Middletown died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Newport Hospital surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late George W. “Ducky” Woolhouse. Born on April 14, 1936, in Newport, RI, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Anne Brinton, Sr. Sixty years ago, Joyce with […]
Posted inNews
The Providence Journal: Retired Newport Police Sergeant Sues City, Asks to Return to Traffic Details
Jim Quinn, a retired Newport police sergeant and a co-owner of Hungry Monkey and the Newport Blues Cafe, is reportedly suing the City of Newport and the Newport Police Department for wrongfully barring him from working traffic details after he spoke publicly about The Hungry Monkey being victimized by a scam. The Providence Journal with […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Catherine Lois Cayer
Catherine Lois Cayer, 73, of Portsmouth, died on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Newport Hospital. Catherine was born January 17, 1943 in Newport, RI, the daughter of the late Louis G. and Esther A. (Bird) Sylvia. Mrs. Cayer retired in 2010 from a 33 year career at NUSC/NUWC. She grew up in Newport and graduated […]
Posted inJobs
50+ Companies Hiring Right Now in Newport County (Jan. 16)
Looking for a job in or near Newport, RI? Whether you’re looking for a part-time job, seasonal gig or new full-time career, chances are that someone is looking for you out there. Jobs Opportunities In & Around Newport, RI All jobs posted in last 7 days and are in or within 5 miles of Newport. 22 […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up For This Week: Jan. 16 – 20
Here’s what’s happening, new and to do this week in and around Newport, RI! Monday, January 16th 10 a.m. – Superhero Day at Newport Skating Center 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. – Lion at Jane Pickens Theater Tuesday, January 17th 4:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. – Lion at Jane Pickens Theater 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. – […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Donald Vacchi
Donald Vacchi, 80, died on January 13, 2017 in Providence. Originally from Plymouth, Massachusetts, Don was born on November 26, 1936, the son of Eleanor Manfredi of Kingston, Massachusetts, and Luigi Vacchi of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. He received his primary and secondary education in the Plymouth public schools, and he was a graduate of Northeastern […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Catherine Lois Cayer
Catherine Lois Cayer, 73, of Portsmouth, died on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Newport Hospital. Catherine was born January 17, 1943 in Newport, RI, the daughter of the late Louis G. and Esther A. (Bird) Sylvia. Mrs. Cayer retired in 2010 from a 33 year career at NUSC/NUWC. She grew up in Newport and graduated […]
Posted inCity & Government
Aquidneck Island Road Construction Report: Jan. 15 – 21
Here is what’s happening for road work, closures and detours in and around Newport, RI this week. Roadwork scheduled by Rhode Island Department Of Transportation: 1/14-1/20 Newport: As the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) prepares for construction work with equipment like the Mechanical Packer at the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center, motorists will experience road […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Island Moving Company to Present Mother Goose at Rosecliff for the Company’s 35th Season Opening Weekend
Island Moving Company, Newport’s contemporary ballet company, restages its popular ballet for the very young, Mother Goose, at four matinees on March 3, 4 & 5 at Rosecliff. The Company presents an after-school matinee at 4pm on Friday, March 3rd in addition to the 3pm matinee on Saturday the 4th and two shows on Sunday […]
Posted inNews
Rogers High School Student wins Statewide Teen Dating Violence Bookmark Design Contest
Matthew Spring, a Junior in the Advertising ~ Design & New Media program at the Newport Career and Technical Center & Rogers High School, won First Place in the Statewide Lindsey Ann Burke Foundation Bookmark design contest. The theme was healthy respectful dating relationships, where tudents had to design the front of a bookmarker that shows […]