Christine Elizabeth Perry, a resident of Providence, RI, and formerly of Newport, RI was called home, Sunday, January 1, 2017, at the age of seventy. She was born on July 29, 1946 in the town of South Kingstown, RI. Christine Perry was raised by her (late) grandfather William Clarke and grandmother Agnes Catherine Perry. She […]
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
Newport Public Schools Conducts Parent Survey Regarding February Vacation and School Start Times
The Newport Public Schools have contracted with the communications management firm Martin & Associates to collect feedback on current and proposed changes to the school calendar. Of particular interest in this survey are questions around the start of the school year and feedback on the value of the February break. The Newport Public Schools leadership […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Second Saturday at Newport Art Museum Will Celebrate ‘The Year Of The Rooster’
The Newport Art Museum continues to engage and inspire the whole family with “Second Saturdays” (January 14, 10am-12pm), an engaging family-oriented program designed to inspire young minds and satisfy the curiosity of every member of the family. Each Second Saturday is uniquely curated based on a theme, and includes a variety of activities geared for ages 3-10. This event joins the ranks of […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for John E. Nasser
John E. Nasser Jr., 88, of Portsmouth died Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at Heatherwood Nursing and Subacute Center in Newport, RI. He was the husband of the late Catherine Eillen (Riegel) Nasser. Born on April 28, 1928 in Newport, RI, he was the son of the late John E. and Sarah (Crowell) Nasser. John worked […]
Posted inNews
Save Tiverton Seeks Peer Review of Twin River’s Enviornmental Application
Save Tiverton, a group of local residents and property ownersconcerned about the land use impacts of the proposed Twin River casino, sent a letter to the casino operator on December 8, 2016 seeking a peer review of their environmental applicationto the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM).The letter, from Karen Augeri Benson, a local […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Public Schools Launches New Mobile App
The latest news and information from schools in the Newport Public School district are now available on smartphones and mobile devices with a new mobile app launched during Tuesday night’s school committee meeting. Newport Public Schools is partnering with Blackboard, an educational technology company, to expand its communications outreach with a mobile app that is […]
Posted inThings To Do
Norman Bird Sanctuary Summer Camp Invites Children to Explore in Nature
Norman Bird Sanctuary continues the tradition of learning and being active outside in their 58th year of summer camp. Over the course of eight weeks, hundreds of campers will enjoy a unique blend of fun-filled nature exploration, hands-on learning, animal encounters, games, and team building. Campers explore Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 325-acre outdoor classroom and learn […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Alison M. Shakarian, Ph.D.
Alison M. Shakarian, PhD, 51, of Tiverton, professor of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Salve Regina University, died at home Tuesday, January 10, 2017. A 13th generation Portsmouth native and granddaughter of Armenian Genocide survivors, Dr. Shakarian graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1983, received a B.S. in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, from Salve Regina University, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Flex Tickets for Newport Jazz Festival Sold Out, Early Bird 3-Day and 2-Day Passes Now Available
Flex tickets for the Newport Jazz Festival® presented by Natixis Global Asset Management are sold out, but Early Bird 3-Day and 2-Day Passes are now available. Produced by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc., the 2017 Festival is set for August 4 – 6. The Early Bird 3-Day Pass, the best deal at $155.00, is good […]
Posted inNews
Jamestown Police Partners with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
The Jamestown Police Department has announced a new partnership with Day One of Rhoe Island. Day One is an agency in Rhode Island that provides support and advocacy for the victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Recently the Jamestown Police Department has partnered with Day One in order to establish a law enforcement advocacy […]
Posted inNews
Pieter Roos to Step Down as Executive Director of Newport Restoration Foundation
After nearly two decades of transformative leadership, Newport Restoration Foundation executive director Pieter Roos has informed the board of directors he will be stepping down at the end of February, NRF Board Chair Roger Mandle announced today. “During his tenure, Pieter’s leadership transformed the NRF from a sleepy preservation entity with few staff whose main […]
Posted inNews
Cluny School to Commemorate 2017 National Catholic Schools Week with Open Houses, Special Events
Cluny School will hold an Open House for the public on Sunday, January 29th from 11am- 1pm and on Wednesday, February 1st from 10am- 12 noon. In addition to the open houses, Cluny School will commemorate National Catholic Schools Week, from January 29th to February 3rd, with breakfast events for students and parents, a celebration of mass, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health
2017 Will Be Historic Year for Tall Ship Oliver Hazard Perry
After a successful first season of programs in New England, the brand new 200-foot Tall Ship, Sailing School Vessel (SSV) Oliver Hazard Perry, plans to set sail for the open ocean this January, heading first to Bermuda, then to Florida where she will be based through March. The ship will offer opportunities for explorers of […]
Posted inCity & Government
What’s On The Agenda: January 11th Newport City Council Meeting
The following items of business will go before the Newport City Council at its first regular meeting on the new year on January 11, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG CITIZENS’ FORUM: (Speakers must sign in with the City Clerk). The Citizens’ Forum […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for William Heinrich Eibel
William Heinrich Eibel, 67, of Jamestown died Sunday, January 8, 2017, at Newport Hospital. He will be laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery. He was the husband of Jean Marie (Larosee) Eibel Born on September 13, 1949, in Providence, RI, he was the son of the late Julius and Lillian (Charette) Eibel. Mr. Eibel […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Gillian Conyers Hall
Gillian Conyers (Lowe) Hall entered eternal peace on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at home in Middletown, Rhode Island surrounded by her family. Gillian was born on March 13, 1926, the daughter of Charles and Marjorie Lowe in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England and sister of the late John and Robert Lowe. She was married to the late […]
Posted inNews
Salve Regina University Will Broadcast New Weekly Episodes of “Story In The Public Square”
The Pell Center at Salve Regina University will broadcast new weekly episodes of “Story in the Public Square” on Rhode Island PBS and nationally on satellite radio provider SiriusXM P.O.T.U.S. channel 124, according to a news release from Salve Regina University. The new series will begin the weekend of January 14, 2017. Hosted by Pell Center Executive Director Jim Ludes and G. […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Laura M. Wagoner
WAGONER, Laura M., 52, passed with peace and grace on January 8, 2017 after a long battle with diabetes and kidney disease, leaving her loving husband of 29 years, Gary Wagoner. In addition to her husband, she survived by her step-son, Phillip, of Bristol, son, Erik, of Barrington, and daughter, Elisha, also of Barrington. She […]
Posted inJobs
Electric Boat Is Hiring: Job Fair To Be Held in Middletown on January 11th
Interested in a manufacturing career? Electric Boat in North Kingston is hiring machinists, metal fabricators, pipe-fitters and welders. Skills For Rhode Island’s Future will host a hiring fair on Wednesday, January 11th at the Newport County Chamber of Commerce for manufacturing jobs at Electric Boat. Initially established in 1973 to provide off-site support to Electric […]
Posted inCity & Government
Starting Today: Bus Stops at Newport Gateway Center Will Be Temporarily Relocated
This story was originally published on December 29th, 2016. With construction work slated to begin early in January on the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center (Newport Gateway Center), the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) announced in late-December that bus stops will be temporarily relocated to America’s Cup Avenue. Passengers will be picked up and dropped […]
Posted inBusiness
Newport Business News: January 9, 2017
Keeping up with what’s happening and new with Newport businesses can be tough, we decided to do something about it in order to help you (and us) keep track of all that’s happening in the City-By-The-Sea. This is ‘Newport Business News’, a weekly column where we keep you in the know of what’s happening with […]
Posted inCity & Government
Aquidneck Island Road Construction Report: Jan. 8 – 14
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: 1/7-1/13 Newport: As the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) prepares for construction work at the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center, motorists will experience road work and a right lane closure […]
Posted inHistory
Hear from Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of Newport Historical Society, at ‘Arts Around The Fire’ on January 17th
Ruth Taylor, Executive Director of the Newport Historical Society, will be the special guest this month at Arts Around the Fire on Tuesday, January 17th from 6-8pm at Salvation Café’s Post & Beam room. Arts Around The Fire is Newport’s Arts and Cultural Alliance’s monthly networking event. Taylor will talk about what history is good for, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport Police Tow 11 Vehicles During Weekend Parking Ban
The Newport Police Department was forced to tow 11 vehicles during the 20-hour parking ban this weekend, according to ABC 6. A Parking Ban went into effect in Newport at 12 p.m. on Saturday and remained in effect until 8 a.m. on Sunday morning, during that time dozens of plows worked to remove 12 – […]
Posted inThings To Do
Newport Historical Society Will Offer Walking Tours During Upcoming MLK Holiday Weekend
The Newport Historical Society will offer two of their most popular walking tours during the upcoming Martin Luther King holiday weekend, January 14-15, 2017. The schedule is: January 14, 2017 at 11am Rogues & Scoundrels See where scoundrels lived, pirates profited and criminals were punished. Find out why this colony was known as “Rogues Island.” […]