Betty Jean Archer, age 70, formerly of Colchester, CT, died Saturday, May 21, 2016, at home in Portsmouth, RI, after her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Betty (“Boop”) was born June 14, 1945, in Hartford, CT, the daughter of Dorothy G. (Goldfarb) Allard and the late Arthur G. Allard, Sr. She is survived by her […]
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 Rachel C. St. Jean: May 5, 1951 – May 23, 2016
Rachel St. Jean age 65 passed away peacefully on Monday, May 23rd, 2016 surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on May 5th 1951 in Woonsocket, she was the daughter of Rose(Dejarlais) and Lionel Jalbert . Rachel attended Woonsocket schools and graduated from Woonsocket High School. Rachel married the love […]
Posted inCity & Government
Senate Hearing on Middletown, Newport Meals Tax Increase Has Been Scheduled for Thursday
The Senate Finance Committee hearing on S2987, which would increase the meals & beverage tax by 1% (to a total of 9%) in Newport and Middletown only is scheduled for Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 211 at the State House. This legislation was introduced after Middletown Town Council and Newport City Council passed resolutions asking for the […]
Posted inThings To Do
5 Newport Businesses Will be Among the 22 Competing in 35th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off
NEWPORT, RI, May 25, 2016 – Newport Waterfront Events’ 35th Annual Great Chowder Cook-Off, the original and longest running chowder championships in the country taking place on Saturday, June 18th from noon to 6:00 p.m. on the North Lawn of Fort Adams State Park, will feature five Newport businesses whose recipes will be among 22 […]
Posted inNews
RI Tree Council Will Dedicate the Grounds of National Museum of American Illustration as a Certified Arboretum
The Frederick Law Olmsted Park & Arboretum at the National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) is Rhode Island’s newest accredited Level I Arboretum, containing four newly designated “State Champion Trees”. To note these momentous events, the National Museum of American Illustration is holding “A Celebration of Trees” on the grounds of their Frederick Law Olmsted Park on […]
Posted inNews
Look Who’s Talking About Newport: May 25, 2016
This is a daily look at where and why Newport is being mentioned locally and around the globe over the last 24 hours or so, for the latest news from What’sUpNewp, check out All The News. This story will be updated throughout the day to include new mentions and news. Patch – Four Charged for DUI in Portsmouth […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Manuel “Manny” Laureanno: January 16, 1947 – May 16, 2016
Manuel “Manny” Laureanno, 69, of Portsmouth died unexpectedly on Monday, May 16, 2016. Born on January 16, 1947 in Fall River, MA, he was the son of the late Almerinda (Roderigues) and Manuel C. Laureanno. His construction trade began while enlisted in the Air Force from 1964 to 1968. By 1976 he was president of […]
Posted inNews
Podcast #112: Chatting about National Foster Care Month
It was all about raising awareness of foster care and the need for foster parents today on The Open Forum on WADK 1540 AM. Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity for people all across the nation to focus attention on the year-round needs of American children and youth in foster care. The […]
Posted inNews
Poll: Do You Support the City Council Resolution That Would Phase-Out Use of Plastic Bags in Newport?
Three City Council members will introduce a Resolution at the May 25th Newport City Council meeting that will construct an ordinance to phase out the use of disposable plastic bags in Newport. The “Single Use Plastics” Resolution, which was introduced by Councilor’s John Florez, Naomi Neville and Lynn Ceglie, would call on the City Administration, […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson’s Tourism Marketing Commission Will Meet With Commerce Corporation, Epic Decade
The Special Legislative Commission to Study Methods for Growing Tourism in the State of Rhode Island Through Coordinated Branding and Marketing Efforts will meet Thursday with Darin Early, president of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, and Seth Goldenberg, founder and CEO of Epic Decade, one of the three firms that developed the state’s tourism campaign. […]
Posted inNews, Style & Shop
Sephora and lululemon Are Now Open in Downtown Newport
Washington Square and Long Wharf Mall each welcomed new neighbors over the last few days. Sephora Sephora hosted Grand Opening at their new location at 49 Long Wharf Mall on Friday, doors opened at 10 am. Sephora’s regular hours will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through […]
Posted inNews
PHOTOS: Another Dead Whale Washes Ashore Aquidneck Island’s Coastline
Visitors to Ocean Loop at Sachuest on Tuesday morning discovered a small dead whale had washed ashore. This is the second whale to wash ashore on the coast of Aquidneck Island in the last two months, in April a dead humpback whale washed ashore Hazard’s Beach in Newport. There have also been reports of whales […]
Posted inNews
Obituary for Helen Gallagher: December 10, 1933 – May 15, 2016
Helen (Stashkow) Gallagher, 83, of Tiverton died Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Philip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, RI. She was the wife of the late Richard W. Gallagher. Born on December 10, 1933 in Fall River, MA, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Anna (Krysa) Stashkow. Helen was a graduate of […]
Posted inNews
‘Another Period’, Comedy Central’s Scripted Series about Newport’s First Family, Renewed For Season 3
Comedy Central’s turn-of-the-century historical and satirical scripted series that “takes place” in Newport, Another Period, has been renewed for a third season, it was announced today by Kent Alterman, President, Comedy Central. The ten-episode second season, co-created by and starring Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome, directed by Jeremy Konner and executive produced by Ben Stiller’s […]
Posted inNews
Middletown Police Department Warns of Suspicious Activity in Area of Boulevard and Miantonomi Avenue
After responding to several calls in the Boulevard and Miantonomi Avenue area, Middletown Police Department issued a warning on their Facebook Page about suspicious activity. Suspicious activityOver the past few weeks, the Middletown Police Department has responded to several calls in the Boulevard and Miantonomi Avenue area regarding a suspicious male who has been looking […]
Posted inNews
Cluny School Will Launch “Camp Cluny” This Summer
Cluny School is excited to announce the launch of their 6-week Summer Camp Program, Camp Cluny, for children ages 3-12 years. Camp Cluny’s goal is to offer children a memorable summer of adventure, exploration, teamwork, and imagination. Camp Cluny is located at the beautiful Cluny School campus on 75 Brenton Road in Newport. It runs […]
Posted inNews
Thompson Middle School Receives Bomb Threat on Monday Morning
Thompson Middle School received a bomb threat on Monday morning. Sergeant Corey A. Huck, Public Information Officer for Newport Police Department, provided the following information; At 0948 hours this morning the Newport Police Department received a call from Thompson Middle School stating they had just received a bomb threat against the school. The Newport Police […]
Posted inNews
Jamestown Police Officer Killed by Wrong-Way Driver on Route 95
A Jamestown Police Officer was killed early Tuesday morning when during his commute home he was struck head-on by a wrong way driver on Route 95 South. WPRI reports (Jamestown police officer killed in deadly head-on crash); ” Jamestown police officer Ryan Bourque had just gotten off his night shift and was driving home to Coventry […]
Posted inThings To Do
Great Things To Do This Week: May 23 – 26
Discover the best events, activities and things to do during this weekend in and around Newport, RI. Monday, May 23 9am – World Turtle Day Diegos: Trivia at 9pmFastnet: Live music with The Ubiquitones from 10pm to 1am. No cover.Fifth Element: Live music with The Groove Merchants from 7pm to 10pmMidtown Oyster Bar: Live music with Yacht Club Rejects […]
Posted inNews
Video, Recap & Links: ‘CBS News Sunday Morning’ Films in Newport
As What’sUpNewp reported first earlier this week, Charles Osgood and the CBS News Sunday Morning crew were on location in Newport earlier this week to host the shows annual broadcast “devoted to the people, places and things that change our lives by design”. Scenes from the show included The Breakers and Marble House. Show Recap – Up next: “By […]
Posted inNews
Look Who’s Talking About Newport: May 23, 2016
This is a daily look at where and why Newport is being mentioned locally and around the globe over the last 24 hours or so, for the latest news from What’sUpNewp, check out All The News. This story will be updated throughout the day to include new mentions and news. CBS News – The Breakers and Marble HouseCBS […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport Construction Projects for Week of May 23
The Department of Utilities construction projects that are in progress for the week of May 23rd are noted below. Wellington CSO Facility Improvement Project- The construction of the new sewer force main in Wellington Avenue between Marchant Street and Thames Street will continue the week of May 23rd. The new force main is required […]
Posted inNews
Miss Rhode Island and Miss Rhode Island Outstanding Teen Crowned in Newport
The Miss Rhode Island Scholarship Organization crowned its new Miss Rhode Island and Miss Rhode Island’s Outstanding Teen at the Casino Theater in Newport on Sunday evening. Out of the more than 20 contestants, Shruti Nagarajan was crowned Miss Rhode Island 2016 and Kate Depetro took the crown for Miss RI Outstanding Teen 2016. While this […]
Posted inThings To Do
Point Association Set to Host Annual Community Plant Sale on May 28th
The Point Association is pleased to announce that their annual community plant sale will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2016, 8am to noon, St. John’s Church parking lot, corner of Willow at Washington Streets. Whether a veteran gardener or a blooming beginner, arrive early to get the best “pickings” from Astilbe to Zebra Grass, […]
Posted inJobs
Now Hiring In Newport: Help Wanted at 80+ Local Businesses (May 22)
Looking for a job in Newport, RI? Here’s our weekly roundup of job opportunities that are currently available in and around Newport, RI. Have a job to list? You can do that here – Helpful Links: JF3 Salon and Spa in Newport is Expanding and Now HiringApplications Now Being Accepted for RIMTA Summer Training Marine Trade Programs […]