The Four Hearts Foundation is proud to announce “Portsmouth Strong”, a community fundraiser event taking place on Tuesday, July 22 at 5:30 PM at Green Valley Country Club. They have graciously provided the venue and food for a community sphaghetti dinner. This heartfelt evening will raise critical funds to support the victims of the recent tragedy at the Portsmouth Portuguese […]
Community Submission
This content has been contributed to What's Up Newp. The views and opinions included within are not necessarily those of What's Up Newp, our contributors, or our advertisers.
We welcome letters to the editor on current local topics. Email them to Ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
The 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta is in the books
The 23rd C. Thomas Clagett, Jr. Memorial Clinic and Regatta wrapped up in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 22nd for the 30 sailors with disabilities, after three days of competitive racing and camaraderie, along with a two-day coaching clinic in the single-handed 2.4mR class and the double-handed Martin 16 class. The three days of racing provided challenges […]
Vice Admiral Walter “Ted” Carter to receive Naval War College Foundation’s highest honor
The Naval War College Foundation (NWCF) announced on June 23 that Vice Admiral Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. USN (Ret.), will receive the 2025 Sentinel of the Sea Award at a gala held in his honor on Thursday, November 6, at the New York Yacht Club in New York City. VADM Carter served 38 years in […]
Letter to the Editor: Don’t waste $250,000 on redundant study…fund schools!
At the last City Council meeting, the Superintendent, parents, and some of my Newport School Committee colleagues, made their priorities clear—fully fund our schools and stop wasting money on duplicative studies. Hopefully, the second reading of the budget will reflect that by including the full four percent school budget request plus the additional $250,000 that […]
Letter to the Editor: Newport’s city budget must address road safety
Thanks to the Newport City Council for consistently approving plans that prioritize bicycle and pedestrian safety and related infrastructure, including most recently the Newport Transportation Master Plan, the Green and Complete Streets (G&CS) Ordinance, the Ride Island Bicycle Plan, and the Vision Zero: Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan. Yet, with all of these […]
Obituary: Nancy K. (Murphy) Flynn
Nancy K. (Murphy) Flynn, age 98, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 in Middletown, Rhode Island where she lived with her daughter and family for the past eleven years. She had been a longtime resident of Waltham. She was born on August 30, 1926, in Hollis, New York, to Lawrence and Ruth (Culliton) […]
2nd Annual Charlie Holder, Sr. Memorial 5K raises $20,000 to benefit Newport County YMCA and MLK Community Center
Foggy conditions didn’t stop 290 participants from running and walking in the second annual Charlie Holder, Sr. Memorial 5K race on Saturday, May 17th. The event was presented by BRS Building Company. Mr. Holder passed away on Aug. 6, 2023. In his memory, all net proceeds from the race again benefited the Newport County YMCA […]
Obituary: Charles “Chuck” Overton Berlinghof
Our beloved elder, Charles “Chuck” Overton Berlinghof, embarked on his final adventure and departed this life on 3 June 2025, having reached the impressive age of 94. Born on 28 December 1930 in Binghamton, NY, Chuck was the first-born child of Dr. Clifton Harold Berlinghof and Barbara Fowler (Cone) Berlinghof. Chuck grew up quickly during […]
Letter to the Editor: Rhode Island must strengthen family leave to support caregivers and our economy
Caring for loved ones shouldn’t come with financial sacrifices or worrying about job security. Worrying about your job security and your income brings a whole other level of stress to an already very stressful situation. Rhode Island Temporary Caregiver Insurance (also known as TCI) values family and caregiving for all generations. TCI provides eligible workers to […]
Free Cybersecurity Summer Camp being offered to local students
Students entering grades 7 through 10 are invited to explore the exciting world of cybersecurity at a free, week-long CyberCamp hosted at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Newport Campus this summer. Campers will gain hands-on experience through interactive cybersecurity labs and receive instruction from CCRI professors and industry professionals—no prior knowledge required. Camp […]
Newport native graduates from U.S. Naval Academy
Michael A. “Mac” Cullen, son of Beth and Mike Cullen of Newport, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday, May 23, 2025, and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Cullen was among more than 1,000 midshipmen to graduate in the Academy’s 174th graduating class. The ceremony took […]
Letter to the Editor: Newport’s buried history, brought to light
Recently, large interpretive plaques were installed throughout Newport’s historic gravesites. Simmered underground for decades and even centuries, we can now learn of people and events long forgotten. These new plaques help bring our buried history to the surface and invite us to see our present differently and appreciate the struggles and triumphs of the past. […]
Letter to the Editor: Community stakeholders must be at the center of Newport-Middletown merger talks
As conversations about merging Newport and Middletown school districts continue, we urge decision-makers to lead with something more meaningful than efficiency: community and legacy. Like the preservation work of Doris Duke—who didn’t just save buildings but safeguarded the spirit of a place—our public schools deserve the same care. They carry the hopes and values of […]
Op-Ed: The search for solutions to R.I.’s short-term rental challenges
For the last year and a half, a House commission I have led has been studying the economic and social effects of the short-term rental industry in Rhode Island. We have met with state and municipal leaders who grapple with tax, housing and safety issues, leaders in the tourism and hospitality industries and property owners […]
Letter to the Editor: Has Middletown forgotten its veterans in Pottsy Field development?
In the September 9, 2021, issue of Newport This Week, Middletown was recognized on August 16, 2021, as becoming a Purple Heart Town. The following quotes are from that article. “The Middletown Town Council unanimously approved a resolution on Aug. 16 declaring the town a “Purple Heart” community, making it one of only nine in […]
Letter to the Editor: It is residents’ turn with Middletown Council
What happened to a town center for Middletown residents? 1: Middletown Town Council negotiated with the “Middletown Center” developer for the 15 acres of open space at W Main/Coddington — a Development Agreement was signed and shared with the public in October 2024. 2: The developer is asking the entire 15 acres of “Public” land […]
Letter to the Editor: Regionalization – Can adults play nice in the sandbox?
When I was sworn in as a Middletown Town Councilor in December of 2024, one of my main goals was to do everything I can to make Middletown Public Schools (MPS) the best in the State. We have a new Superintendent, new leaders of our schools, new schools on the way, and I am already […]
Letter to the Editor: Comments by Middletown Town Council Member Mrs. VonVillas overlook crucial concerns
Mrs. VonVillas’s comments at the April 28th Affordable Housing presentation came across as dismissive, implying that residents’ concerns were driven by a possible indifference to others, based on an assumption made that those already living in the Berkeley-Peckham and Oliphant Road neighborhoods must be more fortunate. This approach likely alienated many. With such enormous demand […]
Salve Regina Baseball crowned NEWMAC Champions
10th-ranked and top-seeded Salve Regina University baseball swept three games in the 2025 NEWMAC Championships with the final coming against third-seeded MIT, 6-5, as graduate student Tyler Petrosino delivered a walk-off single to left center with the bases loaded to plate Shane Williams, who had opened the bottom of the tenth tripling to center, with the winning run. […]
Letter to the Editor: Middletown taxpayers deserve respect, not reprimands
The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by Jo-Ann Thornton in response to this Letter to the Editor that was recently submitted by Barbara A. VonVillas, Middletown Town Councilor. This is the second time that Councilor VonVillas has scolded the residents/taxpayers of Middletown, like we were naughty children, misbehaved students, or underperforming employees. In […]
Letter to the Editor: Prioritize Newport’s future, maintain robust FY2026 capital funding
To the Editor, As a resident of Newport, I urge our community and city leaders to prioritize maintaining robust funding in the FY2026 capital budget. These funds are critical to sustaining the infrastructure, public services, and quality of life that make Newport a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. The capital budget supports essential […]
Scouting America Troop 3B Newport and Scoutmaster Lauracatherine Olack honored with district awards
Scouting America Troop 3B Newport has added another remarkable milestone to its legacy, earning the Narragansett Council Southeast District Troop of the Year award. Additionally, Scoutmaster Lauracatherine Olack was recognized as Scoutmaster of the Year—a testament to her dedication and leadership in guiding the next generation of Scouts. The awards were presented at the Narragansett Council Southeast District Awards Dinner on Monday, May 5, where […]
Letter to the Editor: Strengthen our local preparedness with a two-way radio
Last week, Spain and Portugal lost electrical power for a day. Communications came to a halt; there was plenty of confusion. This week, the National Weather Service is featuring “Hurricane Preparedness Week,” and it is important for Newport residents to consider all aspects of emergency readiness. Newport’s exposure to late-season hurricanes demands thoughtful preparation—not just […]
Letter to the Editor: Let’s focus on the ‘big picture’
Middletown’s recent catalog of ongoing projects is impressive, reflecting a focus on improving a multitude of functions and expanding available resources. However, none of these projects could have been approved without the necessary funding. And, in a municipal government – notwithstanding possible grants-in-aid from private and public sources – that funding comes from the taxpayers. […]
Obituary: John Phelps
U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) John Thomas Phelps II of Newport, Rhode Island, a military legal scholar and ethicist who dedicated his life selflessly to public service, passed away on April 21, 2025. He was 74. Born in Zanesville, Ohio, he was the son of the late John and Wilma Phelps. He was the loving partner […]
