The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced today that it will recommence the significant structural rehabilitation project on the Newport Pell Bridge. RITBA will continue its rehabilitation of approximately 4,500 feet of the bridge deck over the next nine months. This work is part of the multi-year, multi-phase project, which began in the spring […]
City & Government
A look at What’s Up in city and government in Newport, Rhode Island, and beyond.
Posted inCity & Government
Newport City Council interviews four candidates for School Committee seat, four more to be interviewed tonight
The first four candidates vying to fill a vacancy on the School Committee were interviewed by City Councilors on Wednesday night. The vacancy on the School Committee came when Kathleen Silvia resigned her seat effective January 27th, 2020. In all a total of eight candidates submitted application to serve out the remainder of Silvia’s term. […]
Posted inCity & Government
Advanced Naval Technology Exercise initial planning meeting at Innovate Newport showcases power of collaboration
The following story is by the Public Affairs Office at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport. It originally appeared here. It was only fitting that the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport held this year’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) initial planning meeting Feb. 20-21 at Innovate Newport. A marquee naval event showcasing the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Carson: Survey says Newport constituents care deeply about environment, infrastructure
The citizens in House District 75 have a strong concern for the environment and would like to see Rhode Island invest wisely in infrastructure. That was the result of a constituent survey recently conducted by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport.) About 100 constituents completed the survey, conducted in February, rating various issues in […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator DiPalma’s motion picture tax credit bill passes Senate
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma’s (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) legislation (2020-S 2326A) that amends the state’s motion picture tax credit program passed the Senate tonight. The legislation amends the current program by allowing productions to utilize tax credits, even if the majority of production is not done within the state, if the production […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City Council to host School Committee interviews on Wednesday and Thursday
City Councilors will be holding interviews this Wednesday and Thursday with applicants vying to fill a vacancy left on the School Committee following the resignation of Kathleen M. Silvia. In all, a total of eight candidates have submitted applications to serve out the remainder of Silvia’s term. Interviews are scheduled to be held over a two-day […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Saint Raphael Academy: Two members of their community have tested positive for coronavirus, following school trip to Europe
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH)’s announced Sunday morning the first case of coronavirus in Rhode Island. Late last night, RIDOH announced they have identifieda second presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 and confirmed a separate person was tested for COVID-19 yesterday. All three individuals participated in a recent trip to Europe in mid-February with […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Carson honors RI Slave History Medallion leader
Rhode Island General Assembly’s Legislative Press & Public Information Bureau announced today that Representative Lauren H. Carson recently honored the Newport man behind a statewide project to identify and educate the public about sites that were significant in Rhode Island’s participation and promotion of the slave trade. Newporter Charles Roberts is leading the Rhode Island […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
RIDOH confirms first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Rhode Island (Updated)
This story was originally published at 8:56 am on March 1st. It has been updated following a press conference that took place at 11:45 am today. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced this morning the state’s first presumptive positive case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The person is in their 40s and had […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Grow Smart RI Power of Place Summit focuses on key statewide development issues, including Aquidneck Island growth
Grow Smart RI, the Ocean State’s leading advocate for sustainable and equitable economic growth, will focus on critical development issues, including Aquidneck Island’s future growth, at its biennial Power of Place Summit on March 27. The Summit, held at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, addresses cissues, from transportation to sustainability through general sessions […]
Posted inCity & Government
Agenda for Newport Planning Board Meeting (March 2)
The Newport Planning Board will meet on Monday, March 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm in the Newport City Hall – Council Chambers. The Planning Board is the steward for the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which sets the long-term goal for the City and is a key measure by which large development projects and zoning relief are evaluated. The […]
Posted inCity & Government
City of Newport: Stay healthy & stay informed by signing up for e-alerts
The following was written by the City of Newport. What’s Up Newp is sharing this info as a public service announcement. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the immediate risk to the general public for contracting the coronavirus remains low, they do suggest that now is the time for communities […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
City of Newport, Aquidneck Land Trust among seventeen groups to receive grants to protect open space
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today that they have awarded more than $3.33 million in grants to help communities and local organizations protect valuable green space throughout the state. Seventeen projects will receive matching grants to protect 904 acres of open space and farmland across Rhode Island. The funding is made possible […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Senator DiPalma bill that protects families with parents that have disabilities passed by Senate
Sen. Louis P. DiPalma’s (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) legislation (2020-S 2139) that precludes the disability of a parent from serving as a basis for denial or restriction in matters involving a child’s welfare, foster care, family law, guardianship and adoption has been passed by the Senate. “Individuals with disabilities continue to face […]
Posted inCity & Government, Environment & Health, News
Director of Health provides updates on Coronavirus Disease 2019, seasonal illnesses
Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), provided an update to reporters today on preparedness efforts underway in Rhode Island related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and discussed general steps people can take to help prevent the spread of seasonal illnesses like the flu. “Rhode Island has been […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
R.I. Senate passes Plastic Waste Reduction Act; legislation designed to reduce use of plastic bags
The Senate today passed the Plastic Waste Reduction Act that was introduced by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence). The legislation (2020-S 2003A) is designed to reduce the use of plastic bags by retail establishments by offering recyclable bag options and providing penalties for violations. “We all know how dangerous plastic […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Rep. Canario and Rep. Edwards deliver legislative grant to Portsmouth Police Department
Rep. Dennis M. Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) and House Majority Whip John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton, Portsmouth) recently delivered a legislative grant to the Portsmouth Police Department that will be used to buy equipment that aids the department’s Accident Reconstruction Team. “The dedicated officers of the Portsmouth Police Department protect and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Representative Abney presents MLK Center with $10,000 legislative grant
On Tuesday, February 26th, Representative Marvin L. Abney (Chairman, House Committee on Finance; Member, House Committee on Conduct; Member, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs) presented the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (MLK) with a $10,000 legislative grant at a Mobile Food Pantry site visit. Chairman Abney has served the residents of Newport and […]
Posted inCity & Government, Environment & Health
How can we prepare for the coronavirus? 3 questions answered
Aubree Gordon, University of Michigan Editor’s note: Public health officials in the U.S. warned that the coronavirus, which has in large part spared the U.S., is coming and that the country needs to be prepared. But just what does this mean for you, as well as for public health officials? Aubree Gordon, public health scholar […]
Posted inCity & Government
Local high school students to participate in forum on ‘The Future of Island High Schools’ on Feb. 26th
High school students from Newport, Portsmouth and Middletown will participate in a youth forum, “The Future of Island High Schools – Youth Forum, Students Speak Up and Speak Out”, in the CCRI Newport Auditorum from 5 pm to 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 26th. The public forum, which is being hosted by Newport This Week, in partnership […]
Posted inCity & Government
Mayor Bova’s Update for February 23
Newport Mayor Jamie Bova shared the following in her weekly update on Sunday, February 23rd. “I wanted to remind you about the North End Urban Plan Public Forum on Tuesday from 5 – 8 at the East Bay Met School. The forum is an opportunity for the public to learn about the progress of the plan and […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport School Committee designates February 24 – 28 as “Public Schools Week”
At their February 11th meeting, Newport School Committee designated the week of February 24th – 28th as “Public Schools Week”. The Resolution Newport School Committee Resolution Expressing Support for the Designation of the Week of February 24 through 28, 2020 as “Public Schools Week” WHEREAS, public education is the foundation of a 21st-century democracy; and […]
Posted inBusiness, City & Government
Lt. Governor to host Small Business Advocacy Council Meeting in Newport on March 10th, business owners encourage to attend
Lt. Governor Daniel J. McKee will be hosting his Small Business Advocacy Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 10th at Innovate Newport. According to the office of the Lt. Governor, small business owners or those involved in the business community are highly encouraged to attend. Newport Mayor Jamie Bova and agencies, such as the Department of […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
International Save A Life Tour will visit Rogers High School on February 25th
The International Save A Life Tour will be visiting Rogers High School on February 25th, 2020. “This is the program the Department of Defense uses as well as the Connecticut D.O.T., Missouri D.O.T., Michigan Highway Safety and more to inform students on the dangers of driving impaired and distracted,” a press release from Newport Public School states. The […]
Posted inCity & Government
Newport’s annual kayak, dinghy rack lottery slated for March 4th
Kayakers and dinghy owners take note: Now is the time to get your applications in for the Newport Harbormaster’s Office annual dinghy and kayak rack space lottery. Spaces, which will be determined through a lottery system, will be determined with a random drawing scheduled to be held on March 4, at 9 a.m. at the […]