City & Government

Chief Thomas F. Lee has announced his retirement from the Portsmouth Police Department. The Police Department posted the following on its Facebook Page on Thursday;

This story was originally published on May 29th, it has been updated. For the original story, scroll down. Rep. Lauren H. Carson has postponed a constituent meeting that was scheduled Monday, June 17, due to a Middletown Town Council meeting at the same time on that will include a vote on whether to enter into a […]

With the prospect of the state reimbursing Middletown and Newport for more than 80 percent of the cost to build a regional high school and regionalize k-12, Middletown’s Town Council is now determining whether to enter what Newport Mayor Jamie Bova suggests is a more “robust conversation” about the unification of the communities’ high schools. If Middletown […]

With the prospect of the state reimbursing Middletown and Newport for more than 80 percent of the cost to build a regional high school (and regionalize grades K-12), Middletown’s Town Council is now determining whether to enter what Newport Mayor Jamie Bova suggests is a more “robust conversation” about the unification of the communities’ high […]

The following items of business, filed with the City Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will go before Newport City Council at its regular meeting in the Council Chamber at Newport City Hall on June 12 at 6:30 pm. The docket, along with all supporting documents, can be viewed on the City of Newport […]

A unified high school district between Middletown and Newport was among the topics of discussion at Middletown’s Town Council Meeting on Monday. The discussion was prompted by a communication submitted by Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools. Mayor Jamie Bova, Councilor Napolitano, and Senator DiPalma were among those who spoke to Middletown Town […]

The City of Newport posted on its website on Tuesday that water customers in the City will receive notice of elevated fluoride levels when they receive their June bills. From The City “As part of our ongoing mandate to inform the public of the health of our drinking water supply, the Newport Water Division will […]

Newport Public Schools announced on Tuesday that Team Odin, the Rogers High School Robotics Team, recently returned from a competition with a trophy. “Another successful year for the Rogers High School Robotics Team!  This past weekend, the RHS Robotics team Odin went to the 2019 SeaPerch Challenge at The University of Maryland. There were 199 […]

Governor Gina Raimondo today signed a proclamation declaring June ‘Pride Month’ in the State of Rhode Island. Joined by members of Rhode Island’s LGBTQIA+ community, the Governor reinforced her commitment to upholding the values of inclusion and tolerance that have defined Rhode Island since its founding. “The Rhode Island LGBTQIA+ community has made countless contributions […]

Sen. Louis P. DiPalma’s (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton) legislation (2019-S 0049) which would exempt menstrual products from the state sales tax is being heard by the Senate Finance Committee this Thursday, June 6 at the RISE of the Senate (approximately 5 p.m.) in Room 211 of the State House. “Rhode Island should […]

A unified high school district between Middletown and Newport will be among the topics of discussion at Middletown’s Town Council Meeting this evening. The discussion was prompted by Colleen Burns Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools, in the following letter; For more on this, visit Newport officials to meet with Middletown Council, hopeful of again […]

The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture is scheduled to meet Wednesday to consider legislation that would curtail the use of plastic straws in restaurants.  The meeting will take place Wednesday, June 5, at the rise of the Senate (about 5 p.m.) in Room 211 on the second floor of the State House. The committee is scheduled […]

The following is a press release from the City of Newport. City, State, and Federal officials gathered under sun-drenched skies on Monday, June 3rd, at the site of the former Sheffield Elementary School to mark the grand opening of Innovate Newport. A joint effort between the City of Newport, the Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island, […]

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management announced on Sunday that Officers from their Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) on Saturday seized 33 tautog – 24 were under the minimum size allowed and over the legal amount allowed – from three recreational anglers fishing from the shore from Ocean Drive in Newport.. The legal possession limit […]

Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) officials announced this afternoon that they have recommended reopening Third Beach in Middletown for swimming, after closing it on Thursday due to high bacteria counts. This recommendation is based on results from water samples that show bacteria levels within acceptable limits. RIDOH will continue to monitor the water quality […]

The City of Newport announced in a press release this afternoon that the Edward King House Senior Center will be temporarily scaling back and relocating operations while crews work to replace a sewer line that services the historic Italianate building. The need for repairs was identified during a recent routine inspection, at which time it […]

This Sunday’s BankNewport 10 Miler will have minor traffic impacts around certain parts of Newport, according to organizers. City of Newport Police will be onsite at all major race intersections to monitor and assist in the flow of traffic. All roads will remain open to traffic throughout the morning, but delays and temporary stoppages can […]

Here’s what’s on tap for road construction and traffic this upcoming week. Of note, RITBA: Deck Project on Newport Pell Bridge has resumed Rhode Island Department of Transportation The following road and lane closure notices are effective for the week of June 1 – 7, 2019. All schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. Visit RIDOT’s […]

The City of Newport is addressing the signs on trees in King Park that say in-part “this tree was deliberately poisoned”. In the announcement, the City states; “Just about a year ago, we discovered that a number of trees in King Park had been deliberately poisoned. While we were forced to immediately remove and replace […]

The Forest Avenue PTG, a volunteer parent group that actively supports the school’s instructional program, and enhances community relationships, announced this morning that the Town of Middletown Town Council has unanimously approved a $30,000 donation to support their Playground Project. More info on the project – New playground brings Forest Avenue Elementary School even closer […]

The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture is scheduled to meet Wednesday to consider legislation that would curtail the use of plastic straws in restaurants, as well as hear testimony on other proposed legislation.  The meeting will take place Wednesday, May 29, at the rise of the Senate (about 5 p.m.) in Room 211 on the second […]

A notice of City Council Workshop has been posted by the City of Newport on their website. The City Council Workshop, which is to be held at 6 pm on June 10th at Council Chambers at City Hall, will be held regarding “Spring Project – Traffic Studies”. The workshop is open to the public. The […]

Newport school and city officials, state legislators and perhaps officials from the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) will descend upon the Middletown Town Council next Monday (June 3), hopeful of persuading the town to consider unification of the Rogers (Newport) and Middletown High Schools, both of which have been identified in need of millions […]

The Rogers High School field used for track, soccer and lacrosse is getting an upgrade, the result of pleas by student athletes, coaches and parents, who urged the City Council to find at least a temporary solution to a field that, according to some, is simply not playable. “If we can fix it, let’s try […]

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today kicked off the return of the seasonal Providence-Newport Ferry service, with new weekend stops in the bayside community of Bristol. The kick-off of the ferry service between Newport and Providence was postponed on Friday due to mechanical issues. Service is expected to begin on Saturday, May 25th. […]