Matthew Gray, owner of Gray Matter Marketing and Ragged Island Brewing Company, has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of Discover Newport. Gray, who represents Portsmouth on the board, has served since 2019. He previously chaired the finance committee as treasurer and served on the organization’s recent CEO search committee. Discover Newport is […]
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Obituary: Tracey Butler
Tracey Ann Butler-Cruz, age 52, of Middletown, RI died suddenly and unexpectedly on 11/28/25. Our family is in shock and completely devastated by her passing. Tracey had chronic health issues that had plagued her since her early twenties, including Lupus and Fibromyalgia, and she endured constant, terrible pain. However, considering the toll Lupus had taken […]
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Santa set to tour Newport County neighborhoods with first responder escorts
Santa Claus is coming to town — and local firefighters, police and volunteers across Newport County will help make sure he gets there. Portsmouth, Jamestown, Newport, and Middletown are gearing up to escort Santa through area neighborhoods throughout December, bringing candy canes, holiday cheer, and a chance for children to catch a glimpse of the […]
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54 arrested for DUI during Thanksgiving holiday in Rhode Island
Law enforcement agencies across Rhode Island arrested 54 people for driving under the influence during the Thanksgiving holiday period, according to the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. The arrests occurred between noon on Nov. 26 and 6 a.m. on Dec. 1, representing the combined efforts of all 38 municipal police departments and the Rhode Island […]
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What’s up in Newport: Tuesday, December 2
Here’s a look at what’s coming up on Tuesday, December 2, in Newport. Weather Forecast Tuesday: Rain, mainly after 9 a.m. High near 48 degrees. Southeast wind 7 to 11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%—new precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch are possible. Tuesday night: Rain, mainly before midnight. […]
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‘Sara Paige’ takes top honors at Newport Illuminated Boat Parade
A 32-foot powerboat named Sara Paige captured first place in the 26th annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade on Saturday evening. More than 30 decorated vessels of various sizes participated in the holiday tradition, which was rescheduled from Nov. 28 due to inclement weather. Solid State, a 34-foot powerboat, took second place in the Best in […]
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Irish museum to host ‘pop up consulate’ Wednesday
The Consul General of Ireland in Boston and her staff will hold a “pop up consulate” at the Museum of Newport Irish History’s Interpretive Center on Wednesday. Consul General Síghle FitzGerald (pronounced “Sheila”) and her team will be available from noon to 3 p.m. at 648 Thames St. for the open-house-style event. Members of the […]
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Run Newport captures first place in Rhode Island Grand Prix
Run Newport claimed the top spot in the 2025 Rhode Island Grand Prix, a seven-race series spanning eight months that pits running clubs from across the state against one another. The team, composed of 31 Aquidneck Island runners, finished with 5,239 points, edging out second-place Adult Sentinel Striders, who accumulated 4,972 points. Phantom Farms Flyers […]
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Newport School Committee approves independent investigation into Rogers High School assault
The Newport School Committee voted Wednesday to hire an independent investigator to conduct a full review of the assault of a special needs student at Rogers High School. School Committee Chair James Dring said the decision reflects the committee’s obligation to restore trust and provide a safe environment for students. “I am outraged at what […]
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Newport Illuminated Boat Parade rescheduled to Saturday due to weather
The 26th annual Newport Illuminated Boat Parade has been rescheduled from Friday to Saturday due to an inclement weather forecast, organizers announced Wednesday. The event will now take place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 29. The registration deadline for participating vessels has been extended to noon Friday. The parade, founded by former Harbormaster Jake Farrell, […]
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Rhode Island Energy proposes increases in customer electric and gas service charges
More bad news for Rhode Islanders struggling to pay their energy bills: Hikes are coming. Rhode Island Energy unveiled its long-anticipated request to increase service charges for gas and electric customers in a press release the day before the Thanksgiving holiday. An application was simultaneously submitted to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission for review. […]
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Heritage Restaurant Group acquires Anthony’s Seafood in Middletown
Anthony’s Seafood Market & Restaurant, a fixture on Aquidneck Island since 1956, has been acquired by the Newport-based Heritage Restaurant Group, the companies announced Tuesday. The deal marks the second acquisition this month for the expanding restaurant group, which announced Nov. 10 that it had acquired Glorious Affairs Catering and merged it with Audrain Hospitality. […]
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Jamestown Arts Center hosts Holiday Arts Market Dec. 5-6
The Jamestown Arts Center will hold its ninth annual Holiday Arts Market next month, featuring work from more than 20 local artists and artisans. The market runs Friday, Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Visitors can browse ceramics, prints, paintings, jewelry, […]
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Jamestown Chamber announces holiday events, including Santa’s boat arrival
The Jamestown Chamber of Commerce has announced its lineup of holiday events for 2025, featuring a red ticket promotion, holiday stroll and visits with Santa. Beginning Thursday, Nov. 28, participating retailers and restaurants will distribute a red ticket for every $50 spent in Jamestown Village. At restaurants, red tickets are awarded for gift card purchases […]
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Emmanuel Church unveils pollinator garden to support community food programs
Emmanuel Church has completed a new pollinator garden designed to bolster the church’s year-round efforts to provide fresh food to neighbors in need while supporting local ecosystems. The garden, located beside the church’s newly constructed accessible Community Bridge entrance, features plantings that support bees, butterflies and birds — pollinators essential to agriculture and global food […]
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O’Brien’s Pub to host fundraiser for Hurricane Melissa victims in Jamaica
O’Brien’s Pub will host a fundraiser to support victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event aims to raise money for families and communities impacted by the hurricane, including relatives of O’Brien’s staff members. “The core of our staff at O’Brien’s is from Jamaica, and many […]
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Four Rogers High School students now arrested in assault on special needs student
Newport police arrested two more Rogers High School students Monday in connection with the assault of a special needs student, bringing the total number of arrests to four. A 17-year-old male and a 14-year-old male were both arrested Monday and charged with assault against the same victim, according to Capt. Joseph C. Carroll. The arrests […]
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People’s Credit Union volunteers help prepare 300 Thanksgiving meals with Newport Salvation Army
Volunteers from People’s Credit Union partnered with the Newport Salvation Army to prepare more than 300 Thanksgiving meal kits for distribution to local families. “At People’s, we are giving thanks this year for our friends at the Newport Salvation Army and all they do to support our neighbors in need,” said Heather Sweeney, head of […]
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The Importance of It All: Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island
There is a refreshing vibe of positivity and connection when you visit Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island headquarters in Providence. All around you is a spirit of pride and purpose for what is both a logistically complex and emotionally demanding mission. I was taken aback, not because it seemed unbelievable, but because the energy […]
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Jamestown Arts Center announces Members’ Show awards; Molly Dickinson wins Best in Show
Molly Dickinson has been awarded Best in Show at the Jamestown Arts Center Members’ Show for her painting “Windfall (Primal Places),” an acrylic and oil work on birch panel. Judge Michael Rose, gallery manager at the Providence Art Club and founder of New England Art News, selected Dickinson’s piece from submissions by 150 artists. “It’s […]
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Newport School Committee to consider outside investigation into Rogers High School assault
The Newport School Committee will meet in executive session Wednesday to discuss hiring an independent investigator to review the assault of a special needs student at Rogers High School and examine school policies and procedures. The meeting comes after Newport police arrested two 16-year-old Rogers High School students in connection with a locker room assault […]
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Second Rogers High School student arrested in locker room assault
Newport police arrested a second Rogers High School student Saturday in connection with the locker room assault of a special needs student, authorities announced. The 16-year-old male was charged with assault against the same victim involved in Friday’s arrest, according to Capt. Joseph C. Carroll. Police arrested the first suspect, also a 16-year-old male Rogers […]
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Rogers High School football season ended after locker room assault
Newport police arrested a teenager Friday in connection with an assault on a special needs student at Rogers High School, and district officials announced they are ending the football season immediately following the incident. Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain said in a letter to families Friday that the district became aware late Thursday evening of a […]
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Teen arrested in Rogers High School assault on special needs student
Newport police arrested a teenage suspect Friday in connection with an assault on a special needs student at Rogers High School, authorities announced. Capt. Joseph C. Carroll, the department’s public information officer, issued a press release regarding the arrest Friday afternoon. Police did not immediately release additional details about the incident, including the ages of […]