It was another busy week of news in and around Newport. Catch up on all the most-read and popular headlines that appeared on What’sUpNewp this week!
Rhode Island
Upcoming adult programs at Tiverton Public Library include poetry, gardening, and book clubs
The following is a list of library programs that adults can enjoy in April. Patrons are encouraged to visit https://tivertonlibrary.org or call 401-625-6796 to learn more and to register. All […]
High School Seniors can now apply for People’s Credit Union College Scholarship Program
People’s Credit Union today announced that it is providing graduating high school seniors planning to attend college in 2023 – 2024 the opportunity to apply for a $1,500 scholarship from […]
Road Report: Schedule of lane closures and road construction projects (March 25 – April 1)
The following road and lane closure notices have been scheduled by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). All schedules are weather-dependent […]
Rhode Island boys high school basketball rankings
From the roaring crowd to squeaking sneakers on the hardwood, high school boys basketball is a beloved American pastime. The sport’s school roots date back to its 19th-century beginnings. After […]
3-day Surf Forecast for Rhode Island
The following is the National Weather Service Surf Zone Forecast for Newport, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
7-Day Weather forecast for Newport County
The following is the National Weather Service 7-day weather forecast, centered on Newport State Airport; Weather Forecast Marine Forecast
NUWC Division Newport engineer, financial analyst work to create an inclusive environment for women
Story by Public Affairs Office, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport NEWPORT, R.I. – Strong guidance from women leaders has played an important role for Megan Driggers and Jaime Fastino in […]
DEM awards more than $100,000 to eight community boat pumpout facilities to keep coastal waters clean
PROVIDENCE, RI – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) today announces the award of $104,769 in matching grants to eight communities and marinas to help expand and maintain boat pumpout facilities and keep coastal waters across Rhode Island clean.
The grants, funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service Clean Vessel Act (CVA), help municipalities, marinas, and yacht clubs pay for improvements to marine and land-based pumpout facilities. DEM applies for federal funds to buy or replace CVA equipment for use by these entities to offer free pumpouts. Since 1994, DEM has awarded over $2.5 million in CVA grants.
“Most of us know it’s not right to discharge wastewater directly from our boats into Narragansett Bay or the ocean. In fact, it’s illegal to pump waste within three nautical miles of the Rhode Island coast,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “DEM works with municipal and marine trades partners to prevent the discharge of boat sewage, which impairs water quality by introducing bacteria and other pathogens and chemicals that are harmful to humans and marine life. The support of the US Fish and Wildlife Service Clean Vessel Act helps accomplish this by subsidizing pumpout facilities that empower thousands of Rhode Island recreational boaters to do their part to keep the bay and coastal waters clean.”
Boat sewage can threaten water quality by introducing bacteria and other pathogens, excess nutrients, and chemicals that are harmful to humans and marine life. In 1998, Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to receive a statewide “no discharge” designation from the US Environmental Protection Agency that prohibits boaters from discharging sewage into local waterways.
The 2023 grant recipients include:
o Barrington Yacht Club: $1,943 for the maintenance of a stationary pumpout on the Barrington River
o Providence Marina: $1,100 for the maintenance of a stationary pumpout on the Providence River
o Safe Harbor Cove Haven Marina (East Providence): $37,420 for the replacement of an existing stationary pumpout on Bullock Cove
o Safe Harbor Greenwich Bay Marina: $5,925 for the maintenance of existing stationary and mobile pumpouts on Greenwich Bay
o Safe Harbor Wickford Cove Marina: $1,017 for operating costs of an existing stationary pumpout on Wickford Cove
o Town of Jamestown: $27,000 for the construction of a new stationary pumpout and the maintenance of two existing stationary pumpouts in Jamestown
o Town of New Shoreham: $7,500 for maintenance of three existing mobile pumpout boats in Great Salt Pond
o Westerly Yacht Club: $22,864 for the replacement of an existing stationary pumpout on the Pawcatuck River
There are currently 15 pumpout boats and 59 facilities located across Narragansett Bay and coastal waters. Many existing facilities require repair and upgrades as they have exceeded their useful life expectancy since initial construction. All pumpout facilities must be kept fully operational to adequately meet demand and help prevent sewage discharges into RI waters. (Here is a map of marine pumpout facilities.) The grants require a 25% funding match and funded facilities must be available to all boaters. In addition, grant recipients agree to charge no more than $5 per 30 gallons of sewage pumped.
Some 40,000 boats are registered in Rhode Island, and the state welcomes many thousands more visiting boats each year. Last year, a total volume of over 600,000 gallons of sewage was pumped out at these facilities and diverted from directly entering Rhode Island’s coastal waters.
Along with fishing and many other commercial and recreational interests, Rhode Island shellfish harvesters benefit from CVA pumpout grants. For more information on RI shellfish harvesting, click here or email here DEM.Shellfish@dem.ri.gov. For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.
This Week At The Rhode Island General Assembly: Legislators address teacher shortages, renewable energy, and more
The Rhode Island General Assembly has been busy this week, with several important pieces of legislation being introduced and passed. One of the most significant bills was the legislation to […]
Newport Folk Festival adds Alice Phoebe Lou to 2023 lineup
The Newport Folk Festival today announced that Alice Phoebe Lou will be heading to Fort Adams State Park to perform at the 2023 Newport Folk Festival. Alice will perform on Saturday, […]
‘A Hard Rain’s – A Gonna Fall: An Intersection of Art and Science; opens at Jamestown Arts Center on April 21
The Jamestown Arts Center’s latest exhibition, A Hard Rain’s-A Gonna Fall: An Intersection of Art and Science opens April 21. This exhibit brings together 11 artists from far reaches of […]
RIDOT to open new intersection on March 30 to reconnect Jt Connell Highway
On Thursday night, March 30, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will open a new intersection at the Pell Bridge Ramps Project that will reconnect two sections of JT […]
House OKs Edwards bill renewing state’s commitment to harm reduction pilot program to combat overdose deaths
STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives yesterday passed legislation introduced by Majority Floor Manager John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70, Tiverton) that would extend a two-year pilot program to prevent drug […]
Obituary: Barbara Bertrand (Goddard) Mey
Barbara Bertrand (Goddard) Mey of Newport, RI died on Wednesday March 22, 2023 at home with her children by her side. She was the beloved wife and soulmate of the […]
Governor McKee, Senator Reed announce $20 million of federal and state energy efficiency funding for the Public School Energy Equity Program
WEST WARWICK, RI – Governor Dan McKee, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) today announced an additional $10 million in funding for the Public […]
2023 Newport Folk Festival lineup announcements
The Newport Folk Festival began its tradition of a rolling lineup announcement for its 2023 festival on February 2. The sold-out 2023 Newport Folk Festival will take place at Fort Adams State […]
Find Your Forever Home: A round-up of open houses happening in Newport County this weekend
This weekend is the perfect opportunity for those in the market for a new home in Newport County, as there will be multiple open houses happening across the area. From […]
30-year sentence for man who sexually assaulted 2 teen girls
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Rhode Island man who admitted to federal authorities that he used a cellphone to record himself sexually assaulting two teenage girls has been sentenced to […]
A Rhode Island Democrat exits Congress, in search of an impact no longer found in D.C.
by Ashley Murray, Rhode Island Current WASHINGTON — Rhode Island’s longtime U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, a leader on the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump, an advocate for breaking […]
‘Six Picks’ Music: The best in local music this weekend (March 24-26)
Check out “Six Picks Music” every Friday for some of the best in live, local music around the region this weekend. This week, we mellow out a bit to focus […]
States where the most Jan. 6 rioters were arrested
Leading up to the riot in which supporters of then-President Donald Trump attempted to storm the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, it had been clear to international and […]
Obituary: Scott Poling
Newport, RI -Scott Poling, 62, of Newport, Rhode Island, died on February 18, 2023. He was the husband of Darlene Faria Poling. Born in Providence, RI on December 12, 1960, […]
The Elms and Green Animals Topiary Garden will open for the season in April
With the arrival of spring, The Preservation Society of Newport County is set to open two more of its best-loved properties. Beginning Saturday, April 1, The Elms will open daily […]
Watershed Protectors announce Almy Pond Watershed Outreach Event
The Watershed Protectors, a group of local non-profits and residents, announce a free public event to discuss ways in which residents can help to improve the water quality in Almy […]