News

Portsmouth’s Aquidneck Island Christian Academy (AICA), the first participant in the EFC Newport 2017 Year of Care program, received a great deal of  “TLC” during the February school vacation week. Over the course of 8 days more than 100 volunteers contributed 400 hours to cleaning, painting, organizing, constructing and trash clearing at AICA.  The only […]

At their annual meeting on February 27th, the Clean Ocean Access Board of Directors welcomed three new board members to take their seats, effective immediately. Clean Ocean Access’ Board of Directors is a group of ocean enthusiasts on Aquidneck Island working together to achieve a healthy ocean that is free of marine debris with water […]

Thanks to a $99,000 grant from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation (vBCF), the Copernicus STEAM Learning Lab (CSLL) has been established to assist Newport County K-8 teachers bridge the growing and accelerating technical divide. Funded to serve as a center for the integration of computer science and advanced educational technologies across Newport County, CSLL aims […]

The Board of Directors of the Newport Irish Heritage Association has announced the recipients of the organization’s 2017 CIVITAS and Fenian Awards . The CIVITAS Award is presented to area residents who have, through their charitable and volunteer work, made positive contributions to the local community. This year’s recipient of the CIVITAS Award is Reverend […]

Patricia “Patty” Jean Duffy passed away on April 4, 2017 at St. Clare-Newport following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on September 2, 1957 a daughter of the late Joseph P and the late Margaret E Duffy who loved and cherished her. Patty was happiest when she was with family or the […]

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) announced on Wednesday, April 5th that they are seeking information about two recent incidents on Aquidneck Island of coyotes with illegal leg-hold traps. Anyone with information on who set these traps is asked to contact DLE at 401-222-3070. On Sunday, April 3 Portsmouth […]

The Rotary Club of Newport announced on Wednesday that they will be offering three scholarships to Rogers High School students graduating this June.   There are two Herbert Epstein / Anthony Spiratos Memorial Scholarships. One scholarship is for $4,000 for one year, and one is for $2,000 for one year. These are awarded to two […]

Christine Marie (Peters) Baesemann, 63 of Newport, RI and Manville, RI passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017 in Woonsocket. She was the wife of the late Alfred H. Baesemann Sr. Born in Newport on April 30, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Henry (Pete) Peters Sr. and Evelyn Ferris Peters Lutz. Christine […]

Marie Elaine Dion, age 70, of Middletown, died Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Rhode Island Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Marie was born February 11, 1947, in Watertown, MA, the daughter of the late Ernest and the late Concetta (Taverna) Falbo. She was the wife of Paul Dion for 49 years. Marie graduated from […]

The Newport Police Department has released a statement in regards to an incident that took place on Monday where a child was offered a ride home from a stranger. “Newport Police has learned of a series of Social Media posts that have generated concern amongst parents of school-aged children. On April 3, 2017 a 9-year-old […]

Newport County women and nonprofits that provide programs supporting the self-sufficiency and independence of local girls and women have until April 7 to apply for scholarships and grants through the Miss Swinburne Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation. In 2016, the Miss Swinburne Fund awarded $42,000 in scholarships to 17 students and $18,460 in grants […]

This story was originally published at 4 am on April 4th, it has been updated to include a response from the Preservation Society of Newport County. Ronald Fleming, founder and president of The Townscape Institute and a member of the Friends of Newport Preservation, has offered a $200,000 challenge grant to the Trustees of The Preservation […]

Nearly 2,000 runners will compete in the inaugural Newport Rhode Races on Saturday, April 15th, which features a marathon, half-marathon and 5k. The marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., the half marathon at 8 a.m., and the 5k The marathon begins at 7:30 a.m., the half marathon at 8 a.m., and the 5k begins at 8:15 […]

Clean Ocean Access (COA) has published its 2006-2016 Clean Report. COA’s Clean Report highlights results from their Clean Program from 2006-2016, through efforts of their community volunteers dedicated to eliminating marine debris to improve ocean health. With participation of over 7,600 volunteers, Clean Ocean Access has hosted 457 cleanup events and removed an astounding 94,487 […]

Here is what’s happening for road work, closures and detours in and around Newport, RI this week. Roadwork scheduled by Rhode Island Department Of Transportation: 4/1-4/7 Newport: In order to accommodate construction work at the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center, motorists will experience a right lane closure on America’s Cup Ave., from Gladys Carr Bolhouse Rd. […]

Capt. Thomas W. Lyons, Jr., 88, of Portsmouth died on Friday, March 31, 2017 at Atria Aquidneck Place. He was the husband of the late Marguerite (Creegan) Lyons. Born on July 10, 1928, and raised in Jamestown, he was the son of the late Thomas W. and Anna (Boone) Lyons. Capt. Lyons attended De La […]

Here are the most-read and most shared stories that appeared on www.whatsupnewp.com during the month of March, from St. Patrick’s Day to breaking news – March was a busy one in our publishing world! Thanks for an amazing March, it was by far our busiest March in terms of users, sessions and page view ever! […]

Ronald William Hamilton Barr, age 83, of Newport, died Friday, March 31, 2017 at home. Ronald was born August 8, 1933, in Deolali, India. He is the son of the late Henry William and the late Maisie (Hamilton-Littlewood) Barr. He was the husband of Nancy Scott for the last 10 years. After spending his early […]

A woman from Tiverton claimed a $10,000 “Maximum Payout” Instant Ticket prize, according to Rhode Island Lottery. The woman, who was not identified by lottery officials, says that she is saving for a house, so she plans on adding her winnings to her savings account. East Lake Variety, 750 East Rd., Tiverton, sold the winning […]

Today we take a look at two Vermont breweries that can be found often down here at The Wharf Pub. Long Trail Brewing Company Inspired by the hiking trail in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont, Long Trail has been producing craft beer since 1989. Starting with their first beer Long Trail ale that but […]

Anthony Somerfield, Jr. ,88, was carried to Heaven on Tuesday, March 30 2017, at Rhode Island Hospital. His illness was short, but his love of life was long. He was the husband of Elsie Victoria (Perry) Somerfield, the love of his life. Tony, as he liked to be called, was born on August 5th, 1928 […]