Michael T. Finn, a native Newporter who was happiest at home, aboard his boat or on the golf course, died peacefully at his home on Friday, February 11, 2022, with his family at his side. He was 63 years old. Michael grew up in the old Fifth Ward, the fifth of eight children born to […]
Newport County
Posted inCity & Government
Analysis: How Rhode Island Compares to the U.S. and New England on state and local revenues and expenditures
The Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC) released today an analysis of “How Rhode Island Compares” to the U.S. and New England on state and local revenues and expenditures, using the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau (from fiscal year 2019). RIPEC sasys that the report provides valuable insights for policymakers, given […]
Posted inCity & Government
FirstGenHomeRI program will offer $25,000 in down payment assistance to first-generation home buyers
Today, Governor Dan McKee joined RIHousing to announce the launch of a new pilot program, FirstGenHomeRI, aimed at helping to open the doors to homeownership for first-generation homebuyers. The program targets first-generation buyers by addressing inequities and barriers to homeownership while boosting the long-term, economic outlook for families who have historically not pursued homeownership. Available […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Willie C. Turner
Willie C. “Sputnik” Turner, 61 of Newport, RI, died on Monday, January 31, 2022. He was the son of the late Joe and Gladys Turner. He was the brother of Arnold Shirley of Florida, Darryl Turner of Newport, and Cheryl “Sissy” Turner of Newport. He attended Newport Public Schools. As a youth he was a […]
Posted inCity & Government
R.I. Board of Elections pilots new algorithm to make risk-limiting audits more efficient
Source: Rhode Island Board of Elections On Friday, February 11th, the Rhode Island Board of Election hosted a group of national elections integrity experts to conduct a pilot Risk Limiting Audit (RLA) utilizing a new algorithm designed to improve the efficiency of the RLA process. The pilot was run using ballots cast for the November 2, […]
Posted inNews
Why $73 million Sandy Hook settlement is unlikely to unleash a flood of lawsuits against gun-makers
Timothy D. Lytton, Georgia State University Families of the victims of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School reached a historic US$73 million settlement with gun-maker Remington Arms. The Feb. 15, 2022, deal marks the first time a firearms manufacturer has settled a lawsuit brought by gun violence victims since Congress granted the industry […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Redwood Library & Athenæum acquires a clock sculpture by contemporary artist Nari Ward
Redwood Library & Athenæum today announced that it has acquired a clock sculpture by contemporary artist Nari Ward. Entitled Anchoring Escapement; Ithaca, the work is from a limited series of tall case clocks radically transformed by Ward not only to address race, the repressed histories of slavery, and the reframing of Western time but also […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Mildred Eileen Chase
Mildred Eileen Chase, 89, of Middletown, Rhode Island, passed away on February 14, 2022, surrounded by her family in Newport Hospital. She was the wife of the late Harold Chase. Mildred was born and raised in New Bedford, MA, to the late Felix Vigario and Rose (Pedro) Marshall, who was her world and best friend. […]
Posted inNews
Aquidneck Land Trust accepting applications for grants from its Merritt Neighborhood Fund
Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) is now accepting applications for grants from the Merritt Neighborhood Fund, an endowed fund that seeks to support the preservation of small parks, community gardens, and other natural spaces on Aquidneck Island. Established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the organization’s president emeritus, the Fund supports projects that […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: David “Nelly” C. Nelson
David “Nelly” C. Nelson, 55, of Newport, RI, passed away on February 11, 2022, in Newport Hospital with his family at his side. David was born in Newport, RI, to Edna M. (Bryan) Wells and the late John C. Nelson, Sr. He grew up in Newport. David was a licensed minister at the Community Baptist […]
Posted inCity & Government
Rep. Carson: RIDOT plan for infrastructure funds violates Act on Climate
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, Rep. Lauren H. Carson is calling on the Transportation Advisory Committee to put the brakes on a Department of Transportation proposal to spend $748 million in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds while ignoring its legal responsibility to adhere to […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Historical Society announces completion of Gilded Age Digitization Project
The Newport Historical Society today announced that it has recently completed a digitization project in partnership with UK-based publishers Adam Matthew, to scan materials for their e-textbook: The Gilded Age and Progressive Era. The Newport Historical Society says that over 16,000 images of its collections were captured, including the Newport Casino Bulletin (1899-1910), Newport Directories […]
Posted inHistory
Rhode Island Slave History Medallions receives $10,000 grant from Rhode Island Foundation
Newport-based Rhode Island Slave History Medallions is among nonprofits across the state that will share $105,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation through its Black Philanthropy Bannister Fund. Created in 2007, the fund supports the needs of the state’s Black community. Rhode Island Slave History Medallions will receive $10,000 to expand its Marking the Landscape […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Thomas Edward Williams
Thomas Edward Williams, 56, of Newport, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday February 8, 2022 at Rhode Island Hospital, surrounded by family members. Thomas, “Gus”to his many friends, was the son of Booker and Thelma (Woodley) Williams, of Newport. Tom, grew up in Newport, and was graduate of Rogers High School, class of 1984. […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Comic – Sour Grapes: Snowcial Distancing
Here’s this week’s Sour Grapes, enjoy! About Tim Jones / Sour Grapes Tim Jones is the creator, artist and writer of the widely popular, self-syndicated comic strip, “SOUR GRAPES”; a comic about “Aesop”, a miserable flying dog and his odd friends, all living in a problematic and troubled world. Sour Grapes is currently published in […]
Posted inNews
James Galloway named Executive Director of Newport Open Space Partnership
The Newport Open Space Partnership (NOSP) on Monday announced that James Galloway has joined the partnership as its new Executive Director. Galloway, originally from Tiverton, is an experienced environmental conservationist who has led landmark projects in the Everglades and south Florida, according to NOSP. James Galloway “I am excited to be back in New England […]
Posted inNews, Sports
Newport Gulls name Frank Holbrook as their new manager
Source: Newport Gulls The Newport Gulls have named Frank Holbrook. as the ninth manager in the organization’s history, and fifth since 2005. Currently the Head Coach at Rhode Island College, Holbrook will now get the opportunity to lead the team he has been a member of throughout his life in a multitude of capacities. “The […]
Posted inBusiness
CCRI offering free workforce training in the fast-growing insurance industry
With an increasing need for qualified individuals to work in the insurance field in Rhode Island, CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships and the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island have partnered to develop and offer a workforce training program for those interested in a career in the insurance industry. The Rhode Island Property and Casualty […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Sarah L. Michael
Source: O’Neill Hayes Funeral Home Sarah Louise (Mally) Michael, 62, of Newport, RI passed away on February 3, 2022, in Newport, RI. Sarah was born in Newport, RI to the late Thomas E. and Eleanor A. (Peterson) Mally on October 25, 1959. She went to high school at Rogers and graduated in 1978. She worked […]
Posted inThings To Do
What’s Up this week in Newport County: Feb. 14 – 20
Discover all that’s happening, new, and to do in and around Newport this week and weekend. This story may be updated as we learn about additional events or listings. Have an event you’d like to see added to this list or a future list? Add it to our event calendar. Note: An event or performance may […]
Posted inNews
Here’s how much snow fell across Rhode Island Feb. 13 -14
It was a snowy Super Bowl Sunday across Rhode Island. The National Weather Service and its team of trained weather spotters have recorded the following snowfall reports across Rhode Island. This story will be updated as more data is reported. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BOSTON/NORTON MA 150 PM EST MON FEB 14 2022 …SNOWFALL REPORTS FROM […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Donald R. Watkins
Donald Ralph “Big Don” Watkins, 74, of Middletown, RI passed away on February 9, 2022, with his sons by his bedside. Donald was born in Providence, RI to Donald and Marjorie (Moore) Watkins. He was raised in Newport, RI and graduated from Rogers High School. What Big Don enjoyed the most was gatherings with family […]
Posted inCity & Government
Advocates: Don’t raid efficiency funds to pay for R.I. climate council
by Lisa Prevost, Energy News Network February 11, 2022 Rhode Island climate activists are criticizing a plan to fund the state’s climate council with money that otherwise would go toward energy efficiency programs. As part of his overall budget proposal last month, Gov. Dan McKee said he wants to direct $6 million annually to the […]
Posted inCity & Government
Westerly Councilors look to extend terms; seek exception to ethics regulation
To seemingly reverse the will of the people and give themselves an opportunity to extend their terms in office, the Westerly Town Council Monday night will vote on a resolution that calls for a special May election to revise the council’s length of terms. Additionally, the resolution asks voters to allow a “former” councilperson to […]
Posted inColumns
Tiny Kitchen Magic: Shrimp Scampi(ish)
Well, hello Newport. I missed you last month! Got the ‘Rona, all good now, and back with a simple yet very delicious recipe. This week, I’m going to show you my take on shrimp scampi. It’s got an interesting ingredient and a step that you don’t normally see. This is a pasta-less dish. I actually […]