Irish Gather at Forty Steps



Debate on Tolls to Unfold



The coming weeks are expected to be critical in the state’s decisions regarding the fate of the Sakonnet River Bridge tolls. “This spring is when the rubber is going to hit the road,” said State Department of Transportation head Michael Lewis. With a nominal 10-cent toll currently in place on the new span, legislators are working to develop potential alternatives […]

Get Growing for the Newport Flower Show



Although Newport hasn’t even celebrated St. Patrick’s Day yet and the island is still firmly in winter’s grasp, take heart. Signs of summer are on the horizon. The 19th annual Newport Flower Show runs June 27-29, but preparations are already in full swing to ensure that America’s premier summer flower show is, once again, dazzling and fun and absolutely over […]

City Seeks Broadway Funding



A debate in Washington over how best to fund a critical federal highway infrastructure program has begun to reverberate inside City Hall, leaving city officials in a holding pattern and casting a degree of uncertainty over the timing of one of Newport’s most anticipated public works projects. At their meeting on Feb. 26, City Council members were prompted to pass […]

Rhode Warriors Ready to Compete



‘Precious Days’ Prompt Computer Center Gift



Spurred by his fond memories of school days past in Middletown, former resident William Kelly has informed the Town Council that he will donate $16,000 to the School Department to build a new computer center at the high school. “Those were the most precious and incredible days,” Kelly said of his time in the Middletown school system. “I am very […]

Newporter to Run on State Ballot



Native Newporter Guillaume de Ramel, a descendant of French philosopher Montesquieu and a former Boston mayor, looks north to the robust economy enjoyed by Massachusetts and wonders, why not Rhode Island? De Ramel, a businessman who will turn 40 this year prior to Election Day, is a Democrat running for Secretary of State, an office he came unexpectedly close to […]

Fee Structure Discussion Vigorous



Five members convened for the Newport City Council’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at City Hall. Mayor Henry F. Winthrop and Councilor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano were not present. Much of the meeting was devoted to a continued debate on changes to Newport’s mooring fees. As a rewrite of the harbor ordinances was receiving its final second-reading consideration, Councilor Michael Farley […]

Middletown School Officials Weigh Tough Budget Issues



Faced with cuts in state aid while costs continue to increase, the Middletown School Committee and school officials huddled recently to grapple with a familiar dilemma— how to get the most out of available revenues. “Why don’t we prepare a budget based on what we need for our students?” said Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger. She said a focus on quality education […]

Prevention Task Force Open Meetings



The Newport Substance Abuse Task Force invites the community to either of its outreach meetings to learn more about the group’s mission. Applications for their high school scholarship and the Jeanne Brown Community Award will be available at both meetings. The meetings are Tuesday, March 18 at Empire Tea and Coffee at 6 p.m. and Wednesday, March 19 at the […]