NEWS BRIEFS



Winter Fest Activities at Visitor Center New England’s favorite winter extravaganza – the Newport Winter Festival takes place Feb. 13-22 and this year will highlight an array of FREE family-friendly activities hosted by the Newport Visitor and Information Center. So kids, bring your parents and enjoy a snowball toss (indoors of course), a cookie decorating station with Chef Gerry, face […]

Newport Police Log



During the period from Monday, Jan. 26 through Sunday, Feb. 1, the Newport Police Department responded to 530 calls. Of those, 115 were motor vehicle related; there were 81 motor vehicle violations issued and 34 accident reports. The police also responded to 9 noise complaints, 11 animal complaints, 45 home/business alarm calls, 10 private tows, 1 suicide call and 10 […]

Newport Fire Incident Run Report



During the period from Monday, Jan. 26 through Sunday, Feb. 1, the Newport Fire Department responded to 163 calls. Of those, 76 were emergency medical calls. Fire apparatus was used for 163 responses: • Station 1 – Headquarters/Rescue 1 and 3 responded to70 calls• Station 1 – Engines 1 and 6responded to 51 calls• Station 2 – Old Fort Road […]

Rein in Parade Day



It’s never too early to think ahead. Newport’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade occurs this year on Saturday, March 14, six or so weeks from now. But it’s not too soon to consider ways to make the day more family friendly. It doesn’t have to be a booze fest, even though history suggests otherwise, with some not-so-sobering facts. Last year’s […]

Political Cartoon



Unanswered Concert Questions



To the Editor: I just read your interview with Michele Palmieri on the Fort Adams concert proposal (“Concert Dialogue Continues,” Jan. 29) and am disappointed that you let her dance around the traffic problems. It is known that the arrival crowd will be fairly good and staggered, but you never pushed for an answer over the biggest objection: the exiting […]

State and Local Leaders Should Use STEAM Power



In 1973, the Navy’s fleet was abruptly yanked out of Newport. This unexpected action left economic devastation in its wake. Newport lost; Virginia won. Fast forward, 42 years later – history may repeat itself. If our schools continue to produce low numbers of students not proficient in math and science, then we face a significant economic risk – not a […]

Smoking Ban Would Improve Our Beaches



To the Editor: I’m writing this letter to support the idea that we should ban cigarette smoking at our local beaches on Aquidneck Island. I’m a Middletown resident and a member of Clean Ocean Access, the local nonprofit, ocean-inspired environmental group on the island. In 2013 and 2014 alone, we collected almost 24,000 cigarette butts during coastal cleanups across the […]

Consider Freebody Park



To the Editor: The recent council workshop provided a very good airing of the issues surrounding the proposal seeking to move the displaced music venue to Fort Adams. I came away with three thoughts: Does the community wish to continue having these music events? I believe that the majority in attendance would answer yes (myself included). I think these events […]

General Assembly Highlights



. Bill calls for beach smoking ban Smoking would not be allowed on or within 20 feet of Rhode Island’s public beaches, under legislation (2015-S 0124) introduced by Sen. Erin P. Lynch (D-Dist. 31, Warwick, Cranston). The bill would make smoking or depositing smoking products on or near state beaches punishable by a fine of between $150 and $1,000, with […]