13 April 7:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Newport Rhode Races Race through the daffodils in the City by the Sea half marathon and 5K at Easton’s Beach. The half marathon starts at 7:30 a.m. followed by the 5K at 8 a.m. The course is USATF certified and is a Boston Marthon qualifier. 13 April 1-2 p.m. Daffodil Festival Opening Ceremonies Official […]
B’Ladies Staying Sharp
Some parents shy away from allowing their children to handle sharp objects. However, one local family business is demonstrating that with the proper training and some creative thinking, keeping things sharp just may be the ticket to an imaginative and financially fruitful operation. In 2018, Todd Blair launched B’Ladies, a professional knife-sharpening service, along with his wife, and two daughters, […]
Legislators Talk Bills With ALN
The Alliance for a Livable Newport (ALN) held its annual meeting on April 8, with the emphasis on “livable.” Mayor Jamie Bova, City Councilors Justin McLaughlin and Angela McCalla, School Committee member Louisa Boatwright, Sen. Dawn Euer (D-District 13 Jamestown/ Newport), Rep. Lauren Carlson (D-District 75/Newport) and Rep. Marvin Abney (D-District 73) spoke of their priorities and what they might […]
Tree Planting Initiatives Bearing Fruit
The Middletown Tree Commission is wrapping up the final phase of the multiyear tree-planting project in Valley Park, the 40-acre parcel of town-owned land situated between Valley Road and High Street, with the planting of 65 of the more than 330 trees that have been set in the park since 2015. The “valley,” as it is sometimes referred, has been […]
Easter Egg Hunts
The Newport Recreation Department will host a flashlight Easter egg hunt on Friday, April 19. Children between the ages of 8 and 10 are invited to participate. The hunt will be held at Freebody Park at 8 p.m. sharp. Participants must bring their own flashlight, a 2 “D” cell size or smaller, and a bag or basket. Free of charge. […]
Looking for Pell Bridge Workers
In advance of the celebration surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Newport Pell Bridge, The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) is looking to hear from any tradesperson that worked on the original construction of the bridge from 1966 through 1969. RITBA is planning to recognize those people who helped change the lives and transportation habits of millions of […]
Salve Dorm Plan Delayed Again
Salve Regina University’s multiyear quest to build a new dormitory was again delayed on April 4 as opposing attorneys used most of their four hours to ask hard questions that rattled their adversaries, and occasionally the Historic District Commission, (HDC) in testimony that became unruly at times. The next scheduled hearing is May 13. The previous hearings in January for […]
Schools Ask Council for 4 Percent Increase
The Newport School Committee voted 5-1 to ask the City Council for a 4 percent budget increase for fiscal 2020 that it said, even if funded, would mean substantial staff cuts, especially at Thompson Middle School. Robert Leary opposed the more than $42 million request at the April 9 meeting, with member Kathy Silvia absent. The request will not be […]
Microbrewery Approved
ZONING BOARDThe Atlantic Beach District will soon be welcoming its first microbrewery. The Middletown Zoning Board of Review unanimously approved at the April 9 meeting an application for a special use permit to operate a small batch brewery at 124 Aquidneck Ave., the site of the former Ice Queens ice cream shop, which was in operation for one year. “I think […]
Committee Seeks $2 Million Increase
Louisa Boatwright, chair of the Financial Advisory and Audit Subcommittee, presented the School Committee on April 9 with a working budget for fiscal 2020 that will increase by nearly $2 million over last year’s $40.5 million budget. Boatwright estimates schools will spend about $10 million in state and federally mandated costs, much going to Special Education and English Language Learners […]
