News

Masks to Be Required in City Owned Buildings

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Indoor Mask Policy to Begin Monday, Aug. 2nd
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021 ) – Visitors to Newport City Hall and other public buildings including the Newport Maritime Center and Police Station, will be required to wear masks while inside regardless of vaccination status beginning Monday, August 2nd.
 
The new indoor mask policy is being instituted as COVID19 cases continue to rise across the country, driven primarily by the spread of the Delta variant and lagging vaccination rates. Read more »

Hydrant Flushing Underway in Middletown, Portsmouth

Friday, July 9, 2021

Water Being Flushed to Allow New Source Water into System
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021) –The Newport Water Division, which supplies drinking water to the majority of Aquidneck Island, is currently performing hydrant flushing after receiving reports of discolored water in parts of Middletown and Portsmouth.
 
After investigating the reports, Newport Water Division personnel determined that water being drawn from the Lawton Valley Reservoir in Portsmouth was displaying increased level of manganese, a naturally occurring mineral that can affect the taste, odor, and color in drinking water. Read more »

Newport Preparing for Fast-Moving Elsa

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Beach to Close, but Most Services to Remain Open & On Schedule
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021) – City officials are reminding residents to be Storm Ready as Tropical Storm Elsa bears down on Aquidneck Island.
 
According to the latest forecasts, tropical storm conditions are expected to sweep over the area early Friday morning with wind gusts of up to 50 mph and rain totals of 2-4” possible before rapidly coming to an end on Friday evening. Read more »

City Teaming Up with Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice and EBCAP for Free Pop-Up Vaccination Events

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Vaccines to be Administered at City Hall Next Week

NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021) – The City of Newport will be teaming up with Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice and East Bay Community Action to host a pair of free pop-up vaccination events next week outside of City Hall. 

The two events which are scheduled to run on July 12th and 15^th from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., will be offering free COVID-19 vaccines to anyone eligible who has not yet been vaccinated. Read more »

City Aims to Crack Down on Unsafe Vessel Operators

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Stepped Up Harbor Patrols to Focus on Speed & Operator Violations
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021) – With summer season in full swing, The City of Newport is reminding boaters to take it slow when approaching Newport Harbor. Read more »

Community Invited to Preview Hillside Avenue Improvements

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

City Staff, Consultants to host On-Site Meeting of Safety Improvements
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, June 30, 2021) – City staff will be on-site at the James L. Maher Center at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 6^th to preview a slate of traffic calming improvements planned for Hillside Avenue.
All are welcome to ask questions and learn more about the highly anticipated Safe Routes to School Project that was approved by the City Council last month. Read more »

Beachgoers Advised to Watch for Unguarded Areas

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Red Flags at Easton’s Beach as Staff Shortage Continues
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (TUESDAY, June 29, 2021) – Due to staffing shortages, visitors to Easton’s Beach will likely be seeing single red flags flying over certain sections of sand this summer.
Denoting that a hazard exists, these single red flags signify that the immediate vicinity is an unguarded lifeguard area.

With staffing shortages foreseen through the remainder of the summer season, Beach staff are asking visitors to follow some basic water safety rules wherever they may go swimming: Read more »

Public Invited to Remembrance Ceremony for Kiyoshi Iketani, Former Mayor of Shimoda, Japan

Friday, June 11, 2021

On Thursday, June 17^th at Vernon Park in Newport at 10 am
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (FRIDAY, June 11, 2021) – Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano and the Newport City Council invite members of the public to a remembrance ceremony for Kiyoshi Iketani, former mayor of Newport’s sister city of Shimoda, Japan on Thursday, June 17^th at 10 a.m.  Read more »

City Cracking Down on Noise, Motor Vehicle Violations

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Motorcycle Groups, Short-Term Rentals Eyes as Season Gets Underway
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (TUESDAY, June 8, 2021) – Following a busy start to the season, the City of Newport is stepping up enforcement of its noise ordinances, with City leaders promising to crack down on disturbances stemming from both vehicular traffic and short-term rentals.  

Noise complaints, in particular, have been on the increase in recent weeks as tourists have begun returning to the City following more than a year of COVID-related restrictions.   Read more »

Newport Kicks off First Transportation Master Plan

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Project Aims to Develop Solutions for Resident and Visitor Travel Needs
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (Thursday, June 3, 2021) – As another busy summer season is getting underway, the City of Newport is formally kicking off its first comprehensive Transportation Master Plan.
 
Since the last study that dealt with transportation issues was undertaken for the City in 2001, there have been significant changes in population, development and the ways in which those who live, work and visit the City-by-the-Sea get around. With Newport’s tourism activity also increasing year-round, the need to improve connectivity between the City’s network of water transportation, roads, bike lanes and public transit opportunities has become even more pressing.
 
Leading the effort will be the City’s Planning Board and staff, along with City Council, Rhode Island Department of Administration’s Division of Statewide Planning, and a local Residents Advisory Committee. Read more »