News

All Invited to Reception for Sister City Delegation from Kinsale

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

City to mark St. Patrick’s Day Festivities with visit from Irish Delegation
  
NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2023) – Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong and the Newport City Council are inviting the public to join them at a reception on Thursday, March 9^th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at The Edward King House to welcome members of a delegation visiting from Newport’s Sister City of Kinsale, Ireland. 

Light refreshments will be served and all are encouraged to join in as the City kicks off its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

This year marks the 24th anniversary of Newport’s sister-city relationship with Kinsale, a historic port and fishing town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland. Like Newport, Kinsale boasts a significant military history, seasonal tourism economy, and a bustling restaurant scene. Read more »

Newport Residents Set to Save on Electric Rates with Community Aggregation Program

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Newport Community Electricity Launching May 2023 with Rate of 9.361 ¢/kWh for Residential Customers
  
NEWPORT, R.I. (TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023) – Newport residents can expect to save on their electricity bills beginning later this spring as the City of Newport readies to launch its energy aggregation program in May of 2023. 

The Program, dubbed Newport Community Electricity, was approved by the City Council in December of 2021 as part of an effort to provide new, competitively priced electricity supply options, including the use of more renewable energy. 
  Read more »

Newport Issues Parking Ban Ahead of Winter Storm

Monday, February 27, 2023

Residents Urged to Keep Cars Off Streets, Utilize City Parking Lots

 NEWPORT, R.I. (MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2023) – The City of Newport has issued a mandatory Parking Ban from 11 P.M. ON MONDAY, FEB. 27^TH UNTIL 12 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEB. 28^TH due to impending winter weather. 

In order to help facilitate the City’s snow removal efforts, Newport residents are being urged to take advantage of free parking at the Gateway Center, Mary Street, and Easton’s Beach parking lots during the storm. Alternatively, residents are also encouraged to request the use of a neighbor’s driveway to secure off street parking to keep vehicles off the roadways. Read more »

Newport Police Offering $5,000 Hiring Bonus for New Recruits

Friday, February 24, 2023

Hiring Period Extended for both Certified Officers and Entry Level Positions
  
NEWPORT, R.I. (FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023) – In an effort to attract more candidates to join its Police Department, the City of Newport is offering a sign-on bonus and has extended its deadline to apply to join the ranks of Newport’s finest.

Applications to join the Newport Police Department are now being accepted until Friday, March 10th. Both certified police officers and new recruits are being encouraged to apply, with a $5,000 hiring bonus offered only for certified officers.  Read more »

Newport Launches Online Short-Term Rental Map

Friday, February 24, 2023

Neighbors Given More Insight into Location of Registered Guest Houses

NEWPORT, R.I. (FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2023) – Newport residents have a new tool to determine whether short-term rentals are operating in their neighborhoods.

As part of its ongoing effort to minimize the impact of short-term rentals on the community, the City of Newport recently launched an online map of all registered short-term rentals in the City.

The map, which can be accessed at www.CityofNewport.com/STRMap draws on the City’s Short-Term Rental Database and includes hotels, inns, and other commercial enterprises, along with properties which have been found to be compliant with Newport’s short-term rental rules. Read more »

NEWPORT NAMES INTERIM POLICE CHIEF

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Search Process for New Chief to Include Public Forum
  
NEWPORT, R.I. (THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023) – The City of Newport is beginning a formal search process to replace outgoing Police Chief Gary T. Silva, who announced his retirement after 40 years with the department earlier this month.

Capt. Ryan Duffy, a 22-year veteran of the Newport Police Department, will serve as interim Police Chief while a search is underway. Read more »

Newport Police Chief to Retire

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Chief Gary T. Silva to retire after 40 years of Service
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (TUESDAY, Feb. 14th, 2023) – After 40 years of service to the community, including the last 12 years as Newport’s top cop, Police Chief Gary T. Silva is set to retire on Feb. 24th.

Silva was first sworn in as a Police Officer in June of 1983, rising through the ranks to Investigator, Sergeant, and Lieutenant before being promoted to Captain in 2004.  Read more »

Newport to Open Emergency Overnight Warming Center

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

At-Risk Residents Encouraged to Seek Overnight Shelter at City’s Maritime Center

NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1ST, 2023) – Faced with potentially record cold temperatures, the City of Newport’s Emergency Management team is preparing to open an emergency overnight warming center at the Newport Maritime Center beginning on Thursday, Feb. 2^nd. 

The Maritime Center, which is located in the lower level of the Armory Building at 365 Thames St. will be open during overnight hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and is intended to augment the City’s network of daytime warming centers and community-based social service providers.
  Read more »

Tree & Open Space Commission to Host Park Workshop

Friday, January 27, 2023

Residents Invited to Discuss Park Access, Safety with Community Police

NEWPORT, R.I. (FRIDAY, JAN. 27, 2023) – The Newport Tree and Open Space Commission will be hosting a special public workshop on Wednesday, February 8th, from 5 – 6 p.m. to discuss community policing efforts in Newport’s Public Parks. 

The workshop, which will be held in the Friends Room at the Newport Library, follows up on a recommendation in a 2022 Park Safety Report that the Commission submitted to the City Council following a months-long process of research and public meetings.  
  Read more »

Dinghy Rack Lottery Open to Newport Residents

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Applications accepted Feb. 1st- 28th for kayak, dinghy owners
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (TUESDAY, JAN. 24, 2023) – Kayakers and dinghy owners take note: The Newport Harbormaster’s Office will be accepting applications for dinghy and kayak rack spaces at the King Park and Willow Street dinghy racks beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1^st until Feb. 28th.

Spaces will be determined through a lottery system, with a drawing held on Friday, March 10, 2023 at 9 a.m. at the Newport Harbormaster’s Office. Read more »