News

Community Asked to help Light up the Harbor this July 4th

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Newport Looking for Donations for Annual Fireworks Fund

NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, June 5, 2024) – The City of Newport is gearing up for its annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration and is once again turning to the community to help light up Newport Harbor.

Every year, thousands of locals and visitors alike flock to downtown Newport to take in the City’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

This year, with the travel industry expecting an especially busy holiday weekend, the City is asking all to get involved in the celebration by donating to the City’s Fireworks Fund. Read more »

Learn How to Run For Office This June

Wednesday, May 22, 2024

City of Newport to Host Candidate Information Sessions
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024) – Are you thinking about running for office? The City of Newport’s Canvassing Office will be hosting a series of informational sessions for all those curious about how to throw their hat in the ring this November.

The information sessions will provide aspiring candidates with an overview of how to declare and run for office – from Newport’s non-partisan City Council and School Committee to the General Assembly and beyond. Read more »

Here’s Your Chance to Climb Miantonomi Park Tower

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

City of Newport to Open Historic Tower for Memorial Day
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024) – Newport residents and visitors are once again being invited to climb to the top of Newport as the Miantonomi Park Tower opens to the public on Monday, May 27th from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in observance of Memorial Day. 

This event, which is being organized by the City, Miantonomi Park Commission, and the Aquidneck Land Trust, aims to recognize the historical significance of the tower as a memorial to the Veterans of World War I.
 
Completed in 1929; the 100-foot stone tower was designed by William Kendall of the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White and stands atop one of the highest points in Newport.  Read more »

Newport Businesses to Benefit from new State Tax Exemption

Thursday, May 16, 2024

$50,000 Tangible Tax Exemption Set to Take Effect July 1st
  
NEWPORT, R.I. (WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024) – Newport business owners are poised to save on one of their annual tax bills as a statewide exemption on the tangible tax rate is set to take effect in July.

The program, which was passed last year by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. McKee, provides a $50,000 exemption to all tangible tax accounts beginning in the 2024 tax year beginning July 1^st. The exemption would apply to all tangible personal property used in day-to-day business operations including assets such as furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Read more »

City Council to Host Special Meeting on City Manager Search

Monday, May 6, 2024

Meeting Concludes Extensive Search Process with National Reach
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (MONDAY, MAY 6, 2024) – City Councilors will be holding a special meeting immediately following their Regular monthly session on Wednesday, May 8^th at 6:30 p.m. for the purposes of disclosing votes taken in executive session on the remaining candidates for City Manager and the consideration and approval of the employment agreement for the appointment of Colin Kennedy as City Manager.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place in the second floor City Council Chamber and all are welcome to attend. Read more »

PARKING SEASON SET TO BEGIN MAY 1ST

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Metered & Residential Parking Programs Return
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024) – The City of Newport’s paid parking and residential sticker programs are set to begin on May 1^st.
 
Metered parking, which features the use of multi-space parking kiosks, will be in effect from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays. Hourly rates will remain at $1.25 per hour downtown and $2 per hour along Memorial Boulevard by Easton’s Beach. 

This year’s rates will mirror last years’ and once again Newport residents will be eligible to receive free 2-hour parking at all metered spaces.  Read more »

 CITY BUDGET SEASON UNDERWAY

Monday, April 22, 2024

​City Council Workshops Set to Begin This Week
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024) –The City’s annual budget process is slated to get underway this week as City Councilors meet in a special workshop on the proposed FY2025 Budget on Tuesday, April 23rd.
 
The following day, the Council will meet again in regular session to formally receive the proposed spending plan before hosting a series of additional budget workshops on April, 29th, 30th, May 1st, and May 2nd.
  Read more »

Southern Portion of Cliff Walk Closed for Repairs

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Majority of Cliff Walk Remains Open for Pedestrians

NEWPORT, R.I. (THURSDAY, April 4, 2024) – A portion of the southern end of Newport’s idyllic Cliff Walk has been closed for repairs.

The decision follows the discovery of a sinkhole first reported by a community member through the City’s 311 ReportIt! Newport app.

The roughly ¼ mile-long closure, which extends from the tunnel due east of Clarendon Court to the stairs leading to the Miramar sidewalk, is part of the Cliff Walk’s more rugged southern section.

Read more »

Newport Community Energy Summer Prices Announced

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Savings Expected For NCE Program Participants
 
NEWPORT, R.I. (MARCH 28, 2024) – Newport households and businesses enrolled in the City’s Newport Community Electricity program can expect to see a decrease in their electric rates this spring.

Residential customers enrolled in the City’s default community plan can expect electric rates of 10.291 cents/kWh, which is below those being offered by Rhode Island Energy’s Last Resort Service of 10.377 cents/kWh. The new prices are fixed for six months and will go into effect in May 2024.

Current participants do not need to take any action to remain in the program and receive the new pricing for the product in which they are currently enrolled. Read more »

Washington Square Traffic Detour Starting March 18

Friday, March 15, 2024

Water Main Repair Set to Begin Next Week
  
NEWPORT, R.I. (FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024) – Motorists are advised that beginning the week of March 18^th, the City’s utility contractor, Boyle & Fogarty Inc., will begin work at Thames Street and Washington Square to replace an aging water main. 

While overnight work is scheduled as part of the project, this phase will be performed during daytime hours between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. and will require detours. Read more »