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🌱 Patch AM: How a $500,000 grant could reshape Middletown’s public library future

Coming up: Public Meeting - Naval Station Newport Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) on the Middletown Patch calendar

Wednesday May 20th Patch AM

Greetings Middletown! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

  • How a $500,000 grant could reshape Middletown’s public library future
  • What led police to pepper-spray a 1,200-person crowd at Second Beach?
  • Why are Middletown Public Schools being honored at a seaside gala?

Also on today's calendar: Public Meeting - Naval Station Newport Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Whatz the difference between Dubai...and Abu Dhabi? 🤔 (Answer below!)


Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: An afternoon thunderstorm, with a high of 81 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly cloudy and cooler, temps: high: 65, low: 47.
  • Friday: Sun and areas of high clouds, with a high of 59 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Champlin Foundation awards more than $1.25 million to Newport County nonprofits in spring grants cycle (whatsupnewp.com) — Middletown’s public library just secured a $500,000 Champlin Foundation grant to help relocate and expand its facility, one of the largest awards in this grant cycle. Another $33,435 will improve door accessibility at Newport Mental Health in town, while neighboring Newport County communities also received funding for preservation, social services, and animal welfare projects.    

2. Police arrest nine, deploy pepper spray after about 1,200 gather at Sachuest Beach (whatsupnewp.com) — Middletown police used pepper spray and made nine arrests after a crowd of about 1,200 high school-aged visitors at Sachuest (Second) Beach turned disorderly Tuesday afternoon. Sixteen Middletown and 20 Newport officers responded, a Newport officer was injured by an allegedly impaired driver, and several teens and young adults from Massachusetts and Fall River now face assault and disorderly conduct charges.    

3. Portsmouth couple earns Vision Award (eastbayri.com) — Middletown residents may recognize their own public schools among this year’s East Bay Community Action Program Vision Award honorees, alongside a Portsmouth couple celebrated for years of volunteer service. EBCAP, which serves Middletown and other East Bay towns, will present the awards at its Seaside Gala on June 11 in Newport.    

4. RI Delegation Secures $20.3 Million for T.F. Green International Airport & Local Airports (senate.gov) — Middletown’s Newport State Airport is set to receive nearly $2 million in federal funds to rehabilitate one of its main runways, part of a broader $20.3 million package for Rhode Island airports. The upgrades aim to improve safety, extend runway life, and support reliable air service for local travelers and businesses across the state.    

5. Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium awards more than $100K in scholarships to 23 STEM students (pbn.com) — Middletown-based Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to 23 STEM students focused on ocean and undersea technology fields. The awards, launched in 2023, support both graduate and undergraduate students nationwide in areas like engineering, robotics, and environmental science, many of whom have interned with NUWC and other local defense partners.    


📸 Around Middletown

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Third Beach Kayak Rack.
    Anyone else have a kayak at Third Beach that was taken by the police over the winter? I have keep my kayak there for 5 years. Suddenly, this year,… (Nextdoor Mitchell Ln)
  • Phenom People posted a job opening for Unit Asst in Middletown. Apply here.
  • CROSSMARK posted a job opening for Retail Merchandiser- Part Time (HIRING ASAP) in Middletown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Middletown here.

Ok Middletown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: In Dubai, the people don't watch the 'Flintstone's'. But people in Abu Dhabi Do! (Thank you Jerri E. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!


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