Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Purgatory Road will change for drivers, walkers and cyclists.

Coming up: Town Offices Closed For Columbus Day | Indigenous Peoples' Day Holidays on the Middletown Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Middletown? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Purgatory Road will change for drivers, walkers and cyclists.
  • Where to find Middletown's lowest midgrade gas this week
  • Why Middletown's rental rules matter in Portsmouth's new debate

Also on today's calendar: Adult Advanced Beginner // Intermediate Ballet and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: How do billboards talk? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Sun through high clouds, with a high of 64 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Sunday: Some rain in the afternoon, temps: high: 62, low: 58.
  • Monday: Some rain in the a.m.; cloudy, with a high of 66 and low of 52 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Middletown Purgatory Road Sidewalk and Bike Lane Work Set (upriseri.com) — Middletown is moving ahead with a $3.2 million project to add sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks and drainage upgrades along Purgatory Road between Aquidneck Avenue and Second Beach, with work starting soon. Construction will pause for summer 2027 and finish that fall, mostly funded by state and federal money rather than new local taxes. Residents can contact Public Works with questions about traffic impacts.
   

2. Cheapest midgrade gas in Newport County at $4.75 per gallon in week ending Oct. 3 (southcotimes.com) — Drivers in Middletown are seeing some of Newport County's lowest midgrade gas prices, with local stations reporting $4.75 per gallon during the week ending Oct. 3. Countywide, midgrade averaged $5.02, while Rhode Island's statewide average was $5, reflecting tighter fuel supplies and higher crude oil costs this fall.
   

3. Portsmouth may tighten rules on short-term rentals (eastbayri.com) — Middletown's stricter rules for short‑term rentals—requiring owner‑occupancy and special‑use permits—are serving as a model as neighboring Portsmouth considers tightening its own regulations next week. Portsmouth's council will debate options like limiting whole‑house rentals, capping neighborhood density, and revising parking and occupancy rules to balance tourism with year‑round housing and neighborhood stability.
   

4. Here's what happened on a busy Thursday night of RI high school sports (newportri.com) — Middletown athletes had a busy Thursday, with boys soccer topping Burrillville 4-1, girls soccer falling to Westerly 3-1, and girls tennis narrowly losing 4-3 to Providence Country Day. The Islanders' volleyball team swept Juanita Sanchez, and Middletown football is set to face Davies at Gaudet Middle School tonight. It's a snapshot of how local teams are faring across Rhode Island divisions.
   

📸 Around Middletown

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Posting for a friend that is not on Nextdoor
    Please note this is cross posted on other sites Looking to rent in Tiverton RI? Cozy 2-bed, 1 bath apartment with handicap access, and off-street… (Nextdoor Kesson Farm)
  • Brinker International posted a job opening for Server - Middletown Chili's in Middletown. Apply here.
  • TJX posted a job opening for Seasonal Part Time Retail Associate 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: "How do billboards talk?" — Sign language (Thank you Ellen S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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