Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Newport residents just reshaped priorities for housing and parking.

Coming up: Joe Rocco's Newport Comedy Series on the Newport Patch calendar

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Monday September 21st Patch AM
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Hi Newport! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Newport residents just reshaped priorities for housing and parking.
  • What's really in Newport's city manager contract amendment?
  • How much could Newport's new stormwater fee add to your bill?

Also on today's calendar: Joe Rocco's Newport Comedy Series and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call advice from a cow ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Monday: A thick cloud cover, with a high of 68 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and breezy, temps: high: 64, low: 53.
  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and windy, with a high of 65 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Newport Comp Plan: Residents Rank Zoning, Housing Top (upriseri.com) — Newport residents strongly backed zoning changes to boost housing production during the city's comprehensive plan open house, putting far more "Newport bucks" toward those strategies than any others. Parking management, micromobility, and a future housing trust also ranked high, guiding planners as the comprehensive plan heads into a staggered review by the Planning Board and then the City Council.
   

2. Kennedy Claims Newport Contract Runs Through 2029 — But a Signed Amendment Tells a Different Story (thenewportbuzz.com) — Newport's suspended city manager, Colin Kennedy, is asking a judge to rule that his $225,000‑a‑year contract runs through July 2029, despite a 2025 amendment stating it ends in 2027 unless extended. The City Council already voted in August to block any extension beyond 2027 and placed him on paid leave, setting up a high‑stakes legal fight over two potential extra years of pay.
   

3. Newport Stormwater Fee Plan: 500 Notices Overstated (upriseri.com) — Newport's Department of Utilities is proposing a new stormwater fee based on the amount of hard surface on each property, with July 1, 2027 the earliest possible billing date and an ordinance heading to the council in October. Officials say about 500 condo notices overstated estimated charges and will be corrected before any bills go out, and they're weighing this fee against a simpler sewer rate hike.
   

4. Team Vigilant Wins Women's International Championship in Newport (thenewportbuzz.com) — Newport hosted the inaugural Women's International Championship, where Megan Grapengeter‑Rudnick's Team Vigilant secured the title after dominating most of the five‑day regatta. Despite a shaky final day in fading breezes, their strong early results held up, while several other teams battled closely for the remaining podium spots off Newport's coast.
   

📸 Around Newport

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Newport

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Newport Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This place never disappoints.
    The lunch items are wonderful, and the sweets are just as good! John,the proprietor is a delight. Highly recommended!!! (Nextdoor Top of the Hill)
  • Newport Summer 17: The official first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere is Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
    Ending the Summer series with one of my favorite Newport illustrations, the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry. Acrylic on paper 19" x 24" (Nextdoor The Fifth Ward)
  • Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Newport. Apply here.
  • Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Cook in Newport. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Newport here.

Ok Newport! 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: Beef Tips (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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