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Assault Suspect in Newport City Hall Incident Surrenders to Police

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Newport’s City Manager Colin Kennedy has quietly Newport’s City Manager Colin Kennedy has quietly greenlit the renewal of the concessions contract at Easton’s Beach for the 2025 season, bypassing consultation with the Newport City Council. The renewed contract ensures Audrain Hospitality stays in place for another year under terms that include a $72,000 annual lease payment and 10% of gross sales exceeding $750,000—a threshold they missed by nearly 75% in 2024. According to city data, Audrain reported $207,774.89 in total sales, plus an additional $8,103.70 from a subcontractor, Longade, LLC. Despite the City’s assertion that there was no controversy surrounding the contract, residents will surely remember otherwise. The uproar over demolishing the snack bar and carousel building has yet to settle, with many questioning the city’s decision-making process. According to city officials, the contract was extended using “long-standing routine administrative procedures.” They cited a lack of “material changes” or “indications of controversy” as justification for bypassing council review. Yet, critics argue that missing the $750,000 sales target amid record parking receipts in 2024 should have been enough to trigger council discussion. Others point to the public outrage over the original contract award as a glaring sign of controversy. This decision comes on the heels of City Manager Kennedy going rogue and installing a stop sign on Third Street and a speed camera on Ruggles Avenue without consulting the council. Those actions drew sharp rebukes from the council, with Mayor Charlie Holder saying, “This was a solution looking for a problem,” and Third Ward Councilor David Carlin adding, “This is just another example of the city manager acting unilaterally without consulting the people elected to represent this city. Decisions like these should be made with input from the council and the community, not by one person playing traffic cop.” This pattern of Kennedy’s unilateral decision-making and questionable leadership is fueling a growing rift between city administration, the City Council, and the citizens of Newport. (link in bio) #eastonsbeach #newportri #audrain #newportbuzz
The Newport Historic District Commission slammed t The Newport Historic District Commission slammed the brakes on plans for a new 91-room, 150,000-square-foot hotel at the Bellevue Gardens shopping plaza in a narrow 4-3 vote on January 14. The decision leaves the upscale development at an impasse. The Procaccianti Group, the developers behind the ambitious project at 181 Bellevue Avenue, envisioned the independent hotel as a cornerstone of Newport’s hospitality scene. The property promised a new chapter for the iconic avenue, aiming to complement its historic charm while drawing visitors to its state-of-the-art facilities. But the HDC’s ruling underscores the delicate balance between modern development and preserving Newport’s historic character. The commission raised concerns about the siting of the building, which would have occupied a corner of William Street and Bellevue Avenue. The proposal first came before the HDC on October 15, but progress was slow, with commissioners repeatedly requesting revisions to address issues related to scale, massing, design details, and siting. By the January 14 meeting, most of the project’s design elements had gained approval, but the building’s placement on the lot remained a sticking point. In a common procedural move, the HDC split the application, approving all elements except the siting in a 6-1 vote. The siting itself was denied 4-3, with opponents citing the city’s historic preservation standards. Under Newport’s guidelines, new construction must harmonize with the neighborhood’s size, scale, and overall aesthetic. With the siting denied, the hotel cannot move forward without a reversal of the HDC decision, either through an appeal to the Zoning Board of Review or the Rhode Island Superior Court Land Use Calendar. Until then, the hotel remains grounded, unable to move forward without the commission’s nod—or a legal reversal. #newportri #bellevuehotel #scenesofnewengland #newportbuzz
Happy Friday, January 24th! Here’s What’s Happ Happy Friday, January 24th! Here’s What’s Happening in Newport today. @newport.mansions @deborahwinthroplingerie @bottegabocconi @newportlobstershack @ticketsnewport @viestesimplyitalian @newportblues @newport_nightlife @gimmesnax @thequenchernewport @atticusallen #newportbuzz #newportri #rhodeisland #scenesofnewengland #newengland
Despite easing oil costs and lackluster domestic g Despite easing oil costs and lackluster domestic gasoline demand, pump prices eked out a three-cent gain since last week to $3.13. Meanwhile, today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remained at 34 cents. “The culprit for the pop in prices is likely old man Winter,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “It’s a little harder to distribute gasoline in bad weather, and refineries don’t operate well in freezing temperatures either.” According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gasoline demand fell from 8.32 million b/d last week to an anemic 8.08. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks rose from 243.6 million barrels to 245.9, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day. Today’s national average for a gallon of gas is $3.13, nine cents more than a month ago and five cents more than a year ago. Oil Market Dynamics At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI fell 39 cents to settle at $75.44 a barrel. The EIA reports that crude oil inventories decreased by 1.0 million barrels from the previous week. At 411.7 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are about 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. Gas The nation’s top 10 most expensive gasoline markets are Hawaii ($4.54), California ($4.44), Washington ($3.93), Nevada ($3.66), Oregon ($3.54), Pennslyvania ($3.38), Maryland ($3.35), Alaska ($3.32), Illinois ($3.29), and Washington, DC ($3.28)8 The nation’s top 10 least expensive gasoline markets are Mississippi ($2.68), Oklahoma ($2.71), Texas ($2.74), Louisiana ($2.76), Arkansas ($2.77), Tennessee ($2.78), Kentucky ($2.78), Alabama ($2.81), Kansas ($2.81), and Missouri ($2.83). #gas #travel #oil #newportbuzz
In a fiery joint statement, Rhode Island Attorney In a fiery joint statement, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and ten of his counterparts nationwide denounced a Trump administration memo urging state and local law enforcement to assist with federal immigration enforcement, calling it a violation of constitutional principles. The attorneys general, representing Rhode Island, California, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Vermont, stood firm against what they described as federal overreach. Citing the 1997 Supreme Court case Printz v. United States, the coalition made it clear that states cannot be forced to act as enforcers of federal law. “It is well-established—through longstanding Supreme Court precedent—that the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws,” the statement declared. “The President cannot unilaterally re-write the Constitution.” The memo, penned by a Trump-era DOJ appointee, was labeled by the AGs as a misguided attempt to drag state and local police into the Trump administration’s controversial immigration crackdown. They argue that such actions undermine trust between communities and law enforcement. “Right now, these vague threats are just that: empty words on paper,” the AGs continued. “But rest assured, our states will not hesitate to respond if these words become illegal actions.” The coalition emphasized their commitment to enforcing state laws and ensuring public safety without discrimination based on immigration status. Their defiance sends a clear message: federal overreach won’t fly on their watch. As immigration policy remains a hot-button issue, this legal and political showdown could set the stage for more clashes between the Biden administration’s state-level allies and lingering Trump-era policies. #donaldjtrump #immigration #ice #peterneronha #potus #newportbuzz
In a dramatic Oval Office announcement Thursday, P In a dramatic Oval Office announcement Thursday, President Donald Trump ordered the declassification of long-hidden files tied to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. “Everything will be revealed,” Trump declared while signing an executive order mandating swift disclosure of these records, reigniting hope for answers after decades of speculation and conspiracy theories. The directive calls the release “long overdue” and requires the Justice Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to draft disclosure plans. Agencies must outline a strategy within 15 days for JFK-related files and 45 days for RFK and MLK documents. “After more than 50 years, the families of these victims — and the American people — deserve the truth,” the order states. Trump’s decision follows years of frustration over withheld records, despite a 1992 law mandating their release unless national security concerns were cited. During his first term, Trump pushed for transparency in 2017 and 2018, directing agencies to reevaluate JFK file redactions. However, further delays occurred under President Joe Biden, who postponed full disclosure multiple times from 2021 to 2023. On Thursday, Trump emphasized that withholding the files is “not in the public interest” and pledged full transparency. The move fulfills a campaign promise Trump made during his 2024 run. “When I return to the White House, I will declassify and unseal all JFK assassination-related documents,” he vowed in June 2024. “It’s been 60 years — time for the American people to know the TRUTH!” Lingering questions about the assassinations have fueled public skepticism and conspiracy theories for decades. Trump’s action aims to “end the endless delays” and shed light on three of the most controversial murders in U.S. history. As the nation awaits the files, the clock is ticking on deadlines that may finally unlock long-held secrets. #donaldjtrump #jfk #rfk #mlk #potus #newportbuzz
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