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Is Newport’s Drinking Water at Risk? Residents Sound Alarm Over Dumping Near Newport’s Primary Water Source

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Is Newport’s Drinking Water at Risk? Residents Sound Alarm Over Dumping Near Newport’s Primary Water Source

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Concerned residents are questioning potentially ha

Concerned residents are questioning potentially hazardous dumping activities near Easton’s Pond, Newport’s primary drinking water source. Led by John Walker—an underground utilities contractor and former Newport City Council candidate—the group alleges that raw materials are being dumped on the property without explanation or oversight.

Walker and neighbors report seeing heavy equipment bulldozing materials into the pond’s former sedimentation area, a move they believe endangers the environment and lacks permits or studies. “This isn’t just about what’s being dumped—it’s about the safety of our community and the integrity of our water supply,” Walker said.

City officials attribute the activity to a surge in water main breaks. A city spokesperson claims the materials are tied to emergency repairs, but testing hasn’t been conducted to ensure safety.

“We want transparency,” Walker said. “Where is this material coming from? What’s in it? These are basic, reasonable questions.”

Walker alleges no documentation or testing has been provided for backfilling activities at the former sedimentation pond, which supports diverse wildlife.

“The material isn’t being reused—it’s being buried. And we have no idea what it is,” he said. Walker warns of potential damage to the area’s fragile ecosystem.

Walker’s efforts have led the city to secure an alternate site for storing excavated materials. Last weekend, Mayor Charlie Holder, Councilors Jeanne Marie Napolitano and Lynn Ceglie, and Utilities Director Rob Schultz visited the site with Walker to review his concerns.

The group is urging an immediate halt to all dumping at Easton’s Pond until the city can demonstrate lawful practices and environmental safety. They also demand public identification of involved contractors and documentation of associated contracts.

Mayor Holder and the councilors have agreed to host a public meeting to address the issue, with the time and date to be announced soon. “This isn’t just a local issue,” Walker said. “It’s about protecting a vital resource for future generations.”

#drinkingwater #newportri #newportbuzz #eastonspond

Happy Wednesday, January 22nd! Here’s What’s H

Happy Wednesday, January 22nd! Here’s What’s Happening in Newport today.

@bottegabocconi @ticketsnewport @wharffishhouse @pastavinori @mainsailri @tavernonbroadway @maltonbroadway @atticusallen @thequenchernewport @adventuresinerindelle

#newportbuzz #newportri #rhodeisland #scenesofnewengland #newengland

Josh McDaniels is heading back to Foxborough. The

Josh McDaniels is heading back to Foxborough. The New England Patriots are bringing him on as offensive coordinator under new head coach Mike Vrabel, marking his third stint in the role, according to Barstool Sports’ Kirk Minihane.

McDaniels, who held the position from 2006-2008 and again from 2012-2021, returns after a rocky tenure as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, where he went 9-16 before being fired during the 2023 season.

During his earlier years in New England, McDaniels built a reputation as an offensive mastermind, engineering the record-setting 2007 offense led by Tom Brady and Randy Moss. He played a pivotal role in securing three Super Bowl titles between 2012 and 2018.

Now, McDaniels faces the challenge of reviving a Patriots offense that ranked 31st in yards per game (284.6) and averaged just 17.0 points per game in 2024. His top priority will be developing quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who showed flashes of promise with 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions as a rookie.

Maye’s dual-threat abilities, including 421 rushing yards and two touchdowns, provide a foundation for McDaniels to build on. The Patriots hope his return will signal a resurgence for an offense in need of a reset.

McDaniels began his NFL career with the Patriots in 2001 as an assistant coach under Bill Belichick. After a two-year stint as head coach of the Denver Broncos and one season as Rams offensive coordinator, he returned to New England, where he thrived for nearly a decade before leaving for Las Vegas in 2022.

The move to bring McDaniels back is a calculated attempt to restore offensive stability and leverage his quarterback expertise. With Maye at the helm, all eyes will be on McDaniels to help shape the Patriots’ next era of success.

For McDaniels, it’s another chance to prove there’s no place like home.

#patriots #patriotsnation #newengland #newportbuzz #joshmcdaniels

Brown University Health, formerly Lifespan, has an

Brown University Health, formerly Lifespan, has announced that starting Wednesday, it will be reinstating mask requirements for patients, staff, and visitors due to rising respiratory virus transmission rates.

Level 2 surgical masks will be required for patients, visitors, and staff during direct patient care, and visitors or family members without a mask will be provided one upon arrival or in patient care areas. Staff will wear Level 2 surgical masks—or N95 masks where appropriate—while providing patient care, ensuring full coverage of the nose and mouth.

This shift comes in response to increased community transmission of respiratory viruses, a rise in hospital admissions for respiratory viral infections, high levels of COVID detected in wastewater, and growing cases of staff illnesses. Brown University Health clarified that its Massachusetts locations are not moving to yellow status at this time, and will continue to follow Massachusetts Department of Health and local guidelines.

For those navigating healthcare needs, Brown University Health urges individuals and families to contact their primary care provider (PCP) for non-urgent concerns before heading to urgent or emergency care. This can help streamline access to care, reduce strain on emergency services, and save time for those in need of treatment.

#maskmandate #rhodeisland #brownuniversityhealth #lifespan #newportbuzz

Lt. Col. Ronald Eckert, USMC (Ret.), and his wife,

Lt. Col. Ronald Eckert, USMC (Ret.), and his wife, Kathie, have pledged an extraordinary $100,000 to the Thompson Scholarship Fund to support graduating seniors from Rogers High School. Their donation will help ensure future graduates have the financial resources needed to pursue higher education.

The Eckerts, with a second home in Middletown, first met in the summer of 1961 when Kathie, visiting family in Newport, encountered Ron, a lifeguard at Easton’s Beach. They reconnected in 1966 before Ron left for Jacksonville, NC, married in 1967, and have shared 57 years together, raising three daughters.

“We searched for the best resource for Rogers High School students for two months,” Ron said. After meeting Colleen Murray, President of the Rogers High School Alumni Association, and speaking with the board of trustees, the Eckerts were confident that the Thompson Fund was the right choice to support their alma mater.

Kathie added, “We’re excited to empower students to achieve their dreams, and we look forward to seeing the impact of this gift starting in 2025.”

Founded in 1913, the Thompson Scholarship Fund provides tuition assistance to Rogers graduates attending accredited colleges and universities.

Ron’s legacy is closely tied to Rogers High School, where he was a standout athlete. A co-captain of the 1957 football team, he earned spots on the Providence Journal-Bulletin All-State and Sporting News National High School All-American teams, representing Rhode Island in the 1958 National All-American game in Hershey, Pennsylvania. “It was a highlight of my life,” Ron said.

After college, Ron continued his football career at Upsala College, earned MVP honors, and played for the Quantico Football Team. He later coached USMC Athletics and officiated NCAA Division 1 football for 14 years. In 2021, Ron was inducted into the Rogers High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

“My time at Rogers High was pivotal,” Ron said. “Kathie and I are excited to see how our gift helps future graduates reach their potential.”

#newportri #rogershighschool #newportbuzz #collegescholarship

In one of his first official acts as president, Do

In one of his first official acts as president, Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on Monday halting federal leasing for offshore wind development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.

The directive, which took immediate effect, pauses the issuance of new leases and orders a comprehensive review of existing projects. While it does not rescind current leases, the order instructs the Secretary of the Interior to assess opportunities to terminate or amend ongoing contracts.

“This withdrawal does not apply to leasing related to any other purposes such as, but not limited to, oil, gas, minerals, and environmental conservation,” the order reads.

The decision signals a stark departure from the Biden administration’s efforts to bolster offshore wind energy as part of its climate agenda. Under President Biden, the Department of the Interior had set ambitious goals of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 15 gigawatts of floating wind by 2035. Multiple commercial-scale wind farms were approved during Biden’s tenure, with six lease auctions conducted since 2022.

“We have more oil and gas than any country in the world, and we’re going to use it,” Trump said. “We’re not going to do the wind thing. Big, ugly windmills ruin your neighborhood, they kill birds, and they’re all made in China. But other than that, I think they’re quite good.”

The order directs federal agencies to evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of offshore wind projects. Specifically, it calls for a study of their effects on marine life, navigation safety, and the costs associated with intermittent energy generation.

Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Interior, offered some reassurances during his confirmation hearing, stating that approved projects “that make sense” would proceed. However, the order casts uncertainty over projects greenlit during Biden’s final days in office, leaving developers questioning their future.

#offshorewind #newportri #greenoceans #nantucket #ack #marthasvineyard #newportbuzz

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