<figure></figure> <p>The Heritage Restaurant Group announced Thursday that it will acquire Scales &#38; Shells, the seafood restaurant at 527/537 Thames St., which has been a downtown Newport fixture for nearly 40 years. The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to due diligence and approval processes. Heritage Group, a Newport-based restaurant and hospitality operator, will take [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/heritage-restaurant-group-to-acquire-scales-shells/">Heritage Restaurant Group to acquire Scales &amp; Shells</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>Chef Kevin O&#8217;Donnell of Newport&#8217;s Giusto Restaurant and Mother Pizza will lead a culinary tour of Sicily Sept. 12-19, 2026, as part of Oldways&#8217; Culinaria travel program. The seven-day immersion will explore Sicilian food, wine, history and culture across the island from east to west, with stops in Ortigia, Agrigento and Palermo. The tour promises [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/newport-chef-to-lead-culinary-tour-of-sicily-in-2026/">Newport chef to lead culinary tour of Sicily in 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>Sakonnet Vineyard will host its fifth annual Trunk-or-Treat event in partnership with the Little Compton Fire and Police departments during the vineyard&#8217;s &#8220;Hallowine Day&#8221; celebration Saturday, Oct. 25. The family-friendly event runs from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the vineyard, located at 162 West Main Road. The Trunk-or-Treat portion takes place from 5:30 to [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/sakonnet-vineyard-to-host-5th-annual-trunk-or-treat-at-hallowine-day-celebration/">Sakonnet Vineyard to host 5th annual Trunk-or-Treat at &#8216;Hallowine Day&#8217; celebration</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>To the Editor: Newport’s youth continue to sit on top of one of the most promising career opportunities of our time &#8212; cybersecurity &#8212;&#160; yet our community has barely begun to acknowledge it. Recent media stories have featured the opening of Rhode Island College’s advanced class cyber simulation lab where students learn to counter real [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/letter-to-the-editor-lets-wake-up-to-newports-cyber-opportunity/">Letter to the Editor: Let&#8217;s wake up to Newport&#8217;s cyber opportunity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank has closed on a $100,000 loan with full principal forgiveness for the Prudence Park Water Association to install new pressure tanks and a flow meter, officials announced Thursday. The grant will fund critical infrastructure improvements for the small, nonprofit public drinking water system on Prudence Island&#8217;s west side. The system [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/prudence-island-water-association-receives-100000-grant-for-system-upgrades/">Prudence Island water association receives $100,000 grant for system upgrades</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>The Tiverton Police Department has launched a new community crime mapping page on its website, providing residents with an interactive tool to view recent police activity and general crime trends. The department announced the launch Wednesday on its Facebook page, describing the initiative as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transparency, public engagement and awareness [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/tiverton-police-launch-online-crime-mapping-tool/">Tiverton police launch online crime mapping tool</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Diane Marie (McGee) Dutra who left us peacefully at the age of 81 on October 15th, 2025. She was the wife of the late Paul Costa Dutra for 57 years. Diane lived a life centered on love and family. Her happiest moments [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/obituary-diane-dutra/">Obituary: Diane Dutra</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>The City of Newport will host a delegation from its sister city of Shimoda, Japan, this week for a series of cultural exchange events open to the public, including ninth-grade students who will tour the new Rogers High School. The Newport Sister City Commission is coordinating the visit, which begins Thursday with a welcoming reception [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/newport-welcomes-shimoda-sister-city-delegation-with-week-of-cultural-events/">Newport welcomes Shimoda sister city delegation with week of cultural events</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>All four members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation have asked to have their congressional pay withheld for the duration of the federal government shutdown in a show of solidarity with federal workers. Democratic U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo all announced Wednesday afternoon that they intend [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/rhode-islands-congressional-delegation-asks-to-forgo-pay-during-shutdown/">Rhode Island’s congressional delegation asks to forgo pay during shutdown</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>

<figure></figure> <p>Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments there is. More than a place to live, homeownership is an asset with the potential to tremendously rise in value. But with home prices reaching record heights, affordability plays a huge role for buyers. The typical home value in the United States was $364,891 in [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com/2025/10/cities-with-the-most-expensive-homes-in-rhode-island-20/">Cities with the most expensive homes in Rhode Island</a> appeared first on <a href="https://whatsupnewp.com">What&#039;s Up Newp</a>.</p>