Newport This Week

08/22/2026

Asheton Carson (Woo) Toland passed away peacefully on Aug. 12. Born Aug. 28, 1936, in Newport, the summer home of his parents, Woo met and married Becky, with whom he raised five children and developed real estate and a deep sense of community in their 20 years in Anguilla. After 57 years of marriage, Becky passed, and Woo reconnected with a longtime friend, Sydney, who remained by his side until his death.

Woo was known for his relaxed and confident outlook on life. He was an avid reader and enjoyed swapping books and recommendations with his children, nieces, and friends. A die-hard sports fan with the memory of an elephant, he could still tell you details of the 1949 Eagles championship game. Sailing was a lifelong love; Woo never tired of that first puff of wind (“woohoo”) and spent many an afternoon on the water with friends and family, well into his 80s.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, consider supporting your local independent bookstore, or donating to the Norman Bird Sanctuary or the Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island (Sachuest Point).

Read the full obituary at Newport This Week. https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/asheton-carson-woo-toland/

08/22/2026

Newport in Bloom held its annual garden competition awards ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Aug.18. Pictured here are Best Overall Garden: Stashenko 7 Bliss Road – Kristin & Phil and Best Overall Container: 65 Ruggles Ave. – Hilary Byrne.

“We continue to be amazed by the love for gardening and the genuine dedication to beautifying the City of Newport,” said Joan Jacobs, Chairman of Newport in Bloom. “The level of participation across all categories reflects the shared commitment to transforming our city each year into a blossoming paradise for all to enjoy.”

The awards ceremony recognized excellence in multiple categories, in­cluding Residential Gardens, Residential Containers, Large Gardens, Busi­nesses, Community Organizations and Senior and Family Housing. The winners in each category were recognized for their exceptional achievements in contributing to the city’s vibrant floral landscape.

The first place winners in various categories are listed here.

LARGE GARDEN
All Areas: 12 Vernon Ave., Kate & Lou Upham

RESIDENTIAL AWARDS
Area 1: 5 Sycamore St., Lisa Elliot
Area 2: 20 Sherman St., Amy Sherman
Area 3: 36 Berkeley Ave., Lynne Shore

CONTAINER AWARDS
Area 1: 67 Third St., Scott Rivkees
Area 2: 22 Sherman St., Hilary Fearon White
Area 3: 39 Connection St., John Marshall

BUSINESS AWARD
Grand Banks & Palm Beach Motor Yachts Marina, 1 Spring Wharf, Mark Richards

FAMILY AND SENIOR HOUSING
Gardens: 179 Park Holm St., Cheryl Settle
Containers: 28A Earl Ave., Ed Delehanty

COMMUNITY PLANTINGS
Jesus Saviour Church, 1 Vernon Ave., Fr. Hiep Nguyen

NEWCOMER AWARDS
Area 1: 5 Sunshine Court, Sue Pedro
Area 2: 2 Eustis Ave., LMD DelNegro
Area 3: 31 Bowery St., Mitch Bloom & Terrance Gilligan

08/22/2026

As director of public services for the city of Newport for 23 years, Bill Riccio has been re­sponsible for administering and managing a department that covers engineering, street and sidewalk maintenance, parks and grounds maintenance, city buildings, vehicle fleet manage­ment, and solid waste and recy­cling. Sounds like a lot, because it is .

Among his initiatives, Riccio has introduced automated waste collection, spearheaded a curbside municipal composting program and adopted salt brine treatment for winter conditions. As the lead on a regional Safe Streets for All Implementation Grant, he was instrumental in the city receiving $19 million to make pedestrian improvements to transportation corridors.

His tenure has seen Commu­nity Development Block Grants improving city playgrounds and facilities such as Newport’s senior center, as well as local streets and pedestrian walk­ways. He has utilized partner­ships with foundations and nonprofits to launch a citywide food waste composting program. Riccio also helped the city obtain a $11 million grant to assist with resto­ration of the Cliff Walk.

Riccio was chosen a 2026 Top 10 Public Works Leader of the Year by the American Public Works Associ­ation, the first Rhode Islander ever selected for the honor in the public works industry since inception of the award in 1960. He will soon receive that award in ceremonies in Texas.

Read the conversation in this week's edition. In print and online at Newport This Week. https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/this-weeks-conversation-with-bill-riccio/

08/21/2026

Beginning Aug. 20 voters who prefer to cast their ballots early can do so at their city or town hall for the Sept. 9 primary. Early voting and emergency mail ballot submission begins in Newport at 8:30 a.m. in the second-floor con­ference room of city hall and will continue during regular business hours until 4 p.m. on Sept. 8.

Middletown follows similar hours, which are posted on the town’s website. Newport has de­cided to add extended voting hours on Wednesdays prior to the start of the 6:30 p.m. council meeting at city hall.

According to state election laws, early voting can take place only at municipal headquarters such as the city or town hall.

Starting Aug. 30, the Newport Canvassing Office recommends that any voter with a mail ballot re­turns it via one of the official drop boxes instead of putting it in the mail. This will ensure receipt at the State Board of Elections before the official deadline.

Early voting requires presenta­tion of a valid photo identification. If you do not have one, the Elec­tions

Division at the R.I. Depart­ment of State will issue one. Call 401-222-2340 or email elections@ sos.ri.gov to learn more.

When you arrive at city or town hall to vote, you have to check in with election officials who will find your name in an electronic poll book and ask you to sign the book. The election official will initial your signature and give you a ballot card to mark. You then place the card into a reading machine just as you would if voting in person on the day of the election.

08/21/2026

The Middletown Histor­ical Society will celebrate Middletown’s role in the fight for American independence on Aug. 22 when it revisits the “Siege of Newport” at the Witherbee School from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visitors will hear and see the full explana­tion of the Battle of Rhode Island, Patriots from the war, cannonballs, and other artifacts.

Further information on the town’s role may be found in “An Historical Sketch of Middleton,” available at MHS. Get more information in this week's edition. In print and online at Newport This Week. https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/middletowns-revolutionary-war-heroes-to-be-honored/

08/21/2026

Rogers High School will welcome members of the Class of 2030 and their families on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for the Freshman Laptop Distribution and Welcome Event.

Laptop Distribution 3:45–5:15 p.m.
Students are required to use a Newport Public Schools-issued laptop, as personal devices are not compatible with the school network. The IT team will distribute laptops on a first-come, first-served basis. The process takes approximately 5 minutes per family and includes system setup and password verification. Families are encouraged to arrive early. Laptops will not be available for pickup after 5:15 p.m.

Freshman Welcome Event 5:30–6:30 p.m.
The Welcome Event will give freshmen and their families an opportunity to meet classmates, learn about schedules, transportation, school communication and student expectations, and get answers to questions before the first day of school.

08/20/2026

Although many councilors declined to comment on the vote to place City Manager Colin Kennedy on paid administra­tive leave Newport Mayor, Charles Holder offered a brief thought.

“We have to look at and consider everything, including the residents and the city staff. At this time, we decided this was the best move for the city," he said. “Technically, the position is not vacant, and Colin is on adminis­trative leave. Should that leave stay until his contract is up, then we would do a search for a manager. Theoretically, we would probably wait until there’s a new council, since it’s so close to the election.”

Kennedy’s annual salary is $225,000. His three-year contract expires in July 2027. Included in the contract are one-year annual options that would have renewed automatically unless the city council voted against doing so. The decision to not renew Kenne­dy’s contract was one of two votes taken by the council in the Aug. 15 executive session. The second was to place Kennedy on paid leave.

Get the full story in this week's edition. In print and online at Newport This Week.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/newport-city-manager-placed-on-administrative-leave/

08/20/2026

New edition of Newport This Week. On stands now!

08/20/2026

Waiting at red lights and off ramps is a good time to enjoy the hardy wildflowers that thrive in the poor soil along the edge of the road. An array of beautiful colors can be seen; soft whites, corn­flower blues, shades of purple and a range of yellows, from pale to bright sunshine. Photos by Scott Ruhren and Lauren Parmelee.

From Queen Anne's Lace and Chicory to Primrose and Mullein, learn all about roadside wildflowers in this week's Nature in the Neighborhood. In print and online at Newport This Week.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/wildflowers-add-beauty-to-roadsides/

08/19/2026