Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 17th of October.
Good morning, Newport.
The Island Park Preservation Society and Bike Newport will host the third annual Sakonnet Coastal Bike and Stroll on Nov.
1 from 9 a.m. to noon. Roads along the scenic Island Park and Hummocks coastline will be closed to cars from 8:30 a.m. until noon — letting participants walk, bike, run or roll safely as they enjoy the free family event.
On White Cane Day, youth from Newport/North Kingstown U.S. Naval Sea Cadets helped the Newport Lions Club raise money for seeing eye dogs—one of the club’s key missions.
The event honored the Navy’s 250th birthday on Oct. 13—ending a year of celebrations that recalled Naval Station Newport’s founding in 1883.
Services will be held next week for the Middletown couple killed in a plane crash that claimed the lives of Tom and Aggie Perkins, who died Monday minutes after their small plane crashed on Interstate 195 in Dartmouth after taking off from New Bedford Regional Airport—visiting hours are Tuesday from 2 to 6 at O'Neill-Hayes Funeral Home in Newport and a Mass is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary’s Church.
A Halloween guide lists local events from today through Oct.
31 including pumpkin patches at Trinity Church, ghost tours, and harvest festivals at Newport Vineyards along with film and craft sessions at the Newport Library. The guide provides key details on times, prices and venues — helping families and adults plan their seasonal outings.
Rising pop artist Krystofer Maison will lead a pop-opera gala on Oct.
23 at Provence sur Mer—blending pop and opera with a focus on mental health—featuring opera singer Creatine Price and international DJ INViDA. The event runs from 7 to 10 p.m. and will donate ten percent of its proceeds to Project Blackbird.
Newport Classical will host saxophone star Valentin Kovalev on November 21 at the Recital Hall on Dearborn Street—he will also visit a Head Start program to share his music with local students.
The award-winning artist has won major competitions and will play works by Schumann, Chaminade, and Debussy.
The eight-vaned Boyd’s Wind Grist Mill will turn again on Saturday, Oct.
18 at 11 a.m. in Middletown’s Paradise Valley Park as it uses recycled parts and oak timbers from a wrecked schooner for its historic restoration — Mary Dennis of the Middletown Historical Society credits Andy Shrake for relocating and maintaining the mill to show a slice of local life.
The Norman Bird Sanctuary held its 51st annual Harvest Fair with more than 70 participants competing in the Home and Garden Competition.
Winners were announced in several categories—Carolyn and James Hanigan won Seasonal Outside Decor Best in Class while Mike Fougere took first place for Bird House.
Newport resident Sarah Dully was named Rhode Island’s 2026 Teacher of the Year at Narragansett High School on Sept 16—she has taught since 2012 and will work with the state education department through the 2025-26 school year to support statewide learning.
Colleen Burns Jermain, who served Newport Public Schools for 12 years, announced she will resign on June 30, 2026—she told the School Committee on Oct.
14. Committee members said her work brought major improvements such as new school facilities—and they plan to search for a new superintendent.
Middletown officials and the school committee met on Oct.
9 to discuss joining Newport schools—this meeting was prompted by Newport’s effort to renew regionalization, which Middletown voters approved in 2022 while Newport rejected it by nearly 400 votes. No vote was taken and further talks are planned that could lead to a special vote if the town council agrees.
Guided by more than 3,000 public comments, the Coast Guard revised its plan and will now remove 20 buoys from Rhode Island waters instead of 37.
The agency will accept written feedback until Nov. 15 and will add lights and sound signals to some buoys—helping boaters navigate safely.
Mother Pizzeria in Newport will launch its guest chef series on Oct.
29 from 5 to 9 p.m. with Boston chef Will Gilson joining Chef Kyle to prepare his famed South Shore Bar Pizza + the event offers a new taste of regional flavor. The series will include further chef events in December and February + guests can reserve tables through Resy.
Dueling Pianos at the Top of Pelham
8 PM - 1 AM — One Pelham East Bar & Grill — 21+ event — Experience Newport's only Dueling Pianos show with stunning harbor views and interactive performances.
Dueling Pianos Late Show at Top Of Pelham
7:30-9:30 p.m. — Dueling Pianos Bar at Top Of Pelham — 21+ event — Experience a lively night with audience-requested music and stunning views of Newport Harbor.
Halloween Party and Trick-or-Treat
3-7 p.m. — George Hail Library — Family-friendly fun — Enjoy crafts, games, and spooktacular trick-or-treating in costume for little ghosts and goblins.
Dueling Pianos at the Top of Pelham
8 p.m. – 1 a.m. — One Pelham East Bar & Grill — Ticket reservations recommended — Experience a lively dueling pianos show with audience interaction in a scenic Newport venue.
Bearly Dead: Grateful Dead Tribute
8:00 – 9:30 PM — The Greenwich Odeum — Ticket prices vary — Experience a vibrant Grateful Dead tribute band that brings exciting energy to the stage.
Cars & Coffee — Trunk or Treat
11 AM – 12 PM — Fort Adams Trust — Entry fee, canned goods donation — Enjoy a festive morning with cars, coffee, and community spirit.
Willie J Laws with the Ocean Mistics
5-9 p.m. — Ocean Mist — Ticketed event — Experience a night of modern funky Blues with Willie J Laws and the Ocean Mistics.
Uncorking the Possibilities: Food, Wine & Beer Tasting
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Newport Vineyards & Restaurant — Ticketed event — Savor exquisite wines and beers accompanied by live jazz from the Lois Vaughan Jazz Trio.
Pivot Point Exhibit Opening Night
5-7 p.m. — CUSP Gallery & Lifestyle — Free entry — Celebrate the inaugural fine art exhibition showcasing the talent of Newport artists and enjoy a vibrant community atmosphere.
Dueling Pianos Show at the Top of Pelham
8 PM – 1 AM — One Pelham East Bar & Grill — Tickets recommended — Enjoy a lively night of audience-requested songs at the unique Dueling Pianos performance with a stunning harbor view.
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