NEWPORT, R.I. – State Rep. Peter Martin (D-Newport) is making news this week by co-sponsoring a bill that would ease the penalty for teenagers who engage in “sexting,” a general term referring to the distribution of explicit images or videos via cell phone.
According to Martin, who took up a request by the Attorney General’s Office to introduce the legislation, most times teenagers simply aren’t aware of the ramifications of their actions.
“This takes what I consider to be bad behavior, or stupid behavior for these teenagers who are sending these pictures around, and instead of making it a crime with a record as a sex offender, it redirects them into counseling,” Martin told ABC6 News on Monday.
Under current state law, teens who are caught sending explicit photos or videos can be charged for distributing child pornography, an offense that carries with it a $5,000 fine, up to 5 years in jail, and a lifetime sex offender label.
And while some judges do practice discretion in their rulings, proponents say that this bill is needed to address what is an increasingly common problem.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Newport stands to see a 15.3 percent reduction in school aid under a proposed statewide education funding formula released earlier today.
The long-awaited formula, which is aimed at providing state and local officials with a quantitative basis for distributing funds to school districts based on enrollment and other contributing factors, was developed by the state Department of Education in cooperation with Brown University. Currently, legislators base financial aid by previous years’ precedents with no regard for enrollment or, for that matter, any other metric.
NEWPORT, R.I. – The red flag was flying early Friday morning outside of the Wellington Avenue CSO facility, signaling the city’s latest active combined sewer overflow event.
The red flag flying above the Wellington Avenue pump station signals that a CSO event has occured. (Photo by Tom Shevlin)
According to the city’s website, both of its CSO outfall locations were active on Friday, the result of a powerful winter storm that dumped over an inch and a half of rain on the area.
NEWPORT, R.I. – It wasn’t your typical start to a City Council meeting. But on Wednesday, the Dennis E. Collins division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians paid a special visit to City Hall to kick off the annual Irish Heritage Month.
The month long celebration of all things Irish formally gets under way at noon on Sunday, Feb. 28 at Forty Steps with traditional Irish step dancing and live traditional music. Afterward, head down to the Hibernian Hall on Wellington Avenue for a free Afternoon Social at 1 p.m.
A full line up of events for Irish Heritage Month can be found online at AOHNewport.org or on our calendar beginning Friday, Feb. 26.
BMW Oracle Racing's trimaran took back the America's Cup for the U.S. recently. Newport is on the short list of potential sites for the next Cup. (Photo Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW ORACLE Racing)
NEWPORT, R.I. – Recognizing the potential impact that the contest would have on the state and local economy, City Council members on Wednesday formally threw their weight behind efforts to bring the America’s Cup back home to Newport.
The resolution, put forth by Councilors Stephen C. Waluk, Stephen R. Coyne, and fully endorsed by the remainder of the council, puts the city on record congratulating the BMW Oracle Racing syndicate for their recent victory in Spain, and urges the Cup’s return home.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Ballard Park was aglow over the weekend for the 5th Annual Illuminated Garden. Navigating snow and mud (we told you to bring your hiking boots), scores of visitors streamed through the park’s quarry meadow to take in the display.
This year’s event, which drew on the significant talents of steadfast volunteers, was by all accounts a delightfully whimsical success.
From the waterfall of blue cascading down from the quarry wall to the innovative sea shanty and teepee displays, this latest installation continued to build the event’s reputations as one of the most creative and family-friendly attractions of the off-season. If you missed it, follow the jump for a special slideshow. Also, look for our Illuminated Garden photo album on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/newportnow.
Layoff notices are nothing new in Rhode Island’s educational system. School Committees will regularly issue pink slips to teachers ahead of state funding announcements, which usually results in all or most of the “laid off” teachers being called back at the end of the year.
But with state funding to municipalities and schools in doubt, this year could be different.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Dozens of dogs and their walkers hit the sidewalks of downtown Newport on Saturday for pet boutique Wag Nation’s first Winter Fest dog stroll.
Snaking down the Historic Hill from Williams Street and on to Queen Anne Square, the pack was led by Wag Nation proprietor Lynne Wieder and her dog Eloise, dressed fashionably in pink.
In addition to the requisite scratching and sniffing, prizes were handed out to the Best Dressed Dog, Best Coordinated Canine/Human combination, Best Trick and Best Look-a-Like. The Winter Festival Snowman was also on hand, as was the Potter League’s mascot.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Less than two weeks after Navy officials listed roughly 260 acres of excess waterfront property on the federal register, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, acting on behalf of a local Indian tribe is asking that the process take a step backward.
According to Tina Dolen, executive director of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (APIC), her office received a phone call late Friday afternoon from David Drozd, Director of the Base Realignment and Closure Management (BRAC), Program Management Office Northeast.
Halsey Herreshoff, who crewed aboard Columbia in the 1958 Cup, is seen here at the America's Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol. (Photo by Tom Shevlin)
NEWPORT, R.I. – Halsey Herreshoff, a yachting legend and president of the Bristol-based America’s Cup Hall of Fame, is traveling to San Francisco to hand deliver a letter to software tycoon Larry Ellison on behalf of Governor Donald Carcieri (R), urging the return of competition for the Auld Mug to Rhode Island Sound.
According to Hall of Fame Executive Director Lawrence Fisher, who appeared on Friday morning’s Helen Glover Show on 920AM WHJJ, Herreshoff is friendly with Ellison’s BMW Oracle Racing syndicate, and was invited out to celebrate the return of the Cup to the United States for what’s being billed as a “victory tour.”
Could the Volvo Ocean Race be coming to Newport? We should find out soon! (Photo by Tom Shevlin)
NEWPORT, R.I. – As state and civic leaders rush to secure the return of the America’s Cup in 2013, officials from the Volvo Ocean Race are planning to announce the 2011-12 VOR course on Monday.
NEWPORT, R.I. – A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to transform Ballard Park into a mystical Illuminated Garden. We caught up with Friends of Ballard Park Executive Director Colleen McGrath on Thursday, who, along with about a dozen volunteers, was pretty busy putting the finishing touches on this weekend’s event.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Following up on a well attended meeting focused on planned improvements to the Thames Street and Wellington Avenue sewer interceptors, the City of Newport’s Utilities Department has announced plans to host a second meeting aimed at informing and updating residents and business owners of the impending construction work.
Always a favorite, an ice carver demonstrates his talents during a previous year's Winter Fest.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Hibernation is for bears. And this weekend, as eyes turn toward Vancouver for the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, Newport will be celebrating its own fortnight of events that’s sure to get you out and about.
Winter Fest, the annual celebration of all things wonderful about the off-season, kicks off Friday, and this year, there are a few new additions that have us looking forward to throwing on some extra layers and heading out into the cold! From concerts and comedians to even some fun on the beach, the Feb. 12-21 celebration is perfect solution for families in search of something to do with the kids over winter break, while also offering plenty of activities for the kid at heart.
Below are just some of the highlights of this year’s festival.
It's true: Newport Now has purchased Newport This Week! Check out our first edition (we only had two days to turn it out!) on stands today! 3 hours ago
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