Rise & Shine! Your Newport County guide for Aug. 12
Rise & Shine! I’m Scott Barrett, managing editor for The Daily News, and today is Aug. 12, the 224th day of the year — 141 days remain in 2022. On this day in 1939, the film “The Wizard of Oz” made its world premiere in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, at least according to legend.
Here & Now
• Admittedly, I've only eaten at Bishop's 4th Street Diner once, and it was years ago. But I can recall the booth in which I sat and that the food was pretty good (I'm fairly certain I ordered a grilled cheese with bacon and tomatoes). Those who go more often don't have much time left — Sunday will be the final day of service before the doors shutter for good.
I called there Thursday morning looking to speak with Steve Bishop, who co-owns the restaurant with wife Vicki. We spoke for about five minutes — you could tell it was busy in the background so I didn't want to keep him — about his emotions this week, the support he's received and what's next.
He also told me there is a buyer in the works for the historic O'Mahoney aluminum dining car. You can read my story here.
• Since I became a licensed driver, way back during Clinton's first term in office, I've always made my way around town in pre-owned cars. This week, though, my wife and I bought our very first new vehicle — a 2022 Toyota Rav4.
Yesterday morning, I received an email from AAA Northeast that caught my attention. It was titled: "Annual Cost of New Car Ownership Crosses $10K Mark." It's not quite that much, but ownership — from the price of gas, to maintenance and repairs, to insurance payments — of this new car will set us back $7,749.80 annually.
Perhaps pre-owned was the way to go. Find out how much it costs to drive your car each year with the AAA Driving Cost calculator, though you may not want to see the answer.
• Hungry Pell Elementary School students will be served at least one free hot breakfast at school per week during the upcoming academic year after Newport Public Schools was able to extend its universal breakfast program at no additional cost. Reporter Savana Dunning has the story.
• In his weekly Spare Change column, Jim Gillis writes that pickleball players are getting squeezed out of city parks and need their own space. Read his column here.
• Earlier this week, I wrote about a Starbucks drive-through proposal scheduled to go before the Middletown Planning. That item was continued to the Sept. 14 meeting after board Chair Paul Croce requested an independent review of a traffic study.
• In topics ranging from parking in Newport to the U.S. flag code to the upcoming election, find a week's worth of letters to the editor here.
• If you're a Dead Head like me, you'll really enjoy Keats & Company, who are playing a free concert in Tiverton tonight at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
• Bird lovers and beer lovers can come together as Dr. Charles Clarkson, director of avian research for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, will hold court at Ragged Island Brewing Company tonight. Learn more here.
• Last month, I wrote about a disease that is killing Newport's beech trees. This morning from 9 to 10 a.m., Joe Verstandig, living collections manager for the Newport Tree Conservancy, will host a walk through Aquidneck Park, 300 Spring St., to examine the disease a bit deeper. Learn more here.
• From the inbox: According to a recent study, Rhode Island ranks No. 40 on a list of U.S. states with the most underprivileged children. Mississippi and West Virginia top the list, while New Jersey and Utah have the fewest. Find the full breakdown here.
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Born today
Tyson Fury (athlete), 34
Casey Affleck (actor), 47
Peter Sampras (athlete), 51
Mark Knopfler (musician), 73
George Hamilton (actor), 83
Weather report
Low tides: 2:22 a.m., 2:12 p.m.
High tides: 8:36 a.m., 9:02 p.m.
Sunrise: 5:49 a.m. Sunset: 7:50 p.m.
Water temperature: 72.5 degrees.
Municipal meetings
No meetings scheduled
Local obituaries
Today is …
National Middle Child Day
National Vinyl Record Day
World Elephant Day
Blast from the Past
Got a news tip, story idea or just want to drop me a line? Don't be a stranger. Send an email to sbarrett@newportri.com.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Rise & Shine! Your Newport County guide for Aug. 12
