Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could airport land become Middletown’s next affordable housing neighborhood?

Be sure to catch Wednesday Night Live at the Ganny on the Middletown Patch calendar

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Friday December 12th Patch AM
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Good morning Middletown! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could airport land become Middletown’s next affordable housing neighborhood?
  • What happens to Middletown Commons now that its lead developer left?
  • Did you buy a Powerball ticket on West Main Road?

Also on today's calendar: Wednesday Night Live at the Ganny and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Cold; breezy in the morning, with a high of 34 and low of 23 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 38, low: 28.
  • Sunday: Snow; storm total 1-3", with a high of 30 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Middletown Committee Suggests State Airport Land for Housing (newportthisweek.com) — Middletown’s Affordable Housing Committee is urging the town to seek a land transfer from the state-owned Newport State Airport to build town-led affordable housing, including possible tiny homes. Members argue the council isn’t moving fast enough, while council leaders cite past projects and state density rules as obstacles. Any airport land deal would require state-level political support and further public discussion.
   

2. Bicho Drops Out of Middletown Center Project (newportthisweek.com) — A key developer, Christopher Bicho, has withdrawn from the Middletown Commons Center project, but remaining partners say they plan to keep the controversial West Main Road development alive. Town officials and developers are now weighing revisions after strong resident pushback over a hotel, open space, Pottsy Field, and middle-class housing. Any new plan will return to a public hearing if agreement is reached.
   

3. Check your tickets: $50,000 Powerball prize still unclaimed (wpri.com) — If you bought a Powerball ticket at Joe’s Kwik Mart on West Main Road in Middletown, you might be sitting on an unclaimed $50,000 prize from the Dec. 6 drawing. Lottery officials also report a Middletown man winning a $174,960 eInstant jackpot, which he’ll use for his son’s URI tuition, plus another recent big win in Cranston.
   

4. City Council Votes to Move Up Filing Deadline for Resident Tax Benefit (newportthisweek.com) — Newport’s City Council just advanced a change that would move up the filing deadline for its resident tax discount program, a shift Middletown homeowners with Newport properties should note. The council also approved a three-year, $75,000-a-year contract with Middletown’s Toner Electric for decorative streetlight maintenance, while tackling issues from speed cameras to a proposed aquaculture farm and a major traffic study.
   

5. Meet the winners of our Athlete of the Playoffs polls for the fall sports (newportri.com) — Middletown High’s boys soccer team is highlighted as a tough quarterfinal opponent in statewide playoff coverage, where Laliberte’s late goal edged them 3-2. The story recaps fan-voted “Athlete of the Playoffs” winners from across Rhode Island’s fall sports, spotlighting standout performances in football, volleyball, and soccer that capped the championship season.
   

📸 Around Middletown

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Resources for Support
    If the holidays feel heavy for someone you know, having a list of local support options can make reaching out easier. Check out Preventsuicideri.org… (Nextdoor )
  • Did you know you can order free HIV self-tests delivered to you?
    Packs of FREE HIV tests are available nationally (including Puerto Rico): tmhtest.me/tests. Learn about this and other HIV and STI testing,… (Nextdoor )
  • Imperiall posted a job opening for Cleaning Specialist in Middletown. Apply here.
  • Scotts Miracle-Gro Company posted a job opening for Merchandiser - Middletown, RI in Middletown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Middletown here.

Ok Middletown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I couldn’t put it down.
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