Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will Middletown’s school overhaul and regionalization talks affect your family?

Spotted on the Middletown calendar: The Bit Players

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Friday January 9th Patch AM
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Hi there, Middletown! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Middletown’s school overhaul and regionalization talks affect your family?
  • What will Middletown’s new license plate camera actually track on West Main?
  • Why a Middletown man’s high-speed chase ended with a plea deal

Also on today's calendar: Adult Ballet Basics and Stretch and 8 more events.

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

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: A touch of afternoon rain, with a high of 48 and low of 39 degrees.
  • Saturday: Rain and drizzle in the p.m., temps: high: 46, low: 38.
  • Sunday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 42 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Middletown School Committee Updates Regionalization Talks (newportthisweek.com) — Middletown school leaders are pressing residents to weigh in on regionalization with Newport, ahead of a key joint council meeting on Jan. 12 and a potential November ballot question. At the same time, the $193 million middle-high school project and elementary renovations remain on time and on budget, with new grants, academic programs, and a $46 million FY26 budget shaping the district’s next few years.
   

2. New state police Flock camera to go up in Middletown (wpri.com) — Middletown has approved a state police-operated Flock license plate camera for West Main Road near the Portsmouth line, with installation pending. Town officials are weighing privacy concerns raised by the ACLU as they consider adding six more cameras on Jan. 20, and have asked police to draft clear usage and data policies first.
   

3. Plea deal for Middletown man who led police on dangerous chase (wpri.com) — A Middletown man has been sentenced after a high‑speed chase that started in Portsmouth last October and briefly forced a nearby elementary school to shelter in place. He pleaded no contest to domestic violence and violating a no‑contact order, receiving a short prison term, suspended time, probation, and mandatory counseling.
   

4. Harm Reduction Vending Machine Proposed for Newport (newportthisweek.com) — Newport city councilors are weighing a harm-reduction vending machine that would dispense Narcan, test strips, and other supplies at key public locations to address overdose risks. In other business, the council approved a three-year, $75,000‑per‑year contract with Middletown’s Toner Electric for decorative street lighting maintenance, along with several other spending and planning decisions.
   

📸 Around Middletown

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Middletown

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Friday January 9
  • The Bit Players
    Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Pl, Newport
    8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Middletown Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Middletown PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Older adults face a higher risk of overdose.
    No matter why you use, mixing drugs can be dangerous and may lead to a fatal overdose. Help starts with hope. Find recovery support and treatment… (Nextdoor )
  • I just got a text from Cox (it really is from Cox because I have other texts from them on this account) that my TV plan now includes ESPN Unlimited at no extra cost.
    Is this legit or some kind of bait-and-switch (OK, maybe not bait-and-switch but if I accept it will I be on the hook for something else?) (Nextdoor W Main Rd / E Main Rd)
  • Albertsons Company Inc. posted a job opening for Overnight Grocery General Duty Clerk in Middletown. Apply here.
  • SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Retail Merchandiser 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 really dig you!
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