SWANSEA, Mass. (WPRI) — Police have arrested the man accused of attempting to lure two 13-year-old girls into his car in Swansea Thursday afternoon.

Michael Nutbrown, 60, of Somerset, was arrested Friday and charged with attempted kidnapping.

Investigators believe Nutbrown approached the teenagers, who were walking down the bike path off of Milford Road, and asked if they wanted a ride.

Read more at wpri.com.

A New Bedford man faces a charge of burning a building for allegedly setting the fire at the Hawthorne Country Club in Dartmouth last May.

Shawn Medeiros, 31, of New Bedford, was indicted by a Bristol County Grand Jury related to the May 7 fire at the vacant Hawthorne Country Club on Tucker Road, according to a press release from the Bristol County District Attorney's office.

In a press release from the Department of Fire Services, officials said Medeiros was arrested Thursday morning by members of the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office and the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section.

Medeiros was arraigned Thursday in Bristol County Superior Court on one count of burning a building.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

What are you doing April 8?

Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’ve probably heard by now that there will be a solar eclipse that day.

Most Americans will be able to see the eclipse in some form, although not everyone will be in the path of totality.

The path of totality will cross 11 states, including Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. While this region won't see a total eclipse — expect 90% totality in Massachusetts — Bay Staters can still get in on the fun.

There are several local spots where you can pick up eclipse glasses in order to view this celestial phenomenon safely.

Learn more at heraldnews.com.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Providence Marathon and Half Marathon races have been canceled this year, organizers announced Thursday.

Organizers said the cancellation was due to “unforeseen challenges,” including the closure of the Washington Bridge.

“Your safety is our utmost concern, and we sincerely thank you for your patience, understanding, and support of this event,” organizers posted on Facebook.

Read more at wpri.com.

SWANSEA, Mass. (WPRI) — Investigators are searching for a man who tried to lure two 13-year-old girls into his car in Swansea Thursday afternoon.

The man approached the teenagers, who were walking down the bike path off of Milford Road, and asked if they wanted a ride just before 3 p.m., according to Swansea Police Lt. Mark Foley.

Foley said the girls took off running toward a nearby Target for help after he asked them a second time.

Read more at wpri.com.

BROCKTON — The company that runs Brockton's Good Samaritan Medical Center and other hard-pressed community hospitals, including Saint Anne's in Fall River and Morton in Taunton, aims to sell its physician practice.

In a Tuesday regulatory filing, Steward Health Care revealed plans to sell Stewardship Health to Optum, an arm of UnitedHealth Group.

If approved, the sale could generate cash for Steward, a private, for-profit company that has been behind on rent and payments to vendors. It isn't clear what impact the change of hands would have on patients. Massachusetts' representatives in Washington were quick to question the sale.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — High school softball is finally here and ready to go in 2024.

Six area high school teams — Atlantis Charter, Case, Diman, Durfee, Somerset Berkley and Westport — will look toward their athletes to lead the way and hopefully a deep run in the state tournament.

Here's a look at softball players to watch for Greater Fall River teams.

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — Once considered Fall River’s second downtown, with bustling long strip of Pleasant Street with shops and restaurants, the Flint neighborhood has certainly seen better days. 

But now with the help of an infusion of $1.66 million in federal funding, there is an effort to revitalize the Flint neighborhood into a walkable economic engine for the city with the city’s planned streetscape project. 

On Tuesday, Congressman Jake Auchincloss, one of the area’s federal delegates who secured the funding, visited the Flint with other elected officials to take a look at the Flint’s “before” picture. 

Speaking to a crowd inside Gilbert’s Jewelers, a business that is participating in the Community Development Agency’s storefront improvement project in the Flint, Auchincloss said the post-war way of handling infrastructure, that was entirely predicated on the car, has over time “hollowed out our downtowns to make way for the automobile."

Read more from Jo C. Goode at heraldnews.com.

BOURNE, Mass. (WPRI) — It’s no secret that the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore will be studied for years to come.

The bridge plunged into the Patapsco River early Tuesday morning after a cargo ship crashed into one of its support pillars. The cargo ship lost power and steering capabilities moments before impact.

The ship’s crew issued a mayday call that gave authorities enough time to limit traffic on the bridge. Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge when it collapsed are still missing and have been presumed dead.

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy is looking for ways to incorporate the scenario into its training exercises to better prepare cadets for issues that might arise while at sea.

“These types of operations happen every day, all over the world, without incident,” said Captain Michael Burns, executive director of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Center of Maritime and Professional Training. “But operating ships at sea is still a dangerous business.”

Read more at wpri.com.

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — North Providence police arrested former New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler and charged him with driving under the influence of alcohol earlier this month, Target 12 has learned.

Police and court records show the recently retired NFL star was arrested March 16 and charged March 21 with one count of driving under the influence of liquor. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday, according to court records.

Butler’s attorney, former R.I. House Speaker John Harwood, has filed a motion to dismiss or suppress the charge, arguing Butler said his constitutional rights under the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and 14th Amendments “were violated.”

Read more at wpri.com.

BOSTON (WPRI) — Hospital operator Steward Health Care has struck a deal to sell its nationwide physician network to insurance giant UnitedHealth’s Optum unit.

Over the past few weeks, Steward’s financial crisis — that’s consumed its Massachusetts hospitals — has gained widespread attention.

The proposed sale is part of Steward’s plan to help the Dallas-based company’s troubling finances after it fell behind in paying bills and rents.

Read more at wpri.com.

The high school baseball is set to get underway.

Six Greater Fall River area teams — Atlantis Charter, Case, Diman, Durfee, Somerset Berkley and Westport — will take to the diamond this week in hopes of advancing deep into the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament.

Here are Fall River’s area high school players to watch during the 2024 season.

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

The public can learn more about the proposed SouthCoast Wind project at Brayton Point in Somerset and talk to company representatives at a meeting next week. 

SouthCoast Wind invited Somerset and Swansea residents to a free public event on Thursday, April 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.  

Read what you need to know about the project at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — It’s too early to tell how exactly Tuesday's devastating collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and the closure of that city’s port, will affect the shipping industry in Fall River. But Ken Fiola Jr. said we’ll feel the effects even hundreds of miles away. 

“It’s a nightmare,” he said.

Fiola is the facility safety officer at Fall River Line Pier Inc., which operates at the Fall River State Pier on Water Street.

“This is going to have shipping repercussions throughout the East Coast, both on land and on sea," Fiola said. “There’ll be more trucks on the roads. There’s going to be congestion at ports. There are going to be delays in products being delivered and shipped. It’s going to have an impact.”

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — Just five months after winning the “Oscars of teaching,” Andrew Rebello has won another major award. 

On Tuesday, Rebello, the assistant superintendent-principal at Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, was named the 2024 High School Principal of the year by the Massachusetts School Administrators Association. 

"It is surreal, and I am honored," Rebello told The Herald News. "Being recognized for doing well at something you love is great, but this award isn't just a reflection of my work. It reflects our staff and students' resilience, determination, and will. Teachers and staff have bought into our life-ready mission and do everything in their power to reach every student."

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

A container ship lost power and rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers searched for survivors.

The operators of the ship issued a mayday call moments before the crash that took down the Francis Scott Key Bridge, enabling authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the span, Maryland’s governor said.

The ship crashed into one of the bridge’s supports, causing the structure to break apart like a toy. It tumbled into the water in a matter of seconds — a shocking spectacle that was captured on video and posted on social media. The vessel caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.

The crash happened long before the busy morning commute in what one official called a “developing mass casualty event.” Two people were rescued, and it was not clear how many more might be in the waters of the busy harbor near a key port.

Read more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER — With the spring season just days away, the Herald News dives into the 2024 schedules for six area high school teams.

Atlantis Charter, Case, Diman, Durfee, Somerset Berkley, Westport baseball and softball teams get set for another long season on their respective diamonds.

There are even a couple notable games in early April to keep an eye on. The Hilltopper baseball team will be tested early when it plays host to the two-time defending Division 1 state champion Taunton High. Meanwhile the defending Division 4 state champion Case softball team travels to face Elite 8 finalist and South Coast Conference opponent Dighton-Rehoboth. There's always also some exciting rivalries that can make for unforgettable games.

Here's a look at the matchups:

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

The owner of the Lizzie Borden House on Second Street is once again asking a court to stop its neighbor, Miss Lizzie’s Coffee, from doing business.  

US Ghost Adventures on Monday filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. The bed and breakfast’s owner asked the appeals court to reverse a federal District Court judge’s decision denying them a preliminary injunction against the coffee shop while the inn pursues a lawsuit against the cafe. 

The Lizzie Borden House, at 230 Second St., claims that Miss Lizzie’s Coffee, at 242 Second St., is violating trademarks that US Ghost Adventures owns, creating confusion for customers and harming its business. It even claims a Fall River official was confused.

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

Women have shaped the culture and landscape of Greater Fall River in innumerable ways, though not often given the dignity and respect they deserve.  

Women’s History Month gives us an opportunity to correct that. Formally recognized for March since 1987, the month is a time to look at the remarkable lives and accomplishments of women throughout history.  

Greater Fall River still has room to improve in terms of representation — the city has never elected a female mayor in 170 years, for instance. But political power is only one way to make change. Here are five women who have had an outsized influence on our history: 

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — The residents at an illegal rooming house at 234 Tripp St. where a man was stabbed to death on March 15 were placed there by St. Francis House, the Boston-based agency that assists and places the homeless. 

On Monday, city Building Inspector Glenn Hathaway said he served the owner of the four-unit property, Jean Ralph Prophil, a cease-and-desist order at his North Main Street home, citing both zoning and building code violations and ordering the rooming house shuttered. 

Hathaway said Prophil told him the last of the residents living in the Tripp Street property were moving out on Monday, the day the owner received the cease-and-desist order.

The Herald News made several requests for an interview from St. Francis House president and CEO Karen LaFrazia, but she was unavailable.

Read more from Jo C. Goode at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — Joson Sanon may soon be out shopping for a new wardrobe. One of the top prep school basketball players on the planet, the city resident has decided to take his extraordinary hoops talents from northern New England to the Arizona desert.

Sanon on Thursday verbally committed to attend the University of Arizona in Tucson on a basketball scholarship. The 6-foot-5 wing recently finished his third and final basketball season for Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Vermont.

The former B.M.C. Durfee High School player is a junior at Vermont Academy, but said he will be graduating this summer and is re-classifying to 2024, a year being billed as exceptionally strong for D1 men's basketball prospects.

Read more from Greg Sullivan at heraldnews.com.

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WPRI) — After a months-long investigation, a man was arrested for drug-related charges, according to Dartmouth police.

Around 4 p.m. Thursday, detectives went to Cove Road to execute a search warrant.

Police say they found 30 grams of suspected powder cocaine, three grams of suspected crack cocaine, fice grams of suspected fentanyl, 10 suboxone strips, a variety of drug paraphernalia and $955 in cash.

As a result of the investigation, 27-year-old Daarnez Ramos was charged with trafficking cocaine, possession of a Class A and Class B drug and possession to distribute cocaine.

From wpri.com.

BOSTON (WPRI) — Massachusetts lawmakers are one step closer to imposing time limits on the state’s “right to shelter” law. On Thursday, the state Senate passed a supplemental budget package that would put $850 million into the emergency shelter system, but would also cap the length of a homeless family’s stay in one of those shelters at nine months.

Kevin Connor, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, told Target 12 that the average stay for families is about 16 months. However, there is no limit in place for the roughly 7,500 families in the state’s care.

The restrictions, passed by the Senate in a 32-8 vote, would also include 90-day extensions for veterans, pregnant women, and people who are employed or going through a job training program.

Read more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — Massachusetts State Police responded to a scene in Fall River where at least one person was detained following an incident on North Main Street Friday night.

A 12 News crew on scene saw a car that appeared to have been struck by another vehicle, and ended up on the curb of the street.

A Massachusetts State Police helicopter was also seen flying above the area.

This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.

From wpri.com.

FALL RIVER — Somerset native Adam Gauthier was indicted Friday by a Bristol County grand jury in connection to the Christmas night crash on the Veterans Memorial Bridge that killed a Seekonk couple and their teenage grandson.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney's office, Gauthier, 41, of New York City, was indicted on three counts of motor vehicle manslaughter while operating under the influence and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

An arraignment date has yet to be set for Gauthier's case, which will be heard at Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — It’s been 100 days since the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) abruptly shut down the westbound side of the Washington Bridge and upended the I-195 corridor for the foreseeable future.

The bridge, which connects East Providence to Providence via I-195 West, has been closed since mid-December, when an engineer uncovered the critical failure of the steel anchor rods that hold its major beams in place.

RIDOT Director Peter Alviti announced last week that the bridge needs to be demolished and rebuilt. He said the bridge will be out of commission until at least 2026.

The abrupt closure has caused significant traffic on the highway and in surrounding communities, frustrating drivers by lengthening their commutes.

But it’s not just commuters who are feeling the impacts of the bridge closure. It has also taken a significant toll on small businesses.

Read more at wpri.com.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — Southcoast Health is officially unveiling its new pediatric rehabilitation program Friday morning in New Bedford.

12 News got an exclusive look inside the facility that will serve 4,000 patients annually ranging from newborns to young adults up to 22 years old in Southern New England.

The center will be staffed with 34 professional therapists from a variety of specializations including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech and language pathologists to deliver services to families six days a week.

See more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER — A Fall River teen has been arrested and will be charged with murder in the shooting of Colus Jamal Mills-Good on Rock Street in Fall River March 14.

Amannie Chiclana, 19, of Fall River was arrested in Stoughton by the members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, State Police Detectives assigned to District Attorney Tom Quinn's office and Fall River Police. The defendant will be arraigned Friday morning in Fall River District Court on charges of murder and carrying an illegal firearm, according to a DA press release.

Jadyn Ortiz, 19, of Fall River, Xzavien Figueroa-Valcarel, 19, of Fall River and Giovanni Nunes, 18, of Fall River have already charged with accessory to murder after the fact and are being held on bail.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

 A Venezuelan woman connected to the shooting of Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz was arrested on Tuesday.

Police say 25-year-old María Fernanda Villasmil Manzanilla was captured nearly five years after the 2019 shooting in the Dominican Republic.

Ortiz was shot in the back at close range by 27-year-old Rolfi Ferrera-Cruz, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

From wpri.com.

State gas prices rose for the second consecutive week and reached an average of$3.22 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, up from last week's price of $3.17 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The average fuel price in state has risen about 8 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the state in the last year have been as low as $3.07 on Jan. 29, 2024, and as high as$3.76 on Aug. 7, 2023.

A year ago, the average gas price in Massachusetts was 0% lower at $3.21 per gallon.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — A third Fall River man arrested in connection with last week’s shooting death of 18-year-old Resiliency Preparatory Academy student Colus Jamal Mills-Good was arraigned in Fall River District Court on Wednesday on a charge of accessory to murder after the fact. He was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail. 

Jadyn Ortiz, 19, was given double the amount of cash bail than his alleged accomplices, Xzavien Figueroa-Valcarel, 19, and Giovanni Nunes, 18, who were arraigned Tuesday on the same charge. 

The two men were each ordered held on $250,000 cash bail; Figueroa-Valcarel, who has a pending case of illegally possessing ammunition, had his bail revoked in that case. 

Fall River District Court Judge David P. Sorrenti also revoked Ortiz’s bail from three pending criminal cases the 19-year-old is facing in District Court, in addition to the latest criminal charge.

Read more from Jo C. Goode at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — You visited, you tasted, and now the SouthCoast has spoken.

When it comes to sweet bread, competition regarding who makes the best in Greater Fall River and New Bedford is fierce and so are loyalties to our favorite bakeries.

This past February, a friendly food fight spearheaded by Viva Fall River and New Bedford Food Tours put those loyalties to the test, with some interesting, and tasty, results.

Nearly two dozen bakeries took part in the month-long SouthCoast Snackdown, but only two took top honors — and they were both from Fall River.

Snagging 274 votes, or 34.7% out of the total 825 votes that came in, Lou's Bakery was crowned first-place winner for best sweet bread bake.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) — One of the highest-performing elementary schools in Rhode Island could be on the chopping block, and parents are not happy.

To handle a looming deficit, Superintendent Dr. Peter Sanchioni presented two options. The first involves extensive staffing cuts at every school, while the second is closing Fort Barton Elementary School.

“It’s not my goal to close Fort Barton or any school,” Sanchioni said. “We have a problem and I’ve given the school committee two solutions to that problem.”

Read more at wpri.com.

Fall River police have arrested a third man in connection with Thursday's fatal shooting of a Resiliency Preparatory Academy student on Rock Street.

Jadyn Ortiz, 19, of Fall River was arrested in the city on Tuesday afternoon, and is being charged with accessory to murder after the fact in the slaying of 18-year-old Colus Jamal Mills-Good. Ortiz will be arraigned Wednesday in Fall River District Court.

Xzavien Figueroa-Valcarel, 19, of Fall River and Giovanni Nunes, 18, of Fall River were both also charged with accessory to murder after the fact over the weekend. They were arraigned Monday and are both being held on $250,000 cash bail.

In addition to the hefty cash bail, Figueroa-Valcarel, who has a pending case of illegally possessing ammunition, had his bail revoked in that case.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — It's a new dawn for the Nite Owl diner. 

Joseph Nasrallah, the owner of the tiny 1956 restaurant iconic in the city’s Flint neighborhood, is hoping to sell the property at 1680 Pleasant St., which includes the diner and the lot behind it. 

“If he can’t find a buyer, the next option would be to lease out the Nite Owl, and he would renovate it," Antone Dias told the Fall River Historical Commission during its meeting Tuesday. 

Dias, an architect and former Historical Commission chairman, is working with Nasrallah to have the Nite Owl listed on the state and national registries of historic places. The intent is first to make sure the Nite Owl stays intact, then let it spread its wings again with a new restaurateur.

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — A familiar face and friend to many at a well-known Fall River restaurant for over three decades passed away this week.

Eric LePage, longtime owner of LePage's Seafood and Grille along with his wife Carol, died Monday, March 18, at Saint Anne's Hospital following a brief illness, according to his obituary. He was 72 years old.

The Fall River native and Tiverton resident stepped away from his 439 Martine St. business in May 2022 after 34 years when the couple decided to retire.

The popular seafood restaurant was described in his obituary as "Eric's true passion," serving as a second home to the LePages and others across the SouthCoast for many years.

Read more from Ashley Schuler at heraldnews.com.

NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) — The City by the Sea will soon be home to a brand new aquarium that showcases the aquatic creatures that live in Narragansett Bay.

Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium, which is located inside the Newport Transportation and Visitors Center on America’s Cup Avenue, is set to officially open next week.

The aquarium will feature 13 exhibits showcasing species native to Narragansett Bay. Those exhibits include three touch tanks where visitors can interact with sea stars, hold horseshoe crabs and pet dogfish sharks.

See more at wpri.com.

Regardless of your feelings about winter, love it or hate it, when the time comes for brighter, warmer days, and the world around us blooming, most of us are ready for it.

Maybe not so ready for the accompanying seasonal allergies, but no season is without its drawbacks.

The arrival of spring is the time for shaking off the winter doldrums, for the return of some bustle into our lives, and for getting outside more.

There are springtime celebrations planned around the Greater Fall River area, ushering in the beginning of the season, and continuing throughout, too.

We’ve rounded up just a few, to help you say hello to spring:

Read more from Kristine Fontes at heraldnews.com.

Every king needs his royal garments. 

When basketball superstar Lebron James made history as the first NBA player to score 40,000 career points, he carried a piece of Fall River with him — a Vanson Leathers jacket designed with luxury brand Aime? Leon Dore. 

On March 2, the NBA legend was photographed strolling into Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles before his 40,000-point game wearing the raffia leather jacket, made by Vanson in Fall River. 

Vanson has made high-end motorcycle leathers since 1974, with their home on Broadway in Fall River since 1987.

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — A 72-year-old woman is seriously injured after she was hit by a car in Fall River Sunday night.

Police say they responded to the area of 200 Broadway just before 9 p.m. and found the woman on the ground.

She was transported to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

More at wpri.com.

WESTPORT — It was a night of joy and happiness for the Westport boys soccer team.

The Wildcats celebrated their long awaited 2023 Division 5 state championship on Thursday in front of family, friends, alumni and school administrators before a packed banquet room at White's of Westport.

The Westport players received a bag of goodies which included a state champion jacket, a picture of their visit to the state house and a tiny replica of the state championship trophy with their names on it. The state championship rings are delayed but are on the way. The rings will be presented to the team in May.

"This means a lot [tonight]," Wildcats senior midfield captain Ben Novo said. "How much work everyone put in during the season."

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

NEW BEDFORD — The luck of the Irish? Don't even go there.

What Grant O'Connor accomplished on Sunday, St. Patrick's Day, had nothing to do with luck and everything to do with talent, guts and preparation. Running the 13.1-mile race of his life, O'Connor handily won the 45^th New Bedford Half-Marathon, in a time of 1:04:43.0, 61 seconds ahead of second place.

“I'm going to give today probably a 10 out of 10,” said the 26-year-old resident of West Hartford, Conn.

In the female competition, Anna Oeser, 24, of Brookline, also dominated. Her winning time of 1:13:40 gave her a 1:32 margin of victory. An assistant track and field coach at Boston College, she said and entered the New Bedford Half Marathon to go along with her Battle Road Track Club running team.

The race had almost 2,100 entrants and was part of this year's United States Track and Field Grand Prix.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — A 44-year-old man has died after a stabbing at a Fall River rooming house Friday night, and the suspect is now charged with murder.

Fall River Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Moses Pereira and the Bristol County District Attorney's Office said in press releases that police and paramedics responded to 234 Tripp St. on Friday, March 15, at about 9:45 p.m., to reports that a man within the residence had been stabbed during an altercation with another resident.

Upon arrival, police officers located Joseph Bump, 44, who had suffered multiple stab wounds.

Bump was transported to Saint Anne's Hospital for medical attention, where police said he later succumbed to his injuries. The DA's office reported that Bump was pronounced dead prior to 10:30 p.m. on Friday.

The alleged suspect, Pedro Fernando Orellano Alvarado, 42, was taken into police custody at the scene.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Town officials say Swansea will be more attractive to businesses and housing developments along Route 6 with a sewer system now in the works, thanks to a nearly million-dollar grant from the federal government. 

The town has long been planning a $21 million project to bring public sewer service to the Route 6 corridor, with the goal of making the area ready for large-scale retail and housing projects. 

U.S. Rep Jake Auchincloss announced last week that he secured $959,752 through the federal Community Project Funding Program to help construct Phase 1 of the project.

“I’ve been championing this cause for a while and am excited we are at the point of funding, at least partially, for this critical infrastructure that is so important to our Town’s economic vitality,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Chris Carreiro in a statement.

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — Two Fall River men have been arrested in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old Resiliency Preparatory Academy student last Thursday in the city.

Xzavien Figueroa-Valcarel, 19, and Giovanni Nunes, 18, are both charged with accessory to murder-after the fact amid the ongoing investigation into the killing of Fall River teen Colus Jamal Mills-Good, according to a statement issued Sunday from the Bristol County District Attorney's office.

Both suspects are slated to be arraigned today, March 18, in Fall River District Court.

Mills-Good was gunned down in broad daylight Thursday, March 14, in front of the Abbey Grill, near the corner of Rock and Franklin streets. Fall River police responded to reports of shots fired in the area at around 11:41 a.m.

Mills-Good was reportedly walking in the direction of RPA when occupants of a vehicle opened fire on him. He was transported to St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford, where he died of his injuries.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — For more than three months, people who live and work near the Washington Bridge have been dealing with increased traffic caused by the closure of its westbound side.

It’s a reality they’ll have to live with for at least another two years, after Rhode Island officials announced Thursday that the structure must be torn down and replaced. Engineers inspected the bridge and determined that it can’t be saved, having found issues beyond those that prompted the closure in the first place.

Officials estimate that traffic won’t be flowing again on that side of the bridge until sometime in 2026.

Read more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — Police are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of an 18-year-old man on Thursday in Fall River.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn identified the victim as Colus Jamal Mills-Good, adding that the investigation remains “extremely active.”

Officers rushed to Rock Street just before noon following reports of gunshots in the neighborhood and found Mills-Good suffering from gunshot wounds.

Read more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER — It may not look too pretty now, but big things are happening at the Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School building site.  

The school released a nearly three-minute drone video showcasing progress on the construction of its new building. The video was shot by student drone operators from the school’s Electronics Technology Program and was posted to the school’s Facebook page, facebook.com/dimanbengals. 

The footage shows a massive pit where construction vehicles have demolished the school’s track and football and baseball fields, between the existing building and Route 24. 

See the video at heraldnews.com.

SWANSEA — After a mediocre fall season, the Case cheerleaders were determined to get back on top.

Last season, the Cardinals captured the state title for the first time in school history. With a young team — consisting of three upperclassmen and 12 underclassmen — head coach Ashley Cabral and sister Lauren Mello decided to change things up for the winter.

That's when Case girls took their talents to another level.

The Cardinals captured their second consecutive Division 4 state title during a recent cheerleading competition at Worcester State University. The Case squad will return to Worcester to compete at the New England tournament where they will represent Massachusetts in Division 4 this Saturday.

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — The New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge will be getting a new look in the coming years.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) says it will be turning the structure into a vertical lift span bridge. Once completed, the bridge will rise between two towers to let boats pass though, rather than swing to the side.

There will be four lanes of travel over the bridge, according to MassDOT, along with sidewalks and safety barriers to separate them.

MassDOT said it selected this type of bridge because the construction will cause minimal disruptions. With this style, the closure will last roughly one and a half years at most, the agency said, while others styles could keep it closed for as long as five years.

MassDOT is still in the design phase of the project. Construction is not scheduled to start until 2027.

See the full story at wpri.com.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island officials will announce Thursday that the westbound Washington Bridge needs to be rebuilt, confirming widespread fears that the structure will be out of service for an extended period of time.

Multiple people familiar with the decision told Target 12 on Thursday that they expect Gov. Dan McKee and R.I. Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti to reveal the decision at a news conference scheduled for 3 p.m.

Construction of the new bridge structure could take approximately two years. Early cost estimates for the project are roughly $250 million to $300 million, with officials hoping the federal government will pick up a large share of the tab.

Learn more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) — Police are investigating a shooting in Fall River.

Det. Sgt. Moses Pereira tells 12 News there was a report of gunshots around 11:40 a.m. Thursday in the 100 block of Rock Street.

Police arrived to find the victim, who was taken to the hospital for treatment. No word on that person’s condition at this time.

Read more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER — After nearly four decades as an educator and administrator in Fall River Public Schools, Superintendent Maria Pontes is retiring. 

“It’s time,” Pontes said Monday evening. “Thirty-eight years — it's time.” 

Saying she's "still got a lot of work to do,” Pontes said her retirement will be effective June 30. 

On Monday night, Pontes issued a letter to parents in the FRPS community where she thanked her colleagues in all departments for their support.  

“From teachers to support staff, administrators to custodians and everyone in between, each member of our team plays a vital role in the education and development of our students. I am profoundly grateful for their unwavering commitment, resilience, and passion for the work of moving our district forward."

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — The administration’s initiative to revitalize Pleasant Street in the Flint just received a more than $1.66 million infusion of funding thanks to an appropriation by the Massachusetts federal delegation. 

The award that will fund streetscape projects on Pleasant Street, once known as the city’s second downtown back in the day, was announced Friday by the delegation as part of a $175 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) in the first six Fiscal Year 2024 spending bills for projects across the state.

“That money is a tremendous opportunity for the city,” said Coogan. “We’ve got a lot of work to do on streetscapes on Pleasant Street and we may have to take some property down. Once we make it look better, we can get some more private investment down there.” 

Once the center of neighborhood and commercial activity, the Flint area has struggled in recent years to keep stores and apartments occupied to stem the tide of blight.  

Read more from Jo C. Goode at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — Mayor Paul Coogan described a city growing rapidly during his State of the City address on Tuesday afternoon. 

“Our recovery from decades of economic trouble is happening before our very eyes,” Coogan told a joint meeting of the City Council and School Committee.

The City Council Chambers, filled with members of his administration, department heads and well-wishers, applauded several times during the mayor’s speech, which informally kicks off his third term in office. 

“As we go forward, I once again promise that I will continue to work hard, act out of my deep love for this city and commit my administration to integrity and transparency,” Coogan said. 

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — A collision between a truck and a utility pole on William S. Canning Boulevard on Monday caused a power outage in the city’s South End that reached into Tiverton. 

Around 12:15 p.m., police received a report that a white Ford pickup truck crashed into a pole near the McDonald’s on William S. Canning Boulevard. The impact splintered a utility pole in two, with another pole at the neighboring Audi and Volkswagen dealership split near its peak. 

It is not yet clear how the incident occurred, or what the driver's condition is. Fall River Police Sgt. Moses Pereira of the Office of Professional Standards said shortly after 3 p.m. that officers were still clearing the scene and had no further information.

Read moe at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — The School Committee on Monday night made no decision on a proposal to turn Tansey Elementary School into a pre-kindergarten school — but first, they heard from a crowd of more than 200 angry parents, educators and former students disappointed at having no say in the proposal in the first place. 

“I would like to be consulted when you want to uproot my children,” said Tansey parent Matt Medeiros.  

“Our School Committee has become dysfunctional and non-responsive to our community’s input,” said Jennifer Santos, another Tansey parent. “School Committee officials appear to be emotionless and non-caring of our students, teachers and parents.” 

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

BOSTON — It was there for the taking.

The fourth-seeded Somerset Berkley boys basketball team had two-time defending state champion No. 1 seed Malden Catholic on the ropes twice with 2:34 remaining in Monday's Division 2 Final 4 game.

When Lancers forward Benjamin Howard IV missed a pair of free throws, the Raiders had one last opportunity to force overtime or win it with 10.9 second left. But as was the case for much of the evening, SBR did not get the lucky bounce.

"When it left my hand, I thought I put too much on it," Raiders senior captain Mason Medeiros said on the final shot as Malden Catholic hung on to beat SBR, 50-48, at UMass-Boston. "It looked like it might go off the glass but I did not put enough on it."

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — Massachusetts State Police are investigating after a man was killed in a New Bedford crash Sunday afternoon.

State police say a car crashed into a utility pole at the end of the ramp from I-195 East to Washburn Street around 3:30 p.m.

The driver was taken to the hospital but died from his injuries.

Read more at wpri.com.

 The days may be numbered for Tansey as an elementary school.  

A proposal before the School Committee this afternoon will recommend repurposing the school, at 711 Ray St., as a facility solely for children in pre-kindergarten starting in the fall. 

Elementary school-age children currently living in Tansey’s neighborhood would be shifted to nearby Spencer Borden Elementary School, one-third of a mile south at 1400 President Ave. It also would mean kids living in other neighborhoods who currently attend one of those schools would be moved elsewhere. 

The proposal has sparked outcry from families in Tansey’s neighborhood ahead of tonight's meeting. 

Read more at heraldnews.com.

(Photo of #30 Brandon Silva courtesy of Abby Reiniche)

BUZZARD BAY — Brandon Silva said he wasn't suppose to play for the Somerset Berkley ice hockey team in 2023-24.

But a week before tryouts for juniors, the Raider netminder found out he was going to return to play out his final season at SBR.

Through the regular season and the postseason, Silva was lights out. He helped lead the Raiders to playoff wins over Nashoba, Essex North Shore, West Springfield and a trip to the Final 4 — first time in school history. On Sunday, Silva's dream season came to an abrupt halt.

"It was a helluva season," said Silva after No. 1 seed Nauset blanked 12th seed SBR, 6-0, at John Gallo Ice Arena to advance to TD Garden next Sunday.

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Three men are facing charges after a physical altercation occurred at a youth basketball game, according to North Providence Police Chief Alfredo Ruggiero. 

The incident occurred Saturday morning at Birchwood Middle School. The players were between the ages of five and seven years old. 

When police arrived to the school, they were able to find the three individuals involved in the altercation, Patrick Marchand, John Angell and Gregory Adams. Witnesses said the fight started over a call that was made during the game.

The police chief specified that punches were allegedly thrown throughout the altercation.

All three men were arrested but they did not press charges against each other. Police, however, charged them with disorderly conduct.

Read more at wpri.com.

A person familiar with negotiations says the Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to acquire New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones for a sixth-round pick in next month’s NFL draft.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the trade cannot become official until the new league year begins Wednesday and after Jones passes a physical.

The move brings Jones home — he was born and raised in Jacksonville — and provides competition behind starter Trevor Lawrence.

Read more at wpri.com.

Photo courtesy of Abby Reiniche

SOMERSET — The stage was set for the Somerset Berkley boys basketball team.

A standing-room only crowd packed inside Veteran gymnasium was amped up to witness history against perennial Hockomock League power Mansfield. The Raiders was more than ready to deliver.

"A lot of people I heard from said that we were not going to win this game and we were not ready for this," said senior guard Mason Medeiros after the fourth-seeded SBR advanced to the Division 2 Final 4 with a 55-41 victory over the fifth-seeded Hornets. "We came through and made a statement. This feels great."

The Raiders (21-2) now have a date with No. 1 seed Malden Catholic next week Monday at 5 p.m. at UMass-Boston. The winner moves on to the state championship game.

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

More photos from Abby Reniche

FALL RIVER — Following news that Steward Health Care is looking to sell its nine Massachusetts hospitals, Southcoast Health's President and CEO David O. McCready says he's interested in taking over Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River, where, just under two miles away, Southcoast already runs Charlton Memorial Hospital.

In a newsletter addressed to the local community, McCready said he was "alarmed" at the news.

"As you can imagine, this will be a complex transaction involving multiple parties – with the potential to be truly devastating for these hospitals’ patients and employees if there is an interruption of service," McCready wrote in the letter dated March 8. "In the worst case, if Steward and their partners fail to find a buyer, or enough buyers, they may have to close one or more of their hospitals.

"As we engage with Steward, our message to them is clear: The best option for St. Anne’s Hospital, its patients, its employees, and our community, is for St. Anne’s to join the Southcoast Health family."

Read more at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — There is a new era of leadership at the Fall River Fire Department with a total of eight promotions, including new Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon. 

The newly promoted firefighters were sworn in on Thursday night before a packed house of friends and families in the City Council Chambers. 

In his address, Bacon, who has served in the department for over 21 years, said there are three words that will define his tenure as Fall River Fire Chief – to learn, grow and serve. 

“You’ll be hearing these words a lot with hopes they will spread throughout the department to start to define who we are,” said Bacon. “Learn, grow and serve will be the challenge and motivation to guide the Fall River Fire Department into the future.”  

At the age of 47, Bacon is one of the youngest serving city fire department chiefs. 

Read more from Jo C. Goode at heraldnews.com.

The MBTA is reminding residents that the only things that belong in the South Coast Rail right-of-way are trains — not ATVs, and definitely not trash. 

“The ROW and all other railroad property are illegal to enter," wrote Jean Fox, director of community engagement for South Coast Rail. “Besides being a life-threatening risk, the ROW is not designed for any vehicles except trains and authorized railroad vehicles.” 

The railroad rights-of-way in the SouthCoast haven’t been used by regular passenger trains for decades, only freight; over the years they have become common cut-throughs for pedestrians, paths for dirt bikes and ATVs, and dumping grounds for litterbugs getting rid of bulky items.  

Read more at heraldnews.com.

FRAMINGHAM — The Somerset Berkley boys ice hockey came into Thursday's night Division 3 Elite game with a heavy heart.

The Raider players were told prior to taking the ice against 20th-seeded West Springfield that head coach Kevin Snyder's dad, George, died at the age of 95 after a long illness. From there, the theme in the locker room became 'Do it for Coach.'

"We absoutely can not lose this game for [Coach]," said Nate Melo, who scored the game's first goal and eventual game winner in SBR's 3-0 win over the Terriers. "This game was for him. He is what inspires us every game. I know every game we played for different stuff, but this game we knew we were playing for coach and his dad."

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

NATICK — If the Massachusetts Parole Board was looking for clarity on Tuesday from Robin Murphy, the alleged mastermind of Fall River's notorious "Satanic cult" triple-murder mystery in 1979 and 1980, they did not get it.

Parole Board member Dr. Charlene Bonner began the round of questioning in Murphy's latest bid for freedom. Bonner has been on the board since 2011, and has seen Murphy before for several hearings seeking release since 2012.

“I think we’re at the point now where there’s been so much confusion, and there is not an easy way to say why, and there is a lack of candor. I’m not sure you can untangle the web,” said Bonner. “But this is an opportunity to really try.” 

Read more from Jo C. Goode at heraldnews.com.

 President Joe Biden is set to use his State of the Union address Thursday to promote his vision for a second term to a dispirited electorate who questions whether he’s up to the job and to warn that GOP front-runner Donald Trump would be a dangerous alternative.

Biden’s third such address from the House rostrum will be something of an on-the-job interview, as the nation’s oldest president tries to quell voter concerns about his age and job performance while sharpening the contrast with his all-but-certain 2024 rival.

The president hopes to showcase his accomplishments on infrastructure and manufacturing, as well as push for action on aid to Ukraine, tougher migration rules, restoring access to abortion, and lowering drug prices, among other issues. But as he does so, the 81-year-old president will be closely watched not just for his message but for whether he can deliver it with vigor and commannd.

Read more at wpri.com.

Westport seniors Korynne Holden, Sarah Perry and Meghan Molley were determined to get back to the Elite 8.

Last season, the trio lost in heartbreaking fashion to Sutton in the MIAA Round of 8. Now a year removed from the disappointing ending, the Wildcats are looking to advance deeper in the tournament.

"It is only motivation from here," said Perry after fifth-seeded Westport defeated 12th-seeded Franklin County Tech, 50-31, in the Division 5 Sweet 16. "I had people walking out of here saying good luck. It's the Elite 8 and whoever you're playing they are going to be tough. But we're tough too."

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

Residents living close to the South Coast Rail routes from East Taunton to Fall River and New Bedford may soon notice some late runs.  

Starting next week, freight operator Massachusetts Coastal Railroad will be restarting freight operations in the evening to allow for work on the commuter rail lines. 

Learn more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

Photo courtesy of Abby Reiniche

SOMERSET — Colten Pacheco smiled as he glared at the large gathering packed inside of Veterans Gymnasium.

Little did the Somerset Berkley sophomore backup guard realize he would play a major factor in Tuesday's Division 2 Sweet 16 game against Canton.

"It was hectic out there tonight," said Pacheco after the fourth-seeded Raiders advanced to the Elite 8 with a dramatic 53-50 over the 13th-seeded Bulldogs. "It took me a while to get the hang of it but I finally did. This was the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of."

With the victory, SBR (20-2) moves on to face either fifth-seeded Mansfield or 12th-seeded Burlington. This is the farthest the Raiders have advanced in the state tournament since 2003 team led by Tony Gaffney, who helped lead SBR to a South Sectional championship and Final Four appearance.

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

Thirty years after he burst onto the TV cooking show scene with his infectious enthusiasm, colorful catchphrases and unabashed love of pork fat, Fall River native Emeril Lagasse remains one of the world’s most popular chefs. 

A recent study by travel company Explore Worldwide looking at Google search data from each state showed that Lagasse is the most-searched for chef from Massachusetts.  

Using national and international search data, Lagasse is the fourth-most popular chef from the United States, and number 16 on a list of chefs worldwide.  

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

SWANSEA — Brayden Cabral is not backing down in this fight. In his room at Boston Children's Hospital, Brayden is being Brayden.

“He’s doing great!,” his mother, Kelly Rose DiGiammo, wrote in a Monday morning Facebook post. “His treatment is going just as planned by his team. He is feeling fine, eating, sleeping, kicking my a-- in chess, brotherly fighting with Chace, and testing [father] Kyle Cabral’s patience with Legos.”

Cabral, 13, a seventh grader at the Joseph Case Junior High School, has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. A sports lover, Cabral in December and then through January had felt sluggish, downright lousy at times. The usually speedy youngster became last across the finish line. He was diagnosed with and treated for influenza A, but that ultimately did not prove to be the real villain.

Brayden plays in the Swansea Little League, which last year held “A Day at Fenway Park,” with 200 tickets sold. There will be a repeat this season, on April 18, with an appropriate tweak. It will be, the league posted on Facebook, “A Day at Fenway for Bray.” Swansea Youth Basketball and Somerset Youth Flag Football League are joining in the special event. Brayden plays in both of those leagues, too.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

FALL RIVER — Joao Medeiros was cruising along Interstate 195 in the family van with his wife and children, when suddenly — despite clear road ahead — they crashed into something. They were rocked forward, pitched upside down, then right side up again, but in the air. The van tumbled end-over-end once more and landed on its roof, grinding along the pavement. 

His daughters, ages 7 and 4, were suspended upside down by their seat belts. His wife, Beatrice, suffered two broken ribs.  

Behind them, other vehicles began piling up, crash after crash, drivers stunned. 

It was rush hour in Fall River underneath Government Center, on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 3, 1999 – when, 25 years ago this week, the roof fell in. 

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts voters are among voters in 15 states and one U.S. territory casting a ballot today as they decide who to nominate as their party's candidate for president.

Massachusetts has an open primary so unenrolled voters can go to their local polling place and cast a vote in either the Democratic, Republican or Libertarian Party primary. Voters who are registered as part of a party can only cast a vote in that party's primary.

Voter turnout is expected to be good in Massachusetts, but not record-breaking, according to Secretary of State William Galvin. As of Friday, 9% of voters had cast ballots as part of early voting.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A dozen students were busily bending copper tubing, working together as they measured and mounted it to a wall, each one contributing in their own small way to a cleaner climate.  

The students in Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School’s heating, cooling, air conditioning and refrigeration shop were learning how to install heat pumps, climate control devices of amazing efficiency that promise a better way to heat and cool homes in Greater Fall River.  

The school has received 10 different models of heat pump to practice on, courtesy of a grant from Liberty Utilities and National Grid. Each unit, said Superintendent Brian Bentley, runs around $7,000 to $8,000. 

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com. 

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — A New Bedford fire sent two people to the hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Deputy Fire Chief Brian Medeiros said the department received multiple reports of a structure fire on 213 Weld Street at 2:23 p.m.

Crews were met with heavy flames coming from a window on the first floor upon arrival. According to Medeiros, there were also multiple people hanging out of the third floor window.

Read more at wpri.com.

Jack Teixeira, the Massachusetts Air National Guard member accused of leaking highly classified military documents about Russia’s war in Ukraine and other national security secrets, is expected to plead guilty on Monday in federal court.

The 22-year-old is due to appear in Boston’s federal courthouse for a change of plea hearing nearly a year after he was arrested in the case stemming from the most consequential national security leak in years.

Teixeira, of North Dighton, Massachusetts, has been behind bars since his April arrest in the case that raised alarm over America’s ability to protect its most closely guarded secrets and forced the Biden administration to scramble to try to contain diplomatic and military fallout.

Read more at wpri.com.

FALL RIVER — Massachusetts voters will head to the polls on Tuesday in the presidential primary with a few changes in city polling places for some to cast their votes.

Here is a reminder of those new and now former polling places.

The changes do not decrease Fall River's total of 27 precincts. The changes are located in the South End, the Flint neighborhood and the North End.

There are eight polling places that will be shut down: Cardinal Medeiros Towers on Robeson Street; Frank B. Oliveira Apartments on William Street; Mitchell Apartments on South Main Street; Chor Bishop Eid Apartments on Quequechan Street; the Reney/Eastwood Fire Station on Eastern Avenue; Carlton M. Viveiros Elementary School on Lewiston Street; Spencer Borden School on Chestnut Street; and Tansey Elementary School on Ray Street. 

Read more from Jo C. Goode at heraldnews.com. 

DANVERS — It was history in the making for the Somerset Berkley ice hockey team on Sunday.

The 12th seed Raiders pulled off the upset and advance to the Round of 8 for the first time since the 2003 season after blanking Essex North Shore, 6-0, in the Division 3 Sweet 16 contest at Essex Sports Center in Danvers.

SBR (17-2-2) will face West Springfield at Loring Arena in Framingham on Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m.

Read more from Steven Sanchez at heraldnews.com.

WESTPORT, Mass. (WPRI) — Westport Animal Control is asking residents to be vigilant after a possibly rabid raccoon was discovered in town.

The raccoon was captured on Kelsey’s Way off of Charlotte White Road. It has since been humanely euthanized and is being tested for rabies.

Read more at wpri.com.

Kianara Ruiz's patient needed a wound dressed. She had to search floor after floor of Good Samaritan Medical Center amid supply shortages.

"I could not even take care of a wound dressing because it was not in our supplies in the closet," the certified nursing assistant said Friday. "It's embarrassing that I have to go throughout four floors just to find the supplies that I need."

For the second time in as many weeks, Brockton's only remaining trauma hospital received a tour by a high-level delegation. Last week it was U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-8th.) On Friday, March 1, it was U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (D) who paid a visit.

In a post-tour press conference, Markey announced he would convene a Senate subcommittee hearing in Boston on April 3 to spotlight how Steward reached this point and where to go from here. 

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The SouthCoast has its fair share of old stuff and history, and lots of places that have made it their mission, their vocation, to celebrate those things and honor the past.

Here are just some of the places from around the SouthCoast where you can learn about some “old stuff” that tells the history of our communities, and how these treasures inform our present and are still relevant to us today.

Read the full story from Kristina Fontes at heraldnews.com.

The Fall River Public Library's brand new, state-of-the-art bookmobile is unveiled Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, at a ribbon-cutting event.

See pictures at heraldnews.com.

Somerset Berkley hockey team celebrates their win over Nashoba during Wednesday's Division 3 Round of 32 contest at Driscoll Ice Arena in Fall River Feb. 28, 2024.

See photos at heraldnews.com.

BOSTON – A 37-year-old Fall River man faces lengthy prison time for his role in a drug distribution conspiracy involving oxycodone pills, according to Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, District of Massachusetts.

Austin Gonsalves pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Boston to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and his sentencing is scheduled for May 30.

Gonsalves was among six people arrested and charged in July 2023 for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking organization that distributed oxycodone pills across Southeastern Massachusetts, states a release from the U.S. Attorney's office. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in August.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

DARTMOUTH — Macy's announced Tuesday that it was closing approximately 150 stores nationwide - 50 by the end of next February - but added Thursday the Dartmouth Mall Macy's will be spared.

The company responded to a request for comment by email Thursday, "Macy’s Dartmouth will remain open."

It's added in the email, "Our new strategy is designed to return Macy’s Inc. to profitable growth and enhance the customer experience. We intend to close approximately 150 Macy’s stores over the next three years. This allows us to focus our investments and resources on Macy’s go-forward locations including full line, furniture and current off-mall locations and Bloomie’s, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet and Bluemercury stores.?We look forward to continuing to serve our customers at Macy’s Dartmouth."??

Read more at heraldnews.com.