The state commission overseeing police standards has finished its review of an investigation into the Fall River Police Department’s use of a search warrant to unmask an anonymous Facebook poster, and apparently found no evidence of wrongdoing.

According to documents received by The Herald News as part of a public records request, the state Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission received a complaint about the issue and the city’s investigation in late March.

POST reviewed all evidence and “closed this matter” as of April 30.

POST apparently took no further action.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A selection committee tasked with searching for the next person to take the helm of Swansea’s daily operational affairs by July 1 has narrowed the choice down to three finalists up for the job. Now, the town invites residents to provide feedback on the candidates.

On Thursday, the May 7 Board of Selectman’s meeting kicked off on Zoom where the public was able to listen as Bernard Lynch, the principal and founder of Community Paradigm Associates — a consulting nonprofit — spoke about the search for the right candidate, indicated the timeline for the selection process, and gave an overview of who the three finalists were.

One internal candidate, Town Planner Christopher Parayno, was named as a finalist. The two other candidates mostly unanimously hand-picked by the selection committee are already serving as town administrators for other Massachusetts municipalities: Hopedale’s Mitchell Ruscitti and Harwich’s Joseph Powers.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A Fall River man was recently sentenced to state prison after a “vicious” attack last August outside a New Bedford bar left a man seriously injured, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Elionei Dejesus Mendes, 23, of Fall River, pleaded guilty March 30 in Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury.

According to a DA’s office release, Mendes was sentenced to three to five years in state prison followed by three years of supervised probation.

Charges stem from an altercation that took place Aug. 2, 2025, when New Bedford Police responded to reports of a fight outside Bento's Bar at 555 Pleasant St., New Bedford.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The New Bedford Harbor Hotel is changing ownership.

Known for its restaurants such as Merrill’s on the Waterfront and Bittersweet Farms, Lafrance Hospitality announced its acquisition of the hotel on May 6.

Buying the 70-room boutique property located at 222 Union St., represents another milestone in Lafrance Hospitality’s continued growth and reinforces the company’s commitment, according to a press release, to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences throughout New England and beyond.

The five-story New Bedford Harbor Hotel is known for its harbor views and convenient access to the city’s cultural, dining and maritime attractions. Under Lafrance Hospitality’s ownership, the property will undergo a series of changes to the guest experience.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A judge has dismissed much of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a Fall River Public Schools safety officer against the school department and several school officials.

In a decision filed May 5, Bristol County Superior Court Judge Thomas Perrino said school safety officer Carla Cruz let the statute of limitations run out on claims that two coworkers propositioned her for sex, offered her drugs and groped her, and that school officials were negligent in investigating this.

Charges against a third coworker were not dismissed.

Cruz filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in July 2025, and on Oct. 9 filed a civil lawsuit in Superior Court seeking $10 million and a jury trial for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

An investigation is underway after a threatening phone call forced Newport Hospital into a lockdown Saturday afternoon.

Officers rushed to the hospital just before 4 p.m. after learning someone had called and told staff that a man was coming to “shoot the place up,” according to police.

Newport Hospital immediately went into lockdown as officers guarded the hospital entrances.

Police said there is no credible threat to the hospital, patients, staff or the general public at this time and the lockdown has been “scaled back.”

See more at wpri.com.

Westport Animal Control is thanking a good Samaritan for notifying officers about an injured osprey last week.

In a social media post Friday, Westport Animal Control explained that a resident called to report that a osprey “had been spending an unusual amount of time on the ground.”

“The concerned resident reported that the bird appeared injured and was unable to fly,” Westport Animal Control wrote.

An animal control officer went to the location that the resident provided and found the bird on the ground with visible injuries, including blood on its wing and shoulder.

Read more at wpri.com.

Graduates are expected to cross the stage as Bristol Community College celebrates its 59th commencement. The ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 16 under the college’s solar canopies at the Fall River campus, according to a community announcement.

Degrees and certificates will be awarded to students from the college’s campuses in Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and online learners. Associate degrees in arts, science and applied science are planned to be conferred, along with certificates of achievement. Academic honors including cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude will also be recognized.

The event is expected to highlight several student and community achievements, including the announcement of this year’s valedictorian, salutatorian, distinguished citizens and an honorary degree recipient.

Elizabeth Anne Pereira of Acushnet has been named valedictorian. Pereira is graduating with an Associate in Arts in Business Administration Transfer. She plans to continue her education at Bridgewater State University.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A national broadband internet provider is planning to deliver free wifi in two city parks.

The Park Board on Wednesday, May 6, granted permission for Ripple Fiber to install equipment in Chew and Kennedy parks in the city’s South End that would create free public wifi in the parks.

The equipment will be placed inside existing storage space in the parks, and would be unobtrusive.

“We think we found some good suitable locations that aren’t going to inhibit anyone from using the park, and also aesthetically it’s going to be in a shed,” said Stephen Maher, representative of Ripple Fiber.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A Massachusetts man is being held without bail following his arraignment yesterday in Rhode Island. 

Demetri Sousa of Seekonk pleaded not guilty for the February shooting death of Javon Lawson in Cranston, Rhode Island.  Hours later Sousa was involved in a fiery crash in Swansea that killed two Bristol, Rhode Island, residents. 

Charges in connection with the deadly crash would be handled in Massachusetts.   

A new poll gives Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey a five-point lead over his primary challenger in the race for the Democratic Party nomination. 

The Emerson College survey finds Markey ahead of Congressman Seth Moulton by a margin of 37-to-32 percent with 29-percent undecided. 

The poll of one-thousand registered voters was taken earlier this week. 

The margin of error is plus or minus three-percent.

The FBI recently arrested a 20-year-old Hungarian man believed to be responsible for a swatting incident in Tiverton two years ago.

Officers rushed to a Tiverton home on April 24, 2024, after a caller claimed a man had killed his family and was planning on shooting his dog and himself, according to FBI Boston.

The officers determined it was a hoax call shortly after arriving at the home.

Investigators reviewed digital evidence and were able to trace the swatting call to Hungary.

See more at wpri.com.

A homicide investigation is underway in New Bedford, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

Officers were called to the area of Acushnet Avenue and Russell Street around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday for a report of shots fired.

Upon arrival, the DA’s office said a 31-year-old man was found in his vehicle suffering from several gunshot wounds.

The victim, identified as Steven Coan, was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

See more at wpri.com.

The Committee to Recall Mayor Paul Coogan stands by its affidavit to begin the recall process, despite Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey giving the opinion that the petitioners’ affidavit was “invalid.”

The committee, driven by the unified goal of ousting Coogan from the sixth floor of Government Center, posted to Facebook the evening of May 4 to allege that “our affidavit was submitted correctly.”

Furthermore, “We are concerned that the city has shared information with the local media before informing us. The mayor and his corporation counsel have formally colluded and objected to the recall moving forward,” the group said in the online statement.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Strong winds caused difficulties for firefighters battling a massive blaze at Mid City Steel that broke out Monday afternoon, May 4, and caused multiple brush fires.

According to an update the following day, May 5, from the Westport Fire Chief Dan Baldwin, fire crews were on scene throughout the day Tuesday — working in coordination with Mid City Steel personnel — monitoring hot spots within the 548 State Road facility and in the surrounding wooded areas along Davis Road.

Heavy machinery was used to break apart the large scrap pile of processed vehicles where the fire initiated around 3:30 p.m. Monday, and access deep-seated hotspots.

See more at heraldnews.com.

On April 29, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation got its final permit for the Washington Bridge replacement, coming from the Coast Guard in the final throes of the DHS shutdown.

“We were very excited,” said RIDOT’s project manager, Peter DeSimone.

The westbound side of the bridge, which carries I-195 over the Seekonk River, has been shut down for more than two years after its abrupt closure in December 2023. Now, DeSimone said drivers will start to see construction on its replacement in the coming weeks.

“One of the first activities will be the installation of the drilled shafts, which are the supports to the piers,” DeSimone explained.

RIDOT said the work will stay within the footprint of the old Washington Bridge, with the bulk of it happening on the water.

“It should not impact the traveling public early on,” DeSimone added.

See more at wpri.com.

The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament announced it will implement an age restriction for the first time this year.

Only people who are 21 and older can enter the Feast grounds after 8 p.m.

“Please know that this decision was not made lightly,” the Feast said in a statement. “It reflects our continued efforts to create a safe environment during our busiest evening hours, while still preserving the welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that defines the Feast during the day and early evening.”

The Feast features a variety of food, wine and entertainment that highlights the rich traditions of Madeira and the entire Portuguese-American community.

See more at wpri.com.

The bank that still holds the mortgage on the fire-damaged and uninhabitable Gabriel House property on Oliver Street wants the money it’s owed — nearly $1 million.

Then it wants “to get out of this litigation,” said Sarah Kelly, attorney for OneLocal Bank.

The Norwood-based community bank has waded into a complicated set of civil lawsuits between victims of the July 13 assisted living facility and the individuals and companies accused of negligence that led to 10 deaths, 30 injuries, and the displacement of dozens of poor, elderly and disabled residents.

At stake is about $6 million in property insurance money, frozen pending the outcome of the lawsuits — which may take several years. The bank wants to dip into that for its cut. But victims in the case say there are other ways for the bank to get its money back: foreclose on Gabriel House, or go after Gabriel House owner Dennis Etzkorn’s other properties.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Based on monitoring the air quality is safe in the vicinity of Monday's massive scrap yard fire in Westport. 

Residents on Davis Road from State Road to Old Bedford Road were advised to shelter in place due to heavy smoke from the fire at Mid City Scrap on State Road. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation but authorities said it currently does not appear to be suspicious.  

The public is asked for help to locate a Dartmouth teenager reported missing over a week ago. 

Sixteen-year-old Fayth Dean was last seen on foot in the Bakerville Road area. 

Her photo and description are posted on the police department's Facebook page. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dartmouth police.

The city may have learned a few lessons from last year when it comes to the balancing act of keeping trash collection routine for its nearly 100,000 residents, and keeping waste hauling companies hitched.

Fall River is ready to act on a two-year contract plus a one-year built-in extension option, with Capitol Waste Services, Inc. The East Boston-based waste hauler would be responsible for collecting the city’s solid waste and disposing of it, in addition to handling curbside collection of single-stream recycling.

The cost of the contract is not included in materials provided to City Council members as of the April 28 meeting, where the Council voted to refer the contract proposal to the City Council Committee on Finance. According to earlier reports, the trash collection makes up 2.9% of the city’s Fiscal 2027 budget of $479 million.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Hours after a group of petitioners began official efforts to recall Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey deemed its submitted affidavit invalid, putting a pause on recall efforts.

Using caselaw as a basis for his opinion, Rumsey told The Herald News he reviewed the Committee to Recall Mayor Paul Coogan’s affidavit on the morning of May 4, and said, “the recall petition is invalid because it is not in compliance with the affidavit requirements,” citing section 8-5(b) of the City Charter.

Rumsey made the distinction that the 13 signatures in the attestation of the affidavit filed with the City Clerk's Office that morning at 8:30 a.m. were notarized, but not sworn.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Police have blocked off a portion of Route 6 in Rehoboth as crews respond to a mulch fire in the area of Hollister Road.

A 12 News photojournalist at the scene observed flames coming from a mulch pile and a large amount of smoke billowing across the roadway.

In a social media post just last week, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services warned that mulch is a combustible material and urged people to keep piles a safe distance apart.

See more at wpri.com.

A mass of thick, black smoke could be seen for miles on Monday as firefighters worked to get a massive fire under control off Route 6 in Westport.

Crews from more than a dozen departments responded after the fire broke out at Mid City Scrap, located between Route 88 and Davis Road.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Mid City Scrap said all of its workers are “safe and accounted for, with no injuries.” The business also thanked firefighters for their “swift, professional response” and the community for its support.

Route 6 remains closed in both directions in that area. MassDOT said the closure was expected to last for several hours and advised drivers to seek alternate routes.

Nearby neighborhoods were blanketed with smoke, including Davis Road, where firefighters were seen in backyards trying to make sure the flames didn’t spread that way.

“I was on my way home from work. I could see it on the Braga Bridge, the smoke,” resident Trisha Therrien said. “When I was driving back, the smoke kept getting darker and darker. A few homes down you could see the fire in the woods, and you could hear the booms.”

See more at wpri.com.

A Massachusetts child is the winner of a FIFA art competition. 

Leo Silveira is a 6th grader at the Nativity Preparatory School in New Bedford. 

Now his drawing will be displayed on the bus of the Brazilian team's official World Cup buses. 

In mid-April, his parents found out by email that their son's picture of fans cheering on the Brazilian national team had been chosen.  Leo says he has been supporting the Brazilian team every single day since the 2018 World Cup.