KEATING BITMAP BILL ADVANCED THROUGH COMMITTEE

Washington, DC – Last week, H.R. 6439, the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) Authorization Act of 2018 passed out of the Homeland Security Committee with a bipartisan vote of 20-7.  The legislation was introduced by Congressman Bill Keating and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) to fully authorize BITMAP, a program designed to better identify national security threats.

BITMAP is a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HSI)-led program established in 2011 under then-President Obama, in which partner-country law enforcement officers collect and share biometric and biographic data on special interest individuals to identify potential threat actors who utilize illicit pathways to enter the United States. In the last few years, BITMAP has identified several hundred known or suspected terrorists in addition to criminals, drug smugglers, human traffickers, murderers, child predators, and dangerous gangs like MS-13.

Rep. Bill Keating: "The BITMAP program has proven extremely useful in increasing our capacity for information sharing and developing comprehensive strategies with our international partners to intercept known or suspected terrorists and criminals before they reach our borders. It is keeping Americans safer. This is another way Members of the Committee are working together to thwart those who wish to do us all harm.”

Chairman McCaul: “As terror threats evolve over time, our adversaries become more agile, desperate to avoid detection and sneak into our country. One of the ways they try to come here is through the exploitation of illicit pathways in South and Central America. To combat this threat, we must leverage our international partnerships and use the most advanced technology to our advantage. ICE’s BITMAP program shares valuable data from law enforcement officers in participating countries with our own law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Simply put, this bill will help stop dangerous individuals who want to bring harm to the American people from entering the country. I look forward to this bill advancing to the House floor for a vote and continuing the Committee’s efforts to better secure the homeland

GAS PRICES UP TWO CENTS, SAYS AAA

Gasoline prices in Massachusetts are up two cents this week, according to AAA Northeast.

AAA’s July 30 survey of prices in Massachusetts finds self-serve, regular unleaded averaging $2.82 per gallon. The Massachusetts price is three cents lower than the national average for regular unleaded of $2.85. A year ago at this time, the average price in Massachusetts was 58 cents lower at $2.24. 

“U.S. gasoline demand strengthened and supply declined over the last week, leading to slightly higher average prices both locally and across the country,” said Mary Maguire, Director of Public and Legislative Affairs. “If crude and gasoline inventories continue to tighten, prices at the pump will remain volatile throughout the northeast.”

The range in prices in the latest AAA survey for unleaded regular is 38 cents, from a low of $2.61 to a high of $2.99.

AAA advises motorists to shop around for the best prices in their area, and to make sure they and their passengers buckle up — every time.

Today’s local gas prices and their ranges are as follows:

Self Serve                                           Grade                        

$2.82 ($2.61-$2.99)                            Regular Unleaded                  

$3.06 ($2.89-$3.29)                            Midgrade Unleaded               

$3.24 ($2.99-$3.49)                            Premium Unleaded                

$3.16 ($2.99-$3.39)                            Diesel       

Find the most up-to-date local gas prices with the AAA Fuel Finder by logging onto AAA.com and clicking on Gas Saving Tips & Tools.

     The Digital Edition of the Cape Cod Times is reporting that public safety administrators are asking you that if you're swimming in the waters of Cape Cod to exercise caution and swim safely.

     A Fall River man, Matthew Maderios drowned on July 5th while trying to swim out to an anchored boat at Mayflower Beach.

     John Lima of Lakeville drowned on July 12th in the waters off Pocassat; He was in cardiac arrest by the time he reached the shore.

     Five people have drowned in the water of the Cape and the Islands over the past two weeks.

     The victims have ranged in age from 42-76; at least one has suffered cardiac arrest while in the water.

     16 people have drowned this Summer since June 1st according to Massachusetts State Police. 

     A special session of the Fall River School Committee will happen at 2:00pm on Tuesday afternoon (7/31) in the Spencer Borden Elementary School Community Room with one topic on the agenda. 

     Fall River Superintendent of Public Schools Doctor Matthew Malone and Chief Financial Officer for the School Department, Kevin Almeida, will offer recommendations for utilizing the second payment in Fiscal Year 2018 for Puerto Rico and U.S.B.I Hurricane Relief funds for the Fall River School District, which total nearly $453,000.

      The district accepted an estimated 150 children whose families relocated to Fall River after Hurricane Maria. 

The Red Sox were rained out in Baltimore Wednesday Night, after 24 minutes of play and a more than 2 hour rain delay. 

No makeup date has been announced; the Sox are in Baltimore during the second weekend in August, and will likely play a day night doubleheader on Friday or Saturday during what will now be a four game series. 

The Sox are back in Fenway tonight for an 11 day, 10 game homestand. 

Congressman Joe Kennedy III today introduced a bipartisan bill to streamline the reimbursement process for care provided to children outside of the state where they are enrolled in a Medicaid program.

Cosponsored by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Congressman David McKinley (R-WV), the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act would create an enhanced screening and enrollment process for Medicaid’s pediatric providers and suppliers when there is a low risk for fraud, waste and abuse.

“Complex, burdensome rules and regulations should never barricade a child from the lifesaving care he or she deserves,” said Congressman Kennedy. “State borders cannot stand in the way of kids and families seeking specialized care at one of our Commonwealth’s world-renowned hospitals. By passing the Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, we can ensure that young lives aren’t lost or forever altered because of a bureaucratic delay.”

Katie Brown Educational Program Receives $8,500 from the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation

Taunton, MA- On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, the Katie Brown Educational Program (KBEP) was awarded an $8,500 grant from the Bristol County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation.

“KBEP has had a consistent presence in the communities of Dighton, Rehoboth, and Taunton for a number of years,” said Claire Spaulding McVicker, Executive Director at the Katie Brown Educational Program. “Funding from the Bristol County Savings Bank Charitable Foundation has supported our work since 2012.  It was in thanks to that support that we've been able to grow our presence and reach in those communities.  “

Support from the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation will enable KBEP to continue providing effective (and cost-effective) relationship violence prevention education at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School, Taunton High School, and Dighton Middle School.

Founded in 2001, the Katie Brown Educational Program is a relationship violence prevention program taught to students in grades 4-12 in Southeastern, MA and Rhode Island. Since its inception, highly qualified educators have provided more than 88,000 students with the skills necessary to promote and have healthy dating relationships. The program has also expanded to include relationship sexual violence prevention (RSVP) programming, parent workshops, professional development workshops, a Consent Awareness Pledge, webinars and a host of other programs relative to developing a culture of healthy relationships.

The Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation (BCSCF) was established in 1996 with the purpose of funding needs that contribute to the economic and social well-being of the people and institutions located in the greater Attleboro/Taunton, greater New Bedford, greater Fall River, Massachusetts area and the Pawtucket, Rhode Island area.

Since the BCSCF began, close to $19 million in grants have been committed to 501(c)(3) organizations in our local communities.

On Saturday, July 14th, 2018 at approximately 16:30 p.m. Fall River Police Department Vice and Intelligence Detective Gary Barboza and Detective Sergeant Andrew Joseph were on patrol in North Main and Vestal Street area when he observed a female on the corner staring at males as they drove past.  The Detectives pulled their vehicle over and Detective Barboza exited and approached the female on foot. When he got close to the female, the female asked for a cigarette. He Detective stated he had none. The female asked if he wanted ‘to do something’ then went on to described a sexual act she was willing to do for $30. She then pointed to a house on the corner offering to kick her roommate out. Detective Barboza then gave a signal to Sgt. Joseph who drove up with his badge displayed.

     Cheri L. Keefe age 49 of Fall River was placed under arrest on charges of Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

On Monday July 16^th 2018 at approximately 7:30 pm Fall River Police Department Vice and Intelligence Detective James Elumba was in the area of South Main and Morgan Street when he observed a female on the corner staring at males as they drove past. Detective Elumba suspected she may be prostituting so he drove past her and parked approximately 40 feet away. The female approached his vehicle and stuck her head in the passenger window uninvited. During a brief conversation she offered to perform a sexual act for $20.

The detective stated he would have to get some money and would be right back. Detective Elumba drove away and picked up Detective Athan Parousis. They returned to the corner and found the female waiting. The Detectives identified themselves as Police and arrested the female on a charge of Sexual Conduct for a Fee. She was identified as Dawna Cheatham age 25 of Fall River.

Approximately 30 minutes later Det. Elumba was notified by Det. Parousis that there was another female at the corner of Hartwell and Rodman Streets staring at males as they drove past. Suspecting prostitution he drove past her and parked approximately 50 feet away. The female approached his vehicle and stuck her head in the window uninvited. During a brief conversation she offered to perform a sexual act for $30. Again the detective stated he would have to get some money and would be right back. Detective Elumba drove away and picked up Detective Athan Parousis and returned to the corner. When they returned to the corner, they found the female waiting. The Detectives identified themselves as Police and arrested the female on a charge of Sexual Conduct for a Fee. She was identified as Tanya Gaudreau age 32 of New Bedford.

Approximately 60 minutes later Det. Richard Aguiar notified Det. Parousis that there was a female at the corner of Morgan and Second Streets staring at males as they past. Suspecting prostitution he drove past her and parked. This female walked over and began a conversation where she agreed to perform a certain sexual act for $30. When Det. Aguair called for Det. Parousis, the female started yelling she didn’t do anything and ran away. The female was located two building away hiding behind a dumpster. The female, identified as Tieonah Addington age 35 of Fall River was placed under arrest on charges of Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

State Police responded to a single car motor vehicle accident on Route 195 Eastbound in Dartmouth between  Route 88 and Highland Avenue at approximately 3:00 pm Friday Afternoon

It was determined that the motor vehicle involved was travelling on 195 East when it left the roadway and struck the Highland Avenue overpass bridge. 

The male operator and lone occupant, Richard Carroll, of New Canaan, CT, was immediately transported to St. Luke’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later. 

This matter remains under investigation.