New Bedford Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office, and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating a homicide, which took place this morning in The City of New Bedford.

New Bedford Police received 911 calls regarding shots fired on Lafrance Street at around 10:21 a.m. today.

 When officers arrived on scene, they located one of two victims and rushed him to St. Luke's Hospital.

 That victim, who was later identified as 40-year-old Angel Cruz, was later pronounced deceased.

 It is unclear at this time where Mr. Cruz was currently residing. 

A second shooting victim was able to get into a vehicle and attempted to drive to the hospital, but crashed in the area of Linden and County streets.  That victim, a 32-year-old New Bedford man, was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital before being transported to Rhode Island Hospital.  

This victim, who is not being identified at this time, is listed in critical condition.

While police were investigating the double-shooting, they received a description of the shooter.

 About 45 minutes after the double-shooting, New Bedford Police officers came upon a man matching the shooter's description near the corner of Penniman and Reynolds streets.

When officers approached the man, later identified as Jon Zell, 18, of Mattapoisett, he began firing a handgun at them. After firing all the bullets in the gun, police were able to subdue him and take him into custody.

No officers were injured during the incident and none of the officers returned fire on the suspect before getting him into custody.

The defendant is being charged at this time with multiple counts of armed assault with intent to murder.

 More charges may be lodged against the defendant as the investigation continues.  He is slated to be held in jail through the weekend and arraigned on Monday morning in New Bedford District Court.
 

MassDOT Advisory: Seekonk

Traffic Signal Span Wire Replacement Operations on Route 6 and Route 114A

The work will take place daily from Monday, November 30, through Friday, December 4, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SEEKONK – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that the traffic signal heads, located at the intersection of Route 6 and Route 114A in Seekonk, will be temporarily removed to allow crews to replace the attached span wire and then re-install the traffic signal heads.  

The work will take place daily from Monday, November 30, through Friday, December 4, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The work will require intermittent travel lane restrictions to temporarily remove the existing traffic signal heads, replace the span wires, and then reattach the signal heads.
 

COVID-19 Update

138 new cases over Thursday and Friday

(Fall River, MA- November 27th, 2020)- 4,716 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River. We remain at 159 fatalities due to Covid-19. The

The Fall River Division of Health and Human Services has issued a COVID-19 update for the day before Thanksgiving, confirming 65 new cases, moving that total to 4,578, with two additional fatalities, moving that number to 159. 

The next set of numbers covering a period from Thanksgiving Day through Monday, will available on the final night of November. 

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo is asking Rhode Island citizens to take a two-week economic pause seriously, as a means to trying to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

Governor Raimondo is warning that Rhode Island Hosptials could be over run if the positivity rates are not reduced. 

The pause will close casinos and other locations in Rhode Island. 

With the Fall River City Council discussing a resolution Tuesday regarding the Veterans Memorial Bridge, where two men piloting motorcycles have been thrown off, with one drowning this fall, Bristol Plymouth First District State Senator Mike Rodriques tells WSAR he has reached out to MassDOT to get answers regarding the design of the bridge, which was opened in 2011. 

Drivers and others are expressing concerns about what has happened over the last six months. 

Fall River's Government Center will close at noon on Friday, to allow for a deep cleaning of the interior of the building. 

The seat of Fall River's Municipal Operations will reopen Monday Morning. 

The Sixth Floor is asking you to avoid gathering with people outside of your household, and limit in door gatherings to no more than 10. 

Its also important to wear face coverings indoors and outdoors, wash your hands and practice social distancing at all times. 

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is asking you to keep your Thanksgiving Celebrations this week confined to your close circle of family, as the Governor worries about a second surge of the COVID-19 virus that could reach vulnerable family members if your guest list is expanded. 

While Massachusetts is under a curfew of sorts this month, Rhode Island will start a two week pause of some acitivity starting on Monday. 

The Baker-Polito Administration announced the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program to a swath of Commonwealth cities including Fall River and New Bedford. 

$370,000 in grants were awarded to 11 cities and 10 nonprofits to support tree planting in urban communities through the program. 

Through the program, the Department of Conservation and Recreation works with 18 Gateway Cities throughout the Commonwealth to increase tree canopy cover in urban residential areas, especially Environmental Justice neighborhoods.

“The Greening the Gateway Cities Program serves as an excellent example of a strong partnership between state government, local municipalities, and dedicated organizations working together to benefit Massachusetts residents for generations to come,” said Governor Charlie Baker. 

“Increasing tree cover in our Gateway Cities helps to both address climate change and create a healthier environment for urban residents, and we are proud to add these four cities to this program,” the Governor added. 

The Greening the Gateway Cities Program seeks to reduce energy use, reducing flooding from stormwater runoff, and improve the quality of life in these cities, especially during the increasingly hot summers in Massachusetts, through the planting of thousands of trees.

“By adding the cities of Fitchburg, Lowell, Salem, and Westfield into the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, our Administration continues to invest in the future of these cities and further enhance our environmental resources,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.

The announcement also includes the launch of two new grant programs, the Greening the Gateway City Municipal Grant Program and Greening the Gateway City Non-Profit Grant Program, which make funds available to Gateway Cities and local non-profits for program assistance. 

By lessening local costs, municipal grants give public works resources they need to plant in collaboration with DCR.

Fall River’s Tree Planting Committee will receive $15,000 in grant money towards their Outreach, Tree Education and Care Program while New Bedford also will be awarded $15,000 for the same program at Groundwork South Coast - New Bedford. 

The Administration is awarding grants to 10 local non-profits in the Gateway Cities to support outreach and tree care, and to 11 municipalities to support public tree planting with the removal of pavement and other impervious material, and the addition of soils and permeable material. 

Cities and non-profits are also working on locating and restoring vacant lots to ready them for tree planting.   

Trees have the ability to cool neighborhoods and reduce the “urban heat island” effect where large areas of pavement cause significantly hotter living conditions.

“We look forward to working with these cities to plant thousands of trees, delivering significant benefits to residents in these communities and helping the Commonwealth make progress toward its long-term climate goals,” Polito continued.

The plantings will be focused in Environmental Justice neighborhoods, which include areas with over 25% of residents who are low income, minority or non-English speaking. DCR foresters will work with neighborhood non-profit organizations to help with outreach and community support.

“With the expansion of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, we are improving equity in communities with significantly less greenery and shade, improving the quality of life for residents by providing cooler neighborhoods and lowering energy bills,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. 

To support the GGCP, the state will invest over $5 million over the next year in state capital and energy efficiency funds to plant over 8,000 trees averaging six feet in height within the 18 Gateway Cities.

“A significant expansion in trees also means cleaner air, less flooding, more beautiful neighborhoods, and a boost to the local economy by creating jobs at local nurseries and within the neighborhoods for tree planting,” Theoharides said.

The program will train crews in proper tree planting and care, and many employees find permanent work in the landscaping industry. The GGCP is expected to yield more than twice the investment made by the Administration as the trees mature.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation is proud to support this worthwhile program by partnering with cities throughout the Commonwealth, including our new partners in Fitchburg, Lowell, Salem, and Westfield,” said DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery.

“This program stands as a wonderful example of the Baker-Polito Administration’s dedication to developing the necessary tools to effectively implement an urban forestry plan and protect our environment,” Montgomery added.

In a 27 minute pre recorded address in his Government Center office, Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan delivered a State of the City Address that had been delayed from a Mid March date, at the osset of an ongoing pandemic. 

Coogan paid tribute to front line health workers, as well as the nine member Fall River City Council, the Fall River Legislative Delegation on Beacon Hill, and the Department Heads in Government Center for assisting him in the first year of his mayoral term. 

Coogan also outlined various housing and commercial projects underway in various parts of Fall River, and in a production created by FRGTV, showed the first renderings of the what the Bank Street Armory might look like if a New Hampshire based developer is allowed to purchase the building. 

Coogan also outlined improvements to the City Pier, as well as money set aside for streets and sidewalks. 

COVID-19 Update

241 new cases over Saturday, Sunday and Monday

3 new fatalities

(Fall River, MA- November 23rd, 2020)- 4,443 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River. We have seen an increase of 3 fatalities putting us at 157 fatalities due to Covid-19.

The Baker-Polito Administration launched a new public awareness effort to encourage residents to continue to stay safe and remain vigilant. 

The statewide campaign “Get Back Mass” highlights the critical steps everyone should take – wearing a mask and practicing good hygiene, keeping a safe distance, and getting tested – to protect themselves and their loved ones. 

The multilingual campaign will run on several platforms including television and digital ads.

The campaign features residents from across the Commonwealth who, in their own words, draw the connection between taking precautions so that they can “get back” to the activities, people, and experiences they enjoy – like attending live sporting events or concerts, throwing their child a birthday party, going out dancing with friends, or going on a “real” date.  

The campaign underscores the importance of taking precautions like wearing a mask so the Commonwealth can slow the spread of the virus and keep our communities safe while COVID-19 remains with us.

The Get Back Mass campaign launched with social media messages that highlight safety tips, digital animated videos in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese (simplified and traditional) and Vietnamese, and information posters that will be displayed in convenience stores. 

Television advertisements in English and Spanish will run on broadcast and digital channels, continuing through February. All campaign components lead to a landing page, mass.gov/GetBack, which highlights the three key behaviors it takes to #GetBackMass:

The Administration also announced the awarding of $650,000 in grant funding to community-based and faith-based organizations to help prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 among communities of color in the cities and towns hardest hit by COVID. 

Twenty organizations are receiving grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Each receiving organization demonstrated deep engagement with their communities and understanding their needs, and a readiness to quickly implement their proposed projects. 

Awardees will engage in culturally appropriate community outreach, communication, and education, in the languages spoken in the communities they serve. 

Strategies include engaging youth peer leaders, trusted community leaders, and those with shared lived experience to increase the understanding of the impact of COVID 19 in their community. 

Another announcement from the administration included the expansion of the Abbott BinaxNOW testing program to include Massachusetts Long Term Care facilities. 

Under the program, Abbott BinaxNOW test kits can be used in Long Term Care facilities for the purpose of testing individuals entering the facility who are not regularly reporting staff. 

Those who test negative may be allowed to enter the facility, provided that they meet the screening criteria (e.g. are not exhibiting any COVID-19 like symptoms) and comply with other in-person visitation requirements such as wearing a mask and distancing.

COVID-19 Update

54 new cases

(Fall River, MA- November 20th, 2020)- 4,202 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River. We remain at 154 fatalities due to Covid-19.

(Fall River, MA- November 20th, 2020)- Mayor Paul Coogan would like to make residents
aware of the following changes to Government Center’s hours of operation for the week of
November 23rd.

? City Hall will close at noon on Wednesday, November 25th to allow for a deep cleaning
of the building.

? City Hall will be closed both Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th for the
Thanksgiving holiday

? The DPW Yard on Lewiston St will also be closed on Friday, November 27th.

On behalf of Mayor Coogan and his administration, we wish residents a Happy Thanksgiving
and remind them to follow public health guidelines including:

? Avoiding gathering with people outside of your household

? Limit indoor gatherings to no more than 10

? Wearing masks, frequent handwashing and adhere to more than 6 feet for social
distancing

? Reconsidering indoor Thanksgiving plans, especially with older or high-risk friends and
family

More information on Thanksgiving during Covid-19 can be found at:
https://www.mass.gov/news/thanksgiving-during-covid-19

MassDOT Advisory: Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

HOV lane opening early in afternoons: November 24 and November 25

Thursday: Registry customer service locations and state offices closed

MBTA service on November 26: no ferry, all other modes on Sunday schedules 

Logan Airport travelers advised to wear a face covering

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reminding members of the public to plan ahead for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday week, utilize the appropriate technology tools to make informed decisions, and be aware there may be limited public amenities on trips due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, travelers should pack essential items including face coverings, and, if visiting specific states, travelers will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon return to Massachusetts.

“As per the CDC’s strong recommendation, we are asking people not to travel for Thanksgiving because of Covid-19,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver, adding, “But if you must be on the roadway, you are advised to plan ahead, minimize stops, be aware of all out-of-state quarantine requirements, wear a face covering if you are traveling with someone not living in your household, and take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family.”

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has information about the pandemic and regulations pertaining to COVID-19, including the need to quarantine for 14 days when returning to Massachusetts after visiting specific states.

Information can be found at: www.mass.gov/coronavirus.

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its hours to be open from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 24, and from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 25. The HOV lane will be closed on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, and will resume normal operations on Monday, November 30.  Meanwhile, the Sumner Tunnel swing lane continues to remain suspended until further notice.

For information about MBTA schedules on Wednesday, November 25, and Thursday, November 26, please visit: www.mbta.com/holidays. Customers are reminded that face masks or face coverings are required while onboard MBTA vehicles and within the MBTA system. For more information and travel tips, please visit www.mbta.com/ridesafer. 

The public is reminded that Thursday, November 26, is a state holiday and among offices closed are those of the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Customer service centers which have been open during the pandemic will reopen by appointment only on Friday, November 27.

Meanwhile, AAA members may visit any AAA location by appointment for some Registry transactions and more than 40 Registry transactions can be done online: www.mass.gov/RMV.

Massport is expecting an increase in passengers at Boston Logan International Airport around the holiday. 

The Authority has taken a number of precautions at Logan International Airport in order to ensure passengers have a safe and healthy travel experience. These initiatives include:

•    Enhanced cleaning efforts, focusing on high-traffic touch points throughout the terminals, walkways, baggage and garage facilities;

•    Face coverings are now required for all passengers and visitors while at the airport;
•    There are a number of floor markers and signage in place to remind passengers to maintain social distancing;
•    Airline ticket counters and boarding areas, as well as concessions and TSA checkpoints all have touchless transactions;
•    All bathrooms are now equipped with touchless soap and water dispensers, and touchless hand sanitizer stations are located throughout each terminal;
•    Travelers departing from Logan should be aware of any travel restrictions at their destination; 
•    Travelers arriving at Logan Airport should be aware the Commonwealth is asking visitors to fill out an online travel form, to self-quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative coronavirus test. The online form and more information can be found here:

www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-travel-form 
•    Coronavirus testing is now available at Logan Airport’s Terminal E Arrivals area. The testing facility, known as XPresCheck, is offering a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nasal swab test, a blood antibody test, and will soon offer the rapid test.

Drivers are reminded that if transporting other people who are not in the immediate family, face coverings should be word by everyone in that vehicle.  For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use the following options to make decisions:

•    Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road. 
•    Visit www.mass511.com to view travel times, road construction, traffic alerts or crashes along a route. Incidents, road closures, lane closures, real-time live traffic cameras, and weather alerts/forecasts, can all be viewed on the interactive live Traffic Map.
•    Dial 511 from a landline or cell phone to hear information on current conditions on major roadways.
•    Register for a Mass511 account to create and personalize routes and alerts to be notified of events on those routes ahead of time.
•    Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to find out about impacts on traffic flow on major state highways.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation wishes all members of the public a safe and enjoyable holiday.
 

KENNEDY INTROS TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE RESOLUTION
 
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Joe Kennedy III today introduced a resolution commemorating International Transgender Day of Remembrance and honoring at least thirty-seven transgender or gender non-conforming people who have been killed in the United States already this year.

This morning, Kennedy read the names of all thirty-seven transgender or gender non-conforming individuals on the House Floor in memoriam.

As Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus’s Transgender Equality Task Force, Kennedy has led the Congressional response to the Trump Administration’s attacks on transgender Americans.

“Equality for transgender Americans demands a nation where no one lives in fear of being targeted and murdered because of who they are. Just this year alone, we have lost at least thirty-seven beautiful transgender or gender non-conforming human beings to unacceptable bigotry and violence.

On this International Transgender Day of Remembrance, we raise our unified voice to say ‘enough’ and match our words with action to bring peace to all transgender people in the United States and around the world.”

To read Kennedy’s resolution, please click here. His resolution is cosponsored by Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Deb Haaland (NM-01), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Dina Titus (NV-01), Darren Soto (FL-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Tony Cárdenas (CA-29),  Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Dan Kildee (MI-06), Grace Meng (NY-06), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), and Stephen Lynch (MA-08).
 
Kennedy serves as chairman of the Congressional Transgender Equality Task Force.

Following the Supreme Court Hobby Lobby decision, he introduced the Do No Harm Act with Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), which would amend the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to preserve civil rights. In 2018, Kennedy led nearly 100 colleagues demanding the rejection of a proposed policy by the Department of Health and Human Services to redefine “sex” to exclude the transgender community and deny them basic civil rights protections. He has been a proud co-sponsor of major equality legislation, from the Equality Act to the Global Respect Act to the Student Non-Discrimination Act.
 

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker along with six other regional neighboring Governors announced they will encourage residential colleges and universities in their respective states to provide testing for all students traveling home for Thanksgiving. 

Any student who tests positive will be encouraged to isolate on campus before they can travel or detail arrangements of their safe travel home with the local department of health. 

These efforts will help mitigate the threat of college students returning home for the holidays importing COVID-19 into their communities. In addition, colleges should inform students and their families of relevant quarantine policies in their home state.  

“The region is experiencing a surge in COVID cases and a surge in the serious health impacts this disease brings with it,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Working together on travel and higher education policies like these, states can have a bigger impact on COVID spread as students travel for the holidays.” 

“Gathering with friends and family significantly increases the risk of spreading the virus and while testing and isolation guidelines can help slow the spread, it is up to everyone to wear a mask and avoid gathering indoors with people outside of your household.” 

The combination of rising cases across the country – including in the northeast – due to increased transmission of COVID in small, residential settings and Thanksgiving travel has created the perfect storm for viral spread. 

If people proceed with celebrations in small gatherings outside of their immediate families, they risk generating a dramatic spike in cases after Thanksgiving. 

All Governors are urging their residents to stay home and celebrate small this year in an effort to help eliminate the risk of unchecked COVID-19 spread in the coming weeks.  

“As our COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to rise, it’s critical that we come together as a region to slow the spread and keep our constituents safe,” said Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “We all need to be more vigilant about keeping our circles small and our masks on.” 

“At the same time we’re continuing to ramp up asymptomatic testing across-the-board,” she continued. “This collaborative approach among Northeastern states will help us flatten the curve and contain spread over the Thanksgiving holiday.” 

Raimondo and Baker will be joining the governors in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Pennsylvania in this effort developing guidance over the weekend at an emergency summit of northeastern governors. 

The group of leaders also emphasized the importance of in-person education. Medical research as well as the data from northeastern states, from across the country, and from around the world make clear that in-person learning is safe when the appropriate protections are in place, even in communities with high transmission rates. 

In-person learning is the best possible scenario for children, especially those with special needs and from low-income families. There is also growing evidence that the more time children spend outside of school increases the risk of mental health harm and affects their ability to truly learn. 

In order to stop college-related travel spreading COVID, colleges and universities in New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania will be encouraged to make testing available to all students before they leave for Thanksgiving break and inform students and their families of states’ quarantine requirements. 

Any student who tests positive before they leave should be permitted to isolate on campus, or may travel safely with the approval of the local departments of health. 

Students who are already isolating or quarantining on campus must remain in place until completing their prescribed seclusion.   

In addition, the Governors are strongly recommending that colleges and universities finish their fall semesters by expanding remote instruction, enabling more students to learn from home for the few weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break rather than require students to travel back to campus and then back home again in December.

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito Issue Statements on Confirmation of Justice Kimberly Budd to Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito released the following statements on the Governor’s Council’s unanimous confirmation of Justice Kimberly Budd as Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court:

“Justice Kimberly Budd is an exceptional and dignified jurist that has served on the Supreme Judicial Court with fairness and integrity and I have the utmost confidence that she will now lead the Commonwealth’s highest court and all those that come before it with grace and impartiality,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am honored to congratulate Justice Budd on her unanimous confirmation, and am grateful to the members of the Governor’s Council for their diligence in considering and approving her appointment.”

“I am proud to congratulate Justice Kimberly Budd on her unanimous confirmation to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and am confident that as Chief Justice, her unique lens and perspective will ensure every voice is heard as the Court hears important and complex cases,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I thank my colleagues on the Governor’s Council for their advice and consent in this process and appreciate their time and commitment.”
 

MassDOT Advisory:  Fall River

Glare Screen Replacement Operations on Median Barrier on I-195 between Route 24 and the Braga Bridge
Starting Sunday evening, February 22

Work will be conducted during the overnight hours Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from 8 p.m. each night to 4 a.m. the following morning

FALL RIVER - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that it will be replacing missing glare screen panels on the median barrier located on I-195 between Route 24 and the Braga Bridge in Fall River.

 The work will take place nightly starting Sunday, November 22, at 8 p.m. and through 4 a.m. Monday, and then in overnight hours again Monday night into Tuesday morning and then Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.   It is anticipated that the work will be completed in three nights.

The work will require the temporary closure of the high speed lanes in both directions.  Two lanes of travel will remain open in each direction at all times.  Standard traffic management plans will be utilized along with police details, as needed.

Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. 
 All scheduled work is weather dependent and/or may be impacted due to an emergency situation. 
 

The Fall River City Council has approved spending $250,000 in Free Cash on five new vehicles for the Fall River Police Department during their final regular meeting for November. 

The FRPD will have all five cars fully equipped upon delivery, as they were ordered in advance of Council Approval. 

Some $86,000 in Special Events funding for items that never happened as a result of the ongoing pandemic remain in the budget. 

-The Fall River City Council has set the 2021 Tax Shift at 1.75 by a vote Tuesday Night of 9-0 in the affirmative. 

Municipal CFO Mary Sahady indicated the Coogan Administration wanted the shift to 1.75

Residential taxes in Fall River will go up on the average residential property by $116. 

Fall River Assessor Richard Gonsalves indicated that Fall River is becoming a growth market in terms of residential housing, with South Coast Rail due to arrive in 2023. 

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council Removes Indicted Chairman

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council on Friday removed Cedric Cromwell as its chairman, an action that came hours after Cromwell was arrested and indicted on federal bribery and extortion charges.

Cromwell pleaded not guilty Friday to bribery, extortion and conspiracy charges that federal prosecutors said stem from a self-enrichment scheme related to the tribe's years-long quest to build a $1 billion resort casino in Taunton.

During an emergency Tribal Council meeting on Friday afternoon, leaders unanimously approved a motion to remove Cromwell as chairman, Council Vice Chair Jessie "Little Doe" Baird said. "We take the charges brought against Cedric Cromwell very seriously, alleging that he used his position at the Tribe to 'enrich himself by extorting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes.' We will continue to cooperate with the government in this matter," Baird said. "The Tribe's focus remains on ensuring that our land remains in trust and supporting our tribal sovereignty." Cromwell has led the tribal government as chairman since 2009 and was also the head of the tribe's Gaming Authority.

The tribe broke ground on its planned $1 billion First Light Resort and Casino in Taunton in 2016 after the Obama administration took the land into trust for the tribe and had hoped to welcome gamblers in 2017.

But the Trump administration has worked since 2017 to undo the land-in-trust designation and the dispute threw the brakes on the casino project.

Trump's Department of the Interior ordered the tribe's land be taken out of trust status in March 2020, putting the sovereignty of the tribe's 321 acres of reservation land in Mashpee and Taunton in question. The tribe has been fighting that order through federal courts. - Colin A. Young/SHNS
 

COVID-19 Update

41 new cases
2 new fatalities

(Fall River, MA- November 17, 2020)- 3,917 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River.
Regretfully we were notified of 2 fatalities, bringing us to 151 in total. The Fall River Health Department
is in contact with the individuals who have tested positive as well as their contacts.

We continue to
encourage residents to practice social distancing.

This means keeping a distance of 6ft between
individuals. Continue to wash your hands on a regular basis, clean and disinfect frequently touched
surfaces, and stay home as much as possible, especially when you are sick, and wear a face covering
when out in public

. These measures will help to limit the spread of COVID-19.
 

Justice Department Alleges Conditions at Massachusetts Department of Correction Violate the Constitution

BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division have concluded an investigation into conditions at the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MDOC) and found reason to believe that the conditions violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

The Department determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that the MDOC fails to provide constitutionally adequate supervision to prisoners in mental health crisis; fails to provide adequate mental health care to prisoners in mental health crisis; and violates the constitutional rights of prisoners in mental health crisis by using prolonged mental health watch under restrictive housing conditions.

As a result of these failures and conditions, prisoners in mental health crisis have engaged in self-harm and have died or seriously injured themselves while on mental health watch.

As required by the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), the Department provided the MDOC with written notice of the supporting facts for these alleged conditions and the minimum remedial measures necessary to address them.  The Department is closing the portion of the investigation related to restrictive housing and geriatric and palliative care.

“Our investigation found cause to conclude that the Massachusetts Department of Corrections fails to properly supervise and accommodate prisoners suffering from serious mental health issues,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “The conditions at MDOC facilities show how systemic deficiencies in prison facilities can compound each other and amount to constitutional violations. MDOC has cooperated with our investigation from the beginning and we look forward to working with state prison authorities to implement reform measures.”

“Our investigation revealed that MDOC fails to provide adequate mental health treatment to prisoners experiencing a mental health crisis and instead exposes them to conditions that harm them or place them at serious risk of harm,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division.  “Remedying these deficiencies promptly will ensure that we protect the constitutional rights of these vulnerable prisoners and promote public safety.”

The Department’s comprehensive investigation involved review and analysis of documents, including policies and procedures, mental health records, incident reports, investigative reports, disciplinary reports and training materials. The Department also conducted tours of prison facilities and conducted interviews of administrative staff, security staff, mental health staff and hundreds of prisoners. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division initiated the investigation in October 2018 under the CRIPA, which authorizes the Department to take action to address a pattern or practice of deprivation of constitutional rights of individuals confined to state or local government-run correctional facilities.

Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office by phone at 888-221-6023 or via email at community.madoc@usdoj.gov.  

Mayor Coogan to Air Informal State of the City Address on
November 23rd

(Fall River, MA- November 17th, 2020)- Although the typical State of the City occurs earlier
in the year, Mayor Coogan will be working with Fall River Government TV to air an informal
State of the City address.

The speech, containing updates and plans for the remainder of the
Mayor’s term, will be recorded without an audience and aired Monday, November 23rd at 7pm

It can be watched on FRGTV Channel 18 as well as live on their Facebook page. Following
Monday’s initial viewing, it will be available on demand via the FRGTV YouTube.

“The State of the City is an important rite of passage for a Mayor, and it is a tradition that
I unfortunately had to miss out on in March,” remarked Mayor Coogan. “Despite the delay and
the unusual way we have had to prepare this year’s address, I believe it is more important than
ever to communicate with Fall River residents. I am committed to leading my administration
with transparency and honesty, and I hope that residents will join as we reflect on this difficult
year and look forward to Fall River’s future.”

The Baker-Polito Administration announced that a field hospital will be stood up at the DCU Center in Worcester as the Commonwealth prepares additional capacity for COVID-19 patients. 

This site will be built by the National Guard and is the first field hospital to re-open in the state since June.

“The Commonwealth continues to see an alarming rise in cases and hospitalizations for COVID-19 and we are acting now to expand hospital capacity,” said Governor Charlie Baker. 

“All residents are urged to follow guidance to wear masks, stay home at night and stop gathering,” he continued.  

The plan to re-establish the field hospital in Worcester was activated this week and is expected to be available for patients in the first week of December if needed and additional locations will be added in other regions if necessary. 

No further changes or restrictions to regular hospital services in Massachusetts are being implemented at this time.

“We are preparing our hospital system to add more beds and stand up our first field hospital to care for COVID-19 patients if these trends continue,” Governor Baker said. “We will keep working with our healthcare system to monitor capacity and will be prepared to open more locations if needed.”

State officials have closely monitored several metrics and note that hospitalizations since Labor Day have increased from 178 to 661. 

While the hospital system manages the current demand for COVID and non-COVID care, the DCU site will provide approximately 240 additional beds to care for lower-acuity COVID-19 patients, helping preserve hospital system capacity for higher-risk patients diagnosed with COVID-19 or other serious health conditions.

“Since Day One of our response to this crisis, we have worked to ensure that our hospitals and health care providers have the resources they need to meet the acute care health needs of our residents,” said EOHHS Secretary Marylou Sudders, the COVID-19 Command Center Director. 

“We are in a much better position to respond to what will be a difficult next few months, and the early re-opening of this field hospital is based on the data we see is the right action to take at this time," she continued.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will coordinate the logistics of the DCU Center field hospital, in close collaboration with the Command Center, City of Worcester, and UMass Memorial Health Care, which will again lead all clinical, day-to-day, operations.

“The Commonwealth’s forward planning and ability to stand up this Alternate Care Site with our partners is a direct result of lessons learned and our experience during the first wave of the pandemic,” said MEMA Director Samantha Phillips. "We hope that we won't need all of these overflow beds, but if we do, they’ll be ready.”

The DCU Center was the first of five field hospitals constructed by the Commonwealth during the response to the springtime surge of COVID-19 cases. From early April until late May, when it was de-mobilized, the DCU site served 161 patients. 

In total, the DCU and the Boston Hope field hospitals cared for more than 570 hospital patients during the first pandemic surge. 

“This is the right thing to do and at the right time,” said Eric W. Dickson, MD, President and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care. “The field hospital was an enormous asset for Central Massachusetts hospitals during the spring surge.” 

“I believe it can serve an even greater purpose today because we have learned so much more about the virus and caring for COVID-19 patients since then,” he continued. “Our team is ready to deploy and to assist the state’s hospitals.”

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission Releases October 2020 Gross Gaming Revenue for Plainridge Park Casino, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor
                                                                                                                 
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported today that the month of October 2020 at Plainridge Park Casino (PPC), MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor generated approximately $69 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).

The results reported today reflect the second full month of GGR collected after casinos were permitted to reopen in Phase 3 of the Commonwealth’s phased reopening.

The three licensees collected approximately 88% of gross gaming revenue on approximately 50 percent of the gaming positions available, as compared to October 2019.

PPC, a category 2 slots facility, is taxed on 49% of GGR. Of that total taxed amount, 82% is paid to Local Aid and 18% is allotted to the Race Horse Development Fund. MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor, category 1 resort-casinos, are taxed on 25% of GGR; those monies are allocated to several specific state funds as determined by the gaming statute. 

To date, the Commonwealth has collected approximately $655 million in total taxes and assessments from PPC, MGM and Encore since the respective openings of each gaming facility.  

View comprehensive revenue reports for each gaming licensee here. MGC issues monthly revenue reports on the 15th of each month or next business day. 

City of Fall River to Provide Outdoor Heaters for Local Restaurants

(Fall River, MA- November 13th, 2020)- In September, the City of Fall River was awarded
funding through the Massachusetts Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program.

This funding was
used to create an outdoor dining patio at Thyme Blossom on Purchase Street and to aid the City
of Fall River in the purchase of outdoor space heaters for use in outdoor dining.

Around 30
heaters were purchased by the City with the intent to distribute them to local restaurants.
National shortages and backorders for these heaters delayed their arrival, but they are now in the
City’s possession, assembled and ready to be distributed.

Restaurants in the City of Fall River who have outdoor dining capabilities are invited to contact
the City of Fall River to reserve the rental of space heaters. These space heaters will be
allocated to restaurants on a first come, first served basis at no cost to the restaurant.

To
reserve heaters, restaurants should contact Director of Facilities Maintenance, Chris Gallagher at
508-922-6715 or 508-324-2226.,

Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and Owner of Architecture Firm Indicted for Bribery and Extortion

Bribes included $54,000, a Bowflex home gym and a suite at a Boston hotel

BOSTON – The Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the owner of an architecture firm were arrested today and charged in connection with a bribery scheme involving plans to build a resort and casino in Taunton. 

Cedric Cromwell, 55, of Attleboro, the Chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, and David DeQuattro, 54, of Warwick, R.I., were each indicted on two counts of accepting or paying bribes as an agent (or to an agent) of an Indian tribal government and one count of conspiring to commit bribery. Cromwell was also indicted on four counts of extortion under color of official right and one count of conspiring to commit extortion. The defendants will make initial appearances via videoconference this afternoon.

“The charges allege that Mr. Cromwell violated the trust he owed the Mashpee Wampanog Tribe by committing extortion, accepting bribes and otherwise abusing his position,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Many American Indians face a host of difficult financial and social issues. They require - and deserve - real leadership. But it appears that Cromwell’s priority was not to serve his people, but to line his own pockets. We will continue to aggressively investigate public corruption, including by those who purport to serve our American Indian tribes.”  

“Instead of working honestly on behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoags as their duly elected representative, Cedric Cromwell is accused of using his position as Chairman of the Tribe to enrich himself by extorting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes and engaging in a conspiracy with David DeQuattro to commit bribery. These allegations are extremely troubling and indicate a disdain for the rule of law,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Both men’s alleged actions undercut the efforts of hard-working tribe members and betrayed their trust.  Cases like this fuel our commitment to rooting out public corruption, and as our investigation continues, we urge anyone with information to contact us.”

According to the indictment, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s Gaming Authority, led by Cromwell, contracted with an architecture-and-design company, owned by DeQuattro, in connection with the Tribe’s plans to build a resort and casino in Taunton. Between approximately July 26, 2014 and May 18, 2017, the architecture firm, through DeQuattro, provided Cromwell with a stream of payments and in-kind benefits valued at $57,549, and, in exchange, the architecture firm was paid approximately $4,966,287 under its contract with the Gaming Authority.

It is alleged that the payments to Cromwell included $44,000 in personal checks written by DeQuattro to CM International Consulting LLC, an entity owned by a friend of Cromwell. Cromwell directed his friend to deposit DeQuattro’s checks and use the funds to buy treasurer’s checks payable to either Cromwell or a shell entity that Cromwell had incorporated called One Nation Development.

DeQuattro also wrote one $10,000 personal check directly to One Nation Development. The indictment alleges that Cromwell spent all of the money on personal expenses, including payments to his mistress. The president of the architecture firm authorized and signed company checks reimbursing DeQuattro for his payments to Cromwell, falsely characterizing the reimbursements as payroll expenses to conceal what they really were.

The alleged in-kind benefits included a used Bowflex Revolution home gym that DeQuattro and the architecture company’s president bought for Cromwell and had delivered to his home. They also agreed to pay for Cromwell’s weekend stay at a Boston hotel after Cromwell texted that he wanted DeQuattro to “get me a nice hotel room at the Four Seasons or a suite at the Seaport Hotel” for his birthday weekend, adding, “I am going to have a special guest with me.”

The charge of paying a bribe to an agent of an Indian tribal government, or being an agent of an Indian tribal government who accepts a bribe, provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

The charge of conspiring to commit bribery provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000

. The charges of extortion under color of official right and conspiring to commit extortion each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Re-establishment of a 
Field Hospital at the DCU Center in Worcester 
 
BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that the first field hospital will be stood up at the DCU Center in Worcester as the Commonwealth prepares additional capacity for COVID-19 patients. This site will be built by the National Guard and is the first field hospital to re-open in the state since June.
 

COVID-19 Update
125 new cases
2 new fatalities
(Fall River, MA- November 13, 2020)- 3,624 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River.
Regretfully we were notified of 2 fatalities, bringing us to 143 in total

In response to recent coronavirus outbreaks associated with the conduct of interstate youth hockey activities, a group of seven governors including Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, will support a regional approach to interstate competitions.

The seven states involved will suspend interstate competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey effective this Saturday, November 14, 2020 through at least December 31, 2020. 

The other stakeholders involved include New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Maine Governor Janet Mills, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Vermont Governor Phil Scott, and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.

As case numbers increase in many states across the country, it is critical that neighboring states coordinate a regional approach to limit further community spread of the virus. 

The prohibition will not impact interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions.

As public health data continues to evolve, the states will reassess the need for continued restrictions on interstate sports activities.

COVID-19 Update

191 new cases over Saturday, Sunday and Monday

47 Monday
78 Sunday
66 Saturday

(Fall River, MA- November 9, 2020)- As of today, 3,230 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall
River. We remain at 140 deaths due to Covid-19.

In a tweet Monday Night, Boston Globe Patriots Beat Writer Ben Volin indicated that the Patriots will not allow ticket holders inside Gillette Stadium in what remains of the 2020 NFL season. 

The Patriots had requested permission to allow at least 11% capacity; The Baker Administration asked that the Patriots put their request on hold. 

The Red Sox played before an empty Fenway Park this summer. 

The NFL will allow 20% capacity at the site of the Super Bowl in 2021. 

The Baker-Polito Administration and COVID-19 Command Center released updated metrics for schools and municipalities. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education also released updated school guidance.

The updated metrics for communities will give school districts more data to make informed decisions regarding in-person learning. Local officials have also used these metrics to make decisions for schools and businesses in their communities.

The updated metrics adjust for the reporting of cases by a municipality’s population size. These metrics incorporate cases per 100,000 residents and the test positivity rate when determining a municipality color designation.

Using one metric to determine school reopenings community by community does not reflect the state’s current understanding of the virus in the Commonwealth that there is more transmission across the Commonwealth due to increased cases of COVID-19.

The Command Center has also been reviewing metrics used by other states as well as what is available in the academic and national data sets. This updated metric also will better account for communities that conduct a significant amount of testing.

This metric will continue to be used to determine whether a community is in Step 1 of Phase 3 or Step 2. Communities currently in Step 1 of Phase 3 will need to have 3 weeks of data where the community is designated yellow, green or grey in order to move to Step 2 of Phase 3.

Under the new methodology, the color coded designations are: 16 red communities, 91 yellow communities, 79 green communities, and 165 grey communities based on this week’s data.

If the population is under 10,000 it will be in the grey for less than or equal to 10 total cases; green if there is less than or equal to 15 total cases; yellow if there less than or equal to 25 total cases; red if there are more than 25 total cases. 

If the population is between 10,000 and 50,000 a grey designation would be earned by less than or equal to 10 total cases; green would be earned by having more than 10 average cases per 100,000 and less than 10 total cases; yellow and red will be earned if there are 10 cases on average per 100,000 or a 5% positivity rate.

If the population is over 50,000, you’ll fall under the grey umbrella at less than or qual to 15 total cases; green if you average more than 10 cases per 100,000 as well as having less than 15 total cases; yellow or red would be earned at less than or equal to 10 cases on average per 100,000 or a 4% positivity rate.

In coordination with this data metric update, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has issued updated guidance to prioritize in-person learning statewide and support municipalities.

Under this guidance, districts and schools in communities designated gray, green or yellow are expected to have students learning fully in-person when possible.

The guidance states that schools in red communities should implement hybrid models while maximizing in-person learning for high-needs students.

In communities with the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases, DESE and DPH will work with local school officials to develop and implement risk reduction strategies.

Fully remote instructional models should be implemented only as a last resort, and classrooms should reopen after appropriate mitigation strategies have been implemented.

This update replaces previous guidance, Interpreting DPH COVID-19 Health Metrics, issued on August 11, and structured learning time requirements for students and related regulatory and statutory standards remain in effect for all districts.

The Major Crimes Division for the Fall River Police Department continue to investigate a pair of shooting incidents that happened Sunday Night. 

The first happened just after 9pm when FRPD Patrol Units responded to a Lafayette Street address for a report of

gunfire. 

FRPD Officers found six spent shell casings and one live round. 

A parked vehicle in front of the Lafayeet Address sustained damage from gunfire. 

Six minutes after the first call FFRPD unit were summoned to the 100 Block ofTremont Street in Fall River, where officers found 4 spent shell casings, over 20 live rounds of Ammo and a 32 round clip on the ground. 

Fired Rounds entered a second-floor window of a nearby home. 

AAA: Massachusetts Gas Prices Down One Cent

Westwood, M.A., November 9, 2020 — Massachusetts’s average gas price is down 1 cent from last week ($2.08), averaging $2.07 per gallon. Today’s price is the 4 cents lower than a month ago ($2.11), and 49 cents cheaper than November 9, 2019 ($2.56).

Massachusetts’s average gas price is 4 cents lower than the national average.

“As some states increase travel restrictions and others roll back reopening processes, demand is positioned to weaken, though not likely drop as low as we saw in March and April,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “That translates to a continuation of cheaper gas prices at the pump.”

Among the items that have developed in the aftermath of the Tuesday General Election 

Susan Collins has been declared the winner in the Maine Senate Race. 

CNN Has projected Wisconsin for Joe Biden. 

President Trump has indicated this afternoon that he will seek a recount of the Wisconsin Presidential Ballots. 

President Trump was censored by Twitter, after a Tweet in which he claimed ''They are working hard to make up 500,000 vote advantage in Pennsylvania disappear--ASAP.  Likewise, Michigan and others''.

Governor Charlie Baker has nominated Associate Justice of the Appeals Court, Dalila Argaez Wendlandt, to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Judicial Court.

The nominee and her family joined Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito for a formal announcement on Election Day at the State House. If confirmed, Justice Wendlandt will be the first Hispanic person to join the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

“Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt is an intelligent and hard-working jurist whose attitude and determination will serve her and all those that come before her on the Court well,” said Governor Baker. “Her knowledge of the law and unique professional background will be a much needed asset to the Supreme Judicial Court and I look forward to her confirmation.”

The Supreme Judicial Court is the Commonwealth's highest appellate court, consisting of the Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. 

The seven Justices hear appeals on a broad range of criminal and civil cases from September through May and issue written opinions that are posted online.

“First as an engineer and then as an attorney, Justice Wendlandt has chosen careers where women are underrepresented and is a role model for women and girls across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Polito. 

“She will bring a voice to the judiciary that we need now more than ever and I look forward to the consideration of the Governor’s Council in her appointment,” the Lieutenant Governor continued.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that it will be conducting overnight inspection operations on the bridge structure that carries vehicular traffic from Interstate 195 westbound to Route 79/138 northbound.

The work is scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 5, beginning at 9:00 p.m. and concluding Friday morning by 5:00 a.m. The work is expected to be completed in one night.

The inspection operations will require the closure of the ramp with traffic being detoured onto Central Street where motorists can take a right onto Route 79/138 northbound. 

Traffic management will include standard set-ups and control measures and police details.  

Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. 

All scheduled work is weather dependent and/or may be impacted due to an emergency. 

Governor Charlie Baker today nominated Associate Justice of the Appeals Court, Dalila Argaez Wendlandt, to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Judicial Court.

The nominee and her family joined Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito for a formal announcement today at the State House

. If confirmed, Justice Wendlandt will be the first Hispanic person to join the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have acquired WR Isaiah Ford in a trade with the Miami Dolphins for an undisclosed draft pick and claimed DT Isaiah Mack off waivers from the Tennessee Titans. In addition, the Patriots placed rookie TE Devin Asiasi on injured reserve.

Ford, 24, originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick (237th overall) by Miami out of Virginia Tech in the 2017 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-2, 201-pounder has played in 16 career games and has 41 receptions for 428 yards.

After spending his rookie season in 2017 on injured reserve, Ford split his time between the practice squad and the 53-man roster in 2018 and 2019.

He played in seven games with Miami in 2020 and recorded 18 receptions for 184 yards.

Mack, 24, was signed by Tennessee as a rookie free agent on May 10, 2019, out of Chattanooga.

The 6-foot-1, 299-pounder appeared in 13 games with one start as a rookie and registered 11 total tackles, 1 ½ sacks, and one fumble recovery. He was inactive for all three of Tennessee's postseason games last year. Mack played in six games for Tennessee in 2020 and recorded two tackles.

He was released by Tennessee on Nov. 2.

Taunton Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating a homicide, which occurred this afternoon in the City of Taunton.

At 3:57 pm today, Taunton Police responded to 23 Myrtle Street for a report of a shooting.  When first responders arrived on scene, they located the victim outside the home, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  The victim was rushed to Morton Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The victim has been positively identified as Jean Carlos Lopez, 30, who was living at the Myrtle Street home.

Norton City Council Member Jake Auchencloss won the Massachusetts Fourth District Congressional Seat on Tuesday, in a resounding win over Republican Julie Hall, as the Democratic Nominee secured 66 percent to 34 percent. 

Ninth District Congressional veteran Bill Keating dispatched a pair of opponents by securing 61% of the vote on Tuesday. 

Bristol Eighth District State Rep Paul Schmid earned another two year term on Beacon Hill Tuesday, defeating Republican Challenger Evan Gendreu by a margin of 7811 to 5678. 

Massachusetts Question One on Right to Repair secured 75 percent of the vote in the affirmative, while Question Two regarding Ranked Choice Voting lost by a margin of 54% No  to 45% Yes. 

Races for Bristol County Commissioner and Bristol Register of Probate will be decided later this week. 

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey secured a third term with a resounding win Tuesday, dispatching Republican Attorney Kenneth O' Conner by a margin of 66 to 33 percent. 

Control of the U-S Senate in the new Congress has yet to be determined, as Democrats lost a Senate Seat in Alabama, but flipped one in Colorado.

Voters in Westport on Tuesday approved Ballot Question Three which secured a Debt Exclusion approval that will cost Westport taxpayers betwen six and eight dollars per $100,000 property valuation, in order to replace the roof on the Westport Elementary School.