WSAR NEWS Archives for 2020-12

The 31 December 2020 Fall River COVID 19 Numbers

COVID-19 Update


140 new cases
2 new fatalities


TESS CURRAN MPH
Director of Health & Human Services


(Fall River, MA- December 30, 2020)- 7,924 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River. We
are now at 225 fatalities.

Zdeno We Hardly Knew Ye

After a distinguished career on Garden Ice, Bruins Defenseman Zdeno Chara signed a one year deal with the Washington Capitals, according to The Athletic,com

 

Chara signed for just under $800,000 .

 

In a post on his Instagram, Chara indicated the Bruins wanted to go in a different direction and he understood the decision. 

 

Chara played with a broken jaw during a Stanley Cup Final Series in 2019. 

 

The Bruins now must elect a new Captain, as Chara has worn the ''C'' for close to a decade. 

The New Exit Signage is Coming

MassDOT Advisory: Week of January 3
 
Federally required statewide exit renumbering begins on 
Interstate 295 and Route 24


BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that the installation of new milepost-based signs for exits on Interstate 295, from North Attleboro to Attleboro, will begin on Sunday, January 3.

 

The work is anticipated to be completed in two days. In addition, new exit signs are scheduled to be installed along Route 24, from Randolph to Fall River, beginning on Tuesday, January 5. Work along this corridor is anticipated to be completed in three weeks. 

 

The milepost sign installation operations will take place on each corridor in the east to west or north to south direction, and will be conducted nightly during overnight hours from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following day.

 

MassDOT’s Statewide Exit Renumbering Project is converting all exit numbers on roadways, per Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements. Previous to this project, interstates and major roadways in Massachusetts have always utilized a sequential exit numbering method. 

 

All work is weather dependent and construction dates may be adjusted as conditions warrant. 
 

Paid Family and Medical Leave Underway in MA

Paid Family and Medical Leave Benefit Program Launches For Eligible Workers in Massachusetts
 
BOSTON - The Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) today announced that workers eligible for Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) may begin filing certain benefit requests on January 1, 2021, in accordance with legislation enacted <https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-signs-grand-bargain-legislation> in 2018. 


PFML provides temporary income replacement to eligible workers.

 Starting January 1, 2021, workers can apply for leave for welcoming a new child into their family, for their own serious health condition, and for certain military considerations. Starting July 1, 2021, workers can apply for leave to care for an ill or ailing relative.  

 

The program, which is offered separately from the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and any employer-offered leave, provides up to 20 weeks of paid leave per benefit year to manage a serious personal health condition, up to 12 weeks to care for a family member or to bond with a child, and up to 26 weeks to care for a family member who is a member of the armed service.  

 

Beginning January 1, 2021, Massachusetts workers can apply for: 

 

·    Medical leave due to their own serious health condition. Workers may take up to 20 weeks per year of paid leave to manage a serious health condition <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/paid-family-and-medical-leave-pfml-benefits-guide>.  

 

·    Family leave to bond with a child. Family leave can be taken by a parent or legal guardian to bond with a child during the first 12 months after the child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Eligibility for family leave used for bonding with a child is limited to the child’s parents or legal guardians, although certain other family members may be eligible to take family leave for caring for a child that has a serious medical condition. Workers who are parents or legal guardians may take up to 12 weeks of family leave to bond with a child. The annual 12-week maximum remains the same even if multiple childbirths, adoptions, or foster care placements occur in the same year.  

 

·    Family leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition that relates to military service. Workers may take up to 26 weeks of family leave per year to care for a family member who is a current member of the Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and who is: 

 

·    Undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy for a serious health condition that was received or aggravated while the patient was deployed in a foreign country. 

 

·    Being treated as an outpatient for a serious health condition that was received or aggravated while they were deployed in a foreign country. 

 

·    On the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness that happened while deployed in a foreign country. 

 

·    On the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness that existed before the beginning of the member's active duty and was aggravated by service while deployed in a foreign country. 

 

·    Family leave to manage any needs that occur immediately after a family member is deployed in a foreign country or has been notified of an upcoming deployment in a foreign country. Workers may take up to 12 weeks of family leave per year to manage needs which may include: 

 

·    Caring for a deployed family member’s child or other family member immediately before their deployment. 
·    Making financial or legal arrangements for deployed family member. 
·    Attending counseling. 
·    Attending military events or ceremonies. 
·    Spending time with a deployed family member during a rest or recuperation period. 
·    Spending time with a family member when they return from deployment. 
·    Making necessary arrangements following the death of a family member who had been deployed. 

Beginning July 1, 2021 Massachusetts workers can apply for: 

 

·    Care for a family member with a serious health condition. Workers may take up to 12 weeks of family leave per year to care for a family member with a serious health condition <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/paid-family-and-medical-leave-pfml-benefits-guide>. For the purposes of family leave used to care for a family member, family members include spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, grandchildren, grandparents or siblings; spouses’ or domestic partners’ parents; and guardians who legally acted as a parent when the worker is a minor.  Workers can take paid family leave to care for a family member with a serious health condition regardless of where the family member resides. 


How to Apply for Paid Family and Medical Leave at paidleave.mass.gov <https://paidleave.mass.gov/> 
Timing 

 

Workers should give their employers at least 30 days notice before beginning their application for paid leave. Applications for future paid leave may be made up to 60 calendar days in advance of the anticipated start date. Unplanned leave due to an emergency can be applied for retroactively up to 90 calendar days after a worker has taken time off from the job. Workers should make every effort to schedule their leave for a time that will not disrupt the employer’s business.  

 

Documentation 


Workers will need to provide or fill out the following documents as part of the leave application process: 
·    Proof of Identity <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/identity-proof-for-paid-leave>. This is to double-check that worker is eligible, and make sure the benefits are sent to the correct person.  

 

·    Certification of a Serious Health Condition form <https://www.mass.gov/how-to/download-a-certification-of-a-serious-health-condition-form>. This may be done in conjunction with a worker’s healthcare provider. Workers applying for family leave to bond with a child, or family leave to manage family affairs when a family member is deployed in a foreign country, do not need to fill out a Certification of a Serious Health Condition form. 

 

·    Current employer’s Federal Employment Identification Number (FEIN) <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/finding-your-employers-employer-identification-number-ein> 


·    A date when the worker informed the employer that he or she planned to apply for and take family or medical leave. (Workers filing for paid leave from multiple employers will need to fill out a separate application for each individual employer). 

 

Benefit and Claim Information 
Workers may not be paid wages or salary or use paid sick or vacation time or other earned time off that covers the same period for which the worker receives PFML benefits. Additionally, the amount a worker receives in paid leave benefits and the total amount of leave he or she is eligible for may be reduced by any wage replacement or disability program <https://www.mass.gov/info-details/paid-family-and-medical-leave-pfml-benefit-reductions> the worker is enrolled in or has used in the past, either through the government or through the employer. These include:  


·    Unemployment insurance. 
·    Worker’s compensation. 
·    Social security. 
·    Temporary disability or paid family and medical leave benefits. 
Claim to Payment Estimated Timeline 
·    Worker completes Application on DFML website (20 minutes-1 hour).  

                           
·    Employer responds to DFML’s Request for Information (1-10 business days). (It is in the worker’s best interest to let the employer know that he or she is completing the application because it may speed up the process.) Employers have 10 business days to respond but may respond sooner.   


·    DFML reviews Application and makes claim determination (7-14 calendar days). Timelines are subject to the volume of claims received.

 
·    DFML issues Payment to Worker (8-10 days after application review). It takes 3-5 days for the vendor to be established in MMARs for the first payment, then another 5 days for the payment to be received. Timelines may differ based on the payment method selected by the applicant. Direct deposit is the quickest payment option.   
Employer participation in the claim approval process is important to ensure DFML has accurate and complete information about the application. Employers may recommend to the DFML that a claim be rejected if an employee has already used the maximum amount of leave for the year or that information from the claim is missing, incorrect or fraudulent. Employers may not recommend a claim be denied because of budgetary, timing, or other circumstantial reasons.   


For more information about eligibility, benefits, and how to apply, go to mass.gov/pfml <https://www.mass.gov/pfml>. For multi-lingual support or if you have specific questions, call the PFML Contact Center at 1(833)344-7365. 
 
### 

MA RMV Issue New Guidelines on Renewals and Other Transactions

Massachusetts RMV to Continue Designated Service Hours for Customers 75 Years of Age or Older into January

 

Last credential deadline extensions expiring December 31st for most customers

 

Over 40 transactions – including license renewals – can be completed online, by mail or by phone, or at AAA locations for members 

 

Registration drop-off services available without appointment at 9 RMV Service Centers

 

Customers needing a Suspension Hearing must visit 1 of 7 locations to initiate process


BOSTON – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is pleased to announce it will continue to offer dedicated weekly Wednesday service hours for customers who are 75 years of age or older into the month of January at 17 locations.

 

 Individuals in this age group are required by state law to renew their Massachusetts driver’s license in person.

The designated service hours began on September 2nd to offer an option to senior citizens to facilitate proper “social-distancing” protocols to keep customers and staff safe and healthy.

 

 The following centers will continue exclusively serving these customers on Wednesdays who make renewal appointments: Brockton, Danvers, Fall River, Greenfield, Lawrence, Leominster, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, New Bedford, North Adams, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Revere, South Yarmouth, Springfield, Watertown, and Worcester.

 

Below are the options for seniors to renew by appointment:

 

•    If you are a AAA member, you may make a reservation now to renew your driver’s license/ID at a AAA location. Visit aaa.com/appointments to schedule your visit.


•    If you are not a AAA member, visit Mass.Gov/RMV to make a reservation to renew at an RMV Service Center. Select the Seniors License Renewal option on the Make/Cancel a Reservation transaction tab.


•    Email the RMV for assistance to renew: MassDOTRMVSeniors@dot.state.ma.us 


•    Call the RMV at 857-368-8005.

 

The RMV would like to remind customers of the additional information below, including the status of several initiatives launched due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

 

Non-Commercial Licenses, IDs, and Learner’s Permit Credentials

 

•    Most non-commercial RMV credential extensions granted for customers in 2020, including learner’s permits, will expire by December 31st and customers may need to act soon to renew a license or ID online.

 

Driver’s licenses and ID cards that have expired this year may still be renewed online.

 

Permit applicants must retake the exam if they have expired. With the main exception for customers 75 and older being accommodated through the above dedicated service offerings, most licenses and ID’s can be renewed online at Mass.Gov/RMV and do not require a visit to a Service Center. 

 

•    Eligible customers who may need a REAL ID in the future can take advantage of the current REAL ID promotion and renew their Standard Massachusetts driver’s license or Massachusetts ID card online now at Mass.Gov/RMV and upgrade to REAL ID credential at no cost in 2021.

 

 Qualifying customers who complete their renewal online and wish to upgrade to a REAL ID for free will have to wait until at least six (6) months after Massachusetts’ State of Emergency is lifted to visit an RMV Service Center.

 

Customers currently do not need a federally compliant REAL ID for the purposes of boarding domestic flights prior to October 1, 2021, as the federal government delayed the compliance effective date by one year.  

 

•    License and ID renewal appointments are available at open RMV Service Centers that offer general appointments to the public.  

 

Select Renew My Driver’s License or Mass ID option on the Make/Cancel a Reservation at Mass.Gov/RMV to view availability and make a reservation at one of these locations for any day of the week, Monday-Friday.  

 

Commercial Credentials (CDLs/CLPs)

 

•    The federal government has extended eligible Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) and Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLP) until February 28, 2021.


•    Extensions will be applied to customer records beginning the evening of Tuesday, December 29th. Commercial customers should visit Mass.Gov/RMV or log into their myRMV account for further information and to verify their status.

 

Road Tests

 

•    Road Tests continue at most Service Centers and can be scheduled online. 


•    State vehicles are being used to conduct road tests to ensure the health and safety of employees and customers.  Vehicles are cleaned and disinfected between tests. 


•    During a road test, only the examiner and the student are permitted inside the vehicle. 


•    Driving schools continue to be permitted to perform remote or online instruction under existing public health protocols.

 

Junior Operators

 

•    An Executive Order signed by Governor Charlie Baker on June 12 for Junior Operators remains in effect.  


•    A Junior Operator is permitted to do 46 hours of supervised driving hours with a parent, guardian or other adult over 21 with a valid license for over a year.  


•    The Executive Order overrules the statute that requires Junior Operators with a learner’s permit to complete 6 hours observing another student driver, and 40 supervised driving hours with a parent, guardian or other adult over 21 with a valid license for over one year. 

 

Vehicle Registrations

 

Registration Drop Off Centers

 

•    Registration Drop-Off Centers have been implemented at RMV Service Center locations in Boston/Haymarket, Braintree, Chicopee, Greenfield, Haverhill, Milford. North Adams, Taunton, and Wilmington. 


•    The drop?off centers are dedicated exclusively to registration and title transactions for both individual and commercial customers. 


•    Customers can drop off their completed Registration and Title Application (RTA), applicable supporting documents, and completed drop?off center form. Transactions will be processed and completed on a first?come, first?served basis and sent to customers via the U.S. Postal Service. 


•    Payment must be done online, and customers will receive email with payment instructions once paperwork is processed.  In following ‘social-distancing’ practices, these facilities and services will be drop-off transactions / bundles only.

 

Customers are not be allowed to ‘wait’ in any of these locations for pick-up.  Information regarding the drop-off registration process, required documentation, and service locations and hours can be found at:

 

https://www.mass.gov/registration-drop-off-centers.

 

Registration Transfers After Vehicle Purchase Grace Period

 

•    From June 12 until the date of when the State of Emergency ends, an Executive Order issued by Governor Charlie Baker temporary extends this grace period requirement to 21 calendar days from the date you dispose of your previous vehicle to register your new one.

 

Suspension Hearings

•    Suspension Hearings continue to be conducted by phone, however, customers must report to a designated RMV Service Center in person to begin the process.


•    Hearing locations include: Boston/Haymarket, Brockton, Fall River, Lawrence, *Pittsfield (Wednesdays only), Springfield, and Worcester.  


•    Customers are limited to one hearing on a particular suspension or revocation.  

 

National Safety Council Classes

 

•    With limited exceptions and accommodations, anyone needing to take National Safety Council classes may continue to take them online through March 1, 2021.  An online course completion counts as a customer’s in-person class requirement.

 

The RMV has other information on its website: www.Mass.Gov/RMV.  

 

In addition, more than 40 transactions are available online, by mail, or by phone.  Anyone conducting in-person business at an RMV customer service location must wear a face-covering and continues to be served by appointment only.

 

 Appointments for many Registry transactions can also be made at AAA customer locations if the customer is a member of AAA.

###

Fall River's First Council Meeting of 2021 is set

The first session of 2021 for the  nine member Fall River City Council  is set as a Special Meeting the night of Tuesday, January 5, 2021 to select a Council President and Vice President. 

 

Cliff Ponte has been serving as Council President during the last three terms, while Pam Lebeau was elected as Council Vice President in 2019, 

Patriots Jets Opening Line

The New England Patriots will close out their 2020 NFL Regular Season Schedule this coming Sunday on WSAR, at 1480 and 95.9, as the New York Jets, already assured of the number 2 pick on Round One of the NFL Draft in Las Vegas in April, will be seeking their third win of the year. 

 

Odds makers currently have the Patriots as three point home favorites at Gillette. 

 

Coverage on the Patriots Radio Network on WSAR begins at 10am Sunday with a kickoff at 1pm backed by Fox Sports Radio starting at 1pm. 

JKIII Legislation on Environmental Justice

KENNEDY, JEFFRIES INTRODUCE CITIZEN JUSTICE RESTORATION ACT

 

Civil rights reforms would give citizens standing in environmental justice cases, prevent discriminatory search & seizure, among other critical improvements

 

Washington, DC -- Congressman Joe Kennedy III and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, introduced the Citizen Justice Restoration Act, which will fortify individual civil rights in our civil and criminal justice systems, in areas ranging from environmental justice to individual privacy and unlawful search and seizure. 

 

The legislation will address gaps created or exposed in modern American civil rights law that threaten the rights of individual citizens to seek redress in our justice system.

 

“American civil rights demand an activist government that will be relentless, over generations, in its quest for equal justice,” said Kennedy. “It’s not enough to pass a bill and be done. Despite seminal advances in civil rights law over the past sixty years, a conservative Supreme Court tilt has slowly winnowed away the broad protections originally envisioned by Congress. The Citizen Justice Restoration Act will remedy this imbalance in our scales and restore the rights of any individual to have a voice in our system of justice.”

 

 "In our long march toward a more perfect union, we must ensure that justice delayed is not justice denied," said Jeffries. "The Citizen Justice Restoration Act will ensure that every single American can seek redress in our judicial system and are protected equally under the law. I thank my friend, Congressman Kennedy, for introducing this critical piece of legislation to continue bending the arc toward justice." 

 

The Citizen Justice Restoration Act would specifically:


•    Prevent evidence collected during a search or seizure occurring solely on the basis of a person’s race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, or sex (including gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation) from admission in a court action;


•    Ensure prisoners held in violation of their Constitutional rights can access the courts whenever there is an incorrect decision and ensuring new Constitutional rules recognized by the courts apply retroactively;


•    Require courts construe civil rights protections broadly, including those rights in the Constitution and federal statutes such as the right to free speech and press, privacy of one’s personal information, environmental protections, and consumer rights;


•    Prohibit the courts from avoiding tough Constitutional questions and slowly winnowing away and limiting legal protections; 


•    Protect the private rights of action of American citizens under federal law; and 


•    Create nominal property interests in environmental suits to ensure cases are not thrown out of court on procedural issues.
# # # 


 

Baker Administration Program for MA Small Businesses

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $668 Million Small Business Relief Package
Additional businesses will be awarded as soon as next week through the Mass Growth Capital Corporation

 

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration launched a $668 million program to provide financial assistance to Massachusetts small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The program in part relies on the pending federal COVID-19 relief bill recently passed by Congress.

 

Regardless of the developments at the federal level, the Baker-Polito Administration will start releasing millions in new funding to restaurants, retailers, and other small businesses throughout the Commonwealth as soon as next week.    

 

Earlier this week, the Administration announced nearly $49 million in grants through the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) COVID-19 Small Business Program to support over 1,158 small businesses. More than 10,000 applicants had sought relief in this grant round. 

 

Additional grants will be made available to eligible small businesses through MGCC. The Small Business Grant Program was established in the fall, and currently has a pool of eligible applicants awaiting funding.

 

This additional funding will allow the Administration to award more of those pending applicants. Eligible businesses that already applied to the program, but were not funded due to limited funds available, will be prioritized for funding first and do not need to reapply.

 

The funds will also be used to stand up an additional grant program at MGCC. This program will target the industries most hard-hit during the pandemic.

 

Eligible industries for the new program include:

•    Restaurants, bars, caterers

•    Indoor recreation and entertainment establishments

•    Gyms and fitness centers

•    Event-support professionals (photographers, videographers, etc.)

•    Personal services

•    Retail

 

The new business relief program would offer grants up to $75,000, but not more than three months’ operating expenses, to be used for employee wage and benefits costs, space-related costs, and debt service obligations.

The online application portal for the new program will open on Thursday, December 31, and will close on Friday, January 15. Awards are expected to be announced in early February.

More details on how to apply and eligibility requirements are available at www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org. 
    
 

Christmas Features Rain and Wind According to MEMA

DATE: 12/23/2020
TIME: 2:00 PM
SUBJECT: Short Duration Storm on Christmas Eve and Christmas (Potential for Damaging Winds and Minor Flooding)
Situation


A short duration, strong storm system will bring potentially damaging winds, heavy rain, and localized flooding to the Commonwealth on Christmas Eve night (Thursday) and lasting into Christmas Day (Friday). 15-35 mph sustained winds with the potential to increase slightly and damaging Southeastern gusts up to 65 mph are expected throughout Massachusetts, with increasingly powerful gusts over the Cape and Islands. 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rainfall is possible with localized amounts reaching 3 inches causing minor river, street/highway, and coastal flooding. Christmas Eve and Day travel impacts can be expected. 


Impacts


•    Possible power outages across Massachusetts with a greater risk in Eastern MA. 
•    Minor river flooding with localized street and highway flooding. 
•    Poor visibility due to dense fog will cause travel impacts. 
•    Minor coastal flooding possible on the Southern coast. 


Weather Forecast


The weather will be dry from this afternoon through Thursday morning.

 

Rain will develop in western Massachusetts late Thursday afternoon and it will spread to the east through Thursday night. Rain is likely to be moderate to heavy at times.

 

The heavy rain in combination with melting snow may lead to standing water and flooding. The rain will exit from west to east on Christmas day, possibly mixing with a little snow in western areas before ending.

 

Any snow that occurs will be light. In addition to heavy rain, strong winds are looking likely with gusts of 40-60 mph with a few peak gusts of 75 mph on the Cape and Islands Thursday night into Friday morning.

 

The strongest winds are anticipated on Friday from 6AM – 12PM (noon). Winds will decrease quickly on Friday afternoon. Temperatures will continue to fall through the day Friday, which may cause freezing of any wet pavements by Friday evening, though precipitation may exit soon enough to allow for some drying of pavements to occur.
 

City of New Bedford to Distribute Federal Funding Toward Food Security, Internet Access, and Education

The City of New Bedford will distribute $850,000 in federal funding dedicated toward COVID-19 under the Community Development Block Grant program to benefit food security, remote learning, and internet access during the pandemic.

 

To support food security in New Bedford, the largest allocation of funds, $450,000, will benefit People Acting in Community Endeavors Inc. (or “PACE”) and its food distribution center. 

 

PACE will use the funding to establish a centralized food distribution center, which would “solve a long-term solution to food insecurity in Greater New Bedford,” according to the organization’s application, thanks to the City’s disbursement of CDBG funds for the project. 

 

Before the pandemic, PACE served about 1,000 families per month, but that has risen to 1,200 families per week due to the economic effects of the pandemic.

 

"We are grateful to the City for making this investment in our efforts to address food insecurity,” said Pam Kuechler, Executive Director of PACE. “This investment will allow us to serve the thousands of New Bedford households who have experienced food insecurity challenges during the pandemic, and help us create a sustainable solution for years to come."

 

Funds in the amount of $150,000 will also support remote learning and enrichment at YMCA Southcoast’s Early Learning Center, licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care and designed to meet the development of young children. 

 

The learning enrichment and daycare programs provide a variety of activities from arts and crafts and dramatic play to outdoor play, music, and education basics.

 

“YMCA Southcoast has been moved and proud of the ways the City of New Bedford has stepped up to support our most important work, that of teaching and caring for children in a safe and nurturing environment,” said Jim Scherer, President and CEO of YMCA Southcoast.

 

MassHire of Greater New Bedford will receive $100,000 to provide job training for local youth, including maritime job training, as well as funding an employee with a partnership with the Immigrants’ Assistance center to assist laid off workers with navigating the unemployment system.

 

“We’re pleased that MassHire of Greater New Bedford will be able to provide youth with the skills and job training they need, and to assist workers who are dealing with the fallout of the pandemic,” said Jim Oliveira, Executive Director of MassHire of Greater New Bedford.

 

The City’s Management Information Systems office will receive another $150,000 to install and enhance WiFi internet access in New Bedford parks in eligible areas in order to benefit neighborhood residents and children.

 

“We’re pleased to support these important projects that address key needs in New Bedford, which have only been underscored by the effects of the pandemic,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. 

 

“This funding will go a long way toward strengthening our city as it moves beyond the pandemic in the coming year, and ensuring that more residents have access to resources that enable them to thrive,” he continued.

Swansea's Interim Chief

As Selectmen in Swansea continues the process of selecting a new full time Police Chief in a process that many not conclude until mid January. 

 

Former Swansea Police Chief George Aruda has agreed to act as the interim chief until a successor is selected and a contract negotiated. 

Swansea City Administrator Mallory Aronstein indicated to Swansea Selectmen last night that each side had agreed to the contract with the interim chief. 

 

Each side has 14 days to end the agreement, which goes into effect on the second day of January. 

The Reopening Strategy for Fall River Public Schools

Matthew H. Malone, Ph.D., Superintendent
December 22, 2020

Dear Fall River Public Schools Community,

Parents, families, students, faculty, staff, and friends, I wish each and every one of you a healthy, safe, and blessed holiday
season and healthy New Year. Our reopening of schools in the hybrid model has had its challenges, but because of your
efforts, we have risen to the occasion and reopened our schools successfully. Last night, I met with the School Committee
to share my updated reopening plan on what the new year will bring in terms of our return to the full hybrid model from
the modified hybrid we are in now. As a result of the discussion and the data review (presentation posted on
https://www.fallriverschools.ore/ click on tab for "return to full hybrid transition plan"), the School Committee and I are in
agreement regarding the most prudent and thoughtful path forward for our student learning model in January 2021. That
plan is outlined in the following.
As we know from our experience following the Thanksgiving break, as well asfrom predictions made by pandemic experts
and public health professionals, to anticipate apost-Christmas Holiday spike in COVID-19 spread rates. This, coupled with
the current high levels of community spread and positivity rates in Fall River, indicates that a return to full hybrid on
January 4th is not appropriate for us at this time. As such, when school reopens on January 4, 2021, we will remain in the
current modified hybrid posture -serving (in-person) only students in Cohort A, while cohorts B & C/D remain in a remote
learning model. We will remain in the modified hybrid from 1/4/21-1/15/21, as doing so will allow us to monitor the
spread of the virus and manage the proper contact tracing and quarantine of affected individuals. We will return to the full
hybrid model for all grades PreK-8 on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 (the day following the Martin Luther King, Jr.
holiday), serving students in Cohorts A/D in-person while Cohorts B & C remain remote that week. The following
week (beginning Monday, January 25th), we will resume our alternating weeks of in-person learning and will serve Cohorts
A/C in-person, while Cohorts B/D learn remotely.
The 1st semester ends on January 29, 2021, and our Grades 9-12 students at Durfee and RPA will remain in modified
hybrid (in-person for Cohort A, only) until that date. Unlike Grades PreK-8, high school students at Durfee and
RPA will not return to the full hybrid until Monday, February 1, 2021, with Cohorts A/D in-person and Cohorts
B/C remote. At this point, we will be back to the model in which we began the year, serving approximately 3,600 students
in-person, each day. We will maintain our 6-foot distancing guidelines and will adjust to less than 6 feet (meaning more
students can return in-person) as future state guidance suggests and/or as spread rates substantially decrease asa result of
the administration of the vaccine.
To be clear - we will continue to be safe, we will continue to be smart, and we will continue to use the data metrics and our
understanding of virus conditions to adjust our planning. We will be prepared to modify our planned return if the spread
rates do not decline and/or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts makes any changes to their reopening. To summarize, we
will stay in the modified hybrid (in-person for Cohort A, only) until 1/19/21, at which time PreK-8 students will
return to the hybrid model in which we began the year. On Tuesday, January 19, 2021, PreK-8 students in Cohorts
A/D will return to in-person learning (followed by Cohorts A/C the following week). Grades 9-12 will remain in
modified hybrid (in-person for Cohort A, only) until February 1, 2021, at which time we will return to a fully
hybrid model, and we will welcome back for in-person learning all Cohort A/D students in Grades PreK-
12. Alternating weeks of in-person instruction for Cohorts C /D will resume the following week. We will communicate
again in early January but please begin preparing for a return to the full hybrid model as described herein.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you ail,
Cordially,
~a
Matthew H. Malone

Federal Dollars in New Bedford

New Bedford, Massachusetts– The City of New Bedford will distribute $850,000 in federal funding dedicated toward COVID-19 under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to benefit food security, remote learning, and internet access during the pandemic.

 

To support food security in New Bedford, the largest allocation of funds, $450,000, will benefit People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE) Inc. and its food distribution center. PACE will use the funding to establish a centralized food distribution center, which would “solve a long-term solution to food insecurity in Greater New Bedford,” according to the organization’s application, thanks to the City’s disbursement of CDBG funds for the project. Before the pandemic, PACE served about 1,000 families per month, but that has risen to 1,200 families per week due to the economic effects of the pandemic.

 

"We are grateful to the City for making this investment in our efforts to address food insecurity,” said Pam Kuechler, Executive Director of PACE. “This investment will allow us to serve the thousands of New Bedford households who have experienced food insecurity challenges during the pandemic, and help us create a sustainable solution for years to come."

 

CDBG funds in the amount of $150,000 will also support remote learning and enrichment at YMCA Southcoast’s Early Learning Center, licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care and designed to meet the development of young children. The learning enrichment and daycare programs provide a variety of activities from arts and crafts and dramatic play to outdoor play, music, and education basics. 

 

“YMCA Southcoast has been moved and proud of the ways the City of New Bedford has stepped up to support our most important work, that of teaching and caring for children in a safe and nurturing environment,” said Jim Scherer, President and CEO of YMCA Southcoast.

 

MassHire of Greater New Bedford will receive $100,000 to provide job training for local youth, including maritime job training, as well as funding an employee with a partnership with the Immigrants’ Assistance center to assist laid off workers with navigating the unemployment system. 

 

“We’re pleased that MassHire of Greater New Bedford will be able to provide youth with the skills and job training they need, and to assist workers who are dealing with the fallout of the pandemic,” said Jim Oliveira, Executive Director of MassHire of Greater New Bedford. 

 

The City’s Management Information Systems office will receive another $150,000 to install and enhance WiFi internet access in New Bedford parks in eligible areas in order to benefit neighborhood residents and children.

 

“We’re pleased to support these important projects that address key needs in New Bedford, which have only been underscored by the effects of the pandemic,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “This funding will go a long way toward strengthening our city as it moves beyond the pandemic in the coming year, and ensuring that more residents have access to resources that enable them to thrive.”

The New MA Regulations Post Christmas

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Further Measures to Stop the Spread of COVID-19

 

BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced further restrictions to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, including new capacity and gathering limits. These measures will go into effect on Saturday, December 26 and will remain in effect until noon on January 10, 2021. 

 

 

Capacity Limits

Effective Saturday, December 26, most industries in Massachusetts will be subject to a 25% capacity limit including:

•    Restaurants (based on permitted seating capacity)

 

•    Close Contact Personal Services

 

•    Theatres and Performance Venues

 

•    Casinos

 

•    Office Spaces

 

•    Places of Worship

 

•    Retail Businesses

 

•    Driving and Flight Schools 

 

•    Golf Facilities (for indoor spaces) 

 

•    Libraries

 

•    Lodging (for common areas)

 

•    Arcades and Indoor Recreation Businesses

 

•    Fitness Centers and Health Clubs

 

•    Museums, Cultural Facilities and Guided Tours 

 

Workers and staff will not count towards the occupancy count for restaurants, places of worship, close contact personal services, and retail businesses.

 

All other rules and restrictions in each sector-specific guidance will remain in effect.

 

Gatherings Limit

Effective Saturday, December 26, the gatherings limits will be updated. Indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 25 people outside.

 

The gatherings limit applies to private homes, event venues and public spaces.

 

Elective Surgeries

The Department of Public Health released updated guidance to hospitals around nonessential, elective invasive procedures. To preserve health care personnel resources, effective 12:01am on December 26, all hospitals are directed to postpone or cancel all nonessential inpatient elective invasive procedures in order to maintain and increase inpatient capacity.

 

Hospitals shall make every effort to preserve their inpatient capacity by cancelling nonessential electives and redeploying staff.  

 

Patients are reminded to still seek necessary care at their hospital or from their health care provider.
 

Fall River Trash Amnesty

Amnesty Trash Collection Week


(Fall River, MA- December 22nd, 2020)- Mayor Paul E. Coogan’s office in conjunction with the
Department of Community Maintenance would like to announce this year’s annual Christmas amnesty
trash collection week.

 

Due to the upcoming holiday we realize that residents may generate excess trash
needed to be put curb side for collection.

 

For this reason during the week following the holiday December
28th thru January 3rd residents may place excess bags outside of the carts during this week.


Residents who are able are also encouraged to take advantage of the department’s overflow
dumpster at its DPW Complex, located at 10 Lewiston St. drop off of overflow trash is free and provided
year round, however residents are required to provide proof of city residence in order to take advantage of
this service.


Normal trash collection will resume the week of January 4th and residents are asked to return to
following the normal collection guidelines. Thank you and we would like to wish all a safe and healthy
holiday season.

Fall River Fatality

On December 21, 2020, at approximately 7:47 PM, the Fall River Police Department and EMS responded to the area of 600 Second St, in regards to a motor vehicle vs. pedestrian accident.

 

 Officers arrived and located a 47 year old male trapped under a vehicle.  The pedestrian victim was freed from under the vehicle and was transported to St. Anne’s Hospital, where he ultimately passed away.  

 

Major Crimes Detectives, Accident Reconstruction, and Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene for a follow-up investigation.  The investigation revealed that the pedestrian had fallen in the roadway prior to being struck.  

 

The operator of the vehicle involved is listed as a 52 year old male.  He was summoned into Fall River Second District Court for operating a vehicle with no license.  He was not cited at this point for the accident.  
 

The Opening Line for MNF

The New England Patriots are seven point home underdogs this coming Monday Night versus the 2020 AFC East Champion Buffalo Bills. 

The Patriots coverage starts Monday Night on the Patriots Radio Network starting at 5:30 with an 8:20pm kickoff. 

MA Gasoline The Week of 21 December 2020

AAA: Massachusetts Gas Prices Up Five Cents

 

Westwood, M.A., December 21, 2020 — Massachusetts’s average gas price is up five cents from last week ($2.12), averaging $2.17 per gallon.

 

Today’s price is 10 cents higher than a month ago ($2.07), and 39 cents cheaper than December 21, 2019 ($2.56). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 5 cents lower than the national average.

 

Two factors have contributed to driving up the price at the pump: rising crude oil prices and tightening supply.

 

The domestic price of crude has been steadily rising since November. Oil prices have not been this expensive since February, before stay-at-home guidance was introduced across the country. Prices began to rise last month alongside vaccination news and have only increased with it becoming available. 

 


“The recent gas price pump jumps are a bit surprising given December demand numbers are the lowest posted for the month since 1999,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “The increases are likely to be short-lived, especially as holiday road travel is expected to see at least a 25% decline.”


AAA Northeast’s December 21 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be six cents higher than last week (2.16), averaging $2.22 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 11 cents higher than a month ago ($2.11), and 33 cents cheaper than this day last year ($2.55).

 

Region    Current Price*    One Week Ago    One Month Ago    One Year Ago
Massachusetts    $2.17    $2.12    $2.07    $2.56
Rhode Island    $2.17    $2.12    $2.07    $2.52
Connecticut    $2.22    $2.18    $2.13    $2.66
*Prices as of December 21, 2020
  
The AAA Gas Prices website is your resource for up-to-date fuel price information. Search average gas prices by Regular, Plus, Premium and Diesel on National and State levels, as well as Metro areas. 
 

The 21 December 2020 Fall River Numbers

COVID-19 Update


219 new cases, 1 new fatality over Saturday, Sunday and Monday


(Fall River, MA- December 21, 2020)- 7,008 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River. We
remain at 206 fatalities.

The Baker Administration Targets Small Businesses with a Loan Program

— Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that nearly $49 million in grants to small businesses will be awarded through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.

 

In October, the $50.8 million grant program was announced as a key component of Partnerships for Recovery, the Administration’s comprehensive plan to get people back to work, support small businesses, foster innovation, revitalize downtowns, and ensure housing stability.

 

Of the businesses being notified of their successful applications, each meets the preferred criteria of being owned by women, minorities, veterans, individuals with disabilities, or that identify as LGBTQ.

 

Additionally, every completed application received from a qualified minority-owned business that has not been able to receive prior aid from federal, state or local programs established to support businesses during the pandemic will be receiving relief.

 

To increase applications from underrepresented groups, MGCC worked with a statewide network of local non-profits, small business technical assistance providers, and other organizations that support minority enterprises, including BECMA, Amplify LatinX, the Business Equity Initiative, Massachusetts Association of CDCs (MACDC), LISC and the statewide Coalition for an Equitable Economy, to reach businesses and entrepreneurs that would match the program’s priorities.

 

The Small Business Grant Program received over 10,000 applications seeking funds totaling over $500 million. Effective today, successful applicants will be notified that they have been awarded grants with further instructions on how to complete the process to receive funds. Nearly $49 million will be granted to small businesses, with the remaining funding having been used to encourage applications from targeted communities and to prevent fraudulent applications.

 

The grant program’s priorities, set forth in legislation, resulted in 1,158 small businesses being designated for an award.  Among the successful applicants: 

 

•    100 percent of all grantees are minority-, veteran-, LGBTQ-, or individuals with disabilities-owned businesses;

•    100 percent of qualified applications submitted by minority-women, minority-male, veteran-, LGBTQ-, and individuals with disabilities-owned businesses that have not received prior aid will be receiving funding;

•    95 percent of award recipients are minority-owned businesses; and

•    76 percent of award recipients are women-owned businesses.
 

The Electric Aggregate Deal is Renewed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fall River Community Electricity Aggregation program, launched in January 2016 and part of a 25-
community electricity buying group, has been renewed through the end of 2023

 

Fall River, MA – (12/21/2020) – The City of Fall River announces that it has renewed its electricity aggregation
program for another 35 months starting in January 2021. 

 

No action is required on the part of the current
program participants as they will continue their electricity service automatically with the new supplier,
Constellation.

 

The Fall River CEA program is part of a larger electricity purchasing group, providing Fall River residents and
businesses with competitive choice and longer-term price stability. During the first five years of the program,
it has provided significant value to the community.

 

“We’re very excited that this successful program is entering its sixth year of operation – it has been a great
benefit for our community,” said Mayor Paul Coogan.

 

The new default program rate is $0.10470 per kilowatt hour (kWh) from January 2021 through December
2023; this default rate meets all state renewable electricity standards. The National Grid Residential Basic
Service electricity rate is $0.12388/kWh for the six month period from November 2020 through April 2021.

 In
addition the program also offers two options with more renewable electricity than required by state law.
More information about the program and all the options can be found on the program website
masscea.com/Fall-River.

 

The program rates, resulting from a competitive bid, are fixed over the 35 months of the electric supply
agreement (ESA) from January 2021 through December 2023. The Fall River CEA product offerings and rates
will be:

 

National Grid rate
Fall River default rate
CEA optional rates
Basic service
(residential customers)


Fall River Local Green
50%

 

Fall River Local
Green 100%

 

Meets state renewable
electricity standards
Meets state renewable
electricity standards

50% in addition to state
renewable electricity
standards

100% in addition to
state renewable
electricity
standards

$0.12388/kWh $0.10470/kWh $0.12244/kWh $0.14019/kWh

 

Duration
November 2020- April
2021


Duration: January 2021 - December 2023

 

Products described as Green contain renewable electricity above that required by
state law. The additional renewable electricity qualifies for MA Class I designation.
Local refers to geographic areas permitted under MA Class I designation, namely
New England, New York and eastern Canada.

 

Disclaimer: Savings cannot be guaranteed as compared to Basic Service rates which change every six months
for residential and commercial accounts and every three months for industrial accounts.


Current Fall River residents and businesses who are participating in the CEA program will be automatically
transitioned to the new default electricity rate as of their January 2021 meter read date.


Those who do not want to participate in Fall River CEA can opt out without penalty or change to a different
program option at any time on the program website masscea.com/Fall-River or by calling the supplier
Constellation at 833-461-0813.


For more information about the program, go to masscea.com/Fall-River.

The MA Unemployment Numbers for November 2020

The Commonwealth is confirming that the November Unemployment Rate was down by 0.07 of a percentage point to 6.7%, according to the Massachusetts Office of Labor and Workforce Development. 

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Preliminary job estimates indicate the Commonwealth added 12,200 jobs in November, following a revised gain 9,500 jobs in October. 

Superintendent Malone tells WSAR he is recovering from COVID-19

Fall River Superintendent of Public Schools Dr. Matthew Malone has indicated to WSAR that he fell ill to the COVID-19 Virus during the first week in December, and is only now returning to work on  a full time basis 

 

The 50-year-old Malone said he slept for hours on a daily basis as he tried to build his strength back up, having lost weight over the last three weeks 

Celtics lose their final NBA pre season game

The Boston Celtics lost the second of their NBA preseason games Friday night at the T-D Garden by a final of 113-89 to the Brooklyn Nets. 

 

The two teams will meet Friday on Christmas Night at 4:30 with a tip at 5pm EST on 1480 and 95.9 

 

The Celtics will open their regular season versus Milwaukee Wednesday at 7pm. 

 

The NBA Schedule has been separated into two halves, with the first half concluding in the first week in March. 

 

The NBA will play a 72 game season with a post season playoff tournament deciding final conference seeds. 

Bruins will play 56 games in 2021

The NHL and NHLPA have agreed to a tentative 56 game schedule that will start in mid January 2021, after finishing the season in a bubble that produced Tampa Bay as the Stanley Cup winner. 

 

Its expected, according to the digital edition of the Boston Globe, that a short training camp will start in Boston in a matter of days.

Its also possible that franchises in Canada will play their games entirely in the United States, as Canada has had strict rules regarding its borders in the midst of the pandemic. 

Remote Learning Day in Fall River

For the second consecutive day, Fall River Public Schools will have a Remote Learning Day that will begin at 9am and continue through 2pm for students, faculty and staff. 

 

Thursday was the first such Remote Learning Day, in what would have likely been a snow day; instead, DESE is allowing districts to count the 9am till 2pm EST days as learning days of which there are 170 such days in this year's school calender. 

 

 

F-R Parking Ban Lifted

The parking ban instituted by the City of Fall River on Wednesday 12/16 will be lifted as of 5:00pm today, Thursday December 17th. The Department of Public Works will be moving to salt operations and the treating of roads will continue throughout the evening.

The FRPD Gives an Assist to the NBPD in a Narcotics Arrest

On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 members of the Fall River Police Department Vice and Intelligence Unit, along with members of the FBI Metro Boston Gang Task Force, Boston Police, New Bedford Police, and Massachusetts State Police simultaneously executed two search warrants in the City of New Bedford. 


The warrants were served at 156 Chestnut St., first floor south and the second floor apartment of said address. As a result of the warrants, a search of the apartments was conducted with the following findings:

 

156 Chestnut St., first floor south and basement area

? A total of 7.6 grams of suspected cocaine
? A silver digital scale
? A loaded Springfield Armory semi automatic 9 mm handgun


Arrested:
(1) Denilson Gomes (Age 22), with a listed address of 156 Chestnut St. 1R, New Bedford, MA


Charges:
? Possession to Distribute a Class B Drug

(2) Jared Timmer (Age 21), with listed address of 156 Chestnut St., 1R, New Bedford, MA
Charges:
? Possession to Distribute a Class B Drug
? Possession of a firearm without an FID card
? Possession of ammunition without an FID card
? Possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony
_____________________________________________________________________________________
156 Chestnut St., second floor and basement area
? A total of 393 grams of suspected cocaine
? $ 5196.00 seized US currency
? Eight (8) cell phones
? Clear knotted plastic bag containing cocaine cutting agent
? Tan Glock 9mm 33 round magazine
? Black Glock 9mm 33 round magazine
? CAA USA Micro Conversion Kit with Optic and a collapsible stock a Gen 2 Micro Conversion Kit (MCK), which is a system used to convert a Glock pistol into a short barreled style rifle.
? CAA USA Micro Conversion Kit with collapsible stock
? Gun gleaning gear
? A square kilo press, commonly used for packaging kilos of cocaine
? A loaded tan and black Glock 26 Gen 4 9X19 semiautomatic pistol (attached pistol light/laser
? One 9MM 50 round drum magazine
Arrested:


Richard Ramos (Age 23), with listed address of 156 Chestnut St., 2nd floor, New Bedford, MA


Charges:
? Poss. /Carry Large Capacity Firearm
? Poss./Carry Large Capacity Feeding Device
? Poss./Carry Large Capacity Feeding Device
? Poss./Carry Large Capacity Feeding Device
? Poss./Carry Large Capacity Feeding Device
? Possess Ammunition Without FID Card
? Possess Ammunition Without FID Card
? Trafficking In Cocaine (200 Grams or More)
? Possess Large Capacity Firearm In Felony

MassDOT in Raynham

MassDOT Advisory: Raynham

 

Route 44 eastbound ramps temporarily closed leading to Route 24 north and Route 24 south

 

Ramps will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, Monday, December 21, and Tuesday, December 22.

 

RAYNHAM– The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that it will be implementing temporary ramp closures along Route 44 east to accommodate guardrail installation work.

 

To complete this work, the Route 44 east to Route 24 north and southbound ramps will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, Monday, December 21, and Tuesday, December 22.

 

Drivers traveling on Route 44 east seeking to take the ramps to either Route 24 north or south should continue on Route 44 east to Paramount Drive, turn left onto Route 44 west and exit off the appropriate ramp to Route 24 north or south.

 

Signage and police details will be in place to facilitate traffic during these closures. 

The MA A-Gs Report on the 1 May ICE Incident

AG Healey Finds Civil Rights of Immigration Detainees Were Violated in Bristol County Jail Incident; Makes Recommendations to Address Systemic Issues at Facility

 

Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Used Excessive Force and Risked Health and Safety of Detainees

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12/15/2020
Office of Attorney General Maura Healey

 

BOSTON — After an extensive investigation into a May 1, 2020 incident at Bristol County Jail and House of Correction, Attorney General Maura Healey today issued a report finding that the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) violated the civil rights of federal immigration detainees during the course of responding to a disturbance in the unit where the detainees were housed. The AG’s Office is recommending a series of reforms to address the systemic issues at the facility, ensure public health and safety, and protect the rights of detainees.

 

In a report issued today, the AG’s Office concludes that various institutional failures and poor decisions by BCSO leadership on May 1, 2020 culminated in a calculated use of force against the immigration detainees that was disproportionate to the security needs at that time and that unnecessarily caused or risked harm to everyone involved.

 

“Our investigation revealed that the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office violated the rights of detainees by using excessive force and by seriously risking their health and safety,” said AG Healey. “This callous disregard for the well-being of immigration detainees is unacceptable and must be addressed through the significant reforms we outline in our report. My office expects the Sheriff’s Office to implement our recommendations to ensure that the serious systemic issues we’ve identified at the facility are remedied.”

 

AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division opened an investigation on May 5, 2020 into the disturbance involving 25 immigration detainees housed in Unit B of the C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center and multiple employees of BCSO, including Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson.

 

The incident started with the non-violent refusal of 10 ICE detainees to consent to COVID-19 testing and isolation, which then escalated into a conflict between BCSO staff and detainees. 


Without minimizing the fact that some of the detainees acted in a disruptive and destructive way during this conflict, the AG’s Office found that the detainees had been calm and nonviolent for an hour by the time BCSO executed a calculated use of force, which utilized a variety of weapons systems, including a flash bang grenade, pepper spray and pepper-ball, anti-riot shields, and canines.

 

The report released today memorializes the AG’s Office’s findings and conclusions based on a thorough and comprehensive review of the available evidence, including videos from the incident, hundreds of pages of documents, and interviews with BCSO staff members, detainees, and their lawyers, advocates, family members, and friends.

 

The AG’s report finds that the BCSO violated the civil rights of the ICE detainees in two ways—(1) the BCSO’s use of force was excessive and disproportionate based on the totality of the circumstances; (2) the BCSO acted with deliberate indifference to a significant risk of serious harm to the health of several detainees.

 

The evidence that the AG’s Office reviewed shows that the BCSO used a variety of dangerous weapons against detainees who had exhibited calm and nonviolent behavior for at least an hour before the operation. The AG’s Office found that the BCSO unlawfully used canines, failed to take any steps to de-escalate the situation in violation of its own policies and procedures, and failed to warn the detainees in violation of its own policies and procedures,

including those who may not have understood verbal directives because of language barriers, before using substantial force against them.

 

According to the AG’s investigation, the BCSO also used an excessive amount of pepper spray and pepper-ball, including against detainees with serious pulmonary or respiratory conditions and detainees suspected of having COVID-19, which can cause serious respiratory symptoms. The AG’s Office found that so much pepper spray was used that two detainees had to be taken to the hospital with symptoms of respiratory distress and that a third detainee required the administration of emergency chest compressions to be revived, but was not taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation or assessment and was instead placed in segregation.  

 

 

The AG’s Office is recommending BCSO implement a series of reforms to help protect the people who depend on the BCSO to provide a safe place to serve their sentences or await future court proceedings, and to help protect the employees and contractors who depend on BCSO leadership to provide a safe working environment. The AG’s Office reserves its right to pursue litigation on some or all of the issues identified in the investigation in the event that the recommendations are not satisfactorily implemented or addressed.

 

Specifically, the report recommends that the BCSO: 

Adopt Enhanced Policies and Procedures: Adopt enhanced language access and enhanced policies and procedures for de-escalation, conflict avoidance, and medical consultation and review before, during, and after a calculated use of force that involves chemical agents and pepper spray. Enhance reporting requirements for use of force and for health care staff following a calculated use of force. Revise and update policies related to chain of command.

 

Implement Robust Training: Adopt a training program that is focused on the implementation of the enhanced policies and procedures and include a training module for all staff and contractors who work on-site on diversity, inclusion, and cultural humility and working with individuals with no or limited English language proficiency.


Strengthen Policies for Housing Federal Immigration Detainees: If BCSO continues to house federal immigration detainees, adopt a training module as part of its annual in-service training on federal immigration detainees, and immediately remedy all deficiencies identified in the recent U.S. Department Homeland Security (DHS) inspection report.

 

Retain an Auditor or Consultant: Retain an external auditor or consultant to assess its compliance across the institution with all relevant laws, policies, and procedures that relate to the use of force, special management units, and the provision of health care.

 

The AG’s Office also recommends that DHS terminate its partnership with the BCSO or alternatively, that the Massachusetts General Court enact legislation to prevent the Bristol County Sheriff from housing immigration detainees or participating in federal immigration enforcement in any respect. These steps are particularly necessary if the BCSO doesn’t adopt the reforms outlined in the report in full and expeditiously.

 

In the report, the AG’s Office also recommends that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health conduct a review of the BCSO’s medical recordkeeping practices, and that the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security conduct a robust and thorough review of the BCSO’s policies and procedures to ensure that they meet the minimum regulatory requirements.

 

AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division enforces federal and state civil rights laws. The Division encourages residents who feel their civil rights have been violated to call its hotline at (617) 963-2917 or file a complaint online.

This investigation and report were handled by Assistant Attorneys General Amanda Hainsworth, Joshua Olszewski-Jubelirer and Angelica Durón, and Division Chief Abby Taylor, all of AG Healey’s Civil Rights Division.

###

New Bedford Ends a Parking Ban

Citywide parking ban lifted as of 5:00 p.m. today, Thursday, December 17, 2020 
 
New Bedford, Massachusetts—The citywide snow emergency parking ban, which began yesterday, December 16, will be lifted as of 5:00 p.m. today, Thursday, December 17, 2020. 
 
Residents should remove their vehicles from municipal and school parking lots with the parking ban lifted at 5:00 p.m., to ensure those lots are able to be cleared after the snow accumulation. 
 

The Patriots AFC Playoff Chances

The New England Patriots, according to the New York Times, have a 4% chance of making the AFC Playoffs as one of 3 Wild Card Entries, as the Patriots will close with Miami this week at Hard Rock Stadium, then host AFC East Champion Buffalo and the New York Jets on the final NFL Regular Season Sunday. 

 

The Patriots are 2.5 point  road underdogs in Miami this week, as Bill Bellichick has indicated that Cam Newton will start at Quarterback this week. and likely for the remainder of the season. 

 

You can hear the game Sunday on the Patriots Radio Network at 1480 and 95.9 with coverage at 10 and a 1pm kickoff.  

New CCC Commissioners in MA

Governor, Treasurer, and Attorney General Appoint Nurys Z. Camargo and Bruce Stebbins to The Cannabis Control Commission

 

Executives with Expertise in Oversight and Social Justice Issues Related to Regulated Industries to Join the Commission

 

“I’m honored to be appointed as a Commissioner at the Cannabis Control Commission,” said Nurys Z. Camargo. “For the past decade I’ve committed my work to finding pathways for equity and empowerment for women and people of color within the Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing the inaugural Commission’s work to establish a safe and equitable cannabis industry in Massachusetts.”
 
"I am honored to join the team at the Cannabis Control Commission,” said Bruce Stebbins. “The opportunity to help fulfill the Commission's mission of creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities across the state through this new industry is just one way I hope I can contribute. I thank the Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer for their confidence in my appointment."
 
Nurys Z. Camargo has served since 2013 as the Director of External Affairs in Massachusetts for AT&T. In this role, she works to foster positive relationships with the community, creating philanthropic funding opportunities and developing regional corporate social responsibility initiatives. Immediately prior to joining AT&T, she served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

 

 Ms. Camargo also served previously as Director of Community Relations for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. In addition to her professional work, she currently serves on boards including United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley’s Community Board, and Eastern Bank’s Board of Ambassadors.

 

She is also the Founder and Board Chair of Chica Project, a social enterprise dedicated to closing the opportunity divide for young Latina women in Boston, Lawrence, Springfield and Holyoke. Ms. Camargo earned a Master’s of Public Administration at Baruch College as a National Urban Fellow, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Mount Ida College.
 
Since 2012, Bruce Stebbins has served as a Commissioner for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the body responsible for implementing and overseeing the expanded gaming law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in November 2011. 

 

Prior to joining the Gaming Commission, he served as Business Development Administrator for the City of Springfield, after more than 10 years as Senior Regional Manager for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). In this role, he managed relations with more than 30 member companies in New England with revenues exceeding $500 million.

 

Before joining NAM, Commissioner Stebbins served as Director of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, overseeing five regional offices and a staff of more than 25 in promoting growth across the Commonwealth. 

 

From 1989 to 1991, he also served as the Associate Director of Political Affairs for President George H.W. Bush. Commissioner Stebbins earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from George Washington University.
 
The 5 member Cannabis Control Commission is an independent agency, with appointees from the Treasurer, Governor, and the Attorney General, that was established by Chapter 55 of the Acts of 2017, signed by the Governor in July of 2017. Their role is to establish, regulate, and oversee the Commonwealth’s recreational marijuana industry, passed by voters in November of 2016.
 
 
 

The Fall River COVID19 Numbers for 15 December 2020

58 new cases


4 new fatalities


(Fall River, MA- December 15th, 2020)- 6,359 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River. We have seen an increase of 4 fatalities putting us at 202 fatalities due to Covid-19.

Fall River South Library Branch Closes for Good Friday

The City of Fall River says it is ''with great regret'' that the Fall River Public Library's South Branch will close this coming Friday, as the lease at the current location was not renewed, and the library will vacate the premises. 

 

The two librarians at the Fall River South Branch location will move into vacant slots in the Main Library location on North Main Street in Fall River. 

 

IF you have items checked out from the South Branch Library in Fall River in Fall River, you can return them to that location through Friday, or to the Main Library on North Main, or at any Library in the S-A-I-L-S Network, which includes Somerset, Swansea, Westport and other South Coast Library Branches. 

The First Fall River Parking Ban

Mayor Paul E. Coogan announces a citywide parking ban, which will go into effect beginning Wednesday, December 15, 2020 at 3:00pm until further notice. 

 

Motorists are reminded that when a parking ban is in effect, parking is allowed on the north side of all city streets that run east and west and that parking is allowed on the west side of all streets that run north and south.   In most cases this means no parking on the fire hydrant side. 

 

 The parking ban is instituted to allow emergency vehicles, including police, fire and medical, clear access to all streets while allowing better access to snow plows for cleaner and safer streets.  

 

Parking is not allowed within 20 feet of a corner to allow access for snow removing vehicles.  Parking allowed, unless posted, on both sides of any street that is divided by a traffic median, but parking against the median is prohibited. 

 

If any vehicle is in violation of the parking ban and must be towed to clear streets for plows or emergency vehicles, the owner must call 508-324-2577 for the location of the towed vehicle.  

 

All towing fees must be paid to the respective tow company prior to release of the stored vehicle. 

Parking is available at the following locations until the ban is no longer in effect:


Flint Municipal Parking Lot on Cash Street
Municipal Parking Lot on Columbia Street
Talbot Middle School on Melrose Street
 Parking Lot on Hood Street  

 

Residents are advised to tune into local stations for storm related updates: WSAR 1480AM and 95.9FM, WHTB 1400, Channel 18 (FRGTV), Channel 9 (FRED TV) www.fallriverma.org  as well as Channel 6 (WLNE), Channel 10 (WJAR) and Channel 12 WPRI.


Please call the following numbers with all and any questions or concerns regarding PLOWING OF STREETS, SNOW STORM OR PARKING BAN:


MAYOR’S OFFICE:    508-324-2600
                
TRAFFIC DEPT:        508-324-2577    
                508-207-2584

DPW:                508-324-2760 
                 
 

City of New Bedford to offer temporary drive-up, no-appointment-necessary COVID-19 testing

The City of New Bedford will begin to offer free drive-up COVID-19 testing for a limited time at the New Bedford Regional Airport parking lot beginning today, Tuesday December 15 from 10am-2pm

 

No appointment will be required and testing will be expected to run from 5 to 10 days depending on supplies. There will be NO TESTING on Wednesday (December 16) and Thursday (December 17) due to the anticipated inclement weather. 

 

Residents should monitor the city’s website for further announcements. 

 

Only residents will be eligible and identification will be required at the drive-up site. 

 

Drivers should enter through the Shawmut Avenue entrance of the Airport only. 

 

Last week, it was announced that the Department of Public Health’s testing site at the Whale’s Tooth Parking Lot became appointment-only beginning Monday, December 14. 

Former Mayor Jasiel F Correia II Trial Set For February 22, 2021

The Second Fall River Mayor to Be Recalled, now facing 24 Federal Counts dealing with the Smart Phone App named SnoOwl, and alleged counts of Bribery and Extortion in counts 14-24 in relation to the letters of non-opposition for marijuana retail establishments, will go trial in 2021, after the first indictments in the case were handed up in 2018. 

 

Jasiel Correia II could go on trial in February, or in April, after his former chief of staff and campaign manager cut a deal with Federal Prosecutors this week; Gen Andrade will be sentenced in late April 2021. 

 

Correia's Defense Attorney, Kevin Reddington, told Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock that he ''was ready to Rock and Roll," regarding the case versus the now former Mayor.  

Federal Prosecutors at the Moakley Federal Courthouse in the Seaport District in Boston will have what could be a final witness list by Friday. 

The trial is expected to last at least three weeks. 

Attorney General Bill Barr Resigns Unexpectedly

Current Attorney General William Barr has tendered his resignation to the White House Monday Night; ABC reported the news at 5:46pm EST, Barr will leave before Christmas.

President Trump tweeted the news Monday night after the two met in the Oval Office. 

Former Chief Of Staff, Gen Andrade Pleads Guilty

Former Campaign Manager and Fall River Chief of Staff for recalled and twice Indicated Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II, Gen Andrade, has entered guilty pleas to 6 counts in which she was indicated as part of the second superseding Indictment in 2019. 

 

Andrade was calm for much of the 50 minute hearing that was conducted via Closed Circuit with Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock from the judge's chambers in Boston; she began to cry at the end of the hearing when she had to verbally plea guilty to each of the six charges.

 

Federal Prosecutor Zach Hafer outlined the case the US Government had built versus Andrade.

 

In terms of her alleged kickbacks of salary to Correia, Prosecutors maintained they had bank records of various transactions between Correia and Andrade, involving both her salary and a $10,000 Snow Stipend that she received after a blizzard during the Second Correia Administration. 

The Holiday Motorcade in Fall River Gets A New Time

Fall River ReCreation and the City of Fall River will begin their 14-mile Holiday Motorcade, titled ''Santa's Jolly Ride''. at 1pm EST from Government Center, as rain will likely be late Saturday Afternoon and continue through a portion of Saturday Night. 

 

 

 

 


 

Fall River Government Center By Appointment Only Starting Monday

Fall River, MA- December 11th, 2020)- Mayor Paul Coogan has announced that due to the increase in
COVID-19 cases within the City of Fall River , Government Center will be returning to appointments
only effective Monday, December 14, 2020. 

 

Visitors are asked to schedule in person appointments for
business that cannot be conducted online or remotely by calling 508-324-2000 prior to visiting
Government Center. 

 

Appointments will be available Monday through Thursday, 10:00am -12:00pm and
1:00pm- 4:00pm and Friday, 10:00am - 1:00pm.

 

The following are sites available for online or remote bill pay : www.fallriverma.org or by visiting the
following BayCoast Bank Fall River locations:


BayCoast Bank
490 Robeson Street
Drive through Hours - 8:00am - 4:00pm (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)
- 8:00am - 5:00pm (Thursday)
- 8:00am - 6:00pm (Friday)

 

BayCoast Bank
335 Stafford Road
Drive through Hours - 8:00am - 4:00pm (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)
- 8:00am - 5:00pm (Thursday)
- 8:00am - 6:00pm (Friday)

 

BayCoast Bank
81 Troy Street
Drive through Hours - 8:00am - 4:00pm (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)
- 8:00am - 5:00pm (Thursday)
- 8:00am - 6:00pm (Friday)

 

BayCoast Bank
1485 Pleasant Street
Drive through Hours - 8:00am - 4:00pm (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)
- 8:00am - 5:00pm (Thursday)
- 8:00am - 6:00pm (Friday)

 

PAUL E. COOGAN
Mayor
One Government Center ? Fall River, MA 02722 ? Tel (508) 324-2600
Fax (508) 324-2626 ? Email: epevide@fallriverma.org
BayCoast Bank
310 Airport Road
Drive through Hours - 8:00am - 4:00pm (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)
- 8:00am - 5:00pm (Thursday)
- 8:00am - 6:00pm (Friday)
Bulky Item tickets are available at the Department of Public Works located at 10 Lewiston Street, Fall
River, MA
Monday through Friday
7:00am to 2:30pm
and
Saturday
7:00am to 11:30am

Patriots lose in L-A

The New England Patriots lost to the L-A Rams Thursday Night at SoFi Stadium by a final of 24-3, as New England had tremendous issues in generating an offense, while Cam Newton accounted for 119 yards passing and spent the fourth quarter on the sideline. 

 

The Patriots return next Sunday, December 20, for their final road game at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, before returning to Foxboro for Monday Night Football with Buffalo on December 28, and a season finale versus the Jets on Sunday January 3 2021. 

The Patriots will likely need to win their three remaining games to finish at 9-7 which could secure an AFC Wild Card Slot. 

New Bedford Shooting Legal Process

An 18-year-old New Bedford man who is accused of shooting another man near Roberto Clemente Park this past June was found dangerous by a Fall River Superior Court Judge last week, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

 

Jose Santos faces indictments charging him with aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery by means of a firearm, and carrying an illegal firearm.

 

At approximately 2:30 am on June 17, New Bedford Police responded to a Shot Spotter notification at Rivet and South First streets in the south end of New Bedford.

 

When officers arrived, they saw blood on the street and also found a 9 mm shell casing in the area. One of the officers was flagged down by people in a car. The civilians told police that they saw the victim laying on the street, and put him in the car to take him to the hospital. 

 

Police learned that the victim and his girlfriend were walking past the park when two men got out of a nearby vehicle, confronted the victim, and began to chase the victim.  This defendant is alleged to have fired one shot at the victim, wounding him in the leg. 

 

Through surveillance video, police were able to identify a car believed to have been occupied by the suspects. Records connected this car to the defendant's father. Surveillance video also showed the defendant parking the car next to his residence shortly after the shooting.

 

 

Multiple fingerprints from the car were identified as the defendant's.

 

The defendant was initially held without bail as a dangerous person after the conclusion of a New Bedford District Court dangerousness hearing in June.

 

 Now that the case has been indicted, the defendant was the subject of a Superior Court dangerousness hearing on December 1.  On December 2, Judge Susan Sullivan found the defendant to be a danger and ordered him held without bail for up to 180 days as the case proceeds towards trial or final disposition.

Gina Says Its Scary

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo is extending an economic pause in Rhode Island by another week, keeping casinos and other businesses closed a means towards limiting mobility, in an announcement made in Providence on Thursday. 

 

The Governor says in the end, the people of Rhode Island are ultimately responsbile for protecting themselves and their families. 

 

The State or Rhode Island has seen its COVID 19 spike become a serious issue over the last week. 

 

The Largest Drug Seizure In FRPD

On Friday, 12/04/20, members of The Fall River Police Department's Vice and Intelligence Unit , the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Commonwealth Interstate Narcotic Reduction Enforcement Team (CINRET), and a postal inspector from USPS conducted a search warrant at 313 Sunset Hill.

 

    The primary and subsequent investigation led to the following items being seized:

•    Three kilos of cocaine, totaling 3,198 grams of suspected cocaine.  
•    $ 9,321.00 seized U.S. currency
•    54.54 grams of suspected crack cocaine 
•    25.72 grams of suspected cocaine 
•    Pill bottle containing 20 plastic bags of suspected fentanyl weighing a total of approximately 3.89 grams
•    Two (2) black colored digital scales
•    83.15 grams of pills containing compressed fentanyl
•    A 400,000 volt stun gun

 

A total of $9,321.00 dollars cash located inside of 313 Sunset Hill was entered into evidence.  The currency will be held pending forfeiture proceedings.

 

Chief Jeffrey Cardoza stated “This is the largest drug seizure in department history. We are fully committed to addressing gun violence and drug trafficking in our community. Our collaboration with the DEA, USPS, State Police, and the District Attorney’s Office will only get better as we look to identify those peddling poison in our city. I want to thank all the investigators that worked so diligently on this case.”

 

Arrested:
Milton Bertrand, age 48, with a listed address of 313 Sunset Hill, Fall River, MA.  
          
Charges:
•    Trafficking Cocaine over 200 grams
•    Trafficking Class A Drug over 36 grams
•    Possession of a Non Large Capacity Firearm
•    Possession of a Firearm in commission of a Felony. 
 

No MA Vaccine Mandate

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has indicated there will be no employer mandate for the COVID-19 virus, and that legally, employers cannot force their employees to secure a dose of the COVID-19 vaccines in order to return to work in Massachusetts, or to remain employed. 

 

Baker indicated that employees in Massachusetts can decide for themselves if they will pursue the vaccine. 

JCII Back in January

A Pre Trial hearing that was supposed to happen this week involving Recalled and Twice Indicted Former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II will now happen in January, after being postponed from a Thursday afternoon date. 

Its likely Correia will now be tried on his own, as former Campaign Manager and Chief of Staff Gen Andrade will be the subject of a Rule 11 hearing that happens Monday Morning via closed circuit from the Chambers of Federal Judge Charles Woodlock starting at 11am. 

Correia faces 24 counts invovling the Smart Phone App Sno Owl and its financing; the former Mayor is also accused of asking for and getting cash and gifts in the awarding of letters of non opposition in terms of commercial marijuana ventures. 

 

(the photo used originally appeared in the Fall River Herald News)

The MassDOT West Bridgewater Netting

MassDOT Advisory: West Bridgewater
 
Overnight Protective Netting Installation Operations on West Center Street Bridge over Route 24 

Work will take place on Sunday, December 13, and on Monday, December 14, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning 
 

WEST BRIDGEWATER - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that it will be conducting overnight protective netting installation operations on the West Center Street Bridge over Route 24 in West Bridgewater.

 

The work will be conducted during overnight hours on Sunday, December 13, and on Monday, December 14, from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following morning and will include the installation of new protective netting and timber shielding on the bridge.

 

The work will include standard traffic management operations, and will require temporary lane closures as outlined below. A minimum of two lanes will remain open to traffic at all times.

 

•    Sunday, December 13 - The Route 24 northbound high-speed lane and middle-lane will be temporarily closed.  As the work progresses, the high-speed lane and middle-lane will be reopened and the low-speed lane and break-down lane will be temporarily closed.

 

•    Monday, December 14 -  The Route 24 southbound high-speed lane and middle lane will be temporarily closed. 
 

Patriots Thursday Night

The New England Patriots are five point road underdogs versus the L-A Rams Thursday night on WSAR at 1480 and 95.9 FM, with coverage starting at 5:30pm and a kickoff at 8:20pm. 

 

The Patriots have won four of their last five and finish their season with a game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and a pair of games at Gillette versus Buffalo and the New York Jets 

A Rule 11 Hearing for Gen

The Rule 11 Hearing requested by former Jasiel Correia II Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager Gen Andrade has been set for Monday December 14 at 11am in a closed circuit hearing before Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock. 

 

Woodlock has also indicated to defense consul to contact the U-S Probation and Pre Trial Services to schedule a pre sentence interview. 

Andrade directed her defense attorney to ask the judge for a Rule 11 hearing earlier this week. 

(the Photo used was originally published in the Fall River Herald News)


###

The FR COVID 19 Numbers for 8 December 2020

COVID-19 Update


64 new cases
3 new fatalities


(Fall River, MA- December 8, 2020)- 5,664 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River. We
have been notified of 184 fatalities.

Coogan and Concerns Over Remote Learning

As the vast majority of Fall River Public School Students will finish the semester in a remote learning mode, Fall River Mayor and School Committee Chair Paul Coogan tells WSAR he has concerns about where kids are going and what they need to do throughout the day. 

 

Coogan says a majority of Fall River's Public School students are considered at risk, and he has concerns about the fact that many are left alone throughout the day. 

 

Superintendent Dr Matthew Malone made the call to go to a largely full remote learning mode after Fall River's  COVID-19 Numbers increased after Labor Day. 



 

Gasoline Prices This Week

The average price  of a gallon of regular gasoline is up two cents from last week at $2.10 a gallon, three cents higher than one month ago. 

 

Mary Maguire is Triple A's Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs,; she says robust gains in crude oil prices and the OPEC decision to increase production next year combined to boost prices anywhere from 2 to as much as 12 cents a gallon in a number of states this week. 

Baker-Polito Administration Submits Initial Vaccine Order

The Baker-Polito Administration submitted the Commonwealth’s initial vaccine order to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

 

The federal government has allocated Massachusetts 59,475 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for this first shipment that is part of 300,000 doses that the CDC is expected to send to Massachusetts by the end of December. 

 

The first allotment of 300,000 COVID vaccines will be for the first dose of a two dose regimen.

 

Anticipating that the federal government will soon issue emergency use authorizations for additional vaccines, the Administration has been working with the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group to prepare for a safe, equitable and efficient distribution that is based on guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

The Commonwealth has actively been working on preparedness and planning for a COVID-19 vaccine since early August. 

 

Over the past decade, the Commonwealth has invested in the state-of-the-art Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), which serves as the state’s vaccine registry, ordering system, and inventory system. DPH has enhanced MIIS to prepare to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

This week, the Administration will roll out further information on vaccination prioritization.

Santa Gets Postponed in Fall River

With the threat of rain for much of Saturday, December 5, in Fall River, ''Santa's Jolly Ride'', a 14 mile motorcade through Fall River, has been postponed until the following Saturday, December 12. 

 

If December 12 has weather issues, the holiday themed motorcade would happen the following day, Sunday December 13. 

 

For more information check out the city of Fall River's Facebook page and the city's website, 

 

 

 

 

 

The COVID-19 Fall River Numbers for 3 December 2020

COVID-19 Update


171 new cases


2 new fatalities


(Fall River, MA- December 3, 2020)- 5,258 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River. We
have been notified of 172 fatalities.

The FR Republican Club gets 60 Days

The Republican Club in Fall River will lose its liquor license for 60 days after a Thursday Night Hearing of the Fall River Licensing Board that heard a discussion of who was the manger of the facility, along with 3 men sitting at a bar before the proper operating hours on October 4. 

 

Current COVID regulations require that alcohol in Massachusetts be served with food. 

 

The Licensing Board wants the Republican Club to surrender its liquor license by December 14, with a restoration of its liquor license by March of 2021. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                   
                        

Are Leo and JenLo on the way?

A Netflix motion picture is being shot this month in and around Boston, with Fall River's Battleship Cove and the Battleship Massachusetts taking center stage this week. 

 

At a meeting of the Fall River RDA in November, Patrick Norton of the Narrows told members that it was possible that the film's primary leads, Leo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, would be filming scenes locally. 

 

Netflix execs are telling Fall River Administrators that as locations are being scouted, Fall River could be used again for film production. 

Sox Tickets Go Digital

The Boston Red Sox are eliminating  paper tickets for the 2021 season, as is possible that fans will be back in Fenway Park at some point in the 81 game home schedule. 

Tickets will be found in the MLB Smart Phone Application. 

Digital tickets had been a part of the app, even when paper tickets were purchased. 

 

The NHL has already adapted the technology as a means of eliminating issues with counterfeit paper tickets. 

The RDA Gets The Armory

The Fall River City Council agreed Tuesday Night by an 8-0 vote to allow the Fall River Redevelopment Authority to take over the Bank Street Armory and continue discussions with a Rhode Island-based developer who has expressed an interest in the building in order to redevelop it. 

 

Council amended the agreement to make sure the city has the right of first refusal if the building were to be sold by new ownership.

Developers have told the Coogan Administration that would likely spend anywhere from five to eight million dollars to restore the property as an events center. 

The Fall River COVID-19 Numbers for 30 November 2020

COVID-19 Update


146 new cases, 6 new fatalities over Saturday, Sunday and Monday


(Fall River, MA- November 30, 2020)- As of today, 4,862 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall
River. We have had 165 deaths attributed to Covid-19.

Braga Accident

Massachusetts State Police in Dartmouth are confirming this morning a 7-car-accident at the Plymouth Avenue exit that happened around 6:45, clogging the Somerset to Fall River portion of the Braga Bridge, along with a portion of 1-1-95m until traffic began moving just before 7:15. 

 

Tow trucks and rescue vehicles arrived on the scene after making their way through traffic that had ground to a halt on the Braga Bridge. 

 

 

 

 


 

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