With a unanimous vote by members of the K through 8 and Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee earlier tonight, an AFSCME Union Local for Paraprofessionals reached a Memorandum of Understanding on a new 3 year contract that will run through 2024. 

Tree Lightings, Downtown Stroll to Highlight Festive Weekend in New Bedford  

New Bedford, Massachusetts – The city’s holiday season kicks off this weekend, with the Downtown Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting on Saturday followed by the Clasky Common Tree Lighting on Sunday. Here are details: 

Downtown Holiday Stroll 
Date and time: 12 - 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 
(Rain date: 12 - 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11) 
Location: Downtown New Bedford 
Events: (updates at the “dNB’s Holiday Stroll” event page on Facebook)
•    New Bedford Fire Museum Antique Fire Truck Rides, Barkers Lane 12 - 4 p.m.
•    Southcoast Brass Band (various locations) 12 - 3 p.m.
•    Seaglass Theater Company Carolers (various locations) 2 - 4 p.m.
•    BuyBlackNB Mini Market in Bristol Hall, 12 – 5 p.m., with live music from Manny Escobar 12 – 2 p.m.
•    A Festive Holiday Drag Performance by Kirbie Fully Loaded
•    A Special Dance Performance by NBPAC on The Whaling Museum plaza, corner of William and First streets, 3 p.m.
•    New Bedford Star Chasers Cosmic Bike Parade, 2–4 p.m.
•    Santa spotting throughout downtown 
•    The Cureist Pop-Up Shop at Calico, 173 Union St., 12–5 p.m.

City of New Bedford Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting 
Date and time: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 
Location: Pleasant Street in front of Main Library downtown 
Program: 
•    Join Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford City Council President Joe Lopes and the New Bedford community for the annual tree lighting celebration. This year’s emcee will be Armand Marchand, executive producer for New Bedford Festival Theater.

•    At 4:30 p.m., a parade will march from the bottom of William Street, near the Whaling Museum, to the library steps for the tree-lighting. The parade will feature the New Bedford High School marching band and color guard, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and surprise guests

•    Remarks at the library by Mayor Mitchell and Councilor Lopes will be followed by holiday songs by Miss New Bedford Megan Sylvia, Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Hannah Lima, and Miss Whaling City Teen Kieyana Fleming

•    Free hot chocolate will be offered courtesy of Community Services, Veterans Transition House and New Life Church 

Clasky Common Park Christmas Tree Lighting 
Date and time: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5 
Location: Clasky Common Park at County Street and Pope Street
Program: 
•    Remarks by Mayor Mitchell and Councilor Lopes, followed by holiday songs by Miss New Bedford Megan Sylvia, Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Hannah Lima, and Miss Whaling City Teen Kieyana Fleming (scheduling may not allow for all three), and the Parker School Chorus 

•    Guest appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus 

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be performing emergency bridge deck repairs on the ramp from Route 24 northbound to I-195 westbound over I-195 in Fall River this afternoon, Tuesday, November 30. There is no estimated completion time currently.  A large area of deteriorated concrete was identified from routine roadway inspections and the repair plan was implemented immediately.

One lane of travel will remain open on the bridge during repair work, while the repairs are made to the left side of the Route 24 northbound ramp.
 
The breakdown and right travel lanes on I-195 eastbound will also be temporarily closed for the safety of motorists while work is performed on the ramp above. A minimum of two travel lanes will remain open at all times on I-195 eastbound.
 

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the deployment of three state supported mobile units for monoclonal antibody treatment for high-risk individuals who have been exposed to or have COVID-19. These new clinics have the capacity to treat a combined 500 patients per week with therapies that have shown to be effective in reducing severity of disease and keeping COVID-19-positive individuals from being hospitalized. 

Referral from a health care provider is required for treatment at any of the three new mobile clinics.  Treatment is provided at no cost to the patient and offered regardless of immigration status or health insurance. Patients should discuss with their health care providers whether monoclonal antibody treatment is right for them.

Two of the new mobile units, currently in Fall River and Holyoke, began administering monoclonal antibody treatment (mAb) to patients on November 22nd, and a third unit will be deployed to Everett on December 3rd.  These mobile clinics will increase access to monoclonal antibody treatment in Massachusetts for high-risk individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The mobile clinic sites can be relocated easily based on demand. 
 

A 40-year-old New Bedford man who slashed his ex-girlfriend with a knife in 2018 was sentenced to serve three years in state prison last week in Fall River Superior Court, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
 
Rolando Ibarra pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon and was sentenced to prison by Judge Gregg Pasquale.
 
On August 3, 2018, New Bedford Police responded to a domestic assault at 323 Highland Street. The victim was asleep in bed and received a call from who she thought was her stepson to open the front door.  When she opened the door, the defendant pushed his way inside the apartment. The victim told the defendant to leave, but he refused and pulled out a knife. The defendant asked where the victim’s dog was, at which point the victim attempted to get in between the stairway and the defendant. The defendant then pushed the victim and started swinging the knife which then slashed her in the face and the arm. The victim’s lip was cut and her arm had a 2 inch cut. After police arrival at the apartment, the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. 
 
The Victim, who was the only eyewitness, tragically died in December 2020 of a drug overdose. Despite her death, items from the incident were sent out for DNA testing and statements made by her during her 911 call were identified as an excited utterances. A motion was filed with the court to allow the DNA evidence and the victim’s statements on the 911 call to be admitted as evidence during a scheduled April 2021 jury trial.  Judge Renee Dupuis indicated she was inclined to allow the motion to admit the 911 call into evidence.  At that point, the defendant fired his attorney and spent the next six months working with a new attorney before finally pleading guilty last week on the eve of the rescheduled trial date.
 

ACLU SUES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING FOR HIDING INFORMATION ON FACIAL SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY

Is the R.I. Department of Labor and Training (DLT) planning to use facial recognition technology to process unemployment claims? The agency doesn’t want the public to know, so the ACLU of Rhode Island today filed an open records lawsuit to find out. The suit is in response to the DLT’s refusal to provide the ACLU any documents in response to an Access to Public Records Act (APRA) request that sought records related to the agency’s “actual or considered usage of facial recognition and identify verification software … in the course of processing unemployment claims.” 

The APRA request, submitted in August by ACLU of RI Policy Associate Hannah Stern, was in response to news reports indicating that numerous states have begun using this privacy-invasive technology to process unemployment claims. The APRA request also sought any information the Department had examined regarding the “operational effectiveness or accuracy rate” of any facial recognition products being considered, as the accuracy of this technology, particularly for people of color, is a matter of great controversy. Citing a trio of statutes, however, the Department responded that all the requested documents were “confidential by law” and would not be released. 

The lawsuit, filed by ACLU of RI cooperating attorneys C. Alexander Chiulli and Hilary White, notes that all three laws cited by DLT for withholding all their records are designed to protect the privacy of unemployment compensation claimants, but that the APRA request “does not seek information related to any individual employee, participant, recipient, applicant, or citizen involved” with DLT.  Concluding that “there is no legal basis” for denying the records, the ACLU suit seeks the imposition of civil fines and a court order requiring DLT to release the documents “forthwith” at no cost. 

The ACLU’s Stern said today: “Facial recognition technology in any context has huge implications for privacy and civil liberties. The DLT’s refusal to release documents about its potential use is not only contrary to tenets of governmental transparency, but it also means that the agency believes it can implement intrusive surveillance tools without any public oversight. At a bare minimum, residents should have the right to know when invasive technologies are being considered or used and any policies guiding their usage. Concealing this information unacceptably undermines the public’s right to know.”

ACLU of RI cooperating attorney Chiulli added: “The DLT’s interest in protecting the privacy of claimants is commendable. However, its misuse of statutes in order to conceal important information from the public is untenable. This lawsuit seeks to redress the agency’s clear violation of the open records law.” 

According to CBS 12 in Providence, a COVID-19 vaccination passport program that would allow residents to quickly demonstrate their vaccine status could be up and running in Massachusetts and several other states soon.

Governor Charlie Baker said yesterday that proof of vaccination would be available on a qr code on an individual’s cell phone. The code could be quickly scanned to show the person’s vaccination status. The governor said he already has a QR Code on his phone with his vaccination status.

Baker also said that booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine are available across the state, although it may take from 10 days to two weeks to schedule an appointment to receive one. The state is seeing increased demand for the vaccines, he added with close to 19,000 Massachusetts residents dying from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

The man involved in the fatal police-involved shooting Sunday morning in Seekonk has been positively identified as Jeffrey W. Groulx, 47, of New Hampshire.  The decedent also had ties to Boston.
 
The Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s Office has completed it autopsy of the deceased and found he was shot three times, with one shot being fatal.
 
This investigation remains active and ongoing at this time.
 

The Boston Red Sox announced over the weekend that they signed pitcher Micheal Wahca to a 1-year deal worth $7 million, as the Sox try to improve their rotation with a cost-effective signing. 

Wacha has spent time with the Cardinals, Mets and Rays in his career, nearly pitching a no-hitter with the Cardinals in the Post Season Versus the Pirates a few years ago. 

Massachusetts’s average gas price is the same as last week, averaging $3.42 per gallon. Today’s price is 5 cents higher than a month ago ($3.37), and $1.34 higher than November 29, 2020 ($2.08). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 3 cents higher than the national average. 

“It’s too soon to tell if fears of a global economic slowdown prompted by the Omicron variant will put downward pressure on oil prices for the long term,” says Mary Maguire, Director of Public/Government Affairs. “But for now, the upward pricing pressure caused by tighter supply and higher demand seems to have abated, and that seems to be stabilizing prices at the pump.”

AAA Northeast’s November 29 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 1 cent lower than last week ($3.40), averaging $3.39 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 1 cent lower than a month ago ($3.40), and $1.27 higher than this day last year ($2.12).
 

The Opening Line for MNF one week from toinght has The New England Patriots as 3.5  Road Underdogs as they visit the Buffalo Bills for Monday Night Football this coming Monday Night Football matchup. 

WSAR Meterologist Gary Best tells WSAR there is a possibility of snow and rain mixing during the contest, depending on how the first major winter storm to hit upstate New York actually tracks.

Coverage on WSAR on The Patriots Radio Network will begin on Monday December 6 at 5:30 with an 8:15 kickoff. 

Upcoming New Bedford Vaccination Clinics

Free, walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics are offered regularly in New Bedford.  Clinics offer CDC-approved booster shots for eligible adults, in addition to first- and second-dose vaccines and, at some locations, pediatric vaccines. Please bring your vaccination card when getting a booster. Details on boosters and pediatric vaccines are below.

Monday, Nov. 29:
-    Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Tuesday, Nov. 30:
-    Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J
-    Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Thursday, Dec. 2:
-    Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J

Friday, Dec. 3:
-    PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Saturday, Dec. 4:
-    Pilgrim Church Home (634 Purchase St.) – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J

Monday, Dec. 6:
-    Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Pediatric Vaccines Available: COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11 years old have arrived in New Bedford and are available at local clinics, including Mondays at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, Tuesdays at former Fire Station 11 on Brock Avenue, and Fridays at PAACA on Coggeshall Street.

“McCoy Mondays” are One-Stop Shop for Vaccines: With the arrival of pediatric vaccines at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, the center’s Monday clinics from 2 to 7 p.m. – upcoming dates include Nov. 15, and 22, and 29 – are “one-stop shops” for families and people of all ages seeking COVID-19 protection, whether it be first or second doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines, boosters, or pediatric vaccines. 

In-Home Vaccination Available by Appointment: The city and state are offering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly for elderly residents or those not able to travel to a clinic. To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna or J&J) with the New Bedford Health Department, call the department’s main line, 508-991-6199, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.  

To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna, Pfizer or J&J) through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, call the I n-Home Vaccination Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. 
 

According to NBC 10, Dartmouth Police responded to a shoplifting call at the town's local Walmart leading to the arrest of an alleged drug dealer. Dartmouth police say they responded to a Walmart on Friday around 1:15 PM for the shoplifting complaint.

When police arrived at the store they saw one of the suspected shoplifters, 35 year old Daniel Tavares, of Fall River, throw something behind a few vending machines. Police say after officers searched the area where Tavares had thrown the items, officers discovered several plastic bags containing suspected oxycodone tablets.

Tavares was later placed under arrest and charged with trafficking oxycodone and shoplifting, his 3rd offense. During booking, officers also seized roughly 1,700 from Tavares. According to Dartmouth Police, the total weight of the tablets totaled 25 grams.

Our preliminary investigation indicates at 6:40 am today, Seekonk Police received notification from an alarm company indicating a break in at a business on Route 6 in Seekonk. At 6:41 am, officers were dispatched to investigate. Responding officers arrived on scene at approximately 6:46 am. 

The officers saw the business had been broken into and gave a description of the suspect, who was seen leaving the area on foot. Officers then located the male suspect in the parking lot of another business on Route 6 in Seekonk.  The suspect fled from the parking lot in a black Honda, heading east on Route 6.  At the intersection of School Street and Route 6, the suspect, and only occupant of the vehicle, lost control of the car, struck a curb and rolled the vehicle onto its passenger side.  The vehicle was off the roadway.  

Two Seekonk Police officers arrived at the crash scene in their own cruisers. Shortly thereafter, the suspect opened fire on them with a 7.62 millimeter AK-47 Model rifle.  Officers returned fire.  After this exchange of gunfire, officers took up a defensive position and summonsed the regional SWAT team. 

After the SWAT team determined the suspect no longer posed a threat, emergency responders made access to the suspect's vehicle by cutting open the roof of the car. The suspect was determined to be deceased at the scene. 

Identification of the suspect has not been finalized and the official cause of death is pending an autopsy. 

The investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing. No further information can be disseminated at this time. 

The information presented is from the Patriots Game Notes:

Patriots win sixth in a row – 15th winning streak of six or more since 2001.
Patriots surpass 2020 season win total of 7 wins with 8th win of the year.
·Patriots improve to 6-1 in the AFC.
Patriots finish the month of November 4-0 for 28th undefeated month since 2000.
Matthew Slater plays in 100th regular-season game at Gillette Stadium.
Matthew Judon now has 11 ½ sacks.
Kendrick Bourne has second career two-touchdown game.
J.C. Jackson has best two-year interception total in team history.

A collection of New Bedford miscues were turned in to B-M-C Durfee touchdowns Thursday Morning in Fall RIver as the two schools played football on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in two years, as Durfee picked up its second win in the 2021 football season, knocking off New Bedford by a final of 36-14. 

After debating and tabeling the request throughout a large portion of 2021, the Fall River City Council's Committee on Ordiances and Legislation agreed last night to send a package of water and sewer rate hikes, that will cost the average Fall River Family a little over $5 a year, to the full nine member council for a vote that will likely happen in December. 

The package will arrive without a recomendation from the committee, which voted last night 3-1, with Michelle Dionne voting no and Shawn Cadime not at the session. 

Council Vice President Pam Lebeau indicated last night that she will vote no on the rate increases when they come before Council this winter. 

###

Longtime Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson has drawn a challenger for next year’s election. According to CBS 12 in Providence, 36-year-old Fall River democrat Nick Bernier, a lawyer and former Bristol County Assistant District Attorney, filed paperwork with the state office of campaign and political finance disclosing his intention to run. Bernier plans to hold an initial fundraiser on December 1 at the Fall River Country Club to raise money for his campaign. State Senator Mike Rodrigues, State Rep. Carole Fiola and Alan Silvia, and Governor’s Councilor Joe Ferreira are all listed as supporters on the invitation. Bernier previously ran for governor’s council in 2012 and lost in a squeaker after a recount. 

Sheriff Thomas Hodgson, 67, has served as Bristol County Sheriff since 1997, when he was appointed by then Governor Bill Weld. Hodgson has become one of the most prominent republicans in Massachusetts in recent years, and last year served as the honorary State Chair of President Trump’s re-election campaign.

In a decision rendered by Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock  this morning, former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II will now report to a Federal Prison on January 10, 2022 to begin serving a 6-year Federal Prison Term after a conviction at trial earlier this year. 

The original report date had been set for December 3. 

In a 6 page motion issued this morning, Woodlock wrote that'' rather than sulking in bitterness or depression after leaving office, Mr. Correia has worked tirelessly in a variety of roles to help keep his new in laws family business viable''.

Correia''s Wife's Family owns a Portugeuse Resturant on Fall River's Southside, and an Upscale Steak House near its downtown core. 

Correia's wife, Jenny Fernadez Correia, wrote in a letter to Woodlock this fall prior to her then-future husband's sentencing that Correia helps manage the second location and that his labor is ''critical'' to the success of the family business. 

Judge Woodlock also mentions that evidence to be presented in the Gen Andrade Trial, currently set to start on December 6, could also be considered in the former mayor's motions for a new trial. 

                   
                  
                    C
                    JUDGE WOODLOCK ALSO MENTIONS THAT EVIDENCE TO BE PRESENTED IN THE GEN ANDRADE TRIAL, CURRENTLY SET TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER SIXTH, COULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED IN CORREIA'S MOTIONS FOR A NEW TRIAL.    

The following is the text of a release issued Wednesday Morning by Administrators at BMC Durfee High School:

Fall River, MA. (November 24, 2021) – Interim Superintendent, Maria Pontes was notified late last night that a student shared a screenshot of a threatening post and that this post was circulating on Instagram. 

The Fall River Police Department was contacted immediately and they launched an investigation. The post and the page where the post was located were immediately taken down. 

We learned that the posting was made outside of Massachusetts and The Fall River Police Department deemed that it was not a credible threat and therefore did not warrant the closure of school. 

Out of an abundance of caution, we will continue with our increased police presence and will be conducting morning safety checks on random days. 

This investigation is ongoing. If the post is traced back to a Fall River Public Schools student, that individual will be criminally charged and face disciplinary action in accordance with the Fall River Public Schools Code of Conduct.

The safety of our students and staff continues to be our priority.  We will continue to collaborate with our partners, The Fall River Police Department, as issues of this nature come up and respond in a way that balances public safety with your child’s educational needs. We thank you all for your continued support. 

-End-

For Devers, his age-24 season was a special one. He led the Red Sox in games played (156), homers, RBIs (113), runs (101), hits (165), total bases (318), slugging percentage (.538) and OPS (.890). Devers was the starting third baseman for the AL All-Star team.

This information first appeared on Red Sox webste. 

The City of Fall River Water Department found elevated levels of lead in drinking water in some homes and buildings in our community. 

Lead can cause health problems, especially for pregnant women and children ages six and younger. 

Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure.   The main sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust or soil. 

The following are some of the steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead in your water including:

Run Your Water for 15-30 seconds to flush out lead

Use Cold Water for Cooking and preparing baby formula

Do Not Boil Water to remove lead. 

Call the City of Fall River Water Department at 508-324-2330 or visit our website at fallriverma.org to find more information. 

For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home or building and the health effects of lead, visit EPAs web site at epa.gov/ lead or contact your health care provider. 

The National Football League has shifted the Patriots and Colts  from a Sunday Kickoff to a Saturday Prime-Time game at Gillette Stadium that will be seen on the NFL Network as part of Saturday Doubleheader On December 18.

The Patriots will now kickoff at 8:20pm; coverage from Fox Sports Radio will begin Saturday Afternoon, with the Patriots Radio Network on WSAR starting at 5:30 on 1480 and 95.9 

The Patriots will be coming off their bye week when they face Indianapolis.

Booster shots are now available to all eligible people 18+ who live, work, or study in Massachusetts, who received a Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19?vaccine at least six months ago or Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. 

The?COVID-19?vaccine and booster are free, safe, & effective. 

Check your eligibility today by visiting?mass.gov/BoosterCheck. 

Visit?vaxfinder.mass.gov?to make a?COVID-19?vaccine or booster shot appointment today. 
If you need help, call 2-1-1. 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will not ask you for your bank account number, password, or other payment information. 

Massachusetts State Police and Bristol County prosecutors are investigating the Monday night fatal police officer-involved shooting of a 30-year-old Fall River man.

At this time the investigation is only in its preliminary stages.

On Monday, at approximately 5:10 pm, Fall River Police responded to a call from a Lowell Street resident regarding a domestic incident.

Responding officers spoke with a female complainant who said she was the victim of a domestic assault.  She said her boyfriend, Anthony Harden, had assaulted her on Saturday, November 20th.
Officers then made their way to Mr. Harden’s apartment, located at 120 Melville Street, arriving at approximately 6:05 pm.  

After police were allowed entry into the apartment, an altercation took place between Mr. Harden and the police.  At some point during the struggle, two shots were fired by an officer.  A knife was found at the scene. 

The two officers immediately rendered aid to Mr. Harden and called for an ambulance, which arrived two minutes later.  Mr. Harden was rushed to St. Anne’s Hospital, where he later died.

All facts and circumstances of this incident are actively under investigation and no further information can be disseminated about the ongoing probe at this time.

According to CBS 12 in Providence, an investigation is underway after a man was shot and killed during an altercation with police in Fall River Monday evening. Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said the incident occurred inside a first-floor apartment on Melville Street.

Officers initially responded to a home on Lowell Street for reports of a past domestic incident. Quinn said the victim, identified only as a woman, told the officers 30 year old Anthony Harden had assaulted her on Saturday afternoon while she was inside a Melville Street apartment.

After speaking with the victim, Quinn said the officers went to the apartment to speak with Harden. Quinn said after the officers made contact with Harden, an altercation began. During that altercation, Quinn said one of the officers shot Harden who was equipped with a knife. Harden was rushed to Saint Anne’s Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

In a season that started at 1-3, the New England Patriots now find themselves in first place in the AFC East for the first time in the Post-Brady era, as losses by Buffalo and Tennesse on Sunday could give the Patriots the inside track to the number 1 or 2 seed in AFC Super Bowl Tournament in January. 

The Patriots have two games left before their bye week, as the Patriots host the Titans on Sunday with 10am Sunday Morning pregame on the Patriots Radio Network.  

The Patirots final game before the bye is a Monday Night game in Buffalo on December 6. 

According to NBC 10, U.S. interior secretary Deb Haaland joined with Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker yesterday to mark the groundbreaking of the Vineyard Wind 1 Project, the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the United States. The project is the first of many that will contribute to President Joe Biden’s goal of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 and to Massachusetts’ goal of 5.6 gigawatts by 2030.

The farm will generate 800 megawatts of electricity annually, enough to power more than 400 thousand homes. it will be built by union labor and create hundreds of jobs, Haaland said. In July, The Department Of The Interior’s Bureau Of Ocean Energy Management approved the project to construct 62 wind turbines about 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket and 35 miles from mainland Massachusetts.

Another Vineyard Wind Project, Vineyard Wind South, is also under development. Offshore Wind Development is still in early stages in the U.S. which is home to two small projects off Rhode Island and Virginia.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA )
)
v. ) Criminal No. 18-10364-DPW
)
JASIEL F. CORREIA II, )
)
 Defendant )
GOVERNMENT’S OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO CONTINUE
SURRENDER DATE

Beginning in January 2013, at the age of 21, Jasiel Correia was ready to start stealing
hundreds of thousands of dollars from his friends and fellow citizens of Fall River.

 In February
2015, at the age of 23, Jasiel Correia was ready to start defrauding the IRS out of tens of thousands
of dollars in taxes he owed. 

By July 2016, at the age of 24, Jasiel Correia was ready to start
extorting Fall River business owners for hundreds of thousands of dollars – a corrupt practice that
he continued throughout his mayoral term. Come December 3, 2021, now approaching 30 years
of age, Jasiel Correia is ready to start serving his prison sentence.

To date, Correia has not paid back any of his defrauded investors and friends. To date,
Correia has not paid back any of the taxes that he still owes. And to date, Correia has not paid
back any of the hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash bribes that he grabbed from marijuana
businesses all those years.

Instead of repaying any of his debts, Correia asks to remain at liberty
to provide what he calls “critical assistance to his family’s small business through the busy holiday
season,” Def. Mot at 1 (ECF No. 347), but what the Fall River press has more accurately described
as “very likely the most expensive restaurant in Fall River.”1

1 See https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/courts/2021/09/14/fact-check-contextclaims-jasiel-correia-sentencing-memo-fall-river-mayor-corruption-fraud-defense/8329587002/
(“A glance at the Douro Steakhouse menu reveals a $42 eight-ounce filet mignon, a $75 ribeye,
Case 1:18-cr-10364-DPW Document 348 Filed 11/18/21 Page 1 of 2
2
Unsurprisingly, the only person Correia is prepared to pay is himself. A thirty-day
extension is unnecessary to rehash arguments that the defendant has raised previously in seeking
bail pending appeal (ECF No. 328), and which the government dismisses (ECF No. 317). In a
case where this Court has called Correia’s conduct “the most fundamentally corrosive crime a
community faces,” it’s time for Jasiel Correia to pay his debt to society and the citizens of Fall
River. Therefore, and for all the foregoing reasons, the government opposes defendant’s Motion
to Continue Surrender Date (ECF No. 347).

Respectfully submitted,
NATHANIEL R. MENDELL
Acting United States Attorney

Last night, Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at approximately 4:21pm, officers responded to a report of a
male breaking in to a motor vehicle. The male suspect fled the area on foot but was caught by officers after
a short foot chase.

Investigators quickly learned that the vehicle in question belongs to a student at B.M.C.
Durfee High School of Fall River. She had allowed another student to keep a bag in her trunk during the
school day. The male juvenile who fled from police was apparently trying to break into the car to retrieve
a handgun which was later found in the bag. The handgun was seized and is being processed by evidence
technicians.

This is still an active investigation with detectives following up on this matter.

There is no indication thus
far that the firearm was brought inside of the school. The Mayor’s Office and Fall River Public Schools
Department are actively working with the police department to ensure that all students, faculty, and staff
are safe.

The juvenile male detained by officers following the foot chase was ultimately placed under arrest for the
following offenses:
1. Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm
2. Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device
3. Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
4. Attempt to Commit a Crime
5. Assault.

This is the text of the document filed Wednesday by Jasiel Correia II's Defense Team:

Defendant Jasiel F. Correia, II, respectfully requests that the Court continue his surrender
date for 30 days, to January 3, 2022.

The government opposes this request.

As grounds for this motion, Mr. Correia states this his motion for continued release
during his appeal [D.E. 328] remains pending before this Court.

If the Court grants that motion,

the issue of a surrender date will be moot. If the Court denies that motion, however, an extension
of 30 days would permit orderly briefing of a motion for continued release in the First Circuit.1
In addition, the requested surrender extension would permit Mr. Correia to continue
providing critical assistance to his family’s small business through the busy holiday season.

This motion is Mr. Correia’s first request to continue his surrender date, and he
understands that, if this Court were to allow it, no further continuance could be expected.

1
 Mr. Correia cannot request release from the Court of Appeals until this Court has ruled on the
pending motion. See Fed. R. App. P. 9.
Case 1:18-cr-10364-DPW Document 347 Filed 11/17/21 Page 1 of 2
 

Baker-Polito Administration Encourages COVID-19 Boosters for All Fully Vaccinated Individuals 18+

 
BOSTON- Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced that effective immediately, all Massachusetts residents aged 18 and over are eligible to get a COVID-19 booster six months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two months since receiving a Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine. 
 
Massachusetts residents can access booster doses from more than 1,000 locations, with appointments available now for booking across the Commonwealth. CDC recommendations allow for mixing and matching of different COVID-19 booster doses, and eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. The Administration recommends that residents with questions about which booster is right for them should ask their health care provider for advice.

How to Get a Booster:
1.    Visit the Vaxfinder tool at vaxfinder.mass.gov for a full list of locations to receive a booster. Residents are able to narrow results to search for locations that are offering boosters. Many locations will be booking appointments out weeks in advance.

2.    For individuals who are unable to use Vaxfinder, or have difficulty accessing the internet, the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9AM-2PM) by calling 2-1-1 and following the prompts is available for assistance. The COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line is available in English and Spanish and has translators available in approximately 100 additional languages.

Vaccines are widely available across the Commonwealth. Getting vaccinated remains the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves, their families, and their community. 

The COVID-19 booster is safe, effective, and free. Individuals do not need an ID or health insurance to access a booster and do not need to show a vaccine card when getting a booster.  Additional information on the COVID-booster, including FAQs, can be found at mass.gov/COVID19booster .

Massachusetts leads the nation in vaccine administration, with over 94% of adults having received at least one dose, and over 81% of the total population fully vaccinated, over 4.8 million individuals. Over 800,000 residents have received a COVID booster.
 

Public Safety Alert
Stay Connected: Massachusetts Residents Encouraged to Plan Ahead 
For the Shutdown of 3G Cellular Networks 
The federal government and cellular providers have announced that older phones and devices will lose call and data functions, including the ability to contact 911
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) is supporting efforts by carriers and the federal government to raise awareness about plans by major cellular providers to phase out 3G coverage beginning in early 2022. EOPSS urges Massachusetts residents and businesses who rely on older technology to plan for the potential loss of cell and data functions, specifically 911 service availability. Mobile carriers are retiring 3G technology to add bandwidth for faster and more reliable network services, such as 5G. The decommissioning effort is underway, and 3G coverage is already being phased out as the final sunset dates approach. 
If a mobile phone is more than several years old (e.g., older than an iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S4), the phone may require an upgrade before mobile carriers eliminate 3G technology. For older phones and devices, the loss of 3G coverage will impact call and data service, including the ability to contact 911. These plans to phase out 3G coverage result from a decision made solely by the major cellular providers. 
The FCC urges consumers with phones older than the iPhone 6 or Samsung Galaxy S4 to contact their local mobile carrier or visit their carrier’s website to determine if a new device or software upgrade is necessary. The FCC has also provided information about resources to assist eligible consumers with phone upgrades and other internet connectivity costs. 
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued an alert to consumers, detailing the various timelines provided by mobile carriers to complete the shutdown:
•    AT&T will retire 3G service in February 2022. 
•    T-Mobile Sprint will finalize 3G shutdown on March 31, 2022.
•    Verizon will sunset 3G by the end of 2022. 

According to the FCC, the transition will also impact many other industries and technologies. A failure to upgrade technology in advance of the shutdown may affect home and commercial security systems, monitored fire alarms, personal emergency alert devices, and vehicle SOS systems, among other advanced technologies. Visit the FCC website for more information about the 3G phase out, suggested next steps for consumers, and resources to help stay connected. 
 

NARROWS CENTER ANNOUNCES UPCOMING DECEMBER CONCERTS AND NEW GALLERY SHOW 

FALL RIVER, MA - Rounding out the year at the Narrows Center are seven nights of concerts ranging from blues to country, to rock & roll. There will also be two gallery exhibitions for the month of December.

Please visit the website narrowscenter.org for current information regarding COVID-19 Protocols.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

Thursday, December 2 - Julian Lage Trio
 Hailed as one of the most prodigious guitarists of his generation and “highest category of improvising musicians" (New Yorker), Julian Lage has spent more than a decade searching through the myriad strains of American musical history via impeccable technique, free association and a spirit of infinite possibility.

Saturday, December 4  -  John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
After a decade-long run on the Northeast music scene during which they became recognized as one of the best and most popular unsigned acts in the country, John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band finally broke through nationally with leader John Cafferty's score to the motion picture, "Eddie & The Cruisers."

Thursday, December 9 - An Evening with Sarah Jarosz
With her captivating voice and richly detailed songwriting, Sarah Jarosz has emerged as one of the most compelling musicians of her generation. A four-time Grammy Award-winner at the age of 29, the Texas native started singing as a young girl and became an accomplished multi-instrumentalist by her early teens. 

Thursday, December 16 - Wynonna Judd 
Respected by the millions of fans who are drawn to her music and undeniable talent, Wynonna Judd's rich and commanding voice has sold over 30-million albums worldwide spanning her remarkable 34-year career. As one-half of the legendary mother/daughter duo "The Judds," Wynonna was once dubbed by Rolling Stone as "the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline.”

Friday, December 17 -  Masters of the Telecaster ft. Jim Weider, GE Smith, & Jon Herington
Three genius guitarists join forces as Masters of the Telecaster: Jim Weider(The Band), GE Smith (SNL / Roger Waters Band), Jon Herington (Steely Dan). You can expect a historic night of Blues, Roots and Rock & Roll.

Saturday, December 18 - Adam Ezra Group
Working outside the confines of the traditional music industry, Adam Ezra and his bandmates – Corinna Smith (fiddle), Alex Martin (drums), Poche Ponce (bass) - built a community of fans through sheer grit and determination, regularly performing hundreds of shows a year for the past two decades without any major label or mainstream radio support. 
Fusing folk intimacy and rock energy with soul power and pop charm, the band first emerged from Boston in the early 2000s and quickly garnered widespread acclaim for their bold, insightful songwriting and interactive, euphoric performances. 

Wednesday, December 29 -  NRBQ
NRBQ is Terry Adams, Scott Ligon, Casey McDonough, and John Perrin. “NRBQ” stands for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet. NRBQ have attracted accolades and respect from talent as diverse as Jimi Hendrix, Doc Pomus, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Keith Richards, The Replacements, John Sebastian, Dave Edmunds, Yo La Tengo and Penn & Teller. 

ART GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
November 15, 2021 - January 15, 2022
“MAN & BEAST”
An exhibition of drawings, paintings and masks by Fall River artist, David R. Mello.
Man, animals and other imaginary creatures collide forming a menagerie of images not found in the natural world, but which vibrantly inhabit the wilderness of dreams. Featuring works in ceramic, acrylics and ink.

December 4, 2021 - January 8, 2022
“BACKYARD BIRDS AND BLOOMS”
An exhibition of paintings by Narrows Art Community member Vania Noverca Viveiros celebrating the world around us, from our backyards to the thickets of our local reservations. It features work created during her live video painting demonstrations she began at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Formerly Incarcerated Citizens to Receive On-The-Job Training 
Through Programs Funded With $590,000 in Grants 
 
BOSTON, MA — Four organizations will receive funding to place formerly incarcerated citizens reentering the workforce into jobs where they will receive on-the-job training in their new occupations, the Baker-Polito Administration announced today in awarding $590,000 in Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants. 
 
Quinsigamond Community College, Community Work Services, STRIVE Boston, and Future Hope Apprenticeship Program, will each work with public and private business partners to place and train returning citizens into sustainable wage, career-track employment. 
 
The proposed programs would aim to create pathways to securing employment for the returning citizens with business partners in high-demand industry fields including environmental services, culinary, construction, and transportation. 
 
The Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program is an outcome of the Baker-Polito Administration’s Task Force on Economic Opportunity for Populations Facing Chronically High Rates of Unemployment, chaired by the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Rosalin Acosta. 
 
The Task Force found that individuals within prison populations experienced complex needs that require intensive interventions for them to be successful in securing and maintaining employment. Access to adequate re-entry services was identified as a barrier to employment that disproportionally impacts the target populations and leads to greater recidivism. 
 
 

With the country's focus on the Biden Administrations Infrastructure Bill passing, Massachusetts look to be benefiting from its outline

According to The Boston Globe, The major funding allotments for Massachusetts is planned to include $4.2 billion for improving highways and $1.1 billion to replace and repair bridges, as well as $2.5 billion to improve public transportation throughout the state to and 1.1 billion dollars to increase access to clean drinking water in communities across Massachusetts by replacing lead pipes and making other improvements. Numerous other assets in the state are looked to be on the focus from airports to weatherization.

Representative Bill Keating, said that the law’s funding is essential because climate change will have a significant impact on his district, which includes Cape Cod and other coastal areas south of Boston.  Money will be used to make coastal locations more resilient in the face of more intense storms and replace bridges over the Cape Cod Canal. He added that there also are measures to improve national marine sanctuaries and to boost the fishing industry, something that will also assist areas like New Bedford.

Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers earn Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards

BOSTON, MA — Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Rafael Devers have received 2021 American League Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards. The announcement was made tonight by Louisville Slugger on MLB Network.

This is the fourth Silver Slugger Award for Bogaerts (2015, ’16, ’19, ’21) and the first for Devers. Bogaerts and Devers are the fourth pair of American League teammates to win the Silver Slugger Award at shortstop and third base in the same season, joining Francisco Lindor and José Ramírez with the Cleveland Indians (2017-18), Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez with the New York Yankees (2007-08), and Miguel Tejada and Melvin Mora with the Baltimore Orioles (2004).

The Silver Slugger Award honorees are selected in a vote by Major League coaches and managers. Boston has been represented on the AL Silver Slugger Team in 17 of the last 21 seasons since 2001. Red Sox players have won 48 Silver Sluggers in the award’s 42 years of existence (1980-2021), including 10 in the last six years (2016-21).

Bogaerts, 29, is the fourth Red Sox player to win the Silver Slugger award at least four times, joining David Ortiz (7), Wade Boggs (6), and Manny Ramirez (6). Bogaerts joins Barry Larkin (9), Cal Ripken Jr. (8), Alex Rodriguez (7), and Derek Jeter (5) as the only players to win as many as four Silver Slugger Awards at shortstop.

In 2021, Bogaerts led American League shortstops in 2021 in on-base percentage (.370), slugging percentage (.493), and OPS (.863), batting .295 (156-for-529) with 90 runs scored, 58 extra-base hits, 34 doubles, 23 home runs, and 79 RBI over 144 games. Selected to the All-Star Game for the third time in his career, and second time as the AL’s starting shortstop, he ranked among the AL’s top 15 in batting average (8th), on-base percentage (7th), OPS (15th), doubles (T-13th), and FanGraphs’ WAR (T-10th, 5.2). He hit at least 20 home runs for the fourth time (2016, ’18-19, ’21), trailing only Nomar Garciaparra (6) for the most such seasons by a Red Sox shortstop.

Devers, 25, led major league third basemen in 2021 in home runs (career-high 38), RBI (113), extra-base hits (76), and slugging percentage (.583), and also ranked second in runs (101), hits (165), and doubles (37). Voted the AL’s starting third baseman for the 2021 All-Star Game, his first selection, Devers hit .279 (165-for-591) with a career-high 62 walks. He recorded at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI for the second time in his career (also 2019), and is the only player in the majors to score at least 100 runs and record at least 100 RBI in each of the last two 162-game seasons (2019, ’21). Devers is one of five Red Sox third basemen to win a Silver Slugger Award, joining Wade Boggs (6), Carney Lansford (1), Bill Mueller (1), and Adrían Beltré (1).

(this originally appeared on the Boston Red Sox Website) 

NOTICE OF PRETRIAL CONFERENCE as to Genoveva Andrade:

This conference will be conducted by video conference. Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. If you have technical or compatibility issues with the technology, please notify the session's courtroom deputy as soon as possible.

Access to the conference will be made available to the media and public. In order to gain access to the conference, you must sign up at the following address: https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html.

For questions regarding access to hearings, you may refer to the Court's general orders and public notices available on www.mad.uscourts.gov or contact media@mad.uscourts.gov.

Interim Pretrial Conference is SCHEDULED for 11/22/2021 at 11:00 a.m. in Remote Proceeding : Boston before Judge Douglas P. Woodlock. (Beatty, Barbara) (Entered: 11/16/2021)

CAPE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION: Infrastructure bill 
establishes path forward for Cape Cod Canal Bridge Replacement Project
 
WASHINGTON, DC: On Monday afternoon, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Congressman Bill Keating were at the White House to join President Biden as he signed the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law.
 
“With investments to repair our roads and bridges, improve public transit & rail, expand broadband, and secure clean water for our children, the bipartisan infrastructure bill is a big win for Massachusetts communities,” said Warren, Markey and Keating. “For residents of Cape Cod & the Islands, this law could mean new opportunities to secure the required funds to replace the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges, which would ensure the continued operation of these critical roadways that power the region’s economy.”
 
Senators Warren and Markey and Congressman Keating have identified several provisions within the infrastructure package that could be targeted for the Canal Bridge Projects:
•    Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants: $14 billion
•    Bridge Investment Grants: $12.5 billion
•    Nationally Significant Project Grants: $5 billion
•    Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE, formerly BUILD & TIGER) Grants: $7.5 billion
 
These provisions are on top of billions more in new funding made directly available to the Commonwealth and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help expand their resources for projects like this one.
 
“These four provisions represent nearly $40 billion in federal infrastructure funds that could be targeted for the Canal Bridge replacement project,” said Warren, Markey, and Keating. “A portion of these funds are only available because of the forward-thinking steps the Commonwealth took in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Army Corps of Engineers on the future of the bridges. The MOU between MassDOT and the ACOE ensures that the bridge replacement projects will be eligible for any funding opportunity.”
 
“Our fight to secure funding to replace these bridges is far from over, and thanks to President Biden and Congress, we have a clearer path forward toward the necessary replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges.”
 

Sons of Seredip Returning to Fall River for Free Christmas Concert

(FALL RIVER, MA- November 16th, 2021)- Mayor Paul Coogan is pleased to announce that
the band Sons of Serendip will be returning to Fall River on Saturday, December 4th for a
Christmas performance.

The concert will be held in the auditorium of the new Durfee High
School, making it the first performance on the new stage. Opening for the Sons of Serendip will
be The Jabberwocks- Brown University’s oldest A Capella group.

The concert will be entirely free, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Bristol County
Savings Bank. The event will be ticketed, with limited tickets available at City Hall and online
via Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/211827741477. Instead of paying for admission,
all guests are asked to consider bringing an unwrapped toy for the Fall River Police
Department/Law Enforcement Assisting Families annual toy drive.

Doors open at 6:15 with music beginning at 7:15. Parking will be available in the school
lots off of Elsbree St with overflow parking available in the West Main parking lot on Ray St.
Sons of Serendip, best known for their time as finalists on the 9th season of America’s
Got Talent, are a quartet consisting of a harpist, cellist, pianist and lead vocalist. This will be the
band’s third annual Christmas performance in Fall River

. In 2019, the band performed at
Durfee’s Nagle Auditorium. Last year, due to the pandemic, the band recorded a television
special from the Narrows Center for the Arts, which was broadcast regionally. The extended
version of the 2020 show from the Narrows is available on demand at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dEnQ5LbfxY.
Residents can follow the Facebook event page for updates: https://fb.me/e/1g126Jq0b.

Bridge Deck Paving Operations on Bay Street Bridge over I-495
 
Work will take place on Thursday, November 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will require temporary lane and shoulder closures 
  

TAUNTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be performing emergency bridge deck paving repairs on the Bay Street Bridge located over I-495 in Taunton.  The work will take place on Thursday, November 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

The work will require temporary right lane and shoulder closures in the southbound direction of Bay Street. A minimum of one open travel lane will be maintained at all times on Bay Street southbound. 

Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.
 
Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. 
 
All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are also encouraged to:
•    Dial 511 and select a route to hear real–time conditions.
•    Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
•    Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
•    Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting

COVID-19 Testing Locations Adjusting Schedules for Thanksgiving Holiday
New Bedford, Massachusetts – Local COVID-19 testing locations, including Project Beacon’s appointment-based COVID-19 testing at New Bedford Regional Airport, are changing their schedules next week to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Project Beacon, part of the state’s Stop the Spread program and located at 1569 Airport Road, will add Wednesday hours from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 24, but will be closed all day on Thursday, Nov. 25. 

Project Beacon will resume its normal testing schedule at the airport on Sunday, Nov. 28. Project Beacon’s normal testing hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Appointments for free COVID-19 tests can be made at beacontesting.com. Airport officials ask that people reach the site via the airport’s side entrance on Downey Street. 

The free COVID-19 testing clinic at former Fire Station 11, operated by Seven Hills at 754 Brock Ave., also will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, as well as Friday, Nov. 26. 

Other testing sites remain available in New Bedford and can be found on the state’s Stop the Spread website, www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test.

Thanksgiving Week testing locations in New Bedford include: 

Sunday, Nov. 21:
-    Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 22:
-    Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
-    Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 23:
-    Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
-    Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 24:
-    Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 28: 
-    Project Beacon at New Bedford Regional Airport (1569 Airport Road) – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

#####
 

(this Story First Appeared on ESPN.Com)

Fenway Sports Group in advanced talks to purchase Pittsburgh Penguins, source says
4:14 PM ET

Fenway Sports Group is in advanced talks to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, a source confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.

Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux have been the Penguins' majority owners since 1999. The Wall Street Journal and Sportico were the first to report on the potential sale.

The agreement still needs to be approved by the Fenway Sports Group board, and then will be subject to NHL approval. The NHL's Board of Governors must approve any potential sale.

Billionaire John Henry is the principal owner of Fenway Sports Group, whose portfolio includes the Boston Red Sox of MLB, Liverpool of the EPL, and Roush Fenway Racing of NASCAR. Fenway Sports Group also owns real estate, including Fenway Park. NBA star LeBron James has stake in the company.

The Penguins were on the verge of bankruptcy in 1999 when Lemieux, a franchise legend, and Burkle, an investor, led a group that bought the team for a reported $107 million. Lemieux and Burke were instrumental in securing a new arena in Pittsburgh, which fended off potential relocation. Since then, the Penguins have rediscovered success on the ice -- thanks, in large part, to the arrival of Evgeni Malkin (No. 2 pick in 2004) and Sidney Crosby (No. 1 pick in 2005).

While Lemieux helped the Penguins to their first two Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992, Crosby and Malkin led the franchise to three more in 2009, 2016 and 2017.

According to recent valuations by Sportico, the Penguins are the NHL's 15th most valuable team, with a value of $845 million. According to the data compiled by Sportico, the average NHL team is valued at $934 million, and the combined market value of the 32 teams is $30 billion.

Burkle and Lemieux have explored selling the Penguins previously, including in 2015 when they hired Morgan Stanley to help them look at options.

Fenway Sports Group, meanwhile, has been public about growing its sports portfolio in North America.

"We're a huge admirer of the National Basketball Association and obviously the National Hockey League," partner Sam Kennedy, who is also the president and CEO of the Red Sox, said at a Sportico webinar in April. "It represents a natural place for Fenway Sports Group to look."

The Penguins, like many teams in the NHL, have struggled financially during the pandemic. The team accepted a $4.8 million Paycheck Protection Program loan in 2020, and had its 14-year sellout streak end earlier this season.

The last NHL team sale involved the Arizona Coyotes, as Alex Meurelo took over as majority owner in 2019. The NHL has a standard agreement that prevents new owners from applying for relocation for seven years after they take over.

On Monday, November 15, 2021, at approximately 6:36pm, Fall River Police detectives assigned to the
Vice Intelligence and Gang Unit served a search warrant at an apartment in the 100 block of Covel St. 

While
conducting a search of the residence detectives were able to locate unlicensed firearms, suspected illegal
drugs, suspected drug paraphernalia, and money believed to be involved in the sale of drugs.

Suspected drugs seized from the home consisted of 1336.2 grams of cocaine (estimated street value
$133,500), 2.5 oxyxodone pills, 1 suboxone strip, and a small amount of marijuana

. Also seized was
$15,055.00 along with two firearms for which the resident did not possess a license. The first firearm was
a Beretta Model 21A (.22 caliber) pistol which was found with a loaded magazine, the second firearm was
a Taurus PT709 (9mm caliber) pistol which also had a loaded magazine. A check of the Taurus found that
it had been reported as stolen from Pennsylvania. Both handguns were not secured in compliance with
Massachusetts law.

As a result of this criminal investigation Roberto E. Torres-Camacho (38 years of age) was placed under
arrest without incident. Mr. Torres-Camacho will be charged with the following offenses:

1. Trafficking in 200 grams or more of Cocaine
2. Possession of a class B drug (2 counts)
3. Possession of a firearm while committing a felony
4. Possession of a firearm without an FID card (2 counts)
5. Possession of ammunition without an FID card
6. Improper storage of a firearm (2 counts)
7. Receiving stolen property under $1200.00 
 

According to CBS 12 in Providence, The New Bedford Police Department partnered up with the Women’s Center, a non-profit organization created to help domestic violence and sexual assault victims, to host the Cellphone Donation Drive. The Cell Phone Donation Drive is typically held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, but since it was extremely successful this year, the New Bedford Police Department has decided to extend it through November.

In the last week alone, the department has collected approximately 100 cellphones, which is their largest donation to date. Hassan Souto, Education Outreach Coordinator for the Women’s Center said because of the pandemic, domestic violence cases are at an all-time high. The New Bedford Police Department, according to Lieutenant Carola, responds to approximately 2,500 domestic violence calls annually.

Once donated, the phones are taken to Verizon to be refurbished and then set up for victims to use.

Massachusetts’s average gas price is up 1 cent from last week ($3.40), averaging $3.41 per gallon. Today’s price is 18 cents higher than a month ago ($3.23), and $1.34 higher than November 15, 2020 ($2.07). Massachusetts’s average gas price is the same as the national average. 

“A slight dip in gas demand, possibly due to seasonal driving habit changes, is contributing to some price relief at the pump,” says Mary Maguire, Director of Public/Government Affairs. “Unfortunately, the ongoing tight supply of crude oil will likely keep gas prices fluctuating, instead of dropping, for some time.”

AAA Northeast’s November 15 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 1 cent lower than last week ($3.42), averaging $3.41 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 11 cents higher than a month ago ($3.30), and $1.29 higher than this day last year ($2.12).
 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Permanent Protections of Three Family Farms in Bristol County
$1,007,600 will Protect 85 Acres of Farmland
 
BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration announced today the permanent protection of farms in Bristol County totaling 85 acres through the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ (MDAR) Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program, and in collaboration with the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Westport Land Conservation Trust, and the Towns of Westport, Rehoboth, and Dighton. A total of $1,007,600 in funding will go towards the protection of the three farms in the local municipalities. Importantly, the APR Program enables Massachusetts farmers to permanently protect their land from future development.
 
“As the Commonwealth’s agriculture sector experiences the progressing impacts of climate change, it is critical that we take steps to protect invaluable farmland and ensure the resilience of our agricultural economy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “In an area of the state that is under intense pressure from development, we are pleased to protect these farms in perpetuity through the APR program.”
 
“The Baker-Polito Administration is proud to protect and preserve this land in Bristol County for future generations, and congratulates the landowners, the Westport Land Conservation Trust, and the towns of Westport, Rehoboth and Dighton on their commitment and vision for the future with these important projects,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux.
 
The APR Program preserves and protects agricultural soils from use for non-agricultural purposes or any activity detrimental to agriculture. The voluntary program helps pay farmers the difference between the fair market value and the agricultural land value of their land, in exchange for a permanent deed restriction. The program also works to revitalize the agricultural industry by making land more affordable to farmers and their operations more financially secure. Since the inception of the APR program 40 years ago, over 74,000 acres of farmland has been protected across the Commonwealth through more than 900 acquisitions.
 
“We’re pleased to have partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources on the preservation of 85 acres of farmland in the towns of Dighton Dartmouth, Rehoboth, and Westport,” said Dan Wright, Massachusetts State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “By providing funding through the federal Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, we’re able to help farmers and partners protect working agricultural lands and prime farmland soils, which provides many environmental benefits for the Commonwealth. Thanks to the Amaral, Araujo, and Silvia/Pettey families, this land will remain in sustainable farming for many generations.”
 
Through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. Eligible partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs. NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of an agricultural land easement. 
 
Individuals receiving APR funding for farms include:
 
Stephen A. Pettey and Joyce P. Silvia, Westport - $539,600
 
This 35.5+/- acre property is comprised of 22+/- acres of crop and pastureland and is located on Sodom Road in Westport. Approximately 51.5% of the 35.5 (+/-) acre property is comprised of Prime or Farmland of Statewide Important soils. Steve is currently leasing the property to a local beef operation, that is using the property for hay and pasture. The Westport Land Conservation Trust partnered on the acquisition of the property and the Town of Westport contributed Community Preservation Act funds.
 
Richard and Elanor Amaral, Rehoboth - $261,000
 
Located on Davis Street, Rehoboth and totaling approximately 29.87 +/- acres, the Amaral property has a long history of active agriculture and is currently being used for corn, peppers, squash and pumpkins. The Town of Rehoboth Community Preservation Committee (CPC) worked with the APR Program to commit funding toward the project.
 
K.J. Araujo, Ltd. Dighton - $207,000
 
The K.J. Araujo farm on Elm Street totals approximately 20.7 +/- acres. The property has a long history of active agriculture and is currently being used for squash and pumpkins. The Araujo family had rented this farmland for 20 years, growing a variety of mixed vegetables, before they purchased the property in March 2017, and now wish to protect it with an APR. The town of Dighton contributed to the acquisition.
 
“This farm has been in my family for years,” said owner Steve Pettey. “My goal was to ensure that it would remain that way and continue to be a part of Westport.”
 
“I am so happy that I worked with the APR Program to preserve the farmland that has been in my family for over 60 years,” said Eleanor Amaral. “There has been so much development in Rehoboth lately, but it’s nice to know that this land is now preserved for future generations of farmers.”

“I first saw this property when I was a little boy and I decided back then that I wanted to own it one day,” said Ken Araujo. “Fifty years later I ended up purchasing the property. I bought the land to farm it, but also to protect it. This is some of the best soil east of the Mississippi and land this good should always be farmed and never developed. The APR Program was a great tool to accomplish this goal.”
 
“WLCT was thrilled to assist with the protection of this critical farm on Sodom Road,” said Ross Moran, Executive Director of WLCT. “This farm is located in a block of over 400 acres of protected farmland and will be forever protected because of the community’s commitment to Westport’s farmers and farmland.”
 
“As a Right to Farm Community with a long history of agricultural endeavors, the Town of Westport has been a strong supporter of local and state government actions that can facilitate keeping the local farms in the community working and thriving.” said Tim King, Town Administrator for the Town of Westport. “The recent Pettey APR is an example of what non-profits, MDAR, and the Town of Westport can achieve with inter-governmental cooperation to further that goal.”
 
“Westport and the entire South Coast has greatly benefited from the APR program, and I am thrilled to see that another important farm in the town will be protected,” said Chair of Senate Ways & Means Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport). “Protecting and preserving these farms is critical to the industry and to our region’s economy and food production.”
 
“The APR program has been instrumental in permanently protecting agricultural land in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough).” “The town of Rehoboth has a history steeped in farming and due to the collective commitment of the Amaral family, the town's CPC, and the Commonwealth, this farmland will remain viable for future generations while safeguarding active agricultural land in the community and our region.”
 
“I am very pleased that the Araujo farm in Dighton has been approved for long-term agricultural preservation through the APR initiative,” said Dean of the Massachusetts Senate Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton). “Local agricultural operations are critical to our community preservation and environmental sustainability efforts here in Southeastern Massachusetts.  Thanks to the Araujo family, the Town of Dighton, the Department of Agricultural Resources, and the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service for their hard work towards implementing these important local preservation measures.”
 
“The APR Program has been a critical asset for Westport’s farming community,” says Representative Paul Schmid (D-Westport). “Twenty-seven farms in Westport have been protected with this program, and those farms will always be available for farming.”
 
“The APR program is essential to keep the agricultural industry in Massachusetts thriving. Happy to see the Araujo family utilize this program to fulfil a lifelong dream to own farmland while protecting and preserving agriculture in Dighton for future generations,” said Representative Patricia Haddad (D-Somerset).
 
“With numerous new housing developments springing up in Rehoboth, a right to farm community, saving open space helps to ensure that the rural character of Rehoboth continues into the future,” said Representative Steven S. Howitt (R-Seekonk).

“All the credit really goes to Eleanor Amaral who steadfastly worked to preserve her family's legacy,” said Carol Williams, the Chair of the Community Preservation Committee in Rehoboth. “The Town will be forever grateful for this gift.”

“The Community Preservation Commission is very grateful that this APR project was a success and some excellent farmland in Dighton will be preserved in perpetuity,” said Tim Rhines, Chair of the Dighton Planning Board. “Town residents should be happy that no houses will be built on this beautiful piece of land that is not only agriculturally productive but also historically significant to Native American populations.”
 

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell Issues Statement on Redistricting Plan

New Bedford, Massachusetts – New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell responded this evening to the revised Congressional redistricting plan presented Monday by legislative leaders in Boston: 

“The redistricting committee’s approach was fundamentally flawed in that it framed the issue narrowly as one of self-determination only for Fall River, whose own elected officials took conflicting positions.

The issue rather was about the interests of all the residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, which is an economically and culturally distinct region of the Commonwealth from which no member of Congress has been elected in nearly a century.

Given New Bedford’s central role in the region and its extensive federal interests, there is widespread agreement here that a district that excludes our nearest city, as well some of our own suburbs, will inevitably make it harder for the region’s voice to be heard in Washington.”     -- Mayor Jon Mitchell 
 

After opening as a 4 point road favorite this week, the New England Patriots are now a 6.5 point favorite Thursday Night in Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Dome. 

The Over/Under is now at 47. 

The Patriots Radio Network will follow Will Flanagan Thursday Night on WSAR at 95.9 and 1480 at 5:30pm with an 8:20 kickoff..

The Patriots will close out November hosting Tennessee in Foxboro, and opening December versus the Bills in Buffalo. 

The Boston Celtics knocked off Cleveland last night by a final of 98-92 in the Rocket Mortgages Field House. 

Jason Tatum had 23 with 8 rebounds, 

Celtics are in Atlanta for a game with the Hawks on Wednesday on the Celtics Radio Network anf WSAR 95.9 and 1480. 

According to NBC 10, a Fall River landmark right off of I-195 may become a storage facility, forcing out tenants who have been there for decades. The businesses that would be forced out are fighting back against the proposal at 288 Plymouth Avenue.

At the city’s last Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on October 21, Bravo Development LLC requested a variance so the four-story building can be used as an indoor storage facility. The request was ultimately approved.

Residents Advised to Plan for Street Closures and High Traffic Due
to Veterans Day Parade

(FALL RIVER, MA- November 10, 2021)- The City of Fall River and the Fall River Police
Department remind residents to expect street closures and traffic delays on Thursday, November
11th due to the Veteran’s Day Parade.

The parade is set to commence at 1pm from the intersection of Eastern Avenue and
Bedford Street. The procession will then be traveling along the entirety of Bedford Street headed
East. It will proceed all the way down Central and Water streets to end in the area of Battleship
Cove. Many high-traffic downtown areas will be effected, including:

? Plymouth Ave to Robeson St
? North Main St to South Main St
? Route 79 (where Davol St meets Central/Water Streets)

Residents are asked to plan ahead and consider alternate routes- such as I-195 or Route 24- when
planning travel between the North and South ends of Fall River. Patience and cooperation is
appreciated for the safety of drivers and those participating in the parade.

VETERANS’ DAY PARADE ROUTE:
The parade will stage at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Bedford Street. The various
Divisions for the parade will begin lining up on Stonehaven Road, at the far eastern end of
Bedford Street, No. Ogden Street, No. Eastern Ave and the North intersection of Eastern Ave.

The parade will commence at 1:00 pm, travel down Bedford Street, and ending at Battleship
Cove. The parade participants will disperse at the Cove and arrangements have been made for
parking in and around the cove for the parade participants and citizens who want to join in the
activities planned for a Veterans’ Day Celebration at Battleship Cove featuring; music of the 60s
and 70s performed by the one and only WOLF GANG. There will also be a DJ, hot chocolate,
popcorn, and bags of M&M’s at no cost. There will be vendors with crafts, miscellaneous items,
and food stuffs.

New Bedford to Observe Veterans Day 2021 with a Parade and Ceremony  

New Bedford, Massachusetts – New Bedford’s Veterans Advisory Board and the City of New Bedford are proud to present the 2021 New Bedford Veterans Day Parade. 

The parade will form at the intersection of Rockdale Avenue and Union Street, in Buttonwood Park, beginning at about 10:15 a.m. and stepping off at 11 a.m.

The parade will march east on Union Street to County Street, then turn left and head north on County Street to William Street, then turn right onto William Street and head east to City Hall, and end at the reviewing stand in front of the New Bedford Main Library, at the intersection of Pleasant Street and William Street. An address for the end of the parade is 613 Pleasant St. in downtown New Bedford. 

A Veteran’s Day service will be held at the reviewing stand following the conclusion of the parade, and all are invited to attend. Seating will be reserved near the reviewing stand for elderly veterans and veterans with disabilities.

This year’s parade is a joint effort between the New Bedford Veterans’ Advisory Board, the City of New Bedford, and the New Bedford Veterans’ Services Department. 

In the case of inclement weather, there will be a service at the Fort Taber Community Center at Fort Taber Park, 1000A S. Rodney French Blvd., beginning at 1 p.m.

If you plan on marching in this year’s parade and have yet to RSVP, please email Veterans’ Agent Christopher Gomes at: cgomes@newbedford-ma.gov.

If you have not sent an RSVP but still would like to march, we invite you to still show up to the parade. All who want to participate in the parade will be given the opportunity.

Thirteen Gangster Disciples Members, Associates and Drug Suppliers Charged in Multistate Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Defendants allegedly trafficked fentanyl, cocaine, suboxone and counterfeit prescription pills containing meth throughout Massachusetts and into Maine and New Hampshire

BOSTON – Thirteen individuals were charged today in connection with a Lawrence-based drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, cocaine, suboxone and counterfeit prescription pills containing methamphetamine.

According to court documents, the investigation, which began in August 2020, intercepted communications on numerous cellphones between leaders, members and drug suppliers of the Gangster Disciples street gang operating in the greater Lawrence area. The investigation revealed a large multi-object drug conspiracy centering around the Gangster Disciples in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. According to the charging documents, the defendants actively distributed fentanyl, cocaine and suboxone with drug trafficking activities extending from Massachusetts into Maine and southern New Hampshire as well as into the Essex County Jail. It is also alleged that Justin Suriel and Steven Rios conspired to kidnap, hold captive and traumatize a victim in retaliation for the suspected theft of Rios’ dog.

The investigation also identified defendants as alleged suppliers of methamphetamine disguised as counterfeit Adderall and oxycodone pills. Today, investigators seized four gallon-sized bags of counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine, weighing approximately 9.67 pounds. An additional gallon-sized bag of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl was also seized.

“These defendants allegedly trafficked drugs of all kinds, making money at the expense of addicts and dragging down our community,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “Today’s arrests stop a poly-drug pipeline that supplied street-level dealing across New England. Local, state and federal law enforcement worked together to make this happen, and we are not stopping. To the drug traffickers, we say: you will be prosecuted and you will be brought to justice.”

“Today’s arrests targeted many of the key leaders, members, and associates of the Gangster Disciples in the Merrimack Valley who we believe have flooded our neighborhoods with their destructive poison and fueled the violence on city streets under the guise of defending their so-called turf,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Our North Shore Gang Task Force has seized their profits and shut down their distribution networks, and we will not hesitate to use every tool we have to stop others like them from threatening the safety our communities.”

The following individuals were indicted on conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine and suboxone:

Justin Suriel, a/k/a “Chachi,” 25, of Methuen;
Nathaniel Infante, a/k/a “Natti,” 27, of Methuen;
Jonathan Cruz, a/k/a “Trippy,” 35, of Lawrence;
Felix Rodriguez, 24, of Methuen;
Steven Rios, a/k/a “Doofy,” 24, of North Andover;
Cirio Junior Dolores-Acevedo, a/k/a “Domi,” 38, of Miami, Fla.;
Celino Guzman Cabreja, 31, of Lawrence;
Anthony Martinez, 23, of Haverhill;
Christopher Riley, 38, of Brockton;
Elijah Declet, a/k/a “Evil,” 24, of Haverhill; and
Emmanuel Lys, 32, of Watertown.
Suriel and Rios were also charged with one count each of kidnapping conspiracy. Declet was also charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Two additional defendants were charged by criminal complaint for their involvement in the Gangster Disciples’ trafficking operations. Yoel Mercedes, a/k/a “Capo,” 38, of Lawrence, was charged with distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Vando Gvozdarevic, 29, of Chelmsford, was charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Following the CDC's approval of Pfizer's vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, a Fall River hospital was the first in the country to receive a shipment of kid-sized doses.

According to CBS 12 in Providence, Charlton Memorial Hospital got the delivery from Fedex on November 1 and has since started holding pediatric-only clinics in Dartmouth. Starting Tuesday, November 16, the pediatric clinic will be held every Tuesday from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. at the Vanity Fair Outlet on Faunce Corner Road. Appointments can be made through the MyChart portal, online scheduling, or by calling (508) 973-1919.

As newly-eligible children ages 5-11 years old get the COVID-19 vaccine, some places are still struggling to get adults to receive the shot. According to CBS 12 in Providence, Bristol County remains at the bottom when it comes to vaccination numbers, with the most recent state data showing 58% of residents are fully vaccinated.

In New Bedford, the numbers are even lower. The city only just reached the 50% vaccination rate, according to state data released November 4, with just over 50 thousand residents fully vaccinated compared to the nearly 100 thousand residents in the city.

More than 68% of the Commonwealth is fully vaccinated.

The New England Patriots host the Cleveland Browns Sunday at Gillette Stadium, with the Patriots opening as a 2.5 favorite. 

Coverage bracketed by Fox Sports Radio on WSAR starts at 10am Sunday Morning on 95.9 and 1480 on The Patriots Radio Network,  with a 1pm kickoff. 

Massachusetts’s average gas price is up 2 cents from last week ($3.38), averaging $3.40 per gallon. Today’s price is 24 cents higher than a month ago ($3.16), and $1.33 higher than November 8, 2020 ($2.07). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 2 cents lower than the national average. 

“Many people mourn the end of Daylight Saving Time, with its earlier sunsets,” says Mary Maguire, Director of Public/Government Affairs. “But when darkness falls earlier, demand for gasoline often drops as well, because people tend to head straight home from work rather than go out in the evening. And that falling demand often puts downward pressure on prices at the pump.”

AAA Northeast’s November 8 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 2 cents higher than last week ($3.40), averaging $3.42 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 16 cents higher than a month ago ($3.26), and $1.31 higher than this day last year ($2.11).

BROCKTON – A Brockton man was held without bail today after his arraignment on a murder charge, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
 
Today, Asa St. Louis, 24, pleaded not guilty to one count of murder for the November 3rd fatal shooting of 28 year-old Nelito Lopes. At the Commonwealth’s request, St. Louis was held today without bail. 

The charges stem from an incident which occurred at approximately 9 p.m. on November 3. Brockton Police responded to the area of Prospect and Walnut Streets for a report of shots fired with a person struck. Upon arrival on scene, Brockton Police located a 2003 Honda Civic crashed into a utility pole.

Inside the motor vehicle, police located the driver, Lopes, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Lopes was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital before he was medflighted to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston where he was pronounced dead.

Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police reviewed surveillance video, and conducted canvases and interviews. As a result of their investigation, police sought and obtained a murder arrest warrant for St. Louis early Saturday morning. Massachusetts State Police Detectives, Brockton Police, MSP Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and Boston Police worked throughout the weekend to locate St. Louis. He was arrested without incident yesterday morning in Boston. 

St. Louis is next scheduled to appear in court on December 9.

The investigation is active and ongoing. 
 

Guard members drove thousands of routes and travelled over 300,000 miles, ensuring nearly 15,000 safe pick-ups and drop-offs for students throughout the Commonwealth. 

In response to requests for assistance by local government officials, Governor Charlie Baker activated the Massachusetts National Guard to support school districts amid an unprecedented, national shortage of bus drivers. Governor Baker’s order made available 250 Guard personnel for transportation assistance. With the local school districts who had requested assistance now able to meet transportation needs through civilian drivers, the Guard is now able to conclude its mission.

“The Commonwealth is grateful to the men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard for answering the call and supporting the safe transportation of students in communities across Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By working collaboratively with local districts who requested assistance, the Guard was able to provide critical school transportation support at a time when schools, students and families needed it most.”

“Time and again throughout its history, the Massachusetts National Guard has stepped up to serve the communities of our Commonwealth, and that has never been more true than during the last year and a half,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We appreciate the professionalism and dedication of the members of the Guard who supported this mission, and thank them for their service.”

In total, the Guard provided school transportation support in 13 districts, including Brockton, Chelsea, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Quincy, Revere, Wachusett (regional), Woburn, and Worcester.

Final Mission Metrics: 
•    236 Soldiers participated in the mission
•    14,626 student pick-ups and drop-offs
•    329,224 miles driven
•    3,002 total routes
•    13 total municipalities supported 

To successfully perform this mission, more than 190 members of the Guard completed the driver’s certification process to operate transport vans known as 7D vehicles. In accordance with school transportation worker requirements, the orientation process included vehicle training, background screening, as well as a thorough review of all health and safety measures. 
 
Beyond those certified as drivers, approximately 40 members of the Guard provided operational support for the mission.

The Massachusetts National Guard trains regularly with law enforcement, civilian, and other military agencies to provide a broad spectrum of services in support of security, logistics, disaster relief, and other missions. The Guard has a proven track record of success supporting civilian authorities. Their frequent side-by-side training with state and local first responders makes them well-suited for a variety of missions.

A 50-year-old New Bedford man who was convicted last month of the brutal January 2018 slaying of Chantel Bruno was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility for parole last Friday in Fall River Superior Court, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.
 
Robert Viveiros was convicted by a jury of his peers on October 29th for First Degree Murder, Home Invasion and Animal Cruelty.  The case against the defendant was initially declared a mistrial in March 2020 after the trial had to be halted due to the Covid-19-related court shutdowns at that time.
 
Mr. Viveiros’ co-defendant, Kenneth Roark, 48, of New Bedford, is slated to go to trial on January 31, 2022.  
 
Shortly after 1 a.m. on January 22, 2018, the two men kicked in the door of the apartment, also at 387 Ashley Blvd., in which Bruno had been staying for at least two months.  Ms. Bruno was stabbed 49 times during the vicious attack, which was the culminating event in an ongoing dispute between Defendant Viveiros and the victim, both of whom were living next door to each other in an apartment building.  During the incident, the victim’s small dog was also stabbed, but did survive. 
 
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Gregg Pasquale.
 
“This is a case of the defendant resorting to violence to resolve ongoing problems with a female neighbor. He solicited the co-defendant to break down the door and assault the victim, who was brutally stabbed nearly 50 times. The defendant took matters into his own hands and the result  was a brutal and violent murder. There is no place for that in our society. I want to thank the prosecutors and investigators for their efforts in this case, and  the jury for returning a verdict based fairly on the evidence,” District Attorney Quinn said. 
 
 

Governor's Task Force on Hate Crimes Issues School Resource Guide
Grant funding available to support school policy development and implementation

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration’s Task Force on Hate Crimes today released a School Resource Guide outlining best practices to assist schools in developing a comprehensive hate crime policy. The Guide is intended to support school districts across the Commonwealth by providing model policies that foster safe and inclusive learning environments for all students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators. The Administration also announced the availability of $400,000 in grant funding for local school districts to support the development and implementation of anti-hate crimes programming.

Click to read School Hate Crime Resource Guide.

Click here to read the Executive Summary.

“Our administration was proud to revitalize the Hate Crimes Task Force, which has played an important role in ensuring that Massachusetts remains vigilant against any form of hate or discrimination,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This school resource guide is a valuable addition to the previous work of the Task Force, and we are grateful to the Task Force members and the research team for their efforts. We look forward to working with them and our local school districts to further promote safe and welcoming learning environments for the Commonwealth’s students.”

“Our administration has focused on partnering with communities, law enforcement, and schools to combat hate crimes, and this new school resource guide is an important next step in those efforts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We thank the Hate Crimes Task Force members and the experts who contributed to the publication of this guide, which reinforces our commitment to safety and inclusion for all.”

Governor Charlie Baker revitalized the Hate Crimes Task Force in 2017 and soon after, the Task Force published a series of recommendations that included the creation of resources for educational institutions. According to 2019 FBI national hate crime data, educational institutions are the third most common location of hate crimes reported to law enforcement in Massachusetts. 

"Education is the key to preventing and confronting acts of hate and bias," said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Terrence Reidy, who serves as co-chair of the Task Force. "We are grateful to the task force, the researchers, and all who participated in the development of this informative guide, which offers a roadmap to schools across the state in creating safe learning environments free from prejudice and bigotry."

The School Resource Guide was developed by a team of researchers from Northeastern University, American University, and the Anti-Defamation League of New England. The researchers reviewed materials from more than 60 organizations and conducted interviews with key stakeholders from the Task Force, the Executive Office of Public Safety (EOPSS), and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The research team engaged a diverse set of experts including police, school administrators, teachers, prosecutors, and representatives from the legal rights and civil liberties community. 

The guide's publication coincides with the availability of a grant program and $400,000 in funding administrated by DESE, in coordination with EOPSS, to prevent hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents in public schools. The grant application will soon be available to school districts who can apply for up to $50,000 to fund education, professional development, prevention, and community outreach to reduce crimes motivated by race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and disability. 

"Schools are a central hub in communities and have an important role in children's lives, both academically and socially," said Secretary of Education James A. Peyser. "The Hate Crimes Resource Guide provides a tool for school leaders and teachers on what steps to take if there is a bias-motivated incident on campus as well as how to build a culture of prevention. DESE's Hate Crimes Prevention Grant is an opportunity for an initial set of districts to put in place the lessons in this guide among a cohort of peers."

"Addressing hate crimes in schools is critical to creating a more inclusive and respectful society that experiences few hate crimes and less prejudice overall," said Task Force Co-Chair Josh Kraft, the president of Kraft Family Philanthropies. "On behalf of the Task Force, I extend our appreciation to the researchers and the many stakeholders who contributed to this meaningful resource." 

"Providing a safe, healthy, and supportive educational environment is vital to assisting students in their academic success and future careers," said Jack McDevitt, researcher at Northeastern University's Institute of Race and Justice and co-author of the resource guide. "The best way to prevent biased motivated incidents is to teach students, parents, educators, and staff about the devastating impact these incidents have on the individual and the entire community. We hope this resource serves as a guiding light to help school administrators advance policies that safeguard against acts of hate and bias." 

About the Governor's Task Force on Hate Crimes 

The Governor's Task Force on Hate Crimes is tasked with encouraging effective coordination in the awareness, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes throughout the Commonwealth. Its members include gubernatorial appointees with expertise in community advocacy, law enforcement, health care, law, government and education and represent a group diverse in gender, race, industry, region, age and education. 

The Governor's Task Force on Hate Crimes was initially established in 1991 by Governor Bill Weld in conjunction with the Hate Crimes Report Act and then was formalized in 1997 through Executive Order 401 by Governor Paul Cellucci. After a period of dormancy, Governor Charlie Baker reaffirmed and reconstituted it in 2017 through Executive Order 578. In 2021, Governor Baker signed legislation that will ultimately transition the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes into a new statutory Hate Crimes Task Force under Section 221 of Chapter 6 of the General Laws.

Media Contact: Elaine Driscoll, elaine.driscoll@mass.gov
 

MassDOT Advisory: Fall River

Weaver Street Bridge Closed for Demolition and Reconstruction Operations beginning on Wednesday, November 10 
 
Construction anticipated to continue through 2023 and detour will be in place

  
FALL RIVER – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be closing the Weaver Street Bridge located over the railroad in Fall River. The closure will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 10, and is anticipated to continue through 2023. The closure is necessary to allow crews to safely and effectively demolish and reconstruct the bridge.  

Traffic and pedestrians will be detoured as follows during the bridge closure: 

Traffic and pedestrians coming from the east side of the bridge:
•    Traffic will be directed along North Main Street. 
•    Take a right onto Cove Street. 
•    Take a right onto Ace Street. 
•    Take a left onto Probber Lane. 
•    Take a right onto West Street. 
•    Take a right back onto Weaver Street. 

Traffic and pedestrians coming from the west side of the bridge:
•    Traffic will be directed along Weaver Street.
•    Take a left onto Probber Lane. 
•    Take a left onto West Street. 
•    Take a right onto Ace Street. 
•    Take a left onto Cove Street. 
•    Take a left onto North Main Street. 
 

BROCKTON – A Brockton man was held without bail today after his arraignment on a murder charge, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
 
Today, Asa St. Louis, 24, pleaded not guilty to one count of murder for the November 3rd fatal shooting of 28 year-old Nelito Lopes. At the Commonwealth’s request, St. Louis was held today without bail. 

The charges stem from an incident which occurred at approximately 9 p.m. on November 3. Brockton Police responded to the area of Prospect and Walnut Streets for a report of shots fired with a person struck.

Upon arrival on scene, Brockton Police located a 2003 Honda Civic crashed into a utility pole. Inside the motor vehicle, police located the driver, Lopes, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Lopes was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital before he was medflighted to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston where he was pronounced dead.

Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police reviewed surveillance video, and conducted canvases and interviews. As a result of their investigation, police sought and obtained a murder arrest warrant for St. Louis early Saturday morning.

Massachusetts State Police Detectives, Brockton Police, MSP Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and Boston Police worked throughout the weekend to locate St. Louis. He was arrested without incident yesterday morning in Boston. 

St. Louis is next scheduled to appear in court on December 9.

The investigation is active and ongoing. 
 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Agreement to Benefit Martha’s Vineyard Shellfishing Industry
 
Boston – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group (MVSG) have approved a long-term agreement authorizing MVSG to use DMF’s John T. Hughes Hatchery and Research Facility in Oak Bluffs to raise shellfish for transplant into shellfish beds in Martha’s Vineyard.

The 15-year lease agreement was authorized by legislation sponsored by State Senator Julian Cyr and State Representative Dylan Fernandes, and signed into law by Governor Baker on January 14, 2021.

The agreement clears the way for MVSG to continue using the Hughes Hatchery to spawn and culture shellfish for eventual transplant to harvestable shellfish beds throughout Martha’s Vineyard. With the long-term agreement in place, MVSG will make additional infrastructure investments, enabling the organization to ensure the continued and reliable production of shellfish in support of the Island’s public fisheries. 

BRIDGEWATER - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be conducting milling and paving operations on Route 24 southbound at the off-ramp to I-495 northbound.

The ramp will be closed to safely complete the work.  The work will begin at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 7, and will be completed in approximately three hours.

The ramp from Route 24 southbound to I-495 northbound (Exit 22A) will be temporarily closed and the detour is as follows:

•    Follow Route 24 southbound to the ramp to I-495 southbound (Exit 22A)
•    Follow I-495 southbound to the ramp to Route 24 northbound (Exit 19A)
•    Follow Route 24 northbound to the ramp to I-495 northbound (Exit 22B)

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

Changing Clocks Means More Emphasis on Safety, Says AAA

Motorists should not fall back into bad driving habits with the end of daylight saving time this weekend, says AAA Northeast. While the time change brings an initial extra hour of sleep, drivers need to be focused on the road as it gets darker earlier. The dangers of drowsy driving and the challenges of driving in the dark are always present but never more so than when drivers suddenly find changing conditions.

“Drowsy driving is a significant traffic safety issue,” said Mary Maguire, Director of Public and Government Affairs. “Americans ‘falling back’ by moving their clocks back by one hour may think they are gaining an extra hour of sleep, but many people find they don’t sleep as well in the weeks following the clock change—which can lead to driving tired.”  

Marian Berkowitz, Director of the Drowsy Driving Prevention Project in Massachusetts, lost her brother to a drowsy driving crash. “My brother fell asleep at the wheel when he was driving by himself back to graduate school in North Carolina on a Monday night after the fall clock change. Drivers have to rest and stay alert.”

According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research: 
•    Almost all motorists view drowsy driving as very or extremely dangerous, but 17% admitted to driving when they were so tired that they had a hard time keeping their eyes open at least once in the previous 30 days before the survey (2020 Traffic Safety Culture Index).
•    Drivers who have slept for less than 5 hours have a crash risk comparable to someone driving drunk.
•    Drivers who miss one to two hours of sleep can nearly double their risk for a crash.
AAA recommends that drivers:
•    Should not rely on their bodies to provide warning signs for drowsiness and should instead prioritize getting at least seven hours of sleep before hitting the road.
•    Travel at times of the day when they are normally awake.
•    Avoid heavy foods.
•    Avoid medications that cause drowsiness or other impairment. 

Driving in the Dark & Headlights
“Dark conditions can make it harder to see when driving. Lack of visibility can make for unsafe driving conditions. As we adjust to the end of daylight saving time, it’s a good time to check the illumination of your headlights,” Ms. Maguire said. 

•    With 50% of crashes occurring at night, drivers should check their headlights for signs of deterioration and invest in new headlights or, at a minimum, a low-cost service visit to boost the safety of driving after dark.

o    Headlights can show signs of deterioration after 3 years but most commonly by year 5.

•    AAA suggests drivers check their headlights for changes in appearance such as yellowing or clouding. If the bulb is difficult to see, it is time to have the lens replaced or restored as soon as possible. 

o    Replacement and restoration services are available at most repair shops, including AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities.

o    Do-it-yourself restoration offers some savings for consumers, is relatively simple, and provides a sufficient improvement in light output.

o    Make sure headlights are correctly re-aimed to maximize forward lighting performance and minimize glare to oncoming and preceding drivers.

•    Compensate for reduced visibility by decreasing your speed and increasing following distance to four or more seconds behind the car in front of you.

•    Older drivers should recognize that at age 60 it takes three times more light to see the roadway than it did at age 20, and if possible plan driving times accordingly.

•    Keep your eyes moving. Do not focus on the middle of the area illuminated by your headlights. Watch for sudden flashes of light at hilltops, around curves, or at intersections, because these may indicate the presence of oncoming vehicles.
•    Look at the sides of objects. In the dim light, focus on the edges or outlines of objects. Your eyes can pick up images more sharply this way than by looking directly at the object.
•    Avoid being blinded by oncoming high beams. If the driver of an oncoming vehicle fails to dim the lights, look down toward the right side of the road. You should be able to see the edge of the lane or the white-painted edge line and stay on course until the vehicle passes.

After six months, 20 public hearings, and hundreds of residents testifying, the Joint Committee
on Redistricting has released its proposed new maps, and Fall River is no longer divided.

Senator
Will Brownsberger and State Representative Mike Moran, Redistricting Committee CoChairs, led a transparent, thoughtful congressional redistricting process.

There were 20 hearings, where residents and communities weighed in, and the committee heard
repeatedly that Fall River is best represented as a unified city.

After two decades of waiting, this map honors that imperative. Fall River will be the biggest city
in the Massachusetts Fourth and will no longer stand in any community's shadow or be second to
another community's needs — it will stand as its own city, not as part of a region, and will be
front and center for its US Representative to champion.

The current congressman, Jake Auchincloss, has already built strong relationships here and
advocated effectively for funding for Fall River's water infrastructure, urban renewal, and public
safety. He has been visible in our city, and he has delivered quality constituent services.

As we have successfully advocated in bringing wind energy to the South Coast, South Coast Rail
to fruition along with our developing waterfronts and the blue economy among other projects,
we are best served to continue to work with our neighboring South Coast communities with the
strength of two strong congressional voices.

We are excited for all of Fall River to be in the MA-4.

According to CBS 12 in Providence, police in Swansea are searching for a man who stole a $31,000 dollar necklace from a jewelry store last month. The necklace was taken on October 16 from the Hannoush Jewelers on GAR Highway.

Police said the suspect walked into the store and asked an employee if he could take a closer look at the necklace.When she placed it on the counter, police said the man grabbed it and ran off.

Anyone who can identify the suspect or has any additional information, is asked to contact the Swansea Police Department by calling 508-674-8464

A 37-year-old Fall River man is being charged today with murder and other crimes related to the October 18th shooting death of 54-year-old Lal Kishor Mahaseth, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III and Fall River Police Chief Jeffrey Cardoza announced.

A criminal complaint charging Nelson F. Coelho with murder, attempted armed and masked robbery, and carrying an illegal firearm is being filed in Fall River District Court this morning.  

The defendant, who is already in custody after being arrested on October 26th in connection to a separate Fall River armed robbery, is in Fall River District Court today for a pre-scheduled dangerousness hearing connected to that case.  However, due to the filing of the new murder charge, that hearing will not go forward. If a defense attorney qualified to handle murder cases is available, the defendant will be arraigned today on the new charges in Fall River District Court.  

It is unclear at this time whether the arraignment will occur today.  Our office will attempt to send out a follow up media advisory once we become aware of whether the defendant has representation for the murder case and will be arraigned.

The defendant is already facing charges of armed and masked robbery, two counts of breaking and entering for a misdemeanor and two counts of trespassing in connection to an October 17 robbery at the 7 Days Food Mart, which is located just blocks away from where the October 18th homicide occurred.

Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office, Fall River Police and Homicide Unit prosecutors continue to actively investigate the homicide.
 
On October 18 at 10:33 pm, Fall River Police were called to the Stop N Save convenience store at 201 Rock Street in regards to a male victim inside suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.  The 911 caller had entered the store at around 10:30 pm to purchase food and found the owner/clerk of the store on the floor behind the counter with blood on his chest.
 
When first responders arrived on scene, they transported the victim, later identified as Lal Kishor Mahaseth, 54, of Fall River, to Charlton Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 11:14 pm
 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Massachusetts Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Plans
Individuals aged 5-11 now eligible for Pfizer COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine
 
BOSTON — Following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Baker-Polito Administration today outlined how families can access Pfizer COVID-19 pediatric vaccines for children ages 5 to 11 in Massachusetts.  

Children ages 5 to 11 will be able to receive the Pfizer Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine from more than 500 locations, ranging from retail pharmacies, primary care practices, regional collaboratives, local boards of health, community health centers, hospital systems, state-supported vaccination sites and mobile clinics. Some appointments are available now for booking, with additional locations and appointments expected to come online in the coming days.

How to find a Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine appointment:
1.    Parents who prefer to have their child vaccinated by their primary care provider should call their provider’s office directly. 

2.    Visit the VaxFinder tool at vaxfinder.mass.gov for a full list of hundreds of available locations. Residents will be able to narrow results to search for locations that are offering the Pfizer Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, with some appointments available now for booking. Additional appointments will be available online in the coming days. Many locations will be booking appointments out weeks in advance.

3.    For individuals who are unable to use VaxFinder, or have difficulty accessing the internet, the COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line (Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9 AM – 2 PM) is available by calling 2-1-1. The COVID-19 Vaccine Resource Line is available in English and Spanish and has translators available in approximately 100 additional languages.

All state supported vaccination clinics will offer low-sensory vaccinations for children with disabilities. 
Additionally, the Administration has partnered with several non-traditional, youth friendly locations for pediatric vaccination clinics including the Discovery Museum in Acton, the Museum of Science in Boston, The Springfield Museums, and the EcoTarium in Worcester. Appointments for these clinics are available now on the VaxFinder tool.

Visit www.mass.gov/covidvaccinekids for more information. To view more information from the CDC, please click here.

Vaccines are widely available across the Commonwealth. Getting vaccinated remains the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves, their families, and their community. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and free. Individuals do not need an ID or health insurance to access a vaccine and do not need to show a vaccine card when getting a vaccine.  

Massachusetts leads the nation in vaccine administration, including adolescent vaccination, with over 80% of youth ages 12-17 having received at least one dose. Over 4.7 million individuals are fully vaccinated, with more than 92% of all adults having at least one dose.
 

Upcoming New Bedford Vaccination Clinics
Pediatric Vaccines Arriving in City; McCoy Rec Center a “One-Stop Shop” for Vaccinations and Boosters; Start Vaccinations Now to Have Safe and Healthy Holidays in December 

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford.  No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics. Available vaccines can change according to supplies. Clinics now are offering CDC-approved booster shots for eligible recipients, in addition to first- and second-dose vaccines and, at some locations, pediatric vaccines. Details on boosters and pediatric vaccines are below.

Friday, November 5:
-    PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Saturday, November 6:
-    Riverside Park (Belleville Ave., North End) – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer and J&J 

Monday, Nov. 8:
-    Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Tuesday, Nov. 9:
-    Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J
-    Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna

Thursday, Nov. 11:
-    Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J

Pediatric Vaccines Available: COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11 years old are arriving in New Bedford and will be available at upcoming clinics, including Friday, Nov. 5, at PAACA on Coggeshall Street and Monday, Nov. 8, at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center. 

“Mondays at McCoy” are One-Stop Shop for Vaccines: With the arrival of pediatric vaccines at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, the center’s Monday clinics from 2 to 7 p.m. – upcoming dates include Nov. 8, 15, and 22 – are now “one-stop shops” for families and people of all ages seeking COVID-19 protection, whether it be first or second doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines, boosters, or pediatric vaccines. 

In-Home Vaccination Available by Appointment: The city and state are offering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly for elderly residents or those not able to travel to a clinic. To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna or J&J) with the New Bedford Health Department, call the department’s main line, 508-991-6199, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.  

To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna, Pfizer or J&J) through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, call the I n-Home Vaccination Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

For more information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-in-home-vaccination-program

Booster Shots Approved for Eligible Recipients: The CDC has approved booster recommendations for Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines. Booster shots are available at local vaccine clinics, for people who are eligible under the following criteria. 

For people who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
-    65 years and older
-    Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
-    Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
-    Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

***Moderna boosters now available at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, Fire Station 11, and PAACA clinics*** 

For anyone 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, a booster shot is recommended two or more months after their initial shot. 

Mixing & Matching: The CDC also has approved mixing and matching of vaccine types for the booster dose. When first getting vaccinated, people should still get two doses of the same vaccine type, but for the booster, a different vaccine from the initial series can be used, following the criteria above. 

More info: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html

Reminder on the importance of vaccinations, especially ahead of the holidays: Vaccination levels in the region remain low, and daily case rates remain high. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not only about protecting yourself – it’s also about protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccination is critically important ahead of the holiday season, when large family gatherings could lead to super-spreader events among people who are unvaccinated. 

**Start vaccinations now to be fully vaccinated by late December and the New Year**

City leaders and health officials are urging unvaccinated residents to get their first shot and begin vaccination as soon as possible, in order to have safe and healthy holidays. 

According to CBS 12 in Providence, a New Bedford man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted a woman in Buttonwood Park Wednesday, according to police. Police said 20 year old Devin Bryce Pacheco approached the woman in the playground area of the park and attempted to kiss her. Pacheco also physically groped the woman before she was able to fight off his attempt and call for help. After the incident, police said Pacheco tried to leave the park but was arrested before he could do so.

Police said Pacheco had been involved in a similar incident at a local supermarket back in August. During that incident, police said Pacheco approached a woman as she was shopping in a store aisle and groped her from behind.

Pacheco is charged with indecent assault and battery. Pacheco is currently being held on $15,000 bail, however, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has requested it be revoked because of the repeat offense.

KENNEDY PARK WREATH LAYING
IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE                
Friday, October 29, 2021                                                           

      Robert Viner, Commander of the Fall River War Veterans’ Council and Micaila Britto the City of Fall River’s Veterans’ Services Officer announce there will be a wreath laying on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at Kennedy Park (formerly known as South Park).  They invite everyone to come out and pay your respects to all veterans past and present.  

    There will be a brief speaking program at the parade’s conclusion.  Our Veterans served and sacrificed so that we would be able to enjoy the freedoms of America. This Veterans’ Day, we invite you to join us to honor these freedoms.

If you have any questions about this event please contact Micaila Britto, Veterans’ Service Officer at (508) 324-2432 or mbritto@fallriverma.org  
 

Fall River Voters certifed three newcomers to the Fall River School Committee during balloting on Tuesday , while allowing the three incumbents on the ballot to remain on the six-member assembly. 

Sara Rodrigues, Shelli Pereira and Bobby Bailey will join incumbents Kevin Augiar, Paul Hart and Mimi Larrivee when the new terms begin in January 2022. 

For the second time, Incumbent Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan secured all 29 voting precincts, knocking off Challenger and soon-to-be former City Council President Cliff Ponte on Tuesday by a 61 to 38 Percentage Margin. 

At Our Lady of Light, Coogan told a gathering that negative campaigning does not work in Fall River, while at the Eagle Events Center, Coogan told WSAR he would likely be on a Fall River Ballot in 2023. 

Fall River City Council Veteran Linda Pereria was the top vote getter for the City Council Race on Tuesday, while Trott Lee was second. 

Shawn Cadime finished in third, with Brad Kilby ending in fourth, with Leo Pelletier in 5th while current Council Vice President Pam Lebeau ended the evening in sixth position. 

The only newcomer, Andrew Raposo, finished in 7th, while former Council President and Mayoral Contender Joe Camera returns in 8th, and Michelle Dionne keeps her seat in 9th. 

Christoper Peckham finished in 10th, 200 votes away from retaining his council seat. 

"IMPORTANT: Traffic Advisory for Weaver Street

Weaver Street Bridge located over the railroad in Fall River will be closed beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, November 8, and is anticipated to continue through 2023. The closure is necessary to allow crews to safely and effectively demolish and reconstruct the bridge.

Traffic and pedestrians will be detoured as follows during the bridge closure:
Traffic and pedestrians coming from the east side of the bridge:

Traffic will be directed along North Main Street.
Take a right onto Cove Street.
Take a right onto Ace Street.
Take a left onto Probber Lane.
Take a right onto West Street.
Take a right back onto Weaver Street.
Traffic and pedestrians coming from the west side of the bridge:
Traffic will be directed along Weaver Street.
Take a left onto Probber Lane.
Take a left onto West Street.
Take a right onto Ace Street.
Take a left onto Cove Street.
Take a left onto North Main Street.

Appropriate signage, law enforcement details, and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.

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

All scheduled work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.
Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions."

 Department of Public Health Issues Fish Consumption Advisories for Five Cape Cod Waterbodies

BOSTON (November 2, 2021) - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued new fish consumption advisories to provide guidance on safe fish consumption to people who catch and consume freshwater game fish from five waterbodies on Cape Cod.  Recent testing of fish from these locations found levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) above DPH-recommended levels for regular consumption.

During recent testing on Cape Cod, DPH tested surface water in 16 waterbodies and fish in 5 waterbodies. Elevated levels of PFAS were detected in fish that were sampled from Johns Pond in Mashpee, Flax Pond (Picture Lake) in Bourne, Jenkins and Grews Ponds in Falmouth, and Mashpee-Wakeby Pond in Mashpee and Sandwich, prompting the five new fish consumption advisories. PFAS was not found at levels that would be unsafe for swimming or recreational activities in any of the 16 waterbodies tested. In addition to the waterbodies mentioned above, surface water was found to be safe in Shubael Pond (Barnstable); Hen Cove and Squeteague Harbor in Bourne; Crooked, Mares, Flax, and Round Ponds in Falmouth; Santuit Pond in Mashpee; and Peter’s, Snake, and Triangle Ponds in Sandwich. 

PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals manufactured and used in a variety of consumer products and industries throughout the world. Based on studies of laboratory animals and people, exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with changes in liver and kidney function, changes in thyroid hormone and cholesterol levels, and immune system effects. In addition, PFAS exposure has been shown to cause developmental effects to fetuses during pregnancy. Some studies also suggest an increased risk of developing cancer following long-term exposures to elevated levels of some PFAS. 

DPH tested fish and surface water in these waterbodies because they are located on or near Joint Base Cape Cod where historical PFAS contamination has been found in the groundwater and surface water, and because they are popular locations for swimming and fishing. This contamination is being remediated by the US Air Force, with oversight by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which have been investigating and overseeing the cleanup of contamination associated with Joint Base Cape Cod – a federal Superfund site -- for several years. 

These fish consumption advisories apply to the consumption of all native game fish but do not apply to stocked trout at a waterbody.  Stocked fish are raised in fish hatcheries and then released. Therefore, they are unlikely to spend enough time in a lake or pond to become contaminated. As part of the Administration’s commitment to investigating and eliminating sources of PFAS contamination and exposure to residents of the Commonwealth, both DPH and MassDEP have conducted testing for PFAS in drinking water, groundwater, and surface water. Drinking water results received from public water systems in the area do not indicate PFAS is a concern in the drinking water.  Ongoing oversight by MassDEP requires testing of public drinking water for PFAS, and MassDEP works with public water systems to ensure delivered drinking water meets the Massachusetts drinking water regulatory standard. MassDEP is also assisting with sampling of private wells and has conducted sampling of lakes, ponds, and rivers for PFAS at selected locations across Massachusetts.

The fish consumption advisories for the five waterbodies include guidance on the amount of fish that can be safely consumed from each individual location, which varies depending on the levels of PFAS found in the fish, other contaminants that have been evaluated in the past, and who might consume the fish. The advisories were developed for sensitive populations (including children under 12, women who are or may become pregnant, and nursing mothers) and for all others in the general population. Because the new fish consumption advisories are different for each waterbody, recommendations range from consuming one meal per week to no fish consumption. 

DPH is working with local health departments in Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich as well as the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe requesting that they post notices at the five waterbodies and publicize information for residents of the area.

More information about the fish consumption advisories and PFAS from DPH: PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in Recreationally Caught Fish. 

More information about PFAS from MassDEP: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

                                                                        ###
   

“While I am deeply appreciative of the herculean efforts of Senator Brownsberger, his hard-working team, and the difficult task before them, the current redistricting proposal is a missed opportunity to unite the two working-class communities of the South Coast - Fall River and New Bedford - into one congressional district. 

Together, these two anchor cities of the South Coast represent one of the largest concentrations of Azoreans in the world, and this shared cultural heritage is woven into the fabric of our communities. Facing the same challenges and aspiring to the same goals, we share a regional economic interest in the completion of South Coast Rail, the development of the offshore wind industry, the presence of the Blue Economy, the combined One Southcoast Chamber of Commerce, and the unified health services of Southcoast Health Systems. 

It is my grave fear that splitting these two communities of shared interest is a hugely missed opportunity to unite the voices of the working-class people in these cities. For the sake of the region, Fall River should move into the 9th District and be united with New Bedford.” 
 --Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D- Westport), Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means

UMass Dartmouth students were part of a dramatic rise in voting participation during the 2020 Presidential Election, according to a recent report by the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE).

For UMass Dartmouth students, increases were seen across all metrics. During the 2020 election, 65% of eligible students voted, up 14% from 2016. The university also saw a large increase in students registering to vote. In 2016, 78% of students were registered to vote – a number that grew to 85% in 2020.

Groups across campus worked to improve the university’s student voter turnout, including “UMassD Votes 2020.” This collaboration of students, faculty, staff, and members of the Town of Dartmouth community aimed to increase student voting rates in the 2020 general election and details ways to create a sustainable culture of voting on the UMass Dartmouth campus.

The group, with help from the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, adopted TurboVote to create an easy portal for students to find voting information. UMass Dartmouth also participated in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and Ask Every Student Campaign to boost voting awareness.
 

With Fall River’s voting beginning this morning, the city isn't the only area in southeast Massachusetts heading to the polls.

According to NBC 10, Attleboro, New Bedford, and Taunton are all heading to vote today for their municipal officials. New Bedford citizens are voting to appoint an assessor-at-large, school committee, councilor-at-large, and ward councilors. In Taunton, votes will be casted for municipal council, school committee, planning board, zoning board of appeals, and Taunton municipal lighting plant commissioners.Mayor Shaunna O'Connell is running for re-election unopposed in Taunton.

Besides the city of Fall River, a major mayoral election is taking place in Attleboro between incumbent mayor Paul Heroux and retired Massachusetts State Police trooper, security expert, and business owner, Todd McGhee. Attleboro residents will also be voting for city clerk, city collector, city treasurer, councilman at large, and school committee at large.

STATEMENT: Auchincloss on New Congressional Map

“Our district has always been a powerhouse of talent, work ethic, and civic engagement. That tradition continues.”
 
NEWTON, MA — The following statement can be attributed to Congressman Jake Auchincloss in response to the release of the newly proposed Massachusetts Congressional map:
 
“I applaud the work of the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting and the leadership of Co-Chairs Senator Brownsberger and Representative Moran. They made certain this process was transparent and collaborative. The committee listened closely to constituents, tracked the letter and spirit of the law, and made thoughtful decisions."

“Representing a District like ours – rich in economic, geographic, and ideological diversity – gives me a valuable perspective in Washington. The new map preserves that vital diversity. The voters of the Fourth will continue to come from urban, suburban, and farmland communities. They will continue to vote both blue and red. They will continue to commute to both Boston and Providence. And they will continue to have a strong voice advocating for them in the halls of Congress during my tenure.

“Though the basic contours of the Fourth District persist, there is one major change. I am thrilled that all of Fall River will now be in the district. Through my strong partnership with Mayor Paul Coogan, Senator Mike Rodrigues, Representative Carole Fiola, Representative Paul Schmid, and Representative Alan Silvia, I have been working to ensure Fall River builds back better from the pandemic. That work will continue with full force in this Congress and beyond.

“It has been an honor to share representation of Fall River with my friend, Congressman Bill Keating, and I know he’ll continue to fight for the new cities and towns he’s taking on next term.

“I am excited to hit the campaign trail in the newly drawn Massachusetts Fourth this coming election cycle and I look forward to a continued partnership with state and local leaders in all of the cities and towns I represent. Our district has always been a powerhouse of talent, work ethic, and civic engagement. That tradition continues.” 
 

On Friday, October 29, 2021, officers assigned to the Fall River Police Uniform Division responded to two
bank robberies. 

The first robbery was reported at St. Anne’s Credit Union, 1675 President Ave., at 9:21am.
The second robbery took place at Bank 5, 1301 Pleasant St., at 11:50am. Detectives assigned to the Major
Crimes Division have been following up on investigatory leads through the weekend.

The Fall River Police are looking to locate a Ford F150 pickup truck which is believed to be connected to
both robberies. 

The truck is black in color bearing Massachusetts passenger registration 2KFF44. 

Anyone
seeing this vehicle is asked to contact Detective Adam Talbot at 508-324-2796 during business hours or
police communications at 508-676-8511 at other times. Anonymous tips can also be phoned in to 508-672-
TIPP (8477)

According to NBC 10, police reported yesterday that a Dartmouth man died in a single-car crash in the town on Thursday morning. Dartmouth Police officers responded to Prospect Street around 7:15 A.M. Thursday where they found a truck in the woods with heavy front-end damage. The driver, who was later identified as 61 year old Antonio Vassal,  was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dartmouth police say that Vassal's death is still under investigation by the Massachusetts medical examiner's office. The crash is also still under investigation by Dartmouth police and Massachusetts state police.

Massachusetts’s average gas price is up 3 cents from last week ($3.35), averaging $3.38 per gallon. Today’s price is 29 cents higher than a month ago ($3.09), and $1.30 higher than November 1, 2020 ($2.08). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 2 cents lower than the national average. 

“We have finally seen a little dip in domestic demand for gasoline, which may signal that the seasonal post-Labor Day easing was a little delayed this year,” says Mary Maguire, Director of Public/Government Affairs. “And if the recent steady increase in crude oil prices takes a breather too, consumers may benefit at the pump with smaller price hikes.”

AAA Northeast’s November 1 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 2 cents higher than last week ($3.38), averaging $3.40 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 21 cents higher than a month ago ($3.19), and $1.27 higher than this day last year ($2.13).
 

Statement Following Judi St. Hilaire’s Accident

(FALL RIVER, MA- November 1, 2021)- Mayor Paul Coogan has issued the following
statement after his wife, Judi St. Hilaire, was injured in a bicycling accident on October 31st:

“I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the hundreds of comments and
messages showing support for Judi and I after her accident. While I can’t take the time to
reply to each and every one, know that we have seen all your kind words. It is humbling
to see the outpouring of support for Judi.

Judi remains in the ICU at Saint Luke’s but is in stable condition. They are continuing to
run tests. She will have a long journey to recovery, but we have no doubt that she will be
back on the road before long.

Judi, who always believes in finishing a race strong, has insisted that I continue with the
campaign in between visits to the hospital. However, she will continue to be my top
priority.

As with any tragedy, yesterday’s accident was an important reminder of what matters
most. I also hope that this incident is a reminder to all drivers to stay focused and drive
with caution.”

The Patriots have opened as 2 point road favorites as they deal with the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte this Sunday.

Coverage on WSAR at 95.9 and 1480 will begin at 10am with a 1pm kickoff.  

The Patriots knocked off the L-A Chargers at SoFi Stadium Sunday night, and have put themselves in the AFC Wild Card Playoff Conversation at 4-4.  

THANKSGIVING DAY
FALL RIVER COMMUNITY
TURKEY DINNER
Thursday – November 25

Dinner served at 12:00 noon – Doors open at 11:30 am
Seating Capacity is our first 125 guests
You’re welcome to join us
Our parking lot is located behind the church
Free of Charge

Blessed Trinity Parish
 1340 Plymouth Ave
Fall River, MA
508-672-4854

This from Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan's Facebook page

''Better days… This morning while Judi was doing a 60 mile ride with the Naragansett Bay Wheelman a car ran a stop sign in Mattapoisset and struck three of the cyclists. Twelve broken ribs, two broken collarbones, punctured lungs and she is in the ICU at Saint Luke’s as I write this. Judi is sorry she’s going to miss these last few days of the campaign, but that’s the least of our concerns. She still loves to bike and will be back to riding after plenty of recovery and rehab. Say a prayer for her if you can.''

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox mourn the loss of Red Sox Hall of Famer Jerry Remy, who passed away last night at the age of 68 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. The honorary President of Red Sox Nation, Remy logged more than 40 years of service to the organization as a player, coach, and broadcaster.

“We are saddened by the loss of a beloved player, broadcaster, and 13-year cancer warrior,” said Principal Owner John Henry. “Jerry’s love and connection to baseball didn’t allow anything to stand between the game and him, including for many years cancer. He devoted his entire career to baseball and whether from his seat in the clubhouse or his perch above the field in the broadcast booth, he took generations of rising Red Sox stars and a multitude of fans along for the ride with him. During his lifetime, he witnessed great triumphs and terrible tragedies handling all of it with grace, dignity, and a huge heart. He left an indelible mark on this club and on an entire nation of Red Sox fans.”

“On behalf of the entire Red Sox family, we send our deepest condolences to Jerry’s wife Phoebe, their three children, and the entire extended Remy family,” said Chairman Tom Werner. “Jerry’s effortless style made him the finest baseball broadcaster of the past few decades. When you listened to him, it was as if you were having a beer with your best friend, and his insight, humor, and charm lifted your spirits. I often texted him between innings to get his perspective on the game, and we enjoyed a relationship I will forever treasure. He was a valued colleague and friend, and we will miss his presence in our clubhouse and our broadcast booth.”

“Jerry Remy was at the core of what I loved about the Red Sox,” said President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “Growing up, I watched him play as a scrappy second baseman, and later listened and laughed with him as an iconic broadcaster. For the past two decades, I had the immense privilege of working alongside him and seeing firsthand the artful way he connected generations of players and fans with his insight, and often, his humor. As a Massachusetts native, he appreciated what the Red Sox meant to this region, and throughout his career we saw that appreciation and love for the game and this team in the way he showed up each day; always the first in the clubhouse or in the lobby to board the team bus. We have lost a great man, player, and friend whose absence will be felt deeply by all of us.”

Gerald Peter Remy was born on November 8, 1952 in Fall River, MA, and grew up in Somerset, MA. After graduating from Somerset High School, he attended Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI. “Rem Dawg” was selected by the Washington Senators in the 19th round of the 1970 MLB Draft out of high school and by the California Angels in the eighth round of the 1971 MLB January Draft out of college. The former infielder played 10 major league seasons for the California Angels (1975-77) and Red Sox (1978-84), earning an American League All-Star Game selection in 1978. In 1,154 games, he batted .275 and stole 208 bases.

Remy was named to the Red Sox All-Fenway Team as part of the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Fenway Park in 2012, recognizing him as one of the 40 greatest Red Sox players in Fenway Park history to appear in their positions of play. In 1981, he was named BoSox Club Man of the Year, receiving the annual award selected for contributions to the success of the Red Sox and for cooperation and efforts in community endeavors. The following year, he was voted by fans to the Red Sox All-Time Second Team.

Following his playing career, Remy served as bench coach for the New Britain Red Sox in 1986, the major league club’s Double-A affiliate. While with New Britain, Remy coached future major league players and coaches, including Ellis Burks, Sam Horn, and DeMarlo Hale. Remy then began his broadcasting career with NESN in 1988 as a color analyst, a role he held for more than 33 years through the 2021 season.

Remy was elected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2006 for his playing and broadcasting accomplishments. Through online voting in September of 2007, he was elected President of Red Sox Nation. He received the Massachusetts Sportscaster of the Year award in 2004 and was elected to the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2017. In January 2020, he received the Judge Emil Fuchs Memorial Award from the Boston Baseball Writers Association for his long and meritorious service to baseball.

The Massachusetts native was the author of three books about the Red Sox and baseball: Watching Baseball: Discovering the Game within the Game_; _Jerry Remy’s Red Sox Heroes: The RemDawg’s All-Time Favorite Red Sox, Great Moments, and Top Teams_; and _If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Red Sox Dugout, Locker Room, and Press Box. Remy was also the author of five children’s books about the Red Sox’ mascot, Wally the Green Monster.

Remy is survived by his wife, Phoebe; sons, Jared and Jordan; daughter, Jenna, and her husband, Leif von der Heyde; and two grandchildren, Dominik Guyette and Arianna Remy.

Read more: Boston Red Sox

HEAD COACH BILL BELICHICK
Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, October 31, 2021

Opening statement:

"A really good win for our team today. The Chargers are a good football team. Coming here and getting the win is a great feeling. Certainly, there are some things that we could have done better. We left some plays on the field, some penalties and non-penalties. We could have coached better, could have played better. We could have taken advantage of a couple of opportunities that we missed on. Again, all and all, we made the plays that we needed to make in the fourth quarter, which is something that we hadn't done as well earlier in the year. It's good to see that. It's good to come out here and get a win. Looking forward to the big game against Carolina. The team had a good week. It's a big challenge coming here. Two weeks in a row we've had fresh teams coming off the bye. The Chargers had a lot of energy. [Chargers Head] Coach [Brandon] Staley does a good job. We put the ball down the field. I thought we played better in the second half until the last two-minute drive, defensively. Offensively, we moved the ball. We would just like to come out with a few more points. I thought [Patriots K] Nick [Folk] kicked well, like he always does. [Patriots WR] Gunner [Olszewski] had some. The punt return team, not just Gunner, had some good returns to put the offense in good position. Obviously, [Patriots DB Adrian Phillips] AP's two picks were big differences in the game, really counted for 10 points there. That's pretty much the story."

On DB Adrian Phillips' interceptions:

"He does a good job of seeing the routes, seeing the quarterback, having vision on the ball. Just good awareness. He's a good football player. He did that when we opened last year against Miami, the first game in the 2020 season where he made the play on the slant route. He makes those plays in practice, too. He knows football and has good hands."

On the team's 'growth' week-to-week:

"We're just trying to get better every day."

On Staley's impact on the Chargers:

"It was one of those days last year where everything went right for us. There aren't many days like those in the NFL, but we had one last year. We didn't really put much stock in that. It's a new game. It's not the same players. It's a totally new offensive line. Some of the key players like [RB Austin] Ekeler and, obviously, [WR Keenan] Allen. [TE Jared] Cook is a good addition. Defensively, [OLB Joey] Bosa. We played against [S Derwin] James [Jr.], he certainly makes a difference. Some of the players are the same, some of them are different, but this is a different team. They are playing with a lot of energy. Coach Staley has them on the right track. You see what they have done already this year. They're going to be a hard team to deal with throughout the rest of the season. They have a good offense, good defense. I'm sure they're helping the return game. They addressed some areas and I'm sure that it will make them better."

On the defense's performance against QB Justin Herbert:

"We did some good things. We gave up some big plays. We need to coach better and play better more consistently. We did enough things to win, so that's good. On offense, we ran the ball, we moved the ball, we got enough points to win. There's certainly a lot of room for improvement and we will work on that this week."

On why the team will stay tonight in Los Angeles:

"A few things. It's the best thing to do."

On the 'improvement' of Patriots QB Mac Jones:

"Every game is a new game. Each one is a different experience, different defense, different players, different gameplan. Week by week, he can stack them together. He has done a good job of that. Each week is a challenge. This defense is different than any defense we've seen this year. Carolina will be different next week, too. Mac has done a great job. He prepares. He works hard. He definitely knows what to do. Some things he needs to see and experience. There's really no substitute for that other than getting out there and doing it."

On Phillips' interception return for a touchdown:

"I didn't really see the whole play. I'll take a look at it on film. It looked like [Jared] Cook wasn't looking for the ball. Adrian saw it and made a good play on him. You would have to ask somebody, I don't know."

On the Patriots displaying 'resilience' defensively:

"The same thing on the goal line stop down there. We got stopped on the one and had to punt, then they returned the ball and had good field position on the punt return. Then, we had the fumble and got the ball back after that. I thought our players showed a lot of resilience today, all the way across the board. Not just on defense but in all three phases. The Chargers are a tough team. They put a lot of pressure on it. They are an explosive offense. [Derwin] James and [Joey] Bosa, starting with those two guys, they are really good players on defense. They are centerpieces. Coach Staley obviously is a great defensive coach. He has proved throughout his career, and certainly last year. I thought, as a team, we showed a lot of resilience and toughness. Defensively, it was good after the first drive, settled things down a little bit. We gave up an 80-yard run or whatever it was, but there were some big plays that kind of skewed some of the good plays in there. We did a good job keeping Herbert in the pocket in the second half. That definitely helped us."

On the offense's final scoring drive:

"It's always great to see the offense move the ball and score points. I love it."

Upcoming New Bedford Vaccination Clinics

In-Home Vaccinations Available by Appointment; Several Local Clinics Now Offering Moderna Boosters 

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford.  No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics. Available vaccines can change according to supplies. Clinics now are offering CDC-approved booster shots for eligible recipients, in addition to first- and second-dose vaccines. Details on boosters are below.

Friday, October 29:
-    PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna
-    New Bedford High School (230 Hathaway Blvd.) – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer for ages 12+ and J&J for ages 18+ (Minors need parental consent, provided either in advance online, or in-person at the school)

Saturday, October 30:
-    Ashley Park Community Center (Swift St., South End) – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer and J&J 

Sunday, October 31:
-    Loretta Bourque Park (85-89 Ruth St., South End) – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Pfizer and J&J 

Monday, Nov. 1:
-    Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J 

Tuesday, Nov. 2:
-    Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J
-    Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna
-    Normandin Middle School (81 Felton St.) – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer for ages 12+ and J&J for ages 18+ (Minors need parental consent, provided either in advance online, or in-person at the school)

Wednesday, Nov. 3:
-    Keith Middle School (225 Hathaway Blvd) – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pfizer for ages 12+ and J&J for ages 18+ (Minors need parental consent, provided either in advance online, or in-person at the school)

Thursday, Nov. 4:
-    Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J

In-Home Vaccination Available by Appointment: The city and state are offering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly for elderly residents or those not able to travel to a clinic. To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna or J&J) with the New Bedford Health Department, call the department’s main line, 508-991-6199, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.  

To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna, Pfizer or J&J) through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, call the I n-Home Vaccination Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

For more information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-in-home-vaccination-program

Booster Shots Approved for Eligible Recipients: The CDC has approved booster recommendations for Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines. Booster shots are available at local vaccine clinics, for people who are eligible under the following criteria. 

For people who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:
-    65 years and older
-    Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
-    Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
-    Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

***Moderna boosters now available at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, Fire Station 11, and PAACA clincs*** 

For anyone 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, a booster shot is recommended two or more months after their initial shot. 

Mixing & Matching: The CDC also has approved mixing and matching of vaccine types for the booster dose. When first getting vaccinated, people should still get two doses of the same vaccine type, but for the booster, a different vaccine from the initial series can be used, following the criteria above. 

More info: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html

Reminder on the importance of vaccinations, especially ahead of the holidays: Vaccination levels in the region remain low, and daily case rates remain high. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not only about protecting yourself – it’s also about protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccination is critically important ahead of the holiday season, when large family gatherings could lead to super-spreader events among people who are unvaccinated. 

City leaders and health officials are urging unvaccinated residents to get their first shot and begin vaccination as soon as possible, in order to have safe and healthy 
 

New Bedford City Employees Subject to 
Vaccine Mandate Beginning November 15 

City Seeks to Set Example for Other Employers 

New Bedford, Massachusetts – The City of New Bedford released details of its new vaccine policy for nearly 900 municipal employees today, following up on an August  announcement.

With this step, the City seeks to set an example for public and private employers in Greater New Bedford by adopting a vaccine mandate to protect staff and residents. 

Under the policy, non-school City employees are required to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination status by Nov. 15, or submit results of a negative COVID-19 test on a weekly basis. 

The City’s AFCSME union and firefighter union approved the policy, which also covers non-union City employees. Altogether, the groups represent 882 of the City’s 1,112 non-school employees.   

The New Bedford police union (230 members) has not reached agreement with the City, and its members are not subject to the new policy. Collective bargaining negotiations with the police union continue. 
As of Nov. 15, any employee covered by the policy who has failed to comply will be placed on unpaid administrative leave.

 While on leave, employees will be allowed to use accrued vacation or personal time; use of sick time is not authorized under the policy. Continued non-compliance will be grounds for disciplinary action. 

With local vaccination rates remaining low, the early adoption of a municipal employee vaccination/testing requirement is a clear signal that the City’s proactive pandemic response will continue

. It is hoped that this mandate will encourage other local institutions and employers to adopt similar policies for their employees.

The announcement is consistent with the proactive approach New Bedford has pursued since the beginning of the pandemic. New Bedford has been in the vanguard of cities that established model initiatives to curb COVID-19, including becoming the first city in the country to provide a free mask to city residents, taking steps to protect workers at seafood processing facilities, mandating stringent safety requirements at industrial facilities, safeguarding nursing homes and senior living facilities, opening local COVID-19 surge facilities, and offering incentives for vaccines in neighborhood locations across the city.

“Our Health Department and local health providers have worked tirelessly to make vaccines readily available, but as we approach a third year of this pandemic, we need to do more,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “Requiring the City’s non-school employees to be vaccinated can protect our workforce and their families, and encourage other employers to follow suit.”