(FALL RIVER, MA- August 31, 2022)- A water leak has been discovered on the RT79 South
on ramp of North Main Street.

 To allow for repairs, an emergency shutdown of water service
will take place starting this evening, August 31st, 2022 from 10:00pm until early morning
tomorrow, Thursday, September 1, 2022.

At this time, the customers impacted will be businesses and residential customers on
North Main Street from Weetamoe Street north to Herman Street.

 The Department of
Community Utilities is working to notify as many businesses and property owners of the 10:00
pm shutdown

. Water is expected to be restored by the early morning.
The only anticipated traffic impact will be the RT 79 southbound on-ramp, which will
need to remain closed during repairs.

With additional questions or concerns, please contact the Water Department Emergency
telephone number at 508-324-2720.
 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today is filing a final Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) supplemental budget that proposes investments in transportation, health and human services, school safety and other fiscal year closeout needs. 

The proposal includes approximately $1.622 billion gross / $840 million net spending and is supported by an FY22 state revenue surplus of $2.3 billion – up from a preliminary surplus figure shared in early August of $1.9 billion.

This surplus figure accounts for $2.941 billion in refunds that will be returned to taxpayers under Chapter 62F, the state law that requires net state tax revenues that exceed allowable revenues be returned to taxpayers. The Department of Revenue today submitted this amount in its annual report to the State Auditor for certification. The Auditor is required to certify if the threshold under 62F has been met by September 20. 

Revenues in FY22 exceeded Fiscal Year 2021 revenue collections by approximately 20.5%. This fiscal year, $2.3 billion was deposited into the Stabilization Fund, bringing the FY22 balance to a historic $6.9 billion.

“With tax revenues coming in far above budgeted amounts this year, the Commonwealth is well-positioned to deliver relief to taxpayers, while still making investments in key areas, like transportation, as we close the fiscal year,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is confident that with these high surplus revenues, there remains more than enough funding to support the tax relief, economic development and climate infrastructure proposals that are under consideration in the Legislature.”

“The supplemental budget proposal will fund many important priorities including strengthening school infrastructure, making significant investments in transportation and providing more resources for individuals dealing with substance misuse issues,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We look forward to working with the Legislature to enact this proposal to address these needs throughout the Commonwealth.”

The supplemental budget proposed today does not fully allocate the FY22 state surplus. Instead, it leaves $1.5 billion of the surplus available, which in combination with $2.2 billion remaining in American Rescue Plan Act Funds, is sufficient to support the tax relief measures and other critical investments in the FORWARD/economic development bill pending with the Legislature. 

The supplemental budget proposal includes targeted investments in transportation, with $200 million proposed to support the MBTA’s work to address the Federal Transit Administration’s safety directives and $10 million to establish a training academy that will create a talent pipeline to address MBTA staffing challenges.  

The proposal also recommends $37.3 million to support a number of school safety initiatives announced last week by the Administration, which includes $20 million for matching grants that will enable security and communications upgrades in K-12 schools and public higher education institutes and $10 million for child care providers to support safety measures and multi-hazard emergency planning.

Other notable investments include: 

•    $108 million net for a reserve to support ongoing and future potential costs related to COVID-19, including for personal protective equipment, testing, treatment and vaccines

•    $50 million to support the construction, development and capacity of new provider-operated community housing options for individuals being discharged from skilled nursing facilities and psychiatric, chronic and rehabilitation hospitals

•    $39 million to modernize the Commonwealth’s information technology infrastructure, improve cybersecurity and resiliency efforts and optimize space efficiency across Executive department offices 

•    $30 million to support the implementation of federal funding received through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in Fiscal Year 2023, including for project design, permitting, real estate transactions, and engineering

•    $30 million to support the appointment of a guardian ad litem in Department of Children and Families custody cases

•    $20 million to address the needs of immigrants and refugees, including temporary housing costs

•    $20 million to establish regional low threshold housing for homeless or housing unstable individuals with substance use disorder

Outside policy sections propose necessary corrections that will allow for the successful implementation of various new statutes that became law earlier this month, including related to new offshore wind development tax credits, the employment of Massachusetts National Guard personnel, and the 1% allocation of the retail sales price of marijuana based on social equity businesses. Another correction proposed follows other similar statutes to allow the Department of Revenue to intercept sports wagering winnings for outstanding child support and tax debts.

The legislation also includes several other policy proposals, including those that would:
•    Establish a trust fund in tandem with the $50 million appropriation noted above to increase provider-operated community housing options 

•    Provide the Department of Veterans’ Services with the authority to access the FBI national criminal database prior to hiring employees for the Soldiers Homes located in Chelsea and Holyoke, in order to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are kept safe and secure

•    Establish effective and efficient administrative processes through which the Department of Public Health will manage the licensure and oversight of Registered Sanitarians and Certified Health Officers

•    Mandate the appointment of a guardian ad litem in every proceeding at the Juvenile Court in which it is alleged that a child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect to serve as an independent advocate responsible for considering only the child’s best interests

•    Permit the Department of Conservation and Recreation to extend the leases at certain skating rinks while also making changes that will encourage the lessees to make capital improvements to the rinks in order to ensure the continued operation of the facilities

###
 

REMINDER - FINAL DAYS FOR IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING
At the Francis Farm - Museum Building - 27 Francis Farm Road ~ Wednesday, August 31, 2022 & Thursday, September 1, 2022 - Polls are open 8:00 AM-4:00 PM,  

Final In-Person Early Voting for the upcoming State Primary will be Friday, September 2, 2022 Polls Open 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM-Noon at Francis Farm.  

From 12:30-5:00 PM on September 2, at 340 Anawan Street - Rehoboth Town Hall - Town Clerk's Office ~ By Appointment Only.

 Election Day Voting will take place at the Francis Farm Community Complex - Museum Building - 27 Francis Farm Road - Polls open at 7:00 AM and close at 8:00 PM.  All mailed ballots will need to be returned to Rehoboth Town Hall - Ballot Drop Box on or before 8:00 PM on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.  

Sample Ballots for both the Republican and Democratic Parties appear below.  Thank you for voting and please have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day Weekend!
 

Join Bristol Community College for a special Family Night at the September AHA! Night, celebrating New Bedford Cultures. Participants will be entered to win a free 3-credit course just for attending!  

The event takes place on Thursday, September 8, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Bristol New Bedford Campus, 800 Purchase Street. 

During the event, participants can learn basic Portuguese greetings, engage in a traditional Indian cooking demo, play traditional Cabo Verdean games, as well as enjoy a performance and tutorial from Batucada Otu Level, a Cabo Verdean drumming and percussion group in New Bedford. 

The college’s admissions representatives will also be available to assist students or those thinking about attending college with Bristol’s enrollment and financial aid processes.  

For more information about Bristol Community College’s Family Night at AHA! on September 8, please visit https://bristolcc.edu/newbedford. 

AHA! (Art, History, Architecture) provides a free platform for New Bedford’s creative community to showcase their talents collectively; making arts, culture, and creative expression accessible to all. For more information about AHA! Nights, please visit https://ahanewbedford.org/.
 
 

An investigation is underway after a man was caught throwing a package of what was termed as “suspected drugs” into a New Bedford Jail yesterday. According to CBS 12 in Providence, The sheriff’s office said a security officer spotted the man throwing the package over the wall in the back parking lot of the Ash Street Jail. A security officer approached the suspect, the sheriff’s office said he took off running toward a nearby housing complex. The package was recovered before any inmates could retrieve it, and is in the process of being tested. The suspect will eventually be charged in connection with the incident, though he has not yet been identified or taken into custody.

The Democratic race for Massachusetts Attorney General was narrowed down to just two candidates yesterday. According to CBS 12 in Providence, Quentin Palfrey officially suspended his campaign and endorsed Andrea Campbell, who will face off against fellow Democrat Shannon Liss-Riordan in next Tuesday's primary. Palfrey is a former assistant attorney general and said Campbell will continue the legacy of Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey, who is running for governor. Campbell is a former Boston city councilor who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year. She would be the first Black woman to hold the attorney general office in Massachusetts if she wins in November.

Whoever wins the primary between the two candidates will face off against Republican Jay McMahon.

According to ABC 6 in Providence, yesterday a man charged in a decade-old rape case was indicted by a grand jury. The 28-year-old Dylan Ponte was indicted on two counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, and one case of witness intimidation. Ponte was arrested in July after a decade-old rape kit was tested. In 2012, the victim had been drinking with Ponte in the area of the Hayden-McFadden School. The victim also told police she blacked out and woke up outside of her friends home with multiple bruises on her body. In May, the rape kit connected to this case was tested and matched the DNA of Dylan Ponte from previous arrests.

Ponte is also convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery in Florida.

Thousands of students move into University of Massachusetts Dartmouth dorms on Monday with no masks and no restrictions. During the pandemic, schools across the country had to shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to CBS 12 in Providence, as a result, only a handful of students have actually lived in brand new dorms at UMass Dartmouth only built two years ago. UMass Dartmouth has lifted its mask mandate for classes this fall. UMass Dartmouth does have a vaccination requirement in place for both students and staff that plan to be on campus. Students who test positive during the school year will be given instructions on how to safely self isolate for five days. If they have a roommate, other accommodations will be made to keep them safe.

According to CBS 12 in Providence, A Fall River family that was a victim of a house fire earlier this month, is now also a victim of theft. The few clothing items they salvaged from the fire and bought new, were getting washed at a Fall River laundromat, when they were stolen right out of the machine. The family of five has been living in hotels for the last three weeks while they wait for their multi-family home to be repaired. The mother, Jane Lewis, said they were doing their laundry at LaundroMax on Rhode Island Ave when it was stolen. The Lewis family is still recovering from the electrical fire at their home on August 7. There were no injuries from the incident, but the family has been displaced. At first, the family tried to give the man in the video the benefit of the doubt, but once their laundry wasn't returned two days later, they filed a police report. Police said no other details were available.

Anyone with information should call Fall River Police.

his Article first appeared on The Athletic.com

By Ken Rosenthal

In Aug. 2015, less than two years after winning the World Series, the Boston Red Sox replaced head of baseball operations Ben Cherington with Dave Dombrowski while heading toward a second straight last-place finish in the AL East.

In Sept. 2019, less than a year after winning another World Series, the Sox fired Dombrowski, ultimately replacing him with a more process-oriented executive, Chaim Bloom from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Three years later, the Red Sox are again reeling, entering Monday night’s play in last place, 5 1/2 games behind the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles. But Sam Kennedy, team president and CEO, said the team is not planning to cut ties with either Bloom or manager Alex Cora.

“I am very comfortable saying Chaim and Alex will be back. And I am very comfortable saying there is a strong belief in the direction of the franchise from our ownership group,” Kennedy said Monday. “That direction is continuing to build for the future, but also continuing to invest at the major-league level.”

Chaim Bloom (Winslow Townson / USA Today Sports)
Neither Cora nor Bloom is in contractual jeopardy. The Red Sox exercised Cora’s option for 2023 and ‘24 last November. Bloom is in the third year of a long-term deal of at least four years, sources said. But ownership’s penchant for dramatically shifting course, going back to the firing of manager Grady Little after a devastating loss in the 2003 ALCS, has led to media and industry speculation about possible changes.

The Red Sox have been hit hard by injuries this season, from starting pitchers Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Wacha to young pitchers Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck to newly signed second baseman Trevor Story to center fielder Kiké Hernández. But the front office also has had a series of missteps, notably a trade of outfielder Hunter Renfroe to the Brewers for Jackie Bradley Jr. and two prospects. The bullpen seemingly has been in flux all season. And two young players who were thought to be part of the team’s future, first baseman Bobby Dalbec and center fielder Jarren Duran, have regressed.

“We’re all incredibly disappointed in how the season has unfolded. It’s certainly not where we thought we would be when we came into camp,” Kennedy said. “We had a magical 2021 year where we were two games from the World Series. We went out and added to what was an incredibly talented group with Trevor Story. We were very optimistic about our chances and where we were headed and incredibly excited that our baseball operations group had just done a fantastic job of building for the future at the same time.

“To be looking up at the American League East at this point of the year is painful and frustrating. And frankly we deserve the criticism we’re getting. We’ve got to own that. It’s on us. But we’ve been around here a long time and we’re prepared to turn things around quickly here as we head into ‘23.”

The Red Sox face a number of critical decisions this offseason, starting with the futures of shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who can opt out of his deal and become a free agent, and third baseman Rafael Devers, who is eligible to hit the open market after 2023. The team’s other potential free agents include Eovaldi, Hernández and Wacha, and designated hitter J.D. Martinez, left-hander Rich Hill and lefty reliever Matt Strahm.

Team officials continue to say they want to retain both Bogaerts and Devers, homegrown talents who have proven they can succeed in Boston. The Sox, with $91.97 million currently committed toward the 2023 payroll have the flexibility to fill their holes, Kennedy said.

“Next year will be the 22nd season of the John Henry-Tom Werner-Mike Gordon Fenway Sports Group stewardship of this franchise,” Kennedy said. “Since we’ve been here, each and every year we have a goal of playing baseball in October. I do not see that changing.

“I see us continuing to invest across the entire organization, at the major-league level, throughout our baseball operations. This group is hungry for another World Series championship. And we’ve got in my opinion the best baseball operations group, the best staff in that dugout, an amazing manager in Alex Cora, Chaim and (team executives) Brian O’Halloran and Raquel (Ferreira) and Eddie (Romero).

“The whole group is outstanding. I know we’re in a tough spot right now. But we have a lot of flexibility going into this offseason. I’m really excited to see what we’re going to do with that flexibility and the resources we have.”

BROCKTON – A man has pleaded guilty to charges that he was an Armed Career Criminal in possession of a firearm when he fired at police and disrupted public safety for hours, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.

Today in Brockton Superior Court, Pharoah Yahtues, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of Possession of a Firearm, Armed Career Criminal II, and two counts of Attempted Assault and Battery by Means of a Firearm. Superior Court Judge Diane Freniere sentenced Yahtues to serve 12-13 years in state prison, with three years of probation from and after.

Additionally, Judge Freniere added conditions that Yahtues receive a substance abuse and mental health evaluation and follow all recommendations of the Probation Department, and to stay away from the Hingham Shipyard area.The Commonwealth recommended that Yahtues serve 14-15 years in state prison. 

On January 25, 2020, Hingham Police Department officers responded to 111 Fitzroy Drive for a report of a domestic disturbance. The 911 caller was told to barricade himself in a bedroom, as Yahtues told police, “I have a gun with hollow tips, and I’m going to start shooting through these walls at you.”

A METRO-LEC SWAT and crisis negotiation team also arrived on scene, and eventually the entire apartment building was evacuated. The 911 caller was ultimately rescued by the Hingham Fire Department via a ladder truck.

As the SWAT Team maintained a perimeter around the apartment, shots were fired from the apartment window. Yahtues took pictures of police with his cell phone to see their positions, and an apparent firework or other explosive device was thrown out of a window, but did not detonate.

            Yahtues fired a second time toward the locations of the police, specifically a "bear cat” vehicle behind which two METRO-LEC officers stood. Negotiations continued for several more hours until the defendant surrendered to police. The apartment was searched and a 9mm firearm was found in a ceiling vent. A spent 9mm casing was also found on the floor of the apartment. Both items were tested, and the casing was matched to the recovered 9mm firearm. 

At today’s hearing, the Commonwealth, Judge Freniere, and defense counsel credited the Hingham Police and METRO-LEC SWAT team with exercising the upmost professionalism and restraint in bringing the defendant safely into custody. 

AAA: Massachusetts Gas Prices Down 10 Cents

Westwood, MA, August 29, 2022 — Massachusetts’s average gas price is down 10 cents from last week ($4.16), averaging $4.06 per gallon. Today’s price is 42 cents lower than a month ago ($4.48), and $1.01 higher than August 29, 2021 ($3.05). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 21 cents higher than the national average.

“Gas prices remain relatively high here in the northeast, where inventories are lower than in other parts of the country,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “Prices continue to fall steadily, however, and that’s good news for motorists planning their last summer driving trip over the upcoming Labor Day weekend.”

AAA Northeast’s August 29 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 5 cents lower than last week ($3.90), averaging $3.85 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 40 cents lower than a month ago ($4.25), and 71 cents higher than this day last year ($3.14).
 

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today announced the following roster moves:

Recalled right-handed pitcher Kaleb Ort from Triple-A Worcester.

Selected right-handed pitcher Zack Kelly from Worcester.

Designated left-handed pitcher Austin Davis and right-handed pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura for assignment.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Ort, 30, has made 12 appearances for Boston over two stints this season, posting a 9.00 ERA (15 ER/15.0 IP). The right-hander surrendered eight runs over 0.2 innings on July 22 against the Toronto Blue Jays but has a 4.38 ERA (6 ER/12.1 IP) in his other 11 outings. Ort also has a 2.88 ERA (13 ER/40.2 IP) and 16 saves in 39 appearances for Worcester this season.

Kelly, 27, is 7-3 with a 2.77 ERA (21 ER/68.1 IP) and 13.30 strikeouts per nine innings (101 strikeouts) in 59 relief appearances for Worcester over the last two seasons, including a 2.72 ERA (15 ER/49.2 IP) and 13.05 strikeouts per nine innings (72 strikeouts) in a team-leading 44 outings this year. Signed by Boston as a minor league free agent in December 2020, the Virginia native attended 2022 Major League Spring Training with Boston as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander has also pitched in the Oakland A’s (2017) and Los Angeles Angels (2018-19) organizations. This is Kelly’s first time on a 40-man roster. His first appearance will be his Major League debut.

Davis, 29, allowed four runs (two earned runs) in 2.0 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-hander has made a career-high 50 appearances for Boston this season, posting a 5.47 ERA (33 ER/54.1 IP) while also setting career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts (61).

Sawamura, 34, allowed three runs in the sixth inning against Tampa Bay. The right-hander has a 3.73 ERA (21 ER/50.2 IP) in 49 appearances for Boston this year, his second Major League campaign after signing with the Red Sox prior to the 2021 season.

NASA on Monday will send an unmanned space capsule into the moon’s orbit, marking the initial launch in an ambitious plan to establish a long term presence on the moon for scientific discovery and economic development.

The space capsule, called Artemis 1, will travel for roughly 40 days -- reaching as close as 60 miles from the moon, and then 40,000 miles above the moon when orbiting over its dark side -- before landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.

Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida, the White House said on Friday. At least 100,000 people will also watch on the beaches along Cape Canaveral as the spacecraft takes off, Florida tourism officials estimated.

If the launch proves successful, NASA will send a crew to the moon's orbit on Artemis 2 in 2024. Eventually, the Artemis expedition as a whole could lead to the first crewed space trip to Mars, NASA says

When is the launch?

A two-hour launch window begins on Monday at 8:33 a.m. ET, meaning the launch could take place anytime over the ensuing two-hour period. But the launch may not take place on Monday morning, as NASA abides by a strict set of weather criteria that determine whether a flight can proceed.

Meteorologists with the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 predicted a 70% chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch window on Monday morning, according to a NASA blog post on Thursday.

The launch will be postponed, for instance, if the temperature at both 132.5 feet and 257.5 feet exceeds 94.5 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 consecutive minutes. NASA imposes additional weather restrictions, some of which depend on wind and humidity conditions.

If the launch does not take place on Monday, a second two-hour launch wind will begin on Friday, Sept. 2 at 12:38 a.m. ET. If NASA postpones the second launch, a third two-hour window will begin on Monday Sept. 5 at 5:12 p.m. ET.

How do you watch the launch?

ABC News will broadcast the launch live on Monday. Coverage will start at about 8:30 a.m. ET, just as the time window begins. ABC News may not broadcast from the launch if the take off is postponed before the time window starts.

In addition, NASA will broadcast the launch on its website . Eager viewers can watch an ongoing livestream of the launch site on YouTube.

What will the launch event entail?

NASA's live broadcast of the launch will include celebrity appearances by Jack Black, Chris Evans, and Keke Palmer, as well as a special performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Josh Groban and Herbie Hancock.

The event will also feature a performance of “America the Beautiful” by The Philadelphia Orchestra and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

When is Artemis 1 coming back?

If the capsule takes off on Monday morning, the mission will last for 42 days, after which the capsule will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on Oct. 10 at 11:53 a.m. ET.

If the capsule takes off during the second launch window, on Sept. 2, the mission will last 39 days with a splashdown in the Pacific on Oct. 11; while a launch during the third window, on Sept. 5, would last 42 days and end on Oct. 17.

What's next for the Artemis expedition?
On the whole, the Artemis expedition includes four missions, each of which will cost roughly $4.1 billion. In all, the project will cost up to $93 billion by 2025, according to an audit from the NASA Office of the Inspector General.

If Artemis 1 is successful, Artemis 2 will take four astronauts near the moon in 2024. After that, Artemis 3 will take a crewed spacecraft for a moon landing. Finally, Artemis 4 will fly to a space station near the moon.

NASA hopes that the Artemis expedition will enable a crewed trip to Mars in the ensuing years.

Ian Browne
@IanMBrowne

BOSTON -- After another mid-game malfunction in the bullpen in Sunday’s 12-4 loss to the Rays, the Red Sox designated struggling relievers Hirokazu Sawamura and Austin Davis  for assignment, a source told MLB.com.

When the Red Sox open a three-game series in Minneapolis on Monday night, righty relievers Zack Kellyand Kaleb Ort will be added from Triple-A Worcester to fill the open spots on the roster.

The Red Sox have struggled all season in the bullpen, as evidenced by a 4.54 ERA, which ranks 27th in the Majors.

Fall River City Council Presdient Pam Lebau is due in the Fall River Justice Center on September 13 to answer to four counts, incluidng two Misdeameanor counts involving alleged harrasment and annoying text messages and calls, and a pair of felony counts regarding intimidation. 

Lebeau is accused of using a series of so-called ''Burner'' numbers that could not be traced to her actuall cell phone, as a result of a specialized app, in order to allegedly harrass a real estate partner with whom she had a romantic relationship. 

Calls and Texts were also directed at the man's wife. 

In a report issued by Westport Police, Lebeau allegedly admitted to using the burner number software, telling police detectives she sent text messages and made calls in a period from April through July of this year. 

Lebau also admitted to being part of love triangle with a real estate associate with who she also had a business relationshp.

WSAR continues to offer Lebeau an opportuntiy to tell her side of the story; WSAR has texted Lebeau and so far recieved no response. 

###

The controversial issue of allowing undocumented immigrants the right to get a driver’s license in Massachusetts could be up to voters this fall. According to CBS 12  in Providence, state lawmakers have already approved the measure but opponents have collected over 100,000 signatures to put it on the ballot and let residents vote. The legislation would require individuals to provide documentation to obtain a license including proof of their identity, residency in the state, and date of birth. The new rules would apply to those who don’t have proof they are in the country legally, including those not eligible for a Social Security number. The Registry of Motor Vehicles would be required to come up with regulations about what specific kinds of documentation are acceptable. The licenses would not become available until July 1, 2023.

Governor Charlie Baker vetoed the legislation but lawmakers voted to override the veto.

The Rhode Island State Police Department says a traffic stop led to an arrest of a Massachusetts man who allegedly was in possession of a ghost gun and drugs. According to NBC 10 in Providence, on Thursday state police stopped 20-year-old Gentrit Millanaj, of Medford, Massachusetts on Route 295 in Cumberland for speeding. Police say a probable cause search of the vehicle turned up a loaded Polymer 9mm semi-automatic pistol with no serial number. Police also found almost 20 ounces of marijuana, over two and a half grams of crack cocaine, a digital scale, and packaging equipment. Millanaj charges included Possession of a Ghost Gun and Possession with intent to Deliver Schedule Controlled Substances.

He was arraigned in 6th District Court on Thursday and was held on $75,000 bail with surety. The cracking down on ghost guns and charges following it have been an initiative in New Bedford and neighboring towns/cities.

According to the digital edition of the Fall River Herald News, the night when  two rival motorcycle clubs clashed outside a local Bedford Street bar in Fall River that turned violent and deadly was it was all caught on surveillance video. On trial is 28 year old Joseph “JoJo” Noe, of Taunton, who is facing one count of murder and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon with serious bodily harm associated with the shooting outside of JC’s Café in September 2019. Noe, a member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, is accused of killing 39-year-old Oak Bluffs resident Eric Voshell, a member of the Sidewinders Motorcycle Club. Voshell died at Rhode Island Hospital after being shot in the back of the head with two bullets after Noe shot five rounds from his licensed 38 caliber handgun. Also injured in the shooting was Troy Parker, another member of the Sidewinders, who prosecutors Guilderson and Michael Cahillane said was shot in the shoulder. Brian Andruk, an Outlaws member and Noe’s friend, was also injured after a bullet grazed his head. Jury selection in the case against Noe began on Monday and a jury seated on Tuesday with the start of the trial on Wednesday.

Over the course of the three days, there was a noticeable uptick in Fall River police officers around the Fall River Justice Center. Before opening arguments and before the jury was brought in for the start of the trial, Fall River Superior Court Judge Raffi Yessayan warned the roughly few dozen family and friends at the trial in support of both Noe and Voshell, against wearing any motorcycle club “colors.”

FALL RIVER — The Diocese of Fall River has announced today the addition of the names of two priests to its list of “Credibly Accused” clergy posted on the Diocesan website and of one religious order priest to its list of “Publicly Accused” clergy.

The priests added to the “Credibly Accused” list are Father John A. Gomes, a retired priest of the Diocese, and Father Michael Kuhn who, while a priest incardinated in the Diocese of Fall River, is a member of the Virginia-based Youth Apostles Institute. As such, he has ministered outside the Diocese of Fall River since 2004.

The addition of their names to the list follows determinations of credibility in separate, unrelated allegations of violations of the Diocese’s policies for the protection of minors made against each priest. 

The case of Father Gomes involves an incident of alleged sexual abuse of a minor that took place decades ago. A recent review of Diocesan files from that period prompted the Diocese to further investigate the allegation and the Diocese was able to obtain a positive identification. 

The case of Father Kuhn involves incidents of alleged verbal communications of an explicit sexual nature with minors. Father Kuhn denies these allegations.

Before making any determination in these cases, the Diocese followed its protocols including: 

•    suspending both priests from ministry;
•    notifying civil authorities;
•    conducting its own investigations; and 
•    bringing the cases to the Ministerial Review Board. 

The Ministerial Review Board serves as an independent and consultative body to advise the bishop on alleged misconduct by clergy.

After reviewing all of the facts and receiving the recommendations of the Ministerial Review Board in each case, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., determined that the allegations are credible and informed the priests that they would not be returning to ministry. The restrictions which continue include prohibition from exercising any public ministry including the celebration of public Mass or of other sacraments. They also may not provide spiritual direction, wear clerical attire, or present themselves as priests. 

The Diocese has informed leadership of the Youth Apostles Institute of the determination in Father Kuhn’s case to continue his restriction from priestly ministry. The Diocese has also informed the dioceses where Father Kuhn has ministered, where he is likewise prohibited from exercising priestly ministry. 

   Assignment histories for Fathers Gomes and Kuhn are provided within the list of “Credibly Accused” clergy on the Diocesan website along with complete information on the Diocesan response to the sexual abuse crisis.

The Diocese is also adding at this time to its list of “Publicly Accused” priests the name of Father Adrian Donachie, OFM, who was a priest of the Franciscan Friars Holy Name Province. The Diocese has been notified that Father Donachie, who died in 1979, is on the Franciscan Friars Holy Name Province list of friars with substantiated allegations. Because Father Donachie served some of his ministry in the Diocese of Fall River, his name is included on the Diocesan list of “Publicly Accused.” 

“I know that this is difficult for all of us, particularly the victims of clergy abuse, but it is my sincere hope that the addition of these priests will support healing for anyone who has suffered because of their actions,” said Bishop da Cunha. “I offer my deepest apologies to them and to their families.”

Fall River Diocesan policies state that an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor is determined to be credible when it has a “semblance of truth” under canon law, using a standard of proof approximating probable cause, and when it conforms to the definition of sexual abuse of a minor as outlined in those policies. In the case of a credible finding, both Diocesan policies and the U.S. Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People require that an offending cleric be prohibited from ministry and his faculties withdrawn.

Through its Victim Assistance Outreach, the Diocese of Fall River offers supportive services to victims of clergy sexual abuse and their families, as well as to members of parishes impacted by these cases. For assistance, please contact Carolyn Shipp, the Director of Safe Environment and Victim Assistance at 508-985-6508 (confidential voicemail) or cshipp@dioc-fr.org.

A 20-year-old Fall River man has been arrested and charged with Murder in connection to the Sunday night fatal stabbing of Antonio Santos in Fall River, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced.

Jordan Gottlieb was arrested last night on Rodman Street in the vicinity of the Stop & Shop grocery store on an unrelated warrant out of New Bedford, and was officially charged with murder this morning.  The defendant will be arraigned today in Fall River District Court by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Pixley.

On Sunday night shortly before 9:15 pm, Fall River Police responded to a report of a stabbing victim just outside of the cafe.  When first responders arrived, they located the victim, later identified as Antonio Santos, 58, of Fall River suffering from apparent stab wounds.  Mr. Santos was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died during surgery shortly before midnight.

The case continues to be an active investigation by Homicide Unit prosecutors, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office and Fall River Police.  This investigation is being coordinated by Assistant District Attorney Pixley, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Lopes and DA Quinn’s Chief of he Homicide Unit, Denis Collins.

This is the first homicide of the year in Fall River.

(FALL RIVER, MA- August 25, 2022)- Starting in September of 2022, the City of Fall River’s
Department of Community Maintenance will resume the residential street sweeper program that
was launched in 2018. The goal of the program is to provide curb-to-curb access for City street
sweepers in residential areas through the enforcement of regularly scheduled parking restrictions.

Parking is prohibited on one side of a selected street from 8:00am to 12:00pm on a designated
day of the month. The following day, parking is prohibited on the opposite side of the same
street. The program operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from April 1st
until November 1st

. Street sweeping, and enforcement of the parking restrictions, will not take
place on holidays. Those in violation of the scheduled parking rules will be subject to fines.
Reintroduction of the program will happen in two Phases.

? Phase 1: Three sectors of the City already have signage in place from the
program’s original launch. These three sectors will resume the street sweeper
program in September and October of 2022 during their originally scheduled time
(Tuesday/Wednesday or Thursday/Friday of the first week of the month).

Residents in these areas have received or will soon receive a notice in the mail
alerting them to the return of the program.

? Phase 2: Over the winter, nine additional sectors of the City will receive signage
and mail communications notifying them of their participation in the street
sweeper program. All twelve sectors are expected to take part in the program for
the duration of the 2023 season (April 1st- November 1st). Additional information
and reminders will be released prior to the start of the season.

Residents can determine whether they live in one of the twelve sectors by referring to the
map posted on the City of Fall River website (https://www.fallriverma.org/street-sweeping/) and
social media accounts, or by visiting/contacting the Traffic or DCM offices in Government
Center. Residents can reach the Department of Community Maintenance at 508-324-2584 and
the Traffic and Parking Office at 508-324-2123.

The importance of street sweeping is to prevent City storm drains from clogging with
debris and causing flooding during a rain event, as well as to ensure protection of the
environment and improve the aesthetic quality of Fall River neighborhoods. The City of Fall
River thanks residents in advance for their cooperation.

Seasonal effort will help conserve municipal resources
New Bedford, Massachusetts – The City of New Bedford is expanding voluntary restrictions on daytime water use to help conserve municipal resources during drought conditions throughout the Northeast.

The City’s reservoir remains at a manageable level. Nevertheless, given forecasts of continued drought, New Bedford is expanding its voluntary, seasonal restrictions on nonessential outdoor water use by residents and businesses. These restrictions expand initial measures in July that discouraged daytime lawn watering. 

The City strongly suggests that residents and businesses adhere to the following guidelines and avoid nonessential watering activities and water use, including: 

•    Irrigation of lawns via sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems 
•    Washing of vehicles, except in a commercial car wash or as necessary for operator safety 
•    Washing of exterior building surfaces, parking lots, driveways or sidewalks
•    Installation of new sod, seeding, and/or landscaping
•    Watering during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall
•    Washing of hard surfaces (sidewalks, patios, driveways, siding)
•    Personal vehicle or boat washing
•    Operation of non-recirculating fountains
•    Filling of swimming pools

These are voluntary measures to help conserve municipal resources. The City will continue to monitor drought conditions and will adjust the measures if necessary. 

All water users should limit their nonessential water use throughout the year by implementing practices such as capturing rain in rain barrels, hand-watering, using car washes that recycle water, and installing low-flow water fixtures in their homes. 
 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in the state this year. The individual is a female in her 70s who was exposed to the virus in Suffolk County.

In 2021, there were 11 human cases of WNV infection identified in Massachusetts. WNV is usually transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe disease.

 Most people infected with WNV will have no symptoms. When present, WNV symptoms tend to include fever and flu-like illness. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur. No human or animal cases of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been detected so far this year.   
 

BOSTON (August 25, 2022) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced 37 additional cases of monkeypox within the past seven days, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases in the Commonwealth to 280 residents since the state’s first case was announced May 18. DPH provides public updates on monkeypox in Massachusetts on a weekly basis each Thursday. 

The 37 cases announced today had their diagnoses between August 18 and August 24. DPH is working with local health officials, the patients, and healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious. Individuals with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with others until they are no longer infectious. 

The New England Area Conference (NEAC) of the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP) filed an amicus brief with the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

“This filing represents a historic step towards ending predatory and discriminatory home lending
practices and illegal foreclosures in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We are proud to provide
Massachusetts’ Supreme Judicial Court, with an opportunity to address and correct the impact of
160 years of discriminatory lending practices,” said Maurice Powe, lead counsel for NEAC and
legal redress committee chair for the Springfield Branch of the NAACP.

The case, Bank of New York Mellon as Trustee on Behalf of the Registered Holders of Alternative
Loan Trust 2006-J7, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-J7 v. Alton King, case
number SJC-12859, is presently under reconsideration.

NEAC has worked for over a decade with the Massachusetts Alliance Against Predatory Lending
(MAAPL) to end the illegal and predatory mortgage lending targeted to Blacks and other people
of color. “This truly authoritative brief is a crash course in the criminal ploys by which the
American mortgaging industry still reduces Black homebuyers to stifling economic deprivation,"
explained Sarah McKee, formerly General Counsel of Interpol for the U.S., who has volunteered
with MAAPL since 2014.

“I am so proud that NEAC has entered this brief in my SJC appeal," said Alton King of Long
Meadow explained, “These loans that were doomed to fail, designed to be foreclosed from
inception, have ruinously extracted generational wealth from targeted communities, people of
color and economically disenfranchised groups."

“The Alton King case is unfortunately just one of thousands of Massachusetts homeowners
targeted by discriminatory and illegal lending practices; it has damaged disproportionately Blacks
and other borrowers of color. In fact, these practices have damaged the fabric of and caused
overwhelming damage to the American economy" said Juan Cofield, president of NEAC. He
stated further that" for a century, the NAACP has worked through the courts to enforce the US
Constitution, federal and state laws to ensure that all citizens are guaranteed equal opportunity for
liberty and justice.” (END)

Dartmouth’s Board of Health stated Tuesday that some sewage had spilled into Clarks Cove. According to ABC 6 in providence, The board said a sewer overflow discharge from New Bedford’s sewage collection system leaked into the cove on Monday. Christopher Michaud, Director of the Board of Health, said that the board has tested five beaches in the area for increased bacteria with Jones Beach, Hidden Bay, Oak Hill Shores, and Anthony’s Beach  all closed until test results come back. Anyone with questions should contact the Dartmouth of Board of Health.

The three-member Somerset Board of Selectmen and its new Town Administrator came to an agreement last night on a new contract, as a soon-to-be-former Warwick Deputy Police Chief agreed to a contract with a base salary of $160,000.

Mark Ullichi will start his new career on September 12. 

Ullichi can earn additional money, in $5,000 increments, for rejecting Somerset's Health Insurance, and for earning a procurement license. 

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today reinstated right-handed pitcher Brayan Bello from the 15-Day Injured List. To make room for Bello on the active roster, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Josh Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester following Tuesday Night's game.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Bello, 23,started the second game of the series  against the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander was placed on the 15-Day Injured List on August 4 due to a left groin strain. Bello made two rehab starts, allowing one run in 3.2 innings on August 14 with Double-A Portland and one run in 4.1 innings on August 19 with Worcester. The Dominican native made his Major League debut this season and is 0-3 with an 8.47 ERA (16 ER/17.0 IP) in five appearances (three starts). Bello is ranked as a top 50 prospect by both Baseball America (No. 21) and MLB.com (No. 37).

Winckowski, 24, started game one of the series with  Toronto and gave up six runs in 2.2 innings. The right-hander is 5-7 with a 5.83 ERA (41 ER/63.1 IP) in 13 starts this season, the first of his Major League career. He is one of only four Red Sox rookie pitchers to make at least 10 starts in a season since 2016, joining Kutter Crawford (10 in 2022), Tanner Houck (13 in 2021), and Brian Johnson (13 in 2018). Winckowski is also 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA (16 ER/42.2 IP) in nine starts for Worcester this season.

“I commend President Biden for cancelling a significant portion of debt for student loan borrowers. This is a smart investment in young people who are doing all the right things.

They have worked hard in school, are engaging in their communities, and are contributing their talents to confront the daunting challenges that our nation and planet face.

It also remains critical that the administration and Congress support college affordability measures, such as Pell Grant increases, that will prevent debt from accumulating in the first place."

Statement from the Association of Public & Land Grant Universities 
 

A 47-year-old North Attleboro woman who went on a violent rampage earlier this year and severely injured her girlfriend, was sentenced to serve up to five-and-a-half years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Tanisha Baxter pled guilty on August 10 to indictments charging her with mayhem and four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

At about 3:45 a.m. on January 31, North Attleboro Police responded to a disturbance at an apartment.  The defendant had kicked in and broke a door to a neighbor’s apartment, where her girlfriend was seeking refuge from a previous assault.  Hours prior to the door being kicked in, the defendant had brutally assaulted her girlfriend.

The girlfriend was taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, where police observed her to have two black eyes, a large black and blue bump on her forehead, visible cuts above her eyes and on her chin, a gash along one of her arms, along with several bruises on her legs, arms, back tailbone and hips.  The defendant had struck the victim with a dresser drawer and free weights, and also slashed her with a knife.

During a sentencing hearing in Fall River Superior Court before Judge William White, Assistant District Attorney Courtney Cahill argued that the due to the severity of the incident and the victim’s statements regarding daily beatings she suffered at the hands of the defendant, she should serve five-and-a-half to eight-and-a-half years in prison.  The defense, however, argued for a more lenient one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half year prison term.  Judge White eventually sentenced the defendant to serve three-and-a-half to five-and-a-half years in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised probation. 

“This was a violent assault against the victim, who sustained serious injuries,” District Attorney Quinn said. “This defendant has a criminal history and needs to be kept off the street to protect the public.”

The defendant has previously served jail time for an indecent assault and battery on a child, has violate probation and has been the defendant in three separate restraining order matters.   
 

BOSTON, MA - The Red Sox today announced their 2023 regular season schedule in conjunction with Major League Baseball and the debut of a new, more balanced schedule format featuring matchups against all 29 other clubs for the first time since Interleague play was introduced in 1997. The Red Sox will open the season at Fenway Park for the fourth year in a row on Thursday, March 30, against the Baltimore Orioles in the first of a three-game series.

The Red Sox will face the New York Yankees four times in 2023, including at Yankee Stadium June 9-11 and August 18-20. The club will host the Yankees at Fenway Park twice, June 16-18 and again September 11-14.

Under MLB's new schedule, the Red Sox will play at least one series against every team in the National League and two fewer series against their division opponents.

The Red Sox will travel to Oracle Park for the first time since 2016 to face the San Francisco Giants July 28-30. They will also travel to seven other National League ballparks in 2023: American Family Field for three games against the Milwaukee Brewers (April 21-23); Citizens Bank Park for three games against the Philadelphia Phillies (May 5-7); Truist Park for two games against the Atlanta Braves (May 9-10); Petco Park for three games against the San Diego Padres (May 19-21); Chase Field for three games against the Arizona Diamondbacks (May 26-28); Wrigley Field for three games against the Chicago Cubs (July 14-16); and Nationals Park for three games against the Washington Nationals (August 15-17).

Eight National League teams will make trips to Fenway Park next season: the Pittsburgh Pirates (April 3-5); the St. Louis Cardinals (May 12-14); the Cincinnati Reds (May 30-June 1); the Colorado Rockies (June 12-14); the Miami Marlins (June 27-29); the New York Mets (July 21-23); the Atlanta Braves (July 25-26); and the Los Angeles Dodgers (August 25-27).

The Red Sox will play at home on Patriots Day as part of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels (April 14-17). The team will be home on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 14, to face the St. Louis Cardinals. They will also host the Yankees on Father's Day, Sunday, June 18, and will travel to Minnesota the following day to face the Twins on Juneteenth. The Red Sox will be home on Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4, against the Texas Rangers.

The Red Sox play more games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Tropicana Field than any other road venue (seven games each). The team will travel to Baltimore to face the Orioles April 24-26 and September 28-October 1. They will travel to St. Petersburg to square off against the Rays April 10-13 and September 4-6.

The final home series of the regular season will be against the Tampa Bay Rays (September 26-27), and the regular season will conclude with a four-game road trip to Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore (September 28-October 1).

2023 Season Ticket packages are on sale now. For information, visit redsox.com/seasontickets or call (877) RED-SOX9.

Game times for the 2023 season, as well as the 2023 Spring Training schedule, will be finalized and announced at a later date. All dates included in the attached schedule are subject to change.

Anthony Castrovince
MLB.com

The 2023 schedule released by Major League Baseball on Wednesday might look the same in some ways. There are still 162 games per team, spread from spring to fall, with a brief pause for the All-Star break, and October, as always, the goal.

But make no mistake: The new, more balanced 2023 schedule, which will begin with Opening Day on March 30, is a massive change for the sport.

• Schedules: AL | NL

No longer is each team’s slate significantly skewed toward division opponents. Instead, the schedules will feature more variety. For the first time in modern MLB history, every team will play every other team at some point.

• 7 fun takeaways from new '23 schedule format

This altered schedule structure will have significant effects on the postseason and the product. So let’s dive into the specifics of this schedule change by answering questions you might have about it.

Why has MLB moved to a balanced schedule?

With the postseason format having already been expanded in 2022 to include three Wild Card spots in each league, it is more important for teams across each league to play more similar schedules. All wins and losses are counted the same, so a more balanced schedule conceivably limits the advantage a team from a weak division has over a team from a deep division in the Wild Card race.

But there is also entertainment value to having all teams face each other at least once, as opposed to loading up the schedule with division matchups. That means 29 fan bases getting to watch their clubs face Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Mookie Betts and the other great stars of the sport.

“This new format creates more consistent opponent matchups as Clubs compete for Postseason berths,” MLB chief operations and strategy officer Chris Marinak said in a release, “particularly in the recently expanded Wild Card round. Additionally, this fan-friendly format provides fans with the opportunity to see more opponent matchups, with a particular focus on dramatically expanding our most exciting Interleague matchups, and offers more national exposure to the star players throughout our game.”

Is the 2023 schedule truly “balanced”?

Not in the strictest sense, no. Teams will still play more series against individual division opponents than any individual opponent from another division. But the schedule is nowhere near as weighted toward division play as it was previously.

How many games will each team play against division opponents?

Each team will play 52 games against division opponents, decreased from 76 under the previous schedule structure.

This will include 13 games (across four total series) against each division opponent, decreased from 19 (across six series). That’s seven home games and six away games (or vice versa) against each opponent for a total of 26 home games and 26 away games.

How many games will each team play against non-division league opponents?

Each team will play 64 intraleague games (32 home games and 32 away games), decreased from 66.

Teams will play six games against six league opponents and seven games against four other league opponents. This is the reverse of the previous format, in which teams played six games against four league opponents and seven against six league opponents.

How many Interleague games will each team play?

This is the biggest change, with 46 total Interleague games for each team (AL vs. NL and vice versa), an increase from 20.

Teams will play a home-and-home series (four games total) against their natural Interleague rivals (Yankees vs. Mets, Dodgers vs. Angels, Cubs vs. White Sox, etc.) and another 42 games against other Interleague opponents, including seven series (21 games) at home and seven series (21 games) on the road.

How long was the schedule “unbalanced”?

The unbalanced schedule we are familiar with today was first introduced in 2001. That year, teams began playing anywhere from 16 to 20 games against each division rival. Prior to that, the AL had played under a more balanced schedule since its 1977 expansion from 12 to 14 teams, while the NL had played under a more balanced schedule since its 1993 expansion from 12 to 14 teams.

Interleague Play, however, had never been balanced the way it will be with the 2023 schedule.

What impact will the balanced schedule have?

Though the travel will be quite a bit different under the more balanced schedule and rescheduling postponements against non-division opponents can be more challenging, this arrangement should be a fairer one in terms of settling both division and Wild Card races. As a result of the adjusted schedule, teams within the same division and within the same league will have more common opponents.

The new schedule could also impact how front offices approach roster construction. With fewer division games, there might be less emphasis on acquisitions targeted specifically because of how they match up with particular division rivals or how they play in particular ballparks within the division.

What are some other notable aspects of the 2023 schedule?

The 2023 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be held on July 11 at T-Mobile Park -- the first Midsummer Classic in Seattle since 2001.
If weather permits, Opening Day on March 30 would be the first in which every MLB team opens on the same day since 1968.
All 30 clubs are also scheduled to be in action on the Fourth of July.
The Cardinals and Cubs will play a two-game series at London Stadium on June 24-25 as part of the MLB World Tour, which will bring MLB teams and players to the league’s global base over the next four seasons.
The Phillies and Nationals will meet in the 2023 Little League Classic at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa., on Aug. 20.

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox made the following roster moves:

Placed right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi on the 15-Day Injured List due to right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to August 19.

Placed first baseman Eric Hosmer on the 10-Day Injured List due to low back inflammation, retroactive to August 21.

Recalled right-handed pitcher Josh Winckowski and first baseman/outfielder Franchy Cordero from Triple-A Worcester yesterday.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Eovaldi, 32, last pitched on August 12 against the New York Yankees, surrendering two runs over 6.0 innings. The right-hander is 5-3 with a 4.15 ERA (46 ER/99.2 IP) in 18 starts for Boston this season, issuing two walks or fewer in 17 of outings.

Hosmer, 32, last played on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, exiting in the sixth inning with low back pain. The left-handed hitter has made 12 starts at first base for Boston since being acquired from the San Diego Padres on August 2, batting .225 (9-for-40) with six runs, three doubles, and four RBI.

Winckowski, 24, is scheduled to start tonight’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays. He was optioned to Worcester on August 19 and has not pitched since August 18 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he allowed six runs in 5.0 innings. The right-hander is 5-6 with a 5.19 ERA (35 ER/60.2 IP) in 12 starts this season, the first of his Major League career. Winckowski is one of only four Red Sox rookie pitchers to make at least 10 starts in a season since 2016, joining Kutter Crawford (10 in 2022), Tanner Houck (13 in 2021), and Brian Johnson (13 in 2018).

Cordero, 27, hit a game-tying, pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB Little League Classic after being appointed Boston’s 27th man. The left-handed hitter has batted .222 (48-for-216) with 17 doubles, five home runs, and 25 RBI in 73 games for the Red Sox this season, appearing in 46 games at first base, 25 in right field, and nine in left field. In 12 games with Worcester since being optioned on August 2, he is batting .370 (17-for-46) with four home ru

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have placed LB Ronnie Perkins on injured reserve. In addition, the Patriots placed rookie OL Andrew Stueber on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury List.

Perkins, 22, was drafted by New England in the third-round of the 2021 NFL Draft (96th overall) out of Oklahoma. The 6-foot-3, 253-pounder was inactive for the first 13 regular season games of his rookie year before being placed on injured reserve on Dec. 17.

Stueber, 23, was drafted by New England in the seventh-round of the 2022 NFL Draft (245th overall) out of Michigan. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder appeared in 34 games with 22 career starts with 20 at right tackle and two at right guard.

Westwood, MA, August 22, 2022 — Massachusetts’s average gas price is down 11 cents from last week ($4.27), averaging $4.16 per gallon. Today’s price is 41 cents lower than a month ago ($4.57), and $1.12 higher than August 22, 2021 ($3.04). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 26 cents higher than the national average.

“With prices continuing to fall, drivers and end-of summer vacationers are benefiting from gas prices that are almost a dollar lower than at their peak in mid-June,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “But now we need to keep an eye on the weather as hurricane season ramps up. Major storms can boost prices by disrupting oil production in the Gulf of Mexico and impacting large coastal refineries.”

AAA Northeast’s August 22 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 5 cents lower than last week ($3.95), averaging $3.90 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 51 cents lower than a month ago ($4.41), and 74 cents higher than this day last year ($3.16).

A fatal stabbing, which took place Sunday night in front of the Latino's Cafe on County Street in Fall River, is currently under active investigation by Homicide Unit prosecutors, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office and Fall River Police.

This is the first homicide of the year in Fall River.

On Sunday night shortly before 9:15 pm, Fall River Police responded to a report of a stabbing victim just outside of the cafe.  When first responders arrived, they located the victim, later identified as Antonio Santos, 58, of Fall River suffering from apparent stab wounds.  Mr. Santos was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died during surgery shortly before midnight.

A preliminary investigation has revealed it appears the suspect and victim knew each other, and that the suspect fled east on County Street after the stabbing.

Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, further details on the facts of the case cannot be disseminated at this time.

If anyone has information regarding this matter, we have made it easy for you to submit an anonymous tip in two different ways.  The first way to submit an anonymous tip is via our text-a-tip program. To anonymously text a tip to us, text the word “Bristol” to the phone number CRIMES (274637). Then just text us your tip. You can also submit a web-based anonymous tip by going to Submit a Web Tip.  These tip programs are completely anonymous and your personal information will never be seen by our investigators or anyone else.  Citizens can also call Fall River Police's tip line at 508-672-8477.
 

Mayor Coogan and the Fall River Health Department would like to announce that, weather-permitting, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project (BCMCP) will be spraying the area around Kennedy Park for mosquitoes on Wednesday, August 24th  and on Friday, August 26nd  between the hours of 2am to 6 am. 

The spraying will be performed by the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project (BCMCP) by a special spray truck as a fine ultra low volume spray between the hours of 2 am to 6 am on each of the two days. It contains a man-made pesticide product (etofenprox) similar to the natural components of the chrysanthemum flower. It can also be found in other pesticide products used indoors in pet shampoo and on pets. Health and Human Services Director Tess Curran states, “The active ingredients of the pesticide product generally break down quickly and do not leave a toxic residue. The Mayor’s office has been in contact with the festival planners. There is not a concern about food concessions being in the area, since they will be closed and all food put away.” 

As a precaution, all residents who live in the area should keep their windows closed and refrain from going outside between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. They may also want to shut off air conditioners unless they have a setting for recirculating indoor air. Residents are further advised to rinse any homegrown fruits and vegetables with water and to keep pets indoors during spraying to minimize their risk of exposure. However, pets that remain outdoors would not be expected to experience adverse health effects from the spraying.  There are many pesticide products (e.g., flea collars, pet shampoo, dips) containing etofenprox, the active ingredient of Zenivex E4, that are used directly on pets to control ticks and insects. Because Zenivex E4 breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precaution or waiting periods are recommended for outdoor swimming pools or beaches.

People are also advised to take the following measures to protect themselves from mosquito exposure:

•    Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. 
•    Stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Use mosquito netting on baby carriages or playpens when your baby is outdoors.
•    Make sure screens are repaired and that screens are tightly attached to doors and windows. 
•    Remove standing water from ditches, gutters, old tires, wheelbarrows, and wading pools. 
•    Use mosquito repellents, making sure to follow directions on the label. 
 

A 39-year-old Bristol, RI man who committed two separate armed robberies in Seekonk and Swansea during the first half of 2020 was sentenced to serve five years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Niles Webster pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with armed robbery and armed assault with intent to rob. 

On February 4, 2020 at approximately 10:32 am, Swansea Police responded to a reported armed robbery at the CVS Pharmacy located at 2340 GAR Highway.  They learned that the suspect approached a register and told the store clerk, "I have a gun and I'm going to shoot you.” He then demanded "all the money in the register."  He then put his hands inside his sweatshirt pocket, held something inside of his sweatshirt pocket and pointed it at her, told her that he had multiple guns, and threatened her by saying, "I'm going to shoot you."  The cashier then opened the register, placed approximately $140 into a CVS bag, and gave it to the suspect.  The suspect also demanded the contents of a "black box" and the register number before fleeing.  

After reviewing CVS surveillance video, detectives learned that the man wore a black hooded sweatshirt with white Adidas lettering on its left sleeve, gray baseball hat with a patch on it above the brim, blue jeans, and a pair of gray sneakers with black soles and laces.  The male also had what appeared to be a tattoo on the back of his left hand.

Surveillance video from a nearby Dunkin Donuts showed the suspect running away from the CVS toward a plaza next door with several business.  Witnesses in that area saw a distinctive, older model Honda Civic with matte black paint and no front grill cut off other vehicles as it left that plaza, turned left, and sped away southbound on Route 136 toward the Rhode Island state line before officers arrived on scene.  Detectives also obtained surveillance video from the Swansea County Club, which showed the same Honda Civic heading northbound on Route 136 toward the CVS in the moments leading up to the robbery and heading southbound following it.  The video showed that the Honda Civic had a missing passenger side front hubcap and missing passenger side mirror. 

On the next day, Warren, RI Police located the Honda Civic.  The defendant, who was the driver of that vehicle, refused to stop and led police on a high-speed pursuit.  The defendant pulled into the driveway at 10 Deer Run Rd. in Bristol, RI, where he led police on a brief foot chase until he was arrested.  The defendant matched the description of the male in the videos, and he had a diamond tattoo on the back of his left hand.  Detectives executed a search warrant for the defendant's residence, where they found articles of clothing matching the ones shown in the videos.  

After posting bail on the Swansea case, the defendant then committed the armed assault with intent to rob in Seekonk on April 25, 2020. On that date, at approximately 2:22 am, Seekonk Police received a silent alarm for a report of a robbery at the Crossroads Convenience Store on Fall River Avenue.  Officers learned that the suspect entered the store while wearing a surgical mask.  He walked to the register and told the store clerk, "I'm going to need you to empty the register.  I have a firearm and I'm not afraid to use it."  The victim hit the silent alarm, and the defendant fled the store.  The victim reported that the defendant left in a light blue Hyundai Sonata.  After reviewing store surveillance footage, detectives learned that the Hyundai Sonata drove directly to the store from the Motel 6 parking lot located across the street.  They also learned that the suspect wore a distinctive, multi-colored zip-up, long-sleeved hoodie with two color tones, as well as light blue jeans and black/white shoes with white laces.

In their follow-up investigation, detectives were able to positively identify the defendant as the robber. 

“This case highlights the importance of using surveillance and advanced investigative techniques, which led to the apprehension of the defendant for the violent robbery in Swansea,” District Attorney Quinn said.  “Unfortunately, he was released and able to commit a second robbery in Seekonk.  He has a past history of similar offenses and is a danger to the community.”

This defendant has previously served 18 months in jail for Assault and Battery on a Child with Injury in 2009 and also served two-and-a-half years years in jail for committing an offense at a Bellingham CVS in 2014, which was strikingly similar to the Swansea offense.  He has pending charges in Rhode Island relating to an East Providence robbery.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jose Vazquez and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Daniel O’Shea. 
 

    BROCKTON – A Taunton man has pleaded guilty to a charge that he supplied a deadly amount of Fentanyl and Cocaine to a fellow patient at Bridgewater State Hospital, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.

    Today, as he was set to stand trial on an Involuntary Manslaughter charge, Kevin Malette, 37, of Taunton, pleaded guilty for his involvement in the death of 51 year-old Jeffrey Link. Judge Robert Gordon sentenced Malette to serve four years, to four years and one day in State Prison.

    In Brockton Superior Court today, Malette admitted to facts that on September 19, 2019, while he was a patient at Bridgewater State Hospital, he distributed Fentanyl and Cocaine to fellow patient Link. Link later died of a drug overdose.

    On April 12, 2022, Malette had pled guilty to Trafficking in Fentanyl, the Introduction of Contraband to a Department of Correction Facility, and other related drug charges associated with the fatal drug distribution. For those charges, Malette was sentenced to serve four years, to four years and one day in State Prison. The sentences will run concurrently.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney E. Russell Eonas, and was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and the Department of Corrections
 

Fire crews were able to save a person and their dog from a house fire in New Bedford on Sunday. According to CBS 12 in Providence, Crews responding to Garrison Road around 6 p.m. saw a large plume of smoke billowing from the roof of a one-story ranch. Firefighters said the flames were near solar panels on the roof making for an extra cautious approach  because of the electricity flowing through them.

No injuries were reported and the Red Cross has been called in to assist the person. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.

According to NBC 10 in Providence, a New Bedford officer is hurt after allegedly being hit by a man illegally riding a four-wheeler on city streets. New Bedford police stated officers were monitoring a group of bikers traveling in the city that were illegally operating as they weaved in and out of traffic, and driving on the wrong side of the road. When officers tried to stop them, one of the ATV riders went to swerve around a police cruiser and allegedly hit an officer on Duchaine Boulevard. Police said both the officer and rider landed on the ground as The officer suffered multiple injuries but is expected to fully recover. Police arrested 26-year-old Kamryn Silva, who was charged with negligent operation of an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, failing to stop for police, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

New Bedford police said they are seeking the public's help in identifying owners and operators of illegally operated bikes.

According to CBS 12 in Providence, Governor Dan McKee has tested positive for COVID-19. The governor is vaccinated and twice boosted and his doctor prescribed the antiviral medication Paxlovid as he will be isolated for five days. The governor's team plans to reach out to those who may have been exposed to the governor.

Those who were exposed are encouraged to monitor for exposure, according to CDC guidance.

Police say a man is currently under evaluation after a roughly six-hour standoff with law enforcement on Saturday. According to CBS 12 in Providence, around 10 a.m. officers tried to arrest 20-year-old Jack Bradford Gifford at his Dartmouth Street home on an outstanding warrant. During the course of the arrest, police say Gifford armed himself with a knife, and barricaded himself inside his residence. After several unsuccessful attempts were made to have Gifford exit the home, police say both negotiators and S.W.A.T. team members from the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council were requested. Negotiations with Gifford soon “broke down,” and the decision was made for S.W.A.T. team members to enter the residence, during which time Gifford exited peacefully. After being taken into custody, police say the 20 year-old was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, where he will be evaluated. Police noted that in addition to the warrant, Gifford will face several charges associated with the standoff.

PROVIDENCE, RI - The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces today that in response to the dangerous risk of wildfires in Rhode Island, it is banning outdoor fires at all State campgrounds, parks, and management areas.

This ban, effective starting Saturday, August 20, includes all campfires at designated campground and picnic areas. Campers at State campgrounds and management areas, as well as State park patrons, will be permitted to use portable gas cooking stoves and grills, liquefied or bottled fuels, and propane/liquid-fueled lanterns in designated areas.

These prevention measures are in place to reduce the threat of human-caused wildfires that can seriously threaten life and property. DEM will continue to monitor and evaluate conditions to determine when the ban can be lifted.

Rhode Island is in an extreme drought and is witnessing increased wildfires with joint fire response from communities. On Saturday, August 20, DEM's Forest Fire Program will increase fire restrictions to Planning Level Stage IV (PL4). This designation follows the National Fire Danger Rating System, which assesses the potential wildfire risk by considering burning conditions, wildfire activity, and the availability of firefighting resources. 
 

This detailed list first appeared on the CBS 12 Providence Website                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

With much of Southern New England in an extreme (level 4 or 5) drought and the conditions continuing to worsen, many cities and towns in Massachusetts are putting mandatory water restrictions in place.

The following municipalities have issued restrictions for nonessential outdoor water use:

Mandatory water restrictions (1 day or less per week allowed)

Attleboro
Dighton
Norton
Seekonk
Swansea
Raynham

Mandatory water restrictions (2 days or more per week allowed)

Dartmouth
Foxboro
North Attleboro
Mansfield
Taunton

Voluntary water restrictions

Fairhaven
Mattapoisett

According to CBS 12 in Providence, a woman was sentenced to prison Wednesday for stabbing another woman to death nearly two years ago. 22 year old Kayla Cantu, admitted to fatally stabbing 28-year-old Kimberly Duphily in September 2020. Cantu was initially indicted on a murder charge, but that was lowered to manslaughter before she pleaded guilty. She was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison followed by three years of probation. Prosecutors said the stabbing stemmed from a fight over stolen money and drugs at an apartment on Leroy Street. Cantu ran off and encountered a police officer working detail on Bicknell Street, whom she told she had been stabbed. When first responders arrived at the apartment, they found Duphily’s husband and others rendering aid to Duphily, who had been stabbed twice.

She was rushed to Sturdy Memorial Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Governor Charlie Baker has activated the Massachusetts National Guard in response to a request from the Town of Rockport to address the ongoing Briarwood Fire. The order makes up to 30 specially-trained service personnel available to assist local emergency responders in preserving life and property.  

The Briarwood Fire is one of more than 800 wildfires reported this year in the Commonwealth which have burned a combined 1,248 acres according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry. Burning for one month across a 19-acre profile, the Briarwood Fire continues to smolder above and below ground. To protect residents and visitors, state and local officials have established a delineated containment area which members of the National Guard will support as part of the mission. 

The dedicated women and men selected for this mission serve as firefighters in the Massachusetts Army National Guard's tactical firefighting units on Joint Base Cape Cod. The 179th and 180th Engineer Detachments specialize in complex rescue and firefighting operations at home and abroad, including forest fires, structural fires, aircraft crash incidents, vehicle emergencies, and hazardous material incidents. Their wildfire suppression training, skilled expertise, and regular collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation equip them to strengthen the containment line and meaningfully contribute to Rockport’s ongoing fire mitigation efforts.
 

Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin has directed his Securities Division to initiate a sweep of complex single stock exchange traded fund offerings (ETFs) recently made public and offered through Massachusetts registered broker-dealers. 

The sweep focuses the issuance of single stock ETFs to retail investors. Single stock ETFs present risks in the form of increased leverage and exposure to the volatility of only one stock. Such a product may not be a suitable offering for most Main Street investors. Like leveraged ETFs, single stock ETFs require daily monitoring by the investor and do not track the underlying performance of a stock over time.
“These are risky products, investing in only one stock, with no diversity cushion whatsoever,” Galvin said today. “For nearly all Main Street investors, there is no difference between investing your money in single-stock ETFs and gambling with that money at a casino.”

“Under no circumstances should an investor use these products as a long-term investment,” Galvin added.

While single stock ETFs may be suitable for day traders, most retail investors would be better suited to invest their savings in long-term holdings. Galvin’s office will be reviewing offerings in Massachusetts to ensure that broker dealers are not recommending them to retail investors for whom they would be unsuitable.

Inquiry letters were sent today to Foreside Fund Services, IMST Distributors, ALPS Distributors, and Quasar Distributors. The entities receiving the inquiry letters are registered broker-dealers in the Commonwealth which distribute the Direxion, AXS Investment, GraniteShares, and F/m Investements product lines, respectively.

The Securities Division has requested responses to the inquiry letters no later than September 1. 
 

Work will occur nightly from Tuesday, August 23, through Saturday morning, August 27, during overnight hours from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Travel on Route 6 Bridge will be maintained during the work  

FALL RIVER - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be performing overnight maintenance operations on the bridge located on Route 6 westbound over I-195 in Fall River.  The work will be conducted nightly from Tuesday, August 23, through Saturday morning, August 27, during overnight hours from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following morning.  All work is expected to be completed by 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 27. Travel on the Route 6 Bridge will be allowed during the bridge maintenance operations.

Traffic control management operations will consist of temporary left lane closures on I-195 eastbound and westbound, and police details will be utilized. A minimum of two open travel lanes will be maintained at all times in both directions. 

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

BOSTON (August 18, 2022) – The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced 41 additional cases of monkeypox within the past seven days, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases in the Commonwealth to 243 residents since the state’s first case was announced May 18. DPH provides public updates on monkeypox in Massachusetts on a weekly basis each Thursday.

The 41 cases announced today had their diagnoses between August 11 and August 17. DPH is working with local health officials, the patients, and healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious. Individuals with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with others until they are no longer infectious. 
 

BOSTON – Ten individuals were indicted today by a federal grand jury in Boston for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed fentanyl throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The defendants were initially arrested and charged on July 19, 2022. Approximately 14.9 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and substantial amounts of cash were seized at the time of the arrests.

According to the charging documents, in March 2021, law enforcement began investigating a DTO led by Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara operating in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Intercepted communications on numerous cellphones allegedly identified Mario Rafael Dominguez-Ortiz, Yeury Francisco Garcia-Rodriguez, Rafael Cesar Cabreja Jimenez and Alfredo Valdez as members of the DTO who conspired with Ortiz-Alcantara to regularly distribute multi-kilograms of fentanyl from a base of operations at a stash house in Fall River.

The investigation also identified Rebecca Bartholomew, Edwin Collazo, Jason Cruz, Michael Pacheco and Jose Santiago as alleged regular DTO customers who re-distributed fentanyl to their own local customer bases in areas including Cape Cod, Taunton and New Bedford. As part of the conspiracy, it is alleged that members of the DTO, under Ortiz-Alcantara’s management and control, conducted drug transactions with these regular customers in public areas – including in the diaper aisle of a store and in supermarket parking lots. It is also alleged that on at least one occasion, members of the DTO transported drugs concealed in cereal boxes while accompanied by a child. Over 500 grams of suspected fentanyl was seized during the investigation through controlled purchases and drug seizures.

The following defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl:

Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara, 36, of Providence, R.I.;
Mario Rafael Dominguez-Ortiz, 24, of Cranston, R.I.;
Yeury Francisco Garcia-Rodriguez, a/k/a “Benjamin Osorio Pizarro,” 32, of Providence, R.I.;
Rebecca Bartholomew, 36, of Yarmouth;
Jose Santiago, 45, of New Bedford;
Edwin Collazo, 26, of New Bedford;
Jason Cruz, 41, of New Bedford;
Michael Pacheco, 43, of Taunton;
Rafael Cesar Cabreja Jimenez, 27, of Providence; and
Alfredo Valdez, 44, of Providence.
The following defendants were charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl:

Estarlin Ortiz-Alcantara,
Rafael Cesar Cabreja Jimenez, and
Alfredo Valdez, 44, of Providence.
The following defendants were charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl:

Edwin Collazo, and
Michael Pacheco.

Massachusetts State Police yesterday identified the two missing swimmers near Martha's Vineyard. According to ABC 6 in Providence, state police said that 26-year-old Tavaris bulgin and 21-year-old Tavaughn Bulgin went missing at about 11 p.m. Sunday after jumping off of Jaws bridge. Monday, search parties found tavaris’ body from the water as Tavaughn's body remains missing.

Massachusetts Education Officials released updated COVID guidelines for schools Monday, as students begin to prepare for their return to the classroom. According to ABC 6 in Providence, the state will not be recommending masking or COVID testing starting this Fall. In February, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the state would end its mask mandate for K-12 schools and that schools should focus their mitigation strategies on vulnerable and symptomatic people. Individual districts will be able to still decide to implement their own testing programs.

As children are heading back to school this month, Kraft Heinz announced a recall on Friday of more than 5,000 cases of Capri Sun due to a possible contamination.

This voluntary recall comes after the company announced the potential contamination affecting approximately 5,760 Capri Sun cases (each case contains about 10 pouches) of its wild cherry flavor. The company said a diluted cleaning solution was inadvertently introduced into a production line at one of its factories.

The "Best When Used By" date on the products is June 25, 2023, according to the company. No other Capri Sun flavors were listed in the recall.

"The issue was discovered after we received several consumer complaints about the taste of the affected product," Kraft Heinz said in a statement on Friday. "The Company is actively working with retail partners and distributors to remove potentially impacted product from circulation."

"Consumers can contact Kraft Heinz from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, at 1-800-280-8252 to see if a product is part of the recall and to receive reimbursement," Kraft Heinz said in a statement.

A 42-year-old Fall River man was convicted of Second Degree Murder Monday afternoon in Fall River Superior Court, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced.

Adam J. Levesque was convicted by a jury of his peers of the October 9, 2018 murder of 39-year-old Lance Correia in Fall River after an eight-day trial.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Michael Cahillane and Daniel Walsh.
“I’m very pleased the jury held the defendant accountable for this brutal and senseless killing of his friend, which appeared to be over drugs,” District Attorney Quinn said.  “The defendant has a history of committing violent crimes and we look forward to this sentencing in this case.”

On October 9, 2018 at 11:39 PM, Fall River Police received multiple 911 calls from 202/204 Rock Street about a male who was bleeding profusely and was unconscious. 

Upon arrival, officers located Lance Correia in apartment #5 on the 2nd Floor above the Walsh Pharmacy. Correia was covered in blood and the right side of his face was swollen. He later died from wounds sustained to his head.

After an extensive investigation led by the District Attorney’s office, and assisted by state and local police, it was determined that the defendant had attacked the victim with a hammer, striking him in the side of the head with it.  

The bludgeoning appears to be as a result of $2,000 worth of heroin going missing. 

The defendant was eventually arrested for the murder on October 18. 2018 in New York.  

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for September 7th at 11 a.m. in Fall River Superior Court. 

Customers should use Mass.Gov/RMV for online RMV Services
 
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding customers to use only Mass.Gov/RMV for Commonwealth of MA Registry information or to perform many transactions, including when trying to renew a license or registration. Customers should beware of text messages or emails which claim to be from MassDOT or the RMV, as these communications often are dangerous phishing scams and not official MassDOT/RMV sources. These fraudulent texts and emails may include links, which do not lead to MassDOT or RMV websites and customers should not follow the links nor reply to these messages with personal information. 
 
“Customers should use just one website to ensure they are using the official Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website and that site is Mass.Gov/RMV,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “Customers should never respond to texts or emails asking for personal information and should avoid using any unofficial third-party websites claiming to assist with RMV services.”
 
Customers may use these helpful hints to determine whether the website they are using is the official site for the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

•    Massachusetts uses the abbreviation “RMV.” Any website using the phrase “Department of Motor Vehicles,” or “DMV,” should be avoided.
•    Do not follow links from mobile text messages claiming to be the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) or the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV); always use the official Mass.Gov links.
•    Make sure the Commonwealth’s seal is located somewhere on the page. This will help ensure that it is an official government website. If it cannot be found, customers should leave the site immediately.
•    Always read the fine print and look for key phrases such as “for-profit” or “privately owned” at the top or bottom of the third-party websites which may note that they are not affiliated with the Commonwealth.
•    The Registry will never charge a customer to check the status of a license, registration, or title. If the site requires payment to access this information, it is an unsecured mimic site.
•    At Mass.Gov/RMV, a customer will never be charged to access Registry forms and information, but unofficial third-party sites may charge for this service. Their information is also not guaranteed to be accurate.
•    The Registry never charges for address changes. If a customer uses a mimic site, the change cannot be guaranteed to have actually gone through.
 
Any information on these third-party websites may not be accurate, and any details or payments that customers submit may not be secure. The RMV is not responsible for the content or actions taken by these sites. For more information on the dangers of third-party services, visit the Mass.Gov/RMV.
 
Customers with additional questions can contact the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation by calling the Consumer Hotline at (617) 973-8787, or toll-free in MA at (888) 283-3757.
 
 

The Digital Edition of the Boston Globe are among the media outlets reporting that in a Tuesday Morning  joint practice between  the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots at least three fights broke out among players, which resulted in ejections, and then finally a gathering of both teams and their respective head coaches who urged each side to control their tempers.  

The two squads will practice again Wednesday Morning at 9am EDT in Foxbourough and have a day off Thursday before the second pre season game for both teams on Friday in Gillette Stadium. 

Westwood, MA, August 15, 2022 — Massachusetts’s average gas price is down 10 cents from last week ($4.37), averaging $4.27 per gallon. Today’s price is 40 cents lower than a month ago ($4.67), and $1.22 higher than August 15, 2021 ($3.05). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 32 cents higher than the national average.

The national average for a gallon of regular gas fell 10 cents in the past week to $3.95, due primarily to stable oil prices and fewer drivers than usual fueling up. 

“Falling pump prices may eventually lead to more drivers hitting the road again,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “But that hasn’t happened yet. Instead, many drivers are waiting for prices to fall further before reverting to their typical driving habits.”

AAA Northeast’s August 15 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 10 cents lower than last week ($4.05), averaging $3.95 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 62 cents lower than a month ago ($4.57), and 77 cents higher than this day last year ($3.18).

A 59-year-old Tiverton, RI man who committed a violent robbery in Fall River last May while already on probation for a previous robbery, was sentenced recently to serve five to seven years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn announced.

Randy Audet pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court and was sentenced by Judge Sharon Donatelle.

“This defendant committed another armed robbery while on release for the same type of crime. He clearly needs to be kept off the street to protect the public and the local small business community,” District Attorney Quinn said.  

On May 29, 2021, at approximately 12:30 pm, Fall River Police were dispatched to Maplewood Suprette at 1545 Stafford Road in regards to an armed robbery. Upon arrival police spoke to two female victims who were working behind the counter when a male walked into the store and yelled, “Lottery, money, lottery, money.” The male was pointing toward the lottery machine, and the victims believed he had a gun because it appeared there was an object underneath his sweatshirt. Surveillance footage from one angle clearly shows the defendant’s hand gesturing as if he had a firearm. One of the victims placed a handful of dollar bills on the counter and grabbed a bat from under the counter. The male grabbed the money and fled. One of the victims chased the defendant out of the store with the bat and smashed the driver’s side window of the vehicle he was operating. A struggle also ensued as he was attempting to flee and she was able to pull the face mask off of his face. The male threw the money at her and it fell on the ground. The male then fled, traveling north on Stafford Road.

The defendant’s description and the fact that he was seen fleeing in a white vehicle with a smashed driver’s side window was put out to area police departments. Shortly thereafter, Tiverton Police located the defendant’s vehicle just over the state line in Rhode Island. After further investigation, the vehicle was determined to belong to the defendant’s relative, who resided on Stafford Road.  Police went to that location and found the defendant inside.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kristen Wiley.

Fall River City Council President Pam Laliberte Lebeau was the subject of a search warrent by Westport Police last week, as her personal cell phone was seized by investigators as part of an alleged case of criminal harresment using a series of ''spoof'' phone numbers created through a specialized smart phone app. 

Laliberte Lebeau is alleged to have used a series of false phone numbers beginning in April and ending in July, aimed at a fellow Real Estate Agent with whom she had been working. 

The current Fall RIver City Council President is accused of allegedly making harrasing calls and sending text messages starting this Spring and continuing into the Summer. 

WSAR News reached out to the Council President via a Text Message for a comment and did not recieve a response. 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have re-signed DB Devin Hafford. Hafford was originally signed by New England as a rookie free agent out of Tarleton State on May 9, 2022, before being released on May 16.

Hafford, 24, spent six seasons at Tarleton State where he played in 56 games and finished with 243 total tackles, 12 interceptions, 57 passes defensed, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries.

The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder played in 11 games in 2021 and finished with 50 total tackles, six interceptions, 13 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. Hafford spent time with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL after his release from New England.

In the waning days before Recalled and Convicted Former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Coreia II left for a New Hampshire-based Federal Prison Camp, his wife and her business partner created a mobile app company, as Correia did before his political career crashed and burned. 

Jenny Correia and David Riccio Jr of Revere registered an app company called ItsAVibe  in mid April, with the Commonwealth's Secretary of State, according to the Digital Edition of the Fall River Herald News. 

Riccio is listed as a co-founder and Director of Business Development which is being promoted as ''the first and only IOS App that connects local influencers to businesses. 

The App will for now be available on the Apple Store this fall. 

Jenny Correia is listed as a Co-Manager for the firm producing the digital content; she currently sells high-end jewlery in a space in the Town House and Duro Steakhouse on Purchase Street in Fall RIver. 

The venue is owned by her mother and step-father. 

Before Correia went to a sort of exile in New Hampshire, Jasiel Correia and Riccio were involved with partners in another app creation for what were described as ''micro transactions for smaller on line financial transfers''.

The City of Fall River has launched its official Instagram page this month, as part of an initative to expand the city's Social Media presence. 

According to a release, the Instagram page will share what has been described as ''important city updates and information about events, programs and resources for residents''.
 

The Boston Red Sox optioned outfielder Jaylin Davis to Triple-A Worcester following last night’s game.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Davis, 28, has played in 12 games for Boston this season, batting .333 (8-for-24) with two RBI while appearing in four games in center field, three in right field, and one in left field. The right-handed hitter has also batted .236 (45-for-191) with 16 extra-base hits and 15 RBI in 56 games for Worcester in 2022.

The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is expected to vote today that would force students to earn higher scores on their MCAS to receive a diploma. According to CBS 12 in Providence, the proposal by Commissioner Jeffrey Riley was first presented in April If the vote passes it would apply to this year’s incoming freshmen by raising the scaled score on the English and Math tests from 472 to 486. The proposal has seen a lot of opposition, including a letter signed by about 100 state legislators saying it would take a toll on students’ mental health and create equity barriers BUT the board stated that raising the standards ensures that students are better suited for college and future careers. The board is scheduled to meet from noon to 4 p.m. at the education department’s Malden headquarters.

According to CBS 12  in Providence, Police arrested a Dighton man accused of attacking two gas station employees in Auburn over the weekend. Officers responded to a gas station on Route 12 Sunday morning for reports of a man beating two female employees. The suspect, later identified by police as 30-year-old Kyle Fitta, had already left the scene by the time officers arrived. Police said the violent attack happened after Fitta was unable to complete a transaction with his credit card. Without warning, Fitta began punching the 19-year-old cashier in the face and also attacked the teens mother and store manager as well. Both women suffered a number of injuries from Fitta punching and kicking them. Police said Fitta stole the manager’s cell phone and keys before driving towards the Massachusetts Turnpike, where he later caused a crash. Fitta began violently attacking the other driver involved in the crash, later being accused of resisting arrest when Massachusetts State Police troopers attempted to take him into custody.

Fitta has been charged with unarmed robbery, assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of malicious destruction of property.

ByJENNA LAINE via >ESPN 
August 11, 2022, 11:59 AM

TAMPA, Fla. -- Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady will be away from the team for a period of time to "deal with some personal things," coach Todd Bowles said Thursday.

Bowles said Brady's absence was discussed in advance and that he will return after next week's preseason game against the Tennessee Titans on Aug. 20.

"This is something we talked about before training camp started," Bowles said. "We allotted this time because he wanted to get in and get chemistry with the guys and go through two weeks of training camp, knowing he wasn't going to play the first two games. He didn't want to take away reps from Blaine [Gabbert] and Kyle [Trask], as well as 'Griff' [ Ryan Griffin] going into these next two games, knowing it's something he needs to handle."

When asked if the issue was health-related, Bowles said, "It's a personal issue. That's all I can tell you."

Bowles said he has a "pretty high level of confidence" that Brady will be the starting quarterback in Week 1 at the  Dallas Cowboys.

Bowles had previously announced that Brady would not play in the preseason opener Saturday against the Miami Dolphins.

Brady had excused absences Aug. 3 -- his previously scheduled off day and also his 45th birthday -- and last Friday. The Buccaneers as a team were off last Thursday.

Bowles said he did not have concern about missed time, largely because of Brady's experience and work ethic. He said he doesn't believe it will disrupt the offense's progression, even as Brady has worked to gain chemistry with new teammates such as wide receivers Julio Jones and Russell Gage and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

When asked if he was worried Brady's personal issue impacted his commitment to the team, Bowles said, "Per our conversation, I am not worried, no."

The NBA will honor the legacy of Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell by retiring his No. 6 jersey for all 30 teams, the league and the National Basketball Players Association announced Thursday.

Russell becomes the first player in NBA history to have his jersey retired leaguewide.

Additionally, all NBA players will wear a commemorative patch on the right shoulder of their jerseys during the 2022-23 season, and every court will display a shamrock-shaped logo with Russell's No. 6 on the sideline near the scorer's table.

"Bill Russell's unparalleled success on the court and pioneering civil rights activism deserve to be honored in a unique and historic way," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "Permanently retiring his No. 6 across every NBA team ensures that Bill's transcendent career will always be recognized."

Starting with the 2022-23 season, no NBA team will be allowed to issue No. 6 to any player. Players who currently wear No. 6 -- such as Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James -- may continue to do so. According to Basketball Reference, 25 players, including James, Kristaps Porzingis, Alex Caruso, Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams, wore No. 6 last season.

The league said the Celtics' plans to honor Russell will be announced at a later date. Boston is planning a "separate and unique recognition" for Russell on its uniforms.

The NBA previously recognized Russell's contributions when it named the Finals MVP Award after him in 2009.

"This is a momentous honor reserved for one of the greatest champions to ever play the game," NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio said in a statement. "Bill's actions on and off the court throughout the course of his life helped to shape generations of players for the better, and for that, we are forever grateful. We are proud to continue the celebration of his life and legacy alongside the league."

Russell, an 11-time NBA champion, died July 31 at age 88.

During his 13-year playing career, all with the Celtics, Russell was named NBA MVP five times and was an 11-time All-NBA selection. He was named the Celtics' player-coach in 1966, becoming the first Black head coach in American professional sports, and led Boston to back-to-back titles in 1968 and 1969.

Russell remains second all time in NBA history in rebounds (21,620) and rebounds per game (22.5). He is also the leading rebounder in NBA postseason history with 4,104 total boards and 24.9 rebounds per game.

The ultimate winner, Russell led San Francisco to consecutive NCAA titles before making the jump to the NBA, and won a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics.

Russell was also known for his work in civil rights. He marched with Martin Luther King Jr., stood with Muhammad Ali and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama.

Having his number retired leaguewide puts Russell in an exclusive club.

Major League Baseball permanently retired No. 42 in 1997 in honor of Jackie Robinson, who broke the big leagues' color barrier, with the understanding that those who were wearing that number could continue to do so. Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees was the last in the majors to wear No. 42, doing so through his final season in 2013.

The NHL, upon Wayne Gretzky's retirement in 1999, said his No. 99 would be retired leaguewide in honor of that sport's all-time scoring leader.

More than 250 players in NBA history have worn a No. 6 jersey, and Russell is one of 12 players enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame who wore No. 6 at some point in their careers. The others: Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Ben Wallace, Don Barksdale, Chuck Cooper, Larry Costello, Tom Gola, Cliff Hagan, Alex Hannum, Buddy Jeannette and Neil Johnston.

Nobody has worn No. 6 for the Celtics since Russell's final season in 1968-69.

– The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced 45 additional cases of monkeypox within the past seven days, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases in the Commonwealth to 202 residents since the state’s first case was announced May 18. DPH provides public updates on monkeypox in Massachusetts on a weekly basis each Thursday.

The 45 cases announced today had their diagnoses between August 4 and August 10. DPH is working with local health officials, the patients, and healthcare providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patients while they were infectious. Individuals with monkeypox are advised to isolate and avoid contact with others until they are no longer infectious. 
 

(FALL RIVER, MA- August 11, 2022)- On August 12, 2022, at 5:00 pm, the City of Fall River
will be launching an official Instagram page as part of an initiative to expand the City’s social
media presence.

The page will be used to share important City updates and information about
events, programs and resources for residents.

The Instagram page, under the handle @CityofFallRiver, is currently live and open to
follow but will not have its first post until Friday at 5:00 pm. The first post will announce a
promotional contest that will give away a $100 Visa gift card to one of the page’s new followers.

To enter, residents must follow @CityofFallRiver on Instagram and tag another user in the
comments of the post. Those who enter the contest may gain an additional entry by sharing the
post on their Instagram story. The contest, sponsored by Mayor Paul Coogan, will end on August
26th, when a winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via Instagram.

“Our hope is that the new Instagram page becomes another tool to connect with our
residents and promote all the great things happening in the City,” said Mayor Paul Coogan.
“Most importantly, this will be another way to share important City updates- like our upcoming
change in business hours or parking bans in the winter.

We hope to also use it to share pictures of
the City and highlight the local businesses and amazing citizens that call Fall River home. The
goal is for residents and visitors alike to benefit from the page by learning more about the City
and the resources we have to offer.”
 

A 32-year-old New Bedford man connected to a 2020 shooting in New Bedford was sentenced to serve up to 10 years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn announced.
 
Giovanni Vale-Valentin pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with two counts of Assault and Battery by Discharge of a Firearm, two counts of Attempted Assault and Battery by Discharge of a Firearm and one count of Carrying an Illegal Firearm.
 
On July 26, 2020 Vale-Valentin, along with co-defendants Brian Ortiz, Tyrell Woodis-Pina and Ashlee Cambra were traveling in a 2020 Jeep Compass rented by Cambra’s grandmother.

Cambra was driving, and the rest of the males were passengers. Cambra stopped at the Petromart Gas Station in the City of New Bedford that evening. Once at the gas station, Cambra and Ortiz entered into the convenience store at the gas station where an argument ensued with other males, and the mention of “South First” came up.

Ortiz claims to be from there, and the other males present, from an opposing neighborhood, go on to have an argument with Ortiz that escalated and poured out of the store.  Clear high quality video surveillance cameras capture the interior and exterior of the gas station store and pumps.

The outside cameras show  Woodis-Pina emerge from the Jeep Compass with a firearm. He passed the gun to Vale-Valentin, who then shot and injured another male who was  in the opposing group. Vale-Valentin then handed that gun to Ortiz, who shot and injured another male in the opposing group.  Ortiz, Vale-Valentin, Cambra and Woodis-Pina all re-entered the Jeep Compass. Cambra then backed out of the gas station and drove the men away.
 
“This is another example of senseless street violence between gang members over a petty argument at a business. This type of lawlessness is unacceptable  and endangers the lives and safety of innocent people.  the defendant must be kept off the street to protect the public.  This case also  highlights the importance of surveillance video in solving serious crimes,” District Attorney Quinn said.
 
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Silvia and the six to 10 year state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Thomas Perrino.
 
Of all the co-defendants listed above, only the case involving Brian Ortiz remains pending. On October 20, 2021, Woodis-Pina was convicted of illegal firearm charges and is currently serving a three to seven year state prison sentence. And last month, Ashlee Cambra was sentenced to four to six years in state prison for her role in this incident, along with two other shooting cases from Fall River and New Bedford.  
 
 
 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – New England Patriots running back James White announced his retirement today following an eight-year career as a member of the Patriots. White is a three-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots.

"James White has always been one of the most reliable and dependable players on the field," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. "He's a soft-spoken leader who has led by example and was the best at what he did, leading all NFL running backs in receptions and receiving touchdowns over the past seven years. Our fans will remain eternally grateful for his record-setting performance in Super Bowl LI when he helped the Patriots overcome a 28-3 deficit by scoring 20 points, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime. As great of a player as James has been for us, he's an even better person. He is a man of great character and integrity and earned everyone's respect through his work ethic, professionalism and positive daily demeanor. James became a part of the Patriots' family while in New England and while his presence in our locker room will be missed, we are happy for James and his family as they embark on a new adventure. As a three-time Super Bowl Champion, we look forward to celebrating his career contributions for years to come."

White, 30, originally joined the team as a fourth-round draft pick (130th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder played in 95 regular season games with 13 starts and had 1,278 rushing yards on 319 attempts with 11 touchdowns and 381 receptions for 3,278 yards and 25 touchdowns. In addition, he played in 12 postseason contests with three starts and had 146 rushing yards on 36 attempts with five touchdowns and 59 receptions for 506 yards with three touchdowns.

"James defines the term consummate professional," said head coach Bill Belichick. "His dependability, consistency, unselfishness and performance under pressure are elite. Combining great intelligence, quickness and elusiveness, James was a perfect fit for our pass offense. While soft spoken, he brought exceptional leadership and competitive toughness to the team. He was a multi-year team captain and one of the most respected, best team players I have ever coached."

Related Content

According to ABC 6 in Providence, Dartmouth police reports that they have arrested an unregistered sex offender early this morning who was living in the wood behind an elementary school. Detective Kyle Costa said 47-year-old Robert Magrath was charged with failing to register as a level three sex offender stating Magrath was “living in an encampment” in the woods behind Potter Elementary School. 

No additional information was provided as investigations continue.

Governor Charlie Baker signed House Bill 5164 into law today. This new law designates the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as regulator of the new sports wagering industry in the Commonwealth.  
 
MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein and Executive Director Karen Wells offered the following statements on behalf of the Gaming Commission. 
 
?“On behalf of my fellow commissioners and the staff of the MGC, we appreciate the confidence the Legislature and the Governor have in naming us as regulator of this new industry.

For the past several years, we have been monitoring sports wagering legislation and taking appropriate steps to prepare for our potential role. As soon as this week we will be working to understand the landscape of interest in operator licensure as we move forward with this process

. I appreciate the work currently underway by my fellow Commissioners and the entire MGC team. We are committed to ensuring the integrity of sports wagering in the Commonwealth and are looking forward to engaging stakeholders in an inclusive and transparent process.” – Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Cathy Judd-Stein 
 
“I appreciate the support of the Chair and the Commissioners of the MGC as we work to implement sports wagering. As the Chair has mentioned publicly, a great deal of work has already been done by our team in anticipation of sports wagering becoming legal in Massachusetts.

This includes identifying over 200 potential regulations, adopting a framework to utilize industry-recognized technical standards, establishing an infrastructure to investigate and license applicants, initiating the hiring of a Chief of Sports Wagering, and scheduling public meetings. Now that we have a law that defines our responsibilities as regulator, we will work with our stakeholders to swiftly stand up this new industry with a focus on integrity, player safety and consumer protection.” –

Massachusetts Gaming Commission Executive Director Karen Wells 
 

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with OF Jackie Bradley Jr. on a one-year Major League contract.

Bradley Jr., 32, batted .210 with 19 doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 29 RBI in 91 games for the Red Sox this season before he was released on August 4.

The left-handed hitting outfielder was named an All-Star in 2016, as he set career-marks with 149 hits, 26 homers, and 87 RBI.

He also helped Boston to a World Series Championship in 2018 as he earned ALCS MVP honours and claimed a Gold Glove Award. During his 10-year career, the native of Richmond, VA, has an average of .228 with 329 extra-base hits across 1,099 games.

FALL RIVER, Mass. –  On Friday, August 12th at 1:30p.m., Mayor Coogan will present Luke Farrell, an EMT with the Fall River Fire Department's EMS Division, with a citation for his potentially lifesaving actions in late July. 

While off-duty, Luke Farrell pulled over to provide critical care to an injured motorcyclist who had been involved in an accident on I195 in Westport. Luke Farrell's interventions, prior to the arrival of other first responders, will be recognized during a brief ceremony at Government Center.

WHEN:
Friday, August 12th
1:30p.m. 
WHERE:
Fall River Room (6th Floor)
1 Government Center, Fall River, MA 02720
WHO:
 Mayor Paul Coogan, elected officials, members of Fall River Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services Division
 

On Friday, August 5, 2022, in the late afternoon hours, the Seekonk Police were made aware of an
unarmed robbery of the Santander Bank, located at 130 Taunton Avenue.

A male subject entered the
bank and passed a note to the teller demanding money.

The subject was last observed walking to the
nearby Price Rite parking lot, where he made away with an undetermined amount of cash. The suspect
was described as an older white male, approximately 6 feet tall, around 180 lbs, wearing a blue shirt with
a striped tie, blue jeans, eyeglasses, surgical mask and a dark colored baseball cap.

The Detective Division believes there is a high likelihood that this is the same suspect responsible for
robbing the Rockland Trust Bank in Seekonk last month. Attached are photos from the Santander
incident. Anyone who recognizes this individual is asked to contact the Seekonk Police Department at
508-336-8123.

Rhode Island State Police were led on a brief chase last night after a person allegedly had a gun outside of the Twin River Casino. According to ABC 6 in Providence, Lincoln Police received a call around 11 p.m. for reports that the suspect had flashed a gun at another person at the casino. State Troopers spotted the suspect’s car leaving the parking lot which began the chase. State police said the chase lasted for about five minutes before they broke it off as No arrests have been made yet.

The police state the incident remains under investigation.

According to NBC 10 in Providence, Rhode Island State Police on Monday released the name of a woman killed in a motorcycle crash on Interstate 95 in Providence. Police said 22-year-old Yessica Coreas-Hernandez of New Bedford was killed when her motorcycle crashed into a jersey barrier late Saturday night. Police said Coreas-Hernandez was traveling in the northbound high-speed lane when she lost control of the bike near Exit 19 and struck the barrier in the median. State police said she was thrown from the Suzuki and suffered serious injuries. First responders transported Coreas-Hernandez to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Yessica lived in New Bedford with her husband and young daughter.

Police said no other vehicles were involved.

The Fall River School Committee continues to look for space for pre K classrooms, while pledging to vet developers who offer properties to the School Department. 

The seven-member panel also signed off on a first reading of an MOU for SROs in the district, as new Commonwealth Statutes necessatited amendments to prior agreements. 

Vice Chair Paul Hart also announced an agreement with the union local representing Para Professionals prior to the start of the new school year on August 30. 

This appears via the official website of The Boston Red Sox

Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale will miss the rest of the 2022 season after suffering a right wrist fracture in a bicycle accident, the team announced on Tuesday. The 33-year-old underwent surgery on Monday.

Sale was already on the 15-day injured list after he suffered a fractured left pinkie finger on a comebacker while facing the Yankees on July 17 and underwent surgery.

The start against New York was just his second of the season. Sale missed the first three months of the year with a stress fracture in his right rib cage, marking the third straight year he had to open the season on the injured list.

Sale’s injury problems began to crop up after he signed a five-year, $145 million contract extension with Boston following the 2018 season.

He was shut down with left elbow inflammation late in the 2019 season and underwent Tommy John surgery the following March, missing the shortened 2020 campaign as a result. Sale didn’t make his return to the mound for Boston until Aug. 14, 2021.

Sale, who owns a career 3.03 ERA with the best K/BB ratio (5.33) in MLB history (min. 1,000 innings), still has at least two years remaining on his deal with the Red Sox.

(FALL RIVER, MA- August 8, 2022)- The City of Fall River and Mayor Paul Coogan invite
the public to join the formal dedication ceremony for the B.M.C. Durfee High School. The
ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 24th, 2022 at 10:00a.m.at the Nagle
Auditorium, located inside the new building.

The program for will include Fall River Public Schools leadership, elected officials, and
representatives from the Massachusetts School Building Association, Ai3 Architect,
LEFTFIELD Project Management and Suffolk Construction. The Durfee High School Band will
also be performing during the ceremony.

Following the dedication, guests will be able to take tours of the school with students
from Durfee High School’s National Honor Society. The Fall River community is encouraged to
join for one of these tours to explore the school’s state-of-the-art facilities.
 

Bristol Community College will host its annual Birdies for Bayhawks Benefit Golf Tournament on Monday, September 12, 2022, at the Country Club of New Bedford, 585 Slocum Road, Dartmouth. Check-in begins at 10:30 a.m., with a shotgun-style start at noon.   

Bristol Community College hopes you will join in a day of fun as we support our Department of Athletics and Recreation which advances the mission of the college by establishing an environment that fosters student development and leadership through intercollegiate competition, health, and wellness.

The registration fee for the benefit golf tournament is $175 per person and includes a round of golf, a golf cart, a boxed lunch and an awards dinner.  

For those who are unable to participate in the golf tournament, but still wish to support this great cause, we invite you to join us for the post-tournament dinner on Monday, September 12, at 5 p.m., at the Country Club of New Bedford. The fee for dinner only is $65 per person. 

Registration will be confirmed once payment is received. Please register by Monday, August 29, by sending a check or visit www.bristolcc.edu/golf to make your payment online.  

To register for the 2022 Birdies for Bayhawks Benefit Golf Tournament, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/golf. 

Please make checks payable to: 
Bristol Community College Foundation  
777 Elsbree Street  
Fall River, MA 02720  

For more information about Bristol Community College’s Birdies for Bayhawks Benefit Golf Tournament, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/golf, or please email dawn.banville@bristolcc.edu. 
 

FAIRHAVEN- The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be performing milling and paving operations on the I-195 eastbound bridge over Alden Road in Fairhaven.  The work is scheduled to begin on Thursday night, August 11 at 8:00 p.m. and is expected to be complete by 5:00 a.m. the following morning. During the duration of the work, various lane and shoulder closures will be in effect. 
 
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/or may be impacted due to an emergency situation.  
 

BOSTON, MA – The families of Red Sox players today launched the 6th annual online charity auction “Players’ Favorite Things.” All proceeds will support Boston Children’s Hospital’s Neighborhood Partnership Program, a school-based behavioral health program committed to working with school communities most impacted by systemic inequities.

Fans can bid on baskets containing autographed items and other choice pieces from two dozen Red Sox players and coaches including Rafael Devers, Nate Eovaldi, and Jason Varitek. The online auction will run through 10 p.m. on August 15 at redsox.com/basketsforgood.

First held in 2017, this year’s “Players’ Favorite Things” charity auction is led by Angelica Feliciano, partner of Red Sox Manager Alex Cora, and the Red Sox families.
 

All registered voters will be able vote before Election Day in Massachusetts. Early voting will begin on Saturday, August 27, 2022 and continue through Friday, September 2, 2022.
 
Unlike absentee voting, early voting is for every registered voter. Registered voters do not need an excuse or reason to vote early.

Regardless of whether a voter wants to take advantage of early voting, vote absentee or vote on Election Day, the first step is making sure you are registered.

To check to see if you are registered to vote, and to find information on how to register to vote, you may visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele.

To be eligible to vote in the State Primary on September 6, 2022, you must register to vote or make any necessary changes to your voter registration by Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 5:00PM.  The Town of Seekonk will be open on Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM for Voter Registration. Early voting will be held in person.
 
Town Hall – 100 Peck Street – Meeting Room
 
Saturday - August 27th 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Monday - August 29th 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Tuesday - August 30th 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Wednesday - August 31st 10:00AM – 7:00PM
Thursday - September 1st 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Friday - September 2nd 9:00AM – 2:00PM

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox announced the following roster moves:

Added first baseman Eric Hosmer to the active Major League roster.

Recalled left-handed pitcher Darwinzon Hernandez from Triple-A Worcester.

Reinstated right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes from the 60-Day Injured List.

Placed right-handed pitcher Brayan Bello on the 15-Day Injured List with a left groin strain.

Optioned right-handed pitcher Kaleb Ort to Worcester following Wednesday's game.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Hosmer, 32, was acquired from the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. The left-handed hitter is batting .272 (91-for-335) with 16 doubles, eight home runs, 40 RBI, and a .727 OPS in 90 games this season. The 2015 World Series champion with the Kansas City Royals has won four Gold Glove Awards at first base (2013-15, ’17), a Silver Slugger Award (2017), and an American League All-Star Game MVP Award (2016). Hosmer’s first appearance this series will be his first at Kauffman Stadium since signing with San Diego as a free agent prior to the 2018 season.

Hernandez, 25, has made four relief appearances for Boston this season, posting a 12.27 ERA (5 ER/3.2 IP). The left-hander has also appeared in 14 games (seven starts) for Worcester in 2022, recording a 4.68 ERA (13 ER/25.0 IP) with 14.76 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (41 strikeouts). Since being optioned to Worcester on July 26, Hernandez has made two scoreless relief appearances for Worcester, not allowing a hit and striking out five.

Barnes, 32, was placed on the Injured List on June 1 (retro to May 31) due to right shoulder inflammation. The right-hander made eight rehab appearances between Triple-A Worcester, Double-A Portland, and the Rookie-level FCL Red Sox in July. Barnes has made 20 appearances for Boston this season, recording a 7.94 ERA (15 ER/17.0 IP) with two saves.

Bello, 23, recorded two outs in the fourth inning of yesterday’s game before being removed due to injury. The right-hander has an 8.47 ERA (16 ER/17.0 IP) in five appearances (three starts) for Boston this season, the first of his Major League career. Bello is ranked as a top 50 prospect by both Baseball America (No. 22) and MLB.com (No. 42).

Ort, 30, allowed two runs over 3.0 innings in yesterday’s loss to the Houston Astros. The right-hander has a 9.49 ERA (13 ER/12.1 IP) in 10 relief appearances for Boston this season, six of which have been scoreless. Ort allowed eight runs over 0.2 innings on July 22 against the Toronto Blue Jays but has a 3.97 ERA (5 ER/11.1 IP) in his other nine outings.

According to CBS 12 in Providence, A couple has been arrested after an incident with Fall River police that left one officer injured. Police said an investigation into suspicious vehicles in the area of Kennedy Park around 1 a.m. led to the arrest of 36 year old Adam Hout of Cranston, for drug charges and resisting arrest. While Hout was being arrested, his girlfriend, 29 year old Sarah Guy of New Bedford, drove her vehicle on the grass and toward the officers, forcing them to move out of the way. Guy left the area, but police said they found her a short time later in a parking lot in the area of Clark Street. As police approached she took off, hitting two parked vehicles as she fled. In another attempt to pull her off the road, police said Guy hit the cruiser and another parked car. Guy was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, negligent operation, failure to stop for police, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a class B drug.

Police said one of the officers in the cruiser suffered a minor leg injury and has since been treated at the hospital and released.

The MBTA announced construction at the South Attleboro Commuter Rail train station will begin in the Fall. According to CBS 12 in Providence, a spokesperson for the MBTA said the construction will first focus on demolishing the pedestrian bridge, which prompted the station closure in February 2021. The MBTA stated the bridge needed a “full replacement.” A new station is fully designed, but its construction remains unfunded, per the MBTA as The design is meant to increase accessibility. The MBTA did not include the construction of the new station in their Capital Investment Plan for the next five years, causing outcries from local lawmakers. State Rep Jim Hawkins, who represents the area, said a new transportation bond bill secured $8 million in state funding for the construction of the new station meaning Massachusetts budget now includes language requiring MBTA to fully fund the project by December. The South Attleboro station is part of the MBTA’s Providence/Stoughton line, which connects Rhode Island to Boston. The demolition of the pedestrian bridge will occur overnight to prevent train service delays.

BOSTON – Today, United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins announced the rollout of:

1-83-END-H8-NOW

(1-833-634-8669)

The “End Hate Now” hotline is dedicated for reporting hate-based incidents or potential criminal activity. Massachusetts residents and visitors are encouraged to call the hotline to report concerning or troubling incidents of hate, potential hate crimes, or concerns regarding individuals believed to be espousing the hate-filled views or actions we learn of far too often in the wake of mass shootings and/or acts of hate-based violent extremism. Callers are encouraged to leave their contact information but may remain anonymous. At this time, the hotline is available in English, Spanish, Cantonese and French.

Hate crimes are illegal acts committed based on a victim’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Beliefs are not hate crimes. Distasteful ideologies, advocacy of political or social positions, use of discriminatory rhetoric, or the general philosophic embrace of biased or hate-filled beliefs are not crimes. Under federal law, investigations may not be based solely on an individual’s beliefs or their protected First Amendment activity.

“With the uptick in horrific mass-shootings and unimaginable acts of racially motivated violent extremism we have seen across our country, people are scared. In Massachusetts, we have recently seen multiple incidents of groups espousing deeply offensive and hurtful ideologies displayed on our streets. A recent act of hateful vandalism at the future PRYDE senior housing facility in Hyde Park threatened burning and death against the LGBTQ+ community. Enough is enough. My office is offering our residents and visitors a new outlet for bringing these critical and concerning issues seeped in bigotry and hatred to the attention of law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Rollins. “I am asking people – when you see hate, call this number and let us know. If you have serious concerns about a loved one, a friend, or even an acquaintance, call this number and let us know. We have dedicated resources to these important issues and stand ready to act when necessary. This too is a vitally important form of community policing.”

As part of this effort, U.S. Attorney Rollins also formally announced the leadership of her newly created Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit in her Criminal Division, which will focus on prosecuting cases involving civil rights violations, including hate crimes, human trafficking, and police use of excessive force. U.S. Attorney Rollins announced the establishment of this dedicated Unit at her Investiture in April 2022. It is now fully staffed and operational. The Unit will be led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley in the role of Unit Chief. Ms. Riley recently served as the Chief of Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted and supervised cases involving human trafficking and online exploitation of youth and adults. During her more than 10 years as an Assistant District Attorney for Suffolk County, Ms. Riley prosecuted over 300 cases and secured successful convictions in over 50 jury trials. In 2015, she was awarded as the Suffolk County Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year. She is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and Suffolk University Law School. Ms. Riley will supervise a Unit of three federal prosecutors and exceptional support staff and will work closely with the Office’s existing five-member Civil Rights Unit in the Civil Division, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Serafyn. 

“Protecting Massachusetts residents from violence and hate is the top priority of my administration,” stated U.S. Attorney Rollins. “In Massachusetts, we have a long history of standing up to hate and intolerance. Today, we continue that honored tradition. By establishing this 1-83-END-H8-NOW hotline and a Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit, my office is fully equipped and dedicated to fighting hate-fueled criminal activity across our Commonwealth.”

(FALL RIVER, MA- August 4, 2022)- The hours of operation at Government Center are set to
change following a ratification vote from AFSCME employees in late July. Effective Monday,
August 15th, 2022, building hours at Government Center will be as follows.

Monday through Thursday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-3:00pm

These new hours will continue through the foreseeable future. Patrons are still able to use
Baycoast bank locations and online payment methods during both regular business hours and on
nights/weekends.

“Since COVID-19, we have seen a shift in the way residents use Government Center,” said
Mayor Paul Coogan. “While we have seen more people take advantage of remote payment
options, there is still a heavy flow of traffic in the mornings. The new hours allow us to
accommodate residents who want to get their business done early in the day, while also making a
change that many employees advocated for.”
 

he Red Sox have designated outfielder ?Jackie Bradley Jr.? for assignment, a source told MLB.com’s Ian Browne on Thursday.

The club has not confirmed the move, which comes three days after the Red Sox added Tommy Pham to their outfield through a trade with the Reds.

In his second stint with Boston, Bradley is batting .210 with a .578 OPS in 271 at-bats this season. He was acquired from Milwaukee in December in a deal that sent outfielder Hunter Renfroe to the Brewers.

Bradley, a first-round Draft pick by the Red Sox in 2011, played his first eight seasons in Boston and developed into one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball. His 50 Defensive Runs Saved from 2014-17 ranked 10th among all outfielders. He was an All-Star in 2016 and earned a Gold Glove in '18, when the Red Sox won the World Series.

Although he is still a plus defender, Bradley’s bat has been lagging for the past couple of years. He has posted a 44 OPS+ over 658 at-bats since the start of 2021.

Bradley, 32, is making $9.5 million this season and carries a $12 million mutual option with an $8 million buyout in '23.

According to CBS 12 in Providence, Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Massachusetts on Thursday for the first time since she assumed office. The White House said that Harris will hold a roundtable with state legislators and abortion rights advocates in Boston to discuss the fight to protect reproductive rights. The event comes one day after President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed in part at making it easier for women seeking abortions to travel between states to get access to the procedure. It’s the latest stop for Harris as she travels across the country to meet with activists and lawmakers about abortion rights following the recent Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. After the roundtable, Harris will travel to Martha’s Vineyard for a Democratic National Committee Finance event.

Harris’ visit to the Commonwealth comes about two weeks after Biden was in Somerset to announce new climate change initiatives at the site of the former Brayton Point power plant.

- Rehoboth Special Town Meeting - Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Francis Farm Community Complex - 1:00 PM Start

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen have scheduled a Special Town Meeting to be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Francis Farm Community Complex, 27 Francis Farm Road – Museum Building at 1:00 PM.  Voter Check-In will begin at 12:00 PM-Noon.
 
A copy of the August 6, 2022 Special Town Meeting warrant was delivered to every Rehoboth household on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. 
 
To be eligible to vote at the August 6, 2022 Special Town Meeting, voters were required to register to vote by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.  Voters may check their voter status on the Secretary of State’s website at:  http://www.sec.state.ma.us/VoterRegistrationSearch/MyVoterRegStatus.aspx or call the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-252-6502 X-3112, 3109 or 3110.  Should a voter registration indicate a voter status as inactive, please contact the Clerk’s office as soon as possible. 

 
Finally, should voters have any questions, please call the Town Clerk’s Office Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. and on Friday from 8:00 AM. to 12:00 PM at 508 252-6502, Extension 3109. 3112 or 3110.  We look forward to seeing you all at Saturday’s Special Town Meeting.

 
 

On Saturday, August 13th, 2022, Recover Fall River will stand together with members of the community to support individuals and family members who have been impacted by addiction and overdose.

The event will support families who have lost loved ones and highlight the significant impact of addiction and overdose on not only the individual, but also their families and our entire community.

From 1-3:00pm family members, advocates and individuals who have been impacted by addiction and overdose will stand throughout the city. Family members who have previously submitted photos to Recover Fall River will be provided a poster sized enlargements of their lost loved one and citizens are encouraged to join them in support of destigmatizing addiction and overdose. Anyone is invited to join in this Stand Out in a statement of solidarity against overdose, the country’s leading cause of death for people under the age of 50. 

    Participants can pick up posters and signs outside of City Hall beginning at noon on Saturday. Participants are also welcomed to bring their own signs. Location assignments will be provided at that time. Anyone who would like to participate but has physical limitation is invited to bring a chair.
Every overdose is “Somebody’s Someone.” For more details or to get additional information, please refer to Recover Fall River on Facebook or call Recover Fall River at 508-974-4017.
 

City Takes Steps To Assist Residents During Heat Wave

Residents Encouraged to Use Cooling Centers At Libraries

Lifeguard Coverage At City Beaches Is Extended

New Bedford, Massachusetts – The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for all of Southern New England, including New Bedford, from 11:00 am, Thursday, August 4, through 8:00 pm, Friday, August 5.  Heat Index values of up to 99 degrees are expected in the city.  The current Advisory is likely to be extended into the weekend.

In response to the extreme weather, the City will continue its practice of designating public libraries as cooling centers.  All library locations have air conditioning and staff on hand to assist residents.  Residents should check the City website for the operating hours of specific library branches:  https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/library/

The City is extending the hours of the Main Library (613 Pleasant Street) and the Wilks Branch library (1911 Acushnet Avenue).  Both locations will be open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 5^th, and Saturday, August 6th.  Both locations will also be open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm on Sunday, August 7th.

In anticipation of large crowds at municipal beaches, the City has extended lifeguard coverage at East and West Beach.  Lifeguards will be on duty until 7:00 pm each evening, from Thursday, August 4th through Sunday, August 7th.

Mayor Jon Mitchell urged residents to take sensible steps to help keep their family and friends safe, saying “One of New Bedford’s strengths is our sense of community, so I encourage everyone over the next several days to stay vigilant and check on elderly neighbors, children, and those with health conditions that could put them at risk.  A phone call or a visit could really make the difference for someone you care about.  Please use common sense and take heat-related emergencies seriously.”

Safety Tips

The City encourages residents to follow the heat-related safety tips available at:

https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/emergency-management/emergencies-disasters/extreme-heat/

and pet-related tips at

https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/animal-control/pet-tips/hot-weather-tips/

National Weather Service Precautionary/Preparedness Actions

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.  Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.  When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.  Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.  To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.  Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.  Heat stroke is an emergency!  Call 9 1 1.

Issued By
Boston - MA, US, National Weather Service
Affected Area
All of Southern New England, except for Cape Cod and the Islands
Description
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THURSDAY TO 8 PM EDT FRIDAY...

WHAT...Heat index values up to 104 expected.

WHERE...All of Southern New England, except for Cape Cod and the Islands.

WHEN...From 11 AM Thursday to 8 PM EDT Friday.

IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.

FALL RIVER, MA- August 3, 2022)- The Office of Mayor Paul Coogan would like to remind
residents that City buildings are open at the following times for those seeking air conditioning
during the upcoming heatwave.

Government Center:
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Fall River Public Library:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Fall River Senior Centers:
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

During this heat wave, residents are encouraged to drink plenty of water, stay inside, and avoid
strenuous activity and to check in on vulnerable family, friends and neighbors.
With questions, residents may call the Mayor’s Office at 508-324-2600.

FALL RIVER and NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – The Joint Commission, a global authority on quality improvement and patient safety in health care, has granted its Gold Seal certification to Southcoast Health’s orthopedic surgery centers at Charlton Memorial and St. Luke’s in Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement, officials announced this week.

The certification – the only one offered in collaboration with both the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons as well as the American Joint Replacement Registry – was awarded after a process spanning six years, including extensive site visits and surveys conducted by the Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization universally recognized as health care’s preeminent accreditor.

“There were dozens of nurses, providers and staff deeply committed to making this happen on behalf of our patients,” said Southcoast Health President and CEO Ray Kruger, MD. “The communities we serve across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island continue to present with an increasing need for orthopedic procedures. This gold seal offers further assurance that you and your loved ones are in the best possible hands here.”

Southcoast Health Chief of Orthopedics Michael Langworthy, MD, agreed.

“Earning Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement certification from the Joint Commission demonstrates the elevated performance and successful outcomes that our team works toward every day,” Langworthy said. “We are grateful and proud.”

The goal of achieving Joint Commission certification aligned fully with the Southcoast Total Joint Program’s overarching mission, said Medical Director Christopher Skeehan, MD.

“We are dedicated to providing excellent, evidence-based care for individuals who require or will require hip or knee replacement surgery,” Skeehan said. “We always strive to deliver high-quality, cost-effective service in a timely and comprehensive way, so to be recognized as a leader validates our vision.”

Joseph Lifrak, MD, congratulated his colleagues on what he called an impressive accomplishment.

“The results our team produces for our patients and the protocols we have in place as a program put us at the forefront of modern orthopedic joint replacement surgery,” Lifrak said. “When your body is in debilitating pain or you suffer an injury that impacts your daily life, you want the best help you can get. The Joint Commission’s arduous process – along with this prestigious honor – has borne out that Southcoast Health provides exactly that.”

The Southcoast Orthopedic program brought the same multidisciplinary approach to the Joint Commission Advanced Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement accreditation process that they bring to each case, according to Program Coordinator Alicia Pimentel, NP.

“It was vital to our success that this be a collective effort, and everyone contributed their skills and knowledge so that the program could shine under even the most rigorous evaluation,” Pimentel said. “Our surgeons, advanced practice providers, nurse navigators, inpatient and outpatient RNs, anesthesia teams, visiting nurses, physical therapy and rehab staff, clinical support across the hospitals, schedulers, pre- and peri- and post-operative personnel … we all played significant roles, just like we do for every patient.”

According to CBS 12 in Providence, two juveniles are facing several charges after shooting a Fall River firefighter with a BB gun Tuesday afternoon. Fall River Deputy Police Chief Barden Castro stated that the firefighter was shot while officers were investigating an unrelated shooting near Third and Wade streets. The deputy police chief said the firefighter was on Fourth Street when he was suddenly hit and injured by a BB pellet. The firefighter was transported from the scene to St. Anne’s Hospital to have the BB pellet removed from his arm. Two bystanders were also hit by BB pellets and at least one vehicle was also hit and damaged. Officers investigating the shooting were able to trace the BB pellets back to a second-floor apartment on Second Street finding two boys inside the apartment along with a B-B rifle

Both juveniles are scheduled to appear in Fall River Juvenile Court on several charges.

According to CBS 12 in Providence, when Dartmouth High School students and teachers return to class this upcoming school year their cell phones will have to stay out. Cell phones have been known to be a major distraction so the school has decided to create a “cell hotel,” a holding rack for students' phones. Students will be assigned a numbered pocket where they will put their phones when they head to class. When class is over, they will be able to get their phones back. The school district says it’s a way students can learn free of digital distractions. Teachers will also put their phones in the cell hotel as well. The district says it’s a flexible policy they are rolling out. Dartmouth, however, isn’t the first district to do this as Springfield, has enacted cell hotels at all of its high schools after seeing success with it at neighboring Chicopee this past year.

The San Diego Padres have agreed to a deal to acquire superstar outfielder Juan Soto and first baseman Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Soto has been informed that he's being traded to the Padres, a source told ESPN, which means there are other versions of the deal that could be executed if San Diego first baseman Eric Hosmer doesn't remove Washington from his no-trade list.

If the deal is completed, the price is far from cheap. Sources told ESPN that the return package from the Padres includes left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore, outfielder Robert Hassell III, shortstop C.J. Abrams, outfielder James Wood, right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana and another player -- possibly Hosmer.

Soto, a two-time All-Star who won this year's Home Run Derby, would enrich the Padres with a historically talented 23-year-old hitter whose early-career peers are almost all Hall of Famers. He will benefit greatly from joining shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado near the top of the Padres lineup.

The path from Soto turning down a recent 15-year, $440 million contract offer from the Nationals to agreeing to a deal with the Padres was quick and linear. The Nationals did not want to raise their offer. San Diego, Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals matched up best with Washington's desire for young talent.

This Story First Appeared on ESPN.com

MIAMI -- The NFL notified the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday that the team would be stripped of its 2023 first-round pick, among other disciplinary measures, for violations of league policies relating to the integrity of the game.

Following a six-month investigation, the league found the Dolphins -- primarily team owner Stephen Ross and vice chairman/limited partner Bruce Beal -- violated the anti-tampering policy on three occasions from 2019 to 2022 in conversations with quarterback Tom Brady and the agent for then-New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton.

T

In addition to the first-round pick, the Dolphins also will forfeit their 2024 third-round selection.

Ross, meanwhile, was fined $1.5 million and suspended through Oct. 17, during which time he isn't permitted to be at the Dolphins' facility or represent the team at any team event. He also can't attend any league meeting before the annual meeting in 2023.

Dolphins vice chairman/limited partner Bruce Beal was fined $500,000 and isn't permitted to attend any league meeting for the rest of the 2022 season.

Beal spearheaded impermissible communications with Brady, then the New England Patriots' quarterback, while he was still under contract; Ross and other Dolphins executives were informed of the content of those conversations.

Both Ross and Beal tampered with Brady once again following the 2021 season, when he was under contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This time, however, the conversation centered around Brady joining the team as a limited partner and possibly a football executive -- although the possibility of him playing for the team was discussed, according to the league's investigation.

Finally, in January 2022, the NFL found that the Dolphins had "impermissible communications" with agent Don Yee -- who represents both Brady and Payton -- about Payton serving as Miami's next head coach. The league found that the Dolphins "did not seek consent" from the Saints to begin these talks and that they occurred before Payton retired later that month.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called the league's findings "unprecedented."

"The investigators found tampering violations of unprecedented scope and severity," Goodell said in a statement. "I know of no prior instance of a team violating the prohibition on tampering with both a head coach and star player, to the potential detriment of multiple other clubs, over a period of several years. Similarly, I know of no prior instance in which ownership was so directly involved in the violations."

In February, former Dolphins coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and the Dolphins, alleging racism in the league's hiring practices. In the lawsuit, Flores claims that Ross attempted to incentivize him to "tank," or purposely lose games, shortly after he was hired in 2019, with Ross allegedly offering Flores $100,000 for every loss that season. Flores says that as the team won games late in the season, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told him Ross was "mad" that the on-field success was "compromising [the team's] draft position."

The NFL looked into these allegations as part of its aforementioned investigation but found no evidence that the team intentionally lost games during the 2019 season. The investigation did, however, find that Ross made comments to team president and CEO Tom Garfinkel, general manager Chris Grier, senior vice president Brandon Shore and Flores that the team's draft position should take priority over winning games. When Flores expressed his concerns in writing, he was assured that everyone wanted him to build a "winning culture in Miami" and Ross never again made those comments to Flores.

"The independent investigation cleared our organization on any issues relating to tanking and all of Brian Flores other allegations. As I have said all along, these allegations were false, malicious and defamatory, and this issue is now put to rest," Ross said in a statement. "With regards to tampering, I strongly disagree with the conclusions and the punishment. However, I will accept the outcome because the most important thing us that there be no distractions for our team as we begin an exciting and winning season. I will not allow anything to get in the way of that."

The investigation also found that Ross' offer of $100,000 for every loss, of which there were "differing recollections about the wording, timing, and context ... was not intended or taken to be a serious offer, nor was the subject pursued in any respect by Mr. Ross or anyone else at the club."

"Every club is expected to make a good faith effort to win every game," Goodell's statement read. "The integrity of the game, and public confidence in professional football, demand no less. An owner or senior executive must understand the weight that his or her words carry, and the risk that a comment will be taken seriously and acted upon, even if that is not the intent or expectation. Even if made in jest and not intended to be taken seriously, comments suggesting that draft position is more important than winning can be misunderstood and carry with them an unnecessary potential risk to the integrity of the game. The comments made by Mr. Ross did not affect Coach Flores' commitment to win and the Dolphins competed to win every game. Coach Flores is to be commended for not allowing any comment about the relative importance of draft position to affect his commitment to win throughout the season."

Flores said in a statement that he was disappointed that Ross "will avoid any meaningful consequence" with Tuesday's discipline.

"I am thankful that the NFL's investigator found my factual allegations against Stephen Ross are true. At the same time, I am disappointed to learn that the investigator minimized Mr. Ross's offers and pressure to tank games especially when I wrote and submitted a letter at the time to Dolphins executives documenting my serious concerns regarding this subject at the time which the investigator has in her possession," he said. "While the investigator found that the Dolphins had engaged in impermissible tampering of 'unprecedented scope and severity,' Mr. Ross will avoid any meaningful consequence. There is nothing more important when it comes to the game of football itself than the integrity of the game. When the integrity of the game is called into question, fans suffer, and football suffers."

The Dolphins were one of five teams that had multiple first-round selections in the 2023 draft before Tuesday's discipline. Miami had acquired the additional first-round pick from the San Francisco 49ers in the trade that allowed the Niners to select Trey Lance third overall last year.

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from the Cincinnati Reds, in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The Red Sox’ 40-man roster is at 40.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Pham, 34, is batting .238 (81-for-340) with 11 home runs and 39 RBI in 91 games for the Reds this season, making 82 starts in left field. The right-handed hitter ranks third among Major League left fielders with seven outfield assists. Against left-handed pitching this season, Pham has hit .290 (27-for-93) with an .833 OPS, four doubles, and four home runs.

Selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 16th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of Durango High School (NV), Pham has hit .261 (717-for-2,743) with 108 home runs and 339 RBI in 823 games for the Cardinals (2014-18), Tampa Bay Rays (2018-19), San Diego Padres (2020-21), and Reds (2022). He has played in 15 Postseason games for the Cardinals (2015), Rays (2019), and Padres (2020), hitting .352 (19-for-54) with a .931 OPS, three home runs, and six RBI.

Navigate your future with Bristol Community College courses on Martha’s Vineyard 
Get started at Bristol Community College with classes designed specifically for Martha’s Vineyard residents. 

Students can begin an associate degree or certificate by taking Bristol Community College courses on Martha’s Vineyard. Courses include English, marine biology and Bristol’s College Success Seminar, which helps new students successfully transition to college. Wind certificate courses, in fluid systems and offshore safety, will also be offered this fall. 

The college will be hosting virtual enrollment workshops, in collaboration with Martha's Vineyard Center for Education and Training (formerly ACE MV) on the dates below  
•    Tuesday, August 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 
•    Thursday, August 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Participants can connect with Bristol representatives to learn more about enrollment, as well as receive assistance with completing the enrollment process and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.  

For more information about Bristol Community College courses on Martha’s Vineyard, or the college’s one-stop enrollment workshop on August 9 and 18, please visit www.BristolCC.edu/BristolMV 

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today acquired catcher Reese McGuire and a player to be named later or cash considerations from the Chicago White Sox, in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

McGuire, 27, has played 53 games for the White Sox this season, batting .225 (34-for-151) with 10 RBI. The left-handed hitter has played in 52 games at catcher, throwing out 11 of 36 attempted base stealers (30.6%), fourth most in the American League. Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round (14th overall) of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Kentwood High School (WA), McGuire has hit .241 (125-for-518) with nine home runs and 36 RBI in 194 career games for the Toronto Blue Jays (2018-21) and White Sox (2022). He has thrown out 33 of 109 attempted base stealers (30.3%) in 184 games at catcher (153 starts).

Diekman, 35, has a 4.23 ERA (18 ER/38.1 IP) in a team-leading 44 appearances this season. The left-hander most recently pitched on July 30 against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing one run in the eighth inning. Diekman is 25-26 with 15 saves and a 3.77 ERA (207 ER/494.1 IP) in 573 relief appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies (2012-15), Texas Rangers (2015-18), Arizona Diamondbacks (2018), Kansas City Royals (2019), Oakland A’s (2019-21), and Red Sox (2022).

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today announced the following roster moves:

Traded catcher Christian Vázquez to the Houston Astros, in exchange for minor league infielder/outfielder Enmanuel Valdez and minor league outfielder Wilyer Abreu.

Recalled catcher Ronaldo Hernandez from Triple-A Worcester.

Reinstated left-hander pitcher Rich Hill from the 15-Day Injured List.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Vázquez, 31, has hit .262 (610-for-2,329) with 54 home runs in 698 Major League games, all with the Red Sox. Selected by Boston in the ninth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, he ranks fifth in franchise history with 651 games at catcher. Vázquez caught the final pitch of the 2018 World Series, as the Red Sox went 9-1 in his 10 starts during their Postseason run. In the 2021 American League Division Series, he ended Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays with a 13th-inning home run, the latest walk-off homer in Boston’s Postseason history. Since the start of 2019, Vázquez leads the majors in games caught (371).

Valdez, 23, is ranked by Baseball America as the Astros’ No. 12 prospect. The left-handed hitter has split the 2022 season between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, batting .327 (107-for-327) in 82 games with a 1.016 OPS, 26 doubles, one triple, 21 home runs, 77 RBI, and 66 runs scored. This season, he has made 36 starts at second base, 17 at third base, 14 in left field, and eight at designated hitter. Born in the Dominican Republic, Valdez was signed by the Astros as an international free agent in July 2015. He is one of only four minor leaguers in 2022 with at least a .300 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, and 20 home runs.

Abreu, 23, is ranked by Baseball America as the Astros’ No. 21 prospect. The left-handed hitter has spent the entire 2022 season with Corpus Christi, playing in 89 games and batting .249 (82-for-329) with 24 doubles, 15 home runs, 54 RBI, 81 runs scored, 78 walks, a .399 on-base percentage, an .858 OPS, and 23 stolen bases in 24 attempts. He has made 44 starts in center field this season, as well as 22 in left field, 17 in right field, and five at designated hitter. Among all minor leaguers, Abreu ranks third in walks and is tied for third in runs scored. Born in Venezuela, he signed with the Astros as an international free agent in July 2017.

Hernandez, 24, is batting .279 (81-for-290) with 23 doubles, 10 home runs, and 45 RBI in 74 games this season, including .326 (56-for-172) with an .876 OPS, 23 extra-base hits, and 29 RBI in 43 games beginning June 4. He has made 48 starts at catcher this season, throwing out 10 of 46 attempted base stealers (21.7%). Hernandez was recalled on April 19 but did not appear in that night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays before being optioned to Worcester the following day. His first appearance will be his Major League debut.

Hill, 42, was placed on the 15-Day Injured List on July 2 with a left knee sprain. The left-hander made one rehab start, allowing one run over 3.0 innings on July 28 for Double-A Portland at Hartford. Hill is 4-4 with a 4.20 ERA (33 ER/70.2 IP) in 15 starts for Boston this season, allowing three earned runs or fewer in 12 of his outings.

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is reporting a confirmed case of Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) in a Rhode Island resident.

Laboratory testing confirming the diagnosis was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The person who tested positive was a resident of Washington County in his 50s who developed neurological symptoms and is now recovering. JCV is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

JCV is a mosquito-borne pathogen that can be found widely in North America, especially in the Midwest and Northeast United States.

The virus circulates primarily between deer and mosquitoes, but can also infect humans. Human cases can occur from late spring through mid-fall. People can be infected and not develop any symptoms, or only develop very mild symptoms. Early symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue. Rarely, more serious central nervous system disease, including meningitis or encephalitis, can occur. For more information on Jamestown Canyon Virus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/jamestown-canyon/index.html
 

(FALL RIVER, MA- August 1, 2022)- Just in time for the height of outdoor dining season, the
City of Fall River has released new guidelines for outdoor dining, with a streamlined permitting
process.

The latter is meant to make it easier for businesses, who are still recovering from the
pandemic, to create or enhance areas that will add seating capacity to their establishment. The
new guidelines, which include mock-ups of approved layouts, and the outdoor dining permit
application, can be found at https://www.fallriverma.org/new-outdoor-dining-guidelines-andapplications-for-fall-river-restaurants/.

In addition, applications are being accepted for a new Outdoor Dining Grant Program.
All Restaurants, cafés and other food service businesses in the city are eligible to receive up to
$2,000 for setting up outdoor dining at their establishment. To apply, a business must have all
the necessary permits from the City of Fall River for outdoor dining and related service prior to
submission.

The requested funds can be used for a variety of outdoor dining-related
expenditures, including construction materials, safety structures, furniture, and lighting. Grants
will be awarded on a first come/first serve basis as funds last; a total of 10-12 awards is expected
to be made.

This funding is available through the City of Fall River along with MassDevelopment's
Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) and is being administered through Viva Fall River
and City of Fall River Planning Department. The application for the Outdoor Dining Grant
Program can be found at https://www.vivafallriver.com/outdoor-dining-grant/.
 

Westwood, MA, August 1, 2022 — Massachusetts’s average gas price is down 5 cents from last week ($4.52), averaging $4.47 per gallon. Today’s price is 41 cents lower than a month ago ($4.88), and $1.44 higher than August 1, 2021 ($3.03). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 26 cents higher than the national average.

The national average for a gallon of gas fell to $4.21, down 14 cents since last week. But a slight uptick in gas demand as more people fuel up could end the steady drop in daily pump prices.

“We know that most American drivers have made significant changes in their driving habits to cope with high gas prices,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. “But with fuel prices locally falling every day, it’s possible that gas demand could rise.”

AAA Northeast’s August 1 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 14 cents lower than last week ($4.35), averaging $4.21 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 63 cents lower than a month ago ($4.84), and $1.04 higher than this day last year ($3.17).
 

New Bedford police say they have now taken four illegally possessed guns. According to CBS 12 in Providence, on Friday, detectives assigned to the Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau executed a search warrant at an apartment on Hillman Street. Inside, they found a loaded 44 caliber handgun along with ammunition and it was found to have been stolen. Officers arrested Joseph Clement and charged him with possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license, receiving stolen property, and improper storage. Police earlier in the week arrested  44 year old Nathan Almedia who possessed a loaded 9mm handgun, along with two plastic bags of cocaine and a digital scale was found, 21 year old Luis Miguel Morais Martins, when they found he was in possession of a 45 caliber handgun without a license and Camro Macklin, after they found he was in possession of a loaded 9mm firearm.

Lawmakers in Massachusetts have reached an agreement to legalize sports betting in the Bay State. According to CBS 12 in Providence, the decision came early this morning as lawmakers worked past theIR midnight deadline to wrap up its legislative session. The 50-page bill says wagers placed at retail locations, like casinos, will be taxed at 15% and mobile bets will be taxed at 20%. The bill will allow for those betting on college sports but only on games that do not include Massachusetts schools.The bill now heads to Governor Charlie Baker’s desk for a signature that would see Massachusetts join 30 other states, including Rhode Island, in legalizing sports betting. According to State House News Service, the Massachusetts House and Senate made agreements on sports betting and mental health access but will keep a significant economic development bill in conference committee as they continue to wrestle with an existing law that could trigger nearly $3 billion in tax relief this year.