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Durfee High School employee arrested for enticing a minor

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

An employee at B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River has resigned after being arrested Wednesday.

Massachusetts State Police said a team of law enforcement, including themselves and Brockton police officers, arrested 71-year-old Kevin Galloway in the parking lot of a Brockton hotel.

Galloway, of Millis, has been charged with attempted rape of a child, pay for sexual conduct with a child and enticing a child under 16, according to state police.

“While we will not disclose investigatory tactics, it is important to note that no child was victimized as part of this specific incident,” State police said.

Collin Dias, a Fall River School Committee member, confirmed Galloway was the facilities manager at Durfee High School.

See more at wpri.com.

2 hospitalized after crash in Swansea

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Two people were rushed to the hospital after a crash involving a motorcycle and pickup truck happened in Swansea Saturday evening.

Police said the crash happened around just after 6 p.m. in the area of 580 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy.

The motorcyclist, a man, suffered life-threatening injuries, according to police. A passenger in the truck was taken to the hospital for not life-threatening injuries.

The truck’s driver wasn’t brought to a hospital, but was evaluated at the scene.

No word yet on what caused the crash. An investigation by police is underway.

See more at wpri.com.

Fall River City Council alleges city charter violations: What they say is going on

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

City councilors are calling on their executive counterparts in the Coogan administration to abide by specific rules and regulations in the city’s 2017 Home Rule Charter to review the city's boards and have the council approve contracts.

In the charter, legal guidelines mandate, rather than "suggest," that a five-member committee be assembled to review the city’s boards and commissions that contain multiple members, in the effort to ensure compliance, verify their purpose and evaluate their scope — reducing waste while boosting efficiency.

In the June 24 City Council meeting, a resolution drafted by resident Michael Canuel was proposed to councilors during his remarks at the time for public input at the start of the City Council Committee on Finance. Canuel, who announced on Facebook his intention to run for a seat on the City Council in the 2025 municipal election days before attending the meeting, told councilors, "Tonight I raise this not to assign blame, but to encourage action."

Read more at heraldnews.com.

More than 10,000 pounds of rope removed from Massachusetts waters

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Over the course of 24 days, 520 lost traps and more than 10,000 pounds of rope were recovered from Massachusetts waters.

Every spring, when critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whales make their way to Cape Cod Bay, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries ends the commercial lobster fishing season.

The Center for Coastal Studies said during that time, their nonprofit is allowed to work with fishermen to remove abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear that threatens the whales and other marine life.

The lost fishing gear, frequently called ghost gear, ends up getting separated from buoys due to storms and conflicts with other fisheries.

This season, the CCS hired nine fishermen on six vessels to collect the gear using a grapple.

The collected debris was assessed and documented, according to the CCS.

See more at wpri.com.

Woman Accused Of Assault Pleaded Not Guilty

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

A Taunton woman accused of assaulting two high school hockey referees is ordered to stay away from the pair.

Leah Cashman pleaded not guilty yesterday in Wrentham District Court to charges including assault and battery, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

In January, Cashman confronted the referees after a game in Foxboro because she was upset about a penalty called against her son.

2 rescued during fire at Seekonk apartment building

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Three people were taken to the hospital following a fire at a Seekonk apartment complex Thursday morning.

Crews responded to a 36-unit Greenbrier apartment building to find heavy smoke and a “rapidly evolving fire” in the stairwell. According to the Seekonk Fire Department, there were reports that occupants may have been trapped in third-floor units.

Firefighters removed two people who were trapped and helped evacuate the rest of the building.

A firefighter and a police officer were taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation and a leg injury, officials said. One resident was also transported for smoke exposure. All are expected to make a full recovery.

Fall River officer pleads not guilty to breaking and entering

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

The Fall River police officer accused of drunkenly forcing his way into a stranger’s home late last month faced a judge Thursday.

David Silvia, 26, has been charged with breaking and entering and improper storage of a firearm.

Silvia was taken into custody on May 27 after a resident called the Fall River Police Department to report that a man was banging on their front door and asking for a woman by name.

Police said the man, later identified as Silvia, eventually barged into the home and continued his search for the woman.

He immediately left the home “upon being informed by the resident that no one by the name lived at the address,” according to police.

Silvia pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance pending his next court date, which is slated for August. He was also ordered to continue participating in his current treatment program.

See more at wpri.com.

Where to watch 4th of July fireworks in RI, Mass.

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

The Fourth of July is one week away, and 12 News has you covered on ways you can celebrate.

Here is a list of fireworks displays, parades and other festivities being held in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.

This list will be updated as events are announced or changed.

See more at wpri.com.

Hackers may have had access to Fall River schools' data for months before cyberattack

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

The school department confirmed that the “cybersecurity incident” that took public schools offline this spring was a ransomware attack where hackers may have had access to vulnerable systems for months.

According to a release from the Fall River Public Schools, there were “indicators of unauthorized activity” as early as January.

Staff first reported computer network issues on April 7.

Whether personal information was compromised during that time is something the school system said investigators are still “working to determine.”

“At this time, a third-party review is underway to determine the nature and scope of potentially impacted information,” the statement reads.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Raccoon found in New Bedford tests positive for rabies

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

The New Bedford Health Department and Animal Control is warning residents that a raccoon recently found in the city has tested positive for rabies.

The raccoon was discovered near Fire Station 5 on Acushnet Avenue.

Anyone who may have interacted with the animal is urged to reach out to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at (617) 983-6800 for a risk assessment.

See more at wpri.com.

Truck crashes into Fall River daycare; 1 in custody

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

One person is in custody after a pickup truck crashed into a daycare in Fall River early Thursday morning.

Crews responded to the Kindercare Center on North Main Street around 1 a.m.

The truck was towed away with heavy damage, and the building was left with a large hole near the front entrance.

See more at wpri.com.

Fall River police chief: How community policing connects to safety, morale, mental health

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

At Plymouth Avenue and Rodman Street, a panhandler has been selling bottled water and, Police Chief Kelly Furtado said, being aggressive with drivers — the kind of thing that, she said, could put people in fear.

“I actually addressed him myself,” Furtado said. “If I’m out and about, and there’s an issue somewhere … I’m not going to call for a cruiser. I’m not that far from being in a cruiser.”

To Furtado, this is part of the philosophy of community policing — running a department not only driven by major crimes and big scores, but the smaller, day-to-day issues that make people feel unsafe.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Three Somerset Teens Face Charges

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Three Somerset teens accused of the armed assault of a man with last night are facing charges.

The 20-year-old victim told police he was threatened with a pistol and physically assaulted around seven p.m. at Pierce Beach Park. Responding officers found a backpack on the beach containing a pistol designed to look like a Glock semiautomatic gun.

The victim identified the trio of suspects, a 17-year-old and two 16-year-olds.

Jason Thody takes helm of New Bedford Police Department; promises transparency

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Tuesday kicked off a new era for the New Bedford Police Department as Mayor Jon Mitchell announced the appointment of Jason Thody as the city’s chief of police.

Thody, who says he believes transparency will be the key to success for the department, has a 28-year career in law enforcement.

Most recently, he was chief of police in Hartford, Connecticut, from 2019 to 2024. During that time, violent crime in the city fell 31%.

See more at wpri.com.

Heat wave bringing temps near 100 to Fall River. Here's where to keep cool

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Be warned: The next few days will be scorchers, with temperatures running dangerously hot.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for almost all of eastern Massachusetts and Southern New England, with dangerous heat expected through Tuesday night.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan announced Monday that the lobby of Government Center will be open as a cooling station from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. The building is accessible via the Third Street entrance.

See more at heraldnews.com.

What to know ahead of Fall River's Santo Christo Feast: religious ceremonies, music, food

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Fall River’s annual Feast of Santo Christo Parish will be back June 28 and 29 with a diversified line-up of live music, crafts, games and bazaar, plus delicious Portuguese fare, including the crowd-pleasing malassadas.

Portuguese culture and traditions will be showcased throughout the weekend in the church’s parking lot on Columbia Street, and religious processions will be taking to the streets on both days.

Admission is free.

'Record high heat' closes Buttonwood Park Zoo. How their animals will beat the heat

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Buttonwood Park Zoo officials announced that, due to "record high heat and extreme temperature warnings," the zoo will be closed Tuesday, June 24.

However, even though visitors won't be able to see it, there will be plenty going on for the animals, zoo officials wrote in a press release.

"BPZOO’s animal care team will be onsite, ensuring the animals have access to water features, such as pools, hoses, sprinklers and misters, mud wallows, and in some cases behind-the-scenes indoor climate-controlled environments," zoo officials wrote in the release, also noting "a variety of ice-inspired enrichment" staff have planned for zoo residents.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Pawtucket unveils contents of McCoy Stadium time capsules

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

It’s no longer a secret as to what was placed inside the time capsules buried at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.

The city officially opened both time capsules Monday evening to mark the 44th anniversary of the longest professional baseball game in history, which was played at the stadium back in 1981.

The historic game between the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings began on April 18. The teams played 32 innings before calling it quits nearly nine hours later. The PawSox would score the tie-breaking run in the 33rd inning two months later, winning the game 3-2.

The time capsules were found as McCoy Stadium was being demolished to make way for the city’s brand new unified high school. The stadium sat empty for years after the PawSox rebranded and moved to Worcester.

Poster commemorating “The Longest Game,” laminated
1981 PawSox Official Program
International League of Professional Baseball Clubs Official Scoring Form, laminated
Scorebook Pages, Baseball’s Longest Game, April 18–June 23, 1981, laminated
Wilson brand Baseball signed by Rochester Red Wing players
Wilson brand Baseball signed by Pawtucket Red Sox players
Wilson brand Baseball signed by:
- Owner Ben Mondor
- President Harold Cooper
- General Manager Mike Tamburro
- Time capsule creator LeRoy White
- Unknown person
Pawtucket Red Sox Official Baseball Hat

See more at wpri.com.

Gasoline Prices Spike In Massachusetts

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

Gasoline prices have spiked in Massachusetts in the last week.

Triple A reports that the average cost of a gallon of self serve regular gas climbed nine-cents in the last week to three-dollars and eight-cents.

Despite the jump, a gallon of gas in Massachusetts is still 14 cents lower than the national average. Last year at this time, a gallon of self serve regular gas was selling for an average of three-dollars and 43-cents in Massachusetts.

Judge Again Stops Trump From Blocking Harvard Int'l Students

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

A federal judge has again sided with Harvard in its effort to stop the Trump administration from banning international students.

A Boston federal judge issued a strongly worded ruling yesterday siding with Harvard in the dispute. Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the presidential power employed by Trump was designed to be used against foreign enemies, not college students.

The ruling allows Harvard's seven thousand international students to continue living and working in the U.S.

Fall River paying $3M more to dump trash

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

In a city that relies on waste haulers to be punctual in their trash and recycling pick-ups, week after week, residents who cart their trash to the curb expect it to be taken care of. But what appears as a steady public service may be a delicate balancing act of keeping contractors and companies hitched.

Regular trash pick-ups by EZ Disposal are tied into Fall River’s Department of Community Maintenance, and if they threaten to abandon their contract with the city, explained DCM Director Al Oliveira to the June 10 City Council Committee on Finance meeting, a “public safety emergency” could — and almost did — happen.

At the meeting, DCM asked the City Council to approve transfers of $200,000 from facilities maintenance free cash, another $200,000 from salaries of unfilled DCM positions, and $1 million in fiscal 2024 surplus revenue to cover solid waste “expenses,” leaving councilors to question what was driving the requests.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

State Police Union Defends O'Keefe Death Investigation

Posted About Ten Months Ago by Pete Braley

The union that represents state troopers and sergeants is defending the investigation into the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe.

Karen Read was acquitted of charges related to O'Keefe's death in her second trial last week after a trial where the failings of investigators was a key focus.

The union says current and former members of the State Police have been the subject of baseless accusations. It also indicates that the investigation into O'Keefe's death was reviewed with great scrutiny, and there is no proof it was compromised in any way.

Fall River's InvaGen pharmaceutical company gets $1.8M to create 70 new jobs

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A pharmaceutical company nestled in Fall River’s Industrial Park is one of 33 life science companies in the state to receive tax incentive awards secured by the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.

True to MLSC’s latest tax incentive program intended to bolster life science industry jobs, with a goal of adding 1,519 in the state, InvaGen Pharmaceuticals Inc. will receive a $1,795,000 share of the $29.9 million tax incentive awards, and is on track to create 70 new jobs in the city.

“The world looks to Massachusetts for the future of life sciences because we have built an ecosystem where innovative research, exceptional talent and public-private partnerships come together to drive significant progress,” said Gov. Maura Healey in a release. “We are creating new jobs and ensuring that the next generation of scientific breakthroughs are being developed right here in our state.”

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Tiverton home heavily damaged by fire

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

An investigation is underway after a two-alarm fire broke out at a home in Tiverton early Friday morning.

Crews responding to the scene on Lee Way around 4 a.m. found heavy flames coming from the home, according to Deputy Fire Chief Joshua Ferreira.

A 12 News crew saw the roof of the home completely destroyed, with smoke pouring out of it.

From wpri.com.

Motorcyclist seriously injured in I-95 crash

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A motorcyclist has life-threatening injuries after a crash Thursday morning on I-95 South in Attleboro.

Crews responding to the scene near the Rhode Island state line just before 10 a.m. found the motorcycle and its operator about 500 feet away from where the crash occurred, according to the city’s fire department.

The motorcyclist was rushed to a nearby trauma center. Their condition is unknown at this time.

See more at wpri.com.

Gas Station Robbery Suspect Arrested

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A 58-year-old Kingston, Rhode Island, man is charged for the unarmed robbery of a Somerset gas station Tuesday afternoon.

James Spader reportedly fled on foot with the cash register drawer. He was later found in a North Attleboro motel room in possession of a handgun.

Police said he will face additional firearms charges.

Men Fined Over $50K After Illegal Fishing Bust

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Five men have been fined a total of 51-thousand-dollars following a major fishing bust in Westport.

Officials say the four men from Maryland and one from Pennsylvania were found with multiple coolers holding over a thousand illegally caught fish.

The men did not have fishing licenses or permits, leading to the massive fines. It's not clear whether the group's boat or fishing equipment was seized.

Michael Proctor Continues To Stand By Read Investigation

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Fired State Police detective Michael Proctor is continuing to stand by the investigation into the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe.

Proctor tells 20/20 that overall, he would not change a single thing about the investigation, and laughed when asked if he tried to frame Karen Read for the killing.

Read was acquitted by a jury this week, and Proctor did not testify during the retrial.

Proctor says the horrible text messages he sent about Read do not define him as a person.

Proctor was fired for the texts and other behavior in the Read case, and is appealing the decision.

Hot and Humid Weather and Severe Storms Target the East Coast

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The summer solstice occurs at 10:41pm Friday, marking the official start of astronomical summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer weather will arrive along the East Coast just before that.

See more at hometownforecastservice.com.

Swansea and Somerset summer free concert series kickoff: Check out these bands

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Get ready for a season full of music.

Swansea and Somerset are both gearing up for the return of their summer concert series, with fun events planned from June to August. Both towns’ concerts will be featuring a variety of musical genres, from funk, to classic tunes, to swing, and more.

Swansea’s concerts will be held in a historic church, and Somerset’s will be held al fresco, at the beach.

Want to enjoy both? Good news: each concert series is planned for a different night of the week.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Crews extinguish Dighton garage fire

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

An investigation is underway after a garage fire broke out in Dighton early Thursday morning.

Crews responding to the home on Main Street around 4:20 a.m. found a fire in the corner of the garage that burned through the roof.

Chief Christopher Maguy said firefighters quickly knocked down the flames along with crews from Somerset and Swansea.

From wpri.com.

Jury finds Karen Read not guilty of second-degree murder, guilty of drunk driving in boyfriend's death

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A jury found Karen Read not guilty of second-degree murder Wednesday in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend but guilty of a lesser charge of drunk driving.

The jury handed down its decision after deliberating for at least 22 hours since June 13.

The verdict in the polarizing and highly watched case comes nearly a year after a separate jury deadlocked over Read’s involvement in the January 2022 death of John O’Keefe and resulted in the judge declaring a mistrial.

It’s a huge victory for Read’s lawyers, who have long asserted she was framed by police after dropping O’Keefe off at a party at the home of a fellow officer. Prosecutors argued the 45-year-old Read hit O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV before driving away, but the defense maintained O’Keefe was killed inside the home and later dragged outside.

Read faced charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene outside Boston. A second-degree murder conviction would have carried a life sentence.

See more at wpri.com.

What is closed on Juneteenth in Massachusetts? Check the list

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

This week, people across the country will celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

Celebrated each year on June 19, the holiday's roots go back to June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the emancipation of Black Americans after the end of the Civil War – two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln. According to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, the holiday has become known as America's second independence day, and it officially became a federal holiday in 2021.

As a federal holiday, many businesses and organizations will be closed for the observance of Juneteenth, but not all. Here is a guide of what is open and what is closed on Juneteenth in Massachusetts.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River's maintenance dept. to face an audit

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The City Council will move forward to have the Department of Community Management audited by several independent outside agencies three years after a May 2022 investigation of the public works department revealed findings — some of which were redacted for privacy — in a report authored by private investigator Daniel Lowney.

Former DCM boss John Perry resigned on the heels of the 2022 investigation, which revealed evidence of a culture of bullying and city mechanics ordered to work on private vehicles. Other details included instances of toxic materials used as fill at DCM’s Lewiston Street facility, copper wiring pulled from walls, missing scrap metal and questionable procurement practices, and a nearly $65,000 payoff for Perry to step down.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Vape detectors will be installed in Fall River Public Schools

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Smoking a cigarette in the school lavatory during lunch can risk setting off the smoke alarm, among other consequences. But with vaporizer use becoming more widespread, kids have stopped fiddling with lighters and have taken to carrying vapes — the new-age e-cig — containing nicotine or marijuana.

Minus the soot, embers or smell of cigarettes, vapes are easily stored in pockets or book bags. And they don’t set off traditional smoke alarms.

Now, companies that make vape detectors are entering mainstream markets, with businesses, governments and schools, including Fall River Public Schools, among their clientele.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Dartmouth police investigating crash

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Dartmouth police are investigating what they’re calling a serious crash that happened Sunday night.

According to police, the crash happened on Russells Mills Road near a Cumberland Farms.

The road is currently blocked off, police said, and drivers in that area are asked to seek an alternate route.

From wpri.com.

Fall River motorcycle police officer hit by vehicle, injured

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The Fall River Police Department said one of their motorcycle officers was struck and injured by another vehicle Sunday morning.

According to police, the collision happened on North Main Street near a Family Dollar.

The officer was taken to the hospital for significant injuries, police said, but is expected to make a full recovery.

From wpri.com.

Fenway Park Concession Workers Authorize Strike

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Unionized concessions workers at Fenway Park in Boston have voted to authorize a strike. The workers at the historic ballpark and at MGM Music Hall took the vote yesterday, with 95 percent supporting a strike.

The employees are cashiers, cooks, bar staff, utility workers and other staff.

They can now call a strike at any time, and if it takes place they will urge fans to respect the picket lines by not buying food or beverages.

'A tribute to his bravery': Sakonnet River Bridge now named for RIer killed in Iraq

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The Sakonnet River Bridge officially has a new name.

On June 11, Gov. Dan McKee signed legislation to rename the span connecting Tiverton and Portsmouth in honor of Staff Sgt. Christopher Potts.

The bridge will now officially be know as the "Staff Sergeant Christopher Potts Sakonnet River Bridge."

A native of Tiverton, Potts served in the Rhode Island National Guard for over 14 years and was assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery Regiment, Army National Guard. He deployed to Iraq in March 2004 and was killed during combat operations in Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 3, 2004, which was his 38th birthday.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Anti-Trump 'No Kings' protests set in 1,500 cities, including SE Mass: Here's where

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

On the day that President Donald Trump is getting a long-dreamt-of military parade — marking the Army’s 250th anniversary on a date that coincides with his own birthday — pro-democracy groups have declared a “No Kings” day of protests with more than 1,500 cities and towns planning anti-Trump demonstrations.

Several communities on the SouthCoast have No Kings demonstrations scheduled for June 14 — the same day that the Trump administration has scheduled a pomp-filled procession through the streets of Washington, D.C.

Bridgewater: 10 to 11 a.m., 4 Central Square in front of Walgreens
Brockton: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., 728 Belmont St.
Fairhaven: noon to 2 p.m., Fairhaven High School
Fall River: noon to 2 p.m., intersection of William S. Canning Boulevard and Newton Street
New Bedford: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hazelwood Park, Rodney French Boulevard
Swansea: 10 a.m. to noon, 573 GAR Highway, near Target plaza
Taunton: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Taunton Green

Buttonwood Park Zoo's red panda Marie has died

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Buttonwood Park Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its beloved red pandas.

The zoo announced Thursday that Marie, the first female red panda to call the zoo home, died on May 28. The cause of death was likely liver failure due to embolisms, according to the zoo.

Marie first arrived at the zoo in 2019 and made history the following year when she gave birth to Kodo, the first red panda born in New Bedford.

See more at wpri.com.

New Bedford Whaling Museum aims to 'open doors' with expansion

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

One of the Whaling City’s longstanding attractions is getting ready to expand.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum held a ceremony on Thursday to mark the start of the public phase of its “Open Doors” expansion campaign.

The museum has already raised more than $25 million to build a new welcome and exhibition center. The project will triple the museum’s special exhibition space, as well as create more space for programming and other events.

See more at wpri.com.

Closing arguments: Is Karen Read's murder trial a tale of love gone wrong or a police coverup?

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Lawyers in the murder trial of Karen Read are set to give their closing arguments Friday after weeks of testimony in a highly divisive case in which the prosecution’s theory of jaded love turned deadly is countered by a defense claim that a cast of tight-knit Boston area law enforcement killed a fellow police officer.

Read, 45, is accused of fatally striking her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow outside a house party where other local police and a federal agent were closing out a night of drinking in 2022. She’s charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene in Canton, outside Boston.

Read’s defense has suggested she was the victim of a wide-ranging conspiracy that included planting evidence and using her as a convenient scapegoat for her boyfriend’s death.

See more at wpri.com.

Somerset Berkley baseball comes up short in Division 2 Final Four

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Throughout the regular season and postseason, the No. 6-seeded Somerset Berkley baseball team maintained a never-die-attitude in games.

So it came as no surprise to the Somerset fans that made the journey to Monan Park on Wednesday, the Raiders still had a shot against No. 2 Reading Memorial in the Division 2 Final Four contest despite being down three runs.

Down to their last out, SBR had runners in scoring position and the tying run at the plate. However, Rockets sophomore closer Chase Williams closed the door on one pitch that ended the Raiders' quest for their fourth state title in school history.

"Reading is a good team and they were spraying the ball around the field," said a tearful SBR senior captain Jayden Cruz after Reading punched their ticket to the finals against No. 4 Walpole with a 5-2 win. "And they made the plays in the field. I can't be really mad when they executed."

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Homeless camp near Fall River rail trail demolished. Has city's ordinance been enforced?

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Between 10 and 15 people were living in a homeless encampment in a wooded area near the Quequechan River Rail Trail which the city began demolishing on June 10.

Several people were displaced in the rain, including a man who said his wife was pregnant.

“I went by this morning myself,” said Mayor Paul Coogan in an interview June 11. “They’re making substantial progress there and a lot of the people have moved.”

Coogan said another camp was demolished off Henry Street, in the city’s South End near Cook Pond, which was comparatively clean.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River's school head lice protocol isn't changing; parents call for stricter policy

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

No more than 30 cases of head lice in the Fall River Public Schools district have been detected this past school year. Nonetheless, at the Monday, June 9 meeting of the Fall River School Committee, board members were divided over best practices for supporting students found to have lice, and how to proceed with an official policy regarding head lice management now put in place.

Mary Gustave, the district’s director of nursing, explained the basic procedures in use since November 2023 for how school nursing staff has been supporting students who are found to have an active infestation of head lice.

By discussion’s end, the committee voted unanimously to adopt the procedure that the school has been operating under as an official policy, reflective of national guidelines.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

88-year-old Korean War veteran honored with Durfee diploma. Here's a look at the tribute

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Richard A. Gosson, 88, a lifelong Fall River resident, put his education on hold to serve his country in the Korean War. On Monday, June 9, at the Fall River Public School Committee meeting, Gosson was honored with the diploma from B.M.C. Durfee High School he had been scheduled to earn but had sacrificed many years before.

Donning a traditional graduate’s robe and four-pointed mortarboard, Gosson was called down from the front rows of the Durfee auditorium — from which generations of his family, friends, and veterans applauded — to accept his diploma from Superintendent Dr. Tracy Curley and with the support of the school board.

In between taking pictures with balloons bobbing and his diploma proudly displayed, Gosson shared that of four of his children, three of them graduated from Durfee. “I can hardly express it in words,” he said of the significance, after long last, of becoming a graduate alongside his children.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Tiverton superintendent announces retirement

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The superintendent of Tiverton Public Schools is stepping down at the end of the month.

After more than four decades in education, including the last seven years as Tiverton’s superintendent, Dr. Peter Sanchioni announced Tuesday he is retiring.

“During my time in Tiverton, we made significant strides in student achievement by leveraging technology and investing in teacher professional development,” Sanchioni told 12 News. “I had the privilege of working with a talented administrative team and dedicated teacher leaders.”

See more at wpri.com.

Healey Joins Statement Condemning Deployment Of National Guard In L.A.

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Massachusetts lawmakers at the state level are also voicing their opposition to President Trump's activation of the National Guard in Los Angeles.

Governor Maura Healey joined other Democratic governors in a statement calling the decision an "alarming abuse of power." The statement says the governors are effectively the Commanders in Chief of their National Guard units and the federal government activating them without consulting or working with a state's governor is ineffective and dangerous.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says the National Guard troops are there to keep the public safe and insists the move is necessary because California's governor hasn't taken the situation seriously.

Karen Read Trial Resumes

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Karen Read says she will not testify in her murder retrial in Massachusetts. Read made the comments to reporters yesterday after leaving the courthouse.

A biochemist, who is likely the defense's last witness, took the stand late Tuesday and will resume testimony this morning.

The defense is working to prove that Read is being framed by police for the death of John O'Keefe. Read is accused of hitting her Boston cop boyfriend with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm in 2022.

Months after winning state title, Somerset Berkley boys basketball coach steps down

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

As the clock ticked down to triple zeroes, Bob Slater savored a special moment in his coaching career this past winter.

With his arms held high in the air at the Tsongas Center, the longtime Somerset Berkley boys basketball head coach leaped a few times before hugging his coaching staff after stunning No. 1 Malden Catholic, 65-44, in the Division 2 state final game.

It was the third championship title in school history and first true basketball state championship for the school on 625 County St. The Raiders won two Eastern Mass. championships — 1948 and 1954 — in Tech tournaments at Boston Garden.

On Monday, Slater announced he's stepping down as head boys basketball coach for SBR after 16 seasons.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River's City Pier wins environmental award for 'significant' redevelopment

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The Senator Thomas Norton City Pier has seen many a jogger, dog-walker, or family romp with the baby stroller since its opening to the public in 2022. The four-acre, two-pronged green space — jutting off Fall River’s waterfront, complete with looping pedestrian walkways, benches, and turf — offers panoramic views of city landmarks: Battleship Cove and the Charles M. Braga Bridge.

Once a site that prompted intense contamination remediation and cleanup that took place on-and-off for 27 years, the pier and its full-scale revitalization under the Fall River Redevelopment Authority put tens of millions in state and federal funding to good use.

Now, the City Pier has been awarded the New England Environmental Business Council's James D.P. Farrell Brownfields-Remediation Project of the Year.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Developer wants to build 70 apartments in Fall River's historic Cherry & Webb building

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The historic Cherry & Webb building, once a major shopping hub downtown, has seen several transformations during its life, and could see another soon: your new home.

According to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Little Tiger Capital LLC of Boston is applying for a variance to convert the Cherry & Webb building to mixed-use with 70 apartments and commercial and professional office space.

Little Tiger Capital is looking for zoning relief to put housing in the building, which is in the Central Business and Arts Overlay district, and to waive parking requirements. According to its variance request, it would provide off-street parking.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

5 hurt after high-speed pursuit ends in Taunton crash

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A high-speed chase on Route 24 early Monday morning ended with a crash that sent five people to the hospital, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Around 4 a.m., a trooper saw a white BMW X5 that was going more than 100 mph.

As the trooper tried to stop the vehicle, state police said the driver accelerated and reached speeds of 130 mph.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Busing kids to school is expensive. Fall River wants Mass. to help with the cost

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A B.M.C. Durfee High School student who lives in the Heritage Heights housing complex is a nine-minute, 2.5-mile bus ride away from school, regardless of whether their bus travels on New Boston Road, President Avenue or Elsbree Street. State funding covers none of the costs associated with their transportation.

A student who lives at Heritage Heights but who attends Diman Regional Vocational Technical School travels a little over 2 miles, either by Bedford or Locust streets, for a 9-minute trip to school. Almost all — 90% — of that student’s transportation costs get state funding.

The example is hypothetical. But according to Mayor Paul Coogan, it helps illustrate some of the entrenched inequities within state school funding.

See more at heraldnews.com.

New Bedford man arrested, extradited to New Hampshire for deadly crash

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The New Hampshire Department of State Police said a New Bedford man, accused of driving the wrong way on I-95 and later involved in a deadly crash that killed an Endicott College police sergeant, was arrested and extradited to New Hampshire.

Investigators say said they obtained an extraditable arrest warrant in December, charging 40-year-old Keoma Duarte, a New Bedford resident, with two felony counts of reckless conduct and one misdemeanor count of disobeying an officer.

Officials in New Hampshire said Duarte allegedly drove his Tesla on the wrong side of the highway in Hampton, before crashing into officer Jeremy Cole’s car early Thanksgiving morning in 2024.

See more at wpri.com.

1 dead, 3 seriously injured after partial building collapse in Portsmouth

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A 15-year-old girl has died and three other people suffered significant injuries after a partial building collapse happened during a graduation party at the Portuguese American Citizens Club in Portsmouth Saturday evening.

Assistant Fire Chief Howie Tighe said they were called to Power Street just after 5:30 p.m. for reports of a partial building collapse and people trapped underneath the front stairwell.

The three people who were injured were two 17-year-old girls and a 49-year-old woman, according to Tighe. All three were taken to Rhode Island Hospital

See more at wpri.com..

New Bedford Whaling Museum visits are soaring. MBTA commuter rail may be a factor.

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

The New Bedford Whaling Museum has recently experienced a significant surge in visitors, reaching its highest attendance levels in over 10 years.

The museum reports that, compared to the same period in 2024, overall visitation during the first quarter of 2025 rose by 16.2% across all categories. Notably, the number of school groups touring the museum jumped by 27.9% year over year.

“While we can point to certain tactics that led to this success, what it comes down to is that we offer an incredible experience that resonates with visitors of all ages and backgrounds,” said Museum CEO Amanda McMullen.

According to statistics in the General Manager's report at May's MBTA Board Meeting, the recently opened South Coast Rail could have been a major component to the increase.

Learn more at heraldnews.com.

Attleboro man killed in Wareham motorcycle crash

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

An Attleboro man was killed in a motorcycle crash in Wareham Thursday evening, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz.

Matthew Burns, 49, was riding his motorcycle northbound down Cranberry Highway when Cruz said he lost control, veered into the southbound lane and was hit by an oncoming car.

Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, Burns was pronounced dead at the scene.

See more at wpri.com.

Washington Bridge rebuild will cost $427 million and take until 2028, McKee announces

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Rebuilding the westbound Washington Bridge is expected to cost $427 million and be completed by November 2028, Gov. Dan McKee announced Friday, delivering long-awaited news about the project.

McKee said the state has hired Walsh Construction Co. of Chicago to rebuild the heavily traveled bridge that abruptly closed to traffic in December 2023 after a structural failure. Walsh Construction won the contract after a lengthy competitive bidding saga that began just months after the bridge closed.

“I understand that this has been a challenging time for those who rely on the Washington Bridge, especially in the early days before we were able to restore six lanes of traffic,” McKee said at a State House news conference.

See more at wpri.com.

Immigrants' rights advocate: Criminals should be deported but that's not what's happening

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

An immigrant rights’ advocate agrees with ICE on at least one thing: If you’re a criminal, you should not be in the United States.

That’s according to Helena DaSilva-Hughes, Immigrants’ Assistance Center president.

However, she said, non-criminals are being picked up.

DaSilva-Hughes said she saw the press conference April 2 held by officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River Day of Portugal kicks off Friday. What's the lineup for the weekend long event?

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Festa season is officially in full swing in Fall River, kicking off with the city’s annual weekend-long Day of Portugal event on the waterfront.

Now in its 10^th year, Fall River’s Day of Portugal will feature a weekend jam-packed with delicious Portuguese fare, an impressive line-up of entertainers — with some big names coming from Portugal — and activities for the whole family.

The event has been pared down from four days to three this year, opting to go without the “Taste of Portugal” food tasting event, and kicking things off one day later.

Rezad more at heraldnews.com.

MBTA hears South Coast Rail reliability, noise complaints: 'We want to regain your trust'

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A little over 100 people brought their problems about South Coast Rail service to MBTA officials at a meeting on June 5 — including one man who missed the start because his train home from work in Cambridge was 55 minutes late.

“This is rush hour,” said the man, who declined to be named. “To be an extra hour late … during rush hour is not acceptable.”

MBTA General Manager Phil Eng and other officials heard complaints about everything from unreliable service to unacceptable noise and vibrations from diesel engines at the meeting, speaking with residents from across the SouthCoast for two hours at Morton Middle School.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

McKee to reveal cost, timeline, winning bidder for Washington Bridge on Friday

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A year and a half after the abrupt closure of the westbound Washington Bridge, Rhode Islanders are set to learn how long it will take to build a replacement and how much it will cost.

Gov. Dan McKee will hold a State House news conference Friday at 10 a.m. to announce which of the two finalists has won the contract for the new bridge, his office announced. The state closed the 56-year-old bridge with almost no notice during rush hour on Dec. 11, 2023, after a structure failure was discovered, leading to major traffic problems and widespread frustration.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Multiple Drug-Related Arrests In New Bedford

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

Six people are facing charges as the result of a drug raid in New Bedford. Charges include possession and conspiracy.

Police said they seized powdered and crack cocaine, drug packaging material and ammunition from an apartment on South Street late last week.

High School Student Charged In Fall River

Posted About Eleven Months Ago by Pete Braley

A 17-year-old student is charged after a bullet was allegedly found in the teen's possession yesterday at the Resiliency Preparatory Academy in Fall River.

A shelter in place was activated while police conducted a search of the building. Nothing of concern was found.

The school has metal detectors at every door, and police said the student did not get past the security checkpoint.

Kite Night in Fall River brings free fun for families this June

Posted About Year Ago by Pete Braley

The City of Fall River, in collaboration with Viva Fall River and the Redevelopment Authority, announced that Kite Night will be returning this summer.

The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 18 at the Senator Thomas Norton City Pier, according to a community announcement.

Attendees can enjoy free kite giveaways while supplies last, music from DJ Eric J, and activities featuring the Fall River Public Library's Bookmobile and The Trustees Adventure Mobile Van.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River firefighters say stations are falling apart: infested with rats, mold, asbestos

Posted About Year Ago by Pete Braley

Nearly all six of the city’s fire stations show blaring signs of age and disrepair, and with deep cuts to the Fall River Fire Department’s proposed budget, city officials have expressed concerns about when, and how, necessary repairs will be made.

During an hours-long May 29 City Council Committee on Finance meeting, it was discovered that funding for capital projects — like station repairs and maintenance, or the purchase of new emergency apparatus — was not included in the budget that was already in a deficit of $5 million in coverage for employee healthcare.

Dismayed councilors tabled budget talks until interim Chief Financial Officer Emily Arpke could present more information.

“It doesn’t do what it needs to do,” Councilor Andrew J. Raposo said, referencing data pertaining to capital improvements not being included in the budget. “We’re not investing enough into the department as a whole.”

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts orders Taunton to release some footage from mayor's 2024 arrest

Posted About Year Ago by Pete Braley

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the city of Taunton are at odds over whether footage of Mayor Shaunna O’Connell’s arrest last summer should be made public.

The 55-year-old mayor was taken into custody back in July after her husband told officers she physically assaulted him during an argument. The domestic assault case was resolved in court months later.

The Taunton Police Department recorded footage of O’Connell’s arrest, as well as from inside the booking room.

See more at wpri.com.

Trump Suspends Entry Of International Students For Harvard

Posted About Year Ago by Pete Braley

President Trump has suspended entry of foreign students into the country to study at Harvard University for at least six months.

Trump cited national security concerns in issuing the order yesterday, escalating the feud with Harvard.

Trump is also ordering the State Department to consider revoking active exchange or academic visas of Harvard students.

Trump has been sanctioning Harvard for not agreeing to his administration's demands related to the governance, curriculum and ideology at the school.

MBTA head Phil Eng to hear complaints about South Coast Rail service: How to join

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

A meeting with leaders at the MBTA to discuss ongoing problems with the South Coast Rail project is set for June 5.

The meeting will be hosted by MBTA General Manager Phil Eng and other representatives from the MBTA and Keolis, the company contracted to run commuter rail service. It’s set to begin at 5:30 p.m. at Morton Middle School, 1135 N. Main St.

According to the MBTA, the meeting will address “concerns occurring since service began on March 24, including noise, weekend service cancellations, Keolis staffing, and other service challenges.”

The meeting is open the public.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Davol St. takes shape with a year to go, but won't have much green space: See the plans

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

The city’s waterfront makeover along the Route 79 Davol Street Corridor is on track to be completed in 2026, but ongoing construction won't exactly result in rolling green space — turf that many Fall Riverites have urged the city to keep green.

The most recent proposals show nine buildings with almost 1,500 apartment units, two parking garages and buildings up to 12 stories high.

In a Herald News poll, which asked respondents to chime in about their commutes being extended by Davol Street construction, some feedback strayed from matters of traffic and instead criticized Route 79 future development, with one response calling for “an elegant green space for families.”

North Attleboro man gets at least 60 years for deadly triple stabbing

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

The North Attleboro man convicted of stabbing three of his friends, killing two of them, will spend at least 60 years behind bars, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III.

Daniel Randall, now 25, was found guilty in July 2023 of two counts of first-degree murder, as well as armed assault with intent to murder and mayhem.

Randall was taken into custody in August 2019 after fatally stabbing Aidan Hanrahan, 21, and Joshua Lemken, 21, both of North Attleboro at his Birch Road home. He also stabbed and seriously wounded Erik Lunstedt, 21, of North Attleboro.

See more at wpri.com.

May was one of the wettest on record in Massachusetts

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

Drenched.

That's how everyone probably felt last month.

And that would make sense, because it was one of the wettest months of May in Massachusetts history.

According to the National Weather Service, the wettest May in Boston was in 1954 with 13.38 inches, and the wettest May in Worcester was in 1984, when 9.94 inches of rain fell on the city.

Overall, last month was considered to be top-five of all time in the Bay State regarding rainfall.

Where did it fall on that list?

See more at heraldnews.com.

Crews respond to Fall River fire

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

An investigation is underway after a fire broke out at a home in Fall River early Tuesday morning.

Crews were called to Emmett Street just before 4 a.m.

It’s unclear if anyone was injured or the extent of the damage.

From wpri.com.

A commitment to the future': Star Store to become New Bedford's creative hub

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

The future of New Bedford’s Star Store is looking bright.

After sitting vacant for more than two years, the historic building is poised for a revival — one that builds on the city’s legacy as a vibrant and diverse arts community.

The Union Street landmark has lived several lives, beginning in 1844 when it first opened as the New Bedford Dry Goods Company. As the city expanded, the Star Store only continued to thrive, eventually becoming one of the region’s most prominent department stores.

See more at wpri.com.

Fall River Public Schools pays $134K to restore data in cyberattack. What we know.

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

The “cybersecurity incident” discovered on April 7 that left Fall River Public Schools without access to their internal network and internet service “for the rest of the week,” and was eventually fully restored — to the tune of $134,278 in out-of-pocket costs.

Superintendent Dr. Tracy Curley has not yet specified the nature of the cyberattack, but during an April 8 joint meeting of the City Council and School Committee, she alerted city officials that they did not have insurance to mitigate the fallout of what happened.

Curley said she is confident the district would be better prepared if future attacks occurred.

The superintendent’s office has not yet disclosed to whom the money was paid in response to further public records requests.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Drag queens, food trucks, rainbows: Pride Festival in Fall River draws a crowd

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

The Pride Festival was held June 1, 2025 at the Gates of the City in Fall River.

See a photo display at heraldnews.com.

Milford Schools Superintendent: Student detained by ICE

Posted About One Year Ago by Pete Braley

The superintendent of Milford, Mass. schools said an 18-year-old student had been detained by ICE agents.

“An 18 year old Milford High School student was detained by ICE agents off campus this weekend. We have also had a number of parents who have been detained by ICE in recent weeks. We are all distraught by this news,” Superintendent Kevin McIntyre said in a statement.

WBZ in Boston spoke with a friend of the student who was detained, saying they were headed to volleyball practice when they were pulled over by three undercover vehicles.

See more at wpri.com.

WSAR NEWS Archives for 2025-06

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