The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is returning to Madeira Field in New Bedford this weekend.
The 109th Feast will feature a variety of food, wine and entertainment that highlights the rich traditions of Madeira and the entire Portuguese-American community.
This year, the Feast will make history with women serving on the executive board. It will also be the first celebration where women are festeiras (Feast committee members) from the start.
See more at wpri.com.
Jeyden Espinal has been playing legion baseball since the age of 14.
For five straight years, the Fall River native never gave up hopes on winning a state title. He came close during his high school senior year for Durfee. But the Hilltoppers lost in the Division 1 Elite 8 game.
On Wednesday night at the 2025 Massachusetts Senior Legion state championship game, Espinal fulfilled his lifelong dream.
"It feels great right now," said Espinal after Fall River Post 464 defeated Shrewsbury Post 397, 6-4, to advance to the Northeast Regional 1 tournament on Aug. 6. "I'm the oldest guy here and I try to lead by example. To finally win states in my last year, it means a lot. Yesterday, we did not bring it so today we had to come out and be ready.
See more at heraldnews.com.
The Fall River assisted living home where ten people died in a fire this month has had its license to operate suspended twice over the last 15 years.
The Boston Globe reports that the most recent suspension of the Gabriel House's license was in 2016 over alleged mistreatment of residents by a certified nursing assistant. A suspension was also ordered for undisclosed violations in 2010 at Gabriel House.
The home's license has been in good standing since the 2016 action.
The intersection of Lees River Avenue and Route 6 is known to be a gamble for drivers taking turns or passing through. A proposed road improvement could have every driver taking turns: a rotary.
How bad is the intersection exactly? According to the state’s Top 200 Crash Clusters List between 2015 and 2017, the intersection ranked No. 43. By November 2024, it had rose to No. 5, based on the prevalence of its crash history revealed through Registry of Motor Vehicle crash data records and state and local police reports.
To lessen the risk of future accidents, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is planning to hold a public informational meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. in the Somerset Public Library, 1464 County St., to present the design of a proposed roundabout intended to improve safety for vehicular and pedestrian traffic and make the intersection more navigable.
Read more at heraldnews.com.
The Fall River Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its beloved K-9s.
According to a post on Facebook, K-9 Joseph passed away on July 25.
He served the department alongside his partner, Officer Kevin Lopes, until he retired in 2021.
Over the years, the department said K-9 Joseph helped find missing people, backed up officers during dangerous calls, and provided emotional support during tough times.
See more at wpri.com.
Market Basket has suspended 48 workers at its New Bedford store after recent operations by federal immigration officials.
The workers are being suspended as part of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that began in 2023.
The employees will have the opportunity to be reinstated to their jobs if they update their working papers.
ICE officials are not discussing the matter, saying it's part of an ongoing investigation.
Karen Read is asking a Massachusetts court to order Norfolk County prosecutors to return her Lexus SUV and her cell phone.
The items were seized in 2022 by investigators who accused her of using the vehicle to strike and kill her Boston cop boyfriend John O'Keefe in Canton.
Read was acquitted of murder and all other charges related to O'Keefe's death in June, and was only convicted of operating under the influence of liquor.
Read's attorneys say they tried to negotiate the return of the SUV and phone from the DA's office, but received no response.
Growing up in Fall River, Aaron Bernardo experienced bullying like no other.
This led to a lack of confidence as well as high levels of anxiety for Bernardo. So, he turned his attention to the sport of boxing as a seventh grader. Soon those troubles eased up.
Now the Fall River native is gratefully giving back to his community.
"I started boxing back in 2006," said Bernardo, who is the owner of Bernardo’s Boxing and Fitness gym. "I got picked on and had low confidence. When I started boxing, I learned how to protect myself and carried myself the right way. (Boxing) did everything for me and formed me into the man I am today."
See more at heraldnews.com.
The ashes were barely cool at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River — the day after a horrific late-night fire led to 10 deaths of elderly and physically infirm people — when members of the firefighters’ union stood before the building to talk about the price of safety.
Edward Kelly, general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, lambasted the city of Fall River for not staffing all its fire companies to national standards of four firefighters per piece of apparatus.
By National Fire Protection Agency standards, Fall River was eight firefighters short.
According to the union, the shorthanded fire companies were quickly overwhelmed having to rescue 70 elderly, often nonambulatory residents from the smoke-filled building. When rescue came for residents, it was sometimes in the form of off-duty firefighters who’d rushed to the scene without equipment — and even police officers who couldn’t stand by while trapped people shouted for help.
Read more at heraldnews.com.
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has identified the two men killed in a crash on I-195 West in Dartmouth Saturday afternoon.
Investigators say 19-year-old Kevin Dos Santos Lopes, of New Bedford, and 18-year-old Amilton De Pina Semedo, of Pawtucket, were ejected from their vehicle after crashing just before the Reed Rd. exit on the highway.
They were both taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, where they were pronounced dead shortly after.
The crash isn’t being deemed suspicious. It’s not known who was driving at the time of the crash.
From wpri.com.
An investigation is underway after a fire that broke out at the Nazarene Christian Academy in New Bedford early Monday morning.
Crews were called to the scene on Hathaway Road around 2 a.m.
A 12 News photographer saw a hole in the roof of the school, which is next door to the First Church of the Nazarene.
No word on any injuries or what caused the fire.
From wpri.com.
A Fall River teenager will spend 18 months in jail after accidentally shooting a young woman in the back during a car ride.
Treshon Pugh, 19, of Fall River pleaded guilty in Bristol County Superior Court on July 21 to charges of assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, carrying an illegal firearm and other gun charges, in the case of a shooting that took place last year.
According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, on June 16, 2024, Pugh was in the back seat of a car with the victim sitting in front of him and the victim’s sister driving.
The victim, 18, “heard a loud shot, smelled smoke, and yelled she had been hit,” the DA’s office stated. She said she saw Pugh throw a revolver-style handgun out of the car window.
Read more at heraldnews.com.
In our most recent edition of 12 Health, we’re talking all about tick season.
You see the warnings every year about checking for ticks, wearing long sleeves and pants when in wooded areas, and spraying with Deet, but this year those warnings carry extra weight.
Scientists say a wetter-than-average spring helped the tick population thrive.
In fact, according to the CDC, emergency room visits for tick bites in the Northeast are at their highest levels in five years.
A crash involving two cars and a motorcycle in Taunton sent three people to the hospital on Thursday.
The crash happened at the intersection of Silver and Cohannet streets. Police had the area taped off for several hours.
Police said a 16-year-old boy from Taunton was flown to a local trauma center. A 15-year-old boy who was a passenger on the motorcycle was taken to Morton Hospital.
A 51-year-old woman from Taunton who was driving one of the cars was also taken to Morton Hospital, according to police.
See more at wpri.com.
Traffic patterns are shifting again on the Route 79-Davol Street Corridor project, but one of these changes will be permanent.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said that starting on or around Monday, July 28, it will reopen a turn onto Turner Street and shift part of Route 79 into its “final configuration.”
Read more at heraldnews.com.
Police have arrested a man in connection with the theft of $113,000 worth of Pokémon cards and collectibles from a New Bedford shop earlier this month.
Richard Jovahn Nunes, 24, was taken into custody in Taunton on Monday and charged with six counts of receiving stolen property over $1,200.
The investigation began after a masked suspect was seen on surveillance footage breaking into 1st Edition Collectibles on July 8. The suspect, who smashed the front glass door and shoved the collectibles into a backpack, was in and out of the shop within about 30 seconds.
Detectives tracked Nunes down after receiving a tip Monday regarding the attempted sale of a Pokémon Base Set Unlimited Green Wings Booster Box, which is valued at $30,000 and was one of the items stolen from the shop.
See more at wpri.com.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) worked through the night to fill a large hole that opened up on I-195 in East Providence during Wednesday evening’s commute.
The hole developed in the center lane on I-195 West near Exit 2. 12 News reached out to RIDOT regarding the hole, to which a spokesperson confirmed that a passing motorist notified them about it around 4:30 p.m.
Roadwork was cleared around 6 a.m. on Thursday.
Traffic was backed up to the state line for hours on Wednesday with two lanes blocked off.
See more at wpri.com.
Candidates submitted their nomination papers and certified signatures to qualify for the 2025 municipal election this past week on July 19. The upcoming mayoral, City Council, and School Committee races have no shortage of newcomers and returning challengers — many who have dabbled in politics or boast a notable presence online.
Incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan is seeking his fourth term as the city's top executive. He has been mayor since being first elected in 2019. Previously, he served on the School Committee.
Running against Coogan are Gabriel "Boomer" Amaral, Carlos Cesar, Christopher Silvia and Michael J. Vandal.
See the rest of the candidates at heraldnews.com.
Once at risk of closure, the only Portuguese public library in the United States will remain open in New Bedford, despite budget cuts.
The Casa da Saudade Branch of the New Bedford Public Library was previously slated to close its doors after the City Council cut $10.2 million from the mayor’s FY2026 budget proposal in June. That included nearly $115,000 that the library department would have used to pay staff and utility bills.
However, Mayor Jon Mitchell announced Tuesday that Casa da Saudade, which is located on Crapo Street, will stay open 24 hours a week. To offset costs, the city will adjust the operating hours of the Howland-Green, Wilks, and Lawler branches.
See more at wpri.com.
An investigation is underway into a serious crash that injured two people in Taunton Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities.
The three-vehicle crash happened just after 3 p.m. near the intersection of South Walker and Winthrop streets. The crash appeared to involve two cars and a roll-off dump truck.
Police said the two drivers of the cars were brought to nearby hospitals. The vehicles were towed away from the Apollo Sports parking lot.
The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time.
From wpri.com.
Questions remain after a fire killed 10 people at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility in Fall River.
Gov. Maura Healey met with city leaders late Tuesday morning and said her visit is to make sure state leaders know what the city needs moving forward and to talk about what the state is doing to ensure tragedies like this don’t happen again.
“I want to make sure, as governor, that we are doing all that we can to support our first responders, that we are supporting local fire services as much as we can,” she said.
Healey announced that she’s making $1.2 million in state funding available to the city so it can hire more emergency response personnel.
See more at wpri.com.
Investigators have identified two potential causes of the deadly fire at a Fall River assisted living facility, but since they can’t pinpoint the exact origin, it’s officially been ruled “undetermined.”
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to release their preliminary findings.
Davine said the fire at Gabriel House began in a resident’s room on the second floor where investigators found an oxygen concentrator and “numerous smoking materials.”
The two possible causes, according to Davine, were a malfunction of the oxygen machine or the improper use or disposal of smoking materials. Regardless of what caused it, Davine said the fire was “clearly accidental.”
See more at wpri.com.
A man has died after he was pulled from the water in Fairhaven Tuesday evening, according to police.
The Fairhaven Fire Department told 12 News first responders rushed to the Seaview Avenue boat ramp off of Sconticut Neck Road after receiving a 911 call regarding a man possibly drowning.
Bystanders had already pulled the man out of the water and were performing CPR on him when the first responders arrived.
The man was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital, but police told 12 News he didn’t survive. His identity has not yet been released.
See more at wpri.com.
City buses in Greater Fall River and New Bedford will keep the good times rolling, by collecting no fares for another year.
SRTA announced Monday, July 21, that its fixed-route buses and demand response vans will be fare-free until June 30, 2026.
The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority, which runs bus service throughout 10 communities in the SouthCoast, has not charged fares since Jan. 1, 2024. Originally due to expire June 30, the fare-free experiment was extended temporarily until Aug. 30 and again until the end of fiscal 2026 — funded by the state's "millionaire's tax" or Fair Share Amendment.
The voter-approved amendment is a 4% surtax on personal incomes above $1 million, with the funding used exclusively for education and transportation.
See more at heraldnews.com.
In the aftermath of the devastating July 13 fire that reduced the Gabriel House assisted living facility to charred remains, killing 10 and injuring dozens more, the city’s Director of Inspectional Services Glenn Hathaway shared that the city has a “major problem” with air conditioning units installed in bedroom windows that could be used as emergency egress.
According to previous reports, first responders on the scene helped evacuate more than half of the 70 residents — many of them infirm and needing to be carried out — out of the building’s windows and doors.
But the number of window AC units that had to be pulled out of windows and dumped to the ground made rescues difficult, Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said in the hours after the fire was struck down.
Read more at heraldnews.com.
It was 9:45 p.m. on July 13 when Father Michael Racine’s phone rang. It was Richard Aguiar, director of the Fall River Emergency Management Agency.
Aguiar told him the situation at the Gabriel House assisted living facility was dire.
“He basically told me that they already had two fatalities that they knew about and to get down there as quickly as possible,” Racine recalled.
See more at wpri.com.
Police have arrested a Woonsocket man accused of robbing a Dartmouth smoke shop at knifepoint last week.
Muhammad Sheikh, 40, is facing numerous charges, including armed robbery, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, threatening to commit a crime, malicious destruction of property and operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
Officers were called to the King Smoke Shop on State Road Friday evening to investigate reports of an armed robbery.
The suspect, later identified by police as Sheikh, walked into the shop brandishing a knife. Police said Sheikh threatened several employees with the weapon and made verbal threats to kill them “while slashing the knife toward them.”
See more at wpri.com.
Newport police are set to start using cameras for traffic enforcement this week.
Speed and red light cameras will be activated on Thursday, July 24, the intersection of Hillside Avenue and Admiral Kalbfus Road.
There will be a 30-day warning period to allow drivers to adjust to the new rules, according to police.
After that, anyone caught speeding will face a $50 fine per violation, while running a red light will result in a $100 fine.
See more at wpri.com.
When disaster struck at Gabriel House on July 13, the Fall River Fire Department requested mutual aid, as it has on other occasions when it has been overwhelmed.
While the assisted living facility filled with smoke and the lives of 70 elderly and disabled people were in peril, those firefighters from Tiverton, Somerset, Swansea, Raynham, Dartmouth, Westport, and Portsmouth, Rhode Island, provided support — at Fall River fire stations.
Firefighter Michael O’Reagan, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1314, said on July 14 that though mutual aid assistance was invaluable, the “scene was Fall River.”
See more at heraldnews.com.
A New Bedford woman is facing animal cruelty charges after police discovered two dead cats inside a sweltering car on Tuesday.
Police and Animal Control officers responded to a grocery store on Rockdale Avenue for a report of animals trapped in a vehicle.
They noticed a black cat moving inside, as well as an “overwhelming foul odor” coming from the car. The temperature inside reportedly reached 106 degrees in the front and 131 in the back.
See more at wpri.com.
Six people have been charged in connection with the May death of a New Bedford man, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
Kimberl Gedeon, 21, was found with several gunshot wounds near the intersection of Bedford and South Seventh streets just after 9 p.m. on May 26. He later died at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Court records show Elias Ramos, 18, of Fall River, was arraigned on June 16. He pleaded not guilty to murder and was ordered held without bail. His next appearance in New Bedford District Court is scheduled for July 17.
William Allen Robinson, 33, of Fall River, was arraigned on June 18, according to court records. He pleaded not guilty to murder and was held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 8.
See more at wpri.com.
Changes are coming to the Fall River Fire Department following the fire at the Gabriel Assisted Living Facility that killed nine people on Sunday.
The day after the fire, IAFF Local 1314 held a news conference and highlighted that only two of the city’s ten fire companies are staffed to national standards.
“Lives would have been saved if the Fall River Fire Department was adequately staffed,” IAFF General President Edward Kelly said.
Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon noted the next day that he had asked for additional staffing prior to the deadly fire. According to Bacon, the “administration” didn’t allow him to apply for a staffing grant last year, although he was able to apply for it last month.
See more at wpri.com.
A 21-year-old from Fall River was arrested Tuesday for allegedly having an AK-47 in his bedroom, according to police.
Police searched the second-floor apartment of Keith Goncalo on Rodman Street. Inside his room, they reportedly found an AK-47 rifle, a large-capacity feeding device, and one round of ammunition.
Goncalo was held on $35,000 bail and taken to Fall River District Court on Wednesday.
See more at wpri.com.
Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon says the city’s antiquated system has caused a delay in releasing the inspection reports for the assisted living facility where nine people died in a fire.
That report, according to Bacon, should include Gabriel House’s evacuation plan and how many fire drills were performed at the facility. He hopes to be able to release the report on Thursday.
At a news conference Wednesday, Bacon said the city has only just recently started digitizing its fire inspection reports.
“One of the gentlemen who’s responsible for these inspections came in on vacation yesterday to dig through boxes of paperwork,” he said. “But outside of that, it’s mainly because we just don’t have enough people to process these and get them out.”
See more at wpri.com.
Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon wiped tears from his eyes as he recounted the heroism of the first responders who pulled people out of the fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Sunday night.
The fire killed nine people, left more than 30 hurt and displaced dozens more.
While Bacon said the firefighters who responded to the call weren’t ready to speak about what they experienced, he wanted to share more about their efforts, getting visibly emotional as he shared details of the chaotic scene.
“They describe seeing faces in the windows,” Bacon said, choking up. “And having to decide who they need to rescue.”
See more at wpri.com.
International Association of Fire Fighters General President Edward Kelly, standing with over 20 local and state firefighters in front of the ruins of the Gabriel House assisted living facility, said inadequate staffing on the Fall River Fire Department has cost people their lives.
Kelly, along with IAFF Local 1314 President Michael O’Reagan and others, held a press conference Monday afternoon stating that chronic understaffing of FRFD engine companies is a problem — and that the nine dead at Gabriel House are the result.
"My main concern here is with the guys here that had to experience this, the largest loss of life in Massachusetts in 40 years, and the families of the victims," Michael O'Reagan said.
See more at heraldnews.com.
Police were called to a Fall River home on Tuesday morning for a report of a man in crisis.
Officers responded to Langley Street around 3:30 a.m. and established a secure perimeter. Out of an abundance of caution, they also safely evacuated nearby residents.
The department posted on Facebook that their Emergency Services Unit was activated to work with a crisis negotiator.
Family members told 12 News they are not happy with what they believe happened. A woman, who said her brother lives in the home, said police told her that he died.
See more at wpri.com.
The city of Fall River is still looking for answers after nine people were killed in a fire at an assisted living center.
The fire happened Sunday night at the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Oliver Street. All of the residents were displaced as a result and more than 30 were taken to the hospital for treatment, along with five firefighters.
See more at wpri.com.
Nine people have died and one person remains in critical condition after a five-alarm fire broke out Sunday night at an assisted living facility in Fall River.
“We had an unspeakable tragedy here in Fall River last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey arrived at the scene around 11 a.m. and addressed the media. Hear her remarks in the video above.
Crews responding to the Gabriel House Assisted Living Facility on Oliver Street just before 10 p.m. found heavy flames and smoke with multiple people trapped inside.
See more at wpri.com.
A fire at Gabriel House assisted living center has resulted in 'multiple fatalities and multiple injuries' according to Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon.
Bacon said Fall River Fire Department crews responded to the fire at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13. When crews arrived on scene they saw heaving fire and multiple people hanging out of the windows looking to be rescued. He said multiple people were rescued from the apartment and transported to local hospitals for treatment. "Unfortunately at this time we have multiple fatalities and multiple injuries and we are still working to get those numbers to you," Bacon said at a press conference at about 12:45 a.m.
Five Fall River firefighters were transported to area hospitals as well with minor injuries.
See more at heraldnews.com.
A Fall River teenager accused of shooting and murdering his brother after an argument has been held without bail after being arraigned in Bristol County Superior Court on July 10.
Jaylen Lambert had been previously arraigned in Fall River District Court in March; on June 26, he was indicted by a grand jury and brought before Superior Court Judge William White on July 10.
Lambert, who was 17 at the time of the incident, pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder in the March 15 fatal shooting of his brother, Jaleale Simmons 20, of Fall River. Lambert also pleaded not guilty to possession of a large-capacity firearm and possession of a firearm with an FID.
See more at heraldnews.com.
An investigation is underway into a fire that displaced at least 10 residents in New Bedford Friday evening.
The fire broke out inside of a two-story apartment building off Carriage Drive.
The New Bedford Fire Department told 12 News the fire appears to have started in the attic since the flames were shooting from the roof.
Everyone escaped safely, however, two elderly residents were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
From wpri.com.
Gov. Dan McKee on Friday had a meeting and tour at the Amica Mutual Pavilion to discuss the possibility of relocating the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun team to Providence, Target 12 has learned.
McKee’s office did not immediately comment on the substance of the tour or who participated. But a copy of McKee’s personal schedule confirmed he was at the AMP for a “meeting and tour” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday. The schedule provided no further details about the meeting.
Multiple people familiar with the matter told Target 12 the governor met with an investor who’s interested in potentially purchasing and relocating the Sun to Providence. They declined to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.
The AMP – where the Providence College Friars and the Providence Bruins currently play home games – was temporary reconfigured as a basketball stadium for the tour, Target 12 has confirmed. The basketball floor and seating was being broken back down by a crew Friday afternoon following the tour.
See more at wpri.com.
Police have arrested three Massachusetts men accused of seeking out sexual contact with minors.
The arrests stemmed from an undercover investigation targeting suspects looking to engage in commercial sexual activity, according to police.
Police said the men each agreed separately to meet a minor in Somerset Wednesday for sexual purposes and were taken into custody.
Fabio Gomes, 38, and John Kelley, 78, both of Taunton, as well as Gilbert Travassos, 54, of Fall River, have been charged with paying for sexual conduct with a child under the age of 18, enticing a child under the age of 16 and attempting to commit a crime.
Find more at wpri.com.
Swansea police are investigating a recent string of car thefts and break-ins reported throughout town over the past week.
According to police, seven cars were reported stolen from homes between July 3 and July 10. The stolen vehicles include makes such as Kia, Ford, Nissan and Land Rover. So far, six of them have been recovered.
In addition to the thefts, around 25 residents reported car breaks during that same timeframe.
Police said most of the incidents occurred overnight, typically between 3:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
See more at wpri.com.
Police arrested the owner of a Somerset spa earlier this week following a months-long human trafficking investigation.
Yuehong Wang, 53, was taken into custody Tuesday as detectives executed a search warrant at Lotus Flower Body Works off Grand Army Highway.
Wang is facing several charges, including trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution, two counts of sexual conduct for a fee, aiding and permitting a nuisance and keeping a house of ill fame.
The investigation began back in March and stemmed from concerns of possible human trafficking taking place at the business, according to police.
See more at wpri.com.
A popular New Bedford shop will remain closed until next week after someone stole $113,000 worth of Pokémon cards and collectibles.
Surveillance footage from inside the 1st Edition Collectibles early Tuesday morning shows a suspect wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a mask smashing through the glass front door.
The suspect then climbs through the shattered door and runs over to the main display case. He then opens the display case and quickly shoves the collectibles into a backpack before running back out the front door. The suspect was in and out of the shop in roughly 30 seconds.
See more at wpri.com.
Nobody believed the Swansea 12U All-Star baseball team could pull off an improbable feat except themselves.
Faced with elimination four times in the District 6 Little League tournament, Swansea proved all the doubters wrong from the loser's bracket.
On Wednesday, Swansea pulled off the impossible dream.
"We were the underdogs and nobody thought we could do," said Swansea pitcher Carter Richardson said after lifting his team to a 3-0 shutout win over Seekonk in the District 6 championship game at the Swansea Little League complex. "We just went out there and beat everyone."
See more at heraldnews.com.
A 36-year-old man is accused of stealing over $7,000 from a city church in a series of break-ins over the past couple of weeks.
Joseph Costa was arrested Tuesday, July 8, and charged with breaking and entering a building in the daytime for a felony (three counts), and larceny over $1,200 (two counts) in connection to three separate burglary incidents at Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover St.
According to a press release from the Fall River Police Department, officers responded to a reported break-in around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at Holy Name. A church staff member spotted a man leaving the building as the alarm was activated, then heading on foot in the direction of President Avenue.
See more at heraldnews.com.
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A Taunton man has been arrested for a deadly shooting that happened more than a year ago.
Manny Pina, 26, is charged with the May 2024 murder of Jhonny Lajoie, according to the Bristol Count District Attorney’s Office.
He’s also charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm.
Lajoie, 33, was found shot to death inside a shed on Highland Avenue.
See more at wpri.com.
Air conditioning units have finally been installed in the Bristol County women’s jail in Dartmouth after staff there requested the improvements back in 2023.
The Bristol County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) said temperatures inside the facility can reach more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
Those high temperatures reportedly made the floors slippery from the humidity. The BCSO also noted that the heat made staff miserable, led to health complications, and “exacerbated tempers in inmates.”
See more at wpri.com.
The state legislature is considering a bill that would ban Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from wearing masks while making arrests.
ICE agents have been seen making arrests while masked in Massachusetts and in other states.
The bill, proposed by Attleboro Representative Jim Hawkins, would also require ICE agents to have their name and badge numbers displayed on their uniforms while performing their duties. The measure includes exceptions for medical masks and for SWAT teams.
Tiverton could change how it takes out its trash, and wants to hear your opinion.
The town has published an online survey titled Tiverton Trash Talk: Have Your Say! which asks residents to share their thoughts on the current pay-as-you-throw system — including whether they’d prefer to switch to a new model where the town dumps the official bags and pays for trash barrels.
"This survey is an important step in evaluating how well our current system is serving residents, and whether there is interest in exploring a more modern and user-friendly alternative," Tiverton Town Administrator Patrick Jones said in a statement. "We want to hear directly from residents about what works, what doesn't and what options they would like us to consider."
See more at heraldnews.com.
The three-peat celebration tour continued for the Joseph Case softball team.
The Division 4 state-champion Cardinals were honored on Monday, July 7 and received citations from the Swansea school committee after their outstanding season and winning their third straight state title.
Case completed an undefeated postseason run with a thrilling, 7-6, win over Tyngsboro in the finals at Worcester State University's Rockwood Softball Field.
It is the first time in school history the Cardinals (19-6) have gone back-to-back-to-back.
See more at heraldnews.com.
Superintendent Tracy Curley has, for months, warned the district of a necessary policy change in line with state mandates that will change the way the district calculates distance between a student's home and school, impacting who is eligible to receive school transportation.
At a May 27 City Council Committee on Finance meeting, Curley spoke of curtailing transportation costs despite increases in busing contracts, explaining that the objective of the school administration in re-drafting the policy is to comply with state guidelines for updated distance calculations, while continuing to transport eligible students.
The School Committee has so far voted down proposed changes. The only change in eligibility for a student, a family, or a street, Curley said, is if “we redrew lines” — meaning, if a student who is typically assigned to a neighborhood elementary school lives closer and within walking distance to another school, to save a seat on a bus, the student may be assigned that new school.
The district faces an additional cost of $750,000 to transport students who have become eligible to take the bus based on new calculations.
See more at heraldnews.com.
Loved ones are grieving the loss of a 17-year-old girl who died in a three-car crash in Fairhaven over the weekend.
The family of Marin Stackpole told 12 News she was the light of their lives.
According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Marin was pronounced dead at the scene following the crash near Route 6 and Jeannette Street. Two other people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
See more at wpri.com.
The Roger Williams Park Zoo is mourning the sudden loss of one of its beloved zebras.
Samantha, 24, passed away Thursday after colliding with a fence in her holding pen, according to the zoo.
The zoo believes Samantha panicked during the powerful thunderstorms that moved through and ran straight into the fence. A necropsy confirmed she died instantaneously.
“This was truly a tragic accident, and our zoo family is heartbroken by this sudden and unexpected loss,” the zoo wrote in a social media post Monday afternoon.
Samantha, who first arrived at the zoo back in 2003, was known for her “sweet, yet shy personality.”
The zoo’s two other zebras, Tundra and Zipper, are being closely monitored by their animal care team.
See more at wpri.com.
A tractor-trailer crashed and rolled onto a median with a car under it on I-95 Tuesday morning in Pawtucket.
The crash happened around 6:30 a.m. on the northbound side near Exit 41B (School Street).
The truck has since been uprighted and the car it landed on appears to have been towed away.
Rhode Island State Police urged drivers to avoid the area as a few lanes are still shut down.
No word on any injuries or what caused the crash.
See more at wpri.com.
Fran Roy said her reception has been warm since officially stepping into her new role as superintendent of Westport Community Schools on July 2.
"Everyone has been so welcoming," she said on her second day on the job. "That makes it an easy transition."
Despite her newness and experience mostly working in urban settings, Roy says she's not a stranger to Westport, being "born and raised" in neighboring Fall River and having done her share of research into the 2025-2026 school year.
"Even before I applied here, I was watching some of the School Committee meetings and the Town Meetings," she said, noting she'd also attended the May 6 Annual Town Meeting in person. "What I saw there [at Town Meeting] was a really tight-knit community volunteering their time and really trying to do the right thing for their town."
See more at heraldnews.com.
Fall River police are investigating after a man was shot in the shoulder while driving early Saturday morning.
Police said just after 5 a.m. they received calls for reports of a shooting. The man told officers another vehicle full of people wearing masks pulled up to him while driving on I-195 near the Plymouth Avenue exit and started shooting at him.
The man suffer not life-threatening injuries, according to police.
No word yet on if anyone is in custody.
From wpri.com.
A 9-year-old Pawtucket boy has died after suffering a medical emergency at Jones Beach in Dartmouth.
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
When first responders arrived, the boy was on the beach with bystanders giving him CPR. He was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the DA’s office said.
Witnesses said the boy was swimming and got out of the water on his own, but started to experience medical distress while on the beach.
The incident is not considered suspicious, but remains under investigation.
From wpri.com.
The Diocese of Fall River is warning people about a scam.
An email is circulating containing the name of Bishop Edgar da Cunha. It was not sent from the bishop's office.
Anyone receiving the email is advised not reply or click on any links.
Though the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the Rev. Jay Mello is over, the work for the diocese isn’t.
According to the Diocese of Fall River, victim assistance that began when the investigation began can continue indefinitely.
On July 1, the diocese announced the end of a yearlong investigation into allegations made against Mello, the former pastor of St. Michael and St. Joseph parishes in Fall River’s north end. According to the diocese, Mello is credibly accused of having “abused his position of power as a priest and engaged in sexual misconduct with two parishioners he was counseling.” Mello was restricted from priestly duties and will not return to lead those parishes.
See what comes next at heraldnews.com.
Before the barbecues and parties start, the SouthCoast is spending its Fourth of July cleaning up after a freak thunderstorm swept through the region on July 3, with winds over 60 mph uprooting trees and leaving hundreds without power.
The storm raged through Southern New England, striking Greater Fall River around 7:30 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, gales above 60 mph were recorded.
According to scanner reports, police and fire were kept busy through the evening as flooding was reported at multiple locations, trees were blown into buildings and across streets, and power lines were taken out. A building under construction on Bank Street between Durfee and North Main partially collapsed; no one was reported injured.
See more at heraldnews.com.
A teenager was rushed to the hospital after getting hit by a vehicle near the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge Friday afternoon.
New Bedford police said officers were called to the bridge for reports of a vehicle that hit a teenager.
First responders provided emergency aid to the teenager, police said, and the individual suffered that “appeared serious.”
This is the second vehicle-related incident to happen around or on the bridge this week. A man died after a crash happened Wednesday.
See more at wpri.com.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said that one man has died following a fireworks accident in Wareham.
First responders were called to Beach Street just after 9 p.m., and found a man with an apparent facial injury from a firework.
The victim, identified as 70 year-old Robert Spagnuolo, of Wareham, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
After speaking with several witnesses on scene, investigators said that Spagnuolo was setting off fireworks at the beach when one exploded in his face, causing traumatic injuries.
Wareham Police then contacted State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Bomb Squad, and the Massachusetts Fire Marshal’s Office, to investigate the incident.
See more at wpri.com.
An investigation is underway into a deadly crash that happened in Fairhaven Saturday night.
Fairhaven police said the crash happened on Huttleston Avenue and Florence Street and they can confirm a person has died.
The crash involved two vehicles, according to police.
No additional information has been released at this time. Police said the investigation is being led by Massachusetts State Police and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
From wpri.com.
Jay Mello, the former pastor of St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s parishes in Fall River, is restricted from returning to priestly duties after an investigation by the Diocese of Fall River found “credible allegations” that he engaged in sexual misconduct with two parishioners.
The diocese on July 1 announced the end of an investigation begun a little more than a year ago.
The diocese’s Ministerial Review Board, comprising mostly lay people, evaluated the investigation; Bishop Edgar da Cunha completed an independent review, and together determined that “some, though not all, of the allegations were credible, including credible allegations that Father Mello abused his position of power as a priest and engaged in sexual misconduct with two parishioners he was counseling.”
The diocese said Mello will not be returning to lead those parishes.
See more at heraldnews.com.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is nearly finished demolishing the westbound Washington Bridge, and is now focusing its efforts on tearing down the river piers.
The in-water demolition work — which includes removing the piers, installing temporary protective sheeting in the center span of the river and setting up turbidity curtains — began Tuesday morning and will happen weekdays from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December.
Debris from the demolition will be removed from the Seekonk River, placed onto barges and towed to land for offsite disposal as workers move from pier to pier, according to RIDOT Director Peter Alviti.
See more at wpri.com.
Seekonk residents and businesses are being warned about a scam.
Callers are asking for donation to the firefighters union. No fundraising is currently being conducted.
In a social media post, union local 1931 said that sadly there are those who try to take advantage of the trust and generosity in the community.
For all the animals one can see during a day at Buttonwood Park Zoo, there are a lot of animals behind the scenes for various reasons. Among those have always been BPZoo's Ambassador Program animals — those animals that the zoo brings out to schools, nursing homes and more for interactive educational programming out in the community. But in August, zoo officials and staff hope to change that, with the opening of the new Ambassador Center, offering a chance to see those animals anytime while learning things like their names, birthdays, and why they're important.
BPZoo staff say the Ambassador Center — to be located in the zoo's barnhouse building, former home to a farm exhibit — is set to stand out among the zoo's peers.
See more at heraldnews.com.
A 43-year-old woman died after a medical crisis in a homeless encampment on the night of June 29, police said.
According to Fall River police, officers responded at 9 p.m. to a camp at the west end of Middle Street after receiving reports of a person experiencing a medical emergency. Police said a witness told officers a woman was “acting erratically and threatening others with scissors,” then fled into the camp.
Police searched the camp and found the woman unconscious. Paramedics took her to nearby Saint Anne’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The cause of death is not yet known.
The wooded area at the end of Middle Street, near Kennedy Park, is a known hotspot for homeless encampments.
Read more at heraldnews.com.
Deborah Morrison feels frozen in time.
Morrison keeps replaying the moment she learned her grandson, 15-year-old Bentley Souza, died from his injuries from a dirt bike crash last week.
“It feels like it was just yesterday,” Morrison said.
Souza crashed his dirt bike right outside Atlantis Charter School Tuesday afternoon. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died the following day.
“I thought it was just a broken leg, or broken arm,” Morrison said. “I was like, ‘he’ll have to learn how to handle it a little better.'”
See more at wpri.com.
As of today there are five fewer active parishes in the Diocese of Fall River.
Churches in Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford and two in Westport have been shuttered. Declining attendance and fewer priests are cited as reasons for the closures.
Bishop Edgar da Cunha said the decision to close a parish is never made lightly.
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