The suspect in a killing last weekend in Fall River has been arrested in Florida. 

Police say 32-year-old Kendrick Williams of Fall River was taken into custody yesterday in Jacksonville.  Williams is facing multiple charges related to the deadly shooting of Taiquan Teixeira on November 22nd outside a package store on Pleasant Street. 

Williams is being held without bail in Florida as he awaits extradition to Massachusetts to face charges.

The lawsuit filed by Karen Read against the people she believes killed her Boston cop boyfriend John O'Keefe is headed to federal court. 

Read was sued in state court for wrongful death by the O'Keefe family, and she responded by counter suing those she says are the real killers.  They are Brian and Nicole Albert, Matt and Jennifer McCabe and Brian Higgins, and are labeled as the House Defendants in Read's legal filings. 

The defendants have filed to have Read's lawsuit moved to federal court, and it has been assigned to a federal judge in Boston.

Marvins Antoine wanted to go out with a bang in his final football game.

The Durfee senior running back transferred from Atlantis Charter before the start of the high school season after a successful run in the Tritons co-op football program.

In Thursday's 133rd Thanksgiving Day meeting with rivalry New Bedford at Mac Aldrich Field on the campus of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Antoine paved the way for the Hilltoppers in a Turkey Day rout.

"I felt really good today," said Antoine after Durfee came away with a 36-0 shutout victory over the Whalers. "We did not take them lightly even though their record was 0-9. We just wanted to win for the city of Fall River and get the win."

See more at heraldnews.com.

A recently released 74-page organizational study of the Fall River Public School district claims the school system’s stumbles and “silo”-style communication have resulted in clumsy departmental coordination — but says improvements to staffing, staff licensing, and legal compliance are within reach.

The comprehensive 2025 study, published this fall by the Edward J. Collins, Jr Center for Public Management, a consulting agency that specializes in state and local government under University of Massachusetts Boston, resulted from a facilities and Human Resources audit in July 2024. Auditors combed through administrative management protocols, conducted interviews with administrators, and surveyed staff while analyzing processes, procedures, goals, and strategic planning.

“Like many other towns and municipalities,” the report states, “Fall River has developed organizational habits based on conditions over time,” which now may not be optimal and efficient for the district’s daily operations.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Three members of the Fall River Fire Department were awarded the Medal of Valor at the state’s 36th annual Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Capt. Francis O’Reagan and firefighters Andrew Cordeiro and Michael Cusick received the awards at a ceremony held in Worcester, among 13 firefighters statewide to be given the honor.

Though the ceremony comes about four months after Fall River firefighters were pushed to their limits at the deadly fire at the Gabriel House fire, the three men were honored for their efforts as part of a different incident — a technical rescue in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on June 7.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A convicted felon from New Bedford was arrested Sunday in connection with an assault involving a gun, according to police.

Dominic Rezendes, 35, is facing several charges including carrying a loaded gun, breaking and entering, and kidnapping.

Police said that when officers tried to arrest Rezendes outside his Austin Street apartment, he ran into a nearby house and toward the back door. Officers caught up to him on the porch and he was taken into custody.

Investigators later learned he had discarded a loaded gun and did not have a license to carry, according to police.

See more at wpri.com.

The man accused of killing an 18-year-old Rehoboth woman faced a judge on Tuesday.

Gregory Groom, 22, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and witness intimidation in the death of Kylee Monteiro.

He was ordered held without bail and is due back in court in December.

Groom reported Monteiro missing on Aug. 7 and confirmed she was 11 weeks pregnant at the time.

See more at wpri.com.

Nearing the tail end of a turbulent year for the Fall River Fire Department that has been faced with staffing shortages, crumbling stations in need of repair, and one of the deadliest blazes in 150 years on July 13 at the Gabriel House assisted living facility, the luck seems to be shifting.

At the Nov. 12 City Council meeting, a $100,000 Charlton Trust grant administered by nonprofit United Way of Greater Fall River, 30 Bedford St., to the fire department for “miscellaneous equipment” to “enhance firefighter safety” and “improve emergency preparedness” was unanimously approved by eight councilors in attendance.

The funding is a gift from Stacey Charlton on behalf of the Charlton Trust, who — about a week after the Gabriel House tragedy, Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon received a call. “She was moved by the story of the Gabriel House, and some of the video she had seen,” Bacon said. “And she wanted to help,” he said, recalling how quickly he identified a departmental need that would have helped provide better service on the scene — what Bacon called a special “operation support vehicle.”

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Greater Fall River area football teams take to the field for the last time on Thanksgiving.

Durfee gets set to host New Bedford in the oldest high school football rivalry in South Coast New England for the 133rd meeting on Thursday morning. Diman will travel to Greater New Bedford in a rivalry that was renewed in 2006 after a 32-year hiatus. Both teams played in the early 70s.

Joseph Case will host Atlantis Charter/Westport in their third meeting, and Somerset Berkley kicks off the festivities with a pre-holiday matchup against Central High in the third meeting between the teams on Wednesday.

See the entire preview at heraldnews.com.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is alerting residents to a surge in fraudulent text messages involving supposed unpaid traffic violations.

According to the RMV, the messages claim they’re a “final notice” and threaten “enforcement actions” like loss of license if payment isn’t made.

These messages are a scam, the RMV said, and may include links that do not lead to an official state website.

“Scam artists often create urgency to manipulate members of the public into paying fees which are fraudulent and we urge everyone to be vigilant when they receive a communication stating they owe money,” Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie warned.

See more at wpri.com.

Two hikers from Massachusetts were rescued after getting lost on Mount Monadnock Sunday evening, according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division.

The hikers, a 23-year-old man and 21-year-old woman from Somerset, called 911 and requested assistance finding their way off the mountain.

Conservation officers determined using their GPS coordinates that the hikers were off-trail approximately 1,000 feet below the summit.

One officer was able to send the hikers a link to mapping software, which allowed him to guide them back to the trail.

See more from wpri.com.

A New Bedford man is being held without bail after allegedly hitting his neighbor with a baseball bat during a fight that led to the victim’s death over the weekend.

Arirto Santiago, 38, pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the death of Curtis Pina, 56.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said police were called to a rooming house on Sawyer Street for reports of a fight late Saturday night.

There, officers found Pina bleeding heavily from his forehead on the third-floor landing. Pina was taken by EMS to Saint Luke’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a few hours later.

See more at wpri.com.

With one game remaining in the 2025 season for Fall River area high school football teams, which player will shine bright the day before and on Thanksgiving Day morning?

Somerset Berkley football kicks off the holiday with a night game against Central High on Wednesday.

The Herald News takes a look at the top five Greater Fall River football players to watch during these holiday games.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A child was rescued from a fire in an apartment building in Fall River Saturday night.

The city’s fire department said crews responding to 135 Snell Street were met with “active fire conditions,” leading to them utilizing multiple ladders and search teams alongside hoses.

The child, 10, was taken to Saint Anne’s Hospital for evaluation.

According to the department, the fire was believed to be caused by an unattended candle that was “used during a religious ceremony.”

See more at wpri.com.

A man has died and another was arrested after a fight at a rooming house in New Bedford Saturday night, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney Thomas Quinn said police were called to Sawyer Street just after 11:30 p.m. for reports of a fight between neighbors.

Police found one of the men, 56-year-old Curtis Pina, on the third floor landing and bleeding heavily from his forehead, Quinn said. Pina was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Quinn said a few hours later an investigation led police to arresting 38-year-old Arirto Santiago of Sawyer Street.

See more at wpri.com.

 A homicide investigation is underway in Fall River, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

Police responded to Leonard’s Package Store on Pleasant Street around 4:30 p.m. Saturday for a report of a fight.

The DA’s office said when officers arrived, they found a man unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound.

The man, identified as 31-year-old Taiquan Teixeira of Fall River, was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

See more at wpri.com.

The Brightman Street Bridge has been closed to traffic since 2011, but the megalithic drawbridge that at one time linked Somerset to Fall River has hung around for far longer.

Plans to demolish the 114-year-old superstructure date to 2006, before even the Veterans Memorial Bridge was completed. Its rusted remains have been left behind, but some movement to remove the dilapidated bridge may be working its way downriver. 

At a Tuesday, Nov. 18, Economic Development Committee meeting in Somerset, Chairman Paul Cogley announced that he was due for a conference call with Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the state’s Department of Fish and Game “within the next couple of weeks.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

Superintendent Tracy Curley announced to parents that it’s not a question of if the school district will change the borders of its assigned schools, but when and how.

In a letter to parents issued Nov. 19 via the ParentSquare app, Curley stated that Fall River Public Schools will need to redraw the borders designating which students are assigned to the city’s kindergarten to Grade 8 schools.

It’s not clear when this would occur, but Curley’s statement said the district is planning for “school year 2027 and beyond.”

“The redistricting is necessary as we look toward decreasing class sizes, addressing the increasing need for transportation, and ensuring an equitable distribution of students across the district,” the statement reads.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A tow truck driver was killed in a crash on Route 140 South in Freetown Friday evening, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Investigators determined that the tow truck, that was in the left travel lane, was hit by a vehicle in the right travel lane.

Police said the impact propelled the tow truck off of an overpass and onto Washburn Road immediately below.

The tow truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The other driver was not injured and is cooperating with the investigation.

See more at wpri.com.

The Fall River Fire Department is hiring.

According to a release from the FRFD, the department is using a Civil Service Local Register “to support ongoing operational needs and strengthen daily emergency response staffing.”

The action comes four months after the deadly fire at Gabriel House assisted living facility of July 13. In that incident, the FRFD was strapped for manpower in fighting the blaze, which required the rescue of 53 elderly and infirm residents from the facility in extremely difficult conditions, while simultaneously controlling a fire in a building full of oxygen devices.

Ten residents were killed in the fire and about 30 people were injured, making it the deadliest fire in Massachusetts in 40 years.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Flatiron Energy, a Boulder, Colorado-based firm that delivers energy storage with a focus on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, presented the latest proposal to locate a battery storage facility, or BESS, in town to the town’s Economic Development Committee at its Nov. 18 meeting. 

On Oct. 20, Flatiron hosted a two-hour open house at the Somerset Public Library in conjunction with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., a consulting firm, where the two companies listened to feedback, answered questions, and made use of community engagement to inform town residents — some curious, some apprehensive — about a proposal to transform the 38-acre site of the former Montaup Electric coal-fired power plant at the corner of Riverside Avenue and Stevens Road. 

The project proposal, lauded as the “missing link” in a narrative of energy diversification, could become “state nexus” that could capably provide up to 168 megawatts of electricity.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Southcoast Health has opened its second Hybrid Operating Room at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, marking a major step in expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care for patients across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, according to a community announcement.

The state-of-the-art surgical suite combines high-resolution imaging technology with a fully equipped operating room, allowing physicians to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with real-time precision. These include transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which replaces a narrowed aortic valve without open-heart surgery, and MitraClip implantation, a treatment for mitral valve leakage performed through a catheter.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A sizable shortfall in last year’s Fall River Public Schools annual net school spending budget drew the ire of city councilors in May. Between January and June, the city transferred free cash to cover what was described as a $5 million deficit in the school district’s budget. 

As of the Nov. 12 City Council Committee on Finance meeting, interim Chief Financial Officer Emily Arpke said that shortfall may have been closer to $7 million. 

Arpke gave councilors a routine first quarter check-in on the Fiscal 2026 city budget, where City Councilor Cliff Ponte echoed questions asked at the Nov. 10 School Committee meeting: how did the Fiscal 2025 shortfall occur, exactly, and how can budget overages — especially those linked to indirect cost agreements — be avoided down the line? 

See more at heraldnews.com.

Boys soccer teams from around the South Coast will gather together for one last special fall event.

The Big 3 Fall Classic soccer all-star contest is scheduled to take place at B.M.C. Durfee High school on Monday, Nov. 24.

Team's include Big 3 Conference teams — Durfee, New Bedford and Brockton along with South Coast Conference squads Dighton-Rehoboth and Greater New Bedford, who will play for the Division 3 state championship on Saturday.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

James McKenzie has been Diman Regional Vocational Technical football team's most consistent player all season.

On Thursday in the Vocational Large semifinal playoff game against Greater Lawrence Techn, the Bengals star proved his worth once again.

"James was the best player on the field hands down," said Diman coach Luke Bahry after the Bengals advanced to the championship game with a 21-20 victory over the Reggies. "He was undeniable out there tonight. He has been unbelievable for three years."

With the victory, Diman (8-3) will play in its first-ever Vocational League championship game in school history. They will face the winner of either Whittier RVT or Essex Tech on Dec. 3.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Dartmouth officials said they hope they won't have to wait for the state Department of Transportation's slow-moving improvement project to improve traffic conditions at the bustling intersection of Route 6 and Faunce Corner Road, noted for its problematic traffic jams that often extend through the traffic light.

At its Monday, Nov. 17, meeting, the Select Board met with Police Chief Brian Levesque to discuss common problems at the intersection, and to set things in motion for a meeting with MassDOT in hopes the department is willing to implement some short-term solutions while a larger project continues moving slowly down the pipeline.

"The issue we have there is really a design issue," Levesque said. "We're trying to get too many cars in an area that just can't handle it."

See more at heraldnews.com.

The man who was killed in a trench collapse at a worksite in Yarmouth has been identified as a 61-year-old man from Fall River.

The town of Yarmouth said Wednesday that Miguel Reis died after a trench collapsed at a sewer construction site on South Shore Drive.

First responders were called to the scene just before 9 a.m. Tuesday after receiving reports that multiple people were trapped following the collapse.

According to Yarmouth’s fire chief, one worker was able to get out on their own. Another man was buried up to his waist, while Reis was “completely entrapped.”

See more at wpri.com.

A bill that would stiffen penalties for rowdy “street takeovers,” including forfeiture of the motor vehicles involved, has been filed by state Rep. Chris Markey, D-Dartmouth.

“An act relative to protecting the public from street takeovers” is currently before the Joint Judiciary Committee and is headed for a public hearing, Markey said. The bill is co-sponsored by state Rep. Steven Xiarhos, R-Barnstable.

“We’re seeing the potential dangers of it,” he said. “Totally innocent people can be injured. The way these guys operate they could be injured, too,” Markey said. Property damage is also highly likely.

Markey noted these takeovers resulted in arrests, injuries, and damaged property in Fall River, Middleboro, Randolph, Brockton and Boston.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River’s Christmas spirit is showcased in a new documentary on Amazon Prime Video that explores what makes this the most wonderful time of the year.

In “The Making of Christmas,” local filmmaker Jim Hanon unwraps the true meaning of Christmas that goes beyond the cards and shopping sprees and Hallmark movies and pile of presents under the tree.

It’s a story of community, Hanon notes, one that often gets lost in the holiday hustle and bustle.

The film, which makes its “red carpet” debut with local screenings starting this weekend, is described as “a poignant exploration of the vast history and meaning of Christmas” and a “journey to rediscover the humanity of God with us, beyond the God-shaped things or ideas that are often sold to us.”

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Mayor Paul Coogan's Office and the City of Fall River Traffic Department have announced an amnesty program for late fees on outstanding parking violations.

Beginning Dec. 1 and through Dec. 30, city-imposed late fees on outstanding parking violations issued between Jan. 1, 2025 to Nov. 30, 2025 will be forgiven.

The original violation amount and registry fee will still apply on unpaid tickets that were issued more than 60 days ago and have been flagged at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Online payments will not be accepted for these violations.

All payments paid through the amnesty program must be submitted in person as cash/money order/cashier check or debit/credit card at the Traffic Department, One Government Center, Room 234, in order for city-imposed late fees to be waived.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Karen Read, who was found not guilty of charges in the death of her boyfriend, has filed a lawsuit accusing members of the Massachusetts State Police and several others of targeting her and shielding the real killers.

Read walked out of court earlier this year after more than three years and two trials over the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, who was found on the lawn of a fellow officer’s home after a night of heavy drinking.

“For three and a half years, plaintiff Karen Read was wrongly accused of homicide and subjected to suspicion, arrest, two prosecutions and public condemnation all resulting from the gross misconduct of the Massachusetts State Police — and those working in tandem with the MSP — to shield from liability the party or parties responsible for the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe III,” the lawsuit says.

See more at wpri.com.

A Wareham Department of Natural Resources officer was “shell shocked” to find that his car windshield had been shattered by a quahog Monday.

In a social media post Tuesday morning, the department explained that the shellfish officer had just finished his work shift when he discovered the damage.

“An investigation was conducted and it has been determined to be a targeted incident because of the nature of his job,” the department explained.

The department believes the suspected culprit is a seagull who dropped the quahog onto the officer’s vehicle.

See more at wpri.com.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is urging Harvard to cut ties with its former president Larry Summers after the release of his emails with Jeffrey Epstein. 

Emails released by a House committee last week showed years of conversations between Epstein and Summers, including messages about Summers' pursuance of a woman he referred to as his mentee. 

Warren, a former Harvard law professor, said Summers cannot be trusted with students due to his ties with Epstein. 

The former Treasury Secretary announced on Monday that he is stepping back from public commitments, but will continue to fulfill his teaching obligations at the university.  

When Rebecca Bosworth’s husband Jordan told her the city was going to take their blue spruce tree for Christmas, “I did not believe him.”

“It’s a good tree, but what are the odds that this is happening?” she said. “I said, it would be a great Christmas tree if this was real. He’s like, ‘It is real.’”

There was no more denying it when at 8 a.m. on a frigid Monday morning their block on Smith Street in the Niagara neighborhood was awoken by the rumble of idling diesel engines and the buzz of a chain saw.

They didn’t submit their blue spruce to serve as the city’s Christmas tree, which will stand outside Government Center all holiday season. Instead, the tree is so pretty and perfectly triangular that it was scouted. The city cold-called the Bosworths offering to cut it and take it away, leading them to wonder if it was a joke or a scam.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Westport head coach Chris Parker wasn't sure how his 2025 Wildcat squad would fare this fall after graduating 10 seniors and seven starters from last year's team.

Instead, the longtime Westport mentor was pleasantly surprised with results.

The No. 6 Westport team captured another Mayflower Athletic Conference Comprehensive title, finished with an undefeated regular season and landed its third Final Four appearance in five seasons. But on Monday, the Wildcats' season came to a disappointing end against No. 2 Bromfield.

"I really did not know what to expect in terms of the ceiling," said Parker after Westport (19-1-2) was eliminated from the state tournament after falling to the Trojans, 3-0, in the Division 4 state semifinal game at Victory Field. "We always shoot for the moon every year when we set up our short- and long-term goals to win a state championship.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux has settled a $10 million lawsuit lodged against his predecessor that stemmed from a violent altercation inside the former C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center back in May 2020.

The lawsuit, filed more than three years ago on behalf of 16 formerly detained immigrants, accused then Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and correctional officers of using excessive force against them after they refused to get tested for COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic.

Under Hodgson, the sheriff’s office had contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to house detainees and carry out certain aspects of immigration enforcement.

The 31-year-old man accused of stabbing former Fall River Mayor Will Flannigan last month is now being held without bail at the Bristol County House of Correction in Dartmouth. 

Coree Gonzales had initially been sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental health evaluation.  He faces attempted murder and other charges. 

Gonzales next court date is December fourth for a status review hearing. 

 Julie Pacheco and Meghan Costa quietly carried a personal vendetta into Saturday's Division 2 state championship field hockey game against No. 1 Hingham.

The Somerset Berkley duo sadly skated off the ice in the winter as members of the Bishop Stang co-cop girls hockey team after falling to the Harbormen in the Division 1 state championship game at TD Garden.

Now 244 days later, it was Pacheco and Costa day to raise the trophy.

"It feels really good to get revenge," said Pacheco, who scored a goal in the Raiders' 3-0 shutout win against Hingham before a large gathering at Burlington High School. "It felt nice to put one in the net too. Today was extremely satisfying."

See more at heraldnews.com.

After a day of recounting ballots in the mayoral election, Mayor Paul Coogan retained his seat securing 5848 votes to challenger Gabriel "Boomer" Amaral's 5629 votes.

The rare recount of a mayoral election began shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, with challenger Amaral seeking to verify the results of the 2025 race against incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan. It ended at 3 p.m.

The recount took place in the atrium of Government Center, with the public invited to watch.

Tables were set up representing all nine city wards, where volunteers are set up to count ballots by hand in batches of 50.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Three families were forced from their home Saturday evening after a fire broke out at a multi-story home in Fall River.

District Chief David Jennings said crews responding to Mott Street were met with flames coming from the back of the building.

The fire originated in a kitchen, Jennings said, and most of the damage was contained to the second floor.

Nobody suffered any injuries.

See more at wpri.com.

A Taunton man has died after a crash Sunday morning on Route 24 in West Bridgewater.

Massachusetts State Police said the crash happened just before 7 a.m. and involved a car and tractor-trailer.

Investigators believe the car, driven by 33-year-old Carlos Monteiro, rear ended the trailer.

The right and middle lanes of the highway were closed for nearly two hours as authorities investigated, state police said.

See more at wpri.com.

Drivers should expect delays on I-195 as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation inspects the Braga Bridge eastbound and westbound in Fall River and Somerset from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, according to a community announcement.

Lane and shoulder closures will occur as needed, but at least one lane of travel will remain open at all times. Police will assist with traffic control and safety setups. Wide loads will not be permitted to cross the bridge during lane restrictions.

Signs and messaging will guide drivers through the work zone. All work is weather dependent and subject to change.

Motorists should reduce speed, use caution, and allow extra time when traveling through the area.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Drivers in Swansea should expect delays as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation performs road repairs on Route 6 at Gardners Neck Road from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17 through Nov. 21, according to a community announcement.

Work is scheduled daily between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., with detours in place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One closure will be active at a time. All work is weather dependent and subject to change.

See more at heraldnews.com .

Maura Kennedy said the camaraderie between her and her teammates is unmatched.

It goes all the way back to when the Somerset Berkley junior captain first started playing field hockey as a youth.

"I'm so lucky to have this team," said an emotional Kennedy after No. 3 SBR advanced to the Division 2 championship game for the second straight year with a 3-1 win against unbeaten Nashoba in the Final Four. "I've been playing with half of these girls my entire life. This means so much. We know each other's skills. It's great for our game play."

With the win, the Raiders (21-1) will look to defend their crown in the championship game against No. 1 Hingham in a rematch of last season's state semifinal game at Burlington High School Saturday, beginning at 2:30 p.m. SBR won the 2024 contest, 4-2.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A common dolphin died after it became stranded Thursday morning on Gooseberry Island in Westport.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) responded and told 12 News that the dolphin was a large male.

Senior Director of Communications Stacey Hedman said the island is not a “typical location” for strandings.

“In addition, this solo dolphin was displaying dull behavior and signs of stress,” she explained.

IFAW uses a specially made vehicle when rescuing dolphins.

After conducting a “full assessment” and analyzing the animal’s blood work, IFAW’s veterinary team made the decision to euthanize the dolphin.

See more at wpri.com.

An investigation is underway into a deadly wrong-way crash that happened in Somerset Thursday night, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III.

Massachusetts State Police troopers were called to I-195 East shortly before 8 p.m. after receiving numerous 911 calls about a wrong-way driver who eventually caused a three-car crash.

The wrong-way driver, identified as Gail Lopes, 69, of Tiverton, was rushed to the hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Quinn said the drivers of the other two vehicles, who were traveling in the correct direction, were brought to the hospital to be treated for injuries that aren’t life-threatening.

See more at wpri.com.

For Madilyn Botelho, it never gets old playing for a state title.

The Cardinal senior was recently a part of Case's third straight state championship in softball last spring. Now Botelho is going to be playing in her second volleyball title game in four seasons.

"From the start of the season, we knew we had something special," said Botelho, who finished with a game-high 16 kills and 14 digs in the No. 3 Cardinals 3-1 state semifinal victory over the defending Division 3 state champion Medfield. "We knew that if we wanted to get it done, we're going to fight as hard as we could."

With the win, Case (22-2) advances to their second state championship in four years with the last coming in 2022. The Cardinals will face No. 1 Bellingham at a time and date to be determined.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Could DNA testing on materials from a 1988 murder scene in Dartmouth not only clear the man sentenced for that murder, but lead to clues as to who may have committed the infamously unsolved New Bedford Highway Killings that made headlines that same year?

That's one of the arguments being championed by New England Innocence Project as they face the Commonwealth in court.

Shawn Tanner served over three decades for murder, and died in 2022. The New England Innocence Project argues that DNA testing, particularly on the victim's fingernails, could reveal information about a new suspect. But attorneys for the state have been trying to overturn a Superior Court decision that allowed the already-ordered DNA testing to proceed.

See more at heraldnews.com.

It's on to the Final Four for the unbeaten Westport boys soccer team.

The No. 6 Wildcats secured the program's third Final Four appearance in the last five years on Wednesday and first since moving to Division 4 after coming from behind to beat No. 19 Gardner, 2-1, in the Elite 8 contest at Westport Middle/High School.

With the win, Westport (19-0-2) moves on the face No. 2 Bromfield Academy at a time and date to be determined. It's the first trip to the Final Four since 2023 when it won a Division 5 state title.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Cape Air is discontinuing its route that connects Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and New Bedford Regional Airport (EWB) less than two months after the service became available.

The airline announced Wednesday that the service was discontinued on Nov. 7 following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to require a 10% reduction in air traffic at busy airports, including Logan Airport.

“While this decision was not made lightly, Cape Air remains deeply committed to serving Greater New Bedford,” the company said. “Despite strong marketing efforts and public engagement, current demand levels do not support continued operation of the EWB–BOS route under present conditions.”

See more at wpri.com.

A horse has died after a fire broke out inside a barn in Attleboro Wednesday afternoon.

Attleboro District Fire Chief Michael Maitland said firefighters were called to Cumberland Street and were met with heavy flames coming from the barn’s roof.

Though one horse died, Maitland said several others were rescued by firefighters and the owners of the barn.

The barn has been deemed a total loss, according to Maitland.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The man accused of nearly killing former mayor Will Flanagan in an apparently unprovoked stabbing last month continues to be held without bail after an initial 20-day mental health evaluation.

Corree K. Gonzales, 31, was held without bail and sent to Bridgewater State Hospital on Sept. 22 to assess his competency to stand trial. At a hearing in Fall River District Court on Monday, Nov. 10, Gonzales was ordered committed without bail to the Bristol County House of Correction.

He is due back in court on Dec. 4 for a status review hearing.

Prosecutors allege that on the afternoon of Oct. 20, Gonzales ran up to Flanagan who was walking on Hartwell Street and, with no evident provocation, stabbed him five times in the face and neck.

See more at heraldnews.com.

South Coast Renewables is requesting a judicial review of the New Bedford Board of Health’s decision to reject a proposal that would’ve allowed for the construction of a solid waste transfer facility in the city.

The board voted down South Coast Renewables’ plan to build the $30 million facility, which would’ve processed up to 1,500 tons of waste daily within the city’s industrial park, back in September after substantial public outcry.

The proposed site for the facility is within a so-called “environmental justice population,” according to the board’s decision. These populations are defined by state law as neighborhoods consisting primarily of minority or low-income residents who are disproportionately impacted by environmental burdens, such as pollution, litter, vermin, noise, odors and traffic congestion.

See more at wpri.com.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report on last month’s deadly plane crash on I-195 in Dartmouth.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the single-engine Socata TBM 700 crashed into the woods by the highway in the area of Exit 19, and the fuselage ended up in the median.

The two people on board, Thomas Perkins, 68, and Agatha Perkins, 66, of Middletown, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The three-page report says Thomas filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan from New Bedford Regional Airport to Kenosha Regional Airport in Wisconsin.

An IFR flight plan is used when a pilot intends to navigate a route using only instruments, typically due to poor weather.

Shortly after departure, the pilot said he would be returning to the airport, according to the report.

See more at wpri.com.

A New Bedford woman working as the Bristol County House of Correction’s library director has been indicted as part of what Sheriff Paul Heroux called “the largest alleged employee drug bust in Bristol County jail history.”

The county Sheriff's Office and District Attorney’s Office said they collaborated on an investigation into an alleged scheme to smuggle paperwork infused with synthetic marijuana into the jail — a scheme Heroux said was worth $65,000 in contraband.

Five people were indicted by a grand jury, including the former coordinator of library services, a 46-year-old New Bedford woman.

Also indicted were a 25-year-old inmate from Rehoboth who sold the drugs and former inmates and associates on the outside: a 31-year-old man from New Bedford, a 33-year-old man from Somerset, and a 23-year-old man from Rhode Island.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The city has long faced the question of how best to approach the crisis of unhoused residents living outdoors, in encampments, or in their personal vehicles. And an alternative to finding beds to shelter the city’s homeless during the coldest months is quickly coming into view on Rock Street.

The building at 210 and 212 Rock St. that houses Walsh Pharmacy — a fixture close to the city's center where a handful of lawyers’ offices, residential homes, and municipal buildings have taken root — has come under city ownership and Community Development Agency oversight since July. The nonprofit affordable housing organization Community Housing Resource Board would oversee it. 

The two-story property will bring 24 single-room occupancy units for citizens in transition from homelessness. It is due for renovations over the course of the next year; meanwhile, the pharmacy on the first floor has plans to vacate the building during that timeframe.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Tural Pediatrics on Walnut Street will pay $175,000 to the state Attorney General’s Office in a settlement to resolve allegations that the pediatric group was submitting false MassHealth claims.

According to the AG’s Office, the company and its owner, Dr. Ali Tural, will also undergo three years of independent compliance monitoring at his expense.

MassHealth is the state’s Medicaid program.

According to the AG’s Office, MassHealth pays for services by physician assistants and certified nurse practitioners if those services are provided under a doctor’s supervision, and only covers 85% of the fee paid for a doctor’s services.

See more at wpri.com.

Drivers traveling along the Route 6 corridor in Swansea should be prepared to slow down, proceed with caution, and expect delays. Three major intersections — at Route 136, Maple Avenue, and Route 118 — will soon see utility trucks, construction, and telltale orange traffic cones. 

The state’s Department of Transportation Highway Division issued a memo that was later posted to Facebook on Nov. 3, spreading awareness about intersection updates to improve pedestrian safety, increase environmental drainage, and add turning lanes for vehicular traffic. Traffic signal systems and equipment will be installed. 

According to MassDOT project records, combined construction bid costs add up to $14,300,500; the project is funded by federal Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) grants to improve roadway conditions at all three intersections. While planning and an assessed need for the project points to data from January 2017, upcoming construction in a region deemed District 5 by the state and overseen by engineer Erik Trowbridge, was given a notice to proceed on June 17, 2025.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

BankFive has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts for the third consecutive year.

The recognition comes from The Women’s Edge, a nonprofit organization that supports women leaders, according to a community announcement.

The Top 100 Women-Led Businesses list is based on factors such as company revenue, workplace diversity, innovation and customer benefits.

“It’s an incredible honor to once again be recognized among so many exceptional women-led organizations,” Anne Tangen, president and CEO of BankFive, said in the announcement. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire team, whose commitment to our customers and communities continues to drive BankFive’s success and positive impact. At BankFive, our mission has always been to empower our employees, support our customers, and strengthen the communities we serve, and this honor reinforces the importance of that work.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Somerset Berkley field hockey team had some holes to fill on defense before the start of the 2025 campaign.

However, through two playoff games in the state tournament, the No. 3 Raiders are back on track for a title defense.

"We lost a couple of kids last year but we have younger players who are still good," said senior captain Addie Finlaw, who netted 4 goals and had an assist in Wednesday's 9-0 win against No. 14 Doherty Memorial in the Division 2 Sweet 16 contest at Somerset Berkley Regional High School. "They're working hard and getting better every day."

With the win, the Raiders (19-1) advance to their third straight Elite appearance. SBR will host No. 6 Longmeadow on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The No. 3 Joseph Case girls volleyball team did not know what to expect in Wednesday's playoff contest against No. 14 East Longmeadow.

The Spartans came into the contest with the program's best record in school history of 19-3.

What transpired in the next hour was all smiles and celebration for the Cardinals.

"We never take any game for granted," said senior Madilyn Botelho, who finished with 11 kill shots and six digs in a 3-0 win against East Longmeadow in the Division 3 Sweet 16 match at Joseph Case High School. "Anything can happen in this sport. It's important to know that any game could be your last."

With the victory, Case (20-2) advance to its fourth straight Elite 8 contest. The Cardinals will take on No. 11 Newburyport Saturday, beginning at 11:30 a.m.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Fall River Prince Henry Society is kicking off their annual food drive to help bring some holiday joy to local needy families as more people are struggling to put food on the table.

“Across the nation, federal cuts and the shutdown are impacting programs like food stamps that help many feed their families. In the SouthCoast, the need has always been there, but this year it is growing as federal assistance and local donations go down. You can help fill this need,” said Prince Henry Society officials in a press release.

The Society has partnered up with four Fall River businesses that will be accepting non-perishable food donations through Tuesday, Nov. 18.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A family was forced from their home in Portsmouth after a fire broke out Friday evening.

Dispatchers received a 911 call around 4 p.m. from a neighbor who was walking by and saw flames, according to Assistant Fire Chief Howie Tighe.

Three residents and two dogs were inside at the time and didn’t realize the house was on fire. Tigue said the neighbor knocked on the door to alert them, and everyone made it out safely.

Firefighters from Portsmouth and Middletown responded to the two-story home on Bramans Lane and brought the flames under control within about 20 minutes.

See more at wpri.com.

Mayoral candidate Gabriel “Boomer” Amaral began the process of a recount on Wednesday, Oct. 5, after his narrow loss to incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan.

Amaral, a military veteran looking for his first shot of political experience, came within 225 votes of becoming mayor after waging a spirited fight against Coogan, slamming the incumbent on issues like crime, business development and government transparency.

Coogan earned 5,841 votes to Amaral’s 5,616.

“There’s things you want to check,” Amaral said outside the Elections Office in Government Center on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 5.

“Not that I don’t trust the elections office,” Amaral said. “But I ran on the simple fact that I don’t trust the administration. I don’t trust the people they surround themselves with. So I’m going to question it and I’m going to verify it.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

The lights high above Cardinal Stadium shined down through the darkness on the Joseph Case football team as they prepare for their first playoff game since 2019.

The Cardinals (3-5) are the lone Greater Fall River high school football team that punched their ticket to the postseason this fall.

Now Case gets ready to compete in a David versus Goliath matchup on Friday against No. 1 Norwell, beginning at 7 p.m.

"Proud of our boys and how far they’ve come," Case first-year head coach Alex Monteiro said. "Their hard work and growth all season earned them this shot."

See more at heraldnews.com.

First responders responded to a crash between a motorcycle and an SUV in Seekonk Thursday afternoon.

The crash happened on Fall River Avenue at the intersection by the McDonald’s.

Seekonk’s fire chief told 12 News the “young male operator” of the motorcycle was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries.

The occupants of the SUV were not hurt, according to the chief.

See more at wpri.com.

The Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Office is partnering with Hallow, a Catholic prayer app, to help students, teachers and families deepen their faith and build daily prayer routines.

The partnership provides all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River with full access to Hallow’s library of more than 10,000 sessions, including daily prayers, rosaries, meditations, readings from the Daily Mass and Catholic Bible, community features and audiobooks. The app also offers resources designed specifically for children, middle schoolers, young adults and their families, according to the announcement.

As of May, Hallow has been downloaded more than 25 million times. The app saw significant growth during the past two Lenten seasons, with 1.19 million new users joining in 2025 and over 1.4 million in 2024, according to the announcement. Hallow also reports that users have prayed more than 1 billion prayers using the app.

See more at heraldnews.com.

On Wednesday morning, hours after notching a victory for a fourth consecutive term, Mayor Paul Coogan was back in his office surrounded by paperwork.

With a massive binder holding plans for the city parking garages, copies of department budgets, and plans for a new sensory park in front of him, Coogan also said this will be his last term occupying the sixth-floor corner office at Government Center. He will not run for a fifth term in 2027.

Coogan on Tuesday narrowly defeated a challenge from Gabriel “Boomer” Amaral, who has waged two unsuccessful City Council campaigns and has no previous political experience but came within 225 votes of winning. It was an exceptionally narrow victory for Coogan, who said he is nevertheless moving on and back to work.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Former Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan says he’s lucky to be alive after a brutal stabbing attack last month, but also argues his experience should serve as a wake-up call about gaps in the country’s mental health and criminal justice systems.

“My attacker should not have been on the streets on Oct. 20,” Flanagan told Target 12 in his first sit-down television interview since the attack. “There has to be a shift in policy.”

Police said Corree K. Gonzales, 31, of Fall River, stabbed Flanagan multiple times in broad daylight outside Flanagan’s cannabis dispensary on Hartwell Street. Flanagan spent six days on life support and is now recovering at home, with doctors saying one of the stab wounds came dangerously close to a major artery in his neck.

See more at wpri.com.

Five men are facing charges for their alleged involvement in a so-called “street takeover” in Fall River.

Police said for about three hours Sunday afternoon, packs of 50 to 100 people on dirt bikes, ATVs, scooters and motorcycles gathered on city streets.

According to police, these were not bikers enjoying a peaceful ride in the city. Instead, they were “disregarding traffic laws while performing reckless stunts, putting not only their lives at risk, but the lives of innocent, law-abiding drivers and pedestrians at risk.”

Officers were able to confiscate four motorcycles, one ATV and a scooter.

See more at wpri.com.

For senior Owen Borges and the No. 16 Joseph Case boys soccer team, it has been a roller coaster ride for four years.

Back in 2022, the Cardinals played a JV schedule due to not fielding a varsity team. The following season, Case went winless in 16 games. After a six-win season in 2023, the Cardinals punched their ticket to the postseason and played a tournament game in 2024.

This fall, Case exceeded everyone's expectation by winning the Cabral Cup for the first time in six seasons and captured the South Coast Conference Gold Division title.

On Tuesday, the Cardinals hosted their first playoff game against No. 17 Scituate and gave their fans a double-overtime game to remember.

See more at heraldnews.com.

According to unofficial results, Paul Coogan has been re-elected to a fourth term as mayor of Fall River.

The race was exceptionally tight, with Coogan garnering 5,891 votes to 5,616 for challenger Gabriel “Boomer” Amaral.

In terms of percentage, Coogan garnered just over 50.6% of the vote, with Amaral receiving 48.7%. There were 68 write-in votes.

Amaral previously ran unsuccessful campaigns for City Council in 2021 and 2023.

With only three of the six incumbent School Committee members running for re-election, voters were guaranteed at least three new faces on the board, and they’ll get three.

Ana Cristina Riley, Shanell Joy Stewart and Emanuel Moniz will join incumbents Kevin Aguiar, Tom Khoury and Collin Dias on the school board.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Despite notching a fourth straight victory at the polls, a review of Mayor Paul Coogan’s election wins reveal a marked decline in voter support from when he was first elected.

In fact, his voter support has been cut almost in half since his first win.

On Tuesday, Coogan earned a narrow victory against challenger Gabriel “Boomer” Amaral, winning 5,841 to 5,616 — a margin of just 225 votes, according to unofficial results from the city Elections Department.

Amaral has indicated he will ask for a recount of votes. Recount requests must be submitted by Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.

Read more from Dan Medeiros at heraldnews.com.

It’s time for voters to make their picks for local government.

Fall River’s biennial city election is Tuesday, Nov. 4, with the mayor’s job on the sixth floor of Government Center up for grabs along with seats on the City Council and School Committee.

If you’re only catching up with election season now, you’re not the only one. A shockingly low 10.5% of voters turned out for the preliminary election in September. But there’s still time to get caught up.

See everything you need to know about the candidates and what they stand for, where and when to cast ballots, by clicking here.

Joseph Case High School teamed up with Special Olympics Massachusetts to hold its first polar plunge and pep rally on Oct. 31.

See the video at heraldnews.com.

For the last few years, the Little Theatre of Fall River has struggled to outperform a leaky roof, and the City Council has decided to pitch in and help it secure $130,000 in funding for repairs.

The nonprofit organization running entirely on volunteer labor “has gone above and beyond,” said Michael Farias, to scrap together close to $10,000 to patch the roof and prevent moisture and flooding from damaging backstage areas. 

The old Quequechan No. 1 “Firebarn” — one of Fall River's earliest fire stations — has been Little Theatre's home at 340 Prospect St. since the 1970s, and the faulty 150-year-old roof could put a damper on upcoming performances and jeopardize technical equipment.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

People Incorporated has named six employees as its 2025 Employees of the Year.

The recognition highlights staff members from each of the agency's divisions, from an agency of over 850 employees, according to a community announcement.

As a comprehensive human services organization, People Incorporated has several divisions, each with a unique focus on serving children, families, and individuals of all abilities in southeastern Massachusetts. The Employees of the Year exemplify premier services, dedication to supporting people in their respective programs, and commitment to People Incorporated’s mission and core values.

Red more at heraldnews.com.

State gas prices slightly declined for the second consecutive week and reached an average of $2.90 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, down from last week's price of $2.91 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The average fuel price in state declined about 11 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the state in the last year have been as low as $2.88 on April 14, 2025, and as high as $3.11 on Sep. 8, 2025.

A year ago, the average gas price in Massachusetts was 4% higher at $3.03 per gallon.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

On the morning before he was stabbed and nearly killed, Will Flanagan was dancing in the rain, singing an ‘80s pop hit live for his 19,000 followers on Facebook.

For Flanagan, this was a typical morning at work.

The former Fall River mayor has cut a colorful figure online since leaving office in 2014 — even in a city where colorful politicians are plenty. He’s dabbled in acting in local film productions, rubbed shoulders with celebrities and influencers, and become CEO of Cosmopolitan cannabis dispensary, where he carved out a style for himself far from what the traditionally stuffy executive title suggests.

“I’m healing,” he said in a phone interview. “I’m in a lot of pain. Today I have a lot of nauseousness, but I didn’t throw up, thank God.”

He has God to thank for many things these days, and is eager to do so.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The District Attorney’s Office said that two teenagers were killed following a crash in New Bedford early Saturday morning.

Massachusetts State Police said around 2 a.m., they were called to “a single-car crash with life-threatening injuries along Route 140 South at mile marker 2.1.”

According to a release from the District Attorney’s Office, when first responders arrived on scene, two people were found thrown from the vehicles.

A 17-year-old boy from West Yarmouth was pronounced dead at the scene.

See more at wpri.com.

Three men face charges in connection with an attempt to toss a package laced with synthetic marijuana over the Ash Street Jail wall, according to the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

One of the men is a current inmate at the jail.

The charges were filed Friday, Oct. 24, at New Bedford District Court following an investigation by the BCSO’s Special Investigations Unit, according to a press release.

See more at heraldnews.com.

 A Senior Night celebration for the Atlantis Charter/Westport co-op football on Thursday resulted in a debacle.

The Tritons forfeited their Mayflower Athletic Conference league game against Upper Cape because of a violation of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association handbook. 

According to MIAA director Jim Clark. Atlantis Charter (4-5) scheduled 9 games — the Rams being the ninth game Thursday. The limit before the football playoffs is 8 games.

Upper Cape was awarded a 14-0 victory.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

For around 50 years, Chartley Country Store has served the Bristol County area, with hundreds of customers coming in each day.

About $40,000 of their monthly sales come from customers who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The devoted, tight-knit staff of 12 continues to cut meat and provide food for patrons, regardless of the looming uncertainty that November holds, with SNAP funding not expected to go out to states at the start of the month.

“We’re going to take care of our employees. We’re not going to lay people off. We’re going to get through it, and we’re going to help every customer that takes care of us,” Chartley’s owner Bob Ryan said.

See more at wpri.com.

Three people, including two Massachusetts State Police troopers, were taken to the hospital Friday after a crash on the Braga Bridge.

According to state police, the cruiser was “engaged in an emergency response” and heading eastbound in the left lane around 5:15 p.m. A vehicle in front of the cruiser went to move into the middle lane to allow the troopers to pass, but struck another vehicle and spun out, causing it to hit the cruiser too.

Police said the cruiser was being driven by a senior trooper who was training a new trooper in the passenger seat.

Both of them, along with one of the other drivers, suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening, according to police.

See mroe at wpri.com.