A snowblower machine caught fire yesterday while helping to clear I-195 in Fall River. 

State Police briefly shutdown the highway to allow firefighters to safely extinguish the flames. 

No injuries were reported. 

Mayor Paul Coogan said Fall River was hit with “a real big sucker punch” with Monday’s blizzard, which covered the region in about three feet of snow.

Standing alongside members of the National Guard, staff from the Department of Transportation and Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll in the city’s Emergency Operations Center, Coogan said their help has been invaluable in getting city streets cleared.

“They picked us up off the mat and they gave us the support we needed,” Coogan said.

The devastating snowstorm on Monday left Fall River’s 1,000-plus streets unpassable, leaving tens of thousands of residents stuck in their homes behind waist-deep snow. After focusing on main arteries on Tuesday, side streets were next in line.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Over 1,000 named streets. Over 270 miles of pavement. All of it covered in 30-plus inches of snow.

Matt Medeiros, a digital media developer and marketing consultant, is one of the tens of thousands of people in Fall River whose street remains unplowed three days after a catastrophic blizzard.

Rather than get irritable online, Medeiros did something positive about it. He built frplowed.cc, a website that uses crowdsourced data to show residents — and city officials — which streets need attention.

Since it’s been live, the site has gone viral, getting notice from the Fall River Police Department and even the city government. As of 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the page has received more than 11,000 votes and more than 55,000 site visits.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Cleanup after this week’s historic blizzard is far from over, but all hands are on deck to clean the streets in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Heavy machinery is now starting to make its way into Fall River neighborhoods, clearing main roads but leaving behind towering snowbanks that make travel difficult. Residents have been shoveling paths just to move around on foot.

“Over 30 years, I’ve never seen it like this,” Ana Cunha of Danforth Street said.

On Cottage Street, which resembled a ski slope more than a neighborhood, Tony Moniz said his biggest concern is simply getting out.

See more at wpri.com.

A third person who was shot after the father of a North Providence player opened fire on his family during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket last week has died.

Police announced Wednesday night that 75-year-old Gerald Dorgan, who spent more than a week in critical condition at the hospital after he was shot at Dennis M Lynch Arena, has succumbed to his injuries.

Rhonda Dorgan and her son Aidan Dorgan were both killed in the stands on Feb. 16.

“We are heartbroken to learn that another life has been lost as a result of last Monday’s senseless shooting at Lynch Arena,” Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic act of violence.”

See more at wpri.com.

Two people were taken to the hospital after a house explosion in Taunton on Wednesday.

Crews responded to the scene on Plain Street around 10 a.m. and found the three-family home fully engulfed in flames.

A 25-year-old woman was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital with severe burns and her 2-year-old daughter was transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital with serious injuries, officials said.

While the cause remains under investigation, the fire department said the explosion was from a gas line. Eversource is on scene and has turned off the utilities to the affected homes.

See more at wpri.com.

Day 3 of the Blizzard of ’26 cleanup continues, as the Fall River area remains at only the beginning of a very slow recovery process after a severe natural disaster.

The storm dumped as much as 33 inches of snow in the Fall River area, according to the National Weather Service, surpassing the total snowfall in the Blizzard of ’78. The city has faced major challenges in opening up streets – plows were overwhelmed during the height of the storm, and has prioritized main arteries above smaller streets, which may frustrate residents.

Mayor Paul Coogan, speaking at a press conference with Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on Tuesday, said the goal has been to keep roads open near hospitals, the police station, fire stations, DCM headquarters, and other locations where quick access is needed.

The city kept open warming shelters and kept closed city offices.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A winter storm of potentially historic proportions that could rival the fabled Blizzard of 1978 headed into the SouthCoast on Sunday night into Monday morning, slamming Fall River with heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions.

Strong east-to-northeast winds was predicted to trigger coastal flooding, especially along parts of Massachusetts.

The National Weather Service predicted "extreme" impacts from the storm, with one NWS map showing the potential for 18, 24 or even 30 inches of snow or more in the area.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan on Sunday declared a state of emergency for the city, followed by a similar announcement from Gov. Maura Healey at the state level. With the city still reeling from heavy snowfall earlier this winter, Coogan issued a driving ban for all non-essential workers from midnight Sunday to noon on Monday.

Find updates at heraldnews.com.

A blizzard is bearing down on the SouthCoast, with the potential for over 2 feet of snow in Greater Fall River.

A winter storm watch is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday morning with a warning, for a storm predicted to drop up about a foot or more of snow across much of the state.

"Blizzard conditions possible," a watch including southeastern Massachusetts said. "Total snow accumulations between 10 and 17 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph." Snowfall forecasts show Fall River could receive as much as 26 inches.

Click here for the latest bans, closing and cancellations at heraldnews.com.

A roundtable discussion of the City Council Committee on Public Works and Transportation on Feb. 19 brought municipal department heads together with public safety chiefs and the school district’s operations director together to better prepare for upcoming snow that could rival the 14 inches dumped on Fall River at the end of January.

But the conclusion fell short of finding a solution to bleary streets of slush: that the city would continue to do its best to keep main thoroughfares clear for emergency apparatus in the face of Mother Nature.

Department of Community Maintenance’s Al Oliveira and Division of Traffic and Parking Director Stephanie MacArthur, along with Fall River Police Deputy J.T. Hoar, Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon, Emergency Medical Services Chief Bethann Faunce, and the school district’s Chief of Operating Officer Ken Pacheco listened as the city’s Director of Inspectional Services Glenn Hathaway expressed his concerns.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A crash in Portsmouth slowed down traffic on West Main Road in Portsmouth Friday afternoon.

A.K. Crabb, who works nearby, told 12 News crashes happen in that spot all year round, but especially in the winter.

Crabb estimated there are about one to two crashes a week on West Main Road.

“I would honestly say that where the accident happened was pretty much where it always happens,” Crabb said.

See more at wpri.com.

An 11-year-old Massachusetts girl died Thursday in an avalanche while vacationing with her family in Utah, according to the Unified Police Department.

Police said Madelyn Eitas, of Rochester, Massachusetts, passed away after she was pulled from the snow near Brighton Ski Resort.

Officers were called to the Brighton Ski Resort around 12:30 p.m. for reports of an avalanche with a young girl, later identified as Eitas, caught in the snow.

Police said the victim’s family and more than 20 citizens had already started searching for the girl as rescue teams assembled at the resort.

See more at wpri.com.

The SouthCoast Creative Arts Lab returns for its sixth semester in the spring. 

The after-school program will serve students in grades 4-8 at Talbot Middle School and Watson Elementary School in the Flint Village District, according to a community announcement.

The initiative, which was originally launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption of afterschool activities, aims to fill a critical gap in support for children and families. Now six years post-COVID, the need for consistent, high-quality afterschool programming remains, with many students still facing limited access to safe spaces, enrichment opportunities, mentorship and essential resources.

The Fall River Arts & Culture Coalition, in partnership with The Narrows Center for the Arts and Fall River Public Schools, is operating the free program, which is centered around art and community.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Westport will be one of 15 communities awarded grants through the Complete Streets Funding Program, supporting local efforts to make roadways safer and more accessible for all users.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is awarding $6.6 million in 2026 as part two of the program.

The funding will be used for infrastructure improvement projects that provide safe and accessible options for all modes of travel, including walking, biking, public transit and vehicles, for people of all ages and abilities.

“Our Complete Streets program empowers municipalities across the Commonwealth to make upgrades to accessibility, quality of life, and safety for all road users,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil?Eng in a press release. “Through targeted investments in safer crosswalks, improved sidewalks, bike infrastructure, and transit enhancements, we are creating corridors that are safer, more connected, and more vibrant.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

In the final minutes of the Feb. 11 meeting of the Fall River Public School Committee, the committee’s Vice Chairman Kevin Aguiar proposed that Superintendent Tracy Curley’s contract be reviewed in the next 15 days.

Aguiar specified that item 9 in the superintendent’s contract — the ability of the School Committee to fire the superintendent without naming a reason — would be of particular interest in preceding discussions, regarding an evaluation of the superintendent’s contract. 

“I think it’s a heck of a lift to ask members who have been on our board for 40 days now to decide the fate of our superintendent,” said Mayor Paul Coogan, who serves as chairman of the School Committee.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Friday marks 23 years since 100 people died and more than 200 others were injured in a fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick.

The fire on Feb. 20, 2003, sparked by pyrotechnics, broke out inside the venue on Cowesett Avenue while the band Great White was playing.

It led to significant changes in fire codes and safety regulations.

A memorial now sits where the nightclub used to be.

See more at wpri.com.

Massachusetts is the second best state in the country to start, grow and operate a business according to a new report from an international law firm. 

The Boston Business Journal reported the study from Davis & Associates cites the Commonwealth's best-in-the-nation workforce, college degree rate and venture capital funding. 

The only other New England state in the top ten is New Hampshire, ranked 7th. 

According to the study the state of Washington is the best place for businesses. 

A Swansea man arrested a decade ago on charges of possessing an arsenal of guns and homemade bombs has been arrested again and held without bail after being charged with having more guns and child porn.

Swansea Police said Bryan Golden, 39, of 300 Pamela Drive was taken into custody on Wednesday, Feb. 18, on a search warrant.

Police said Massachusetts State Police’s Cyber Crimes Unit obtained a warrant after an investigation allegedly revealed Golden possessed child pornography. State and Swansea police arrested Golden without incident.

While searching the home, Swansea detectives also found and seized five firearms, including a Smith & Wesson M&P rifle, Ruger 10/22 rifle, Remington rifle, Mossberg rifle and Mosin-Nagant rifle.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A Fall River bar that lost its liquor license indefinitely after a shooting is asking the state for help.

Representatives from Iced Out Pub at 16 E. Main St. are scheduled to appear before the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission on Monday, Feb. 23. The company, Nicole DaRosa Inc., is appealing a Dec. 23 decision by the city to revoke the bar’s all-alcohol liquor license.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The chiefs of the Foxboro police and fire departments have been preparing for roughly three years to ensure everyone attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup has a safe and memorable experience, but town leaders are growing increasingly frustrated over who will cover the public safety costs.

This year’s World Cup is being played at host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with seven matches scheduled to take place at Gillette Stadium, which will be called “Boston Stadium” for the tournament in June and July.

The Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Boston 26) is a nonprofit that’s handling the planning for those matches and other activities in Massachusetts.

Just like any other event that happens at Gillette Stadium, the town of Foxboro must issue entertainment licenses to allow the World Cup matches to move forward.

See more at wpri.com.

Quincy-based Stop & Shop and several union locals with the United Food and Commercial Workers have reached agreement on new contracts. 

The unions collectively represent about 28 thousand employees at 225 supermarkets in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. 

The new contracts will be effective as of March first providing wage increases, health insurance and pension benefits. 

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be in Boston this spring as part of the "Land of Hope and Dreams" tour.

 "The Boss" last played locally in 2023, at TD Garden and Gillette Stadium.  General ticket sales for the May 24th, show at TD Garden go on sale via Ticketmaster on February 21st, at noon. 

Gov. Maura Healey brought her reelection campaign to Southeastern Massachusetts for the first time on Monday, making her pitch to voters in a region that has been trending away from her party.

The first-term Democrat made stops flanked by two local allies — New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan — as she argued her administration is focused on bringing down the cost of living in one of the nation’s priciest states. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll joined her.

Healey began the day with a morning visit to Leonard’s Wharf at the Port of New Bedford, where she stood on the chilly docks to highlight the state’s support for a $45 million rehabilitation and modernization project, which also received federal and city funding.

“I’m so proud to see this all being developed and to know what’s going to happen here,” Healey said. “I’m also proud of other investments that we’ve been able to make as an administration in New Bedford — investments in housing, investments in the arts.” She cited the South Coast Rail project and Zeiterion Theatre as other examples.

See more at wpri.com.

As the community gathered Tuesday night to honor the lives lost during the shooting at a high school hockey game, one of the coaches described the impact its had on his team.

“[Monday] night, our safe space, our home, was violated and my boys are hurting,” Blackstone Valley Schools (BVS) Hockey Coach Chris Librizzi said.

“My coaching staff is hurting right now and we are just trying to come together as a family unit, because we are a family,” he continued. “We love these boys like they’re our own and we’re just coming together as one with love to defeat the negativity that has been brought upon us and just to be together.”

Massachusetts is the most educated state in the country according to a survey from the financial website wallethub.com. 

Over 47-percent of the state's residents have bachelor's degrees, the highest percent nationally, and over 22-percent have a graduate or professional degree, also the highest in the country. 

Other New England states in the top ten include Vermont ranked second, Connecticut fourth and New Hampshire eighth.  Maine is ranked 12th and Rhode Island 13th.  

A woman was arrested after a double stabbing in Fall River on Valentine’s Day.

Police responding to the area of 800 Walnut St. around 1:30 p.m. Saturday found two people suffering from stab wounds.

The two victims were rushed to the hospital, but are now stable and recovering, police said.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Rochelle Medeiros, was taken into custody and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.

See more at wpri.com.

A two-story home in Acushnet was destroyed in a fire last Friday morning, killing two pets and displacing the family who lived there.

Town officials said crews encountered heavy flames at the front door, windows, left side and rear of the house on Rock Street around 9:40 a.m.

Responding police officers helped escort a 40-year-old woman to safety with one of her dogs, according to officials. She was the only person inside at the time.

Multiple departments from surrounding towns responded to assist, including New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Rochester and the Providence Canteen. Officials said the fire was contained in just under an hour, but crews stayed on scene for several hours afterward checking for hot spots and ensuring the fire did not reignite.

See more at wpri.com.

Investigators are looking into the cause of a fire that broke out Sunday night at New Bedford Bar and Grill.

Firefighters responded to the restaurant on County Street around 9 p.m. after a 911 caller reported smoke inside. New Bedford Fire Chief Brian Medeiros said all tenants evacuated after the fire alarm went off.

Crews encountered light smoke in a stairwell and heavy smoke coming from the rear of the 3.5-story building. Officials said people inside had tried to extinguish the fire before crews arrived, slowing its spread, and sprinkler heads had also activated in the kitchen.

Firefighters located the fire near an exhaust vent which was removed, exposing additional fire in the wall.

See more at wpri.com.

The 56-year-old father of a North Providence High School senior opened fire at his son’s hockey game on Monday afternoon, killing two family members and injuring others, Target 12 has confirmed.

Police identified the shooting suspect as Robert Dorgan, who also goes by the name Roberta. The mother of the hockey player was killed at the rink, while a sibling died at the hospital, according to several sources with direct knowledge of the incident. The injured included two other family members and a family friend, authorities said.

The attack took place at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, an indoor skating rink, around 2:30 p.m. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves identified Dorgan during a news conference Monday night.

Goncalves said the shooting was targeted and is believed to have stemmed from a family dispute, though she stressed it remained under investigation.

See more at wpri.com.

The Fall River Symphony Orchestra is set to hold a Winter Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, in the Jackson Auditorium at Bristol Community College, according to a community announcement.

Doors will open at about 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 for adults on the orchestra’s website at https://fallriversymphonyorchestra.org/events-and-tickets and at the door. Children and students with a student ID can attend for free.

The orchestra is conducted by Ray Daniels and features members from the Greater Fall River area as well as surrounding areas in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The concert will feature "Leichte Kavallerie" by Franz von Suppe?, "Piano Concerto in D minor" (1934) by Florence Price, with Janice Weber as the soloist, and "El Sombrero de tres Picos" by Manuel de Falla.

See  more at heraldnews.com.

The search for a missing man on Cape Cod has been suspended after he and his wife fell through ice while walking their dog on Saturday.

Eastham police were called to First Encounter Beach around 9 a.m. for a report of a dog that was wet and in distress.

Upon arrival, two officers heard a woman screaming for help in the area of Bee’s River. While trying to save her, both officers fell into the water after the ice gave out.

Police said both officers made it back to shore and were transported to Cape Cod Hospital to be evaluated and have since been released.

See more at wpri.com.

Bristol has once again been recognized as the safest town in Rhode Island, according to Safewise.

The annual Safest Cities report revealed that Bristol’s violent crime rate is 0.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, while its property crime rate is 2.1 per 1,000.

“This achievement reflects the strong partnership between the Bristol Police Department and the community — from collaborative policing efforts to the everyday support and engagement from residents. Your commitment to safety, respect, and neighborly care makes a real difference,” the police department wrote on Facebook. “Thank you to every citizen who works with us to keep Bristol safe and welcoming for families, businesses, and visitors alike. Let’s keep building on this success together.”

See more at wpri.com.

A late night house fire is under investigation in Newport.

According to the Newport Fire Department, crews were called to a fire at a home on Gibbs Ave. just before 8:55 p.m. Saturday night.

When they arrived on scene, crews found smoke coming from the building.

There were people inside of the home at the time of the fire, but they were able to make it out safely.

See more at wpri.com.

In the midst of one of the snowiest and coldest winters in a number of years, never have we felt the winter blues in our bones as much as now.

When travel is tricky and it’s simply too cold to enjoy the outdoors, where do families turn to shake off that cabin fever?

Luckily, Greater Fall River has a number of options for littles who are getting a little stir crazy — and parents of littles who may be starting to feel like they're trapped in Stephen King’s haunting Overlook Hotel.

With February school vacation coming up Feb. 16, we compiled a roundup of places kids can blow off steam and special events offering winter break fun.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River police are investigating after two people were stabbed in the area of 800 Walnut Street around 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

In a social media post, the department said that officers arriving at the scene quickly found the two victims and began administering first aid. The victims were then rushed to the hospital with stabbing-related injuries.

The department noted that the investigation remains active.

See more at wpri.com.

Flint community members and nonprofits have a new opportunity to receive funding for neighborhood improvement projects.

The Love Your Block program, supported by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, will offer mini-grants ranging from $500 to $4,000, according to a community announcement.

The program aims to bring city leaders and residents together to build stronger neighborhoods. Projects can include beautifying public spaces, launching community programs or addressing local needs.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Two men were arrested after a crash involving a New Bedford police cruiser Friday night.

Police said two officers in an unmarked cruiser were attempting to assist with an ongoing pursuit when they were hit by an oncoming car near the intersection of County and Thompson streets.

The impact of the crash caused the cruiser to hit a parked car and a light pole before slamming into the side of a nearby home, according to police.

Police said the parked car and light pole were significantly damaged, while the home sustained minor damage.

See more at wpri.com.

National Grid is hosting a series of customer assistance events throughout February, including one in Fall River, to help residents manage high energy bills during the cold winter months.

The utility company is offering 31 in-person events to provide guidance on bill assistance and energy-saving programs, according to a community announcement. The events aim to support customers facing increased energy costs due to colder-than-normal weather across Massachusetts.

Fall River's event will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 17 at Citizens for Citizens, 264 Griffin St.

"We understand the challenge residents are facing from increasing costs, which are only worsened by the extreme cold across our region," said Bill Malee, chief customer officer at National Grid. "These events will help provide critical relief to our customers by connecting them to support programs and tools, while also providing insights into their home energy use, information that can help customers conserve energy and reduce their bills."

See more at heraldnews.com.

An “unknown number of chickens” died Thursday after a fire broke out at a barn in Taunton, a spokesperson for the city’s fire department said.

The fire on Tremont Street was reported around 11:45 a.m. and firefighters were able to quickly put it out, according to the spokesperson.

He said goats and chickens were kept on one side of the barn, while the other half was used for storage.

All of the goats survived, and there were no reported injuries to firefighters or residents.

See more at wpri.com.

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs faced a judge Friday morning, less than a week after playing in Super Bowl LX.

Diggs was arraigned on charges of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery.

A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf and he was ordered to stay away from the victim, including third-party contact. Diggs was released on personal recognizance and is due back in court on April 1.

Citing concerns of city residents and businesses grappling to navigate snowy streets the weekend of Jan. 25 and 26, and later on Feb. 7 in the wake of fresh snowfall, City Council Vice President Michelle Dionne and Councilor Michael Canuel co-sponsored a resolution to dig into Fall River’s snow removal operations, shoveling up hoped-for answers to the city’s snowstorm response. 

Snow and ice removal “is critical” for maintaining safe travel and emergency access, they said. Similarly, ensuring “continuity” of municipal services even in times of severe winter weather events is what the resolution is intended to do — in addition to clearing a path ahead for future storms. 

The council voted unanimously at its Feb. 10 meeting to hold a “post-storm review” to evaluate “operational performance” and identify challenges, at the same time it “could be warranted,” the resolution read, to modify snow removal procedures, numbers of staffing and equipment, or city ordinances.  

See more at heraldnews.com.

First responders on Aquidneck Island will be trading their guns and fire hoses for ice skates and hockey sticks later this month for their annual charity hockey game.

This year, Aquidneck Island Police and Fire Hockey Club is raising money for a 25-year-old Portsmouth woman suffering from a rare illness.

Mary Jane “MJ” Milici suffers from MELAS syndrome, which is a rare mitochondrial disease that affects the nervous system and muscles.

“She’s definitely the strongest person I know and I love her more because of it,” her sister Sofia Milici said.

See more at wpri.com.

An investigation is underway after a late-night fire destroyed a beloved bakery in New Bedford.

Crews responding to Sunrise Bakery & Coffee Shop off Bolton Street around 10 p.m. Wednesday found flames and smoke shooting from the roof.

Fire Chief Brian Medeiros said crews tried to fight the flames from inside the building when they first arrived on scene, but after 45 minutes, it became unsafe and they had to switch to an exterior attack.

Firefighters were eventually able to get the fire under control, but it left behind heavy damage.

See more at wpri.com.

Massachusetts Secretary of State William Francis Galvin, already the longest-serving secretary of state in the country, is running for his ninth consecutive term, he announced Feb. 4.

“I will be seeking to extend my service as Secretary of State through 2030,” he said in a letter.

Galvin, who has been Secretary of State since 1995, is running to keep his seat for three reasons, he said in his announcement: to protect voter rights, to prevent interference with the 2028 election and to get a complete and accurate count in the 2030 Census.

“As the longest serving state elections administrator in the nation, it is my intention to expose and resist any such efforts wherever attempted,” Galvin said of what he sees as federal efforts to interfere with the presidential election.

He also voiced concerns about what he called Trump administration efforts to limit voting rights, like registering to vote and voting by mail, and to damage the Census count by excluding certain people.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The town brought its own sand to the beach. But that sand has been pulled out to Swansea’s nefarious boat ramp — known for its fast-moving current and trepidatious slope — and now the settled sand needs dredging.  

Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein said the town is on track to receive an $88,000 grant that will cover the engineering costs and design of the town beach dredging project, but a grant match will need to be approved and go before voters at the next Town Meeting. 

The upcoming dredging, Selectman Michael Beaudette said, is to be greenlit by springtime, and requires that the town hire a contractor.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Traffic was moving slowly on Route 24 in West Bridgewater Wednesday morning due to a crash with a fuel spill.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) said some lanes were closed on the northbound side of the highway near mile marker 30.

The closures are expected to remain in place during the morning commute and drivers are urged to seek alternate routes.

It’s unclear if anyone was hurt or what led up to the crash.

See more at wpri.com.

The Third and Pearl Street parking garages and the Third Street lot have once again come to the table at the Jan. 27 City Council Committee on Finance meeting, drawing the scrutiny of councilors who inquired into the timeline for repairs — which would include a phased approach to fill every parking spot.

“We want to get moving on the most important parts,” said Director of Financial Services Emily Arpke, indicating that staggering repairs while the garages — evaluated by design consulting firm Tighe & Bond in June 2025 and found to be structurally sound — are in use would allow the city to begin the first step, or $6 million in repairs, scheduled for the next calendar year, fiscal 2028.

See more at heraldnews.com.

In August 2007, Nigel Vaughn was found guilty of wounding three people in a shooting at a Fall River bar.

Now, nearly 20 years later, police said Vaughn was the man who opened fire at three officers in the city early Sunday morning, hitting two of them. He was killed after the officers returned fire.

“This individual was well known to the Fall River Police Department,” Mayor Paul Coogan said Monday. “He had just gotten out of prison.”

Vaughn was sentenced to 18 to 20 years for the 2005 shooting. At the time, 12 News reported that prosecutors accused him of being a gang member who opened fire during a fight.

See more at wpri.com.

 U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth toured defense manufacturing facilities at Quonset Business Park on Monday.

According to the Pentagon, Hegseth has embarked upon a nationwide “Arsenal of Freedom” tour in an effort to revitalize America’s manufacturing workforce and highlight the connection between national security and global stability.

At Anduril Industries, which builds unmanned underwater vehicles, Hegseth lauded the employees for the work they do.

“I spend a lot of time speaking to folks in camouflage,” he said. “Ultimately, they can’t do what they do without all of you, and that’s the idea of this ‘Arsenal of Freedom Tour’ is to motivate you, remind you that you stand shoulder to shoulder with those Americans.”

See more at wpri.com.

The fire Monday afternoon was in the right lane on the westbound side, heading into Providence. However, both sides of the highway were temporarily stopped while crews worked to put out the fire and remove the car.

The eastbound side reopened first, but not before traffic had already built up before the bridge.

On I-195 West, traffic was backed up to the Massachusetts state line as the lanes were reopened one by one.

See more at wpri.com.

Multiple people were injured in a serious crash on I-95 in Attleboro Sunday.

The Attleboro Fire Department said the incident happened just before 7:30 p.m. near Exit 2, and involved four vehicles.

Crews had to use hydraulic tools to free a person from one of the vehicles, according to the department.

Four people were taken to Rhode Island Hospital, while two others declined treatment.

See more at wpri.com.

Two Fall River police officers were shot and injured early Sunday morning. The suspect involved was shot and killed.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, officers were called to the 300 block of Linden Street around 12:15 a.m. for a report of a man, later identified as 40-year-old Nigel Vaughn, in possession of a gun in a vehicle outside of the home.

While officers were attempting to search Vaughn, they said he became violent and a struggle broke out.

While on the ground, the suspect began firing his gun at the officers, prompting them to return fire.

See more at wpri.com.

The governors of Massachusetts and Washington are making a friendly wager on who will win the Super Bowl. 

If the Seattle Seahawks win on Sunday, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey says she will send clam chowder, lobster rolls, oysters and Dunkin' coffee to Washington Governor Bob Ferguson.  If the Patriots are victorious, Ferguson said he'll send Healey "some of the best shellfish and coffee in the world." 

Super Bowl 60 will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.  

A 70-year-old woman has died after she and another pedestrian were hit by a vehicle Friday morning in New Bedford.

The driver, Andrew Johansen, 34, of Dartmouth, has since been charged with motor vehicle homicide by OUI and negligence, according to the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III.

Authorities say the two victims were struck at the intersection of Route 18 North and Coggeshall Street shortly after 8:30 a.m.

Both were taken to the hospital where the 70-year-old was pronounced dead. Her name has not yet been released.

See more at wpri.com.

A Freetown company faces punishment for disregarding federal safety protocols after an incident that resulted in a worker’s death three years ago.

John Oliveira & Sons Stamp Concrete, Inc. pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to charges of willfully violating Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

According to prosecutors, the company used a large soil screener with a 1,500-pound tail conveyer that could be closed vertically or opened to a 45-degree angle. Between 2022 and 2023, the tail reportedly closed unexpectedly on multiple occasions, and the equipment’s hydraulic pressure line ruptured.

On Sept. 6, 2023, an employee was attempting to remove a bolt from the tail conveyor when it suddenly closed.

Prosecutors said the worker was crushed while holding onto the soil screener, causing “massive head trauma.” The employee was pronounced dead shortly after.

See more at wpri.com.

A 51-year-old man has died after his body was found in New Bedford Harbor last weekend.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said Jason Vasquez was last seen on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

His boss reported him missing on Friday, Jan. 30, after his car was found in the parking lot of the New Bedford Shipyard and Shoreline, where he worked.

The DA’s office said his body was found the next day in the harbor near the vessel he worked on. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

See more at wpri.com.

A false bomb threat prompted the evacuation of a Bridgewater State University dining hall on Tuesday, leading to the arrest of a third-party food services employee who worked on campus, officials said.

Just before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, all available university police officers were dispatched to Crimson Hall Cafe after a manager at a third-party contractor that provides dining services on campus discovered a suspicious package inside his office in the dining hall, Bridgewater State University Police Chief Glen Anderson told The Enterprise Wednesday.

The package, described as a medium-sized silver metal case, contained a sticky note that read “BOMB DO NOT OPEN,” according to the police report. A separate note attached to the case read “J/K student left gaming case.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

The company that ran Gabriel House assisted living facility on Oliver Street has been hit with 13 violations of OSHA safety standards, 11 of them serious, involving everything from fire evacuation training to dead mice found onsite.

OSHA has levied hefty fines on Gabriel Care Inc. of more than $186,000.

An inspection report on the working conditions at Gabriel House was opened on Aug. 13 — one month after a deadly fire broke out at the facility, which housed about 70 elderly and disabled people. The fire caused the deaths of 10 people and resulted in dozens more losing their home and most of their possessions, and is the deadliest fire statewide in four decades.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Two local fire departments made pet rescues during residential fires on Tuesday.

According to the Swansea Fire Department, at just after 1:00 p.m., Engines 2 and 3, Ladder 2, Rescue 1, and Cars 1 and 2 were dispatched to Prairie Avenue for a structure fire.

The occupant of the home was able to exit the structure with two dogs.

Firefighters working on the interior were able to rescue two cats from the house.

See more at fallriverreporter.com.

Wareham police say a 27-year-old man has been charged in connection with a stabbing at an Onset Street bar overnight Monday.

Alexx Rezendes faces charges that include assault to murder for the stabbing at Stevens Lounge.  The victim suffered multiple stab wounds and due to the severity of the injuries he was taken to Saint Luke's Hospital In New Bedford for treatment. 

Rezendes was arraigned in Wareham District Court on Tuesday and ordered held on 25-hundred-dollars cash bail.

Federal prosecutors have charged four people in a multi-state fraud scheme involving SNAP and pandemic-era government benefits.

Authorities say more than one-million dollars was stolen using over 100 stolen identities across several states in New England and beyond. Prosecutors allege fraudulent SNAP benefits were used to supply a Leominster restaurant, with proceeds wired overseas.

The case remains under investigation.

The death of a 75-year-old man in Rehoboth is under investigation. 

NBC10 in Providence reported he was found dead outside his home on Brook Street yesterday morning when officers arrived to conduct a wellness check.  Police said there were no signs of trauma to the body, it's not believed to be suspicious and there is no known threat to the public. 

No other information was available.    

A woman who was struck by a car in Wareham on Sunday night has died. The accident on Cranberry Highway also left a second pedestrian injured.

The driver stopped and stayed at the scene, telling investigators they were traveling around a bend and saw the pedestrians, but could not avoid them because of an oncoming vehicle.

The man who survived the crash says he and the woman were walking along the roadway because the sidewalk was covered with snow.

The accident remains under investigation.

 A man accused of killing his girlfriend and her son in Fall River faced a judge on two murder charges Monday morning.

Police were called to a home on Barnes Street Friday night for reports of a shooting. There, officers found 54-year-old Elizabeth Almeida, and her son, 25-year-old Nicholas Almeida, had been shot.

Both victims were taken to the hospital where they later died.

Arlington Cole, 54, was located with a gun at the scene and taken into custody. According to police, he had been in a relationship with Elizabeth.

See more at wpri.com.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced that Liberty Utilities will relocate a gas main on Route 6 at Maple Avenue starting Feb. 9 and continuing through the afternoon of Feb. 27. The work will take place from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to a community announcement.

To accommodate the construction, Maple Avenue southbound will be closed. The closure will be in effect throughout the project duration.

Motorists coming from Cousineau Street should turn right onto Maple Street, then right onto Wood Street, and continue on Swansea Mall Drive to Grand Army of the Republic Highway (Route 6).

Those traveling from Wood Street should continue past Maple Street, turn right onto Swansea Mall Drive, and proceed to Grand Army of the Republic Highway.

An active Catholic church in the city’s Highlands is asking the city to raze some of its landscaping to add parking for parishioners.

Representatives from the Diocese of Fall River will be going before the city Zoning Board of Appeals on Feb. 19 to request a special permit to waive lot coverage requirements and build 70 parking spaces at Holy Name Church on Hanover Street.

The church, its rectory and property occupy about two-thirds of a block in the city’s Highlands neighborhood, bordered by Hanover and Madison streets and President Avenue.

The property is in a single-family zone, and is surrounded by mostly residential homes.

See more at heraldnews.com.

State gas prices slightly declined for the second consecutive week and reached an average of $2.79 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, down from last week's price of $2.81 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The average fuel price in state declined about 8 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the state in the last year have been as low as $2.79 on Jan. 26, 2026, and as high as $3.11 on Sep. 8, 2025.

A year ago, the average gas price in Massachusetts was 7% higher at $3.01 per gallon.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A woman has died after a crash on Route 18 in New Bedford Friday that involved multiple vehicles.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said the woman was identified as 23-year-old Ruby Quiro Santos of New Bedford.

As Santos and another woman were walking to the Audi another vehicle hit them both, and multiple vehicles in the process, Quinn said, one of which was a police cruiser.

See more at wpri.com.