With the election season springing ahead and the clock nearly running out for campaigners in town, voters have their work cut out for them next month.

The 2026 annual town election will host major races whose outcomes will be decided at the polls on Monday, April 13.

This year’s election will seek to fill a seat on the Somerset Berkley Regional School Committee. A new town moderator will be chosen from two candidates seeking to replace longtime moderator Lucia Casey, who announced in February her plans to retire. Four candidates are closing in on one available office on the Board of Selectmen.

Incumbents of municipal offices brace for a standoff as newcomers vie for seats in town government ahead of the Town Meeting in May.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A Dartmouth man was arrested after officers found two so-called “ghost guns” in his house over the weekend, according to police.

Officers were called to Sabrinas Way Saturday evening to investigate a disturbance in progress. Throughout their investigation, the officers learned that a resident, identified by police as 43-year-old Brendan Smith, might own equipment commonly used to make untraceable firearms.

Detectives later learned Smith did not have a license to carry firearms in Massachusetts and was prohibited from obtaining one.

See more at wpri.com.

The eight remaining Newport Creamery restaurants are now under new ownership, 12 News has learned.

The Rhode Island Secretary of State’s business database confirms that Massachusetts businessman Mark Bogosian recently purchased the Newport-based restaurant chain.

Bogosian bought the restaurant chain from longtime owner Jan Companies. He also owns the Flying Bridge Marina on Cape Cod, as well as Longfellow Design Build.

There are six Newport Creamery restaurants in Rhode Island and two in Massachusetts.

See more at wpri.com.

The Swansea Police Department is investigating after a 71-year-old school bus driver reportedly urinated inside the bus with students on board.

Investigators believe the bus driver was bringing students to Hoyle Elementary School when he suddenly pulled over and told the passengers to move to the back of the bus.

Police said the bus driver then reportedly relieved himself while sitting in the driver’s seat. He then finished the bus route and dropped the students off at school.

Swansea Superintendent Scott Holcomb said several students reported the unusual behavior to their teachers. Police do not believe any of the students witnessed the driver’s actions.

See more at wpri.com.

The price of gasoline keeps rising as the U.S. war in Iran continues. 

The average price in Massachusetts for a gallon of regular is three-dollars-eighty-cents, an increase of seven-cents from a week ago and 90-cents higher than a month ago. 

The current national average is three-dollars-99-cents.  

It’s nearly time to get out and vote as election season frenzy picks off with only a few short weeks to go until the 2026 annual town election, scheduled for Monday, April 13.

In Swansea, the 2026 election will host a major race that has struck a competitive chord between two candidates in the running for one expiring Select Board seat. 

Voters will head to the polls to renew the terms of candidates running for reelection, have the opportunity to write-in candidates to fill seats for positions none have campaigned for, and elect candidates to fill vacancies on a handful of municipal boards.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The USS Massachusetts officially joined the Navy fleet on Saturday after a commissioning ceremony, making it the first submarine named after the Bay State.

The newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, which can dive to depths greater than 800 feet (240 meters), was christened on May 6, 2023, by the ship’s sponsor, Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Meta. This is the 25th Virginia-Class submarine co-produced by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding and the fifth U.S. Navy vessel named after Massachusetts.

“To be able to take a ship from new construction and watch it be built together by the ship yard, train with our team and bring into Boston Harbor for the first time, it’s very amazing,” the sub’s commanding officer, Mike Siedsma, a 21-year Navy veteran who has spent time on four different classes of submarines, said Friday ahead of the ceremony. “I looked at the history books. I don’t think we’ve had a submarine in Boston Harbor since sometime in the late ’80s or early ’90s.”

During Saturday’s commission ceremony on the Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the event showcases the state’s “deep ties to our nation’s maritime and military history, and we are proud to see that legacy continue with this next generation of service.”

See more at wpri.com.

Police in Swansea have located a missing teenager.

The Swansea Police Department posted on social media Sunday night asking for help finding the missing boy.

Massachusetts State Police helped out with the search.

See more at wpri.com.

Ward 3 City Councilor Shawn Oliver has been selected as Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve’s running mate.

Shortsleeve said during remarks at a campaign kick-off event for Oliver that he wanted a partner who would join him “in this fight to make Massachusetts affordable for working people.”

He said, “I knew I was not looking for someone who simply checked a political box or had a famous last name or someone who had been part of the political establishment.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

Amanda Knox, whose murder trial and ultimate exoneration garnered headlines around the world, will be coming to Fall River next month for a special event at Bristol Community College.

The Fall River campus will host Knox, now a journalist, public speaker, and New York Times best-selling author, for the third installment of its Wolfson Speaker Series, an annual event that hosts prominent speakers from across the globe to engage the community around significant issues, according to an announcement from Bristol CC.

The event will take place on Thursday, April 30, at 6 p.m., in the Jackson Arts Center at Bristol’s 777 Elsbree St., Fall River, campus.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh will have to retire when he turns 65 after the city council rejected a proposal on Tuesday that would have allowed him to serve until he turns 70 years old.

Massachusetts law requires police officers to retire by the last day of the month in which they turn 65 years old. Walsh will be turning 65 in October.

Taunton Mayor Shaunna O’Connell, Walsh, other members of the police department and city government gave a detailed presentation at the city council meeting in favor of delaying Walsh’s retirement.

The presentation noted that the department needs “experienced leadership during a critical period of transition,” especially with the upcoming move to a new public safety facility.

See more at wpri.com.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan and City Council President Cliff Ponte traded barbs in rival press conferences Friday as the council’s vote to order an independent investigation into a police search warrant remains in question.

Mayor’s comments

At 1 p.m., Coogan shared that after writing to the city council about his intent to veto any actions authorized under the resolution to investigate Fall River police’s use of a search warrant to investigate an anonymous Facebook commenter, he reached out to Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, asking her to look into the matter.

Council president’s response

Ponte fired back at the mayor in a 2:30 p.m. press conference, repeatedly accusing the mayor of trying to obstruct the city council’s investigation.

“The city council is simply seeking to determine whether there was any abuse of power within the Fall River Police Department,” Ponte said. “We owe that to our residents. And just as importantly, we owe that to the many dedicated police officers who put their lives on the line every single day to protect this community.”

See more at wpri.com.

The Connecticut Sun have reached an agreement to sell the team to Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta for $300 million and will move to Houston in 2027, according to a person familiar with the deal.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Friday because the deal hasn’t been announced publicly.

The WNBA Board of Governors still needs to approve the sale and the move. The team will play in Connecticut for the upcoming season before moving to Houston and becoming the Comets again.

This will end a 23-year run by the team in New England after the team moved to Connecticut from Orlando in 2003.

See more at wpri.com.

Easter is a time for rebirth, and it appears that’s what’s happening at one beloved Fall River restaurant.

Just over two months after Patti’s Pierogi’s officially closed its doors, the iconic rooftop sign is down but the kitchen is on and back to churning out your favorite Polish eats for the holidays.

No, this is not an early April Fool’s joke, but it is temporary and takeout only, owner Patti Geary noted.

Geary shared news of their reopening Thursday, March 26, via the eatery’s Facebook page, welcoming folks back to 1019 S. Main St. so they can help “cater to your Easter holiday feast.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

The town hit a bump in its plan to move forward with capping its old dump at the March 24 Board of Selectman’s meeting.

But rather than “kicking the can down the road” when it comes to cleaning up its act once and for all, landfill capping is sure to mar the complexion of Route 6’s main commercial strip with a sizable bump — rising 70 feet in the air, with a footprint of six acres.

The former landfill closed in 1983. A small portion sits on town property, while the remaining land of the 22-acre plot is privately owned by Paul and Michelle LaFlamme. For decades, the town has “lived a charmed life” skirting the consequences of a ding from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection that could order Swansea to take care of its decades-old mess at any time.

See more at heraldnews,com.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan has taken decisive action after the city council voted to open an independent investigation into how its police department obtained a controversial search warrant.

The Fall River City Council’s decision was brought on by a recent Fall River Reporter story that revealed the police department had used a search warrant to find the identity of someone making critical comments on social media.

The Fall River Police Department defended its actions in a lengthy statement posted last week, saying the Facebook comments made by “Timothy James” publicly identified an officer working on an undercover task force and placed that officer’s safety at risk.

Finding a primary care physician these days is no easy feat. There’s a shortage of PCPs in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

In the most recent episode of 12 Health, Shannon Hegy goes in-depth with a local doctor on what’s causing the shortage, what’s being done about it, and some new tools that could help with the problem.

Target 12 Investigator Alexandra Leslie cited estimates by Brown researchers that there were fewer than 700 primary care providers for Rhode Island’s population of about 1.1 million — or roughly one clinician for every 1,700 people.

The researchers found that if every active physician saw 1,200 patients a year, approximately 343,000 people would still be without a provider. They estimated that nearly 300 additional physicians would be needed to cover the state.

According to a January 2025 research brief, the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission found reasons for the PCP shortage include:

• Burnout from administrative burden
• Low reimbursement rates
• Fewer physicians going into primary care
• Challenges resulting in changes in practice ownership like large health care systems taking over and new payment models like concierge service

See more at wpri.com.

If you typically travel to Boston on weekends via the Fall River-New Bedford Commuter Rail Line, you may want to plan ahead.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has announced that critical maintenance work on the Old Colony Lines will result in temporary service suspensions.

To complete track improvements, service on the Greenbush, Kingston, and Fall River-New Bedford lines will be affected on the following weekends:

• March 28–29
• April 11–12, 18–19, and 25–26
• May 9–10

See more at heraldnews.com.

For less than the price of a used Toyota Corolla, the Fall River Fire Department acquired a vital new emergency vehicle that Chief Jeffrey Bacon said “will save lives.”

Inspired by the tragedy of the Gabriel House assisted living facility fire, the department at its headquarters on Commerce Drive unveiled what it’s calling Recall 1: a support vehicle intended to carry extra equipment and, most importantly, refill empty air canisters right at a fire scene.

The truck itself cost just $15,000 — but the United Way of Greater Fall River and the Ida S. Charlton Charity Fund presented the department with a check for $112,500, a grant intended to make sure firefighters are better equipped to fight a catastrophe like Gabriel House.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River high schools are seeing a notable increase in graduation rates, according to a community announcement.

The districtwide graduation rate rose from 66.4% in 2024 to 76.8% in 2025, while the dropout rate has remained steady at 5% over the past three years.

B.M.C. Durfee High School's four-year graduation rate reached an all-time high of 88.5% in 2025, while the overall graduation rate increased to 83.6%.

Students with individualized education plans at Durfee saw their graduation rate increase by more than 20 percentage points to 76%. English language learners also achieved a 76% graduation rate, up 7% from the previous year.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Dartmouth Police Department is warning of the dangers of inhaling nitrous oxide after several cans were recently discovered outside of a school.

“Recreational use of nitrous oxide is not harmless,” the police department wrote in a social media post Wednesday. “Misuse can lead to serious injuries, permanent damage or even death.”

Police did not specify which school the cans were found at.

Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is traditionally used as a sedative for patients in dental offices and hospitals. It’s also found in pressurized cans of whipped cream.

The inhalation of nitrous oxide is “unfortunately becoming increasingly popular,” especially among teenagers and young adults, according to police.

Nitrous oxide, when advertised as being “for culinary use only,” is typically sold in a variety of flavors. Police said the colorful cannisters and brand names make nitrous oxide “more accessible, easier to misuse and visually appealing.”

See more at wpri.com.

New details are emerging about the search warrant that incited an investigation into the Fall River Police Department by the city’s councilors.

According to disciplinary records, Swansea police officer Connor Levesque, a onetime member of the Fall River Police Department, was suspended without pay for three days after it was discovered he was behind a fake account that was criticizing the department on Facebook.

On Nov. 18, “Timothy James” wrote, “Was it the [redacted] who supervises himself? Only person promoted and continued to supervise himself as a task force officer.”

This comment, along with 10 others identifying an officer — the son of Fall River Police Chief Kelly Furtado — as an undercover member of a federal task force, triggered the department to seek a search warrant to find the identity of “Timothy James.”

See more at wpri.com.

Atlantis Charter Public School’s Theater Program advanced to the semifinals of the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild’s High School Drama Festival, winning eight awards along the way.

The festival is a competitive program featuring more than 100 one-act plays produced by high schools across the state. The competition includes preliminary, semifinal and state final rounds, with awards given at each level, according to a community announcement.

After competing against other schools in the preliminary round, Atlantis was one of two charter schools to move on to the semi-finals. The semi-final competition took place at Saugus High School, where Atlantis competed against five other schools. Each school performed a play for a panel of judges and audience members, following strict competition rules. Students had to run the show without any help from adults, had only five minutes for setup and breakdown of sets and were limited to 40 minutes to perform the play without microphones.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Erin Drozda and her wife are supposed to be in Costa Rica, but their travel plans got interrupted by a coyote.

“We heard a thud and then after the thud, we still took off. We were up in the air for 10 to 15 minutes, and then all of a sudden the captain came on and said, ‘This is the flight crew. If anyone heard that thud, we hit a coyote and we are now on our way back to Providence,'” Drozda told 12 News.

“We thought it was a joke at first,” she continued. “You don’t ever hear that.”

Drozda was on JetBlue flight #1129 out of T.F. Green Airport when the collision happened Tuesday morning.

See more at wpri.com.

The Fall River City Council voted Tuesday night to order an independent investigation into whether the police department obtained a search warrant under false pretenses.

The controversy was spurred by a recent story in the Fall River Reporter revolving around the Fall River Police Department’s use of a search warrant to identify whoever was behind an anonymous social media account.

The social media account was highly critical of the police department.

The goal of the independent investigation is to determine whether the search warrant was inappropriately obtained and whether any disciplinary action should be taken.

See more at wpri.com.

Dr. Bekah Weatherington has been the Capron Park Zoo’s full-time veterinarian for more than three years now.

Weatherington told 12 News she loves her job, noting that her colleagues are extremely passionate about what they do.

“Everyone is here for a reason,” Weatherington said. “They truly believe in the power of zoos and our ability to educate and inspire.”

The Celebrity Scholarship Dinner hosted by the One SouthCoast Chamber will feature New England Patriots legend Adam Vinatieri.

The event is scheduled for May 20 at Venus de Milo in Swansea, according to a community announcement.

Business and community leaders from the SouthCoast region will gather to celebrate student achievement and support educational opportunities for local youth.

Scholarships will be presented to deserving students from the region as part of the chamber's commitment to investing in the next generation.

Vinatieri, a four-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, holds the NFL record for most career points and most career field goals.

He also will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.

See more at heraldnews.com.

About a dozen Romeiros are crisscrossing Southeastern Massachusetts on foot this week - rain or shine - bringing their Portuguese religious chants and prayers to 18 cities and towns and 48 churches.

During their trek, they will ask for God’s protection for the community and pray for personal intentions collected along the way.

“We don’t pray for ourselves; we pray for others,” Bruno Pimentel, 44, the leader of the group, told O Jornal. “Many have asked us to pray for peace because of the war going on, and many have asked us to pray for those who are sick, especially with cancer.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Fall River man accused of causing the crash that claimed the life of a Taunton woman two years ago has accepted a plea deal, 12 News has learned.

Andrew Sousa, 28, pleaded guilty last week for motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of liquor in connection with the September 2024 crash that killed 24-year-old Mallory Humphreys.

Investigators believe Sousa was driving down Route 44 in Taunton when he rear-ended a tractor-trailer. Humphreys, who was in the passenger’s seat of Sousa’s car, died as a result of the crash.

Sousa received a split sentence of two-and-a-half years, which means he will serve two years behind bars and the remaining six months under supervised release. Court records reveal Sousa was also sentenced to four years of probation.

See more at wpri.com.

The popular Taunton drive-in restaurant that planned on closing its doors for good later this month will instead remain open for the time being.

The Star Drive-In announced in a social media post Saturday that the property manager, SouthCoast Development, has agreed to extend the restaurant’s existing lease until June 30.

“There is still much work to be done in the next 90 days,” wrote Erika Madden, owner of the 1964-era restaurant. “I can happily say we are diligently working to stay open.”

Madden, who first bought the Star Drive-In back in 2016, also noted that the restaurant now has a signed Purchase and Sales Agreement for the property.

See more at wpri.com.

A New York man accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a Seekonk teenager and his grandparents in 2023 was back in court on Monday.

Adam Gauthier, 41, formerly of Somerset, pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter while operating under the influence and two counts of assault and battery.

He was sentenced to serve 12 to 15 years in prison, followed by two years of supervised probation.

On Christmas night in 2023, investigators said Gauthier was driving drunk on the wrong side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge when he crashed into an oncoming car.

See more at wpri.com.

The city has an appetite to build a new fire station among the rentals, restaurants and shopping that master planning for the Route 79-Davol Corridor imagines. Finding a “strategic” location for it along the waterfront or nearby could be a solid first step.

At the March 19 City Council Committee on Public Safety meeting, Councilor Chris Peckham, who chairs the council’s subcommittee, said a new station could cost anywhere between $15 million on the lower end, while a public safety complex could ring up closer to $30 million.

While Fall River Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Bacon and Fall River Firefighters Union IAFF Local 1314 President Michael O’Reagan were in favor of a station close to Route 79, the city’s Chief Financial Officer Emily Arpke reminded speakers that the approximately 22 acres of developable waterfront remained in limbo between state and local ownership, with no developers identified for key parcels.

See more at heraldnews.com.

State gas prices rose for the second consecutive week and reached an average of $3.49 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, up from last week's price of $3.32 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Gas prices are jumping around because traders are trying to price in how long the Iran war will disrupt oil flows from the Middle East, on top of the usual spring run?up in demand as driving season approaches. Markets are baking in higher risk and “additional volatility” but not a long-term shutdown, and prices could retreat if it becomes clear the tensions are short-lived, petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said.

Analysts say another 20 to 30 cents a gallon is still likely in the weeks ahead.

See more at heraldnews.com.

An investigation is underway after a man’s body was pulled from the water near Fort Taber Park in New Bedford Sunday afternoon.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said the man, 43-year-old Joel Barboza of New Bedford, was found unresponsive just before 11 a.m. near the entrance of the park.

Barboza was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

According to Quinn, Barboza didn’t have any “observable trauma” and his death was deemed not suspicious.

See more at wpri.com.

A 29-year-old Rehoboth man is facing federal charges for sexual exploitation of minors following his arrest this week.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Christopher Mota is accused of having explicit sex videos of girls between the ages of 12 and 16.  His iPhone, containing sexual images and videos, was seized last June during a luggage search as he prepared to board a flight at Logan International Airport. 

Mota potentially faces a mandatory minimum of 15-to-30 years in prison and a fine of up to 250-thousand-dollars. 

Two Swansea school principals are retiring this summer after decades of service to the district.

Joseph Case Junior High School Principal Robert F. Silveira and Mark G. Hoyle Elementary School Principal William J. Courville will both retire this summer, according to a community announcement.

Courville, a Swansea native and graduate, began his career in 1995 as the district's school adjustment counselor. He became principal of Mark G. Hoyle Elementary School seven years later and has held the position for 24 years. His retirement is effective June 30.

Silveira, a lifelong Swansea resident, attended Joseph Case Junior High School and graduated from Joseph Case High School in 1986. He became an EMT and volunteered with the Swansea Ambulance Corps and the Swansea Fire Department, serving nearly 20 years with Company 3 in Ocean Grove.

He began his teaching career at Case High School in 1994, teaching general science, biology and chemistry for nine years. He also served as the freshmen baseball coach and freshmen class advisor.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A Fairhaven school bus was involved in a crash on Friday afternoon.

The incident happened around 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Alden and Long roads.

Fairhaven officers and emergency crews responded to the scene.

Police said more than 30 students were accounted for and evaluated. According to the school district, no students were injured and all were reunited with their families by 3:15 p.m.

See more at wpri.com.

Two men face drug-related charges as the result of an investigation in Freetown.

Police searched a house on Chase Road yesterday and seized cocaine. 

The suspects, identified as 32-year-old Mathew Clark and 39-year-old Brandon DeMoranville, are accused of trafficking 200 or more grams of cocaine. 

Massachusetts is receiving a 46-million-dollar federal grant for World Cup security. 

The state confirmed receiving the money for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

The infusion is part of the 625-million-dollar package being given to the eleven cities hosting World Cup matches this summer.  It will help pay for police and emergency response, background checks, cybersecurity, and more.

Governor Maura Healey is hoping to expand hunting in Massachusetts. 

On Thursday, she announced she would file legislation to allow hunting on Sundays.  The bill would also expand crossbow hunting and reduce setback distances for bow hunting and falconry. 

The majority of feedback supported the hunting changes, citing the need to modernize hunting laws to better meet wildlife management goals.  Without population management through hunting, overabundant wildlife can lead to forest degradation and other issues.

Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School appears to have been the victim of a swatting hoax that caused students to be locked down.

Fall River Police stated that a male caller told 911 dispatchers that he was inside a school bathroom with a firearm and an explosive vest.

Police said school resource officers already on scene began checking the building, along with help from additional patrol officers, detectives and a K-9 unit.

“While the caller provided detailed information about themselves, they were unable to provide any details about the school that would indicate actual knowledge of the building. This call is consistent with prior ‘swatting’ incidents we have investigated,” police stated.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Gary Lund, who is again running for an open seat on the select board in the 2026 annual town election after losing his bid for selectman to Robert Medeiros in 2025, has been named the defendant in a pending civil lawsuit with the town itself.

Lund, whose campaign has rallied around solving some of Swansea's most divisive issues, now faces one count of declaratory relief and one count of injunctive relief related to a 2023 court order that was resurfaced in May 2025 to repair, replace or fix the cesspool in his back yard. 

The civil complaint filed Feb. 12 alleges that the town is seeking to enforce Title 5 wastewater management regulations as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. 

In accordance with that jurisdiction, the complaint reads, any cesspool that is inspected is deemed “automatically in failure” and must be replaced by a septic system. 

See more at heraldnews.com.

People using South Coast Rail to get into Boston will have to make some adjustments on three weekends in April.

The MBTA announced it will be performing maintenance work on several former Old Colony rail lines throughout the month, which includes the Fall River/New Bedford Line.

The South Station, JFK/UMass and Quincy Center commuter rail stations will not be available for commuter rail riders on three weekends in April.

From Braintree, riders can hop on the Red Line to get into Boston, including those three stations. Likewise, riders returning from Boston should take the Red Line to Braintree to connect back with the commuter rail.

Riders should allow an extra 15 or so minutes for travel time.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Testing of a new lighting system on the Fall River/Somerset Braga Bridge will occur nightly through March 31.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced the testing will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning, according to a community announcement.

Testing is expected to wrap up by April 1.

The testing will not directly affect I-195 traffic, but drivers should expect aesthetic light testing and possible color changes while crossing the Braga Bridge, according to the announcement.

Work is weather dependent and may be adjusted in case of emergencies.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A federal review of the city’s Emergency Medical Services revealed that the public safety department owes its employees hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary pay after discrepancies in hours were found in audited timesheets. 

According to a Feb. 19 letter signed by Director of Human Resources Nick Macolini, the findings of a United States Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division audit were shared with Mayor Paul Coogan. 

On Sept. 3, 2025, the federal labor department division requested EMS payroll information from Sept. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2025. Macolini’s letter reads that after meeting with an investigator from the Wage & Hour Division, “We now understand that EMS employees scheduled to work 42 hours in a regular workweek are not exempt from overtime for the additional two hours per week.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

A recent shakeup of the city’s public school district leadership sent the superintendent packing, revealed the results of a state report, and saw a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education commissioner attend a meeting. In the aftermath, one School Committee member is seeking “accountability” from the committee’s chair and another member. 

School Committee member Collin Dias shared with The Herald News a copy of a resolution he drafted of a request to formally censure School Committee Chairman and Mayor Paul Coogan and School Committee member Thomas Khoury. 

Dias said the resolution is a symbolic reminder to members that the committee is committed to “transparency,” “professionalism,” “ethical conduct” and an “adherence to its policies.” 

“My goal here is simple,” Dias wrote in an email. “Acknowledge the issues, reaffirm our standards, and focus on making this committee work better for everyone.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

An investigation is underway after a man’s body was pulled from the Quequechan River Wednesday morning, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III.

Quinn said officers were called to Quequechan Trail just before 9 a.m. after someone reported seeing a body in the water.

The officers were able to pull the fully-clothed unresponsive man from the water onto an embankment. He was pronounced dead by paramedics, according to Quinn.

Quinn said there was “no observable trauma” on the man’s face or body. His identity and cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

See more at wpri.com.

Construction on the Vineyard Wind One project is finally complete. 

The blades needed to finish the last of 62 turbines at the wind farm 12 miles south of Martha's Vineyard shipped out from New Bedford last week and were installed on Friday. 

Although Vineyard Wind One is delivering some power to the grid in Massachusetts, some turbines still need to be tested and commissioned before they're brought online. 

The project's completion was repeatedly stalled by the Trump administration's efforts to block wind energy ventures nationwide.

A member of the Fall River School Committee is seeking to have Mayor Paul Coogan censured. 

Colin Dias is introducing a resolution after the mayor asked for a state investigation into the school committee over the push to fire the former school superintendent. 

Dias accuses Coogan of withholding information from the committee about the investigation.      

With the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran now into its third week, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Massachusetts is three-dollars-58-cents. That's up 18-cents from a week ago. 

Triple A reported the national average is three-dollars-79-cents, that's up 26-cents in the last week.

President Trump has said while the price of gasoline is currently high, it will drop quickly when the war is over. 

A sinkhole opened on Route 140 North in Lakeville, causing a temporary lane closure.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said the closure near Exit 12 is in place so they can do emergency pavement repairs.

The closure is expected to remain in place for several hours.

Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes and avoid the area if possible.

See more at wpri.com.

An investigation is underway after an elderly woman was struck by a vehicle outside the Market Basket in Fall River on Tuesday.

The incident happened around 11:15 a.m.

Police said the woman was transported to the hospital with a non-life-threatening head injury.

It’s unclear if the driver will face charges.

See more at wpri.com.

A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple charges in Somerset.  including enticing a child under 16 and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. 

Based on an investigation that began in December, 22-year-old Sean Melko was arrested by Swissvale Braddock Hills Regional police.

He was being held pending extradition to Massachusetts.  

There is now an online portal for Massachusetts residents to report alleged misconduct by ICE or other federal agents. 

Governor Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced the portal today saying it provides a centralized place to document incidents. The governor said the intent of the portal is to help the state gather information to ensure federal agents are following the law. 

It's available at mass.gov/forms/report-misconduct-by-federal-agents. 

The town of Freetown is hosting its annual Earth Day Clean Up from 9 a.m. to noon April 11, according to a community announcement.

Volunteers are encouraged to register in advance and select a preferred cleanup location. On the day of the event, participants will check in at their designated pick-up points to receive cleanup kits before beginning their assigned cleanup efforts. A map of cleanup areas and additional event details are available on the town’s website.

After the cleanup, the town will host a volunteer appreciation celebration from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Freetown Council on Aging, 227 Chace Road, East Freetown. The gathering will feature lunch, complimentary Earth Day T-shirts, gift bags donated by the Freetown Public Library, group photos and a live turtle encounter program presented by Mass Audubon.

See more at heraldnews.com.

More than 200 high school students are expected to compete in a business strategy competition at UMass Dartmouth.

The 13th annual JA Titan Business Challenge, hosted in partnership with UMass Dartmouth, will offer students a hands-on learning experience and a chance to win scholarships, according to a community announcement.

The event will take place at UMass Dartmouth March 18. Bristol County Savings Bank is the title sponsor of the event, which is being held in partnership with UMass Dartmouth.

Students from eight schools are expected to participate: Apponequet Regional High School, Atlantis Charter High School, B.M.C. Durfee High School, Bishop Stang High School, Fairhaven High School, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, New Bedford High School and Taunton High School.

See mroe at heraldnews.com.

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is launching a formal investigation into the Fall River School Committee’s attempts to terminate Superintendent Tracy Curley.

The school department had also been subject to an extensive DESE investigation in May 2025, of which no one on the committee claimed to be aware — but Curley should have received a copy of this report.

The School Committee has discussed, in executive session, the possibility of terminating Curley without cause since mid-February. Curley has rebutted with threat of litigation and, at a special School Committee meeting Wednesday, March 11, she resigned effective Friday, March 13.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River is officially looking for a new superintendent.

Superintendent Tracy Curley submitted her resignation, which the school committee has accepted. Her last day will be on Friday.

“The parties want to be clear that the separation is amicable and not based on any wrongdoing by the superintendent,” a letter read on behalf of Curley said during Wednesday’s school committee meeting.

Curley has been in the role since 2024. But during the Feb. 11 meeting, vice chairperson Kevin Aguiar voted to consider her removal.

See more at wpri.com.

The SouthCoast Veterans & First-Responders Resiliency Summit is scheduled for March 13 at White’s of Westport, 66 State Road. The event is designed to address mental health, connection and suicide prevention, according to a community announcement.

The summit is planned from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the announcement.

The day is expected to include motivational speakers, a veterans town hall and access to suicide prevention and resiliency tools, according to the announcement.

Attendees will also have access to mental wellness resources and opportunities for community engagement, according to the announcement.

“Purpose, connection and resilience are at the heart of this summit,” organizers said.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Three local leaders will be honored during the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's commencement ceremonies.

Richard Lafrance, Jacqueline G. Somerville and Nishita Roy-Pope will receive honorary degrees, according to a community announcement.

The Doctoral Commencement ceremony is set for 4 p.m. May 21 in the Main Campus Auditorium.

Lafrance is chairman of Lafrance Hospitality, a Westport-based family business founded in 1946 by his parents after purchasing a small diner in Fall River. The company develops and manages multi-brand hotels across New England and Florida, partnering with Hilton, Marriott, IHG and Choice. It also operates restaurants, catering services and event facilities, including White’s of Westport.

Roy-Pope is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker and former Fortune 50 corporate leader who now serves as CEO of Courage Builder, a workforce development company focused on leadership, innovation and emerging industries such as technology, life sciences, entrepreneurship and the blue economy.

Somerville is an experienced nurse executive with over 30 years of healthcare leadership. She currently serves as system chief nurse for Southcoast Health in New Bedford. Previously, she was chief nursing officer at both the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Fall River Fire Department has been working “around the clock” to clean up and stabilize a tugboat that began sinking over the weekend.

The boat, identified by authorities as the tug Guardian, started taking on water Saturday while docked near the Brightman Street Bridge.

Since the tugboat was leaking diesel fuel and oil, the department deployed containment booms to limit the spread of contaminants into the surrounding water.

Cleanup and stabilization efforts have continued over the past few days, with the department deploying an additional containment boom and absorbent pads to capture any residual contaminants.

See more at wpri.com.

Mayor Paul Coogan delivered his annual State of the City Address on Tuesday evening, describing a city that is gaining momentum in the way of growth and development, despite apparent challenges.

Coogan said, “Fall River as a whole stands just as strong today, if not stronger, than it did last year,” acknowledging the record-setting blizzard most recently weathered by the city. “We are strong enough to handle whatever comes our way,” he said.

Coogan shared the spotlight with resident Matthew Medeiros, who received a citation from local delegates for building a website that helped city officials track the progress of snowplows during the last winter storm.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A 40-year-old New Bedford man faces multiple charges, accused of assault with a screwdriver following a crash Sunday afternoon in Lakeville. 

Witnesses told police the driver fled a burning vehicle carrying a screw driver and began running through the travel lanes on Route 140 trying to get into other vehicles. 

A Providence TV station reported police said Jeremiah Harris was arrested when he was found in the backseat of a vehicle, and taken to a hospital for evaluation. 

The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River and the Zeiterion in New Bedford have been awarded substantial grants.

The Mass Cultural Council announced that the two venues are among 51 nonprofit and municipal performing arts centers across Massachusetts set to receive a total of $3,568,500 through the fiscal 2026 Gaming Mitigation Fund grant program, according to a community announcement.

The Narrows Center is receiving $81,500, while the Zeiterion is getting $90,000.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A long-delayed wrecking ball may finally be coming for the old police station on Bedford Street.

The city is publishing an invitation for bids from contractors to demolish the building.

As detailed in a legal notice published in the Herald News, the city is making solicitation packages available beginning Wednesday, March 11, for qualified contractors who can take the building down. Bids will be taken until 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.

Questions about the bid can be made, by email only, to purchasing@fallriverma.gov by noon on Tuesday, March 24. Replies will be sent to all bidders on record.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Police have arrested a Cranston man accused of attempting to meet up with a minor in Somerset over the weekend.

Michael Gallo, 33, was taken into custody Sunday evening and charged with two counts of enticement of a child under the age of 16. He’s also been charged with distributing obscene matter to a minor, as well as accosting and annoying another person.

The investigation began in late January when the Somerset Police Department received word that Gallo had been sending lewd images, videos and messages to a juvenile through Snapchat.

Gallo told the juvenile he was 22 years old, according to police.

See more at wpri.com.

The price of gasoline is rising quickly since the U.S. launched military strikes in Iran. 

Triple A reports the average price in Massachusetts for a gallon of regular is three-dollars-31-cents that's an increase of 22-cents from a week ago. 

The current national average is three-dollars-47-cents a gallon.

After defaulting on a federal trademark lawsuit against its neighbor, Miss Lizzie’s Coffee could be on the hook for almost a quarter-million dollars to the Lizzie Borden House.

Attorneys for U.S. Ghost Adventures on Monday, March 9, filed a motion for default judgment in U.S. District Court — its request for financial damages resulting from the lawsuit.

USGA has claimed that Miss Lizzie’s Coffee “deceptively confuses unsuspecting customers by creating a false association” with the Lizzie Borden House by using a name and logo similar to the house’s. The company claims the cafe? is getting a “free ride on [the Lizzie Borden House’s] success as a preeminent and well-known provider of hospitality services in Fall River.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

Fall River police said they’ve responded to a docked tugboat that started to capsize Saturday.

The incident happened South of the Brightman Street Bridge.

When crews got there, they saw several of the lines holding the boat up snap, according to police.

Multiple agencies assisted with the response, which included Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection; the U.S. Coast Guard and the Fall River Fire Department.

See more at heraldnews.com.

One man was running uncontested for the lone seat open on the town’s select board in the upcoming election. Now, he has company. On Wednesday, March 4, Alanna Solitro announced on Facebook that she would be joining the race.

With about six weeks until the 2026 town election that will determine who will take the helm of Swansea’s highest elected board, the two candidates — Gary Lund and Solitro — are campaigning with a common interest: to “move things forward in a positive manner for all residents and generations of our town,” Solitro’s post reads.

Her sentiments echo Lund’s former statements from a January interview where Lund said central to his campaign was the desire to provide Swansea with “new leadership” along with the promise of “a whole new transformation.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

Creative chef Bill Russell, owner of Dough Licious Pizza in Berkley, has died, and the pizzeria he built and ran for more than a decade is now permanently closed.

Russell’s family made an announcement on social media on Sunday, March 8, that Russell “had been dealing with ongoing medical issues,” and died the previous morning.

“As a result, Dough Licious Pizza will be closed permanently, effective immediately,” the statement reads.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The community banded together this weekend in Taunton to raise money and collect essential items for those affected by a house explosion that happened last month.

The fundraiser was organized by Taylor Brewer, who lives in the area where the explosion happened, and the Taunton Diversity Network.

The explosion happened on Feb. 25, which seriously injured a woman and her infant daughter, and displaced eight people in total.

See more at wpri.com.

State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy leadership announced the graduation of 45 firefighters in western and southeastern Massachusetts from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, according to a community announcement.

David Desrochers, Connor Matthews, Tevin Silva and Alexander Tavares of Fall River were among the BW38 graduates, according to the announcement.

“Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

The town of Swansea has been awarded $1,092,000 in federal funding for the Route 6 Corridor Sewer Collection Project, according to a community announcement.

The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding requests secured for Massachusetts’ 4th Congressional District in the federal appropriations package signed into law last week.

The project will construct a sewer collection system along the Route 6 corridor from Somerset to Route 118 and up to Wood Street. The full project is expected to cost approximately $21 million and is intended to support long-term commercial growth, housing development and environmental improvements.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

After over three hours of deliberation that reduced the crowded B.M.C. Durfee High School's Nagle Auditorium to a dozen audience members, the Fall River Public School Committee emerged from executive session with “no decision” regarding the discussion to terminate Superintendent Tracy Curley’s contract.

At its Feb. 11 meeting, School Committee Vice Chairman Kevin Aguiar proposed that Curley’s contract be reviewed in the next 15 days, specifically Item 9: the ability of the School Committee to fire the superintendent without naming a reason.

With municipal meetings delayed by the blizzard, a determination of Curley’s contract was scheduled to come to a vote in executive session at the March 4 School Committee meeting.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A home on Fountain Street in Fall River appears to be a total loss after a fire Friday evening.

District Chief Jason Poissant told 12 News the Fall River Fire Department received multiple calls to Fountain Street around 5:20 p.m. When they arrived, flames were already showing from the first and second floors.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire within about 25 minutes, according to Poissant, but the inside of the building is unrecoverable. The occupant was not home at the time of the fire, which is partly why it was so destructive.

“If there’s no occupants home, before you know it, the fire’s completely out of control,” Poissant said. “Usually the first time you see it is when it starts to break through the window, and by that time it’s already got a pretty good head start.”

See more at wpri.com.

While the commercial fishing vessel Yankee Rose had been operating for years out of Provincetown, its owner and crew are from the New Bedford area.

That includes Angel Luis Nieves, whose family says he loved what he did for a living.

Makayla and Jose Nieves told 12 News their brother Angel, who was the oldest of four siblings, started fishing with his father at a young age.

They describe the 37-year-old as a devoted father of four whose family meant everything to him.

See more at wpri.com.

Gillette Stadium officials say they will help cover security costs for 7 World Cup games scheduled at the venue this summer.

Kraft Sports and Entertainment announced the commitment Thursday after Foxborough officials raised concerns about who would pay the estimated 7.8-million-dollar security bill.

Town leaders say discussions are still ongoing and no final agreement has been reached. The Foxborough Select Board must still approve a license for the games to move forward.

A commercial fishing vessel overturned and sunk off Cape Cod on Thursday, leading to one person being pulled from the water and second crew member still missing, U.S. Coast Guard officials said.

The person who was recovered was “transported to higher medical care,” Coast Guard spokesperson Keira Shantry said. They did not provide a name nor updates about the two people on the boat.

The accident comes just over a month after the Lily Jean sank off Gloucester, killing all seven aboard. The 72-foot (22-meter) vessel Lily Jean was returning to port early Jan. 30 to repair fishing gear when it sank in frigid Atlantic waters off the historic fishing port of Gloucester.

“I’m heartbroken by the news that the fishing vessel Yankee Rose was found capsized, and my prayers are with the loved ones of the crew, first responders and our entire fishing community during this incredibly difficult time,” Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said in statement.

See more at wpri.com.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha is urging state lawmakers to pass legislation that would hold the Diocese of Providence accountable for the actions of the 72 credibly accused priests revealed in his sweeping clergy sex abuse report.

The legislation was introduced by House Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, whose sister, Dr. Ann Hagan Webb, is a clergy sex abuse survivor.

McEntee’s legislation would specifically establish that institutions, organizations and individuals can be held civilly liable for the negligent supervision or concealment of anyone who sexually abused a minor.

See more at wpri.com.

Rhode Island has had the worst state roads in the country for at least a decade, even as the R.I. Department of Transportation’s budget has doubled to over $1 billion, a Target 12 investigation has found.

Target 12 reviewed 10 years of mandatory reports on road conditions that RIDOT submitted to the Federal Highway Administration. The data shows 32% of Rhode Island’s state roads were classified as in poor condition as of 2024, the most recent year available, using a standard measurement called the International Roughness Index (IRI).

Rhode Island ranked dead last among all 50 states, the analysis found. In second-worst California, only 27% of state roads were in poor condition. Massachusetts ranked third-worst, at 25%. Connecticut’s state roads were in far better shape, at just 11% poor — close to the 8% national average.

The situation is nothing new for Rhode Island. Target 12’s analysis shows the state had already been in last place 10 years before, in 2014, when 35% of state roads were in poor condition. The state was last in 2019, as well, when the share of poor roads rose to 37%.

See more at wpri.com.

Fourteen hospitals in Massachusetts are ranked among the best in the world according to the 2026 survey from Newsweek magazine. 

Over 25-hundred hospitals were evaluated worldwide.  In Boston, Massachusetts General Hospital is ranked fifth, Brigham and Women's Hospital is 18th. 

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital is 112th and Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital is ranked 250th.   

For almost a week, roads on the SouthCoast were covered in 3 feet of snow. Now that the snow is melted, the roads may be treacherous for a whole other reason.

Pothole season has begun as the area thaws out and temperatures rise.

According to AAA, the Northeast is a prime place for potholes to form because of our rapid freeze-thaw cycles. And if you hit one, it can cause hundreds of dollars in damage to your car — not just your tires, but wheels, joints and suspensions.

Here’s how potholes form, how to report them to city officials, and how to avoid hitting them in the first place.

Potholes are caused when moisture in the form of rain or snow seeps through cracks in the pavement or the sub-base.

When that moisture freezes, it becomes ice and expands, opening those cracks further and allowing more moisture to get into the pavement.

After a thaw, that ice melts, leaving an empty cavity under the pavement. Driving over that cavity crushes the pavement into it, and bang — you’ve got a pothole.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Seven months after the tragic Gabriel House assisted living fire claimed the lives of 10 residents, the city will move forward to implement one new safeguard precaution locally. A spate of other conditions intended to regulate the special sector that assisted living facilities occupy will be handed down by a state commission.

At the City Council Committee on Ordinances and Legislation's March 3 meeting, Fall River Fire Department Chief Jeffrey Bacon, joined Director of Inspectional Services Glenn Hathaway and the city’s legal counsel Alan Rumsey, concluded that the city was “preempted” by the Legislature when it came to imposing new regulations that could save lives of residents in assisted living facilities in the event of a fire.

See more at heraldnews.com.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently singled out Dunkin’ over its sugary beverages during a stop on his nationwide “Take Back Your Health” tour — and some Massachusetts residents, including Gov. Maura Healey, aren’t happy about it.

Last week, Kennedy headlined an “Eat Real Food” rally in Austin, Texas, where he discussed new dietary restrictions and measures his department plans to implement as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) campaign.

During the rally, he specifically targeted popular coffee chains Dunkin’ and Starbucks.

“We’re going to ask Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, ‘Show us the safety data that show that it’s OK for a teenage girl to drink an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar in it,'” Kennedy said. “I don’t think they’re going to be able to do it.

See more at wpri.com.

A former Attleboro special education teacher has been placed on probation after she allegedly assaulted two students with autism back in 2024.

Attleboro District Court confirmed to 12 News this week that Martin was charged with two counts of assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability. Martin admitted to sufficient facts last month and was put on probation until Feb. 4, 2028.

She was also ordered to complete an anger management program and not to have any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.

The Bristol, Rhode Island, couple killed in a fiery crash shortly after midnight Friday in Swansea are identified. 

The Bristol County District Attorney's Office said 54-year-old Carolyn Carcasi and her husband, 53-year-old James Carcasi, died when their car was hit at Routes 6 and 136. 

The other driver, 28-year-old Demetri Sousa of Seekonk, was being sought in connection with a murder hours earlier in Cranston, Rhode Island.  Sousa, who faces murder and other charges, is currently hospitalized.  

A day before a School Committee meeting where the board will discuss firing the superintendent without cause, the city teacher’s union is publicly opposing the move.

And a look at the meeting's agenda reveals the committee may also face legal claims against it by Superintendent Tracy Curley.

According to a statement by Fall River Educators’ Association President Keith Michon, the FREA said it is defending Curley’s position “citing concerns about the conduct of School Committee members throughout the process.”

Also of concern to FREA is what such a firing could mean for “future district leadership recruitment, and the disruption caused to students and school communities.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

 The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially 100 days away and the Foxboro Select Board is no closer to deciding whether to sign off on an entertainment license for the matches.

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.

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.

Police said Demitri Sousa, 28, of Seekonk, will be formally arraigned in court when he is medically cleared.

So far, Sousa has been charged by Cranston police with murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license. He was ordered held without bail.

Police believe Sousa shot 35-year-old Javon Lawson at his home on Legion Way Thursday night. Lawson was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later.

See more at wpri.com.

While officers were on the scene of a fire in Bristol Sunday night, a car crashed into a police cruiser.

A 12 News crew, who were almost hit themselves, saw a car speeding down Metacom Avenue and then striking the cruiser.

That car continued driving and was then surrounded by officers further up the street.

No officers were inside the cruiser at the time of the crash and none were injured.

See more at wpri.com.

The suspect in a Cranston, Rhode Island, murder is in now in custody following a deadly crash in Massachusetts. 

Police said the suspect's car hit an SUV at Route 6 and 136 in Swansea around 12:30 Friday morning.  The SUV burst into flames and the man and woman inside the vehicle were killed. 

The suspect, accused in the shooting death of a man at the victim's home last night, was arrested at Rhode Island Hospital. 

The rein is over the defending Division 2 state champion Somerset Berkley boys basketball team.

The No. 24 Raiders were eliminated from the state tournament Saturday, Feb. 28 after falling to No. 9 Newburyport on the road, 86-61, in the Division 2 Round of 32.

Dom Taylor led the way for SBR (13-8) with a team-high 26 points in his final high school game. Aidan Dookhran chipped in with 12 points.

Caden Rheaume had 9 points and Ryan Crook finished with 7 points.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Anthony F. Cordeiro Charitable Foundation has awarded $15,500 in grants to five local nonprofits, according to a community announcement.

The grants support organizations focused on improving the lives of people and animals in Southeastern Massachusetts. Since its inception in 2018, the foundation has awarded more than $290,000 to dozens of organizations.

The latest round of grants was announced at the AFC 2026 Gala on Jan. 31, 2026, at the Venus de Milo in Swansea.

The foundation provides funding to nonprofit organizations serving communities in Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Its mission is to support families and children by increasing access to vital resources, including health and mental health services, food and shelter. Awards are granted twice per year to area nonprofits that share this mission.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A man accused of shooting a teenager in Westport Saturday, Feb. 21 is facing drug and gun charges, according to police.

Police said they were called to a home Eddy Drive just before 8 a.m. that day and found a 15-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound on her hand. She was brought to Rhode Island Hospital for not life-threatening injuries.

The man, 19-year-old Vijay Hak, was taken into custody after officers found a shotgun in the kitchen, according to police.

See more at wpri.com.

Police said they found narcotics, contraband and a ghost gun after obtaining multiple search warrants as part of their investigation.