Renovating the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption at 327 Spring St. has reached new heights. The historic church and parish that for over a century has served as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River has already seen $600,000 in repairs over the last five years.

Now, scaffolding is creeping up the four-storied bell tower where the latest renovations are underway.

Deacon Tom Palanza, whose service to the parish is twofold in his capacity as the project's principal, said the latest repairs center around two main objectives: shutting out the wind and water to mitigate further damage meanwhile maintaining parishioners’ safety. 

“We knew it was going to take time,” Palanza said.

The pace of repairs is dictated largely by the groundswell of support with each Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala, an event that celebrates “all things positive for everyone in the Diocese,” said Carl Sawejko, who co-chairs the Lumen Christi committee. Galas of years past have raised support that has helped restore the historic cathedral that harbors diocesan liturgies and is the seat and “spiritual home” of Bishop Edgar da Cunha.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A jury has found that the MBTA did not shortchange a landowner for property it took by eminent domain to build a South Coast Rail layover station — and in fact, the MBTA is due some money back.

In February 2020, the MBTA used eminent domain to take about 18 acres of property belonging to Weaver’s Cove LLC along North Main Street to build the Weaver’s Cove Layover station as part of its commuter rail project.

The MBTA at the time made what’s known as a pro tanto payment to Weaver’s Cove of $2,288,950 for the land. A payment "pro tanto" means the amount was temporarily settled but could change if disputed.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Two homes were temporarily evacuated after a car crashed into a Swansea home resulting in a gas leak Friday evening.

Officials said in a statement that a vehicle was pulling into a driveway when another car struck it from behind. The vehicle went off the road and struck the side of the 278 Wilbur Ave home.

The Swansea Fire Department and Liberty Utilities were called to the scene. The Swansea Building Inspector was also called to the scene to assess the damage to the home.

Police had the road blocked off while the scene was cleared.

Read more at wpri.com.

Brian Bentley, longtime superintendent-director of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, is planning to retire for the second time at the end of this year. 

In a shakeup of authority for the Greater Fall River Vocational School District, Leslie Weckesser, Diman’s assistant superintendent and principal, will step into the lead role on Jan. 1, 2027. Warley Williams III will fill Weckesser’s soon-to-be-vacant role on July 1, 2026. 

“These appointments mark an important moment in Diman’s continued growth as the district prepares to open its new state?of?the?art high school,” a June 16 release read. 

The new Diman — a massive 395,000-square-foot build to the tune of $240.7 million according to December 2024 calculations — will welcome the incoming freshman cohort alongside upperclassmen for the first time this fall. 

Weckesser, who has served as Diman’s assistant superintendent and principal since 2024, brings 26 years of leadership experience in vocational?technical education. She previously served as Principal and Vocational Director at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School, and as a Culinary Arts instructor at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has delivered a report that criticizes the Fall River School Committee for exhibiting unprofessional conduct, overstepping its authority, having “a strained relationship” with district staff and leadership, and holding inefficient meetings that staff said resemble a "circus."

The 48-page report was produced by DESE and the American Institutes for Research in the aftermath of former Superintendent Tracy Curley’s ouster this March. It identifies some strengths and growth areas for the district, though its list of areas that need improvement is longer.

The report includes significant criticism of the School Committee, noting that individual members sometimes exceeded their authority, leading to staff accusations of bullying, with supervisors having to protect staff from them.

The report is the result of interviews with about 40 people in Fall River — from Mayor Paul Coogan and School Committee members to teachers and students — conducted in early May. Included in the analysis were recordings of School Committee meetings, emails between staff, district reports and other data.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Police are investigating after a stabbing at the intersection of Morgan and Third streets in Fall River Thursday evening.

In an email to 12 News, Lieutenant Matthew Mendes said officers found a man suffering from “what appeared to be two stab wounds” when they arrived at the scene.

The victim was rushed to an area hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Mendes did not say whether anyone was in custody, but he noted that the department will release more information when there is an update.

See more at wpri.com.

The number of new dementia cases per year is expected to double by 2060, according to research data published by the National Institutes of Health. They cite an aging U.S population as the main reason for the rapidly increasing rates of dementia diagnoses.

Southcoast Health recognized the need for memory care in Southern Massachusetts and launched a memory health program last July under the leadership of Neurologist Dennis Fitzgerald.

He joined 12 News Anchor Shannon Hegy on the latest edition of 12 Health to talk about the services they offer for both patients and caregivers, and also explain the different types of memory disorders that fall under the umbrella of dementia.

Dr. Fitzgerald said he sees about five new patients a day, four days a week, in the program, spending an hour with them to gather as much information as possible as part of a dedicated cognitive assessment.

See more at wpri.com.

If you were out and about in the past week, chances are, someone from Scotland was there.

An estimated 10,000 Scottish fans are in and around Providence, with the national team playing two World Cup matches in nearby Foxboro.

Before making their way across the pond, the Scottish fans created the “Providence Tartan Army.”

“This donation comes not from the people who organized the charity and advance committee,” member Ian Cox said.

“We are incredibly proud to be a small part of it, but it comes from all of you. It comes from the thousands of ordinary Scotland supporters who decided that coming to Providence and being part of something was more than just about 90 minutes of football … mainly because we didn’t expect to last much more than 90 minutes of football.”

“And so the songs will fade and the sounds of a ball being kicked will fade,” he continued, “but we hope that this legacy will live on.”

See more at wpri.com.

The Westport River Watershed Alliance is gearing up for two major summer events: River Day 2026 on June 20 and the Summer Concert Series opener July 11.

River Day, an annual festival celebrating the Westport River and environmental stewardship, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 20 at the Head of Westport Town Landing, 493 Old County Road. If it rains, the event will be held the next day, according to a community announcement.

The festival, which has been held since 1984, features a variety of activities and performances suitable for all ages.

Highlights include live music and cultural performances by the Eastern Medicine Singers, a parade with watershed animal puppets, hands-on children's activities, face painting and classic games.

The River Center will have exhibits focused on sustainability and river ecology.

Parking and shuttle service will be available from Westport High School, 400 Old County Road.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts is cracking down on wrong-way drivers with new state-of-the-art technology, according to Gov. Maura Healey.

Healey unveiled a comprehensive statewide initiative Wednesday that’s designed to reduce wrong-way driving crashes through a combination of advanced detection technology, enhanced roadway signage, infrastructure improvements and targeted safety upgrades.

The initiative, which will cost the state upwards of $75 million, focuses on more than 500 “high-risk” spots across Massachusetts where drivers are more likely to wind up heading in the wrong direction.

It will take several years for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to install the new warning technology and signage, but Healey stressed that work is already underway.

See more at wpri.com.

The dog days of summer are here, and that means it’s sun’s out, buns out season in the Spindle City.

Things are about to get sizzling with the return of a fun new Fall River tradition, the Fall River Coney Island Classic, featuring epic hot dog eating, local flavors and community fun.

Think you have what it takes to be top dog?

Faneek’s Coney Island, a city hot dog institution since 1966, invites you to find out July 16 as their second annual hot-dog eating contest descends on downtown.

“Game on!!” Faneek’s proclaims in a June 15 post on their Facebook page teasing this year’s event. “Calling all local businesses, fire, police... let's have fun with our community!”

Launched in 2025, the contest — presented by Faneek’s in collaboration with NoMA (North Main Historic District) — has already cemented a spot in city history as it was paired by a proclamation from the city of Fall River officially designating the third Thursday in every July as Fall River Hot Dog Day.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Lillian Daponte, a B.M.C. Durfee High School graduate, has been awarded BankFive’s 2026 Presidential Scholarship.

The $10,000 scholarship, which is renewable over four years, is given to graduating high school seniors from Bristol County, Massachusetts, and Newport County, Rhode Island, according to a community announcement.

Daponte will attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in the fall.

The scholarship, created in partnership with the SouthCoast Community Foundation, honors the memory of BankFive’s late presidents and CEOs. It is awarded based on either academic achievement or financial need and is renewable each year the student is enrolled full time and meets eligibility requirements.

See more at heraldnews.com.

John Nieratko has been named the next principal of Gardner Elementary School in Swansea.

Nieratko, who currently serves as the director of Instruction & Assessment in Mansfield Public Schools, was chosen after a thorough search process, according to a community announcement.

Nieratko has a strong background in education, having previously served as an elementary school principal in Mansfield. He has been recognized for supporting student achievement, fostering positive school cultures and working collaboratively with staff and families.

During the interview process, Nieratko demonstrated a student-centered philosophy and a commitment to supporting educators. His experience and dedication to educational excellence were highlighted as key factors in his selection, according to the announcement.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A Taunton woman died Monday following a crash involving multiple vehicles on Route 44.

The victim was identified Tuesday as Ivonne Caicedo Gallego, 44, by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

The crash happened just after 10 a.m. outside 595 Winthrop St. The DA’s office said first responders arrived to find a white BMW with “catastrophic damage to the driver’s side” and Caicedo Gallego outside the vehicle with traumatic injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man and woman from a second vehicle were taken to Rhode Island Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the DA’s office.

See more at wpri.com.

Police are investigating a homicide that happened in Fall River Wednesday evening.

In a social media post, the Fall River Police Department confirmed the suspected homicide happened on Aetna Street.

It’s unclear how the victim died.

Police said they have one person in custody, but it’s unclear if they are facing charges.

See more at wpri.com.

Police are investigating after a child was hit and killed by a car in New Bedford Wednesday afternoon.

The child was riding a bicycle down Cherokee Street when they were hit by an oncoming car, according to police.

Police said the child suffered fatal injuries as a result.

The driver that hit the child is cooperating with the investigation.

“Words cannot adequately describe a tragedy so profound,” New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said in a statement. “This child had their entire life ahead of them. I offer my deepest condolences to the family and whatever support we could conceivably offer.”

The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time.

See more at wpri.com.

The Fall River Public Schools has moved to lay off 73 educators in schools throughout the district, according to the latest data.

Fall River Educators Association President Keith Michon spoke at the June 3 meeting of the Fall River Public School Committee, where he reflected on some “not-so-good things,” leading up to a difficult last month when 213 initial non-renewal letters were sent to district employees. 

“I’m very disheartened to see so many great educators and those with great potential leave Fall River. … I’m hopeful that better systems can be put in place,” he said, citing “a difficult year filled with disruption and instability for so many.”

Rather than “clean house,” Michon said, “we need a builder.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts' chief public defender is demanding a review of all cases involving the officers in the Karen Read case.  It would specifically focus on former State Police trooper Michael Proctor and former Canton sergeant Sean Goode.

This comes after Read filed a lawsuit last week over racist and sexist text messages sent by the disgraced officers. 

Read claims Proctor and Goode were driven by misogyny in their alleged efforts to frame her for the murder of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe. 

Last year, a jury acquitted Read of second-degree murder after a previous jury was split, leading to a mistrial.

Over the next few weeks, public works crews and third-party contractors will be resurfacing roadways around Dartmouth.

The town put out a press release Tuesday warning drivers about the travel and parking impacts they may encounter between June 9 and July 18.

“Dartmouth Department of Public Works thanks all residents and visitors for their patience while this vital street work is completed,” the press release said.

The work will be done between 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Signed detours will be in place, according to the town, and parking won’t be allowed in the affected areas during those hours on weekdays.

Here is a list of the resurfacing locations:

• Metropolitan Street (from Slocum Road to Dead End)
• Huntington Avenue (from Slocum Road to Dead End)
• Lexington Avenue (from Slocum Road to House #90)
• Longfellow Street (from Lexington Avenue to New Bedford City Line)
• Patton Street (from Slocum Road to Dead End)
• Truman Avenue (from Marshall Street to MacArthur Street)
• MacArthur Street (Truman Avenue to House #4 on Marshall Street)
• Doolittle Avenue (Nimitz Street to Doolittle Avenue)
• Nimitz Street (Truman Avenue to Doolittle Avenue)
• Slocum Road (Route 6 to Patton Avenue)
• Chase Road (Kyle Jacob Road to Gentle Valley Drive)

See more at wpri.com.

Jesse Machado will never forget the afternoon of Feb. 21, 2022.

It was the day the 36-year-old said he stabbed 43-year-old Davide Semenza to death.

“He was so joyful with everybody,” Semenza’s widow, Giorgia Ferretti, told 12 News last fall. “He had a big, big heart and was an amazing dad.”

The 43-year-old, who was born in Texas to Swiss and Italian immigrants, had just moved into a room in Newport and was working at a local restaurant prior to his death.

Machado explained that he went to Newport to meet up with a woman he’d met just days before in Providence.

“We rode around for a bit … and then she said, ‘Oh we have to stop at my friend’s house for a minute. I have to talk to him about something,'” Machado recalled. “She didn’t tell me about what and I didn’t really ask.”

See more at wpri.com.

How do you think Pleasant Street can be improved?

That’s the question the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District will be asking of Fall River residents at a listening session set for Thursday, June 11.

The meeting will be held at Government Center from 5 to 7 p.m.; the drop-in event is intended for SRPEDD to hear from the public about how they feel Pleasant Street can be improved in terms of transportation and land use.

In April, SRPEDD announced it was conducting a study of the Pleasant Street corridor from Troy Street to Eastern Avenue, with the goal of improving “travel experience,” especially “traffic and pedestrian safety,” according to a release. The listening session is part of that study.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The town’s Health Director Jonathan Abreu has given the Venus de Milo restaurant and banquet hall a gold star of approval as of an unannounced inspection on June 7. 

Venus's third-generation owner Monte Ferris Jr. and Abreu listed mutual support and an acknowledgment of their respective trades in a joint statement that read, "We look forward to continuing a highly collaborative relationship ... to bring high-quality food with the highest level of food safety possible to [a] beloved clientele and community at large."

In the statement, Ferris advocated for Abreu and the health board, saying, "Their burden is heavy, the work is not easy, and the mandate is extremely important, which we ... always will recognize," pointing to the 70-year working relationship the venue has shared with the Board of Health.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank was remembered yesterday during a memorial service at Faneuil Hall in Boston. 

He was 86-years-old when he died on May 19th, in Ogunquit, Maine. 

Frank was elected to Congress in 1980, and retired in 2013.  Speakers at the service included Massachusetts Congressmen Jim McGovern and Richard Neal, Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.  

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is signing the World Cup alcohol bill. 

The bill officially allows cities and towns extend alcohol service until 3:00 a.m. during the tournament.  It will also allow designated public drinking districts. 

The changes come ahead of World Cup matches in Foxborough and run through July.

All three Massachusetts governor candidates are not releasing their tax returns. 

The Boston Globe reports Governor Maura Healey and Republican challengers Mike Minogue and Brian Shortsleeve declined requests for five years of returns. 

While state law does not require candidates to release the documents, this comes after all three have promised transparency in their campaign. 

The tax returns can provide insight into the money they have available to shape their ability to get their message out to voters.

A judge is denying former state trooper Michael Proctor's bid to delay his deposition. 

On Friday, Proctor submitted the emergency request to postpone the deposition in the wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Read. 

The lawsuit is being brought by the family of Boston police officer John O'Keefe against Read and several other parties. 

The judge denied Proctor's request to delay, saying that Proctor failed to provide sufficient reason for the delay.  Plymouth Superior Court Judge Mark Gildea criticized both the timing of the request and the evidence submitted by Proctor's attorneys.

The driver accused of causing the crash that killed a motorcyclist in Raynham last week faced a judge on Monday.

Jacob Larsen, 22, of Avon, was arraigned in Taunton District Court on charges of motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, a marked lane violation, and failure to yield at an intersection.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Larsen hit 52-year-old Scott Piche of New Bedford with his car at the intersection of South Street East and Hill Street in Raynham on Friday, June 5. Piche was taken to Morton Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The DA’s office said Larsen remained at the scene of the crash, where police learned he had been driving with a suspended license after a previous OUI arrest.

See more at wpri.com.

The faint sounding of passing train horns was audible as mayors and other officials from Brockton, Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton gathered to take stock of how South Coast Rail has changed the region in its first year — and learn how to capitalize on it.

Bridgewater State University on Tuesday, June 2, hosted a year-in-review event featuring speakers from across the region, including MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, who spoke about where South Coast Rail came from and where it’s going.

“What we’ve seen is transportation is bi-directional — it’s not the old way of just going into Boston and coming out,” Eng told officials.

Eng has touted "regional rail" as the MBTA’s future, a model built on fast, cheap and frequent train service between cities along the line, not just to Boston. Mayors of the SouthCoast’s four Gateway Cities spoke about how working together with that kind of rail service can benefit the region in terms of jobs, housing, development, education and more.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts officials are asking the public to help spot signs of human trafficking ahead of World Cup matches. 

Public safety leaders and victim advocates announced awareness campaigns and other safety plans as large crowds prepare to come to the region. 

Officials said workers in hotels, restaurants, transit hubs and other crowded areas are being trained to recognize possible trafficking. 

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced 390-thousand dollars in grants for anti-trafficking work. 

The FBI says there is no are credible threats as of now, but security will be heightened around watch parties, fan festivals and games in Foxborough.

Ex-State Trooper Michael Proctor is seeking a last-minute delay in the wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Read. 

On Friday, Proctor's lawyers requested an emergency order to delay a deposition in the lawsuit.  Proctor is scheduled to be deposed by Read's lawyers today. 

Read is fighting the wrongful death lawsuit, which was filed by the family of her deceased boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe. 

Last year, a jury acquitted Read of a second-degree murder charge she was facing over the death of O'Keefe

An Avon man involved in a fatal crash in Raynham is now facing charges, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

The crash Friday night claimed the life of a motorcyclist from New Bedford, identified on Sunday as 52-year-old Scott Piche.

Police said Piche was riding down South Street East when he was hit by an SUV at the intersection with Hill Street.

The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament has announced its 2026 performers, with one big name closing out the first night of the event: Sugar Ray.

The band behind ’90s hits like “Fly” and “Every Morning” will perform from 10 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, the Madeira Club revealed via social media.

The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament is the largest Portuguese feast in the world and brings tens of thousands of people to New Bedford’s Madeira Field each year.

This year’s feast begins July 30 and will end on Sunday, Aug. 2. Admission is free for all ages, though no one under the age of 21 will be allowed to enter the Feast grounds after 8 p.m.

See more at wpri.com.

Board of Health and Health Director Jonathan Abreu say they were justified in serving the Venus de Milo restaurant and banquet facility the suspension orders that threatened to shutter its doors. 

“Myself and the entire Board of Health take our role in protecting the public very seriously and will continue to enforce corrective actions as needed," Abreu wrote to the Herald News in a June 4 email responding to the newspaper's interview Venus de Milo owner Monte Ferris Jr.

The two sides have been in a public debate about the health and food standards at the restaurant after the town issued a cease-and-desist order May 19 ordering the business to stop serving food immediately. That order was put on hold by a temporary restraining order from Bristol County Superior Court. The cease-and-desist was a follow up action by the board to a 30-day suspension of the Venus de Milo's food establishment license issued on May 14, and an earlier March 2026 suspension, neither of which closed the restaurant.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Durfee High School cosmetology student Maiah Torres has arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, to represent Durfee and Massachusetts at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, according to a community announcement.

Torres earned the right to compete on the national stage after winning the Massachusetts SkillsUSA Gold Medal in Cosmetology and being recognized as the top cosmetology student in the state. At the national conference, Torres will face a two-day competition totaling 12 hours of hands-on and written assessments against student stylists from across the country.

Competitors must also complete a 100-question written exam covering professional cosmetology knowledge and industry standards.

Torres was recently honored with Durfee’s CTE Director’s Award during the school’s CTE Cords and Awards Ceremony. The award recognizes a student who demonstrates excellence in career and technical education, leadership and service.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Fans heading to World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium are getting a reminder about what they cannot bring inside. 

The Boston Globe reports refillable water bottles, outside food and drinks, strollers, umbrellas, noisemakers and certain camera equipment are banned.  The stadium will only allow approved clear bags and small wallets. 

Gillette Stadium will be called Boston Stadium during the tournament and will open three hours before kickoff.  The first of seven World Cup matches there is set for June 13th.

A Nantucket resident says she offered laxative-laced brownies to the Nantucket School Committee. 

The Boston Globe reports Meghan Perry made the comment during public testimony over a proposed artificial turf project at Vito Capizzo Stadium. 

Perry appeared to be comparing the brownies to "non-detect" levels of P-FAS chemicals cited in the turf debate. 

Nantucket Current reports the brownies were thrown away and none were eaten. 

School Committee Chair Laura Gallagher Byrne said she does not intend to press criminal charges or escalate the matter further.

Karen Read has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police and the town of Canton, alleging misconduct and negligence in the investigation that led to her prosecution in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in Bristol County Superior Court argues that Read’s acquittal last June revealed “an embedded culture of bigotry, misogyny, systemic failures, and institutional rot at the very core of both organizations.”

It alleges that the town and the police department were negligent in the hiring, training and supervision of officers and seeks damages for legal fees, lost income, emotional distress and reputational harm, among other claims.

The complaint reproduces dozens of text messages, recordings and other communications attributed to former state trooper Michael Proctor and former Canton police Sgt. Sean Goode. Among them are messages in which Proctor referred to Read as a “whack job” and wrote that he hoped she would kill herself. The lawsuit also cites messages that it says included use of the n-word and, in one instance, a comment by Proctor that “Hitler was really on to something.”

Read’s lawyers argue that those materials show both men were unfit to participate in the investigation and that their conduct reflected broader failures in oversight by state and local law enforcement.

See more at wpri.com.

An investigation is underway into a fire that destroyed a Bristol apartment building Thursday evening.

Bristol Fire Chief Michael DeMello told 12 News firefighters rushed to the Lincoln Avenue building after receiving reports of smoke showing from a porch.

DeMello said the firefighters arrived to flames shooting from each of the three floors and smoke pouring from the roof.

“It’s a pretty sturbborn fire,” DeMello explained. “It’s an old building and a big building, so once it got into the walls, the chase was on.”

DeMello said the fire spread into the “nooks and crannies” of the home, making it difficult for firefighters to get to the flames.

It took firefighters roughly two hours to knock the bulk of the fire down, according to DeMello.

DeMello said everyone who was home at the time was able to escape. He added that one tenant suffered minor injuries and was brought to the hospital for treatment.

It’s unclear if the building, which DeMello said consists of between eight and 10 apartments, is a total loss.

The cause of the fire also remains unknown at this time.

See more at wpri.com.

A section of Mill Street in New Bedford was shut down Thursday morning as police investigated a deadly incident.

In a Facebook post, police said they responded to a “serious accident” and advised drivers to seek alternate routes if possible. A 12 News crew at the scene saw police tape and a tent set up near the intersection with Pleasant Street, and the medical examiner was also called to the scene.

Rporterdly the accident involved a pedestrian and a tractor-trailer.

At this time, the victim’s identity and what led up to the crash remain unclear.

See more at wpri.com.

“We haven’t been closed for a minute,” Monte Ferris Jr., owner and operator of the Venus de Milo restaurant and banquet hall, said in his office on Tuesday, June 2. 

The iconic facility at 75 GAR Highway has been a staple of proms, weddings, baptisms and other family functions for generations. But Ferris said recent issues with the town Board of Health over now-rescinded orders, and public stigma, have put the business at risk.

"The financial loss is significant," Ferris said. "This has caused an emotional loss. It's a short-term hit to our reputation. Thankfully now it's cured, but a short-term hit to our reputation that we didn't deserve."

See more at heraldnews.com.

An FBI team searched the area around Route 88 in Westport on Wednesday, June 3, as part of “an ongoing, multi-jurisdictional investigation,” a spokesperson for the FBI said.

“We are searching for specific evidence and there is no threat to public safety,” said FBI spokeswoman Kristen Setera. 

She could not comment on the nature of the evidence being searched for.

Westport Police said as of 4:30 p.m. there were no road closures on Route 88, and that investigators were no longer on scene.

The investigation comes nearly two years after an investigation took place on Route 88 in Westport. It is unknown if the operations are connected.

The FBI would not comment on whether the investigation would continue in upcoming days, saying the investigation is “an ongoing matter” and that it could not release further details.

See more at heraldnews.com.

NASA says the Cape Cod meteorite was made of iron and unusually dense. 

The object then broke into multiple pieces high in the atmosphere. 

NASA says that radar data suggests the meteorites landed in the middle of Cape Cod Bay. 

The event caused loud booms and shaking across parts of New England on Saturday. 

Scientists say any fragments are likely underwater in about 100 feet of water.

A Westport man is due for a new trial after serving three decades in prison in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy.

Brian Peixoto was arrested and charged in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s son, Christopher Affonso Jr., at their Westport home in 1996. The following year, he was found guilty of first-degree murder “based on a theory of extreme or cruelty” and sentenced to natural life in prison, according to court documents obtained by 12 News.

The 80-page, May 18 filing shows Judge Daniel J. O’Shea ordered Peixoto’s sentence to be vacated, therefore overturning his conviction and granting him a new trial. He has been ordered held without bail at the Bristol County House of Correction in the interim and is expected to appear in court for a hearing Thursday.

For the past 30 years he’s spent incarcerated, Peixoto has maintained his innocence and filed motions for a new trial on four separate occasions. Supporters argue he was wrongfully convicted of a horrific crime, without any evidence that he ever hurt Christopher.

They pointed to the high-profile case of Louise Woodward, who was arrested just a month before Peixoto’s trial, claiming he was “collateral damage in the wake of the media frenzy around a highly publicized and prejudicial, emotionally charged case.”

According to a website dedicated to shedding light on the case, Peixoto has been represented by criminal trial lawyer Jennifer Fitzgerald and the CPCS Innocence Program, as well as supported by the New England Innocence Project.

See more at wpri.com.

Rhode Island taxpayers’ tab for the Washington Bridge crisis has crossed a milestone, with more than two years to go before a new bridge is scheduled to open.

The R.I. Department of Transportation’s latest progress report shows the agency has spent $203 million addressing the failure of the westbound bridge since its abrupt closure in December 2023 — with $368 million still to be spent over the next few years.

RIDOT has spent $88 million so far demolishing the old bridge, a task which officials deemed substantially complete last December, according to the report. That number has changed little in recent months.

The state has also shelled out $46 million on expenses tied to the bridge’s emergency closure, including $9 million through January to keep tow trucks on standby 24/7 at either end of the span that is currently open to keep traffic flowing. The state had originally budgeted just $2 million for the tow trucks.

Outlays are now rising fast for construction of the new westbound bridge, which is supposed to open to traffic in November 2028 and reach substantial completion in June 2029. Expenses for the new bridge reached $69 million in May, up from $55 million in March.

The federal government is slated to cover the majority of costs associated with the bridge.

See more at wpri.com.

 A woman who was injured when a staircase collapsed nearly a year ago in Portsmouth is suing the town and the owners of the venue where it happened, 12 News has learned.

Kathleen Magrath, who lives in Indiana, filed the lawsuit against the Portuguese American Citizens Club late last month.

Magrath was on the staircase at the entrance of the Power Street building when it collapsed during a graduation party. The collapse not only injured Magrath and three others, but also killed 15-year-old Kelly Nevitt.

“Concrete and other structural components fell and struck [Magrath], pinning and trapping her,” the lawsuit says.

Magrath suffered “traumatic bodily injuries” as a result of the collapse and has required ongoing medical care, according to the lawsuit.

The driver in a motorcycle crash that killed a North Scituate woman nearly five years ago has been sentenced.

On the night of June 6, 2021, William Botelho was riding a motorcycle with his passenger, 24-year-old Krystal Geraldo, down Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford when police said he lost control and hit a guardrail.

Both were seriously injured and taken to the hospital, where Geraldo died a few days later.

It wasn’t until 2023 that Botelho was charged with vehicular homicide by OUI in her death.

A jury convicted Botelho Tuesday on a lesser charge of vehicular manslaughter by negligence.

The state requested six months in prison and additional time on home confinement, while his defense sought a suspended six-month sentence.

See more at wpri.com.

The Fall River Pride Committee is launching its 2026 Pride Month with a series of events celebrating LGBTQ+ pride, visibility and inclusion.

The festivities begin with a Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at 4 p.m. June 5 at Fall River Government Center, according to a community announcement. The event is open to the public, including community members, local leaders and supporters.

The annual Fall River Pride Festival will take place from noon to 6 p.m. June 7, according to the announcement.

The festival will feature entertainment, community organizations, local vendors, food, music and family-friendly activities such as an obstacle course, a blowup slide and games. This year, the festival will also include a wrestling show for the first time.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Governor Maura Healey is backing a bill to allow Massachusetts bars and restaurants to stay open until 3:00 a.m. this summer. 

The proposal comes as Boston and other communities prepare for an influx of visitors tied to the World Cup and the state's 250th anniversary. 

Supporters say the measure could help businesses capitalize on the busy summer, while critics warn it could add public safety concerns.  A Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies is currently considering the bill. 

A final version will have to be approved by the House and Senate before it lands on Healey's desk for her approval.

When the Fall River Public Library first opened to the public in March 1899, the Fall River Daily Herald and the Evening News both were careful to note that the building was “entirely fire-proof.”

But when it comes to water, poor workmanship on the building’s roof in recent years has led to chronic and alarming leaks — not ideal for a building full of rare paper.

The library is currently undergoing more than $800,000 worth of major repairs both inside and out that Director Fellisha Desmarais said will “stop the leaks, hopefully completely.”

Work on the North Main Street building is expected to last a few months. But beyond the vital maintenance, Desmarais has renovation plans that will beautify the building and expand what it offers to patrons, including adding a theater space.

On the Fall River Public Library’s second floor, the vaunted research room is shrouded in plastic. Where research librarians and patrons used to do their work, you’ll find scaffolding, power tools and exposed brick.

The rear of the historic 19th century building is covered in scaffolding as well, busy with workers from East Coast Masonry & Restoration, hired to repoint the building’s exterior, made of original Fall River dressed granite.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts gas prices are dropping amid optimism over a potential U.S.-Iran peace deal. 

AAA says the statewide average is about four-dollars-39-cents a gallon.  That is down about nine cents from a week ago. 

Analysts say crude prices have fallen sharply as talks continue over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. 

Gas prices remain well above last year's average, but drivers are seeing signs of relief at the pump.

A woman is facing charges after police seized various drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, from a home in Rehoboth on Monday.

State and local officers were outside a property on Winthrop Street for several hours to execute a search warrant for reported narcotics, according to police.

As a result, detectives discovered:

• 250.5 grams of cocaine
• 13 grams of oxycodone
• 7.3 grams of MDMA
• 23 grams of fentanyl
• 69 grams of methamphetamine
• 142 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
• 242 grams of marijuana

Police said other drugs that have yet to be identified were also found.

Melinda Archambault, 36, of Bristol, was taken into custody on drug charges. She is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Taunton District Court.

Police added that “charges for others involved will follow.”

See more at wpri.com.

The city moved one step closer to sealing the deal on the former Bishop Connolly High School earlier this week.

A $29,800,000 loan order requested by Mayor Paul Coogan gained the authorization of seven councilors at the May 26 City Council meeting. Councilor Christopher Peckham opposed the motion and Councilor Andrew Raposo abstained from voting. 

The authorization was referred to the City Council Committee on Finance. 

The city is intends to convey the purchase to Fall River Public Schools, where the former Catholic high school’s halls will greet the district’s youngest and “most vulnerable” students. The purchase, once official, is part and parcel of a districtwide move to consolidate classrooms, economize space, disperse staffing, and devote a single location to pre-K education. 

It’s unlikely the city will be able to close on the property before January 2027 — after the purchase and sales agreement gets a rubber stamp from the Vatican. 

See more at heraldnews.com.

Remnants of a meteor that exploded over New England on Saturday afternoon landed in the middle of Cape Cod Bay. 

According to NASA, the fireball fragmented above northeast Massachusetts and southeast New Hampshire at around 75-thousand-miles-per-hour, releasing an energy equivalent of close to 300-tons of TNT, causing a loud boom.  NASA officials say the water depth at the fall site is rou.ghly 100-feet. 

According to NASA, the fireball was not associated with an active meteor shower or the re-entry of space debris or a satellite.  NASA says the object was a bolide - a bright meteor that exploded in Earth's atmosphere.

U.S. Senator Ed Markey has won the Democratic endorsement in the Massachusetts U.S. Senate Race. 

At Saturday's Massachusetts's Democratic Party convention in Worcester, Markey cemented his role as the front-runner in the primary. 

The endorsement solidified Markey's support among party activists as Representative Seth Moulton challenges the 79-year-old incumbent.  Markey won 73-percent of the vote while Moulton got 27-percent of among the thousands of voting delegates. 

Moulton told reporters he was "proud of the support" he had in the room, but was "just aiming to get on the ballot."

Four men were arrested following a several fights outside a New Bedford bar early Sunday morning.

In a social media post, the New Bedford Police Department explained that officers who were on patrol near Pleasant Street noticed Bento’s Bar & Grill was still occupied by patrons after 2 a.m.

The officers spoke with management and urged them to begin clearing patrons from their establishment.

Police said several fights broke out around the same time, causing a crowd to grow outside the bar.

The officers attempted to separate those involved in the fights and disperse the crowd, but the fights continued to escalate as other bystanders joined in, according to police.

Police said the crowd consisted of approximately 75 people and the fights resulted in four arrests. The officers recovered a loaded firearm and a knife from two of the men who were taken into custody.

See more at wpri.com.