CITY OF NEW BEDFORD
VETERINARIAN TECHNICIAN $13.23hr – $18.88hr
BUTTONWOOD PARK ZOO

Assists with all tasks related to veterinary care. Basic daily care (feeding, watering, cleaning, housing) of animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates) housed in the animal care complex. Stocks and maintains a pharmacy as directed by the Zoo Veterinarian. Administers medication to animals in the animal care complex and dispenses medications to keepers to administer. May assist Zoo Caretakers in the administration of medication to animals. May be required to reconstitute and calculate dosages for medications. Maintains animal health records and implements a program of animal health maintenance including, but not limited to, the scheduling of annual physicals and annual vaccinations. Maintains a program of parasite control for the Zoo’s animal collection that includes routine fecal collection, examination and the appropriate dispensing of de-wormer medicines.

Collects or requests Zoo Caretakers to collect appropriate biological specimens and analyzes specimens. Assists in veterinary procedures (including chemical or physical restraint of animals). Monitors physiological signs of animals during chemical immobilization. Monitors patient vital parameters during anesthetic procedures. Provides assistance during surgical procedures. Maintains surgical instrumentation and equipment. Will be a member of the Dangerous Animal Response Team, which will include preparation of and use of firearms and darting equipment. Radiographs animals and develops radiographs for viewing. Must be familiar with radiograph equipment and animal anatomy. Assists in post-mortem necropsy examinations. Performs daily housekeeping and maintenance for the animal hospital complex (offices, animal and examination areas).

Graduation from a regionally accredited program in veterinary technology or four years’ experience as a veterinary technician in a veterinary hospital, zoo or similar facility; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license with good driving record. Operates motor vehicle on a regular basis. Must have a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, mandatory by MGL Chapter 6 Sec. 172C. Must have or be able to obtain and FID card.

For complete job description and application instructions, visit www.newbedford-ma.gov. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. New Bedford has a residency requirement. EEO

A delegation of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will join with Mayor Jon Mitchell and other elected officials for a flag raising ceremony at City Hall on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. The St. Patrick’s Day flag-raising is an annual event to celebrate the many achievements, contributions, and successes of Irish Americans.

After advancing through two rounds of online competition, the New Bedford High School JROTC Leadership Team – Derek Marques, Wayne Szela, Isaiah Crespo, and Donovan Martinez – were selected to compete in the 2016 Army JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) Championships in Washington, D.C. The competition will be held on the campus of The Catholic University of America, June 24-28, 2016. This event is sponsored by the Army JROTC and is conducted by College Options Foundation. New Bedford High School also attended the event in 2015, finishing fourth in the nation last year.

New Bedford’s JROTC team won their regional competition against all programs from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

A total of 1,378 Army JROTC teams competed from around the world. New Bedford is one of only 40 Army JROTC Leadership teams in the nation to advance to the national finals, which includes an all-expense paid trip to the Championship event in D.C.

During the two fast-paced preliminary rounds, cadets were tested on their knowledge of curriculum, current events, leadership skills, problem solving and critical thinking. New Bedford’s program has now sent a qualifying team to the national finals in 6 of the previous 8 years.

The JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl is a nationally recognized competition created exclusively for JROTC students. By participating, cadets learn the values of citizenship, academic competition, and are exposed to tremendous collegiate opportunities. The New Bedford High School Academic team also performed exceptionally well finishing third among all Army JROTC programs in those same states. The entire 2016 team is comprised of captains, Kyien Pina, and Ryan Costa along with team members Brittany Cutler, Logan Avelar, Seti Pereira and Isidra Roman.

College Options Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the academic development of high school students and assisting them in their preparation for higher education. Using academic competitions, college exam study guides, college admissions tutorials and personalized counseling, College Options Foundation has assisted the nation’s JROTC cadets worldwide for over a decade.

“Our students at New Bedford High School continue to shine,” said Superintendent Pia Durkin. “Derek, Wayne, Isaiah and Donovan have proven themselves against their peers from across nine states, and to those of us in New Bedford, it’s no surprise that it’s our students who will be going on to the national JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl in Washington this summer. As always, our students continue to impress us and make us proud.”

Dunkin’ Donuts is hiring for multiple positions in New Bedford and Fairhaven! The job pays $10/hour plus tips. Benefits for employees that meet qualifications include: paid vacation and health insurance. Want to apply? Call 508.995.0513 and they will match you up to a store nearest you. You can also email: now-hiring@dalykenney.com.

The Bishop Stang Spartans (21-3) traveled to the TD Garden in Boston, MA to take on the Bedford Buccaneers (17-7) in the MIAA Division 3 State-Semi Finals.

The first half was close, and it would have had you believed the game would be a nail biter. Stang outscored Bedford by 1 point in the first quarter, and again in the second quarter, ending the half with a 28-26 lead.

In the second half, the Spartans came out of the locker room with the “havoc” chant in the background. Bishop Stang wasted no time and took complete control of the game. Their defense smoldered Bedford keeping them to 6 points in the third and 11 in the fourth.

Bishop Stang wins over Bedford 63-43, and the team moves on to the State Finals this Saturday in Springfield.

Bishop Stang – 19,9,16,19 = 63
Bedford – 18,8,6,11 = 43

Photo gallery.

There was a major house fire on 17 Nancy Street in Fairhaven Monday night around 10:30pm. The fire started in the basement while the home owner was handling propane gas. Two people suffered burns and a cat, dog and dozens of pigeons were killed. Fairhaven fire fighters spent two hours fighting the fire with two fire fighters suffered minor injuries.

Video by Carlos Pimentel Felix.

At last night’s New Bedford school committee meeting a former Keith Middle School teacher (2009-2015) talked about her resignation and the atmosphere at Keith Middle School. She stated that she left Keith Middle School because of the unsafe environment for teachers/students and because she was asked to lie to parents. Watch the video and let us know you thoughts!

Video by Carlos Pimentel Felix.

Taunton Police, Massachusetts State Police and Prosecutors from the Bristol County District Attorney’s office are actively investigating a fatal shooting, which occurred in the City of Taunton last night.

At around 8:30 last night, Taunton Police responded to a report of shots fired in an apartment at 103 Hart Street, Building Five. Upon arrival, police first located the occupant of the apartment waiting for them on a balcony and then found the deceased inside the apartment.

The deceased has been identified as Dominque Scott, 23, of Taunton.

According to a preliminary investigation, the occupant of the apartment, identified as 24-year-old Nicholas Hoard, opened his apartment door after hearing knocking. Once he opened the door, two masked and armed men forced themselves inside. One of the men held Mr. Hoard at gunpoint while the other rummaged through the apartment, according to the preliminary investigation. While the suspect rummaging through the apartment was out of sight, Mr. Hoard was able to disarm the suspect who was holding him in a headlock.

At this time, according to the preliminary investigation, the suspect rummaging through the apartment came back into the main area of the apartment due to the commotion of fighting and drew his firearm upon Mr. Hoard. Mr. Hoard shot the suspect, later identified as Mr. Scott, one time. The second, unidentified suspect, then fled the apartment on foot while Mr. Hoard called 911.

Mr. Hoard is continuing to be questioned by police and prosecutors, and the second home invasion suspect is being sought. Mr. Hoard does not face any criminal charges in relation to this incident at this time. The investigation remains active and ongoing, and no further information will be disseminated at this time.

Taunton Police, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to this office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating an apparent homicide which occurred in the City of Taunton yesterday.

Taunton Police received a 911 call around 5:47 p.m. yesterday from a woman who said she came home from work to find her girlfriend deceased inside their apartment. When police responded to 9 Morton Street, they found the female victim deceased. The victim has been identified as Vanessa Courtney, 23, of 9 Morton Street, Taunton.

Further investigation determined that Ms. Courtney appears to have been stabbed or slashed to death, and the incident is being investigated as a homicide.

Assistant District Attorney Katie Rayburn, the deputy chief of the homicide unit, is coordinating the investigation.

After an investigation by Detective Paul Fonseca of the Major Crimes Unit, an arrest warrant was issued in the Sunday morning shooting on Sawyer St.

Last night at approximately 9:30pm Det. Lorenzo Gonzalez and Det. Jared Lucas of the Gang Unit found the suspect in the basement of 5 Bonneau Ct. which is next door to where the shooting took place. Detectives are still working on a motive and the firearm has yet to be recovered.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and will be arraigned this morning in New Bedford district court;

Josiahi Matos age 20 of New Bedford is facing charges of;

• Armed Assault in a dwelling
• Assault and Battery by means of a dangerous weapon
• Unlawfully carrying a firearm
• Discharging a firearm withing 500ft. of a dwelling

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Fonseca at 508-991-6300 ext. 79507 or leave an anonymous tip at 508-961-4584