“On Saturday, June 25, 2022 at approximately 9:45 p.m., Dartmouth Police responded to Walsh Street to meet with a delivery driver who wanted to report that he had allegedly been robbed by several males while making a delivery.

According to information gathered at the scene, the driver reported that while he was making a delivery, several masked males approached him, and demanded that he give them all of his money. Frightened that he might be injured, the driver stated that he immediately fled on foot, thus leaving his vehicle and belongings behind

Upon returning to his restaurant, the driver called Dartmouth Police, and then returned to Walsh Street to meet with officers. Once back at the residence, it was determined that the unidentified suspects had taken the driver’s vehicle, a white 2013 Honda CRV.

The driver, as well as another witness, both described the males as dark-skinned and wearing hoods. No weapons were ever displayed, and the driver was not injured.

Dartmouth Police detectives are currently investigating the incident.” -Dartmouth Police Department

“On his way to a Cops and Cars, Car Show, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Jesse Walker found himself at a lemonade stand outside Gloria and Company in Fairhaven.

A young girl by the name of Syah set up the stand and was excited to see Trooper Walker arrive in the pink cruiser and support her. With temperatures reaching the 90s who wouldn’t love an ice-cold lemonade?

Thanks for the refreshments Syah!”-Massachusetts State Police.

br>Massachusetts State Police photos.

br>Massachusetts State Police photos.

br>Massachusetts State Police photos.

br>Massachusetts State Police photos.

br>Massachusetts State Police photos.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) reviews every single fatality that happens in Massachusetts. According to the DOT, roadway fatalities soared in 2021 to the highest level in more than a decade, and the trend continues to head in the wrong direction nearly halfway through 2022. Furthermore, motorcycle deaths are currently at a 25-year high in Massachusetts.

On Thursday, Transportation Secretary and MassDOT CEO Jamey Tesler addressed the Department of Transportation board and shared the horrifying statistics about Massachusetts roadways. As of Wednesday, June 22, there have been 175 highway deaths which are already 12 more than we had by the previous June. The tally is still being made because some crashes are still under investigation and pending results, so we can expect the number to increase.

For all of 2021, there was a total of 400 roadway deaths, which itself was a 22% increase over 2020’s statistics.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation hopes with this announcement people will be more aware on the road, less distracted and aggressive, wear a seatbelt, drive sober, and hopefully change their driving behaviors. thereby reducing accidents and fatalities.

“On any street or road in the commonwealth, no matter who owns it. It’s an opportunity to learn and do better every single time, so we are not going to rest until we stop and reverse these trends. With motorcyclist awareness, drivers should remember to ‘look twice, save a life.’ and pedestrians should be as visible as possible and use crosswalks.” said Tesler.

Want to see more statistics, or drill down into the data? The Massachusetts Department of Transportation maintains a Crash Data Portal you can visit.

A Worcester man was sentenced Thursday for civil disorder and the unlawful possession of three Molotov cocktails during a demonstration in the City of Worcester over the murder of George Floyd.

Vincent Eovacious, 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to time served (approximately three days in prison) and three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of 13 months in prison. In September 2021, Eovacious pleaded guilty to one count of civil disorder and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, which includes a Molotov cocktail.

On June 1, 2020, crowds gathered at various locations in Worcester, including South Main Street, to protest the murder of George Floyd. At approximately 10 p.m., a large crowd blocked traffic and began throwing rocks, bottles and other objects at police. As officers on scene gathered into a defensive line formation, officers spotted Eovacious – dressed in a trench coat and carrying a satchel over his shoulder – standing above them on the roof of the one-story building at 848 Main Street. Eovacious appeared agitated, paced back and forth on the rooftop and could be heard screaming at the crowd below to “kill the police.” Officers then observed Eovacious reach into the satchel and remove a white rag and a bottle that contained a yellow-colored liquid. While holding what appeared to be a lighter in one hand, Eovacious attempted to insert the rag into the glass bottle. In response to this threat, officers shined their flashlights at Eovacious, causing him to retreat from the edge of the rooftop and out of the officers’ direct line of sight. Minutes later, officers observed Eovacious walking in the area of May and Main Streets, still carrying the satchel, and stopped him. They searched the satchel and recovered three clear glass bottles filled with gasoline, five white rags and two lighters. Eovacious admitted that the bottles contained gasoline and that he was “with the anarchist group” and was “waiting for an opportunity.” At the time of his arrest, a partially filled gas can and more cloth rags were found in Eovacious’ vehicle.

“During what should have been a peaceful demonstration, Mr. Eovacious sought to incite violence by bringing dangerous Molotov cocktails with him and threatening to kill police officers,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “Protesting injustice is legal. Violence, destruction and threats are not. My sincere thanks to our law enforcement partners for their work on this case as well as their work every day protecting our communities and ensuring the rights of everyone.”

“This defendant possessed and recklessly attempted to use an explosive device which had the potential to cause significant damage and injure countless people,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division. “ATF is committed to protecting our communities from harm and working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt violent activity.”

“Vincent Eovacious had no compunction about committing civil disorder and causing chaos by building Molotov cocktails with the apparent intent of hurling them at police officers, putting their lives, and the lives of others in danger. His behavior was appalling, and this case should serve as a warning to others that you’ll face a swift law enforcement response and federal prosecution if you commit violent acts that break federal law,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division.

U.S. Attorney Rollins, ATF SAC Ferguson, FBI SAC Bonavolonta and Worcester Police Chief Steven M. Sargent made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of Rollins’ Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case. Worcester Man Sentenced for Civil Disorder and Unlawful Possession of Molotov Cocktail

Executive Order bolstering Supplier Diversity Office signed alongside release of Supplier Diversity Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report.

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced several improvements and updates to the state’s supplier diversity efforts that will further strengthen the Commonwealth’s commitment to equity in the state’s contracting process, including a new Executive Order that will provide greater opportunities for diverse and small Massachusetts businesses. The Administration also announced several new tools and new outreach efforts to further expand the network of diverse businesses working with state government.

In addition, the Administration also issued its Fiscal Year 2021 Supplier Diversity Annual Report, which provides results from the recent elevation of the Supplier Diversity Office as its own state agency, including investments in technology, staffing and other resources that will help to remove barriers and provide equity of opportunity for diverse and small businesses.

“Small and diverse businesses are critical components of the Massachusetts economy, and our Administration has been focused on expanding opportunities for these companies in the public marketplace,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am proud to sign this Executive Order today and identify steps that will continue our work to ensure greater diversity, transparency and accountability in our state contracting process.”

“The Supplier Diversity Office, which our administration elevated as a state agency in 2020, has made great progress in formalizing and expanding fair and equitable procurement processes for the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Diverse and small businesses will further benefit from the changes outlined in the Executive Order signed today, which will centralize staff dedicated to promoting equity at the SDO and strengthen its efforts to support the diverse business community.”

New Executive Order: Governor Baker today signed Executive Order 598, which consolidates administration and oversight of the state’s supplier diversity program, small business purchasing program and related initiatives under the newly-formed Supplier Diversity Office (SDO).

The SDO’s mission is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in state contracting. The SDO’s primary tool for fulfilling this mission is by certifying businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, service-disabled veterans, those with a disability, and LGBT individuals, as well as small Massachusetts businesses. This certification helps enhance the marketability of these businesses when bidding on public contracts. Click here to view the Executive Order.

In addition to consolidating business diversity and inclusion efforts under the SDO, the Executive Order also:

• Creates a Supplier Diversity Office Diverse and Small Business Advisory Board, a 15-person board which will guide and advise the SDO in fulfilling its mission to promote equity and fairness in state contracting.
• Calls for the appointment of a Secretariat or Agency Supplier Diversity Officer in each state department who will be responsible for ensuring that diverse and small business spending benchmarks are met and developing procurement plans to be promoted to diverse and small businesses.
• Directs the SDO to expand its outreach to other public entities to advance improved opportunity for all categories of diverse and small businesses in all areas of public procurement, contracting, and other areas of public sector commerce, including providing resources to help eliminate barriers for diverse and small businesses such as access to capital, training and technical assistance programs. One such resource is the Municipal Supplier Diversity Playbook, issued by the SDO in FY2021, which can be used by cities and towns to establish their own local supplier diversity programs.
• Creates a new SDO compliance unit that will ensure the integrity of SDO programs by reviewing compliance with the certification process, as well as contractor compliance with supplier diversity commitments and agency compliance with state-mandated benchmarks for spending with diverse and small businesses.

New SDO Annual Report Shows Continued Growth and Innovation: The Executive Order coincides with the release of the SDO’s Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Annual Report. The report details advancements in the SDO’s mission of expanding contracting opportunities with businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, service-disabled veterans, those with a disability and LGBT individuals, as well as small Massachusetts businesses. Click here to view the report.

The SDO’s report indicates that the Commonwealth spent approximately $2.85 billion with diverse and small businesses in FY21, a 26.7% increase over the prior year. This spending includes discretionary (or program) spending of approximately $1.87 billion, a 17.6% increase over Fiscal Year 2020 (FY2020), and nondiscretionary spending of $981 million, a more than 48% increase over FY2020. Furthermore, benchmarks for state department spending for small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses were exceeded by 33%, 9.8%, and 38.4% respectively.

Other highlights of the Annual Report include:

• Overall Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) spending grew by $88 million in FY2021 over the prior year. The SDO reported growth in all race and ethnicity categories, especially in Black (84%), Hispanic/Latino (23%), Asian American (Pacific) (19%) and Asian American (Subcontinent) (36%) categories.
• State spending with Black businesses grew by nearly $42 million in FY2021, $38.5 million of which is from growth in direct spending with Black businesses. The share of Black business spending as a percentage of total MBE spending grew from 12% to 18%.
• For the first time in their annual report, the SDO reported the number of businesses that the Commonwealth conducted business with as both direct and indirect (i.e. subcontracting and ancillary products and services) spend, which included FY2021 growth of 8.9% in the number of direct spend businesses and 3.5% in the number of indirect spend businesses when compared to FY2020.
• The number of certified businesses increased in all categories.

In response to the growth in spending with Black businesses, Nicole Obi, President & CEO of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), said, “BECMA has long been outspoken about the need to set and achieve greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the state contracting process. For that reason, we are glad to see the 84% increase in spending by the Commonwealth with Black businesses in the Supplier Diversity Office’s Fiscal Year 2021 report. We look forward to collaborating with the SDO in further advancing opportunities for Black businesses.”

Diverse and Small Companies Finding Success Through SDO Certification: The SDO supports its diverse and small vendor partners primarily through certifying and connecting them with business opportunities and resources, all free services, which help to increase their marketability when bidding on state contracts. Certification has led to a number of success stories, such as Canton-based Westnet, Inc., which is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).

Certified since 1994, the medical products company answered the call during the early, uncertain days of the COVID-19 pandemic when Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was hard to come by. The minority-owned Westnet supplied tens of millions of units of masks, gloves, disinfectant wipes, and other items to more than 10,000 child care providers. The contract was worth more than $50 million, the largest in Westnet’s history. Westnet also partnered with RTD Logistics, another certified MBE out of Allston, to handle the PPE distribution.

“Certification gives a business an opportunity to build relationships and show that diverse businesses can be competitive and do a great job,” said Gordon Thompson, CEO of Westnet. “It gives companies like mine a genuine opportunity to show what we can do, and that’s the best you can ask for.”

Another success story comes from Stellar Corporation, a software company from Lexington that has been certified as an MBE with the state for 20 years. Owner Swapan Roy said certification has been very important to his company in obtaining state contracts. With a staff count in the single digits, Stellar has built custom IT and software solutions for clients such as the Massachusetts Board of Bar Examiners and the state Department of Revenue as well as the SDO. Roy said being certified helped get business from all kinds of customers, not just from the state.

“Certification has absolutely helped our business,” Swapan Roy said. “It adds a weight to what your business is and what we represent. Our customers know that we’re a small company, but also we’re a good company as well.”

Marlborough-based CAM Office Products is both minority-owned and woman-owned (WBE). Company President Kemo Ceesay said certification was important to help CAM Office Products compete against the giants of the office supply industry.

“It can be difficult to compete as a small company,” Ceesay said. “We don’t have the size of some of the larger office supply companies, who provide volume discounts. But we are dedicated to our customers—when you call us, you won’t get a voice mail, we pick up the phone. Certification has made it possible for us to compete with the bigger guys for state contracts, and I would recommend certification to any company who wants a fair shot at getting a contract.”

The SDO recently engaged Boston-based Archipelago Strategies Group (ASG), which is certified as an MBE, WBE and LGBTBE, to implement a public awareness campaign aimed at promoting SDO services to businesses interested in certification and Commonwealth bidding opportunities. “As a culturally diverse, LGBTQ company, ASG has been able to leverage its unique expertise through SDO. Minority and women-owned businesses more often than not have the talent to get the job done, they just don’t always have the same access to be considered. SDO levels the playing field,” Josiane Martinez, Founder and CEO, ASG said.

SDO to Promote Equality Through Technology: The SDO is further expanding its efforts to promote fairness and equity in state contracting with innovative new technology and resources.

The department’s Supplier Diversity Hub (SDH or Hub), planned to launch in the late summer, will offer matchmaking of diverse and small businesses to prime contractors, agencies, and technical and financial assistance providers. The SDH will also enable state departments and contractors to track their own compliance with diverse and small business benchmarks.

The SDO will roll out a “supplier diversity heat map” of Massachusetts diverse and small businesses this summer, helping state departments, cities and towns and prime vendors find diverse and small businesses by county, city/town, zip code and/or certification type. The map will enable buyers to support not only diverse and small businesses but local ones as well.

The SDO also developed a resource webpage for diverse and small businesses to find training, bidding opportunities and access to capital, technical assistance and other resources that will help them to better compete when bidding on public contract opportunities.

Visit the SDO website on mass.gov to learn more about the SDO, view resources, and see the FY2021 Annual Report.

“The Bristol County District Attorney’s office has contributed towards the purchase of a new vehicle for the New Bedford police department.

On June 21st, a new 2022 Kia Carnival passenger van was put on the road. This van will primarily be used by the department’s LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) team and outreach workers. LEAD is a program launched in May 2018 which focuses on a harm-reduction response to lower-level offenses such as simple drug possession. The intent is to reduce the number of individuals being sent to court or incarcerated and divert them to treatment instead.

LEAD is a collaborative effort between the NBPD, the District Attorney’s office, 7 Hills Behavioral and will soon include the NB Health Dept. The operational team now includes Gifford St. Wellness and Steppingstones peer-to-peer program.

To date, 119 people have gone through the program and been diverted away from their initial criminal charges which are eliminated by the District Attorney’s office upon completion. LEAD is a national program that began in Seattle, Washington, and has spread throughout the country. We are proud to boast the first LEAD program here in Massachusetts.

This van will be used by the team to head out into the community to visit individuals post-overdose, distribute Narcan, and check on various program participants.

“Prior to the acquisition of this vehicle, outreach workers had to use cruisers to conduct visits. These cruisers drew unwanted attention to the person being visited. This van enhances the effectiveness of our team and I’m very grateful to DA Quinn for recognizing the value of preventive programs like this.” said Chief Paul Oliveira.

Those who qualify for participation in the LEAD program are individuals who struggle with a substance abuse disorder, have committed a misdemeanor offense, and are receptive to the process.

PHOTO from left to right – Deputy Chief Adelino Sousa, Sgt. Samuel Ortega (program supervisor), Natasha Patricio (project coordinator), Haywood Barnes (full-time recovery coach), Ashley Cabral (part-time recovery coach), District Attorney Tom Quinn, and Chief Paul Oliveira.” -New Bedford Police Department.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

With the firm belief that strong entrepreneurial ecosystems strengthen businesses, close access gaps and help build community wealth, the New Bedford Economic Development Council (NBEDC) is today launching NBForward! and NB100! – two new funding programs to help finance the dreams of existing and aspiring small businesses in the City of New Bedford.

“Entrepreneurs drive opportunity and growth in our economy. Positioning them for success will accelerate New Bedford’s emergence from the pandemic,” remarks Mayor Jon Mitchell. “The New Bedford Economic Development Council has a proven track record of supporting small businesses, and these two new programs will leverage their experience and expertise.”

The new programs are made possible through the US Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Navigator Program supported by the City of New Bedford’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding package. In total, $3.3 million in funding is being made available to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.

NBForward! will provide funding to existing New Bedford businesses still suffering negative effects of the pandemic. NB100! will focus on assisting early-stage entrepreneurs affected because of their industry or location. Information and applications for eligible businesses and entrepreneurs can be found at https://nbedc.org/grant-loan-programs/.

NBForward! will offer at least 100 grants of up to $20,000 in conjunction with matching loan financing from other, non-ARPA sources, and with payments deferred for three months – along with technical assistance including business planning, resource guidance, and best practices. This program provides resources for businesses to get through the challenges of the next phase of our pandemic recovery, while looking toward investing in and preparing for, greater future success.

“Connectivity is critical to help small businesses achieve success throughout the business lifecycle,” says Anthony Sapienza, President of the New Bedford Economic Development Council. “From beginning to end, both NB100! and NBForward! are designed to not only provide New Bedford businesses with much-needed financial support to come out of the pandemic, but also the technical know-how necessary to remain viable and vibrant for years to come.

“No matter where someone may be in their entrepreneurial journey – whether they are just starting out or a well-established operation – in New Bedford we have a pathway available for them.”

NB100! aims to promote entrepreneurship, grow local wealth, and strengthen community bonds by helping 100 new businesses get off the ground while having positive impacts on New Bedford’s neighborhoods.

“The SBA is excited to work alongside the New Bedford Economic Development Council on removing barriers that underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs in the South Coast region face with accessing resources to recover, grow, and start businesses,” said SBA Massachusetts District Director Robert Nelson about the NB100! program.

“Through the SBA Navigators Pilot Program, our goal is to empower key community-based organizations to reinvigorate the local small business community with critical resources and assistance.”

NB100! will be specifically tailored to the spirit of innovation and creativity which characterizes entrepreneurship in New Bedford. Indeed, a critical part of NB100! is activating the network of partners who have founded New Bedford SourceLink in order to create connections which will set businesses up for greater success in both the near and long-term.

Through NB100!, one hundred eligible businesses may receive grants up to a maximum of $10,000 – but engagement and support will continue long after grant awards are made. And, because socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs have historically been disproportionately disenfranchised, especially throughout the pandemic, a majority of the awardees will be women, minority, and veteran applicants.

The NBEDC will act as the Hub of the program. It will handle the administration of NB100!, which includes managing the application process, reporting to the SBA, and coordination between entrepreneurs and New Bedford SourceLink Resource Partners – serving as the Spokes making the wheels turn.

The seven partners providing direct technical assistance include EforAll South Coast, Groundwork, Co-Creative/New Bedford Creative, New Bedford Ocean Cluster, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Bristol Community College, and Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts.

“The beautiful thing about the Hub and Spoke platform of NB100! is that each of our New Bedford SourceLink partners have something different to offer a large variety of entrepreneurs,” explains Jeffrey Pelletier, President of Junior Achievement of Southern Massachusetts.

“Junior Achievement’s programs tap into the limitless potential of young entrepreneurs across our city who are excited to build and grow their businesses and futures in New Bedford. We are grateful to be a part of this partnership that can serve all of our city’s entrepreneurs and together we will be laying the groundwork for continued economic growth that impacts every corner of our city.”

The NBEDC’s mission is to cultivate and promote a transparent, credible, and business-friendly environment in the City of New Bedford. It works collaboratively with local, state, and federal partners to support creativity, sustainable job growth, and private sector investment benefiting the citizens of the city.

As a tool to achieve those goals, it launched New Bedford SourceLink in anticipation of the dramatically changed small business landscape after the COVID-19 pandemic in a dynamically forming new economy. New Bedford SourceLink was developed as a supportive platform to connect maritime, arts+culture, and main street entrepreneurs to a network of local, regional, and national resource partners to foster innovation, growth, and prosperity.

New Bedford SourceLink partners are all trusted, culturally knowledgeable local individuals, organizations and business. Eachwill connectto specific sectors of the entrepreneurial community reflected by NB100! to provide assistance during economic recovery from the pandemic and into the emerging transformed economy.

The Spoke Partners will craft their own technical assistance programs available to selected NB100! grant recipients. These could range from workshops, training series, to one-on-one consultations. Eligible entrepreneurs will need to have completed technical assistance programming with one of the Spoke Partners to complete their online application to NB100!

Beginning today, New Bedford businesses can apply to participate in the NBForward! and NB100! programs. For a full rundown of requirements and benefits, visit https://nbedc.org/grant-loan-programs/.

Four area women Among 20 Candidates Competing for over $30,000 in Scholarships.

The 2022 Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Competition will be held at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester on Friday, July 1 with finals on Saturday, July 2 at 7pm each night. Among the 20 contestants vying to be the 82nd Miss Massachusetts are:

• Miss New Bedford Megan Sylvia who graduated in 2021 from Bridgewater State University with a degree in Criminal Justice.

• Miss Freetown Tori Kalisz who is a native of Acushnet and is a 2020 graduate of Fairhaven High School and a member of the Class of 2024 at Bridgewater State University majoring in Health Sciences with a pre-physical therapy concentration.

• Miss Norfolk County Mya Leonardo, a 2021 graduate of Dartmouth High School who just completed her first year of studies at Northeastern University where she is majoring in Biology.

• Miss Collegiate Area Olivia Marques who is a 2016 graduate of New Bedford High School and a 2020 graduate of Bridgewater State University with a degree in Theatre Education/Secondary Education and a minor in Musical Theater.

Sylvia is the daughter of Karen Treadup of New Bedford. Her Social Impact Initiative is “Learning Begins with Literacy”. Sylvia will be singing the song “Hurt” by Christina Aguilera for the talent portion of competition and has previously competed for the title of Miss Massachusetts.

Kalisz is the daughter of Marlene and Michael Kalisz of Acushnet and will be singing “Mama Knows Best” for her talent selection. Kalisz’s Social Impact Initiative is “Rise Up: You are Stronger Than You Think”. This year marks the first time she is competing in the state competition.

Leonardo is also competing at the state competition for the first time and is the daughter of Dana and Angie Leonardo of Dartmouth. She will perform a lyrical dance to “A Moment Like This” and her Social Impact Initiative is “Empower: Spreading Inclusion and a Positive Mindset One Story at a Time.”

Olivia Marques is no stranger to the Miss Massachusetts stage, having placed in the Top 10 last year. Her parents are John and Joanne Marques of New Bedford. Marques will perform “Think of Me” from the Broadway musical “Phantom of the Opera”. Her Social Impact Initiative is “The World Needs What You’ve Got – Teachers Teaching Volunteers.”

Miss Massachusetts 2021 Elizabeth Pierre had an incredibly successful year, placing 2nd Runner Up at the 100th Anniversary Miss America competition last December and making appearances across the state while working towards a master’s degree in Social Work at Boston College. Elizabeth held the title of Miss Cambridge before winning the state title and is the state’s first Haitian Miss Massachusetts. She has earned $38,000 in scholarships during her time competing in the Miss America Organization.

The field of 20 candidates will be narrowed to a Top 10 plus the People’s Choice candidate. Supporters help select the People’s Choice position by voting online. Each vote is $1.00 and counts as one vote. Online voting is live now and will end at 10:00 PM on Friday, July 1. For more details visit www.missmass.org and click on the online voting link.

“Our 2022 Miss Massachusetts class is made up of some of the best and brightest young women from across the Bay State,” said Executive Director Dolores “Buffy” Rabuffo. “With the rising costs of a college education, The Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Foundation is proud to be able to assist our candidates with scholarships which help ease the financial burden they face after graduation.”

The next Miss Massachusetts will earn a $14,000 scholarship and will compete at the 101st Anniversary Miss America competition at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.

“A man was charged after he crashed into a motor vehicle following his reckless operation of a dirt bike.

On Thursday, June 23, officers responded to Grove Street and Cottage Street just after 5:30 p.m. for a report of a vehicle and motorcycle accident.

Upon arrival, officers spoke to the driver of the motor vehicle who said as she was turning onto Grove Street and heading east when she was struck by a dirt bike.

The operator of the dirt bike, identified as Justin Cardoza, 22, of 87 Capitol Street, said he was unable to remember anything due to him not wearing a helmet and hitting his head as a result of the crash.

Cardoza was transported to the hospital for evaluation of his injuries and was found to be in possession of four bags of marijuana, weighing over two ounces.

Officers charged him with the reckless operation of an unregistered /uninsured recreational vehicle on a public way without a helmet and possession to distribute a class D drug.

The owner of the dirt bike, identified as Brandin Gonsalves, 21, of 32 Viall Street, has been issued a citation for allowing an unlicensed person to operate an unregistered or uninsured vehicle in a public way. The investigating officers were Ofc. Any Pereira and Ofc. Matthew Greathead.

In the beginning of June, the New Bedford Police Department announced Operation Safe Streets, an initiative to crack down on illegal recreational vehicle use. Any information on where the vehicles are being stored or the identities of those illegally street riding can call our anonymous tip line at (508) 99-CRIME or call our Detective Division at (508) 991-6300 Ext. 79519.” -New Bedford Police Department.

By Katie Lannan
State House News Service

JUNE 24, 2022…..The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, ruling that the constitution does not confer the right to an abortion and leaving decisions about regulating abortion up to the states.

The court’s ruling had been expected since a draft opinion leaked in early May, and reaction from Massachusetts, where abortion remains legal under state law, was swift.

Gov. Charlie Baker, within moments of the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, signed an executive order that bars Massachusetts from cooperating with extradition attempts from other states that may pursue criminal charges in connection with receiving or performing reproductive health services that are legal here.

Baker’s order also protects Massachusetts reproductive health care providers from losing their licenses or receiving other professional discipline because of out-of-state charges, and prohibits agencies under the state’s executive department from assisting another state’s investigation into a person or entity for receiving or delivering reproductive health services in Massachusetts, the governor’s office said.

“I am deeply disappointed in today’s decision by the Supreme Court which will have major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited access to reproductive health care services,” Baker said in a statement. “The Commonwealth has long been a leader in protecting a woman’s right to choose and access to reproductive health services, while other states have criminalized or otherwise restricted access. This executive order will further preserve that right and protect reproductive health care providers who serve out of state residents.”

The roughly $50 billion state budget that a six-person team of lawmakers is currently negotiating also features a suite of protections for providers of reproductive and gender-affirming health care and their patients, which the Senate added into its version of the spending plan after last month’s court leak. The budget bills also have funding aimed at “improving reproductive health care access, infrastructure and security,” including grants to three abortion funds.

Senate President Karen Spilka, who called the court’s action “a ‘nightmare scenario’ for women and those who can get pregnant across this nation,” said Baker’s order aligns closely with the Senate’s budget language.

“There is increased urgency to codify these provisions so that we can ensure the safety and continued protections of our residents,” she said in a statement.

The two-year legislative session is winding down, with July 31 as the last day of formal lawmaking business. Any further response from the Legislature would need to materialize quickly, and House Speaker Ron Mariano earlier this month raised the prospect that lawmakers could compile “one big package” once the court’s decision landed.

The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association said it is not yet clear what the effect of Friday’s ruling will be on “care demand in states like Massachusetts, nor on the liability of local healthcare providers who perform abortions.”

“We echo the serious concerns of our colleagues across the country about what this will mean for the safety and wellbeing of patients in states that are stripping these fundamental rights away. This much we do know: no law can prevent someone from terminating a pregnancy. It can only prevent them from doing so safely with the consult of experienced, compassionate clinicians,” the association said in a statement.

Attorney General Maura Healey, who is also a candidate for governor, said the decision marks the first time the high court “has taken away a constitutional right” and pledged that Massachusetts will “do everything we can to ensure patients from across the country can receive needed care and to support and protect our providers who are offering that care.”

Healey called on Congress to “keep abortion safe and legal” by codifying Roe, and Sen. Eric Lesser said Massachusetts should adopt an amendment “to enshrine reproductive freedom in our state constitution” as a safeguard against potential efforts to institute a federal abortion ban.

The Massachusetts Family institute, which opposes abortion, knocked lawmakers for “working to make Boston a hub for abortions.”

MFI president and general counsel Andrew Beckwith said the institute looks forward “to a reenergized fight to restore a culture of life to the Commonwealth.”

“A child conceived in Massachusetts should have the same right to be born as a child conceived in Mississippi,” Beckwith said in a statement. “Tragically, the whole apparatus of state government in Massachusetts is aligned against the unborn and aligned with Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry.”

The Beyond Roe Coalition, which includes Reproductive Equity Now, the ACLU of Massachusetts, and Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, plans to hold a 1:30 p.m. press conference outside the State House “to discuss the decision, what it means for Massachusetts, and necessary next steps to defend abortion access in a post-Roe world.”