“Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson is asking the area’s legislative delegation to pass urgent legislation on Beacon Hill to fix a legal loophole that currently prevents jails and regional lock-ups from housing protective custody individuals.

Back in April, the Massachusetts Appeals Court issued a decision in the Baptista vs. Bristol County Sheriff’s Department and the City of New Bedford case in which the court found that intoxicated protective custody individuals cannot be held in a ‘county jail’ but only a ‘police station.’ Following the decision, Sheriff Hodgson notified area police chiefs and the Mass. State Police that the regional Lock-up at the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford could no longer hold protective custody individuals.

Sheriff Hodgson is asking the legislature to insert language to close this legal loophole and allow individuals in protective custody to be held at the Ash Street Jail to support the police departments in Bristol County and beyond.

“Many police departments don’t have the staffing or facilities to house protective custody individuals,” Sheriff Hodgson said. “Communities across Bristol County are safer when police are on the streets protecting the people rather than sitting at the police station with a protective custody individual.”

Sheriff Hodgson recently notified all county police chiefs and the MSP of the legislative request, and several have expressed support and offered to contact legislators to help move the measure along.

The Sheriff’s Office was recently cleared in the Baptista lawsuit, which stems from the 2013 death of an individual in protective custody after he got into a fight with another individual in a holding cell at the Ash Street Jail. In 2016, Luis Mojica pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the incident.” -Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

The Baldwin Makepeace Emergency Center at Tobey Hospital will open at 12:00am on Wednesday, May 25, Southcoast Health officials announced at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week.

Until 12:00am on May 25, patients seeking emergent care should continue to enter at 43 High Street. After 12:00am on May 25, patients seeking emergent care should enter at 124 Main Street, where the new Emergency Center is located. As always, please call 911 if you or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency.

The 30,000-square-foot Baldwin Makepeace Emergency Center will feature twice the number of treatment rooms as the current Tobey Emergency Department, which will cease clinical operations late Tuesday night. This increased capacity will include dedicated behavioral health rooms, trauma bays and private overflow spaces.

“Innovation can be found in every single detail of this state-of-the-art, class-of-the-Commonwealth Emergency Center, designed first and foremost for patients but also with visitors; nurses, providers, and staff; and first responders very much in mind,” said Southcoast Health President and CEO Dr. Ray Kruger. “This is the culmination of a long, important journey, and another journey is just beginning as we enter a new era of exceptional care close to home for the residents of – and visitors to – Greater Wareham.”

The Baldwin Makepeace Emergency Center at Tobey Hospital was made possible by an ongoing Capital Campaign, co-chaired by Alice Rice and Mark Perkins, along with major donations from the Baldwin and Makepeace families and significant contributions from hundreds of other benefactors.

“The Board of Trustees, staff, and the entire Southcoast family is grateful for all who have contributed their time, energy, and personal resources to bring us this spectacular medical facility, and we thank the Town of Wareham and Wareham Historical Society for their cooperation and partnership,” Southcoast Health System Chairman Lou Cabral said. “Your collective efforts have been immense, and they will endure for decades to come.”

Vice President of Support Services Phil Oliveira agreed.

“I want to thank Suffolk Construction, Sagamore, Madison Matthew Interiors, Lighthouse Masonry Inc., Horacio’s Welding and Sheet Metal, Glynn Electric, Regal Floor Covering, and the many other trades and vendors involved with this project,” he said. “Thank you to Project Executive Nicole Rosa and all of our Southcoast colleagues, past and present, who helped navigate a global pandemic and supply chain crisis to bring us from conception to completion.”

For more information about the Baldwin Makepeace Emergency Center at Tobey Hospital, please visit https://www.southcoast.org/locations/emergency-services-tobey/.

“Congratulations to District 1’s newest Firefighter, no longer a recruit.

Firefighter Alexander Magalhaes has completed the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Class097 Bridgewater. Now the work begins Alex.

Further congratulations to his classmates, the 35 graduates represent the 16 fire departments of Acushnet, Berkley, Chatham, Dartmouth Fire District 1, Fairhaven, Halifax, Lakeville, Marion, Medway, Plympton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Truro, Wareham, and West Bridgewater.” -Dartmouth Fire Department.

Dartmouth Fire Department photo.

“Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Medford Chief of Police Jack Buckley have confirmed an ongoing investigation into the death of Barbara Novaes, 61 of Medford who was located in an enclosed area outside her home on Emery Street this morning.

At approximately 6:44 a.m. this morning Ms. Novaes’ son called Medford Police to report her missing. He reported that his mother had last been seen yesterday afternoon at her home in Medford and that he believed she had gone to get her nails done. He also reported that the door of the home was open, and that he had located her keys, phone and purse and that her car was in the driveway.

Following the report Medford Police immediately began investigating the whereabouts of Ms. Novaes including visiting her home. At approximately 8:30 a.m. a Medford Police Officer located the body of Ms. Novaes under the porch behind the duplex where she resides. Although there were no obvious signs of trauma, based on the circumstances and the location of the body this is being investigated as a suspicious death.

This is a very active and ongoing investigation and police are asking anyone who saw something unusual in the area of Emery Street last night or today to contact police. Investigators are also seeking any video from the area. Members of the public with any information should call Medford Police at 781-395-1212.

Currently Emery Street remains closed. Residents of the area can expect an increased police presence over the next several hours.” -Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

At approximately 8:05pm on Monday night, the Newport Fire Department responded to a 4-alarm fire at Newport’s Wayfinder Hotel at 151 Admiral Kalbfus Road in Newport, Rhode Island. Newport Fire Chief Donnelly had the hotel evacuated immediately as well as surrounding buildings in the complex.

The Wayfinder is a 115,000-square-foot hotel and conference center, includes 200 rooms, a full-service restaurant, a cafe, fitness center, a pool shack, an outdoor pool, and event spaces.

Ladder crews conducting roof ventilation and ordered to take a defensive approach. The Newport Fire Department Incident Command reported a heavy fire between several floors and around 9:00pm the command ordered firefighters out of the building due to a collapse/compromise on the second floor. Minutes later at 9:00pm, a large section of the roof collapsed.

At this point, a fourth alarm was declared bringing two additional ladder companies, four more engine companies, and three additional tanker trucks – two from Jamestown and one from Middletown – to assist in the blaze.

At 9:50pm Incident Command reported heavy fire throughout the hotel, and crews are conducting defensive operations only. At 11:06 pm, floor three was compromised and fire was heavy on floors 2 and 3.

North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Naval Station Newport, East Greenwich, and Narragansett were among the fire department’s on-scene assisting Newport with the fire.

There were no reported casualties but three firefighters were transported to Newport Hospital overnight with minor injuries. Fire Chief Donnelly said there was no indication of what caused the fire at this time and the fire is currently under investigation.

Red Cross is on the scene this morning.

All photos by Carlos Pimental Felix:

Videos by Carlos Pimental Felix:

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“Congratulations to Fairhaven’s newest call firefighter!

FF/EMT Shaun Alger graduated from Massachusetts Fire Academy last night at a ceremony on Bridgewater State University Campus. Congratulations, stay safe and welcome!

Fairhaven Call Firefighters -A Few Serving Many-” -Fairhaven Call Firefighters Association.

Fairhaven Call Firefighters Association photo.

Fairhaven Call Firefighters Association photo.

“Two people were arrested by the New Bedford police after they stole belongings from a family outside of a north-end supermarket.

On Sunday, May 22, officers responded to Riverside Park at Coffin Avenue to further investigate a nearby purse-snatching. Upon arrival, they located a man and a woman, identified as Wendy Harrison, 43, and Timothy McGettigan, 44, both of 238 Davis Street #8, sitting in a wooded area with backpacks. After further investigation, they were found to be in possession of a bag that had just been taken from the customers of the nearby store who were sitting on a bench and waiting for their car to come around.

Both suspects were arrested and charged with larceny from a person and possession of an open container. Harrison was additionally charged with carrying a knife larger than 2.5 inches. The arresting officers were Ofc. Cameron Gullo and Ofc. Shane Reul.” -New Bedford Police Department.

“Earlier this week, while out on the road, our members conducted a motor vehicle stop for an operator who had a warrant.

After being taken into custody it was discovered they were also in possession of unprescribed Xanax, Adderall, Nolaxone Tabs.

Additionally during inventory Troopers located 2.3 pounds of flower marijuana, multiple edible marijuana candies along with scales and other distribution-related materials. In total our members also seized $3,640.” -State Police Association of Massachusetts.

“Our members responded to multiple calls for fights, disorderly and unruly behavior, fireworks, and underage drinking among other issues at both Carson Beach in Boston and Revere Beach. When our Troopers arrived, they were met with violence, disrespect, and criminal behavior. Scenarios like these are difficult to handle, but especially so with a Department that has critically low staffing levels.

On Revere Beach, a total of seven people ranging from juvenile to 61 years old were arrested on various charges. Some of these charges included OUI, disorderly conduct and domestic violence.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

On Carson Beach in Boston, our members with the help of Boston, Transit, and UMass Police faced a similar situation. Thousands of beach-goers refused to disperse after countless fights broke out. The unruly crowd became a major safety concern. Our Troopers were confronted with a large crowd, some of whom attacked the responding Troopers while they were effecting arrests. One member had his cover set on fire while trying to perform an arrest.

A total of five people were charged in relation to the incidents at Carson Beach. Again, this included juveniles as well as adults with charges of assault and battery on a police officer, interfering with the police, and resisting arrest. Going to the beach with family, friends and loved ones is a longtime treasured New England tradition. Everyone should be able to enjoy the beautiful weather and beachfront at DCR properties the Commonwealth has to offer.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Troopers made a total of 7 arrests, broken down as follows:

• Juvenile male, charged with assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct;
• Juvenile male, charged with unlawful possession of a knife;
• Juvenile male, charged with affray, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest;
• Juvenile male, charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest;
• Male, 52, charged with domestic assault;
• Male, 61, charged with procuring alcohol for a minor; and
• Female, 27, charged with operating under the influence of drugs.

It is disheartening that a group of individuals have created such an unsafe environment that families, and other communities members are not able to partake at the beach without fear of violence.

The Association would like to thank all of our members who responded yesterday as well as our law enforcement partners who helped bring a chaotic situation to an end safely.

Message to the Public: We will not let the safety of our community be jeopardized. These actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.” -Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.