“As a proud member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), I urge Dartmouth to keep the Indian; not only because of the way it looks, but also because of what it represents. Dartmouth, and its surroundings, are rich in American Indian history and culture.

We see examples of this throughout our region: Slocum Road, Shawmut Avenue. However, in my opinion, nowhere is the nod to our indigenous predecessors more prominently displayed than the Dartmouth Indian.

Countless tribal members were born, raised, attended school, and still live in and around Dartmouth. As my mother and her siblings went through Dartmouth’s schools, my grandmother, a tribal elder, would encourage respect for the symbol. “After all,” she reminded them, “[they were] the Dartmouth Indians that the logo represented.”

The situation in Dartmouth is distinguishable from the movements we’ve seen in Cleveland, Washington, or other areas of the country. To start, the Dartmouth Indian is not a mascot, it is a symbol that represents strength, respect for community, and pride in our heritage. It employs no derogatory terms or caricatured depictions. Of course, some American Indians disagree. Like every group of people, we have diverse opinions.

However, it is worth noting that my uncle, tribal member and Dartmouth High School graduate, designed an iteration of the current logo and our tribal Charwoman has publicly supported the same.

This symbol/logo respectfully pays homage to our American Indian history. It has united Dartmouth’s classrooms, playing fields, and communities for decades. It should be honored, not cancelled.” -Sean Carney.

“Fire District 1 Chief Peter Andrade is pleased to announce the District has been awarded $3,100 in SAFE grant funds provided by the State of Massachusetts and Department of Fire Services to support fire education training to students in Cushman and DeMello Schools and an additional $1,910 in Senior Safe funding to support educating our seniors on fire prevention, general home safety and how to be prepared in the event of a fire.

We are proud of the hard work and dedication our team of SAFE educators provides year after year and we look forward to expanding that training into our senior community with the addition of the Senior SAFE grant.

Additional information will be made available as the program develops through cooperation with the Dartmouth Council on Aging.” -Dartmouth Fire District 1.

“IMPORTANT REMINDER:

As we have had another recent uptick in car breaks, we would like to remind everyone of the following:

* Lock your vehicle(s)
* If available, park in a well lit area
* NEVER leave cash and/or valuables in your vehicle(s)
* Periodically review your camera system for any suspicious activity

If your vehicle has been broken into, whether something has been taken or not, it is very important that you report it to us, so that we can compile geographic data that will better assist us in our constant efforts to curb this activity.

Thank you!
PLEASE SHARE” -Dartmouth Police Department.

Winter Storm Watch in Effect from late Thursday night through Friday evening:

Southern Bristol MA-Southern Plymouth MA-Barnstable MA-Bristol RI-Washington RI-Newport RI, Including the cities of Fall River, New Bedford, Mattapoisett, Chatham, Falmouth, Provincetown, Bristol, Narragansett, Westerly, and Newport.

_____________________________________________________

National Weather Service – Boston photo.

Today, the SouthCoast will be experiencing record-breaking warm temperatures that will make us think spring has arrived. Can you believe mid-60s? That means that those guys who wear shorts in 30-degree weather will be wiping the dust off of their air conditioners and plugging them in.

Only in New England, right? Go ahead, say it. The chest cliche applies: “Don’t like the weather? Wait 5 minutes.”

A pair of storms will take different tracks as they move east towards us and bring a variety of impacts ranging from snow, ice, and rain as well as major travel disruptions.

While the central and western parts of Massachusetts, as well as northwest of Greater Boston, will be seeing potential snow accumulations of nearly a foot, starting late Thursday. whether we will be spared the white stuff and how much depends on which way the wind blows. Literally.

Friday morning we’ll be seeing snow, but as the day progresses it might switch over to sleet and freezing rain creating hazardous driving conditions. We could see 3-7″ of snow before the switch. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. For those doing shoveling, be warned: this will be the heavy, wet, and heavy kind.

Every time we share a forecast about a storm there are always a few cynics who shine doubt on whether the storm will happen or if we’ll get any snow at all and scoff at the idea of anyone telling them how to drive, even if it’s simply to suggest slowing down and driving a little more cautiously than usual. Imagine making yourself a target for giving advice to someone so that they won’t get hurt, hurt someone else, or in a worst-case scenario, being in a fatal accident.

The last time we had hazardous road conditions local and state police responded to well over 200 accidents in less than 24 hours, dozens of people were injured and there was one fatality.

So, please take our advice and drive a little slower and less aggressive than you typically would. Shaving a few minutes off your commute isn’t worth it.

Accuweather photo.

“The State Police Air Wing is a very valuable asset to the Department and to public safety agencies in every city and town throughout Massachusetts.

This morning, an Air Wing helicopter responded to the town of Carver to help search for an adult woman who was missing and potentially was suffering a mental health crisis.

Out of concern for her well-being and safety, Carver Police requested that the MSP flight crew, SGT Gregg Spooner and Trooper Joshua Pacheco aboard Air 5, search a wooded area that bordered numerous bogs and was intersected by power lines. At 11:42 a.m. Sgt. Spooner and Trooper Pacheco observed the woman come out of the boggy area and walk onto Purchase Street. The flight crew directed local police and EMS to her location to ensure she was okay and to provide any help required.

If you or a family member are experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder crisis, the state Department of Mental Health’s Emergency Services Program/Mobile Crisis Intervention (ESP/MCI) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Anyone may contact ESP/MCI for assistance. Call toll-free at 1 (877) 382-1609, or view resources online at https://www.mass.gov/emergencycrisis-services.” -Massachusetts State Police.

Price Rite Marketplace and Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, today announced that all Price Rite stores are now accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) as online payment for groceries through Instacart. EBT SNAP will be accepted for Price Rite Marketplace orders placed via Instacart and Price Rite’s own online storefront, powered by Instacart.

Customers who qualify for EBT SNAP benefits are now able to use their funds when shopping Price Rite Marketplace stores online on Instacart’s website and mobile app from all 60 locations across Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

Shoppers must enter their EBT card as the form of payment on their Instacart account and select items from the list of EBT SNAP-eligible products as part of their Price Rite Marketplace order. Another form of payment is needed for delivery fees, tips and taxes.

“Price Rite Marketplace is proud to accept EBT SNAP online for delivery and curbside pickup orders through Instacart,” said Kevin McDonnell, Senior Vice President of Operations for Price Rite Marketplace. “This new online shopping payment option for customers who use EBT SNAP will make it easier for many families to get the fresh foods and essentials they need.”

To subsidize costs for EBT SNAP participants, Instacart will waive delivery and pickup fees on all EBT SNAP orders through March 31, 2022 for customers using a valid EBT card associated with their Instacart account in connection with their purchase. Instacart’s EBT SNAP program currently reaches over 25 million people experiencing food insecurity nationwide.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Price Rite Marketplace to introduce EBT SNAP payments for same-day delivery and pickup, giving people greater access to food across the Northeast,” said Sarah Mastrorocco, Vice President of Access to Food & Nutrition at Instacart. “At Instacart, we believe that online grocery should be accessible to everyone – not just a luxury for some. We look forward to increasing affordability and accessibility to nutritious food through this expanded partnership.”

Fighting hunger is at the core of Price Rite Marketplace’s mission. Last year Price Rite Marketplace helped more than 22,000 individuals by donating food, personal care items and school supplies throughout the year. Price Rite Marketplace is committed to providing quality foods at affordable prices.

For additional information about SNAP benefits, Instacart and Price Rite Marketplace, please visit https://www.priceritemarketplace.com/.

“Shortly before 10 a.m. Monterey Police requested MSP assistance with searching for the eight-year-old boy.

The child had been missing since approximately 8:30 a.m. from an Airbnb house where his family was staying. Patrols from the State Police-Lee Barracks, along with a lieutenant and sergeant from Troop B Headquarters, initially responded to assist Monterey Police and Fire, Great Barrington Police, Williamstown Police, and Pittsfield Police with the search.

State Police K9 teams also responded, as did K9s from Great Barrington and Pittsfield Police. Also responding were Troopers from the State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), which is a group of personnel specially trained in search and rescue operations, including in rural areas or difficult terrain.

At 11:38 a.m. MSP SERT Troopers Dan Fanion and Robert Berrena, along with a local resident who was assisting in the search, located the boy along the wood line behind a home at 68 Fairview Road. The boy was reunited with his parents.” -Massachusetts State Police.

“On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers followed up on a report of a moose in Marlboro.

Given the heavily populated area, it was determined the safest course of action was to immobilize and relocate the moose.

With the assistance of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, the moose was successfully immobilized and subsequently transported to an undisclosed rural location where it was monitored until it fully recovered from the effects of the immobilization agent.” -Massachusetts Environmental Police.

Massachusetts Environmental Police photo.

Marlborough Police Department photo.

Early Tuesday morning a Massachusetts State Trooper raced into a burning building in Middleboro to rescue a man trapped on the third floor.

Around 1:15am, Trooper John Hagerty from the Middleboro barracks was patrolling the area of West Grove Street in Middleboro when he noticed a house fire in a building that had nearly a dozen people fleeing from it. One of the people fleeing the veterans’ home told Trooper Hagerty that there was someone trapped on the third floor, an unnamed 33-year old man.

Middleborough Fire Department photo.

Acting quickly, Hagerty noticed a ladder outside of the building, grabbed it and propped it below a window, and helped assist the man out of the building. The victim suffered serious burns to his body and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he remains in the ICU. Hagerty himself was taken to Morton Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and has since been released.

Fire crews mounted an aggressive exterior fire attack, then went inside to complete extinguishing the fire. The fire was under control within 45 minutes of crews’ arrival.

Two other people in the home, including a woman who attempted to out the fire, suffered minor burns but refused medical care. There were no reported injuries to firefighters.

Middleborough Fire Department photo.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire started accidentally in a front room on the second floor where candles were found. This is the second fire in as many days started by a candle. Yesterday, in Kingston a woman dropped a candle which ignited her clothing and caused serious injuries that eventually claimed her life.

The home is considered a total loss due to heavy fire and smoke damage. As a result, the 13 residents of the home have been displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Middleborough Fire Department photo.

2 of 2 – One resident of the home suffered serious injuries. The fire is under investigation by @MiddleboroughPD and Fire and the MSP Fire Investigation Unit. Our thoughts are with the victim this morning. We’re proud of Tpr Hagerty and grateful to all who responded and assisted. https://t.co/D6kcqBoUVk

— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) February 22, 2022

At approximately 9:30 a.m. Falmouth first responders received a report about a car in the ocean 20′ feet from the shore near the intersection of Central Avenue and Menauhant Road.

Upon arrival, Falmouth police requested assistance from the Massachusetts State Police dive team who went into the waters around 12:00pm. At this time the car was in about 5′ of water. The dive team searched the submerged vehicle and recovered the body of a 21-year-old un-named Grafton man who was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.

Google Maps photo.

According to state and local police, a preliminary investigation reveals that in the early dawn hours, the 21-year old was likely speeding when he failed to stop at the stop sign and 4 yellow warning signs to turn. At this time he crashed over the embankment, went over Menauhant Beach, before plunging into the ocean, landing upside-down.

Massachusetts State Police then hooked the vehicle up and removed it from the water.

The crash remains under investigation by the Falmouth Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police collision analysis and reconstruction section.