A 44-year-old New Bedford man who used a hypodermic needle, and a threat that the needle was contaminated with HIV, to rob a pharmacy clerk about a year ago was sentenced to serve four to six years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Steven Vieira pleaded guilty last week in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon.

On May 2, 2020, the defendant entered the Walgreens pharmacy on Cove Road in New Bedford. The defendant approached a clerk and handed her a note which stated that he has HIV. The defendant then pointed a hypodermic needle at her and demanded cash. After being handed cash from the cash register, the defendant fled on foot.

New Bedford Police reviewed surveillance footage of the incident and were able to identify this defendant as the perpetrator of the crime.

The defendant has a lengthy criminal record, which includes convictions for armed robbery, destruction of property, leaving the scene of property damage, receiving stolen property, illegal gun charges, and breaking and entering.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Powderly and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Raffi Yessayan.

“The defendant has a significant criminal history including a prior armed robbery conviction. He needs to be kept off the street to protect the public,” District Attorney Quinn said.

With summer weather approaching, and as COVID-19 related restrictions on daily activities begin to lift, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) reminds residents to take recommended precautions to keep young children safe this summer.

Prevent Tick Bites

Ticks can make you sick when they bite. They are most commonly found in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. Ticks only attach when you come into direct contact with them — they cannot jump or fly. Follow these steps to help protect yourself from tick bites:

• Check yourself for ticks once a day — it’s the single most important thing you can do.
• Use repellents that contain DEET on your exposed skin and those that contain permethrin on your clothes.
• When walking or hiking, stick to main pathways and the center of trails if you can. Brushing against tall grass and bushes will increase your exposure to ticks.

Weather permitting, wear long-sleeved, light-colored shirts and long pants tucked into socks. This will help keep ticks away from your skin and make it easier to spot ticks on your clothing.
Because dogs and horses are particularly susceptible, talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to protect your animals from tick-borne disease.

Prevent Mosquito Bites

The 2019 and 2020 mosquito seasons were active for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Massachusetts. This mosquito-borne illness appears generally in 2- to 3-year cycles, traditionally peaking during August. The presence of EEE last year, a relatively mild winter, and historical patterns suggest an active season this year.
While the risk for human infection of EEE or West Nile Virus won’t happen until later this summer, people have an important role to play in protecting themselves from these illnesses which can be very serious. To prepare for mosquito season:

• Drain standing water in and around your house or yard to prevent mosquito breeding.
• Repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
• Use a mosquito repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient according to the directions.
• Wear clothing to reduce exposed skin when weather permits.

For more information about preventing mosquito and tickborne illness, visitwww.mass.gov/mosquitoesandticks.

Water and Pool Safety

Drowning is a leading cause of death among young children, both nationally and in Massachusetts, with backyard pools posing the highest risk for children under the age of 5. To help prevent water-related injury and drowning:

• Children should be supervised in and around water at all times.
• Whenever infants and toddlers are in or around water, including the bathtub, an adult should be within an arm’s length at all times providing “touch supervision.”
• Completely separate the house and play area of the yard from the pool area with a fence. Consider automatic door locks or alarms to prevent access.
• Remove floats, balls, and other toys from the pool after use so that children are not tempted to reach for them. After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they cannot get back in.
• Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd’s hook or life preserver) and a phone near the pool.
• For children who cannot swim, use a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. DPH, in cooperation with the USCG, has created a fit test video that can assist with proper fit testing of life jackets:https://youtu.be/1I3VZf-NqPc.
• Do not use toys such as “water wings” or “noodles” in place of life jackets. These are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

In public swimming areas:

• Select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible, and swim only in designated swimming areas.
• Always swim with a buddy.
• Look for signage at beaches. DPH collects beach water quality data and notifies the public about bacteria levels to minimize swimming-associated illness and injury.

Window Safety

Falls are the leading cause of injury to children and falls from windows involving young children are especially serious. Window falls are preventable. Screens are not strong enough to protect children from falling out of windows. To prevent window falls, parents and caregivers should:

• Keep furniture – and anything a child can climb on – away from windows.
• Open windows from the top, not the bottom, when possible and lock all unopened doors and windows.
• Be sure children are always supervised.
• Install quick-release window guards which can be found in most hardware stores.

To learn more about childhood injury prevention, visit the DPH injury prevention and control program website.

Additional tips on preventing falls among children can be found on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fall prevention website.

Car Safety

The inside of a vehicle can be a very dangerous place for children left inside. In the summer months in New England, the temperature in a closed car can rise quickly and the vehicle can become a deadly place for a child, left even for just a moment.

To keep young children safe in and around cars:

• Never leave children alone in a parked vehicle, even when they are asleep or restrained, and even if the windows are open.
• Always check inside the vehicle – front and back – before locking the door and walking away.
• If a child is missing, check your vehicle first, including the trunk.
• Do things to remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle, such as placing your purse or briefcase in the back seat so you will check the back seat when you leave the vehicle.
• Always lock your car and keep the keys out of children’s reach.
• Ensure adequate supervision when children are playing in areas near parked motor vehicles.

If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call the police. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible and call 911 immediately.

Remember, all children ages 12 and under should ride in the back seat, properly restrained, even during quick errand trips. Infants and toddlers should remain in rear-facing car seats until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. At a minimum, children should ride rear-facing until they are at least one year old and weigh at least 20 pounds. You can find more information on child passenger safety on the DPH website.

The Revere Bell is a cherished local artifact that is an important part of Fairhaven’s local history. The bell is being located, and students at Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech are integral in this process. Our students worked on a model of the cupola that once housed the Revere Bell at Oxford School located in Fairhaven, MA. The bell and new cupola housing will be located on the right side of Townhall behind the flagpole area in Fairhaven. Under the direction and leadership of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, students will create and build the housing for such an important piece of local history.

The Paul Revere Bell was cast in 1796 at Revere’s foundry in Boston MA. The bell was entered into Revere’s ledger on May 24, 1796.

Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech photo.

The bell was ordered by Isaac Sherman, Samual Proctor of the Second Church of Christ in New Bedford. The church and meeting house was built in 1794 and was located where the Euro building now stands in the center of Fairhaven. In 1796 there was no town of Fairhaven, it was all New Bedford. The bell was put into the cupola on top of the church/ meeting house. The original structure no longer remains. The bell stayed at the building until 1914.

The Revere bell cost 100 pounds and 16 shillings and was paid by cash. The bell itself was listed at a weight of 756 pounds and bears the inscription. “ The Living to the Church I Call and to the Grave I Summon All” the cost and paid by cash was entered into Revere’s logbook and initialed in the corner by Paul Revere himself.

The Bell was the 12th bell cast at the Revere Foundry and is the 3rd oldest known bell in the world. The bell was picked up in Boston at Davis Wharf by the sloop Free Love & Polly under Captain Mosir.

In 1812 when Fairhaven became a Town the church changed its name to the First Congregational Church of Fairhaven. In 1914 The Town of Fairhaven added onto the Oxford school and built a cupola and purchased the bell from the church and installed it on top of Oxford where it stayed until present day and its history long-rumored and forgotten.

Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech photo.

The bell was researched by Doug Brady, Chair of the Fairhaven Bell Committee along with the Paul Revere Museum Director, who brought the history of the bell back to life and recognized its importance as a national and town treasure.

The bell was removed from its original place because Oxford school was closed and sold off to become a housing complex and would no longer be owned by the town of Fairhaven.

Many years from now, the former students will be able to look upon the cupola at townhall and tell their children they helped build the design and history of the Revere Bell. Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech students and faculty involved in this extremely impactful project are honored to be working with this piece of local history.

“The Massachusetts State Police Community Action Team Troop B Liaison Deshawn Brown, and Troop C Liaison Farrah Gray partnered with the Hinsdale Police Department for a Coffee with a Cop this past Friday, May 28.

The students from Kittredge Elementary School grades K-4 were invited to attend, and the event became an impromptu First Responders Day, highlighting different departments in the Hinsdale area! The students of Kittredge Elementary had a great time interacting with local, state, and environmental law enforcement officers and their emergency vehicles; and of course the dogs.

Thank you to Hinsdale PD, MA environmental police, and Great Barrington PD for making this event a success.”-Massachusetts State Police.

All photos by the Massachusetts State Police:

“Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend is almost here!

This weekend only, you won’t need a license to fish any public lake, pond, reservoir, river, or stream statewide. Take advantage of this opportunity to introduce someone new to fishing or try it yourself! All other rules, including catch limits, apply. Details: bit.ly/2021freefishing

Other than Free Fishing Weekend on June 5–6, you need a license to fish if you’re 15 or older. If you’re 15–17 or 70 and older, your license is free. Funds from fishing license sales support MassWildlife’s fisheries research, stocking, education programs, habitat restoration, and more.

We thank you for your ongoing support.”-Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.

On Thursday, May 27, just before 2:00 a.m. Trooper Luis Valdez, assigned to the Massachusetts State Police-Concord Barracks was on patrol on Route 3 in Billerica. While conducting stationary speed enforcement, Trooper Valdez was able to measure the speed of a gray BMW 528 sedan traveling 86 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone. It was then that Trooper Valdez activated his blue lights and initiated a motor vehicle stop.

Trooper Valdez then approached the operator, ANTHONY LOPER-FEASTER, 25, of Cambridge. It was discovered that LOPER-FEASTER’s license to operate a motor vehicle was suspended. Trooper Valdez then asked the three passengers in the vehicle if they had valid licenses in Massachusetts so they could take control of the vehicle and drive it from the scene. None of the passengers were licensed and a tow for the vehicle was called.

Trooper Valdez was joined at the scene of the traffic stop by Trooper Tara Poor. The two Troopers removed the occupants from the vehicle prior to a motor vehicle inventory being conducted. The four occupants were allowed to take shelter from the rain in the two cruisers on scene. Prior to taking a seat in the cruiser, it was revealed that the passenger sitting in the front seat was in possession of a firearm. JORDAN PETION, 21, of Dorchester had in a small bag under his seat a semi-automatic .45 caliber handgun. PETION does not possess a license to carry to firearms and was placed under arrest. Upon investigation of the bag in the vehicle, the weapon was found to have a round in the chamber, and a loaded 10 round magazine inserted into the magazine well. An additional 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition was also found in the bag. PETION was then placed into a cruiser and transported back to the Concord Barracks for booking.

LOPES-FEASTER received a summons to appear in Lowell District Court on the following charges:

1. Operation of a Motor Vehicle With A Suspended License; and Speeding.

PETION was scheduled to appear in Lowell District Court on the following charges:

1. Possession of A Firearm Without FID Card;
2. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card;
3. Improper Storage of a Firearm;
4. Carrying A Firearm Without A License; and
5. Carrying a Loaded Firearm.

Damon Greene of New Bedford has won a $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “High Voltage Cash” instant ticket game.

Greene said he received guidance from his deceased uncle in selecting the ticket from bin #12 that contained the winning ticket and gave him the big win.

He chose the cash option for his prize and received payment of $650,000 (before taxes). Greene plans to purchase a new house with his winnings.

His winning ticket was purchased at Cumberland Farms located at 810 Rockdale Ave. in New Bedford. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for its sale of this ticket.

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office, Homicide Unit prosecutors, and New Bedford Police are actively investigating a homicide, which occurred this afternoon in The City of New Bedford.

At approximately 3:12 pm today, New Bedford Police responded to 911 calls reporting a shooting outside of 67 David Street. When first responders arrived on the scene, they located a male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

The victim, later identified as Adilson Neves, 36, of New Bedford, was rushed to Saint Luke’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The investigation is active and ongoing at this time, and no further information can be disseminated.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they are urged to contact New Bedford Police at 508-991-6300.

ACTIVE INVESTIGATION AT DAVID ST./EAST RODNEY FRENCH BLVD.:

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office, Homicide Unit prosecutors and New Bedford Police are actively investigating a shooting incident in the area of David St. and East Rodney French that happened outside of 67 David Street around 3:12pm. today.

The victim, identified as Adilson Neves, 36, of New Bedford, was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital where he passed away.

Southeastern Regional Transportation Authority has announced that its latest innovation, the Intercity Express traveling between New Bedford and Fall River will continue through June, 2022. The Intercity Express began in 2020 as a pilot program – yet has proved not only useful, but popular with SRTA patrons.

SRTA states that the Intercity Express has been meeting several needs for riders. It reduces the travel time between the hub Gateway Cities of New Bedford and Fall River. It helps alleviate overcrowding on the route. It also ties the region together in a new way – indeed, it enlarges the role of public transportation in people’s lives even beyond traditional SRTA borders.

The Intercity Express was funded through a MassDOT Service Pilot Grant initially intended for another project. However, responding to COVID-19 necessitated a change in priority regarding service needs. This included shifting the focus towards reducing the number of passengers on-board vehicles in the interest of social distancing.

SRTA successfully negotiated new terms for the funding with MassDOT – which allowed the authority to pilot the Intercity Express. The Route 9 bus between New Bedford and Fall River has historically enjoyed SRTA’s highest single route level of ridership. It is heavily used by the area’s workforce, as well as Bristol Community College and UMass Dartmouth students.

During the height of the pandemic, this very need became a challenge. In order to responsibly practice social distancing on the popular line, SRTA administrators realized that enhanced service between the two cities would be necessary. They successfully appealed to MassDOT to redirect funds toward the Intercity Express.

According to SRTA, not only did that decision increase capacity, but it also allowed for more frequent buses to travel between the SRTA terminals in both cities. That created a new space for an express service – one that would slash travel time between the Whaling City and the Spindle City by a significant 30 minutes.

The Intercity Local route still remained the most heavily used – though the addition of the Intercity Express reduced onboard passenger counts and increased travel options for SRTA customers.

So, as the pandemic eases, SRTA administrators sought to continue the Intercity Express for a full further year. The case was made that as the region’s workforce returned to their job sites, this would provide a faster travel time between New Bedford and Fall River and expand job opportunities accessible via public transit. MassDOT agreed, and the Intercity Express will roll on into June, 2022.

SRTA states that the Intercity Express also builds upon previous service improvements introduced in recent years. Such as its partnership with Greater Attleboro and Taunton Regional Transportation Authority (GATRA) to provide service between Wareham and New Bedford.

What that practically means is that using the SRTA/GATRA service, and riding the Intercity Express, enables what’s called a “two-seat” ride all the way from Wareham to Fall River and back.

Working with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, SRTA worked to bring RIPTA right to its Fall River terminal in order to make a connection between the two transit systems which brings riders to Newport and Providence, RI.

Not only is public transportation available between Fall River and Newport and Providence, but with the Intercity Express, it is also viable between New Bedford and Newport or New Bedford and Providence as well.

“Using our assets in the most meaningful way possible not only improves SRTA service for riders,” says Erik Rousseau, SRTA Administrator, “but can also take us toward creating the outlines of a truly pan-regional public transportation experience. That’s important not only for everyday mobility, but also workforce development and of great benefit to area college students.”