The New Bedford Health Department has issued a cease and desist order to The Bar at 266 Dartmouth Street for its third violation of the state’s regulations to protect residents from the spread of COVID-19.

The Bar has been fined $2,900 and is ordered closed effective immediately, and may not be allowed to reopen until Phase 4. The cease and desist order was issued on Wednesday, December 2.

The Bar was previously fined $300 on October 14 for serving alcohol without food and for failure of employees to wear a mask. On November 21, The Bar was fined $600 for failure of employees to wear masks.

Businesses and employees are reminded to comply with mask-wearing to keep themselves and others safe. Businesses will be subject to fines for failure to comply with the City’s orders, including failure to protect employees and failure to notify the Health Department of an outbreaks. The orders can be found on New Bedford’s COVID-19 webpage: https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/health-department/coronavirus/.

By Katie Lannan
State House News Service

A new bill filed by a Webster Republican would create a process for Massachusetts residents to be able to apply for a gun license during the COVID-19 pandemic without first having to get fingerprinted by local police as is normally required.

Rep. Joseph McKenna said his bill is meant to prevent cities and towns from using the pandemic “as an excuse to deny someone their constitutional rights to obtain a license to carry.”

“I think for the most part, towns are being really cooperative and working with applicants to figure out how to best proceed with an application safely and without as much face-to-face contact,” he said. “I do think there are some towns that could perhaps be using COVID as a reason to say to an applicant, we’re not comfortable with you coming into the police station.”

McKenna said retailers, restaurants and “just about every industry and business” have by now adapted their operations to accommodate social distancing, provide remote services or otherwise incorporate the public health precautions that have become widespread over the past several months.

Applicants for firearms identification cards and licenses to carry a firearm have their fingerprints taken for a background check, and McKenna said his bill (HD 5442) would allow local police chiefs or the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to temporarily waive that requirement if they determine it’s unsafe or unreasonable to collect fingerprints.

McKenna’s bill is backed by the Gun Owners’ Action League, which in October filed a federal lawsuit against top police officials in Weymouth, Cambridge and Stoughton on behalf of residents of those three communities who said they’d been waiting for months to secure licenses to carry firearms.

Republican Reps. Peter Durant, William Crocker, Nicholas Boldyga, David DeCoste and Donald Berthiaume are signed on to the bill as cosponsors, as is Lawrence Democrat Rep. Marcos Devers.

In some instances, police departments that had paused their fingerprinting have been able to bring the service back online.

Southwick police announced on Nov. 14 that they were suspending the processing of any new gun license applications “due to the inability to safely fingerprint and photograph applicants” and clarified two days later that an employee who is involved in the processing had been ordered not to report to work for a period of time because of close contact with someone COVID-postive. On Nov. 23, the department posted to Facebook that it was accepting applications again.

On Nantucket, police stopped accepting license applications that require a fingerprint check on Nov. 18 and now plan to resume fingerprinting on Dec. 9, using a new protocol under which fingerprints will be taken only by appointment and the department will provide a mask for the applicant to wear.

Nantucket officials said they were implementing the new measures to protect the safety of residents and police department employees and limit trips to the public safety building, citing climbing COVID case numbers both on the island and statewide and an expectation “that the COVID-19 infection rate will continue to increase significantly, particularly over the days following Thanksgiving.”

McKenna said he is not seeking a universal waiver of the fingerprinting requirement, and that fingerprints would still be required in towns that feel comfortable conducting the procedure, “whether it’s outside, whether it’s behind a plastic screen” or with some other precaution in place.

He said he would be open to tweaking the bill’s language to establish a buffer period of a set time after which an applicant would then need to submit fingerprints.

McKenna said he’s looking at refiling the bill in the new legislative term that begins on Jan. 5.

“To be quite honest, being that it’s very late in a lame-duck session, I would not expect it to be taken up over the last four weeks we have remaining in session, but we have received some feedback from colleagues, some suggestions,” he said. “It’s certainly garnered some interest and some discussion.”

It’s time to spread a little Acushnet Christmas cheer, and boy do we need it!

On Sunday, December 6th beginning at 1:00 pm, Santa will be the special guest of a motorized “public safety” parade through the streets of Acushnet.

Santa’s sleigh (actually a fire truck) will take off from the town line on south Main Street then….on Main, on Lake, on Peckham, on Blueberry, on Peckham again, on Bow, on Middle, on Reservation, on Park, on Nyes Ln, on Middle, on Main on Hathaway, on Mendall, on Perry Hill, on Main and back to the fire station for a long winter’s nap.

In addition, the Christmas light display at the fire station will be illuminated at 6pm. There is no sing-along this year due to Covid.

We hate to be an angry elf but we need to ask, please don’t gather in groups beyond your immediate family members.
It is our hope that this change from our traditional Christmas activities brings some cheer to you and yours.

October was Breast Cancer Awareness month and the Westport Police Department raised money by selling pink patches. The Westport Police Association voted unanimously to match the donations received and today a donation was made to the BAM Foundation in the amount of $1,040. http://www.bamfoundationinc.org.

The BAM Foundation, a 501c3 organization, is dedicated to helping South Coast families who are going through cancer treatments. Their mission is simple, to directly help fellow residents of the South Coast area with immediate financial needs. They note on their website that families need help with unexpected costs of cancer treatment such as childcare, parking fees, gasoline, groceries, living expenses and so much more. Additionally, they want to provide a sense of normalcy and lessen the burden of out of pocket expenses in order for the patients to focus on feeling better.

The Westport Police Department would like to thank everyone who donated to this year’s fund raiser. Only with your help was this donation possible. A special thank you to Alycia Halle, Heidi Carvalho and Kim Cousineau for the amazing work you do and for stopping by the station to accept the donation.

FOR THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD:

During the holiday season, around 25% more waste is produced than usual. Holiday traditions may create waste, but by reusing and recycling we can reduce that waste.

“Residents may have questions about which items can be recycled curbside or at the transfer station as well as what to do with their Christmas trees after the holiday. We are sharing this information now to help our residents prepare,” said Mark Champagne, Director of the Department of Facilities and Fleet Management.

Here are a few tips to help ensure holiday waste ends up in the right place:

• Cardboard: Empty & flatten boxes (cut if necessary); place in recycling cart. Take boxes that are too large for recycling carts to the cardboard compactor at the Transfer Station. Recycle empty pizza boxes! Studies show that grease on the box is okay for recycling (food is not, so remove all pizza). Liners and plastic pizza savers go in the trash.

• Wrapping paper is not recyclable. If you want to be able to recycle your gift wrap, use newspaper, grocery store flyers, paper bags, or reuse packaging paper (or buy a roll). Give gifts in reusable bags, jars, or tins. Bows and ribbons cannot be recycled, reuse when possible. Place cardboard boxes, gift boxes, greeting cards (no metallic inks, foil, batteries, or glitter), catalogs, bottles, and cans in the recycling cart.

• Styrofoam blocks and string lights: Clean blocks of Styrofoam can be recycled at the Shawmut Avenue Transfer Station at 1103 Shawmut Avenue. String lights can be placed in the designated cart at the transfer station. These items do not belong in the curbside recycling carts.

• Sustainable gifts: Consider environmentally friendly gifts such as experiences, gift cards, products made of recyclable material, reusable items, or handmade presents. Or give the gift of online music lessons (contact the library to borrow a keyboard or ukulele)!

And, once your Christmas tree has been undecorated, here are ways in which it can be properly disposed.

• Christmas tree collection: ABC Disposal will pick up real Christmas trees from January 11 to January 15. During this week only, residents may place trees at the curb by 7 a.m. the weekday after trash and recycling collection. Please note, if your trash is usually collected on Friday, Christmas trees will only be collected along your route on Monday, January 11th.

If your trash is usually collected on Mondays, Christmas trees will only be collected along your route on Tuesday, January 12th and so on. The City will not collect Christmas trees curbside at any other time; if placed at the curb any other time, property owners may be issued a violation notice. Please remove all ornaments, stands, lights, and tinsel. Do not place trees in plastic bags.

• Christmas tree drop-off: Starting on Dec. 26, Christmas trees can be brought to the following locations.

* E Rodney French Blvd, beach parking lot, between Hudson Street & Seymour Street, ends 1/15/21

* Brooklawn Park, near Pony League Field, enter at Irvington Street, ends 1/15/21

* Shawmut Avenue Transfer Station, 1103 Shawmut Avenue, open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Transfer Station will be closed on 12/25/20 and 1/1/21.

For additional tips, visit New Bedford Recycling on Facebook and Instagram or follow @NBRecycling on Twitter. If you have questions, please contact the recycling office by phone at (774) 503-0254 or by email at Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org.

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FOR THE TOWN OF DARTMOUTH:

During the holiday season, around 25% more waste is produced than usual. Holiday traditions may create waste, but by reusing and recycling we can reduce that waste.

“When sharing gifts this holiday season, please make room for the new by donating, selling, or recycling items you no longer need. The reuse or recycling of items will save valuable landfill space. And as important, please remember to only place the correct materials in recycling carts to keep the recycling program running efficiently.” said David Hickox, Director of Public Works.

Here are a few tips to help ensure holiday waste ends up in the right place:

• Cardboard: Empty & flatten boxes (cut if necessary); place in black lid recycling cart. Take large boxes to the Dartmouth Transfer Station. Recycle empty pizza boxes! Studies show that grease on the box is okay for recycling (food is not, so remove all pizza). Liners and plastic pizza savers go in the trash.

• Wrapping paper is not recyclable. If you want to be able to recycle your gift wrap, use newspaper, grocery store flyers, paper bags, or reuse packaging paper (or buy a roll). Give gifts in reusable bags, jars, or tins. Bows, ribbons, and string cannot be recycled, reuse when possible. Place cardboard boxes, gift boxes, greeting cards (no metallic inks, foil, batteries, or glitter), catalogs, and other clean paper in the black lid cart. Place empty bottles, cans, jugs, and jars in the gray lid cart.

• Styrofoam blocks and string lights: Clean Styrofoam blocks can be recycled at the Dartmouth Transfer Station, 976 Russells Mills Road, Tuesday & Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Permit required. String lights can be placed in the designated cart at the transfer station until January 30, 2021. These items do not belong in the curbside recycling carts.

• Sustainable gifts: Consider environmentally friendly gifts such as experiences (online music or dance lessons), gift cards, products made of recyclable material, reusable items, or handmade presents.

And, once your Christmas tree has been undecorated, here are ways in which it can be properly disposed.

• Christmas tree collection: SMART Program participants – real Christmas trees are scheduled to be picked up on the same day as your solid waste (separate truck) the weeks of January 4th and January 11th. Collection begins at 7 a.m. Please remove all ornaments, stands, lights, and tinsel. Do not place trees in plastic bags. This schedule is subject to change with unforeseen weather conditions.

• Christmas tree drop-off: Dartmouth residents may drop off real Christmas trees at the brush area located at the Department of Public Works/Water Pollution Control Facility, 759 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth. The hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. A Transfer Station sticker is required. Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day.

For additional tips, visit the Dartmouth Recycling Facebook page. If you have questions, please contact the recycling office by phone at (774) 503-0254 or by email at Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org.

A Fitchburg man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for his role in a wide-ranging fentanyl, heroin, crack and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Anthony Baez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy S. Hillman to 156 months in prison and five years of supervised release. In July 2020, Baez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 280 grams or more of cocaine base, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; two counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl and heroin; two counts of distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; and two counts of distribution of 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of heroin, and cocaine.

Following a fatal fentanyl overdose in September 2018, law enforcement began investigating a drug trafficking organization in the Fitchburg area and discovered that Baez led the organization along with his father, Pedro Baez. Court-authorized interceptions of phones used by Baez and other members of the drug trafficking organization and its suppliers revealed that Baez worked with his father, co-defendant Monica Troche, and others to distribute a fentanyl and heroin mixture, cocaine and crack cocaine on a regular basis to individuals in the Fitchburg area, some of whom resold all or a portion of those drugs to their own customers.

According to court records, Baez was responsible for the distribution of over 1.67 kilograms of a deadly fentanyl and heroin mixture, at least 1.5 kilograms of cocaine and at least 10 grams of cocaine base.

Baez was indicted, along with Pedro Baez, Troche and 15 additional defendants. Baez is the first defendant in this case to be sentenced. Pedro Baez and Troche have pleaded not guilty.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; Commissioner Carol Mici of the Massachusetts Department of Correction; and Colonel Christopher Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. The case was investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The Fitchburg Police Department, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Lunenburg Police Department also provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea Porter of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

Chief Christopher D. Delmonte reports that the Bridgewater Police Department is investigating a fatal crash from last week that killed a 46-year-old Bridgewater man.

On Friday, Nov. 27, at approximately 9 p.m., Bridgewater Police received a 911 call reporting a single motor vehicle crash on Walnut Street, near the intersection of Plymouth Street (Route 104).

The 911 caller told police that a vehicle had crashed into a tree and that the male operator was unresponsive.

Officers quickly arrived on the scene and observed a 2011 black Cadillac Escalade that appeared to have veered off the road, striking a mailbox and a tree near 7 Walnut St. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, John Bagley, age 46, of Bridgewater, was unresponsive inside.

Bridgewater Fire Department paramedics arrived on scene and lifesaving measures were initiated. Bagley was subsequently transported to Brockton Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

At this time, the incident remains under investigation by Officer Robert Gray and Detective Peter Balboni with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit.

This week was an exciting milestone – after recently having Fall River-based Isaksen Solar install solar panels on my house, I received my first $0 electric bill. It’s the same feeling I had when I finally paid off my first car.

Additionally, last week I was approved for the Massachusetts SMART Solar Incentive Program, which now puts $45 a month into my bank account for the next 10 years – $540 a year or $5,400 over the next 10 years (120 total payments.)

Getting a $0 bill or even having a $45 payment sent to me each month aren’t the things I’m most excited about – now having the electric company pay me was always my top incentive for installing solar panels. With a solar panel installation, your system can generate a negative balance onto your electricity bill, effectively building up a monthly credit on any solar-generated electricity you don’t use. My electric company buys any excess solar generate electricity I don’t consume and tallies a negative credit that you can eventually cash out.

Finally, my home is now carbon positive – already saving 1,834 lbs of CO2 emissions in the first two months which is the equivalent of planting 13 trees. The system I purchased is expected to equate to planting 85 trees a year, or 2,000 trees over the 25-30 year system life. For those concerned about Global Warming/Climate Change, installing solar panels goes a long way in significantly reducing your carbon footprint. With a smartphone app, you get to not only see how much power you generate each day, but you also get to see how much carbon you are reducing.

Want to see if installing solar panels is right for you and your home? Contact Isaksen Solar at 508-567-0647, rrego@isaksensolar.com or visit them at https://isaksensolar.com. You can also follow them on Facebook here and read their review here.

n Saturday November 21, Trooper Jeffrey Bermani, assigned to State Police-Andover, was patrolling Route 3 northbound in Tyngsborough. At approximately 3:30 p.m. he observed a gray Honda Civic traveling 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and subsequently stopped the vehicle north of Exit 34.

Upon the Honda coming to a full stop Trooper Bermani approached the passenger side and observed a female passenger and male operator, identified as WESLEY MURPHY, 20, of Roslindale. Trooper Bermani observed the occupants accessing the center console while blading their bodies obscuring the Trooper’s view. After several requests to roll down the window the passenger finally did, releasing an overwhelming odor of both burnt and unburnt marijuana. Trooper Bermani observed numerous signs of impairment on MURPHY and began questioning him, eventually removing him from the vehicle.

After additional investigation and questioning of both MURPHY and his passenger, Trooper Bermani located a 9mm FNH pistol loaded with 17 rounds in the magazine. Neither occupant had a license to carry firearms. Trooper Bermani also located evidence of recently burnt marijuana along with 2.5 ounces of fresh marijuana, a digital scale, and over $1,200 in cash. In addition to the firearm and narcotics Trooper Bermani located seven credit/debit cards with various names printed on them which were seized as part of a follow up investigation into possible credit fraud.

MURPHY was transported to State Police-Andover for booking. The vehicle’s passenger was released from the scene without charges. MURPHY was scheduled for arraignment at Lowell District Court on the following charges:

1. Operating Under the Influence of Intoxicating Drugs;
2. Possession of Class D Drug with Intent to Distribute;
3. Illegal Possession of a Firearm;
4. Carrying a Large Capacity Firearm;
5. Possession of Firearm without FID Card; and
6. Speeding.

Bristol Community College’s Theatre program invites everyone to join a free virtual conversation with Tony Award-winning actor André De Shields, on Wednesday, December 16, from 1 – 2 p.m., by Zoom. Broadway legend André De Shields will discuss the important role of the artist in matters of social justice. The engaging event is free and open to the public by registering below.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bZYhiNiQnkeXyieH9pnIviNDsmqilwFKuqK2HKC6Oe1UREUwU1ZXWDhENDE4WERaSlJJRFpESDZMUy4u

Throughout his career, spanning 50 years, André De Shields has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor, director and educator. De Shields recently won the 2019 Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical category, for his performance in “Hadestown.” He is also best known for his performances in Broadway productions “The Wiz, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “Play On!” and “The Full Monty.” De Shields can currently be seen on Netflix on “John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch” and on “Katy Keene.” For more information about André De Shields, please visit https://www.andredeshields.com.

Bristol’s Theatre program is an Associate in Arts in liberal arts & sciences that provides hands-on training and experience, allowing students to learn and refine their craft as they perform. Students can smoothly transfer to a four-year institution or seek work in the performing arts. In addition to teaching history, literature and art, studying theatre also provides interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills.