“After extensive deliberations, including consideration of the views of the many victims in this case, the Justice Department has decided to ask the Supreme Court to review the First Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to reverse the death penalty, in an effort to preserve the jury’s verdict sentencing Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to death. Our hope is that this will result in reinstatement of the original sentence and avoid a retrial of the death penalty phase.

First, we respectfully disagree with the merits of the appellate court’s decision. Second, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is an ideologically driven mass killer who, with his brother, detonated at the finish line of the Boston Marathon two home-made bombs specifically designed to rip people apart, killing three – a young boy and two women – maiming seventeen, and injuring hundreds; shot a police officer three times in the head so they could steal his sidearm; and exchanged thousands of rounds with police officers in Watertown.

I have heard, and respect, the voices calling for the Department to drop its pursuit of the death penalty in this case. But the severity of Tsarnaev’s crimes place him in that narrow category of criminals for whom death is a proportional punishment.

Some have argued that executing Tsarnaev will not deter others from pursuing similar crimes. But, ultimately, this decision is not about deterrence. It is about justice.”

Meet Adam Katz, the 44-year-old owner of Mass Axes and downtown New Bedford’s newest spot Play Arcade.

Adam graduated high school from Fairhaven High in 1993 then earned a degree at Umass Dartmouth for Fine Art Sculptures before taking off for Los Angels, California, where he became a stunt man and a set builder. One of his more prominent roles was on the movie Men of Honor, where he doubled Robert De Niro wearing the Mark V Dive Suit and as one of the sailors on the boat. He worked on many 90’s shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sliders, and even played a cop on an episode of The X-Files.

Moving on from California, he made his way to Vancouver, working with a glass sculpture company before heading home to Fairhaven, MA. His return was short-lived as he made his way back out to California and began his construction company In-House Custom and brought that business back home working locally with his brother. Missing the action of doing stunts, Adam became an on-call firefighter in Mattapoisett for four years and sixteen years in Fairhaven, where he is still on-call.

Having recently had a health scare, he decided along with his wife Lauren that a change of pace in life was necessary, and he got out of the construction business. His next venture was bringing throwing axes to parties and events, which became a hit, and co-founded Haul N Axe that has been at events locally like Oktoberfest.

Adam had complained to his wife about there not being enough fun things in the area for him to go with his wife and daughter, so she sugged he “do something about it” so he thought back to some of the fun places he had been to an Arcade bar came to mind. Earlier this year, an opportunity opened up to take over the location of the former Slainte Irish Pub, and he jumped on it, leasing the site and creating Play Arcade.

Work on the site began two weeks before COVID came into the news, but with most of their life’s savings put into this project, they continued with their excellent staff to get their place open. Working with Bit Bar from Salem, MA, they’ve got 25 retro arcade games and will have around 45 in the future. Adam believes New Bedford is an up and coming city where young professionals will flock too, so he designed Play Arcade to meet the demand that’s already here to have a fun, hip place, much like you’d find in cities like Providence and Boston.

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Faces of New Bedford is a New Bedford Guide project being undertaken by Josh Souza. If you’d like to nominate someone or ask a question you can inquire with him through email at josh@newbedfordguide.com.

Faces of New Bedford began as a project by Colton Simmons. You can find Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton.

A MESSAGE FROM FIRE CHIEF KEVIN GALLAGHER:

“Earlier this week, the Acushnet Board of Selectmen endorsed a proposal to have the Fire & EMS Department conduct community-based testing for Covid-19. EMTs will be trained in test administration and the services of a certified lab will be secured. The goal is test results in 24–36 hours.

Because private insurance does not typically cover testing for people not experiencing COVID symptoms, those who are asymptomatic, the Selectmen have authorized the use of CARES ACT funds received from the state for this important project. All tests will be offered free of charge.

While the details of the plan are still being formalized (a formal document will be submitted to the Selectmen for their review at their September 8th meeting) we are creating our plan based on the following “Phases.” Each phase builds off each other:

PHASE ONE: At the request of any town department, trained EMTs will respond and conduct tests based on the situation presented. This is designed to assist the schools in their reopening plans as well as the plans to open town buildings to the public. An example of Phase One; following the guidance offered by the state, the schools have reason to send a cohort home and recommend testing. Instead of multiple families making numerous calls to physicians and testing locations, our team would coordinate testing at an Acushnet site for the staff, students, and their immediate families. All testing results would be returned at the same time benefiting next step decisions.

PHASE TWO: Testing of high-risk populations.

PHASE THREE: Scheduled in advance testing open to all town residents.

We have been dismayed by the state’s lack of interest in bringing free COVID testing to Acushnet as part of their “Stop the Spread” initiative. It was decided that we would take action on our own. The local benefits are real. For example, our Health Department would receive a head start initiating contact tracing as the results will come to us directly via a secured portal a period of time prior to formal notification from the state. This will help Acushnet stop the spread!

This is a big task and one we did not envision carrying out back in January, however, these are not common times. The goal is a community-level testing plan that addresses immediate needs, high-risk groups and the public at large. The cooperation of town departments has been strong as has the leadership of the Boards of Selectmen and Health. We look forward to getting to work.”

#TestingWeGotThis

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of August 24, 2020 –August 28, 2020 and they are as follows:

Eversource:

Eversource will replace the gas mains and service at the following locations:

• Cottage St. From Parker St. – Sycamore St. (Main)
• Davis St. from Riverside Ave. to 389 Davis St. (Services)
• Hatch St. from Acushnet Ave. to Belleville Ave. (Services)
• Clifford St. from Ashley Blvd to Acushnet Ave. (Services)
• Summer St. from Studley St. to Locust St. (Main)
• Pleasant St. from 889 Pleasant St. to Hillman St. to Purchase St. (Main)

Eversource will be doing final street and sidewalk restoration at various locations city wide.

Other:

• Contractor (PA Landers) to continue drainage work at Mass DOT Project #606709, New Bedford – Roadway Reconstruction and Related Work (including signals) along a section of Kings Highway and Tarkiln Hill Road. Construction to take place during regular working hours (Monday – Friday), police details and traffic controls will be in place.
• Contractor (PA Landers) to continue road reconstruction at Valentine St. from Brock Ave. to West Rodney French Blvd. to prepare for final paving in the upcoming weeks. PA Landers and PJ Keating will pave Valentine St.
• The contractor (Private Contractor: Southcoast Development) will be conducting some roadway work at the intersection of Acushnet Ave. and Ashley Blvd. for the new Cumberland Farms project.
• Mass DOT will be making repairs on the bridge at I-195 eastbound over Route 18 ramp. Work will be from August 18th to November 30th.
• Department of Public Infrastructure will be filling potholes on a continuous basis throughout the city.
• Department of Public Infrastructure conducting its annual street sweeping program city-wide.
• The contractor (WES Construction) is scheduled to continue construction of the new pumping station and demolishing the old station at the Front St./ Elm St. site. Elm St., between JFK Memorial Highway (RTE 18) and MacArthur Dr. will be closed to westbound traffic. Westbound traffic will be detoured via MacArthur Drive. There will be detour signage and traffic controls in place.
• The contractor (Bay State Wind Water) is scheduled to replace water meters at various NBHA locations.
• Due to ongoing construction at the High Hill Reservoir residents may experience discolored water. The water is safe, and the discoloration will be temporary. We recommend allowing the water to settle for a few hours and then flushing your service line by letting the bathtub run for a few minutes until the water clears.

** Please note: Contractors will continue to follow guidelines and protocol regarding COVID-19 social distancing while conducting work in construction zone.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation the Department of Public Infrastructure will be closed to the public entry. Office staff is available to assist by email and telephone.

Drum roll please! Introducing a fun and interactive way to learn the latest about how to sort waste! Have you ever held an item and wondered if it belongs in recycling or trash, or if it needs to be secured until household hazardous waste day? We have a game for you!

If you live in New Bedford, we invite you to play Ready Set Sort! New Bedford’s Waste Sorting Game at newbedfordma.recycle.game or if you live in Dartmouth, visit dartmouthma.recycle.game to play Ready Set Sort! Dartmouth’s Waste Sorting Game. Also, find the game on the City’s website at newbedfordrecycling.org and on the Town’s trash & recycling page on the website.

The Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District is holding a giveaway with a chance to win a $20 gift card by completing the game! After playing all the levels of the game, type your name on the certificate and take a screenshot. To enter the giveaway, complete the entry form and upload the screenshot. The entry form and details can be found at gnbrrmdistrict.org. The deadline to enter is September 9, 2020 at 11 p.m. and winners will be announced on September 14, 2020. Gift cards have been donated by Stop & Shop, 438 Dartmouth Street and Stop & Shop, 1001 King’s Highway in New Bedford and Stop & Shop, Target, and Shaw’s in Dartmouth.

There are two separate giveaways. To enter New Bedford’s contest, you must live in New Bedford and to enter Dartmouth’s contest, you must live in Dartmouth. For either contest, you must be at least 18 years old.

Have the whole family play the game and see which generation has the easiest time sorting waste. While we physically distance to stay safe, this game gives youngsters a topic to call grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends about to let them know how many levels they made it through and if they earned a certificate. Also, when you sort materials correctly, you earn fun items to build your own digital park. Will you choose the Ferris wheel, the UFO, or T-Rex?

“While the contest is for adults, we definitely look forward to all school-aged children enjoying this fun and educational game!” notes Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, Waste Reduction Manager for New Bedford and Dartmouth.

For more information, please call the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District Waste Reduction Office at (774) 503-0254 or email Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the New Bedford Health Department of a skunk that has tested positive for rabies in the area of the “Poor Farm,” located at the corner of Brock Avenue and Coral Street in the far South End of New Bedford.
 
The New Bedford Health Department and the New Bedford Animal Control urges neighboring residents who keep their pets outside to contact their veterinarians and make sure that their pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccination. All pet owners should always ensure their pets’ vaccinations are up to date.
 
Rabies can be found in several different animals in our community, so it is important to understand the signs of rabies in animals which can include:
·         Abnormal or aggressive behavior
·         Lethargy, weakness, or paralysis
·         Self-mutilation
·         Seizures
·         Excessive salivation
·         Difficulty breathing or swallowing
 
If you encounter an animal that may be infected with rabies, do not approach the animal.  Keep a safe distance and call New Bedford Animal Control at 508-991-6366. 
 
Rabies is transmitted through saliva, usually through a bite and is nearly always fatal for humans and animals, so it is important to get treatment right away.  If you had contact (bite, scratch, or physical contact) with an animal that may be rabid, thoroughly wash the area, seek medical attention and contact the State Department of Public Health, 24 hours a day/7 days a week, at 617-983-6800.
 
You can protect your pets by:
·         Vaccinate Pets — The rabies vaccine for dogs, cats, and ferrets is a requirement under Massachusetts law. Contact your veterinarian or a rabies clinic to ensure vaccinations are up to date.
·         Keep Pets Close — Always watch pets when they are outdoors and keep them away from wildlife. Use a leash, keep pets in fenced areas, and never let them roam free.
·         Spay and Neuter — The CDC suggests spaying and neutering pets to reduce the potential for unwanted animals without vaccinations.
·         Keep Wildlife Wild — Never keep a wild animal as a pet, it is illegal in Massachusetts.
·         Secure Property — Bring all outdoor water or food bowls inside, cover garbage, and repair holes in chimneys, cellars, porches, and other areas. This will keep wildlife away from your property and out of your home.
 
The New Bedford Animal Control will also be holding its annual Rabies Clinic at Brooklawn and Hazelwood Parks on November 7. Vaccinations will be available for cats, dogs, and ferrets for $15 per animal.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced Wednesday that it will award four grants to community organizations in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts under the Grant Per Diem, or GPD, program.

The grants allow up to 97 Veterans experiencing homelessness access to transitional housing, an increase of 10 beds to the area served by the VA Providence Healthcare System. The GPD program provides funding to community organizations that provide transitional housing and supportive services for homeless Veterans, with the goal of helping homeless Veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and income, and obtain greater self-determination.

“No Veteran should have to worry about whether they will have stable housing,” said Lawrence Connell, Director of the VA Providence HCS. “These GPD grants are an important part of the services and resources VA offers to help Veterans exit homelessness.”

The award period begins Oct. 1 to support three different types of grants to address the unique needs of Veterans who are homeless:

1. Per Diem Only grants are used to provide transitional housing beds and operate service centers for Veterans experiencing homelessness. These grants provide funding in the form of per diem payments to reimburse grantees for the cost of care provided to Veterans during the award period.

2. Special Need grants provide funding to organizations that incur additional operational costs to help Veterans with special needs who are experiencing homelessness, including women, individuals with chronic mental illnesses and Veterans who care for minor dependents.

3. Transition in Place grants provide funding to community agencies that place Veterans experiencing homelessness in transitional housing, while also providing them with supportive services. These services are designed to help Veterans become more stable and independent, with the ultimate goal of Veterans assuming full responsibility for the lease or other housing agreement. When that goal has been achieved, the transitional residence becomes the Veteran’s permanent residence and supportive services come to an end.

The GPD program has provided Veterans who are homeless with community-based transitional housing and supportive services since 1994. The number of Veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S. has declined by 50 percent since 2010 – resulting from the GPD program and other VA efforts.

More information about the GPD program and a list of grantees is available at https://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp.

An algae bloom has been detected at Sassaquin Pond, and residents and pets are advised to avoid direct contact with the water including wading or swimming until lab results can rule out the presence of dangerous bacteria.

Cyanobacteria occurs naturally in freshwater, mostly in late summer and early fall in Massachusetts. Under certain conditions, a concentrated area of cyanobacteria can produce toxins that can cause illness in humans and illness or fatalities in dogs and pets.

The New Bedford Health Department laboratory and state Department of Public Health laboratory are analyzing the results of water samples from Sassaquin Pond to detect its quality. Until an announcement is made, residents and pets are advised to remain out of the water at Sassaquin Pond.

More information about naturally occurring algae blooms can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/harmful-algae-blooms-in-freshwater-bodies.

After a long break, the New Bedford Symphony is excited to come back and play together!

Virtual Concert: September 12, 7:30pm
Yaniv Dinur: Conductor and Piano
Jesse Holstein: Violin
Featuring 24 musicians 60 minutes, no intermission.

PROGRAM:
George Walker: Lyric for Strings
Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto No. 1 in D Minor for piano and strings
Ástor Piazzolla: “Winter” and “Spring” from The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Rodion Shchedrin: Excerpts from Carmen Suite.

TICKETS: $10 per household, available on the Z website.

Subscribers who purchased regular concert tickets for September 12 will be contacted about converting tickets to virtual concert access. If you do not receive and email or phone call, please contact Abby at asmith@nbsymphony.org or 508-999-6276 ext 222.

This concert will be recorded at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and presented through a password-protected webpage. A digital program book will be available to view before the concert airs.

Featuring the string and percussion musicians of the orchestra, the program opens with a reflective piece by George Walker, the first African American composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. The piece, originally called Lament, was dedicated to the composer’s grandmother who had been a slave.

Music Director Yaniv Dinur takes both roles as pianist and conductor in Bach’s First Keyboard Concerto. Bach’s exhilarating piece draws inspiration from Vivaldi’s concertos and at the same time looks into the future, expanding the part of the piano solo.

NBSO concertmaster Jesse Holstein performs “Winter” and “Spring” from Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. The great Argentine composer’s take on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons is full of intoxicating melodies and tango rhythms combined with quotations from the original Four Seasons.

Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite is a reimagining of some of the most popular and beautiful arias from Bizet’s opera Carmen. Written for the unusual combination of strings and percussion, Shchedrin gives Carmen a fresh look full of colors and wit.

“On the evening of Tuesday, August 18, 2020, kayakers in Berkley on the Taunton River observed an Osprey struggling upside down along a tree branch. The kayakers found the bird was caught in a line approximately 20 feet from the surface of the river and about 15 feet out from land.

The responding Officer assessed the situation and determined there was no easy solution due to the location of the tree, the height of the branch, and the distance above the water. With help from an abutting landowner, the two were able cut through the brush and waded 15 feet out into the Taunton River with a ladder and a fully extended pole saw. The landowner held the ladder in place while the MEP Officer climbed to the top of the ladder. Using the pole saw, the Officer was able to cut the line which had ensnared the Osprey, setting it free.”-Massachusetts Environmental Police.