“Sheriff Heroux signed a proclamation confirming the BCSO’s commitment to veterans with the U.S. Army Reserve. Sgt. Curtis Mateus and Lt. Nelson Cabral from the newly formed BCSO Veteran’s Committee joined the Sheriff for this signing.

The BCSO Veteran’s Committee consists of both current and former staff who have served in the military. Members volunteer their time in giving advice on departmental issues pertaining to military service members and veterans, guide service members in accessing veteran benefits, coordinating drill, activation, and deployment scheduling, as well as connecting veterans in the community with careers at the Sheriff’s Office.

This new partnership between the BCSO and the Army Reserve will assist soldiers, families, and veterans overcome barriers to obtain meaningful employment opportunities with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.”-Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

“Cops for Kids with Cancer met with a 7-year-old, and his family, from Worcester to present a $5,000 check to assist with medical expenses as he undergoes cancer treatment.

Trooper Alexa Harvey, from the Sturbridge barracks, was connected with the boy and his family and knew the troopers from C-5 would love to meet him while the family was presented with this check.

The hope of Cops for Kids with Cancer is to remove some financial burden from parents, so all their energy can go to helping their child beat cancer and live a healthy life.”-Cops for Kids with Cancer.

The following is an opinion sent to New Bedford Guide. It does not reflect the opinion of New Bedford Guide, nor is it an OP-ED. In fairness and objectivity, we share opinions from our readers whether we agree or disagree with their opinion.

Do you have a counter opinion to this opinion? Have an opinion about something else? Email us at info@newbedfordguide.com.

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“The stunning defiance and arrogance of Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump.

Each phase of Israel’s response to the Hamas attack of October 7th reveals the depth of arrogance, self-righteousness and selfishness of Benjamin Netanyahu. The comparison to Donald Trump is startling. Each man is facing criminal convictions and is delaying judicial accountability: Netanyahu by continuing the horrendous war upon Gaza and Trump by fomenting and threatening civil war and utilizing every trial delaying tactic.

Devoid of compassion or commitment to the founding principles of their nations each man is doubling down on hateful rhetoric and is appealing to the vindictive and nationalist tendencies of millions of supporters.

Each man has the ability and possibility of completely destroying any international respect or support previously accorded their nation. The principles of rule of law, equality and fairness have no significance to them but are obstacles to their dictatorial aspirations.

It is particularly distressing that in two of the most educationally advanced nations, with unlimited access to accurate news, that hundreds of thousands of citizens continue to believe obvious lies, and support each man despite overwhelming evidence of their unethical, narcissistic and destructive agendas.”-Betty Ussach, Dartmouth.

“BOSTON – A Dominican man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy in which he sold over $150,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency.

Ruben Dario Diaz Sanchez, 68, was sentenced on April 3, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs to time served (approximately one year in prison). In January 2024, Diaz Sanchez pleaded guilty to four counts of counterfeit acts committed outside of the United States, one count of dealing in counterfeit obligations and securities and one count of conspiracy.

Diaz Sanchez was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2019 along with co-conspirator Maximo Morillo. The defendants were subsequently extradited to the United States in April 2023. Following sentencing, Diaz Sanchez was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.

In or about October 2014, Diaz Sanchez, who resided in the Dominican Republic, solicited an individual in the United States to purchase and smuggle counterfeit U.S. Currency into the United States. Morillo served as the point of contact with a printer manufacturing the counterfeit U.S. Currency in the Dominican Republic. Between May 2015 and January 2016, in the Dominican Republic, Diaz Sanchez arranged, negotiated and coordinated the sales of 1,590 counterfeit $100 bills for a total face value of $150,900.

On Feb. 15, 2024, Morillo was sentenced to time served (approximately one year in prison).

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Dominican Republic law enforcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Diaz Sanchez. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.”-Massachusetts Departmetn of Justice.

“The Wareham Police family sadly announce the passing of retired Officer William Fihlman.

Officer Fihlman was a true public servant, where he served a full career with the United States Navy and also with the Massachusetts Air National Guard, before joining the Wareham Police Department.

After his retirement from the Navy, Officer Fihlman proudly served the Wareham community for ten years (10) years. Throughout Officer Fihlman’s career at the Wareham Police Department he held the positions of, patrol officer, department photographer, and accreditation officer.

Outside of work Officer Fihlman was an avid fisherman, photographer, and loved spending time with his family and friends. Officer Fihlman will truly be missed.”-Wareham Police Department.

Wareham Police Department photo.

Wareham Police Department photo.

“The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of April 15, 2024 – April 19, 2024, and they are as follows:

City offices will be closed on Monday, April 15th in observation of Patriot’s Day

Eversource will be working on gas main relays and services on:

• Main relay on Acushnet Ave from Phillips Rd to Bowles St
• Main relay on Acushnet Ave from Phillips Rd to 3082 Acushnet Ave
• Main relay on Brook St from Irvington St to Clifford St
• Main relay on County St from Cove St to Rivet St
• Main relay on Princeton St from Church St to Ashley Blvd
• Services on Central Ave from Church St to Conduit St
• Services on Jouvette St from County St to Crapo St
• Services on W. Rodney French Blvd from Calumet St to Bayview St
• Test holes on Church St from Park Ave to Nash Rd

Other:

• Contractor (Barletta Heavy Division) scheduled to start night work at future pedestrian bridge across Rte 18. Starting Sunday, April 16th through Thursday, April 19th MassDOT will be closing Acushnet Avenue, Rte 18 Northbound, Rte 18 Southbound and the Purchase Street Ramp during overnight hours from 8:00PM to 5:00AM for one night each segment. Traffic detours will be in place. 
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working on a road reconstruction project at West Rodney French Boulevard from Cove Street to George Street. Overnight sewer work at the intersection of Warren St scheduled for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.  
• Contractor (JH Lynch) will be working on the MassDOT road construction project at the intersection of Rockdale Avenue at Allen Street Traffic detours will be in place during workday hours of operation.
• Contractor (various utility companies) will be working on utility pole transfers at the MassDOT road construction project on Kings Highway from Mt. Pleasant Street to Oliver Street.
• Contractor (PA Landers) scheduled to commence work on Monday, April 15th at the MassDOT road reconstruction project on County Street from Nelson Street to Rivet Street.
• Contractor (Various utility companies) will be working on utility pole transfers at the MassDOT road reconstruction project on Acushnet Avenue from Tobey Street to Pequot Street.
• MassDOT will be staging installation and beam end cleaning and concrete encasements at I-195 East and West bound lanes over Purchase Street, County Street and State Street. Work will take place Sunday – Thursday with overnight operations only.
• Contractor (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future South Coast Rail station platform locations in the city. (Church Street at Carlisle Street and Wamsutta Street at Acushnet Avenue.) and continue site work at future pedestrian bridge across Route 18 impacting parking along Purchase Street between Willis Street and Pearl Street and at the Division of Career Services on Acushnet Avenue. If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
• MassDOT scheduled to start pavement preservation and related work on Route 140 both northbound and southbound from mile marker 0.0 to mile marker 5.2 starting April 1st and is scheduled until January 15th, 2026. Work to be conducted during overnight hours. Police details and ramp closures with detours to be expected.
 
Project: Lead Service Line Replacement Program Phase II   General Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00am -5:00pm)
• The contractor will be working Lead Service Line Replacements. Tuesday on Clover Street between Allen Street and Grape Street, Allen Street between Winter Street and Brownell Street. Wednesday on Short Street between Allen Street and Grape Street. Thursday on Field Street between Allen Street and Grape Street, Short Street between Allen Street and Grape Street. Friday on Oak Street between Allen Street and Grape Street. At times during working hours, these locations may be closed to thru traffic with signs posted to detour traffic around work areas. Police details will be on-site allowing access to residents only and assisting with traffic management.

Project: Grape Street Collector Rehabilitation General Contractor: Green Mountain Pipeline Services Subcontractor: Duke’s Root Control and Ribeiro Construction Inc (Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
• The Subcontractor is scheduled to continue installation of the drain manhole and 36-in PVC drain piping at Buttonwood Park between the pond and Kempton Street.

Project: Phase 4 Transmission Main Reinforcement Project   Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
• The Contractor will continue replacing a section of the existing 48-in water transmission main north of the railroad crossing at Chipaway Road in East Freetown.

Project: Shawmut Avenue and Howland Street Pumping Station Improvements Project General Contractor: WES Construction Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
• The contractor is scheduled to continue installation of granite curb and concrete sidewalk replacement along Nash Road between Shawmut Avenue and Mount Pleasant Street. Lane restrictions will be in place during working hours, with one lane of alternating traffic open. Police officers will be on-site to assist with traffic management.”-City of New Bedford.

“NEW BEDFORD – Patrol officers arrested two suspects after attempting to steal a moped in a south-end plaza.

On April 7th, at around noon, south-end patrol units responded to a call for two males wearing ski masks involved in an assault in the area of the Seabra parking lot. Upon arrival, it was learned that the owner of a moped had witnessed two males in the act of attempting to steal it. He confronted the suspects, and a brief struggle ensued, during which they threatened to shoot him.

The suspects made their way out of the plaza and were observed by an officer who attempted to stop them. They fled and crashed the moped at the Frank St./Hemlock St. intersection before continuing to flee on foot. Sgt. Bryan Safioleas and Ofc. Patrick Kustka apprehended both suspects shortly thereafter in the area of Hemlock St. and Rockdale Ave.

One suspect was identified as DAMIAN BRETON, 18, of Maitland St. The other was a 17-year-old juvenile. Both were taken into custody and have been charged with masked armed robbery.

If you have any information you would like to share with the police, you can do so anonymously by visiting our website, newbedfordpd.com, or by calling 508-99-CRIME.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

Connecticut-based Mohawk Northeast Inc. faces $214K in OSHA penalties.

“BRAINTREE, MA – A Connecticut marine and heavy construction contractor could have prevented the October 2023 collapse of a 200-foot section of pier on Hervey Tichon Avenue in New Bedford — which plunged five workers into the Acushnet River and injured two of them — by adhering to legally required safety standards, a U.S. Department of Labor inspection has determined.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found that Mohawk Northeast Inc. of Plantsville did not determine if the pier’s walking and working surfaces had the strength and structural integrity to support employees safely with the weight of materials and equipment on it. OSHA issued the company a willful citation and assessed $161,323 in proposed penalties.

The agency also proposed an additional $53,004 in penalties for four serious violations related to potential fall, drowning and struck-by hazards posed by the employer’s failure to do the following:

• Provide fall protection for employees working on the pier.
• Anchor or secure a crawler crane to the barge effectively to prevent its shifting.
• Provide life jackets for employees working on the pier and an adjacent barge.
• Protect or mark the crane’s swing radius to prevent it from striking employees.

“Mohawk Northeast Inc. had a responsibility to determine if the pier was structurally sound and ensure other required safeguards before placing its employees and equipment on the pier, but it chose not to do so. Proper planning and preparation could have prevented the pier’s collapse. While fortunate that no fatalities occurred, the company still exposed employees needlessly to potentially fatal and disabling injuries,” said OSHA Area Director James Mulligan in Braintree, Massachusetts.

The proposed penalties total $214,327. View the citations OSHA issued to Mohawk Northeast Inc.

Mohawk Northeast Inc. is a construction contractor specializing in heavy and marine construction, as well as tugboat transportation. It has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

“

At 5:36 AM Wednesday morning, the Devens Fire Department was dispatched to the TaraVista Behavioral Health Center at 85 Patton Road for the report of a vehicle into the building.

Fire personnel responded and with assistance of Mutual Aid companies, suppressed a fire in the vehicle. Apaprently the truck was on fire when firefighters arrived.

“The lone occupant of the vehicle was found to be deceased. No occupants of the building were injured,” Lindsay Corcoran, a spokesperson for the D.A., said in a statement.

No patients or staff were injured and are all safe. Investigators believe the act of driving into the building was an intentional one and that the driver had a loved one who was treated at the facility.

The investigation is ongoing by the Massachusetts State Police.

“Please join Chief Levesque and the members of the Dartmouth Police Department as we congratulate Detective Kyle Costa on his retirement from the department. Kyle has served as a police officer for over 34 years and has given back to the community time and time again.

Because he specifically asked “not to make a big deal”, I won’t…

Kind of…

In honor of Kyle’s dedication to the department, community, and overall kindness and caring towards others, I propose a challenge to you… Today (and any day), do something kind for someone else. It doesn’t necessarily mean buying coffee for someone in line, or even spending money at all. Say hi or smile to a stranger, pay someone a compliment, call or text someone you haven’t spoken to in a while just to say hi or you’re thinking of them, offer to help, be a good listener, tell someone you appreciate them, be patient, the list goes on and on.

No matter how minor it may seem, you never know the impact your words or actions can have on someone else.

Kyle, we wish you the very best in your retirement and will miss you.

Congratulations!! 💙”-Dartmouth Police Department.

One of the Dartmouth Police Department’s Jack-O-Lantern contest winners, Sammie, who came by the station to say “thank you” for her gift card. with Detective Kyle Costa. Dartmouth Police Department photo.