“Chief Matthew Perkins is pleased to share that the Lakeville Police Department hosted the local 2023 Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) Polar Plunge earlier this month.

The event was held in Lakeville on Saturday, March 11. Participants gathered at Clear Pond Park to take the plunge. A total of 87 participants from 13 teams each raised at least $100 to participate. In total, $18,846 was raised through the Lakeville Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts.

The event was organized by Lakeville Police Sgt. Erik McNeice, who is a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics and the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

“We were proud to host this year’s Polar Plunge, and thank everyone who participated and helped raise money to go toward meaningful initiatives and programs for Special Olympics athletes in Massachusetts,” Chief Perkins said. “I’d also like to recognize Sgt. McNeice for his hard work and dedication to coordinating the event this year.”

The department would also like to thank the Lakeville Dunkin’ for their food and coffee donation, as well as area public safety partners — the Lakeville Fire Department and East Bridgewater Police Department — who also participated in the fundraiser.

About Special Olympics Massachusetts
Special Olympics Massachusetts provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, prepare for entry into school and community programs, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The Special Olympics Polar Plunge has participants jump into icy cold waters to help provide over 14,000 athletes with a a safe opportunity to participate in sports training and competition programs that help them live longer, happier, healthier lives. Every dollar raised directly supports year-round sports training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities in Massachusetts.

About The Law Enforcement Torch Run
The LETR for Special Olympics engages law enforcement worldwide championing acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities, starting first with their own communities. Over the years the Torch Run has evolved and now encompasses a variety of innovative fundraising platforms to include Plane Pull®, Polar Plunge®, Tip-A-Cop®, and more.”

By Colin A. Young/SHNS.

“Completed single-family home sales were down 20 percent in Massachusetts last month, but the Massachusetts Association of Realtors pointed to the fact that the percentage decrease was not as severe as previous months as an optimistic signal.

February’s 1,899 closed sales on single-family houses were well below February 2022’s mark of 2,377 sales, MAR said in releasing new market data on Monday, while the median sale price was up 4 percent to $520,000 last month.

Condo sales were down 23.3 percent, from 1,144 closed sales last February to 877 closed sales last month, and the median condo price was up 2.3 percent to $465,000.

Inventory was down 17 percent last month, with MAR reporting 3,401 single-family homes available in February 2023 compared to 4,098 in February 2022. For condos, it was a nearly 20 percent drop — from an inventory of 2,441 condos in February 2022 to 1,962 in February 2023, MAR said.

New listings of single-family homes were down almost 22 percent, from 3,223 new listings in February 2022 to 2,520 new listings last month, MAR said. New condo listings showed nearly the same percentage year-over-year drop last month, 23 percent, from 1,911 new listings in February 2022 to 1,472 last month. As far as new supply goes, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows 388 single-unit private housing units authorized in January, the most recent month for which data is available.

In all, there were 1,088 housing structures authorized in the Bay State in January. Gov. Maura Healey has made housing a central part of her agenda and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, who is serving as the administration’s point person on housing policy at least until the governor’s plan to carve out a new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities comes to fruition, said recently that the administration’s “main focus right now” is on increasing housing production.

“There’s no doubt we have a full on housing crisis in Massachusetts. There’s not enough housing to meet the current demands at all levels — not market rate, not affordable, certainly not truly affordable for our most vulnerable populations. And we really are trying to partner with communities and make sure they have the tools they need,” she said this month in an interview with WBZ-TV’s Jon Keller. “We’re focused on production.”

“47 cats and kittens are being showered with TLC at Northeast Animal Shelter after arriving at the New Bedford Regional Airport on Saturday.

These cats came from the SPCA of Texas which needed to free up room as they ready for a busy spring. These cats should become available today or tomorrow after completing their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine.

To meet available cats, head to Salem during open hours Monday-Friday from 11:30am-3pm, no appointment necessary OR visit neas.org/adopt to book an adoption appointment.

The transport comes as we gear up for a full day of live, free information sessions to help people understand everything we’re doing to rescue thousands of pets from across the country through relocation to Massachusetts where adoptive homes are more plentiful. Learn more about the sessions and register at mspca.org/academy.”-MSPCA-Angell.

MSPCA-Angell photo.

MSPCA-Angell photo.

MSPCA-Angell photo.

MSPCA-Angell photo.

“New Bedford police detectives have seized two firearms in two separate incidents over the past weekend.

On Saturday, March 18th, detectives assigned to the “Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau” executed a search warrant at 66 Rogers St. The target of the investigation was PAUL SILVA, 41. Upon making entry into the residence, a second male, Mr. NICHOLAS TAFT, 28, of Fall River was located as was a juvenile who did not reside there.

During the search that followed, over 30 grams of “crack” cocaine and 2.6 grams of powder cocaine were located along with digital scales and packaging materials. Also discovered was a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun. SILVA was found to be in possession of $1734 and TAFT was found to have $4660 in cash. This money was seized as a result of the nature of their charges.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

PAUL SILVA and NICHOLAS TAFT were both charged with trafficking cocaine in excess of 18 grams, conspiracy to violate the controlled substance laws, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. SILVA was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute class “B” substance approximately one year ago, making this a subsequent offense. SILVA was also convicted in 2019 of carrying a dangerous weapon following an incident during which he was found to be in possession of a machete and brass knuckles.

The above-mentioned juvenile was charged with trafficking cocaine in excess of 18 grams and conspiracy to violate the controlled substance laws before being released to the custody of a parent.

The investigating detective was Jordan DaSilva. On Sunday, March 19th, detectives had received information concerning a juvenile carrying a handgun in the area of Hazelwood park. Surveillance was conducted at this location and the juvenile was soon located.

Detectives approached the juvenile and discovered a loaded .380 pistol in their possession which was later determined to have been stolen out of Maine. The suspect began to resist violently with the officers before eventually being taken into custody.

This incident marks the second time this suspect has been arrested by New Bedford detectives with a firearm, the first time being when they were only 15 years old. That case was later dismissed by a judge in New Bedford district court.

The investigating detective was Jordan DaSilva.

If you have any information on criminal activity in your neighborhood, the New Bedford Police Dept. wants to hear from you. You can leave an anonymous tip on our voicemail at (508) 991-6300 Ext. 1. You can also leave a tip at our website, www.newbedfordpd.com.”

“Officer Sutton saved the day and made a new friend tonight, Oliver the owl!

Thank you to the resident that reported Oliver tangled in the soccer net at the Pine Street fields.

Great work Officer Sutton! 🦉”-Norwell Police Department.

All photos by the Norwell Police Department:

“Here are a few pics from this morning’s New Bedford Half Marathon. Ladder 1 proudly displayed the American flag in front of FD Headquarters near the start of the race.

The Region 5 MCI (Mass Casualty Incident) trailer was staged there and ready for rapid deployment. The multipurpose Polaris Ranger was also manned for rapid response in the downtown area during the race.

K-9 Kona, our chemical/biological detection canine and her handler FF Travis Rebello were deployed with K-9 units from the New Bedford PD, MA State Police, and SEMLEC.

The NBFD pack relay team members crossed the finish line together after each running a portion of the half marathon as a fundraiser for Porter Guillemette.

Congratulations to all the runners who came from near and far! Thank you to all the public safety agencies who participated in making this a safe event.

Finish line photo courtesy of Allyson Katz.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

All photos by the New Bedford Fire Department:

By Bailey Bisson.

The Swansea Public Library is one of the most beautiful historic buildings of the area, and is located beside the Episcopal Church. Henry Vaughan, (1845-1917), was an American architect from England who designed 50 buildings in his lifetime. The English Gothic style of his works have become quite an inspiration to modern architects, however, Vaughan’s artistry was inspired by American Writer and Architect Ralph Cram, (1863-1942). Cram is considered the “leader” of the Modern Gothic movement and is remembered for his Gothic Revival-style churches.

Painting of Elizabeth Stevens. Photo by Bailey Bisson.

The original owner of the Swansea library building was widow Elizabeth Stevens, who funded the building in memory of her husband Frank Stevens. It was built in 1899 and was dedicated to the town of Swansea to become a library in 1900. In what used to be a wealthy farming community, the very first books distributed by the Swansea library were agricultural guides.

Painting of Frank Stevens. Photo by Bailey Bisson.

Swansea’s Youth Services and Community Engagement Librarian, Carol Gafford, shared some interesting information with this reporter.

“This building is pretty much the same as it was in 1899,” said Gafford.

Original Light Fixtures. Photo by Bailey Bisson.

“These are the original lamps. They had them electrified,” Gafford told the reporter.

Reporter’s thoughts: With the light fixtures hanging so high up there on the ceiling, it’s hard to imagine a time when candles were the only source of light. Imagine having to climb a ladder every evening and ignite a flame, only to read an agricultural book?

The Swansea library has a lovely atmosphere, and its history is marked by the unlit fireplace.

Original fireplace. Photo by Bailey Bisson.

In 2022, the town of Swansea voted to remodel the century-and-a-quarter-year-old library, since it was built to hold very few people, at a time when the population was much smaller. The plan is to expand the building toward the parking lot and extend the parking lot into Village Park, a wide open, grassy piece of land located behind the library.

“The town voted to fund it. Now, we’re in the process of signing contracts. The goal is to have it ready in three years,” said Gafford.

The various mountain biking and hiking path entrances located behind the Swansea library, church, and local junior high school are good places to get lost. The trail is open year-round and has been guiding local explorers with huge rocks, streams, and bridges, with many locals bringing their children and pets to venture on through.

“Public Assistance Requested For Animal Cruelty!

During the early morning hours of Sunday, 19 March, the Salem Police Department received several reports of pit bull puppies being abandoned at various locations throughout the city. Two dogs were recovered from the North Street/Federal Street area and 3 dogs were reportedly abandoned in the Proctor Street area; two have been recovered and one may still be loose.

The abandoned dogs are malnourished, dehydrated, and show signs of abuse and neglect.

Salem Police are actively investigating this as a case of animal cruelty. The MSPCA has been notified.

If you have any information on the person or persons responsible for abandoning these animals, please contact the Salem Police Department Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at (978) 745-9700, Salem Police Dispatch at (978) 744-1212, or the anonymous tip line at (978) 619-5627 – you do not need to give your name.”-Salem Police Department.

Salem Police Department photo.

“On Saturday, just before 10:00 p.m., the Holliston Police Department responded to the area of 717 Highland Street for the report of a single motor vehicle crash.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle was traveling southbound on Highland Street at a high rate of speed. The vehicle then rolled over, left the roadway, and struck a tree. Both the driver Joshua Taylor, 23, of Holliston, and his passenger, Haley Gens, 23, of Connecticut, were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Troopers assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services were requested, responded, and are assisting our agency with the crash investigation.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office has been contacted and an Assistant District Attorney has been assigned to this incident.

Our agency was also assisted on-scene by the Ashland Police Department, Holliston Fire Department, Holliston Ambulance. Ashland Fire Department, and the State Medical Examiner’s Office.”-Holliston Police Department.

Facebook photo.

Anyone who owns, or has owned a dog knows that picking the right treats for their best friend can be challenging because of allergens, expense, and a dog’s preferences. Refusing to eat something because he or she is finicky is only part of it. A good pet owner only wants the best for their furry friends.

Then there are allergies. Over time those cheap, lesser quality treats do more harm than you can possibly imagine.

Wolf & Bear, Co. photo.

Trial and error is simply part of a method that all pet owners have to use until they find brands that are just right.

One local South Coast business saw the need for healthy, allergy-free, superior treats that are still affordable. Impossible? Sole owners and operators of Wolf & Bear Co, Benny and Tracy Gonzalez don’t think so. They wanted to unite dogs and dog owners alike by creating the most biologically appropriate, tasty, affordable, and nutritional treats for everyone’s four-legged family members.

A large part of what the Gonzalez’s want to do is educate the caring dog owner and make them aware of the benefits of feeding their dogs nutritional treats. Face it, most dogs – like goats – will eat anything you put in front of them. Not just food made for canines, but heck, a couch pillow or even a shoe will do. So, it’s important that you, the owner, choose the right the right treat. Wolf & Bear Co have put a lot of elbow work and research into perfecting the treats they offer; treats that are suitable for every sized dog.

Wolf & Bear, Co. photo.

Wolf & Bear Co. offers all-natural, single-ingredient protein treats. The products do not contain any fillers or preservatives. They are biologically appropriate and every product of contains high nutritional value. “We have many owners that have come to us because their dog has certain nutritional needs and we have been able to accommodate them all. From allergies to certain dietary restrictions, we have something for all dogs.” said co-owner Tracy Gonzalez.

All Wolf & Bear Co. meats are 100% USDA-approved and are sourced here on the South Coast. Even their pig ears (chews) are all-natural. No chemical process or glaze is ever added. Their products are all grain-free and very low in fat content. In fact, their treats are “human grade,” which means you could eat them if you wanted. The idea is, that Tracy and Benny wouldn’t feed anything to a dog that wouldn’t at least be healthy for human consumption. You would think that all of this means an expensive product, but you’d be wrong. There is no price hike or gouging and Wolf & Bear Co.’s prices are not only fair, but affordable enough that you can offer the treats to your pets daily.

Benny and Tracy are, of course, dog owners themselves and when perfecting their treats they used feedback from their own dogs and even grandpuppies. “It’s an amazing feeling to know we can provide biologically appropriate and also nutritional treats to so many,” stated Benny. “Giving dogs the absolute best ensures that they live a long healthy life. It starts from the everyday food you feed them to the treats you use for training and rewarding.”

Wolf & Bear, Co. photo.

The love that Benny and Tracy have for dogs extends far beyond offering our pals nutritional, delicious treats, to being part of events in the community they live in. On Sunday, April 23rd from 12-6 pm they will be at MassCollective11 located at The New Bedford Voc Tech field house. Following that will be on to The Taunton Pride Festival at Hopewell Park in Taunton, Ma. Saturday, June 10th from 12-5pm. and the Whaling City Festival July 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Thursday 3-9 pm Fri-Sun 12-9 pm. You can also catch them Foxboro Jaycee’s Spring Vendor and Craft Fair at the Foxboro Common on Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 9am-3pm.

Want to try out the products for yourself? Order online and use Code: SPRING2023 10% OFF entire order. http://www.wolfandbearco.shop/home

Wolf & Bear, Co. ship nationwide to make sure no animal is left out. Get this: they deliver within 24 to 48 hours locally! And 48 to 72 hours with UPS shipping. You can peruse their online shop to find treat bags and buckets, as well as caps, hoodies, and t-shirts.

Reviews:

“Wolf & BearCo are the only treats I’ll ever give to my dogs! I love knowing exactly what they are eating, and these single-ingredient, natural treats are exactly that. They are the perfect training treats as well as being a great and easy way to add nutrients to your dog’s diet. They are extremely affordable and have a long shelf life. Smelts and turkey jerky are a staple in our household! We cannot recommend these enough, they are the best dog treats ever!”–Leann L.

“I am constantly looking at listed ingredients for healthy dog treats and found none better than Wolf & Bear! 100% all-natural protein with absolutely no fillers or by-products. I’ve tried several of the varieties that they carry, and each is a huge hit! Perfect if you want to give your dog the very best. Your fur babies will love you and those healthy Wolf & Bear treats!”-Inez P.

Wolf & Bear, Co. photo.