“State Public Safety Secretary Thomas Turco, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Chris Mason, and numerous MSP Troopers and Massachusetts National Guardsmen were on hand this afternoon at Logan International Airport to provide security for the arrival of the New England Patriots plane carrying a shipment of more than a million critically-needed medical masks. The masks will be provided to health care personnel treating Coronavirus victims in Massachusetts and New York.

The acquisition of the approximately 1.2 million masks from China was accomplished by Governor Baker. Patriots owner Robert Kraft donated the team’s plane and flight crew to pick up and transport the masks to Massachusetts.

From Logan, the masks are being distributed to a Massachusetts site from where they will be distributed to various hospitals, with a separate portion of them being trucked to New York City for medical personnel there.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

The National Guard is undertaking the shipment to the Marlboro, Mass., equipment marshaling and distribution site, with MSP Troopers escorting them.

The second shipment of masks from Logan to New York City is being transported by the Patriots’ tractor-trailer unit. MSP Troopers will escort that shipment the entire route to its destination in NYC. Along the transport route, MSP cruisers providing the escort will be joined periodically by cruisers from Rhode Island State Police, Connecticut State Police, New York State Police, and New York Police.

Additionally, while in the Tri-State area, the MSP Troopers will fulfill a side mission in support of New Jersey State Police. NJSP personnel are in need of additional personal protective equipment. The MSP escort cruisers are carrying 2,000 protective masks and a supply of hand sanitizer from our Department stockpiles. The MSP escort cruisers will meet up with a NJSP and transfer the supplies to them to help keep their Troopers safe.”

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Greater New Bedford Voc Tech distributed several chromebooks to students in an effort to give all students accessibility to technology throughout the extended school closure. Members of the IT department, maintenance staff, and Officer Fisher facilitated the no contact, curbside pickup for families. This technology is essential for student success in distance learning during the school closure. Although this type of teaching and learning is a transition for everyone involved, we can be sure that students at Greater New Bedford Voc Tech with persevere through these times.

#GNBVTinformationtechnology #Perseverance #SocialDistancing

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of April 6,2020 –April 10, 2020 and they are as follows:

Eversource:

Eversource will replace the gas mains at the following locations:

• Hatch St. from Acushnet Ave. to Belleville Ave.
• Hathaway Rd. from Valley View Dr. to Rockdale Ave.
• Sycamore St. from Summer St. to Pleasant St.
• Foster St. from Maxfield St. to North St.
• South Front St. from 460 S. Front St. to Gifford St.

Other:

• 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 will continue work to relocate the existing water transmission main at the Tarkiln Hill Rd/Kings Highway rail crossing. There will be temporary lane closures at times during construction. Police details will assist with traffic management and signage will be posted. The contractor will have overnight work from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on Sunday, April 5th and Monday, April 6th and will return to normal operating hours on Wednesday April 8th.
• The contractor will continue cleaning wastewater piping in the Herman Melville Blvd area.
• The Contractor will be restoring sidewalks at the following locations: Briggs St. from Thompson St. to Rockland St., County St. from South St. to Wing St. and Rockland St. from Crapo St. to Dartmouth St.
• Contractor is scheduled to continue construction of the new pumping station and installation of the site utilities 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.

* 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 public entry. Office staff is available to assist by email and telephone.

The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra has found new ways to bring music to our community! You can live stream an array of performances by NBSO musicians from the NBSO website or Facebook page. Performances can be viewed afterward as well. Visit the Events page on the NBSO website: https://nbsymphony.org/events or join in via the NBSO Facebook page where you can comment and read others’ comments: https://www.facebook.com/nbso.newbedfordsymphonyorchestra/live/

Schedule:

• April 4, 7pm: Emmy and the P’s with Emmy Holmes-Hicks (violin), Peter Zay (cello and guitar), and Piero Guimaraes (vibraphone)
• April 10, 7pm: SmorgasBORED with Nicholas Brown and Hunter Bennett, clarinets
• April 17, 7pm: Violin Duos from The Shire with Jesse Holstein and Ealain McMullin, violins
• April 25, 7pm: Works for Solo Viola by Maureen Heflinger, viola
• April 26, 4pm: Piano Trios for the Soul with Emmy Holmes-Hicks (violin), Adrienne Tayler (cello), Andrei Bauman (piano)
• May 1, 7pm: String Trio featuring Emmy Holmes-Hicks (violin), Hannah Ross (viola), and Peter Zay (cello)

Past performances still available for viewing include:

• Fiddle Time with Emmy Holmes-Hicks (violin) and Peter Zay (cello and guitar)
• Dinur on Piano featuring NBSO Music Director Yaniv Dinur

The NBSO is a professional orchestra that annually presents a concert series of classical and pops music with internationally acclaimed guest artists, as well as an outstanding chamber music series. In addition, the NBSO’s innovative and nationally recognized educational programs reach 8,000 students each year. The NBSO is dedicated to building a community of music in the South Coast. Visit www.nbsymphony.org today!

New Bedford High School’s Academy of Finance, affiliated with the National Academy Foundation (NAF) has been officially designated as a distinguished national high school program. The announcement was made in a press release issued by the organization, which stated in part that ‘Distinguished’ status denotes the program is at “Model Level for Delivering High-Quality Educational Experiences for High School Students.” The designation was determined based on a visit to NBHS by NAF officials during which they interviewed school stakeholders, reviewed documentation, and observed classes.

Mayor Jon Mitchell noted, “New Bedford High’s recognition as a distinguished finance program is a testament to the hard work of the school’s staff and students, and validates New Bedford High’s status as the best choice for students to prepare for college and the workforce. Programs such as the Finance Academy will prepare graduates by equipping them with the skills they need for the future in an ever-changing world.”

Superintendent Thomas Anderson stated “This recognition underscores the high quality work being done at New Bedford High School; it’s more evidence of the increased learning opportunities and upward trajectory of the school. We are living through very challenging times and this demonstrates how critically important these learning environments have become.”

“I am pleased that our Academy of Finance has been recognized as distinguished, a milestone that was made possible through the work of our outstanding teachers, students and finance industry partners”, said Bernadette Coelho, Headmaster of New Bedford High School. “This distinction underscores why we consider New Bedford High School a flagship high school for the National Academy Foundation, and we appreciate their recognition of the work that we are doing on behalf of our students and community.”

The distinguished level represents the highest level of achievement for a NAF academy.

“Our recent NAF site visit provided the opportunity for the Finance Academy to showcase their outstanding work and best practices”, said Chris Cummings, manager of CVTE programs, noting that teachers from all areas met with NAF officials to discuss how they collaborate with the finance academy staff to develop and implement projects across multiple disciplines. “The evaluators were impressed with how financial instruction is integrated throughout the curriculum”, he added.

One of the criteria in determination of a distinguished NAF program is an active advisory committee comprised of industry representatives and post-secondary faculty. During the visit, members representing multiple South Coast financial institutions shared how they engaged with staff and students, providing curriculum guidance and internship opportunities.

New Bedford High School’s Finance Academy, affiliated with the National Academy Foundation, is part of the school’s offerings of Career Vocational Technical Education programming. In addition to Finance, the school offers career pathway programs in Business, Hospitality, Instructional Technology, Health Sciences, Engineering, Early Childhood Education, and Criminal Justice. For more information about Career and Technical Education at New Bedford High School, please contact Christopher Cummings, Manager of CVTE at 508 997 4511, ext. 20799.

A 22-year-old repeat domestic violence defendant was found dangerous and ordered held without bail at the conclusion of a telephonic dangerousness hearing yesterday in Attleboro District Court, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Jeremy Logan, who was already on probation for another domestic violence-related conviction from Attleboro District Court and two other cases out of Wrentham District Court, was arrested by Attleboro Police on Sunday night after received a 911 call from a neighbor at around 9:45.

Police responded to an Attleboro residence and located the victim, who was visibly upset and shaking. The victim told police that she and the defendant, who is her boyfriend, got into an argument about where to order take out food from. The victim attempted to retreat from the argument, but the defendant allegedly pushed her, began strangling her and struck her in the back. Responding officers noted redness and swelling along the victim’s back.

The defendant was arraigned on a charge of assault and battery on a family or household member on Monday, at which point prosecutors requested that he be held overnight for a dangerousness hearing.

Tuesday’s dangerousness hearing was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Natasha Acevedo and the ruling to find the defendant dangerous was issued by Judge Daniel O’Shea. The defendant will now be held in jail without bail for up to 120 days.

All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

“I am pleased the court held the defendant without bail as a danger to the victim and community. The defendant clearly does not belong out on the street. He is on probation for the same conduct, not only in Attleboro, but on two other cases another court. He can’t control himself,” District Attorney Quinn said.

“We have a few videos to share from a very special project we are participating in.

The COVID-19 animal food program is a collaboration between New Bedford Animal Control, Forever Paws, Humane Society and the Coalition for Animals Pets Eat Too Program.

During the pandemic, we are partnering with those organizations to provide animal food for the elderly, disabled, and veterans who may be in need. Folks in those communities may be at greater risk heading out to public places and we want to keep our pet owners safe. A people’s problem is an animal problem and our coalition’s slogan is Helping People Helping Animals. So true right now.

If anyone in the three categories needs animal food or if you would like to donate to this program please reach out to any of the Partnering organizations! If you would like to order online at Mellissa Pet Depot, New Bedford Animal Control will pick it up at the Fairhaven or Dartmouth stores. www.mellisaspetdepot.com

Watch for more videos!” -New Bedford Police Department Animal Control.

While the Mattapoisett Board of Health confirmed that the town has its first positive cases of COVID-19, it was tight-lipped about the actual number of cases and whether those individuals were at hospital being treated or they were self-quarantined.

“As COVID-19 testing capabilities expand in Massachusetts and transmission of the disease continues throughout the State, we will see an increase in the number of positive cases of COVID-19 here in Mattapoisett. Local community spread of COVID-19 is happening now, including in Mattapoisett,” said Mattapoisett Board of Health agent Kayla Davis.

In addition, Marion Health Director Karen Walega confirmed the town’s first positive case of COVID-19 and that the person was in isolation.

The remaining town within the “tri-town” region, Rochester, has yet to declare a single case.

This announcement comes 2 days after the town of Acushnet announced their first positive case of COVID-19 and 6 days after the town of Fairhaven announced their first case. Both individual are in self-quarantine.

New Bedford has a total of 31 positive cases, Fall River now has 20 confirmed cases and Massachusetts as a whole has 5,752 cases with 54 deaths.

The following is a statement from Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III

“A petition filed by the ACLU and CPCS has requested the mass release of thousands of defendants, many of whom are dangerous individuals and career criminals. For reasons of public safety and common sense, I strongly oppose this petition.

Seven of the 11 district attorneys, the Massachusetts Office of Victims Assistance, the trial court, local police departments and others have all filed an opposition to the petition.
​
I am very mindful of the serious public health crisis that is afflicting our country.

I am concerned for everyone’s welfare, especially our heroic medical workers, grocery employees, first responders and anyone putting themselves in danger for the public good.

I am very concerned about the well-being of the thousands of victims whose rights would be violated by the mass release of thousands of individuals from our jails and prisons. This would jeopardize both their physical and mental well-being, especially in cases of domestic violence.

We need to make rational decisions so that there are not grave, unintended consequences from rash and ill-conceived decisions.

Correctional facilities have implemented stringent protocols to protect inmates and staff from the Coronavirus. As of this writing, no one has tested positive in the Bristol County jails. These facilities have dealt with significant health-related issues in the past and have the expertise and experience to protect the inmates.

We are now receiving a number of motions for the release of very dangerous defendants who have no business being out on the street. While I am concerned for everyone’s welfare, this appears to be an attempt to manipulate this serious public health crisis to obtain their release from jail.

Ensuring public safety is my primary duty. It is a duty that underlies all government action. I will continue to review cases on an individual basis, but I am strongly opposed to the wholesale release of defendants who are properly in custody. Releasing many defendants to the street is against the public interest and should not be done in a society based on the rule of law. ​”

REMINDER: PLEASE PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING OUTDOORS AS WELL

On several days last week, our Troopers observed high volume of visitors to state parks and reservations. With warmer temperatures on the way, the Baker-Polito Administration, including the State Police, reminds visitors that precautions recommended to reduce the chance of COVID-19 virus transmission should be practiced in all settings, including outdoor areas.

Specifically, we urge visitors to state parks and other outdoor properties to maintain social distancing of at least six feet, avoid gatherings of people, and to practice healthy personal hygiene, to aid in the prevention of spreading the COVID-19 virus. Furthermore, if visitors of state parks observe areas with high concentrations of people, the public is asked to leave the location and either visit a different park in the area or return at a later date or time.

Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) also advises people to participate in non-contact recreational activities, for example hiking, bike riding, and jogging. Furthermore, if an individual is ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population, please stay home to avoid the risk of contracting the disease.

The state parks system has over 450,000 acres of property, and every region of the state has hidden gem state park locations to explore that may be less busy than more popular park locations. The DCR website provides visitors the ability to search state parks by both region and recreational activity.

“The Massachusetts state parks system offers excellent opportunities for us all to get outside, which is important for everybody’s mental and physical health,” said DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery. “However, visitors should adhere to staying at home as much as possible to reduce the risk of becoming in contact with the virus and potentially spreading it to others.”

Visitors are reminded that the agency has removed trash receptacles throughout the state parks system to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19. DCR asks that all visitors of state parks adhere to a “carry in, carry out” trash policy during this public health emergency, and urges visitors do their part to help protect our shared natural resources by leaving no trace and taking any trash with them.

DCR has created a Massachusetts State Parks COVID-19 webpage — https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-state-parks-covid-19-update — that centralizes virus updates that impact the state parks system. The webpage provides visitors of state parks with information including the closure of certain agency facilities, like visitor centers, playgrounds and restroom facilities and other pertinent information.