6-year old struck and killed by Sysco tractor-trailer in Andover

On Tuesday at approximately, 5:00pm the Andover Police and Fire Departments and EMS received reports of a pedestrian versus tractor-trailer accident downtown.

Upon arrival at Elm Square at the intersection of Elm and Main streets, first responders learned that a Sysco tractor-trailer had struck a 6-year-old child in a crosswalk. The gender and name were withheld.

Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe said that several other people in the area at the time of the crash were taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure in spite of the fact they were not struck. Keefe said the driver of the Sysco truck did stop and immediately cooperated with police.

Sysco also responded to this crash in a statement, writing “The Sysco family is heartbroken to learn of the tragic death of a pedestrian today in an incident involving one of our vehicles from Sysco Boston. We offer our condolences and prayers to the individual’s family and community and are grieving with them for their loss.”

Multiple eyewitnesses on the scene reported that this particular intersection was incredibly busy and dangerous. For several hours Massachusetts State and Local Police remained on the scene collecting data and had the truck towed. The accident remains under investigation.




Massachusetts Animal Control discovers sign and beaver tail nailed to tree

“It’s true, ACO Jones responded to the area of Stuart Pond yesterday after a report that a beaver tail was nailed to a sign someone posted that reads “Beavers No Gnawing”.

ACO Jones called for a Massachusetts Environmental Police Officer to respond.

If you know who may have done this, please contact ACO Jones at the Sterling Police Department or Environmental Police. Information, as always, can be provided anonymously.”-Town of Sterling Animal Control.


Newhouse Wildlife Rescue photo.




Massachusetts State Police wrangle horses taking a stroll on Route 88 in Westport

“MORNING CONSTITUTIONAL:

Who doesn’t like a little walk after breakfast some days? This morning before 8, two horses somehow got loose from their stable at a private residence and took a morning trot onto Route 88 in Westport.

Troopers from the State Police Troop D Community Action Team, the State Police-Dartmouth Barracks, and our Mounted Unit responded to help wrangle the wayward duo. The horses’ owner had already found the horses and had control of one of them when Troopers arrived on scene.

Trooper Alex Boswell, who apparently watches a lot of western movies, was able to get a rope onto the second horse, and he and the owner walked the horses back home, their morning adventure now complete.”-Massachusetts State Police.


Massachusetts State Police photo.


Massachusetts State Police photo.


Massachusetts State Police photo.




Truck barrels through Massachusetts gas station, left dangling over retaining wall

On Wednesday morning, Norfolk Police and Fire Departments received 911 calls about a reported accident at Daley Service Center at the intersection of Main Street and Rockwood Road.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered a chaotic scene: a gas pump ripped out and smashed, obvious damage to a few cars, and a Falvey Linen Supply truck dangling precariously over a retaining wall.

Eyewitnesses on scene reported that the truck plowed through the gas pump, came to s stop, and then sped up again, slamming into a parked Ford Taurus, and Ford pickup truck before coming to stop and teetering over the wall.

It’s a minor miracle that no staff, customers, and pedestrians were struck and injured, or worse, killed and there was no fire or gas leak.
.
Locals mentioned that the poorly designed roundabout was a common site of minor accidents and felt that it was only a matter of time before a major accident ocurred.




Open letter to New Bedford City Councilors regarding motion on Rent Stabilization Ballot Question

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.

_____________________________________________________________

“Open letter to New Bedford City Councilors,

I am writing to express my strong support for Councilors Shane Burgo, Linda Morad, and Brian Gomes’ motion that would allow New Bedford voters to exercise democracy by voting on the following non-binding ballot question in the November 2023 election:

“Should the city of New Bedford adopt an ordinance stabilizing rents in order to prevent displacement in the local housing rental market?”

As you know, rent price increases have created increased homelessness and housing insecurity for elders, low-income, working-class, poor, single-parent households, and disabled people living in New Bedford. Rent prices have nearly doubled in the last few years and tripled in the last decade. New Bedford has some of the highest eviction rates and average rental increases in the state. This means that the most at-risk among us are even more vulnerable to displacement, housing insecurity, and homelessness.

Allowing the residents of New Bedford to vote on this non-binding ballot question would be an important step towards ensuring that the voice of the citizens of the city is taken into account in the debate regarding rent stabilization as a potential tool to address the current housing crisis. Your support would also allow for a democratic process to take place, giving residents a voice and allowing the results to be a part of the decision-making process.

As such, I strongly urge you to support this motion and provide the opportunity for New Bedford residents to vote on this crucial issue. As you are aware, you were elected to represent the people of the city, and any vote against Councilor Burgo, Morad, and Gomes’ motion is a vote that seeks to limit the voice of the people in New Bedford. I hope that you will allow the people of New Bedford to officially express our stance on rent stabilization.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

In the pursuit of participatory democracy,
Erik Andrade.”




Massachusetts sex offender previously convicted of rape, arrested for possessing child pornography

A Chelsea man was arrested yesterday for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Lasall Johnson, 54, was charged with possession of child pornography. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein, Johnson was detained pending a hearing scheduled for March 23, 2023.

According to the charging documents, an investigation into suspected CSAM being exchanged on an online peer to peer file sharing network identified a user located at Johnson’s residence. It is alleged that, during a subsequent search of Johnson’s address, six electronic devices were seized that were found to contain several images and videos depicting CSAM.

In 1989, Johnson was convicted in Norfolk County Superior Court of two counts of assault to rape, for which he received a 20-year state prison sentence with two years committed and the balance suspended for 18 years. As a result of those convictions, Johnson is a Level-2 registered sex offender.

Due to Johnson’s prior convictions, the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Chelsea Police Keith Houghton made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.” -Massachusetts Department of Justice.




Cambridge man wins 2023 44th New Bedford Half-Marathon second year in a row

Today thousands of runners once again participated in the Annual New Bedford Half Marathon, the City’s 44th.

The race wass hosted by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a New Bedford-based fraternal organization, and the City of New Bedford. The course was a challenging one that included two major hills, while featuring waterfront views and hundreds of volunteers and cheering fans lining roadways downtown along the loop route, which started and ended on Pleasant Street near City Hall.

Congratulations to this year’s winner of the 44th New Bedford Half-Marathon, Matt McDonald of Cambridge, Massachusetts with a time of 1:04:12. He was also the winner of last year’s race making this back-to-back wins.

Congratulations are in order for the first female winner, Maegan Krifchin with a time of 1:12:43!

In total 1,296 people completed the Half Marathon. See the names and time of completion for all 1,296 people here.

__________________________________________

Top Ten Men Finishers

__________________________________________

Top Ten Women Finishers

__________________________________________


City of New Bedford photo.


City of New Bedford photo.


44th New Bedford Half-Marathon winner, Matt McDonald of Cambridge, Massachusetts with Mayor Mitchell. Jon Mitchell photo.

__________________________________________________________

And they’re off!

“A hearty welcome to the finish line!”

The first male runner has finished at an hour and 4 minutes! Gongratulations to Matt McDonald, for the second year in a row!

Here’s the first female winner! Congratulations Maegan Krifchin!




Middletown Police release name of man found dead in home after wellness check in

“Authorities are investigating after a local man was found dead in his home.

According to police, on Tuesday, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Middletown Police Officers responded with the Middletown Fire Department to a residence at 916 West Main Road. The response was a result of friends of the resident requesting a well-being check as the resident had not been seen or heard from in a few days.

Once on scene, Officer made entry into the residence and located the body of deceased thirty-nine-year-old John Edward-Corbett.

The cause and manner of death has not yet been determined and is being investigated by the Middletown Police Department Detective Division and the Rhode Island Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Middletown Police Department extended its sympathy to the Edward Corbett family.

Corbett was a well-known photographer in the area who also has connections to Newport.

If anyone information regarding this incident, contact Detective Lieutenant Tim Beck at 401-846-1144 ext. 7017 or tbeck@middletownri.com.” -Middletown Police Department.




New Bedford roadwork sites for the upcoming week of March 13, 2023 – March 17, 2023

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of March 13, 2023 – March 17, 2023, and they are as follows:

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

• Jack and Bore under 140 off of Phillips Rd
• Sassaquin Ave. from Acushnet Ave. to Tobey St
• Acushnet Ave from Peckham Rd to Tobey St
• Pequot St from Acushnet Ave to end of Pequot St
• Allen St from Rockdale Ave to Kirby St
• West Rodney French Blvd from Welcome St to Warren Ave (North of Flood Gates)
• West Rodney French Blvd from Woodlawn St to Lucas St (South of Flood Gates)

Other:

• Contractor (various utility companies) will be working at MassDOT’s Kings Highway project transferring wires to new utility pole sets. Minor traffic impacts and lane shifts required.
• Contractor (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future South Coast Rail station platform locations in the city. (Church St at Carlisle St and Wamsutta St at Acushnet Ave.) If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us




New Bedford Creative announces $400,000 in awards celebrating arts, culture, creative expression

Over thirty cultural events, programs, and special projects, and forty individual artists will receive Wicked Cool Places, ARTnet, and Art is Everywhere funding to keep New Bedford Creative. In total, $419,520 will support arts, culture, and creative expression in New Bedford through these awards.

The grant funding is part of the City of New Bedford’s investment in the arts using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, administered through the New Bedford Economic Development Council’s arts and culture-focused arm, New Bedford Creative.

Mayor Jon Mitchell commented, “A reverence for artistic expression was first woven into New Bedford’s identity in the whaling era, when the city was a global focal point for new ideas and creativity. And that sensibility has endured. With a foundation of thriving cultural institutions, a beehive of working artists, and broad civic support for the creative sector, New Bedford today is a thriving cultural hub. This investment will enable us to deepen and broaden the cultural experiences available to our residents and visitors alike.”

Wicked Cool Places is the grant program for making or keeping a place where things are happening and people want to be that involve residents, visitors or businesses in New Bedford’s neighborhoods. This grant was originally created in 2019 with funding by the City of New Bedford’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Fund, with additional support by Bristol County Savings Bank.

ARTnet is a new artist recovery and training network to help artists recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic by providing financial support, business planning support, training workshops, and access to a network of creative-entrepreneur peers.

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced the allocation of ARPA funds to arts and culture in the city at a special event in May, 2022. On that occasion he noted that “the artists that comprise New Bedford’s thriving arts community are themselves small businesses. Funding to accelerate their emergence from the pandemic represents a timely investment in our economy and will energize our cultural scene.”

Art is Everywhere is a grant program that prioritizes creative solutions to expedite the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Bedford’s neighborhoods. This grant was originally created in 2020 with funding by MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) and the Barr Foundation as one component of a broader “TDI Creative Cities” initiative to boost arts-based economic development.

“All the artists, groups and projects awarded ARPA funds have a proven track record of giving back to the City of New Bedford,” says Margo Saulnier, NBEDC’s director of creative strategies. “Now, they are getting the support they need to maintain momentum as we all recover from the pandemic and lay a solid foundation to keep New Bedford Creative.”

Grant applications were evaluated by independent review committees. Reviewers for Wicked Cool Places included members of the volunteer New Bedford Creative Consortium. Reviewers for Art is Everywhere are from organizations such as Coastline Elderly Services, Groundwork Southcoast, American Red Cross of Southeastern Massachusetts, PACE (People Acting in Community Endeavors), and City departments of Public Health and Community Services.

Learn more about the City of New Bedford’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding newbedford-ma.gov/arpa. Follow the evolution of New Bedford Creative at newbedfordcreative.org.”