The award is part of the Princeton Review’s latest rankings based on institutional sustainability efforts.

UMass Dartmouth is once again of the nation’s most environmentally responsible colleges according to the recently published, The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2021 Edition. The Princeton Review surveyed administrators at 695 colleges in 2019-20 about their institutions’ commitments to the environment and sustainability. Editors analyzed more than 25 survey data points in the process of choosing schools for the guide.

UMass Dartmouth has made the prestigious list for nine straight years.

“UMass Dartmouth continues our efforts to support a broad portfolio of sustainable activities across the campus. We are honored to be recognized for the 9th year running and invite any prospective student who wants to attend a campus that is leading by example on sustainability, to check us out,” said Jamie Jacquart, Assistant Director of Campus Sustainability and Residential Initiatives.

UMass Dartmouth has increased its focus on making campus a more sustainable place.

In 2020, the University was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) through its Leading by Example (LBE) program. The grant will fund the development of a Comprehensive Energy Master Plan to help understand the investment and implementation requirements to reach a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 80% by 2050 and pursue a more aggressive implementation strategy that targets carbon neutrality by 2030.

UMass Dartmouth also announced a partnership with the Climate Mayors Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative and has committed to purchase 2 electric vehicles by 2021. In doing so, the University joined nearly a dozen universities and colleges and 225 fleets around the country pledging to purchase almost 3,800 electric vehicles.

To aid in sustainability efforts, the UMass Dartmouth Biology Department conducted the Low Mowing Research Project. Undergraduate students studied plant biodiversity, soil moisture content, and compression on campus to determine that the no-mow (defined as mowed annually to prevent tree growth) areas were cooler in the summer, held a greater level of moisture (making them a lower risk for damaging effects from droughts), had a greater level of biodiversity (making them less at risk to blights or fungus that attacks a single species) and contained a greater level of insect life with a decrease in the number of mosquitos. The pilot project was designed to test the idea of “defining beauty differently” as the push for transitioning seldom-used space back to natural prairie grass. The University currently mows approximately 5,200 acres of grass a year. Allowing this grass to stay at its natural length would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We strongly recommend UMass Dartmouth to students who want to study and live at a green college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief. “Each and every one of the outstanding colleges in this edition of our guide offers both excellent academics and exemplary evidence of environmental commitment.”

In 2019, UMass Dartmouth signed the “Commitment Towards a goal of Zero Carbon Emissions” compact. This aspirational commitment sets a goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2030, or alternatively 2050 (the standard now being considered for Massachusetts), and preparing students to live and work sustainably, conducting research that encourages climate sustainability and resilience, and keeping the University community fully informed regarding progress related to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

The university also launched the largest public battery storage system in Massachusetts at that time. The 520-kW system, in combination with other measures, will reduce the electrical load from the grid during peak usage times. The new battery was the latest in a series of campus sustainability infrastructure upgrades, including a 1.6MWh Co-generation plant and 369 kW of solar photovoltaic panels.

In 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named UMass Dartmouth as the “College/University Partner of the Year” for the 2018 national WasteWise awards. The UMass Dartmouth Dining Services team was recognized for its proper management of purchasing and food production to minimize leftovers. Dining Services also donates unsold, prepared packaged foods weekly during the school year to local liturgical ministries serving the homeless. In 2017, Dining Services unveiled a new program called Meals with Dignity, in which student volunteers work to package meals made with wholesome, leftover food from the dining hall on a biweekly basis and to deliver meals to the on-campus food pantry.

Funds will promote independence and enhance quality of life for elderly, low-income women in the Greater New Bedford community through the financial support of qualified individuals and programs.

The November 13th Community Partner Grant application deadline for funding from the Association for the Relief of Aged Women (ARAW) is quickly approaching. ARAW will contribute up to $300,000 in support of community organizations and programs which best support ARAW’s mission and vision that elderly women will live well and with dignity. The ARAW welcomes new initiatives and meaningful ways already in existence to address the needs and challenges faced by aging women today.

The ARAW’s Community Partner Grant offers nonprofits and public entities in Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Westport funding to continue, maintain or expand their programs through support of activities which align with the ARAW’s prioritized funding areas and targeted population. Potential use of this grant funding includes support of staff salaries, program supplies and materials and other direct costs deemed reasonable for the success of the program/project. A total of up to $300,000 will be offered and grant awards will range from $1,000 – $50,000.

“For over 150 years the ARAW has quietly furnished financial assistance, provided friendship and promoted the welfare and relief of elderly women in the Greater New Bedford community. As we honor these past accomplishments, we feel now is the time to build upon that strong foundation. Although our mission has been steadfast, the world around us is forever changing and how we fulfill our mission must reflect that,” said ARAW’s Executive Director, Clare Healy Foley. “It is becoming more and more critical for organizations to combine efforts. The ARAW is excited to form new partnerships which will enable us to identify and, in turn, support those low income, elderly women who may feel they have nowhere else to turn. ARAW’s Community Partner Grant is a wonderful opportunity for the ARAW to expand our direct financial support of aging women in our community and to fund innovative programs which address the challenges they face today.”

The ARAW has identified four key target areas in which it will invest. First and foremost, it is looking to grow the number of trusted sources in the community who will identify and connect the ARAW to qualified women in need. Community collaboration will help to promote the direct financial support the ARAW provides. Ultimately, the ARAW looks to increase the amount of support and the number of women it assists.

The other three targeted funding areas promote Financial Stability/Life Strategies, Social Engagement and Safety/Stability for low-income, elderly women in the Greater New Bedford community. Through a focus on these key areas, the ARAW hopes to offer outreach and programs which will allow women to maintain their dignity and independence in the community.

Proposals must directly align with these priority areas as they relate to the population the ARAW looks to support. Successful proposals will demonstrate not only the necessary expertise but also the ability to track activities and a commitment to measurable outcomes through regular reports.

The deadline for submission of grant proposals is November 13, 2020 at 5:00 pm EST. The full Request for Proposal is available at www.arawofnb.org/about/grants.

The New Bedford Council on Aging in partnership with the National Council on Aging (NCOA), has joined a nationwide effort to fight senior hunger by dramatically increasing participation by eligible seniors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 9.8 million older adults experienced food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to adequate, nutritious food. Today, those numbers are quickly rising. SNAP is the nation’s most effective and widest-reaching anti-hunger program. Research by Center for Budget and Policy Priorities shows that participation in SNAP reduces food insecurity overall by 30%, yet the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that only 48% of eligible older adults aged 60+ participate in the program.

The New Bedford Council on Aging is one of 40 organizations around the country that is stepping up its efforts to assist older adults in applying for SNAP. The organizations will use NCOA’s free online BenefitsCheckUp® tool at www.BenefitsCheckUp.org to screen older adults with limited income for SNAP eligibility. The initiative aims to help at least 40,000 older adults enroll.

“We’re proud to be part of a Senior SNAP Enrollment Initiative that has the potential to help tens of thousands of low-income older adults improve their health and financial security,” said Debra Lee, the Director of the New Bedford Council on Aging. “Our organization has a strong history of helping older adults in need. We’re confident that increasing SNAP enrollment with BenefitsCheckUp and other proven outreach methods will have a profound effect on lives of older adults in the City of New Bedford.”

“We’ve heard from older adults and our local partners that accessing and paying for food is a critical need right now,” said Josh Hodges, NCOA Chief Customer Officer. “Food, on average, is the second-highest household expenditure for people aged 60+, and too often they have to stretch their food budget in order to make ends meet. That’s where SNAP can help.”

For more information, visit www.ncoa.org/SeniorHunger.

Police departments, community organizations and school systems across the region are taking advantage of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office’s newest public safety program.

But the Autism Safety Seat Belt Covers are making noise outside of Bristol County too; far away from Bristol County in fact.

BCSO Manager of Public Programs, Tina Marie LePage, has been returning emails, answering calls and mailing seat belt covers to anyone who’s requested one. She’s sent them across Massachusetts and even filled requests from people in Rhode Island, Vermont, and as far away as Alaska.

“We had a good feeling the Autism Safety Seat Belt Covers would be a hit in the community, but we never thought we’d be sending them to Alaska and other states,” Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson said. “We know the challenges that parents, guardians, friends and family members of autistic individuals face in every-day situations, so it’s our sincere hope that these seat belt covers make a positive difference within the autistic community.”

The plush covers velcro around any seat belt in any vehicle and alert first-responders if an individual may resist help, may not recognize danger, is a risk to wander off, or may just need a special approach. They are available for free to anyone in Bristol County and beyond who can benefit. Please contact Tina at 508-995-6400 ext. 3640 or via email at tinamarielepage@bcso-ma.org to make a request.

The seat belt covers are also available at police stations across Bristol County, including Westport, Seekonk, Fairhaven, Raynham, Norton, Swansea and New Bedford. Tina is in the process of connecting with every police department in the county and is also reaching out to school departments and community service-providers.

Recently, Sheriff Hodgson delivered 225 seat belt covers to Sandra Ford, Executive Director for Special Education and Student Services at the New Bedford School Department, which has requested a few hundred more. In total, over the last month, more than 500 seat belt covers have been distributed in Bristol County and beyond.

“Any individual, community group, school teacher, administrator, public safety officer, anyone who thinks these can benefit someone, we encourage you to reach out,” Sheriff Hodgson said. “Public safety is more than reacting to a situation; it’s doing our part to prevent potentially dangerous situations from ever happening in the first place. We feel like we’re making a difference with this new program, and that’s what public safety and law enforcement is all about.”

BPD Remembers: Travis Roy, who was paralyzed in a hockey game as a BU Terrier in 1995, passed away this afternoon as a result of complications from living with a spinal cord injury. His injury happened when he crashed head-first into the boards 11 seconds into his first shift.

Travis was instantly paralyzed from the neck-down, and regained partial use of one of his arms. The injury was caught on camera, and broadcast on the news, which resulted in an outpouring of support. The money that was raised for Travis was enough to start his foundation, the Travis Roy Foundation, which has since raised millions of dollars for research to figure out a way to repair the spinal cord after injury. His foundation also gives money via grants that support individuals who need modifications to their homes to accommodate wheelchairs, as well as adaptive equipment and technology to enable individuals to maintain their independence.

The Boston Police hockey team hosted charity hockey games with the benefits going to the Travis Roy Foundation and many members of the BPD had close personal friendships with Travis. He became an excellent motivational speaker and will be sorely missed.

David Estrada, a member of the BPD who had a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed when he was a Boston Police Cadet in 1995, is a member of the Travis Roy Foundations Research Advisory Board and had this to say about Travis: “I worked with Travis for the past 25 years and to me he is on par with the late Christopher Reeve; they both worked tirelessly to advance research for spinal cord injuries, while at the same time helping countless individuals improve their living situations by providing them with funding so they could live independently in the community.”

Police departments, community organizations, and school systems across the region are taking advantage of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office’s newest public safety program.

But the Autism Safety Seat Belt Covers are making noise outside of Bristol County too; far away from Bristol County in fact.

BCSO Manager of Public Programs, Tina Marie LePage, has been returning emails, answering calls and mailing seat belt covers to anyone who’s requested one. She’s sent them across Massachusetts and even filled requests from people in Rhode Island, Vermont, and as far away as Alaska.

“We had a good feeling the Autism Safety Seat Belt Covers would be a hit in the community, but we never thought we’d be sending them to Alaska and other states,” Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson said. “We know the challenges that parents, guardians, friends and family members of autistic individuals face in every-day situations, so it’s our sincere hope that these seat belt covers make a positive difference within the autistic community.”

The plush covers velcro around any seat belt in any vehicle and alert first-responders if an individual may resist help, may not recognize danger, is a risk to wander off, or may just need a special approach. They are available for free to anyone in Bristol County and beyond who can benefit. Please contact Tina at 508-995-6400 ext. 3640 or via email at tinamarielepage@bcso-ma.org to make a request.

The seat belt covers are also available at police stations across Bristol County, including Westport, Seekonk, Fairhaven, Raynham, Norton, Swansea and New Bedford. Tina is in the process of connecting with every police department in the county and is also reaching out to school departments and community service-providers.

Recently, Sheriff Hodgson delivered 225 seat belt covers to Sandra Ford, Executive Director for Special Education and Student Services at the New Bedford School Department, which has requested a few hundred more. In total, over the last month, more than 500 seat belt covers have been distributed in Bristol County and beyond.

“Any individual, community group, school teacher, administrator, public safety officer, anyone who thinks these can benefit someone, we encourage you to reach out,” Sheriff Hodgson said. “Public safety is more than reacting to a situation; it’s doing our part to prevent potentially dangerous situations from ever happening in the first place. We feel like we’re making a difference with this new program, and that’s what public safety and law enforcement is all about.”

Please share! This is Molly Sylvia, she is 19, but is developmentally delayed so her mind is not that of a typical 19-year old – her mom says it’s about that of a 10-year old.

She is from New Bedford and was last seen Saturday. A police report has been filed. Please message Allie Roias with any information or contact the New Bedford Police Department!

Student members of Bishop Stang High School’s National Honor Society recently held their annual Rock-a-Thon to help area food pantries ease local families’ food insecurity.

While the format was a little bit different this year, students received and weighed food donations throughout this past Friday and Saturday, October 23rd & 24th.

By the end of the drive, they had collected over 2 ½ Tons of generously given items for local food pantries. The food will be distributed this week to local pantries at St. Anthony’s Church in New Bedford and St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Wareham.

Bishop Stang High School photo.

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Bishop Stang High School

National Honor Society:

The Sr. Teresa Trayers, SND Chapter of the National Honor Society at Bishop Stang High School exists to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in pupils of Bishop Stang High School.

School Mission:

Bishop Stang High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory school called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by “making known the goodness of God.” We holistically educate a diverse student body in a respectful, nurturing and disciplined environment. Our school family inspires young people to excel in learning and life through growth in faith, integrity, knowledge and service.

To learn more about Bishop Stang High School, visit us at www.bishopstang.org , follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BishopStangHS, and find us on Facebook at Bishop Stang High School.

On May 17th, 2012, 15-year-old Malcolm Gracia was racially profiled, mislabeled, and had his life stolen in 27 short seconds following an unconstitutional stop by New Bedford Police Gang Unit officers Paul Fonseca, Trevor Sylvia, Tyson Barnes, David Brown, and Brian Safioleas. Detective David Brown violated Malcolm’s civil rights when he illegally attempted to stop Malcolm as he was walking to a corner store. The police admit Malcolm had committed no crime and was not a suspect of a crime. They claim they wanted to conduct a “meet and greet” to identify him after seeing him shake hands with a friend. The New Bedford police did not have reasonable suspicion let alone probable cause. Bristol County Superior Court Judge Thomas McGuire deemed the stop, search and seizure illegal.

As Malcolm attempted to exercise his constitutional right to not to talk to the police he was physically assaulted by Detective Tyson Barnes, when Barnes drove Malcolm into a building. After Malcolm was assaulted by Barnes he managed to escape and attempted to run. Yet, tragically he was shot in the back by Detective Trevor Sylvia, tased by Detective Paul Fonseca, and then fatally shot through the head by Fonseca. This public execution of a child was unnecessary and traumatized an entire community including children.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s official report claimed Malcolm grabbed Detective Barnes, removed a knife, and stabbed Barnes multiple times in the abdomen. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell also claimed that Barnes had life threatening injuries including a nearly pierced lung. However, RI hospital records revealed Barnes was cleared to go home within a few hours after being treated for 1 centimeter superficial abrasion. Photo evidence from the Rhode Island Hospital reveal no visible life threatening stab wounds and no injury to his abdomen. Officer Barnes was not wearing a vest and his white muscle shirt had no blood on it and no holes in it consistent with being stabbed multiple times. Barnes’ RI medical records also note that Barnes admitted that he had been taking prednisone, Percocet, and valium for a “back injury”. Barnes claimed he stopped taking the drugs the day before. Barnes’ toxicology screen revealed benzodiazepine and opiates in his system. Barnes failed to provide proof of prescriptions.

The district attorney’s report also alleged that after “stabbing” Barnes that Malcolm ran towards Detective Trevor Sylvia with the knife in hand and was within a few feet when he was shot in the chest by Detective Sylvia. However the autopsy shows that Malcolm was shot in the back by Detective Sylvia and forensic evidence reveals that Sylvia’s shell casings were found 45’, 35’, 19’ feet behind Malcolm.

Detective Fonseca claims that Malcolm after being shot three times attempted to get up with the knife still in his hand. Fonseca in his statement to Massachusetts State Trooper Dolan then stated he thought about going up to Malcolm and tapping him with his baton. Disgracefully, Fonseca instead chose to use lethal force and fatally shot Malcolm through the side of the head. Fonseca’s shell casings were found 17 to 20 feet away from Malcolm.

The criminal acts of New Bedford police officers Tyson Barnes, David Brown, Paul Fonsceca, Brian Safioleas, and Trevor Sylvia represent a threat to public safety requiring immediate attention. Elected officials, media, community organizations, and the citizens in New Bedford can no longer claim ignorance on this matter. Ignorance certainly is not innocence. We are demanding action by our publicly elected officials. If they choose inaction, we will have no choice but to continue taking further actions. We will not cease until justice is served!

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BREATHE! is a New Bedford grassroots movement that seeks to strategically create change in the policies and practices that have upheld institutional racism, state violence, and injustice. We seek to bring awareness and to educate local residents and organizations on the issues that disproportionately impact people of color and their basic human rights.

NAME: Jalajhia Finklea
AGE: 18
SEX: Female
HEIGHT: 5’3″
WEIGHT: Approx. 110lbs
RACE: Native American

“This is my lil baby missing over 24hrs on her 18th bday. She’s constantly changing her hairstyles!!! It’s her little brother’s bday too. She would’ve called him. He’s 9 and been calling her. Not like her!”-Marie Shawna.

Last seen leaving her house in New Bedford. The Costa family is very concerned.

If you have any information, please contact the Mashpee Wampanoag PD at 774-361-6045. The tribe’s police department has expressed concern that it’s possible that she was allegedly abducted by a 37-year-old man named Luis Robert Zaragoza Barboza. “Her abductor, Luis Zaragoza is 36 years of age and is 6’ 7” in height and weighs approximately 275lbs. He has several tattoos including an Asian lettering on his bicep and a Dallas Cowboys star on his chest.”

You can also contact the primary investigating agency, the New Bedford Police Department Station 3 at 508-991-6360 but feel free to contact the Mashpee Wamanoag PD if you have any information you want to share.