As of Thursday, Dec. 1 the schedule has been CHANGED. You can read how it has changed here.

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“The city’s holiday season kicks off this weekend, with the Downtown Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting on Saturday followed by the Clasky Common Tree Lighting on Sunday. Here are the details:

Downtown Holiday Stroll
Date and time: 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
(Rain date: 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10)
Location: Downtown New Bedford

Activities:

• Santa, New Bedford Fire Museum Antique Fire Truck Rides, Southcoast Brass Band (Barkers Lane) 12 – 5 p.m.
• Seaglass Theater Company Carolers, the Starchasers Fleet, the Winter Fairy (various locations) 12 – 5 p.m.
• Story Time with Salty Santa and Ornament Craft Projects (Fishing Heritage Center) 12 – 5 p.m.
• Kids’ Crafts and Hot Chocolate (various locations) 12 – 5 p.m.
• Vendor Market (YWCA Southeastern MA) 1 – 5 p.m.
• Meet & greet with Celebrity Puppeteer Bill Diamond (PLAY Arcade) 12 – 5 p.m.
• Holiday Open House at the Nathan and Mary Johnson House (NB Historical Society) 12 – 5 p.m.
• BuyBlackNB Holiday Market (New Bedford Whaling Museum) 12 – 5 p.m. plus entertainment (Alma Stomp Crew, Our Sisters’ School Soul Sisters, UMASS Dartmouth Gospel Choir, Pan African Dance Group, New Bedford Performing Arts Center Dancers 12:30 – 3 p.m.
• Calico Makers’ Mini Market with DJ Anj Kepinski (Bristol Hall) 12 – 5 p.m.
• Santa spotting throughout downtown

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City of New Bedford Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and time: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
Location: Pleasant Street in front of Main Library downtown

Program:

• Join Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford City Council President Ian Abreu, and the New Bedford community for the annual tree-lighting celebration. This year’s emcee will be Armand Marchand, executive producer for New Bedford Festival Theater.

• At 4:30 p.m., a parade will march from the bottom of William Street, near the Whaling Museum, to the library steps for the tree-lighting. The parade will feature the New Bedford High School marching band and color guard, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and surprise guests

• Remarks at the library by Mayor Mitchell and Councilor Abreau will be followed by holiday songs by Miss New Bedford Tori Kalisz and Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Jaime St. Onge

• Free hot chocolate will be offered courtesy of Community Services, Veterans Transition House, and New Life Church

• United Way will have a toy drive box for children from infants to teenagers. All gifts must be unwrapped

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Clasky Common Park Christmas Tree Lighting
Date and time: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4
Location: Clasky Common Park at County Street and Pope Street

Program:

• Remarks by Mayor Mitchell and Councilor Abreau, followed by holiday songs by Miss New Bedford Tori Kalisz, Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Jaime St. Onge, and the Parker School Chorus

• Guest appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus

• United Way will have a toy drive box for children from infants to teenagers. All gifts must be unwrapped.” -City of New Bedford.

The Lakeville Fire Department lost two former chiefs in one week. Just a few days ago former Chief Roger Hamilton passed away.

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“For the second time in a week, the Lakeville Fire Department is saying goodbye to a former Chief.

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Chief Douglas Mills. The Chief died peacefully overnight, surrounded by his family after a long battle with an illness.

Chief “Millsy” was a frequent visitor to the station and was popular among even the youngest of department members. To say he was a character was an understatement… The Chief spoke his mind in a colorful and unfiltered way.

Lakeville Fire Department photo.

The Chief was well-known among area fire departments and was respected for his aggressive style and his wildland firefighting knowledge.

Chief Mills joined the Lakeville Fire Department in 1954, retiring in 1996. He served as Deputy Chief and then Chief from 1979 through 1996.

Lakeville Fire Chief O’Brien shares that he was lucky to have Chief Mills around. “He shared everything he could about the Town and the people with me. He loved the department and wanted to make sure we succeeded”.

Chief Mills adored Deputy Chief Pam Garant; she was one of the few people in the world who could tell him what to do (and have him actually listen). The two shared a special bond during the last years of his life.

Again, we are reminded that a life lived in service to others is truly a life well lived.

Please join the Lakeville Fire Department in celebrating the life of a man who loved his community and spent his life serving Lakeville.” -Lakeville Fire Department.

Lakeville Fire Department photo.

Lakeville Fire Department photo.

Lakeville Fire Department photo.

Lakeville Fire Department photo.

Lakeville Fire Department photo.

“Record-high car prices have persisted for over a year, leaving many people unable to afford safe and reliable vehicles. Fortunately for a New Bedford woman, a donated car is bringing relief from her transportation struggles and enabling her to move forward in life.

Melissa Costa was awarded a 1997 Toyota Camry from the car-donation nonprofit Good News Garage. The organization was founded in Vermont in 1996 as one of the nation’s first charitable car donation programs. Over the last 25 years, it has helped car donors give over 5,500 vehicles to neighbors in need, putting them on the road to self-sufficiency.

Good News Garage says a national car shortage is driving up the prices for new and used cars to record highs. Many low-income individuals and families are unable to afford reliable vehicles, restricting their ability to obtain steady employment, bring their kids important places, and live self-sufficiently. The organization also says the need for donated vehicles is at a critical level. Donations are down and being far outpaced by the demand and need for reliable used cars.

“While we can’t solve the car shortage, we can certainly help some of those who are being hit the hardest,” said Cash Cranson, director of operations at Good News Garage. “However, our ability to help is limited by the number of car donations we receive. During this difficult time, choosing to donate your car is an act of kindness and compassion that makes a huge, immediate impact.”

Good News Garage awards cars to Massachusetts residents through a partnership with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). Car recipients must be employed or have a written plan for employment and meet other qualifying criteria. This program is administered out of Good News Garage’s Manchester, New Hampshire office.

For more information or to donate, visit www.GoodNewsGarage.org.

Good News Garage is a member of Ascentria Care Alliance, one of the largest human services organizations in New England. With locations throughout the region, Ascentria is creating measurable, positive impact in communities by empowering people to reach beyond life’s challenges and thrive. For more information, visit ascentria.org.”

“Please join the Lakeville Fire Department in celebrating the life of Roger Hamilton, past Chief Engineer of the Lakeville Fire Department.

Chief Engineer Hamilton was a member of the Lakeville Fire Department from 1961 through 1990, serving on the Board of Engineers from 1980 through 1988. He also served as the Highway Surveyor for Lakeville.

The members of the Lakeville Fire Department extend our respect, gratitude, and condolences to the Hamilton Family at this difficult time.

A life lived in service to others is truly a life well lived.” -Lakeville Fire Department.

Reporting on an earlier story we shared this week, a missing Massachusetts woman Emily Sotelo, 19, of Westford, Massachusetts,has now been reported deceased. The associated press has shared the following:

Captain Michael Eastman of New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Law Enforcement Division said Sotelo was found around 11 a.m. by Fish and Game conservation officers on Mount Lafayette and was taken off the mountain by the New Hampshire National Guard.

He said she was located between Lafayette Brook and the mountain’s summit. Search crews had found some indication Tuesday that she had gone into that area but ran out of daylight and resumed their search on Wednesday.

“It looks like she had been blown off the top of the mountain in the high winds and cold temperatures,” Eastman said.

She appears to have died of exposure to the elements. This is a developing story.

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of November 28, 2022 – December 2, 2022, and they are as follows:

Eversource will be working on gas main relays and test pits on:

• Phillips Rd from Holly Tree Lane to Route 140

Other:
• Contractor (KR Rezendes, Inc.) will be painting all pavement markings on Monday at MassDOT’s Hathaway Triangle project located at the newly signalized intersection of Hathaway Rd x Nauset St. Lane shifts required, police officers and signage will be posted during operations.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be raising structures on Clifford St from Ashley Blvd to Acushnet Ave. Contractor will be stabilizing the site to wrap up for the winter season. Sidewalk reconstruction and top paving course to take place in the Spring 2023.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working on West Street in the vicinity of St. Luke’s Hospital raising structures in the roadway and stabilizing the site for the winter season. Final top course paving to be done in the Spring 2023.
• Contractor (PA Landers & various utility companies) will be working at the MassDOT project, Kings Highway.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working on various streets, citywide, completing minor repairs and installations.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working on sidewalk installations and street furniture installations on Union St from Sixth St to County St. Tentatively scheduled for pavement markings, weather permitting.
• 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
• The Hathaway Road elevated water storage tank will be removed from service for a repair with a tentative schedule of Wednesday, November 30th, 2022. During work, supply and flow will be maintained to the Hathaway Road high service area by opening boundary valves between service pressure zones. These procedures may cause variations in system pressures and changes in flow patterns that could result in temporary water discoloration. The water is safe, and the discoloration will be temporary. We recommend allowing the water to settle for a few hours and then flushing your service line by letting the bathtub run for a few minutes until the water clears.

“The New Bedford Fire Department would like to wish everyone a joyous Thanksgiving!!! ? The holidays are about food, fun, and family, but they’re also a prime time of the year for the dangers of fire. ?

NBFD urges you to use caution when preparing your holiday meals. To help you stay safe when cooking, check out this PSA and read the below tips from Chief Scott Kruger and Fire & Life Safety Educator Firefighter Anthony Poente.

✅ Test your smoke alarms monthly.
? Be prepared, have an escape plan.
? Remember to “Stand by your Pan”
✅ Always stay in the kitchen when boiling, broiling or frying.
✅ Set a timer when using the oven.
? NEVER leave the house when the oven is on.
? Keep pot handles turned inward to prevent accidental spills of hot contents.
? If there is a fire on the stove, “Put a Lid on It” and turn off the burner.
? DO NOT USE WATER. If you do not have a lid use baking soda or a fire extinguisher.
? If there is a fire in the oven or broiler keep the DOOR CLOSED and turn the oven OFF.
? Every time you open the oven door, you are adding oxygen helping ignite the fire.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

Check out this video from the MA Department of Fire Services on the dangers of turkey fryers:

“So… it’s sad to say my daughter misplaced her favorite stuffed animal giraffe ‘Maria.’ She was named after my grandmother who passed away. I gave my grandmother the stuffy as a ‘get well soon’ gift from the hospital gift shop when she was not doing well. So when she passed away I gave the stuffy to my daughter Jay and told her to treasure it forever because it means a lot to mommy.

She last had it on 11/9/22 when she went to Seabra Supermarket and Price Rite both in the south end of New Bedford.

I know it’s just a stuffed animal but it had so much meaning to me…and yes I’m sad over a stuffy. In the last 5 years ‘Maria’ has been everywhere with us from Boston to Connecticut to New York to New Jersey and etc.

I’ve searched her school, daycare, my house, and my mom’s house and ‘Maria’ is nowhere to be found. My daughter is so sad that she made a flyer to help find her ‘Maria.’ I feel so bad/sad and buying another is not an option because that’s not the one I gave my grandmother. I just don’t know what to do.

Sincerely,
Broken-hearted daughter and mom. ????
shayrosa7786@gmail.com”-Shayna Lee.

All photos by Shayna Lee:

The new “Autism Awareness” patrol vehicle driven by New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira stopped by Carney Academy and other schools throughout the city to show to kids and give them an opportunity to sit behind the wheel as well as take selfies.

Dog is man and woman’s best friend, so the NBPD also brought along their compassion dog, ‘Rosie.” Deputy Police Chief Adelino Sousa and other officers interacted with the kids, answered questions about the car, their duties, as well as discussed Autism.

The “Autism Awareness” patrol car will be utilized for community events throughout the SouthCoast, but day to day will be driven by the City’s School Resource Officers.

“Thank you, Sgt. William H. Carney Academy and New Bedford Public Schools for letting us come by to show the students our new Autism Awareness cruiser!

We at the New Bedford Police Department continue to strive to spread awareness and acceptance of autism.” -New Bedford Police Department.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

“What high school student isn’t thrilled about some new wheels?

Attleboro High School students and staff showed plenty of joy Tuesday when the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office handed over the keys and titles of two vehicles it’s donating to the school.

First, an old law enforcement cruiser was donated to the criminal justice program. AHS Teacher Toby Reed said the vehicle will be a big boost to the program.

Bristol County Deputy Mariah Carvalho shows Attleboro High School students how to use the radio in the law enforcement cruiser the Sheriff’s Office donated to the school on Tuesday. BCSO photo.

“We’ll use it for vehicle stops and a host of other scenarios,” Reed said or the white law enforcement car, complete with emergency lights, radio equipment and a caged back seat. “We had an old cruiser that was rusting pretty good, so this will be a huge help to our program.”

The BCSO also donated a passenger van to the school. Sheriff Hodgson presented the keys and titles to Jeremy Guay, director of high school CTE programs at AHS.

The van will be used to transport AHS students on field trips and around the community. For example, he said students in the plumbing and construction programs commonly do work in the community as part of hands-on learning, so the van can transport students to and from job sites.

Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson and others from the BCSO join staff and students at Attleboro High School Tuesday during a small ceremony to donate vehicles to the school. BCSO photo.

These donations will also save the school department money as it will not have to pay bus fees for transportation when the vans can be used instead.

Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson met with Reed’s students before the donation and expressed appreciation for their focus on criminal justice and law enforcement careers.

“So many people don’t understand what law enforcement officers do every day. Whether you choose to ultimately get involved in public safety or some other career, take pride in knowing you walked through some of what officers do day in and day out,”

Sheriff Hodgson said. “This was an easy decision for us to donate what resources we could to support you and your studies.” -Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.