“The Baker-Polito Administration is recognizing Massachusetts Disability Employment Awareness Month in October as part of the Administration’s ongoing commitment to improving and expanding inclusive access to economic opportunity across the Commonwealth. This year’s theme, “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation,” highlights the important role that individuals who experience life with a disability play in a diverse and inclusive workforce. Initiatives during the month include a “Count Me In” campaign encouraging state employees to self-identify, and the launch of NextGen Careers – a new program to help young adults ages 18-30 with disabilities to explore the world of work.

“Having a job provides individuals the opportunity to grow, succeed and gain autonomy, which are experiences that every individual in Massachusetts should have, regardless of ability,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “The Baker-Polito Administration supports a workforce in the Commonwealth that reflects a diversity of experiences, where everyone can achieve their true potential and contribute fully to their communities.”

The NextGen program will teach jobseekers to advocate for themselves, gain self-confidence, and become self-sufficient on their career path. Individuals enrolled in the program will be paired with a team of mentors, counselors, benefit advisors, and employment specialists to help navigate their career path. This innovative program was made possible by a $17 million Innovation Grant the Commonwealth received from the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).

“NextGen Careers will focus on the whole person, providing wraparound services for job-seekers with disabilities who are eager to find a meaningful career,” said MRC Commissioner Toni Wolf. “We’re thrilled to launch this program and modernize this approach to empowering youth on their job journey.”

This new program builds on the Administration’s work to support an inclusive economy, including:

• Establishing Empowering to Employ, a program that connects individuals with disabilities who receive DTA benefits with vocational supports and employment services provided by MRC’s vocational rehabilitation specialists, in order to obtain competitive employment in a field that best matches their skills and interests. 651 Commonwealth residents have participated in the program to-date.
• Launching the Massachusetts Disability Employment Tax Credit (DETC), a tax incentive program for employers aimed at increasing employment opportunities for individuals with a disability in the Commonwealth.
• Hosting the MCB-led virtual Reverse Job Fairs for individuals with visual impairment, bringing together more than 30 Massachusetts employers with job-ready candidates.

“At DTA, we are committed to full inclusion of clients of all abilities. DTA continues to prioritize expanding access to education, employment and training opportunities and we will work with residents to pick the best program to meet their goals,” said Department of Transitional Assistance Acting Commissioner Mary Sheehan. “This Massachusetts Disability Employment Awareness Month we celebrate the importance of a truly inclusive workforce. The agency is committed to continuing to work with state and local partners to improve the opportunities available for our clients and staff with disabilities so they can meet their own goals on their own pathway to economic mobility.”

“At the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, we constantly strive for successful employment outcomes for the people we serve who are blind and visually impaired,” said MCB Commissioner David D’Arcangelo. “Employment offers many individuals financial independence and the opportunity to contribute to society in meaningful ways.”

“Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is fully committed to working with stakeholders to create a fully accessible Commonwealth that harnesses our diversity, fosters inclusion, and engenders equitable communication access at workplaces,” said MCDHH Commissioner Opeoluwa Sotonwa. “The benefits of hiring deaf and hard-of-hearing employees have been well-documented; they are focused, productive, adaptable, patient, flexible, and creative.”

“

“This red-tailed hawk has a brand new perspective today….mostly because he is no longer hanging upside down by his foot!

The poor fellow was left dangling after he stuck his leg into the knot hole of a tree and somehow managed to get it wedged in there. Perhaps he reached in to try and catch a meal and got more than he bargained for.

A good Samaritan called to report the distressed bird and Officers Catone and Condon from the Yarmouth Division of Natural Resources responded. Working together (in the pouring rain) they were able to safely free the bird’s leg, which was reportedly VERY stuck. Once the bird was free, Officer Condon brought him to our Cape hospital for assessment and care.

A preliminary exam revealed that the leg is badly bruised, but thankfully there are no broken or dislocated bones. The trauma of being compressed in the tree along with supporting the hawk’s full body weight has caused a fair amount of soft tissue trauma and swelling that will require several weeks of treatment.

For now, the hawk is resting comfortably and has been given supportive medications to help with the pain and swelling. When he regains full use of the foot he will be released back to the wild, where we hope he will stay upright and refrain from sticking his feet into precarious places.” -New England Wildlife Center.

New England Wildlife Center photo.

New England Wildlife Center photo.

New England Wildlife Center photo.

“In honor of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, today’s topic is Therapy.

Our mental health team at the NBPD was able to get a little taste of self-care by heading up to Stepping Stone Ranch for their Equine-Based Mindfulness Stress Relief Program. The program is based on, “practicing stress management and horse-guided mindfulness training by utilizing effective techniques for their own well-being under the guidance of a professional health and equine instructor.”Our Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program (L.E.A.D), in collaboration with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Seven Hills Behavioral Health, Gifford Street Wellness Center, and Peer 2 Peer Recovery Support Center is designed to help those who struggle with substance use disorder, mental health, poverty, and/or homelessness.

Those who are diverted into the L.E.A.D program are assigned a recovery coach to help them get back on track through a wellness plan and to help aim those struggling to achieve their goals.

If you know anyone who may be struggling with mental health, you can contact the free, nationwide peer-support service NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, text “HelpLine” to 62640, or email them at helpline.nami.org Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.

You can also call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 availability 365 days a year.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

All photos by the New Bedford Police Department:

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of October 10, 2022 – October 14, 2022, and they are as follows:

City offices closed Monday, October 10 for Columbus Day.

Eversource will be working on the street milling from gas main relays on:

• Main Relay on Phillips Rd. from Holly Tree Lane to Route 140

Other:
• Contractor (INDUS) will be working on Braley Road from Phillip Rd to Freetown town line. This work will include adjusting all structures within the roadway in preparation of final top course paving to take place the week of October 17th. Single lane traffic for paving operations.
• Contractor (KR Rezendes, Inc.) will continue roadway and sidewalk work at MassDOT’s Hathaway Triangle project located at the newly signalized intersection of Hathaway Rd x Nauset St.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will continue curb installation and sidewalk reconstruction along a portion of Phillips Rd from Holly Tree Ln to approximately 550’ north of Birchwood Dr.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will continue sidewalk work on Pricilla Street and West Street in the vicinity of St. Luke’s Hospital.
• Contractor 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 reconstruction on Union St from Sixth St to County St.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be raising structures within the roadway on Cedar St (from Maxfield to Mill St) in preparation of final top course paving.
• Contractor (PA Landers) tentatively scheduled to line paint the newly resurfaced roadways of Mt. Pleasant St, Rockdale Ave, Acushnet Ave, Nash Rd and E. Rodney French Blvd.
• 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 City of New Bedford Police Department invites you to join them at ‘National Night Out.’

There will be free food, entertainment, K-9 demonstrations, police and fire department vehicle tours, and giveaways. The event takes place at the Hayden McFadden Elementary School on Friday from 4:00-7:00pm. Make sure to come on down and have some fun with the family!

Details below⬇️

City of New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford police announce its newest addition to the department, our very own compassion dog Rosie!

Rosie’s handler will be our veteran school resource officer, Jeremy Demello. Ofc. Demello is assigned to Roosevelt Middle School where he works with school administrators, security staff, and faculty to ensure a safe and secure environment. Rosie’s role will be interacting with members of the public providing therapeutic benefits through companionship to reduce anxiety and provide comfort.

We want to give a big thank you to Rosie’s breeder, Kerry Buckley of Cove Angels Breeding for generously donating her to our department. We would also like to thank Mellisa Raposo from Mellisa’s Pet Depot for her donation of a starter package for Rosie.

This is a great day for the NBPD. We’ve been given a new tool to assist us in reaching out to the public and supporting people in a way that is unlike any other. Studies show that short-term interactions with compassion dogs can significantly reduce anxiety and stress levels. And now Rosie will provide that comfort to our students, citizens, and even our own officers.

Rosie will raise her right paw and join our family in a swearing-in ceremony tomorrow, October 7, at Roosevelt Middle School ??”-New Bedford Police Department.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

“The City of New Bedford’s Department of City Planning, in collaboration with New Bedford Creative, announces a Call for Artists. The call is seeking artist proposals for temporary public artwork to be located at the entrance to the New Bedford Cove Walk (1087 Cove Road) in 2023.

A $10,000 budget commission for the temporary art is made possible through a city grant funded by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), Making it Public Program.

Earlier this year the City and New Bedford Creative distributed a survey to seek community feedback about the potential location and theme of the project to ensure that they align with the interests of the community. The Cove Walk entrance and the theme of “Secrets” were chosen.

The Cove Walk is a 5,550 ft long walking path situated on top of the City’s hurricane barrier on the western side of the southern peninsula, overlooking Clark’s Cove. The Cove Walk connects to the Harbor Walk and the more comprehensive Blue Lane which runs along the city’s waterfront.

The Cove Walk is a popular destination and recreational asset offering panoramic water views for runners, cyclists, dog walkers, families with strollers, and visitors to the city.

The theme for the temporary art, “Secrets” is a concept which explores how or if public spaces can be a conduit for surfacing and sharing secrets that can connect us. It can also examine how events that happen, or ideas formed in secret affect public spaces. This includes personal secrets, ignored or forgotten cultural histories, hidden talents or spaces, or anything that lies beneath the surface of the everyday public sphere. Art proposals in any medium are welcome.

This project is open to artists, and or collaborative artist team with special consideration provided to New Bedford practicing artists. The City of New Bedford is committed to building a public art collection that represents artists from a broad diversity of race, color, creed, gender, gender variance, sexual orientation, national origin, age, religion, marital status, political opinion or affiliation, and mental or physical disability. The selection panel is especially interested in artists who can demonstrate a deep understanding of the community, its users and the neighborhood, as well as the area’s history and urban landscape and make that connection to the selected theme.

This Call for Artists expands the City’s commitment to expand public art and utilize it as a tool for placemaking and enhancing the city’s identity as a cultural community while supporting the operating capacity of working artists.

More information and a link to the application form can be found at: forms.gle/jvwjJnZG71Chxa9R7/.” City of New Bedford.

The New Bedford Election Commission has announced that Early Voting for the 2022 state election will be held at the New Bedford Main Library, 613 Pleasant Street, from Saturday, October 22 through Friday, November 4.

Any voter who wishes to cast their ballot in person prior to Election Day, November 8, may do so at the Main Library during the following hours:

• Saturday, October 22: 8:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m.
• Sunday, October 23: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Monday, October 24: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Tuesday, October 25: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Wednesday, October 26: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Thursday, October 27: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Friday, October 28: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Saturday, October 29: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Sunday, October 30: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Monday, October 31: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Tuesday, November 1: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Wednesday, November 2: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Thursday, November 3: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m
• Friday, November 4: 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m

Voters may cast their votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, 9th District Representative in Congress, 1st District Councilor, 2nd Bristol & Plymouth District Senator in General Court, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th & 13th District Representative in General Court, District Attorney Bristol, Sheriff Bristol County, County Commissioner Bristol, Register of Deeds Bristol, State Ballot questions and a Municipal Referendum question.

Any New Bedford resident who is uncertain about their voting status, designated polling location, has changed their address since the last election or would like to request an absentee ballot should contact the Board of Election Commissioners at (508) 979-1420.

“Mr. Enoch Woodhouse, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen was promoted to Brigadier General by official proclamation. Now, 95-years old, Roxbury native Enoch O’Dell “Woody” Woodhouse Jr., is one of the last surviving members of the unit, which was the first group of all-Black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps, a precursor of the U.S. Air Force.

Pictured with Mr. Woodhouse are Trooper Sean Lewis (left) and Trooper Al Manzi.

A plaque honoring Woodhouse’s service to our nation during World War II is displayed prominently at Logan Airport.” -State Police Association of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Clube S.S. Sacramento Inc., sponsors of the greatest Portuguese Feast in the World, the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. Larry Jacques, President of the Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, Inc. has announced a special ticketed event.

The 1st Annual Country Music Festa
at Madeira Field, New Bedford, MA
SATURDAY OCTOBER 8, 2022
12PM – 8PM

Join us for an all-day Country Music Festa. Enjoy live entertainment with a roster of incredible country music performers like Monsta Country, Ashley Jordan, the Goat Ropers Band, Rebecca Correia, and Rob Bellamy.

There will be food trucks including Cobbs Southern BBQ, Bubbe’s Blintzes, Lobster Roller, Matilda RI, Phoenix on the Fly, Pionono Food, Travelers AleHouse, Travelin Bones BBQ and Two Sisters . Plus beer, madeira wine, corn hole, and even line dancing by Boot Scootin by Sarah T. So, ditch your boat shoes and grab your cowboy boots — we’re going to party like we’re south of the Mason Dixon line.

Proceeds from COUNTRY FESTA will go to assist the Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, Inc with academic scholarships, vocational awards, as well as to assist local organizations and needy families throughout the Greater New Bedford community and beyond.

The event will be held Saturday, October 8 at Madeira Field from 12-8pm.
Tickets are $ 15 and go on sale Thursday , September 1, 2022
Tickets available at door are $ 20

This is a Rain or Shine event – no refunds
This is a 21 and older event – this is an adult event – no children – -no exceptions
No backpacks, no coolers, no large purses, large bags and no outside food or drink
Dogs/animals not allowed at event – unless a service dog

Tickets available for Beer and Wine purchases

Food trucks accept cash, debit and credit cards.

Learn More:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/country-music-festa-tickets-404254003607?aff=ebdssbcitybrowse