“Please join Chief Levesque and the members of Dartmouth Police Department as we congratulate Officer Joe Vieira on his retirement from the department.

Beyond being a valued member of the Dartmouth Police Department for over three decades, Joe has dedicated endless hours of his time to the betterment of Dartmouth while holding various positions with other town agencies and associations. As if this wasn’t enough, Joe is also currently the president of the Massachusetts Police Association.

Though Joe will be staying on DPD as an intermittent officer, he plans on doing some traveling with his wife, and spending time with his grandson.

Congratulations Joe, and thank you for your dedicated service to the town!

*If you would like to send Joe a congratulations card, please address it to the dinosaur exhibit at the Smithsonian.” -Dartmouth Police Department.

Dartmouth Police Department photo.

“Mayor Jon Mitchell was recently asked about the traffic build up at the intersection of Ashley Blvd and Acushnet Ave on his weekly radio show.

The City’s Department of Public Infrastructure is aware of an increase in traffic wait times at the intersection of Ashley Blvd and Acushnet Ave by Pa Raffa’s. Timing of the traffic lights was changed as a result of recent accidents in that area, particularly from motorists crossing two lanes of traffic to make a left turn.

DPI is actively engaged with a traffic control company to modify the traffic lights at the intersection to better increase the flow of traffic.” -City of New Bedford.

Arcade Snacks of Auburn, MA is recalling its 15 ounce packages of Candy Corn because they may contain undeclared egg. People who have allergies to egg run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Just another good reason to never eat candy corn!

Candy Corn was distributed in Massachusetts and Connecticut at the following locations:

Johnson Roadside Farm Market in Swansea, Massachusetts
Donelan’s Supermarkets in Massachusetts
Fieldstone Farm Market in Marion, Massachusetts
Foodies in Massachusetts
Windfall Market in Falmouth, Massachusetts
Highland Park Market in Glastonbury, Connecticut

The product comes in a 15 ounce, clear plastic container marked with UPC #0 18586 00114 4 and a best by date of 3/8/2023 on the label on the back panel.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the egg-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg.

Consumers who have purchased 15 ounce packages of Candy Corn are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-508-832-6300 Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm ET.

“With its latest two members joining the ranks, the time is right to officially unveil the Bristol County Comfort Dog Coalition.

The Coalition is a collaboration between the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, the Friends of Jack Foundation and regional law enforcement/public safety agencies. Its goal is to put smiles on the faces of students, patients, seniors and anyone in need, as well as relieve tension and stress after traumatic situations.

Jonathan Darling photo.

Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson and Friends of Jack Foundation Founder/President Jill Fearons officially welcomed the two newest members of the Coalition at Thursday’s press conference. The Friends of Jack Foundation donated the funds to purchase and train Bristol County’s two new comfort dogs, K9s Jack and Hero.

Acushnet Schools Superintendent Paul Bailey spoke about the impact comfort dogs have had and will continue to have on her students and staff.

The Coalition had its first deployment last week on Monday, Sept. 19 at Attleboro High School. Two recent AHS graduates died in a car crash the days prior, and school officials reached out to the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office about having comfort dogs there to greet students and faculty on the first day back after the tragedy. Dogs from the BCSO joined others from Mansfield Police, Fairhaven Police, Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office and Dighton Police at the school that day. AHS Principal Katie Campbell said it had a huge impact.

With Jack and Hero in the fold, the Sheriff’s Office will continue to serve the school systems in Acushnet, Seekonk, Berkley, Attleboro, Freetown/Lakeville, Norton and more. They will also be deployed in hospitals, at summer camps and other community activities, and can be used after tragedies like house fires or distress situations for law enforcement and the public.” -BCOS.

Jonathan Darling photo.

Jonathan Darling photo.

“It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of retired Firefighter John D Foster, father of District Treasurer and retired Lieutenant John Foster.

John served the District from 1964-1981 with great honor and pride.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.” -Dartmouth Fire District 1.

Dartmouth Fire District 1 photo.

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of October 3, 2022 – October 7, 2022, and they are as follows

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 and the pavement preservation procedure Cold-In-Place. 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 roadway work on Pricilla Street and West Street in the vicinity of St. Luke’s Hospital.
• Contractor (Eversource Energy) 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) 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 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the 2021–2022 MCAS results for tests taken in spring 2022. New Bedford Public Schools MCAS results show similar trends to districts across the state.

Like numerous other school systems across the state, New Bedford Public Schools saw a decline in the percent of students meeting or exceeding grade level expectations for most grades in English Language Arts (ELA), except for 8th grade which increased by 4%. NBPS, unlike some other districts, demonstrated increases in Math at multiple grade levels. The 2022 Math scores reflect a positive growth in grades 3 – 8 with an increase by 5% of students meeting/exceeding grade level expectations and a level performance in grade 10. Notable increases in Math were in grade 6 with a jump of 7% of students meeting/exceeding and a Grade 3 increase of 12% from last year.

English Language Arts MCAS:

• NBPS decline in the % of students meeting or exceeding grade level expectations from 2019 to 2021 – like most other districts state-wide.
• The percentage of students meeting/exceeding grade level expectations in ELA declined in grades 3 – 8 by 5% from 2021 to 2022. STATE: decline by 5%.
• Grade 10 decline by 6% from 2021 to 2022. STATE decline by 6%

Highlights:
• Grade 8 increase by 4% from 2021 to 2022.
• STATE increase by 1%

Math MCAS:

• NBPS Math MCAS in 2022: increased from 17% to 22% for grades 3 – 8 meeting or exceeding expectations
• An increase from last year’s 17%, but not back to the 2019 level of 32%.
• NBPS 2022 math results: Grades 3–8 had an increase by 5% of students meeting/exceeding grade level expectations.
• STATE: increase by 6%
• Grade 10 – remained at the same level from 2021 to 2022.
• STATE decline by 2%

Highlights:
• Grade 3 Math increase by 12%. STATE increase by 8%.
• Grade 4 Math increase by 6%. STATE increase by 9%.
• Grade 6 Math increase by 7%. STATE increase by 9%.

Superintendent Thomas Anderson stated, “The results confirm what we already knew about the profound impact of two years of districtwide disruptions to attendance and in-person learning. It verifies the rigorous work we are doing to address it. Our continued implementation of effective systems and strategies to internally monitor our progress and provide supports to schools is making a difference. For example, our Student Services Department oversees home visits and works to strengthen communications with families to improve attendance. Students must be in school every day – attendance is a key component of student success. We are optimistic that because of the effective work and dedication of our entire faculty, staff and students, that our teaching and learning process will continue to grow.”

Over the last year, students have demonstrated recovery in some academic areas given the amount of challenges experienced. New Bedford Public Schools has every expectation that this positive trend will continue. MCAS results for all of Massachusetts school districts are published on the DESE website.

“The Committees to Elect Ian Abreu and Ryan Pereira, the Clark’s Point Neighborhood Association, New Bedford Firefighters IAFF Local 841, Local 385 and Bass Reddy Rooter are proud to announce that the very popular South End Halloween Community Costume Parade will be returning after a two-year hiatus.

WHEN: Monday, October 31, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. sharp (Halloween Night)
WHERE: Hazelwood Park step-off, down Brock Ave., where we will all congregate at Clegg Field for our march around the diamond.

This will be a great event for the youth of our community, where they’ll be given candies, treats, hot cocoa and prizes for the best costumes. We will also have live Halloween music provided and DJ’d by our friend Maxwell Kane of “Maxwell Kane Music.”

Participating children will also be able to climb onto a New Bedford Fire Department fire truck apparatus, too!

We would also like to thank several city departments who will be assisting us in putting on this community parade: the New Bedford Police Department, New Bedford Fire Department, New Bedford Emergency Management and our Department of Public Infrastructure.”

“The New Bedford Fire Department is happy to extend congratulations to District Fire Chief Joseph Barros who retired effective Saturday September 24.

District Chief Barros had over 35 years of service with the NBFD, many of those years were spent as the District Chief in charge of Support Services. DC Barros was responsible for maintaining the department’s IT infrastructure and played a vital role in the transition to the municipal radio master fire alarm box system. His knowledge and abilities assisted us in switching over from the 1800s era Gamewell master fire alarm box system.

DC Barros was one of the few employees to have been employed by all three city public safety agencies. He began his career with EMS in 1980, became a police officer, and began his firefighting career in June 1987. He was also one of the last remaining city employees to have been effected by PROP 2 1/2 in 1981.

In addition to his responsibilities maintaining the communication network, DC Barros also functioned as the NBFD’s grant writer and was able to secure over $40 million in grant funding. These grants included multiple SAFER grants, state and federal equipment grants, and Homeland Security grants.

The members of the NBFD wish you a happy and well deserved retirement!” -New Bedford Fire Department.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

“BREAKING: As Florida braces for Hurricane Ian’s devastating arrival, we are doing all that we can to evacuate pets from the region to make room for any animals who could be displaced by this historic storm.

We are preparing for the arrival of 41 cats to our adoption center in Boston and NEAS in Salem via a flight arriving later this morning. The cats include kittens as young as two months and adults aged up to 13. We have been scrambling this week to get the animals already in our care placed so we could make room for as many evacuees as possible. Adoption information to come, after the cats fulfill their mandatory 48-hour quarantine.

This transport reflects our larger efforts to be front and center for animals, and people, whenever disasters strike. Please help ensure these cats get to us safely and that we have plenty of resources to take care of them: mspca.org/florida.

*This photo is from cats from a previous emergency transport. The ASPCA flight from Florida will land this morning and we will get photos as soon as possible!” -MSPCA-Angell .