Colonel Christopher S. Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced that a “Sobriety Checkpoint” will be implemented by the Massachusetts State Police on a Public Way in Bristol County from Bristol from Saturday, November 20, 2021 into Sunday, November 21, 2021.

The purpose is to further educate the motoring public and strengthen the public’s awareness of the need of detecting and removing those motorists who operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs from our roadways.

It will be operated during varied hours, the selection of vehicles will not be arbitrary, safety will be assured, and any inconveniences to motorists will be minimized with advance notice to reduce fear and anxiety.

Be safe, be seen. Hunters and non-hunters alike should wear blaze orange while recreating outdoors this fall.

Hunting is a safe activity. The widespread use of blaze orange has helped dramatically reduce hunting-related firearms incidents in the field. While hunters are required to wear blaze orange during certain seasons, all outdoor users who are in the woods during hunting seasons should wear blaze orange clothing as a precaution. If you’re curious about the effectiveness of blaze orange, watch the short video above for an eye-opening demonstration. If you plan to enjoy the outdoors during hunting season, review these tips:

Notes for non-hunters

• Know when and where hunting is allowed. Review the 2021 Massachusetts hunting season dates. Hunting on Sunday is not permitted in Massachusetts. MassWildlife lands, including Wildlife Management Areas and Wildlife Conservation Easements are open to hunting. Most state parks and forests are open to hunting, and many towns allow hunting on municipal lands. Learn about lands open to hunting in Massachusetts. Research the property you plan to visit beforehand to learn if hunting is allowed. If being in the woods during hunting season makes you uneasy, find a location where hunting is not allowed or plan your outing for a Sunday or another day outside of hunting season.
• Keep pets leashed and visible. Place a blaze orange vest or bandana on your pet to keep it visible.
• Make your presence known. Talk loudly or whistle to identify yourself as a person. You may also consider wearing a bell. If you see someone hunting or hear shots, call out to them to identify your location.
• Be courteous. Once you’ve made your presence known, don’t make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife or hunting. Hunter harassment is against state law. Avoid confrontations with hunters. If you think you’ve witnessed a fish or wildlife violation, report it to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.

Tips for hunters

Wearing blaze orange is a legal requirement during some hunting seasons.

• All hunters during shotgun deer season and deer hunters during the primitive firearms season must wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange material on their chest, back, and head. (Exception: coastal waterfowl hunters in a blind or boat.)
• All hunters on Wildlife Management Areas during the pheasant or quail season on WMAs where pheasant or quail are stocked must wear a blaze orange cap or hat. (Exception: waterfowl hunters in a blind or boat, and raccoon and opossum hunters at night.)

Some hunters may worry that wearing blaze orange will hurt their chances of harvesting an animal. While deer are not colorblind, they lack the ability to detect colors like red and orange from green and brown. Wearing blaze orange will not matter to the deer, but may save your life.

“The Massachusetts State Police Honor Guard attended two Veterans Day events.

The Massachusetts National World War Two Memorial Committee presented its “Peace Medal” to Braintree Police Officers Matthew Donahue, Richard Siebert and William Cushing at a ceremony at Braintree Police Headquarters. The event recognized the heroic actions of the Braintree Officers on June 4 of this year. Massachushetts State Police Colonel Christopher Mason was a guest speaker at the ceremony.

Officers Donahue and Cushing, along with Officer Cushing’s K9 Kitt, responded to reports of a domestic incident in the area of McCusker Drive in Braintree on June 4 and pursued the suspect into nearby woods. The suspect opened fire on them, wounding them and killing Kitt.

Officer Seibert was honored for rushing to assist Donahue and Cushing after they were wounded.
The second event the ceremonial opening of Stoughton High School’s Veterans Memorial Stadium. A Firing Party from the Stoughton Veterans of Foreign Wars performed a rifle salute, with Taps and Echo Taps played by the Stoughton High School Band to honor all veterans from the town.
Participants from MSP Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums are

Lieutenant Readon (US Marine Veteran), Trooper Pushard (US Marine Veteran), Trooper Bukhenik (US Marine Veteran), Sergeant Covino, Sergeant Mulkerrin, Trooper Clemenzi (US Army Veteran), Sergeant Rizos, and Trooper Archambeault. Also pictured are members of the Stoughton Police Department Honor Guard and the Stoughton VFW Honor Guard and Firing Party.” -Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford.

No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics. Available vaccines can change according to supplies. Clinics now are offering CDC-approved booster shots for eligible recipients, in addition to first- and second-dose vaccines and, at some locations, pediatric vaccines. If you’re getting a booster shot, please bring your vaccination card. More details on boosters and pediatric vaccines are below.

Friday, November 12:

• PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Monday, Nov. 15:

• Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Tuesday, Nov. 16:

• Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J
• Former Fire Station 11 (754 Brock Ave.) – 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna

Thursday, Nov. 18:

• Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (874 Purchase St.) – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J

Friday, November 19:

• PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., J&J, Pfizer and Moderna; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Saturday, November 20:

• Cape Verdean Veterans Association Hall (561 Purchase St.) – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pfizer and Moderna

Monday, Nov. 22:

• Andrea McCoy Recreation Center (181 Hillman St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer, Moderna, J&J; pediatric vaccines for children 5 – 11 years old

Pediatric Vaccines Available: COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11 years old have arrived in New Bedford and are available at local clinics, including Fridays at PAACA on Coggeshall Street and Mondays at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center.

“McCoy Mondays” are One-Stop Shop for Vaccines: With the arrival of pediatric vaccines at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, the center’s Monday clinics from 2 to 7 p.m. – upcoming dates include Nov. 15, and 22, and 29 – are “one-stop shops” for families and people of all ages seeking COVID-19 protection, whether it be first or second doses of Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines, boosters, or pediatric vaccines.

In-Home Vaccination Available by Appointment: The city and state are offering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations, particularly for elderly residents or those not able to travel to a clinic. To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna or J&J) with the New Bedford Health Department, call the department’s main line, 508-991-6199, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

To schedule an in-home vaccination (Moderna, Pfizer or J&J) through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, call the I n-Home Vaccination Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For more information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-in-home-vaccination-program

Booster Shots Approved for Eligible Recipients: The CDC has approved booster recommendations for Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines. Booster shots are available at local vaccine clinics, for people who are eligible under the following criteria.

For people who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

Please bring your vaccination card when getting a booster shot, to verify eligibility.

For anyone 18 and older who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, a booster shot is recommended two or more months after their initial shot.

Mixing & Matching: The CDC also has approved mixing and matching of vaccine types for the booster dose. When first getting vaccinated, people should still get two doses of the same vaccine type, but for the booster, a different vaccine from the initial series can be used, following the criteria above.

More info: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html

Reminder on the importance of vaccinations, especially ahead of the holidays: Vaccination levels in the region remain low, and daily case rates remain high. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is not only about protecting yourself – it’s also about protecting your family, friends, and community. Vaccination is critically important ahead of the holiday season, when large family gatherings could lead to super-spreader events among people who are unvaccinated.

**Start vaccinations now to be fully vaccinated by late December and the New Year**

City leaders and health officials are urging unvaccinated residents to get their first shot and begin vaccination as soon as possible, in order to have safe and healthy holidays.

“? PLEASE SHARE:

Missing: Timothy Michael Roberts
Last Seen: May 16, 2021
Location: Wareham, Ma
Age at missing: 35 yrs. old
Year of Birth: 1985
Stats: White, male
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Hair Style: Short
Eye Color: Blue
Facial Hair: “Line up” at missing
Known Clothing: Blue T shirt and black sweatpants
Tattoos: Yes (unknown type)
Scars/Marks: Scar at the end of eyebrow towards ear. One scar in middle of head at beginning of hairline. Scar on knee.

If info, or seen, please contact the Wareham Police Dept. at (508) 295-1212 Case #21-1597-OF.

Circumstances: Last seen May 16, 2021. Family extremely worried as Mr. Roberts has a number of medical issues. This is out of character.”

Wareham Police Department photo.

Wareham Police Department photo.

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of November 15, 2021 – November 19, 2021 and they are as follows:

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

• Replacing gas services on Elizabeth St, Bedford St and Taber St
• Abandoning gas main on Hersom St Waldo St and Vernon St
• Tie in gas main and replacing gas services on Phillips Rd starting from Birchwood Dr to Hillcrest Dr
• Working on the regulators on Holly St at Belleville Ave
• Relaying gas main on Church St at Tarkiln Hill Rd

Other:

• Contractor (PA Landers) will be on Cottage St (Parker St to Sycamore St) for various sidewalk restoration areas. No Parking zone signs will be posted in areas as necessary.
• Contractor (PA Landers) to continue sidewalk roadway improvements on Weld St from Summer St to Myrtle St.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be conducting test pits on Cedar St (Maxfield St to Hillman St) for upcoming sewer main installation.
• Contactor (AGS) will be replacing sidewalk panels at various utility pole locations throughout the city.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be repairing various roadway and sidewalks citywide.
• Contractor (JH Lynch) to continue work at MassDOT Project #608536, intersection improvements at Rockdale Ave X Allen St. Detours during working hours will be required for installation of new drainage throughout the project site. Signage will be posted for detour routes.
• Contractor (K.R. Rezendes, Inc.) to continue work at MassDOT Project #606718, roadway reconstruction and related work (including traffic signal installation) along a section of Hathaway Rd, Nauset St and Mt Pleasant St.
• Contractor (PA Landers) to continue work at MassDOT Project #606709 with roadway and sidewalk reconstruction and utility install related work along a section of Kings Highway and Tarkiln Hill Rd.
• 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.) Contractor will be performing test pits in Wamsutta St. Street closure from Acushnet Ave to N Front St. Detour signage and police details will be in place. If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
• Due to ongoing construction at the High Hill Reservoir residents may experience discolored water. 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 runs clear.
Hydrant Flushing:
• The City will be flushing hydrants Saturday and Sundays between November 13th and November 27th. Industrial Park (along Braley Rd, Church St, Phillips Rd, Duchaine Blvd, Samuel Barnet Blvd and John Vertente Blvd.), the Fish Houses (along Coggeshall St and North Front St, Herman Melville Blvd, MacArthur Drive from Front St to Cove St), Pier 2, Pier 4, State Pier and Downtown (between Maxfield St and Walnut St and from County St to the Waterfront)
Union St. Phase II Sewer Separation Project:
• Contractor (C. Naughton Corp.) will continue installing storm drain structures along Union St between Sixth St and County St. The contractor may also begin work on the sewer manhole installation at the Union St intersection with 6th St. Work may include road closures between Sixth St and County St, and possible closure of the Union St intersection with Sixth St. Union St westbound traffic will be detoured at Pleasant St, to Elm St then County ST. Union St eastbound traffic will be detoured at County St to Spring St. Sixth St southbound traffic will be detoured at Elm St and William St. This work may result in overnight closure of Union St westbound traffic to Sixth St with the Pleasant St detour remaining in place.

** Please note: Contractors will continue to follow guidelines and protocol regarding COVID-19 social distancing while conducting work in construction zone.

“I’m reaching out to seek some help my son’s Christopher Pedrosa has been missing for a month. Last seen in New Bedford.

He’s done this once before but we were able to find him quickly. Now I’m extremely worried. It’s been this long and no word on his whereabouts.

He just turned 16, he’s about 6 feet tall, and autistic. He does not have the average 16-years maturity.

He’s been reported missing and put on the national website for missing kids. He’s involved with court so he also has a warrant for his arrest (nothing criminal).

Please know that any adult who is harboring my child, I will be pressing charges!

If you can please share this post I’d appreciate it! If anyone is to see him, they can immediately call the cops. Thank you.” -Emily Lopez.

A New Bedford police veteran officer has been named veteran of the year by the Veteran’s Transition House.

Ofc. Dean Lawrence has served the city of New Bedford for over 25 years, and the United States military for over 3 decades. As a member of the army on both active and reserve status, Ofc. Lawrence has been deployed multiple times. He served during Operation Desert-Shield in 1990, Bosnia in 2000 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

Ofc. Lawrence has been a patrol officer in every sector of the city. He has been assigned to the department’s gang unit and became a K-9 officer in 2007. He has a reputation in the department for being the type of person who is always there for his brother and sister officers.

Ofc. Lawrence has a distinguished military career and continues to have a strong bond with the local veteran’s community. He is continually involved in veteran’s affairs and we are extremely fortunate to have him in our employ.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

“She is 17-years old. She is reportedly dangerous to herself.

She has been missing since Wednesday 11/10/2021. She has been reported as missing to the New Bedford Police Department and the Dartmouth Police Department.

She was last seen was at 9:00am in the morning before heading to school on Wednesday the 10th.

Please If you see her please call the police department. Try to see if she can stay in a safe place. My daughter goes by her nickname “NANY,” but her legal name is Yandielee Figueroa.

She has brown hair, brown eyes and also wears contacts or regular lines.

Baby, please we miss you and we are worried sick, God protect you and guide you ?. WE LOVE YOU PLEASE COME HOME! Contact # 508-991-6350.” -Ortiz Yani.