Throughout the month of April, the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to conduct training for ‘Bambi Bucket’ wildfire fighting.

A ‘Bambi Bucket’ is a large container suspended under the State Police Aircraft which can pick up water to be dropped on fires in remote areas. When conventional wildfire fighting techniques such as ground apparatus and crews on foot are not capable of reaching the fire, aerial methods become invaluable. The ‘Bambi Bucket’ holds 85 gallons of water and can quickly be deployed utilizing a pond, or a temporary pool called a “Pumpkin” filled from a hydrant or public water source.

Air Wing Troopers trained at Westover Airport in Chicopee to familiarize themselves with the differing characteristics of their aircraft while carrying the Bambi Bucket. The craft must be stripped of all unnecessary weight to accommodate the more than 700 lbs of water the bucket can hold. This heavy weight suspended under the craft during flight can act as a pendulum and can create a dangerous situation if not properly controlled. When the additional factors of low level or confined flight; close proximity to trees; powerlines; and smoke can create demanding flying conditions for crews.

The continuing training that MSP Air Wing Troopers undertake mitigate the risks involved in this vital partnership between the MSP and DCR. The fighting of fires, and preservation of varying types of land and terrain throughout the Commonwealth is something the MSP Airwing takes great pride in.

As the air crews of the State Police hone their skills, we remind people to obey local laws regarding open fires, including campfires; carefully dispose of hot charcoal; drown all fires with water; and carefully extinguish smoking materials.
Find more information at https://www.mass.gov/…/forest-fire-control-prevention.

Watch the MSP Air Wing in Action with the Bambi Bucket!

All photos by the Massachusetts State Police:

“We’re thrilled to introduce the community to the newest members of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office K9 team: Huntah and Duke. Huntah (think Hunter but with a Massachusetts accent) is a 7-month-old female black lab who will be partnered up with Capt. Paul Douglas. Duke is also 7 months old but is a male lab/retriever mix who will be the partner of the newest officer to join the unit, K9 Officer Theodore Santos.

Huntah and Duke are half-siblings born two weeks apart who have the same father. Big thanks to Dr. David and Jane Askew of Dartmouth, who are big supporters of our K9 program and donated the funds to brings Huntah and Duke to Bristol County.

We have some exciting news to share about Huntah and Duke in the weeks ahead.

Good luck to our new K9 teams as they begin training next week.”-Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

All photos by the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office:

UPDATE: After being missing for 2 weeks, this story had a positive ending. “THANK U EVERYONE MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN FOUND!”-David Thompson.

Thanks to all who helped spread the word by liking, sharing, and commenting.

“Facebook I need your help! My daughter Trinity Thompson is 13 years old and she is missing!

She was last seen at her house in New Bedford on April 30 and we can not find her anywhere. Please, if anyone knows about her whereabouts please contact me I am beyond worried. New Bedford Police are searching and there have been no leads yet.

Please anyone who has any sightings of her please let me know.”-David Thompson.

David Thompson photo.

The New Bedford Board of Election Commissioners has announced that nomination papers to run for local municipal office in the November 2021 municipal election will be available beginning on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Nomination papers may be obtained from the Election Commission Office in New Bedford City Hall, 133 William Street, Room 114. Under current office hours due to COVID-19, the Election Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm.

Nomination papers are available for the following offices: Assessor-at-Large, School Committee, Councillors-at-Large, and Ward Councillors.

Before issuance of nomination papers, a candidate must sign a statement containing his or her name, address, and the office for which he or she intends to be a candidate. Anyone other than a candidate must present a signed authorization in order to secure papers on behalf of a candidate.

Candidates must obtain 50 certified signatures in order to be eligible to appear on the Preliminary Municipal Election ballot, which New Bedford voters will consider on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. The final day and hour to submit nomination papers to the Board of Election Commissioners for certification of signatures is August 10, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. Nomination papers must be filed with the Board of Election Commissioners by 5:00 p.m.

The Preliminary Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. The Final Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

New Bedford residents 65 and over who receive their COVID-19 vaccination at specified clinic sites in the city will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card with their first dose beginning Wednesday, May 19, Mayor Jon Mitchell announced Friday.

While most of New Bedford’s seniors are vaccinated, the average vaccination rate for those 65 and up is lower than the state average. Dunkin’ gift cards will now be offered to any New Bedford resident age 65 and over who receive their vaccines at the walk-up FEMA-run clinic at the Waterfront Vaccination Center on Hervey Tichon Avenue, or at the New Bedford Health Department-operated clinics – including Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, New Bedford Health Department mobile clinics, and homebound vaccination appointments run by the Health Department and EMS. Gift cards will be distributed on-site for first doses, beginning Wednesday, May 19.

The Waterfront Vaccination Center operated by FEMA runs weekly from Saturday through Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and no appointment is needed.

The Health Department will offer two walk-up clinics at Market Basket, 122 Sawyer Street, on Thursday, May 20 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday, May 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. No appointment is needed.

The Health Department also operates an appointment-based clinic at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, including next Wednesday, May 19; at-home vaccinations by appointment are also available to the homebound via New Bedford EMS. To sign up for these clinics, residents may call 508-984-2661.

The Dunkin’ gift cards are currently limited to New Bedford residents who are 65 years old and above, and will be provided at the clinics to residents receiving their first dose. The City will purchase the gift cards from New Bedford-based Dunkin’ franchise owners.

“Although we continue to learn more about COVID-19 all the time, there is no doubt that seniors are at far greater risk of serious illness from the disease than younger adults,” said Mayor Mitchell. “If this modest incentive ends up saving lives by convincing more seniors to get vaccinated, it’ll have been worth every penny.”

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced $630,000 in grants to support Alternative Peer Group model programs for young people ages 13-17 who are in active recovery from opioid use, stimulant use, or other substances, or who have been identified as being at risk for such use.

Duffy Health Center in Barnstable and Railroad Street Youth Project in Great Barrington will be awarded the grants over the next year and a half to operate programs that will serve at least 30 individuals annually. The Alternative Peer Group model incorporates age appropriate and enjoyable social activities into support services to ensure that adolescents stay engaged in long-term recovery as needed.

“Substance use among adolescents can have alarming long-term impacts on their health and well-being so it is imperative that those in recovery are exposed to positive peer influence as well as support services,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “This award also ensures the continuity of these important services during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The model program encourages recovering teens to learn how to have as much fun as possible within healthy boundaries, rewards them for healthy choices, honesty, and integrity, and strongly encourages parents/guardians to attend their own recovery meetings and create their own program of accountability to support their teen.

“We need to work harder to support adolescents with their substance use disorder treatment and recovery,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “These funds will offer a comprehensive model that combines positive social activities with evidence-based supports to keep teenagers with opioid and substance use disorder engaged in their recovery.”

“DPH and the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services are continuing to innovate in order to better protect and support Massachusetts youth,” said Deirdre Calvert, Director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. “We must build support for young people in recovery and those at risk for substance use and show them the enjoyment and fulfillment that can come from maintaining their sobriety and supporting their peers.”

Each organization will receive $52,500 in FY21, $210,000 in FY22, and $52,500 in FY23. The program is funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) grant.

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of May 17, 2021 – May 21, 2021 and they are as follows:

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

• Replacing gas services on Pleasant St. working in the area from Bedford St. to Walnut St.
• Replacing gas services on Chestnut St. working in the area from Sycamore St. to Robeson St.
• Replacing gas services on Calumet St. working 69 Calumet St. to 83 Calumet St.
• Replacing gas services on Phillips Ave. working in the area from Oneka Ln. to Riverside Ave.
• Replacing gas services on Cove Rd. working in the area from County St. to Crapo St.
• Relaying gas main on Phillips Rd. starting at from 1884 Phillips Rd. to Holly Tree Ln.
• Working on the regulator on Holly St @ Belleville Ave.

Other:

• Contractor (PA Landers) will continue road reconstruction on Cottage St. from Parker St. to Sycamore St.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be repaving various sections of roadway citywide.
• Contractor (PA Landers) to begin road reconstruction on Nelson St. from County St. to Crapo St.
• 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. Road closure to be in place June 3rd – June 7th due to work at the railroad grade crossing. Detour signage for alternate routes will be posted.
• Contractor (PA Landers) to continue MassDOT Project #606709 for roadway reconstruction and related work along a section of Kings Highway and Tarkiln Hill Rd.
• Contractor (North Turf) will be on site at Hazelwood Park continuing installation of the new bowling greens.
• DPI will be filling potholes city-wide on a continuous basis.
• DPI will be street sweeping all roadways city-wide on a weekly basis.
• Contractor (Baystate WinSupply) is scheduled to continue large water meter replacements at various locations throughout the city. There are no anticipated traffic controls for this work.
• 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 clears.
• Contractor (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future South Coast Rail station platform locations in the City. If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us

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

Due to the current COVID-19 situation the Department of Public Infrastructure will be closed to the public entry. Office staff is available to assist by email and telephone.

Education champion, Maggie Sullivan ‘21, honored on May 13 in virtual State House ceremony.

Maggie Sullivan ’21, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts was celebrated by Governor Charlie Baker at a virtual ceremony as a “29 Who Shine Award” recipient. The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education award honors 29 outstanding students, one from each public institution, in the Class of 2021. Sullivan, who is majoring in Political Science and minoring in Leadership and Civic Engagement with a 4.0 GPA, was chosen for this prestigious student award for her work increasing the educational aspirations of students in SouthCoast communities.

“It’s an honor to win the “29 Who Shine” award. I am so thankful to UMass Dartmouth and all of the wonderful opportunities I have had as a student here. Working with the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement on campus allowed me to work in the community and gain invaluable leadership skills. I look forward to continuing to serve the Commonwealth, which has presented me so many opportunities to thrive, after my graduation,” said Sullivan.

As a College Positive Tour Coordinator, Sullivan worked with local school districts to provide tours of the UMass Dartmouth campus to all 7th graders in Fall River and New Bedford. During the tour, university students share their own stories about their paths to college helping to build a peer-to-peer connection with the students. UMassD students instill the importance of higher education and show that if they can achieve their dreams, so can these young students.

When the pandemic struck, in-person tours were canceled, but Sullivan saw an opportunity to continue providing this crucial experience to students. She developed a module that included a virtual online tour with UMassD students that highlighted the possibilities that universities have to offer. The module can be delivered by 7th-grade teachers and includes a virtual Q & A with university students. The module has been shared with numerous schools on the SouthCoast, allowing more than 5,000 students to gain insight into life as a university student.

“It is so important to reach these students early and inform them that college is a possibility for everyone. There are great resources out there aimed at making college more accessible and affordable, but too often students and families don’t know about them. Not only that, but students often find themselves in a position by the time they finish high school where they have already decided that college is not for them. Bringing these students to campus at an early age allows them to visualize themselves as college students and plant the seeds in their minds that there are resources out there to help them get to college,” said Sullivan.

Sullivan is an Endeavor Scholar and 2020 Campus Compact Newman Fellow who has a passion for public service, education, and political science. Outside of her schoolwork and campus volunteering opportunities, she has served as a Stanley Miller Fellow with the Office of Congressman Stephen Lynch, an intern with Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, and a Deitch Leadership Institute Fellow at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston.

“Maggie Sullivan is an incredible representative for UMass Dartmouth and is especially deserving of the “29 Who Shine” award,” said Mark A. Fuller, Interim Chancellor of UMass Dartmouth. “Maggie embodies so many of the traits that we as a public institution of higher education strive to instill in our students: innovative leadership, academic excellence, and a dedication to helping her community. I look forward to hearing more about her accomplishments in the years to come.”

Sullivan plans to pursue a career in teaching and will continue her education at UMass Dartmouth to earn a master’s in teaching while working as a middle school teacher in either Fall River or New Bedford.

Award will provide comprehensive year-round, after-school and out-of-school, services and supports for youths with substance use disorder.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced $972,000 in grants awarded for after-school enrichment programming for young people aged 13-17 with substance use disorder or who have been identified as being at risk for developing this disorder.

The program will serve students in three high schools in Beverly, Boston, and Springfield and include educational tutoring, recreational activities, year-round programs (including after-school and out-of-school), and intervention/recovery support programs.

The award recipients are Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), City of Springfield/Springfield Public Schools, and the Northshore Education Consortium in Beverly.

“Research has shown that being in a school setting that promotes recovery provides students with an influential network that can lead to academic success and a reduction in substance use,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “This award will expand after-school and outside of school supports particularly in response to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“This award will provide meaningful, effective, and purpose-driven supports for adolescents with substance use disorder,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH.

The grant award will be issued over the course of three years, with $54,000 distributed to each program in the first year, $216,000 in the second year, and $54,000 in the third year. The program is funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) grant.

“This program will be a positive step towards increasing Massachusetts’ capacity for targeted after-school enrichment for youths affected by or at risk for substance use disorder,” said Deirdre Calvert, Director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. “Providing youths meaningful understanding for their diverse paths to recovery, as well as effective support in times of need, will protect their continued recovery and integration with greater society.”

New Bedford is losing one its most popular restaurants. On Facebook earlier today, the restaurant made the following announcement:

“Our journey started over two decades ago continuing and building upon the successes of the late original founders Carl & Edmond Pimental. Our families and staff have tirelessly committed ourselves to our mantra of quality food, recipes and customer service at a value that afforded us to see so many faces close and afar so frequently. Situated in the residential district of the south end, make no mistake it is home to some of the best faire around locally even with a distance to travel. Consistency has always been paramount to our vision maintaining excellence is no easy feat. We owe a great deal of gratitude to all current and former employees who also shared in equity it takes to take a vision, a recipe, a successful service and make it a reality time and time again. For those that critique and find fault in the efforts of the like, take a moment and realize no matter what the setting someone is giving up something to fulfill not just the responsibilities of the job, but as well the thankless adversity of what any given day may bring.

“These folks are expected to bounce back daily and give it hell so that way each of your visits never faltered from our mantra. Mother’s Day for instance the restaurant business busiest day of the year, one of my colleagues recently reminded me of how tactfully coordinated, timely and committed we have always been to our every patron no matter the day, time, dining in or taking food to-go our team has given it there all. Some of these same faces still today still continue to earnestly do just that. Our vision has never faltered but our families have weathered our time fulfilled. As our journey aged so did we along with the daily adversity each and every business faces with the inception of COVID-19. Likewise, with effectively and efficiently managing our same mantra two decades later with labor shortages, increasing business costs, taxes, commodities the list is truly endless. As in life in any facet you face realities, the reality today we are blessed in having been able to serve you all for the past two decades it is time for our families to enjoy life outside these founding doors.”

“Your sense of loss and memories not only resonates with oneself but within us all. We will miss the faces that have made our brand what it is today, that is you all collectively, but be certain continue to support small business and rather than critique one take a moment whether you care to understand ones’ flight or not, everything has adversity and rather give these folks still giving it hell daily give them gratitude for all they do. We truly appreciate each and every one of you, your patronage, your frequency, your smiles, your laughs and even your constructive criticism has collectively made us our best of the best.”

“We will be closing all operations after dinner service on Saturday May 29th in its entirety. We ask that you please respect our families and our team during these last two weeks as even in the wake of such notice they continue to stay obligated in serving you all for our last run. We wish you all the best life has to offer, we are glad to have been apart of yours for so long. With humbling gratitude and respect WE THANK YOU!”