COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford. No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics.

Wednesday, September 15:

• Ashley Park (Rivet St. & Bolton St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J
• Loretta Bourque Park (Ruth St. & Ashley St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J

Thursday, September 16:

• PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., J&J
• Ashley Park (Rivet St. & Bolton St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J
• Loretta Bourque Park (Ruth St. & Ashley St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J

Friday, September 17:

• Ashley Park (Rivet St. & Bolton St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J
• Loretta Bourque Park (Ruth St. & Ashley St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J

Saturday, September 18:

• Riverside Park (Belleville Ave.) – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer
• Ashley Park (Rivet St. & Bolton St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J

Sunday, September 19:

• Ashley Park (Rivet St. & Bolton St.) – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer and J&J

Monday, September 20:

• Andrea McCoy Rec Center – 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Pfizer

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford. No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics.

Thursday, September 9:

• PAACA (360 Coggeshall St.) – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Downtown Bus Terminal (Elm St. & Pleasant St.) – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Custom House Square (21 Barkers Lane) – 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, September 10:

• Downtown Block Party (Purchase St. & Market St.) – 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Downtown Bus Terminal (Elm St. & Pleasant St.) – 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 11:

• Custom House Square (21 Barkers Lane) – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Fishermen’s Memorial (between Pier 3 and State Pier) – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Food Truck Festival (Fort Rodman, 1000 Rodney French Boulevard) – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday, September 12:

• Custom House Square (21 Barkers Lane) – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Fishermen’s Memorial (between Pier 3 and State Pier) – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monday, September 13:

• Andrea McCoy Rec Center – 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 14:

• GNB Voc-Tech (1121 Ashley Boulevard) – 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford. No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics. All New Bedford residents receiving their first dose will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card while supplies last.

Friday, September 3:

• Fire Station 8 (1599 Acushnet Ave) – 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Nye Street Pocket Park – 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 4:

• Nye Street Pocket Park – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Riverside Park – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Clasky Common Park – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 5:

• Nye Street Pocket Park – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Riverside Park – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 7:

• Andrea McCoy Rec Center – 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A former employee of the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) pleaded guilty today to fraud and identity theft charges arising from her claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funds.

Tiffany Pacheco, a/k/a Tiffany Tavery, 35, formerly of New Bedford, pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for Jan. 12, 2022. She was indicted in January 2021 along with her husband, Arthur Pacheco, who pleaded guilty in July 2021 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 18, 2021.

Tiffany Pacheco was hired by the DUA in April 2020, shortly after her release from federal prison following a conviction for aggravated identity theft. While employed by DUA, Tiffany Pacheco misused her position to submit fraudulent PUA claim information on behalf of herself and Arthur Pacheco, who was incarcerated in Texas until Sept. 4, 2020, and thus ineligible for PUA funds.

Specifically, in June 2020, PUA claims submitted for Tiffany Pacheco and her husband reflected 2019 income of $0 and no dependents. In July 2020, via her employment with DUA, Tiffany Pacheco obtained access to the PUA computer system, and later changed claim information for herself and Arthur Pacheco in order to increase the amount of PUA funds they would receive. For example, Tiffany Pacheco increased the amount of 2019 income for her and Arthur Pacheco to more than $240,000 and increased the number of their dependents to seven. Tiffany Pacheco further used her access to the PUA system to verify the increased 2019 income on both claims without the required income verification documents.

In November 2020, Arthur Pacheco called DUA and falsely denied that he had been incarcerated during the timeframe leading up to September 2020, and that he was only incarcerated for approximately one month. Tiffany Pacheco also spoke with DUA and misrepresented the period of time in which Arthur Pacheco had been incarcerated.

A search of the New Bedford apartment where Tiffany and Arthur Pacheco resided uncovered various tools of identity fraud, including an ID laminator, 100 blank ID cards, 68 hologram overlays, 150 card lamination sheets and 649 sheets of blank checks. Law enforcement also seized approximately $17,000 cash and a notebook that appeared to contain the personal identifying information of various individuals. In addition, a driver’s license recovered during the search matched the name of a victim Tiffany Pacheco used to submit another fraudulent PUA claim. On Sept. 23, 2020, DUA terminated Tiffany Pacheco’s employment.

The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security’s Investigation’s Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBFTF), a specialized field investigative group comprised of personnel from various local, state, and federal agencies with expertise in detecting, deterring, and disrupting organizations and individuals involved in various types of document, identity, and benefit fraud schemes.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston; and Nikitas Splagounias, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigation made the announcement. The New Bedford Police Department, Massachusetts Parole Board and Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance, Program Integrity Unit provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Abely, Chief of Mendell’s Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao, Chief of Mendell’s Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit, are prosecuting the case.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford. No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics. All New Bedford residents receiving their first dose will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card while supplies last.

Friday, August 27:

• Normandin Middle School – 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Roosevelt Middle School – 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Keith Middle School – 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 28:

• Cape Verdean Veterans Association Hall – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Roosevelt Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Keith Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Riverside Park – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 29:

• Normandin Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Roosevelt Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Keith Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• St. Anthony’s Church – 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration, Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced the final winners for the last of five drawings for the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway. From the time that the program was announced on June 15 through the final day of registration, over 318,000 residents received a first dose of the vaccine, and over 440,000 residents became fully vaccinated.

As part of the giveaway, fully vaccinated residents ages 18 and older were eligible to enter to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes. Residents between 12-17 years of age who are fully vaccinated were eligible for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.

The winner of this week’s $1 million prize is Cynthia Thirath of Leominster. Cynthia chose to get vaccinated to protect those who are around her every day and to encourage others to get vaccinated. Cynthia plans to use her winnings to invest in her future.

The winner of this week’s $300,000 college scholarship is Gretchen Selva of Conway. Gretchen is entering this Fall as a Sophomore at Four River Charter Public School in Greenfield. Her passion is music, and she has been playing the guitar for just over three years. She plans to attend a college focusing on music writing and production and has already started researching potential schools in the New England area. Gretchen received the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as she was eligible to protect herself, her family and to do her part in stopping the spread.

“Massachusetts leads the nation in vaccination rates thanks to our residents stepping up and getting vaccinated,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Over 440,000 residents became fully vaccinated during the time that the VaxMillions program was running, and we are grateful to our partners at the Treasury and the Massachusetts State Lottery in helping to launch this program.”

“Getting vaccinated remains the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID and we are proud that over 5 million residents of Massachusetts have at least one dose,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Our Administration’s goal remains getting every person who wants a vaccine a shot.”

“The Vax Millions Giveaway was about more than winning a lottery. It was about motivating people to get the vaccine to protect your friends, neighbors, and loved ones,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, who chairs the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “This did in fact encourage thousands who were not yet vaccinated, and at the end of the day that is a win/win for everyone.”

“The Mass Lottery is proud to have played a role in this important public health initiative and we congratulate everyone who participated for doing their part to fight this pandemic,” said Michael Sweeney, Executive Director, Massachusetts State Lottery. “We thank the dedicated team members from multiple state offices and agencies for their collective contributions to the responsible execution of this program.”

Over 2.5 million people signed up for the VaxMillions Giveaway, including 2.35 million residents 18 and older, and 167,000 residents ages 12-17.

Massachusetts remains a national leader in vaccinations with over 4.4 million residents fully vaccinated and over 5 million residents with at least one dose (including J&J).

Katie Lannan
State House News Service

A total of 15,739 breakthrough COVID-19 infections in people fully vaccinated against the virus have now been recorded in Massachusetts, the Department of Public Health reported Tuesday.

The new total, as of Aug. 21, represents an increase of 3,098 from the previous week’s report and accounts for 0.35 percent of the more than 4.4 million fully vaccinated Bay Staters. Of those 15,739 cases, 571 people have been hospitalized and 131 have died. The 3,098 new breakthrough cases over the seven-day period is more than the 2,672 logged the prior week.

Based on the seven-day average of 1226.9 daily new cases that DPH reported for Aug. 21, the 3,098 breakthrough infections make up about 36 percent of all COVID-19 cases confirmed in Massachusetts that week. In the previous week, breakthrough cases represented 40 percent of the total.

New Bedford, Massachusetts–COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford. No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics. All New Bedford residents receiving their first dose will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card.

Friday, August 20:
Kruger Lot – 2:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Market Basket – 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 21:
Fisherman’s Memorial (Between Pier 3 and State Pier) – 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Wings Court – 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, August 22:
Fisherman’s Memorial (Between Pier 3 and State Pier) – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
YMCA lawn – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration, Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced the winners for the fourth of five drawings for the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway.

As part of the giveaway, fully vaccinated residents ages 18 and older are eligible to enter to win one of five, $1 million cash prizes. Residents between 12-17 years of age who are fully vaccinated may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.

The winner of this week’s $1 million prize is Lilly Guttenplan of Lowell. Lilly is an Elementary ESL teacher and a mother of two. She got vaccinated to protect herself, her family, and her community. Lilly is thankful to all the frontline workers and everyone who is still responding to the many challenges of COVID in different ways. She and her husband plan to put the winnings towards their daughters’ college education.

The winner of this week’s $300,000 college scholarship is Nadia Dutton of Rockland. Nadia is entering her sophomore year at Rockland High School this fall where she is a three sport athlete on the girls volleyball, basketball and lacrosse teams. Nadia wants to pursue a career in nursing and would one day like to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Nadia is hoping to attend a four year college in the New England area and is very interested in Salve Regina University as this is where her mom attained her nursing degree. Nadia got vaccinated after seeing the impacts of COVID on her community and to help protect others.

Today, Governor Charlie Baker issued an executive order requiring all Executive Department employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on or before October 17, 2021. The COVID-19 vaccine is the best and most effective way people can protect themselves, their loved ones and their community from the virus.

All Executive Department employees will be required to provide proof that they have received either the required two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by October 17. In the coming weeks, employees will receive information about the process by which they may provide this verification to the Commonwealth. This process will be made available well in advance of October 17. All documentation related to an employee’s COVID-19 vaccinations will be maintained confidentially. The policy applies to both employees working in-person and those who are teleworking.

As new CDC guidance regarding booster vaccine doses is issued in the future, Executive Branch employees will also be required to provide proof they have received those doses by a deadline to be established. Employees for whom vaccination is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination on the grounds of sincerely-held religious reasons may be entitled to an exemption from the requirement to demonstrate vaccination. The Administration will provide further guidance in the coming weeks for employees who may wish to seek such an exemption.

Executive Department employees who are not vaccinated or approved for an exemption as of October 17, 2021 will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. The Administration will continue to work with its union partners regarding this policy, and specific ramifications of non-compliance for staff represented by unions will be discussed well in advance of October 17 with each employee union. Management employees not in compliance as of October 17, 2021 will also be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Click here to read the Executive Order.

Vaccines are widely available in Massachusetts, with over 900 locations available at the Commonwealth’s VaxFinder website, including locations with walk-up appointments. Massachusetts remains a national leader in vaccinating its residents, with over 85% of adults having received at least one dose. This has supported significant progress in protecting the Commonwealth’s residents: Massachusetts has one of the lowest COVID-19 hospitalization rates in the country.