The following message was posted by the Haverhill Education Association on Facebook: “The students and teachers we may lose to COVID are gathering on the steps of City Hall for their class of 2021 photo. How many empty shoes will there be if we go back to school too soon? …
Read More »State guidance released on youth, adult sports in Massachusetts
Katie Lannan State House News Service New state guidance set to take effect Monday outlines what youth and adult amateur sports activities will be allowed to take place — and with what safety precautions — during the current phase of the state’s reopening plan. The Executive Office of Energy and …
Read More »OPINION: Get ready New Bedford – higher property taxes are coming in 2021
According to Mayor Mitchell’s 2021 budget proposal, costs to City government are going up, state aid is uncertain, and local revenue is in decline. This recipe ensures your property taxes will go up, likely a lot. On average, homeowners in New Bedford saw an increase of $220 in 2019 and …
Read More »Massachusetts and Rhode Island with third, fifth highest COVID-19 death rates in America
Editor’s note: Massachusetts is #3 and Rhode Island is #5 (not #2 and #4 as reported earlier). The CDC separates New York City from New York, putting New York state at #7 on their list by state, but that doesn’t change the fact that New Jersey and New York are …
Read More »New Bedford and Fall River residents fed up with response and service of the Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance office
Both New Bedford Guide and Fall River Reporter asked the community about their experience with the Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance office. Many people sent messages about the dreadful customer service, the near-impossible standards that need to be met, the snail-like pace they have in responding, their identities being stolen which …
Read More »COVID-19 Infection Increase sparks enforcement, gatherings crackdown in Massachusetts
Gov. Charlie Baker has had enough of people holding large private gatherings and disregarding COVID-19 mitigation strategies like social distancing. So on Friday, he indefinitely paused the state’s economic reopening, lowered the outdoor gathering limit, and empowered the police to enforce coronavirus-related orders. Amid reports of large parties and unauthorized …
Read More »New Bedford Mayor Mitchell: Full School Reopening Poses “Unacceptable Risk”
Chris Lisinski State House News Service Returning to a fully in-person education model in New Bedford Public Schools would create an “unacceptable risk of an outbreak,” Mayor Jon Mitchell warned in a formal address Thursday where he also touted the city’s local leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Districts are weighing …
Read More »Acushnet Fire Chief’s appeal to the state for COVID-19 test van to come to Acushnet falls on deaf ears
The following was published by the Acushnet Fire & EMS Department: “Here is why, we think, it is a good idea for the state to allow the free COVID test van to come to Acushnet, if even just once: On Wednesday afternoons, usually around 4:00pm, the state releases data which …
Read More »Judge plans Massachusetts eviction moratorium ruling “As soon as I can”
Chris Lisinski State House News Service Landlords who are unable to remove non-paying tenants due to a statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures face “potentially devastating” economic harm, an attorney argued in Suffolk Superior Court Thursday. A lawyer representing landlords squared off with attorneys for Massachusetts and a range of …
Read More »13 people test COVID-19 positive in connection with Chatham house party
Katie Lannan State House News Service Cape Cod officials aired their frustrations Thursday with private house parties they said have contributed to an uptick of cases in the region, and urged residents to continue wearing masks, practicing social distancing and otherwise complying with public health guidance. “There’s evidence that the …
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