On March 21, at 12:09 pm, New Bedford police officers arrested two people on drug charges in the area of 1701 Acushnet Ave.

39-year old Felix Lebron of 200 Riverside Ave. APT #321 was arrested on charges of possession of a Class B drug and conspiracy to violate drug laws. 31-year old Alicia Lacombe of 15 Covell Street APT 1W was arrested on charges of possession of a Class B drug, conspiracy to violate drug laws and on an outstanding warrant.

At 12:24 pm, New Bedford police officers arrested two men on drug charges in the area of 1042 County Street.

25-year old Christopher Westgate-Landry of 70 Earl Street – Apartment #3 on drug charges is being charged with possession of a Class A drug (Fentanyl) and conspiracy to violate drug laws. 24-year old Wayne Bevacqua of 949 County Street APT 1ST is being charged with distribution of a Class A drug (Fentanyl), Fentanyl trafficking of more than 10 grams, possession to distribute crack cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession to distribute a Class A (second offense: 12/06/2016), possession to distribute a Class B (second offense: 12/06/2016).

Testifying today at the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education’s hearing on funding legislation, the mayors of Brockton, New Bedford and Worcester explained that they are not close to being able to meet the constitutionally required standard of providing all students with adequate education opportunities.

Referencing the Foundation Budget Review Commission’s findings, the Mayors explained that not only are they unable to meet the adequacy standard defined by the Foundation Budget in the 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Act but given the significant changes in the economy and the resulting expectations for schools they are far from meeting any kind of an adequacy standard for 2019.

“The student achievement gaps in our state are significant and widening, and the fault lines are geographic,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “The cities of Massachusetts, especially the urban centers outside of Greater Boston, are home to a disproportionate share of the state’s high needs students, and struggle to find the resources necessary to provide these students with the education they deserve. The state needs to fill that void.”

The mayors cited the Supreme Judicial Court’s explanation that an adequately educated child must have “sufficient oral and written communication skills to function in a complex and rapidly changing” society, sufficient “academic or vocational skills” to compete in the job market, and “sufficient understanding of governmental processes to” be civically involved.

“Our public school system is what creates a level playing field of opportunity for all students growing up in the Commonwealth. Today that is no longer the case,” said Mayor Bill Carpenter of Brockton. “The disparity in resources available to students growing up in Gateway cities versus their counterparts in the more affluent suburbs is not only unfair but it is unconstitutional.”

Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty expressed his “gratitude to the Governor and Legislative leaders in both branches for their commitment to addressing the funding issues related to this intolerable and unconstitutional situation this spring,” stating that it is again time for significant change. “We need real change, not incremental change at the glacial pace of government but real change now,” said Mayor Petty. “The success of future generations simply cannot wait.”

The Mayors were joined by a panel of their Superintendents, who explained in greater detail the issues that Gateway Cities have to confront. The superintendents referenced the significantly changed demographics in their communities, the transitory nature of many of their students, the significant public health and homelessness issues they are confronting and materially different education needs of their students.

Meet Carlos Chamorro, 31-year-old Graphic Designer. Carlos grew up in Fort Meyers, but relocated to New Bedford after high school to be closer to the rest of his family.

After arriving in the city, he began working at The Landing Gift Shop located in New Bedford’s Historical District and immediately fell in love with the city. Carlos worked as a seamster. He later developed a fondness for the arts and decided he wanted to become part of the community. He suggested to the owner to design shirts for all the different type of customers that came in. Through lots of trial and error, Carlos was able to teach himself the software allowing him to collaborate with the tourists and fishermen solidified relationships.

Carlos shares the great history of New Bedford to all the tourists that come from all over the world. He also works to provide fishermen with gear and clothing from Maine down to Virginia.

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com. Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Read more of the Faces of New Bedford series here.

On Wednesday, March 20, at about 2:00 p.m., Wareham and Bourne Police detectives conducted a drug raid at 42 Choctaw Drive, Indian Mound Beach, after a joint investigation. At the location detectives confiscated suspected fentanyl, pills, and over $500.00 cash.

Placed under arrest at the scene was Michael Mello, 55, of 42 Choctaw Drive. Mello is charged with, possession with intent to distribute a class A substance (fentanyl), and illegal possession of a class C drug. Mello was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and expected to appear in Wareham District Court on Thursday morning.

Assisting in the search at the home was a Yarmouth Police detective and his K-9 “Gauge”, a drug dog.

Colonel James M. Manni, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety, announces that 62 people wanted on outstanding court warrants for felony charges have been arrested and charged with fraudulently obtaining public assistance. State Police are currently searching for 26 other individuals wanted on similar charges.

The 88 suspects allegedly collected approximately $469,000 in public assistance over the past several years after failing to disclose that they had outstanding felony warrants against them at the time they applied for public assistance, which would have precluded them from obtaining benefits. The outstanding felony warrants included a variety of criminal charges for violent and non-violent crimes, ranging from attempted murder and first-degree robbery to felony shoplifting and narcotics violations.

Colonel Manni said these arrests send a simple message to all Rhode Islanders: “We are cracking down on public assistance fraud. … Public assistance, the SNAP program and other state benefits are there for those who need and deserve them. We cannot and will not tolerate abuse of this system.”

“I would like to thank the State Police and the Attorney General for their continued collaboration to help us combat fraud,” said Dorothy Pascale, Chief of the Office of Internal Audit. “I also want to extend my appreciation to my team, who have worked with investigators to mine, match and analyze benefits data. This office serves a critical oversight function to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected from fraud, waste and abuse. Efforts like this help move our mission forward and enhance benefits program integrity.”

The arrests announced yesterday stemmed from an investigation by members of the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit, working with investigators from the Department of Administration Office of Internal Audit – Fraud, Detection and Prevention Unit, into allegations of filing false documents to public officials, perjury and fraudulently obtaining public assistance.

Their investigation was based on an analysis of data by analysts at the Department of Administration, who determined that these 88 individuals allegedly applied for and received public assistance while they were sought on active felony warrants issued by the Rhode Island Superior and District Courts and/or by courts in other states.

According to DOA records, these individuals never reported the outstanding warrants at the time they filed applications for benefits, under penalties of perjury. Federal regulations require all outstanding warrants to be reported on applications for public assistance.

The arrests stemmed from an investigation by members of the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit, working with investigators from the Department of Administration Office of Internal Audit – Fraud, Detection and Prevention Unit, into allegations of filing false documents to public officials, perjury and fraudulently obtaining public assistance.

Their investigation was based on an analysis of data by analysts at the Department of Administration, who determined that these 88 individuals allegedly applied for and received public assistance while they were sought on active felony warrants issued by the Rhode Island Superior and District Courts and/or by courts in other states.

According to DOA records, these individuals never reported the outstanding warrants at the time they filed applications for benefits, under penalties of perjury. Federal regulations require all outstanding warrants to be reported on applications for public assistance.

Over the past two months, members of the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit arrested the 62 individuals for allegedly fraudulently applying for and obtaining public assistance. At the time they applied for public assistance, all 62 had active outstanding warrants. However, prior to the Financial Crimes Unit executing the arrest warrants on the new charges, some of these individuals had already appeared in court on their outstanding warrants. Their appearance before the courts on their outstanding warrants did not change the fact that they failed to disclose those warrants when they applied for and obtained public assistance.

Warrants have been issued for the additional 26 subjects.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at approximately 10:44 p.m., members of the Dartmouth Police Department responded to a report of an armed robbery of the Residence Inn, located at #181 Faunce Corner Road.

According to information gathered from the female victim, four individuals, two males and two females, entered her room. Once inside, the victim stated that the females physically assaulted her, while the males ransacked the room.

The female victim stated that the suspects made away with $7,800 in cash and a Rolex watch valued at $14,500.

As the victim was familiar with one of the female suspects, officers were able to positively identify her, as well as the other suspects. With additional information that officers later received, a regional broadcast was sent out with information associated with the vehicle that the suspects were operating (a Hyundai Elantra).

At approximately 1:43 a.m. officers from the Westport Police Department stopped the vehicle on State Road, identified its occupants, and contacted Dartmouth Police.

As a result of the incident, Dartmouth Police arrested Jadelynn GIBBONS, 24, of Nash Road, New Bedford; Shantel MEDEIROS, 22, of Salisbury Street, New Bedford; Hakeem LOPES, 25, of Adams Street, New Bedford; and Manny ANDREWS, 25, of Bannister Street, New Bedford.

All four (4) suspects were charged with armed robbery, assault and battery, larceny over $1,200, and conspiracy to commit a crime.

The victim was not seriously injured, and the investigation is ongoing.

Buying a home can be an exciting time, but confusing if you’re not sure what to expect. St. Anne’s Credit Union can help you with the process and give you the tools you need to make better informed financial decisions.

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• Explain the basics of home buying
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Whether or not you are a first-time homebuyer, you’ll be sure to learn valuable tips to aid you in the home buying process. Light refreshments will be served. All attendees will be entered into a drawing* for a gift card and receive a free homebuyer kit.

Space is limited. Kindly RSVP: facebook.com/events/327622184544516

* One entry per person. Must be present to win. Opinions expressed by third parties do not represent or reflect St. Anne’s Credit Union.

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Where:
Bishop Connolly High School
373 Elsbree St,
Fall River, Massachusetts 02720

When:
Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 5 PM – 7 PM

Late Wednesday night Troopers responded to two separate crashes involving tractor-trailers on Route 495 southbound in Chelmsford. The separate crashes occurred around 10:30 and remain under investigation.

One crash involved a tractor-trailer and a personal vehicle. The second crash involved two tractor-trailers, one of which, a UPS truck dropped its large cargo of parcels onto the roadway. At this time there are estimated to be well over a thousand parcels on the roadway. The spilled parcels will be reloaded onto another UPS truck that responded to the scene from the company’s nearby facility.

Three people were transported to Lowell General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. One of the injured was an occupant of the personal car, while the other two are tractor-trailer drivers.

Two of the three lanes are closed for the clean up operation and crash investigation. Because of the large number of parcels on the road, the two lanes are expected to be closed for several hours.

The investigation into the causes of the separate crashes is being conducted by Troop A of the Massachusetts State Police with assistance from the State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section.

Supreme Judicial Court Justice Elspeth Cypher, Congressman William R. Keating, Massachusetts Life Science Center President & CEO Travis McCready, and Tufts Medical Center CEO Emeritus Ellen Zane will address the Class of 2019 at the 119th UMass Dartmouth Commencement ceremonies on May 10 and 13.

Judge Cypher and Ellen Zane will receive honorary degrees; Congressman Keating and Travis McCready will be honored with the Chancellor’s Medal.

“UMass Dartmouth is proud to honor these four exemplars of leadership and service,” Chancellor Robert E. Johnson said. “By applying their intellect, skills, and energy to their professional pursuits, each has dedicated their life to strengthening the fabric of our society.”

Two undergraduate ceremonies will take place on Friday, May 10, 2019. Both ceremonies will be held on Cressy Field on the main UMass Dartmouth campus at 285 Old Westport Rd, Dartmouth. The location allows for an unlimited number of family and friends to attend. All ceremonies will be held rain or shine.

Ellen Zane will speak at the first undergraduate ceremony for the College of Nursing, Charlton College of Business, and the College of Visual & Performing Arts. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Congressman Keating will speak at the second undergraduate ceremony for the College of Engineering and the College of Arts & Sciences. The ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m.

The School of Law and graduate student ceremonies will be held on Monday, May 13, 2019.

Justice Cypher will speak at the School of Law ceremony, which will be held at the Main Auditorium on the main UMass Dartmouth campus at 10 a.m.

Travis McCready will speak at the graduate student ceremony, which will be held on Cressy Field, beginning at 2 p.m.

Information about student speakers for each ceremony will be released soon.

More about the honorees:

Justice Elspeth B. Cypher
Justice Elspeth B. Cypher, a native of the South Coast, was appointed to the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Baker on March 31, 2017. For many years, Justice Cypher was an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts School of Law, where she taught courses on legal writing; criminal procedure; criminal law; and women, law, and the legal system. She has participated in numerous educational programs for judges and lawyers and has written extensively about developments in criminal law in Massachusetts. Active in the Massachusetts Bar Association, Justice Cypher was the recipient of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Lawyer of the Year Award in 2000.

Congressman William R. Keating
Congressman William R. Keating represents Massachusetts’ 9th Congressional District, which encompasses the state’s South Shore, South Coast, Cape Cod, and the Islands. The Congressman’s legislative priorities include working to create jobs by supporting small businesses and increasing educational opportunities; strengthening middle-class families; improving domestic security; providing senior population with the resources they need; ensuring veterans receive the benefits they deserve; and protecting unique ecosystems. Bill is a senior member on both the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees – the only representative from the Commonwealth to serve on those committees.

Travis McCready
As the President and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Travis McCready runs a $1 billion public-private partnership with the mission of advancing the life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts. McCready directs and oversees the center’s investment strategy, including the agency’s operations, programs, and partnerships. Previously, McCready served as the Vice President for Programs at The Boston Foundation, directing the Foundation’s grants and community investment strategy to benefit the people of Greater Boston. A native of Brooklyn, Mr. McCready began his career as a public school teacher in the Bronx, NY.

Ellen M. Zane
Ellen M. Zane is a nationally renowned health care leader who retired as President & Chief Executive Officer of Tufts Medical Center and the Floating Hospital for Children in 2011. She was the first woman to run the hospital in its 222-year history. The hospital employs more than 5,000 doctors, nurses, researchers, and other healthcare workers. She is vice chair on the Tufts Medical Center Board of Trustees. She holds two faculty appointments at Tufts University School of Medicine including Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Care Research and Assistant Professor of Public Health & Community Medicine. Additionally, Ellen holds a faculty appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management.

Getting higher grades. Handling anger better. Behaving more appropriately and cutting down on discipline incidents.

These are the kinds of goals set and, more importantly, accomplished by the five New Bedford students who graduated from the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office True Course program last week.

Parents, guardians, case workers and staff applauded as the five students — Devin, Nellyanne, Karina, Franchesca and Luis — received their certificates for completing the program over the last 11 months at a ceremony held at the Sheriff’s Office.

Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson urged the graduates to go back to their neighborhoods, communities and schools and pass along the lessons learned to others.

“Help each other out,” he said to the graduates. “Become young leaders, go back to your communities and make them stronger.”

Created last year to support at-risk youth before they get into trouble, the True Course program uses the outdoors as a vehicle for change to boost life skills, teamwork and self-confidence in kids who are at risk to head down the wrong path. Youth are referred to the True Course program from the United Way’s Family Resource Development Center, which typically receives referrals from school resource officers, guidance counselors or family members.

“This is all about community,” Sheriff Hodgson continued. “Parents, guardians, the United Way, everyone coming together to get kids on the right trajectory.”

Youth in the program undertake a variety of outdoor activities and adventures, such as canoeing, ziplining, fishing, camping and others. Each activity has a life skill and team work component built into it. For example, youth went canoeing, capsized their canoes and had to work as a team and communicate effectively to get back in. Another example is using map and compass to navigate in the outdoors, with True Course staff sharing with the youth that they need to have their own life map and moral compasses to being a happy, healthy adult and member of the community.

The best part of the program? It’s working. A staff member from the United Way FRDC said at the graduation ceremony that Nellyanne, one of her students, is now a straight-A scholar. Parents attending said their children are behaving better than they were.

The next step for two of the graduates is a 12-week leadership course, upon which after completion, they will serve as peer leaders to future True Course youth.

“The best way to make a real impact on public safety is to reach children before they ever walk through the front door of a police station or jail,” Sheriff Hodgson said. “Programs like this and others are critically important to building strong communities, neighborhoods and schools.”

True Course was named after the maritime term for a vessel’s first charted course before weather and other factors push it off course. It is staffed by Youth Outreach Deputies Mike Valler, Bruno Ventura, Mariah Carvalho and Tyler Oliveira. Parents or others interested in the program should contact the United Way’s FRDC in New Bedford at 508-994-4521. The program is slated to expand to Fall River later this year.