On Tuesday, at about 7:00 p.m., Michael Pina, 33, of no certain address, was arrested on Main Street at Cumberland Farms. Mr. Pina was reportedly leaning against the counter asking people for money. When he was approached by Wareham police officer Stephen Harrison, he became belligerent and was placed under arrest.

At the Wareham police station during booking, Mr. Pina was combative and allegedly challenged officers to a fight.

Mr. Pina is charged with, disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

On Saturday, January 19, at 9:35 p.m. an individual came into Wareham police headquarters reporting a male in the middle of the road screaming and yelling at passing cars directly in front of the station.

Warham police officer Calib Larue walked out and observed the subject standing in the middle of Cranberry Highway. Seconds after confronting him, the male reportedly flicked a lit cigarette at the officer while yelling vulgarities at him. Officer Larue then advised the male he was being placed under arrest, however, he allegedly resisted by pulling away. Sgt. Daniel Flaherty, Officers Jennifer Braley, and Stephen Harrison responded to assist Officer Larue.

After subduing the man in the street, they began to walk the male back to the station, while he reportedly aggressively resisted officers, yelling obscenities, and trying to trip Officer Larue. In the lobby of the station, the male pulled away while screaming and yelling at officers. During the booking process, he remained combative allegedly spitting at Officers Harrison and Braley. He then kicked Officer Braley, while wearing work boots, forcing her to utilize a Taser to stop the assaultive behavior. As a result of his combativeness, four officers were required to bring him to a jail cell. Officer Larue received minor injuries from the scuffle but did not require a hospital visit.

35-year old Daniel Riedl of Cataumet had an active warrant for his arrest and is facing the following additional charges:

• Assault and battery on a police officer (2 counts)
• Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (2 counts)
• Disorderly conduct
• Disturbing the peace
• Resisting arrest

A suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper agreed to plead guilty in connection with the ongoing investigation of overtime abuse at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).

Heath McAuliffe, 40, of Hopkinton, agreed to plead guilty pursuant to a plea agreement to one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. A date for the plea hearing has not yet been scheduled.

According to court documents, McAuliffe was a Trooper assigned to Troop E, which was responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90.

In 2016, McAuliffe earned approximately $164,680, which included approximately $60,908 in overtime pay. In 2015, McAuliffe earned approximately $180,215, which included approximately $83,496 in overtime pay.

McAuliffe was paid for overtime shifts that he did not work at all, for which he arrived late, and from which he left early. McAuliffe concealed his fraud by submitting fraudulent citations designed to create the appearance that he had worked overtime hours that he had not, and, falsely claimed in MSP paperwork and payroll entries that he had worked the entirety of his overtime shifts.

McAuliffe agreed to plead guilty to collecting $7,860 for overtime hours that he did not work between August of 2015 and August of 2016. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the government will recommend a sentence of between six to twelve months incarceration.

The overtime in question involved the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE), which was intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90 through an enhanced presence of MSP Troopers who were to target vehicles traveling at excessive speeds.

In 2016 and 2015, MSP received annual benefits from the U.S. Department of Transportation in excess of $10,000, which were funded pursuant to numerous federal grants.

Thus far, eight MSP troopers have been charged in the ongoing investigation. Seven have previously pleaded guilty.

The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit are prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the court documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The New Bedford Chapter of the Prince Henry Society is accepting applications for this year’s scholarship program. Eligible candidates are all graduating seniors seeking an undergraduate or associate’s degree from an accredited college/university, a resident of the Greater New Bedford area, with an emphasis on students of Portuguese descent and with interest in Portuguese culture.

“We once again encourage local high school seniors to apply for our annual scholarship, which we are proud to offer to Greater New Bedford students,” said Robert Gaspar, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. “Since 1980, the Prince Henry Society has awarded more than $945,000 in scholarships to more than 900 deserving high school graduates, and we are pleased to continue our longstanding commitment to education in our community.”

Applications are available in the guidance offices of New Bedford High School, Dartmouth High School, Wareham High School, Apponequet Regional High School, Old Rochester Regional High School, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fairhaven High School, Old Colony Vocational High School, and Bishop Stang High School.

Applications are also available online at www.princehenrysociety.org.

Deadline for return of all applications is April 1, 2019. The scholarships will be presented at the annual scholarship brunch to take place on Sunday, June 16, 2019 at the Century House in Acushnet.

The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center serves up a slate of nine exciting offerings in March, including several family-friendly performances, two free events, and a St. Patrick’s Day show by the reigning couple of Celtic music, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. Tickets can be purchased by calling 508-994-2900, online at https://zeiterion.org/, or at the Zeiterion Box Office at 684 Purchase Street in New Bedford. Group sales of 10 tickets and more for select shows are available by calling 508-997-5664 x123.

Upcoming March performances and events include:

Winston Churchill: The Blitz
Friday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $19 / $29 / $39

Step back in time with Winston Churchill as he leads the British people to victory during World War II. In this riveting one-man show, Churchill guides you through The Blitz, the German bombing of London from 1940-41. Historian and actor Randy Otto delivers an astonishingly nuanced portrayal of the iconic leader filled with humorous wit, grit and gravitas. Audience members are invited to stay for a post-show discussion following the performance.

Boston Comedy Jam 2
Thursday, March 7, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 / $25 / $29

Lenny Clarke returns to host a line-up of comedians for laugh-out-loud fun! Four of Boston’s best make their New Bedford debut: Tony V (Seinfeld, The Heat), Christine Hurley, who is also known as “Queen of Boston Comedy,” pharmacist-turned-comedian Artie Januario, and up-and-coming Graig Murphy. It’s a night of stand-up that will have you doubled over in laughter!

New Bedford Symphony Orchestra presents Movie Night: The Sequel
Saturday, March 9, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30 / $45 / $55 / $65

In response to audience demand, the NBSO continues to explore the beautiful and unforgettable music of film. This year focuses on the era of Classical Hollywood Cinema: Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Citizen Kane, the movies of Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, and more. This anxiously anticipated sequel to last season’s Movie Night Pops Concert will also feature more hilarious antics from your favorite Maestro!

The Sound of Music Sing-Along
Sunday, March 10, 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $13.50 / General Admission

Sing along to the most successful movie musical of all time! More than the chance to see the classic movie on the big screen in magnificent Technicolor and glorious cinemascope; it’s a major audience participation event. Don’t know the words? No problem! Follow along with the movie subtitles. And don’t forget to bring “a few of your favorite things” as part of your The Sound of Music-themed ensemble – costumes are encouraged!

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: Visions of Cape Breton & Beyond
Sunday, March 17, 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35 / $39 / $49

The fierce fiddling duo has seen dazzling solo success, and they are as dynamic working together as they are apart. Their combined album sales exceed one million, and their past collaborators include Yo-Yo Ma, Alison Krauss and Béla Fleck, to name a few. Natalie and Donnell command the stage with an explosive celebration of energy and passion that blends their traditional heritage with contemporary style. They also lead a unique life off-stage, as they raise six musically gifted children who perform alongside their parents. Join us for a must-see performance that highlights the astonishing talents, influences, and stories of this amazing, growing clan through singing, dancing, and unparalleled live music!

U.S. Coast Guard Band
Sunday, March 24, 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free

The Zeiterion proudly presents U.S. Coast Guard Band, the premier band representing the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security. Based in New London, CT, the 55-member ensemble has performed concert tours around the globe to promote goodwill while showcasing pride, patriotism and musicianship. Their spectrum of music ranges from wind ensemble classics to swinging jazz charts, offering something for everyone!

Dance Barre: Can Dancers Save the World?
Wednesday, March 27, 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free

Cuban born Jose Mateo explores the ways dance artists are creating deliberate social change. While the arts have always had an impact on the way social order is perceived, many artists in today’s highly-connected global culture openly declare their intended commitment to “save the world” through their work. Experiments seem to proliferate in dance circles because the medium is so well suited to community building. How much impact do these artists really have and is their work done at the expense of artistic excellence and innovation?

Bernadette Peters
Saturday, March 30, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $59 / $69 / $79 / $89

Fresh from her starring role in Hello, Dolly on Broadway, Bernadette Peters will light up The Z this spring. Known for scene-stealing performances in movies like The Jerk and Annie, the legendary songstress will perform songs from her Broadway shows as well as from her GRAMMY® Award-winning albums, including standards, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sondheim, and more. Experience her incomparable voice, versatility and charm to a set of timeless pop and show tunes!

Angelina Ballerina
Sunday, March 31, 2:00 p.m.
$15 / $18 / $22 / $25

The beloved storybook character Angelina Ballerina comes to life! The dance-loving mouse created by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig takes center stage when a special guest comes to Camembert Academy. Everyone is excited to show off their skills, but will Angelina get the starring moment she hopes for? This musical from Vital Theatre is a great introduction to the performing arts.

Opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts declined by 4 percent in 2018 compared to 2017, marking the second consecutive year-over-year decrease in deaths, according to the latest quarterly opioid-related overdose deaths report released today by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. That 4 percent decline follows a 2 percent decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths between 2016 and 2017. In total, opioid-related overdose deaths declined 6 percent between 2016 and 2018. Opioid-related related deaths declined 15% in New Bedford.

Fentanyl, however, remained a key factor in opioid-related overdose deaths; it was present in the toxicology of 89 percent of those who died of an opioid-related overdose and had a toxicology screen in the third quarter of 2018. Meanwhile, the rate of heroin or likely heroin present has been declining since 2016, falling to about 34 percent of opioid-related overdose deaths that had a toxicology screen in the third quarter of 2018.

“While we are encouraged to see fewer opioid-related overdose deaths for a second consecutive year and a 35 percent decrease in reported opioid prescriptions since 2015, the opioid epidemic continues to present a very serious challenge that is made more difficult due to the presence of fentanyl,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Legislature to continue ramping up the Commonwealth’s funding for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services in the FY20 budget, in addition to the Administration’s proposal to strengthen the hand of law enforcement by providing $5 million to support a new Regional Fentanyl Interdiction Task Force.”

“Our administration is proud of the progress we have made in coordination with the healthcare community, state and local officials to fight back against the horrible disease of addiction impacting every community across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “These reports serve as critical snapshots in time and provide us with a view of the evolving nature of this epidemic, allowing us to more strategically target our response efforts and our resources.”

In 2018, preliminary estimates showed 1,974 confirmed and estimated opioid-related overdose deaths or 82 fewer deaths than the 2,056 confirmed and estimated deaths in 2017. There were 2,099 confirmed deaths in 2016.

“The decrease in overdose deaths provides some hope that our approach to combating the opioid epidemic is having an impact,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “We must maintain an intense focus on this crisis and continue to expand opportunities to increase harm reduction initiatives and expand treatment and recovery services.”

While the report showed an overall decline in opioid-related overdose deaths, Non-Hispanic black males experienced a 45 percent increase from 2016 to 2017 in the opioid-related overdose death rate.

”The opioid epidemic does not discriminate by race or ethnicity or by geographic region. Individuals and families of every race and in every part of the state have been impacted,’’ said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “Our data analysis is critical to addressing the opioid epidemic and it points us in the direction where we need to go, in terms of focusing our education, outreach, and prevention efforts.”

As part of that response, DPH has invested more federal opioid funding targeting communities of color, trained more individuals who are black or Hispanic as certified addiction counselors, and promoted public awareness campaigns in predominant communities of color. In addition, DPH plans to establish a community advisory process to help develop culturally sensitive programming and treatment and recovery strategies.

The report also showed that in the fourth quarter of 2018, there were 546,000 Schedule II opioid prescriptions reported to the Massachusetts Prescription Monitoring Program, representing a 35 decrease from the first quarter of 2015. Just over 246,000 individuals in Massachusetts received prescriptions for Schedule II opioids in the fourth quarter of 2018, a 37 percent decrease from the first quarter of 2015.

Other findings of the latest opioid report include:

· The percentage of opioid-related overdose deaths where prescription drugs were present trended downward from 2014 through 2016 and has remained stable since then. In the third quarter of 2018, approximately 15 percent of opioid-related overdose deaths had prescription opioids present in toxicology.

· Since 2017, the presence of some stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines in opioid-related overdose deaths has been increasing.

· In the third quarter of 2018, the greatest number of suspected opioid-related overdoses treated by Emergency Medical Services continued to be among males aged 25-34, accounting for 25 percent of opioid-related incidents with a known age and gender.

The Baker-Polito Administration has made major investments to address the opioid epidemic, and with its FY20 budget proposal is recommending $266 million in funding for substance misuse treatment and services. Since FY15 the Administration has increased funding for treatment, counseling, education, and other services by $147 million, an increase of 123 percent. The total includes funding made available through a federal 1115 waiver that allows Massachusetts to increase Medicaid coverage for specific Substance Use Disorder services.

In collaboration with the Legislature, the Administration continues to implement two major pieces of legislation that build on a public health approach of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery. Last August, Governor Baker signed the second major legislative effort to address the opioid crisis which included the creation of new treatment pathways in emergency departments and county Houses of Correction; expansion of the municipal naloxone bulk purchasing program; removal of barriers for individuals accessing naloxone at pharmacies by creating a statewide standing order; and an expansion of the use of recovery coaches. In the fall of 2019, the Administration first filed legislation to develop a pilot program with input from many Massachusetts police departments interested in a regional, multi-agency approach to fentanyl interdiction and crime displacement. While the original bill was not passed by the end of the last legislative session, the proposal is now before the Legislature in a supplemental budget.

For more information on the Commonwealth’s response to the opioid epidemic as well as links to the latest data, visit www.mass.gov/opioidresponse. To get help for a substance use disorder, visit www.helplinema.org or call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at (800) 327-5050.

Due to continued weather conditions, the overflow at 71 Division Street will be opened again tonight.

All inquiries can be forwarded to 1-800-homeless and Sister Rose House.

New Bedford City Councilor Brian Gomes is renewing the call for ALDI supermarkets to move into to the former Shaw’s site located on King’s Highway in New Bedford. This request comes nearly two years after five New Bedford City Councilors invited Aldi to New Bedford to no avail.

Aldi announced in January of 2019 that they are moving into the to the old Shaw’s location at William S. Canning Blvd. in Fall River.

Here is the motion that will be presented to the City Council on Thursday, Feb 14:

Councillor Gomes, requesting, that a letter be sent ALDI Inc., attention Jason Hart and Bruno Lourenco inviting the supermarket chain to consider locating a supermarket in the City at the former Shaw’s site located on King’s Highway; said letter should include a map of the location and the highway accessibility; further, that the Economic Development Council also reach out to ALDI Company Officials inviting them to meet with City Officials to discuss the possibility of a good company with good paying jobs having a location in the City in New Bedford. (To be Referred to the Economic Development Council and that Rule 40 be Waived.)

New Bedford Ward 6 City Councilor Joe Lopes is pushing to ban plastic bags in large grocery stores in New Bedford. The following written motion will be in front of the City Council on Thursday, Feb. 14:

WRITTEN MOTION, Councillor Lopes requesting that the Committee on Ordinances begin the process of drafting and approving an Ordinance that would require multi-state and national grocery store chains that are 20,000 square feet or larger begin phasing out the use of single-use plastic bags in the City of New Bedford; said Ordinance would require multi-state and national grocery store chains that are 20,000 square feet or larger adhere to the proposed Ordinance that prohibit from providing lightweight, single-use plastic bags to customers in the city of New Bedford by December 31, 2019.

New Bedford Ward 5 City Councillor Scott Lima is presenting a resolution calling for the United States to “PULL BACK FROM THE BRINK” and Prevent Nuclear War.

Here is his resolution that will be presented to the full city council on Thursday, February 14:

PULL_BACK_FROM_THE_BRINK