Due to the extreme and frigid temperatures, the overflow at 71 Division Street will be opened again tonight.

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

‘Tis the season when everyone begins to talk taxes and hope that that translates into a tax return so that means people in costumes waving at passing cars, contacting your “tax” guy, or seeing frequent adverts on social media. For many, it’s the first time and perhaps the only time all year that we consider reaching out to someone to help us with some aspect of our finances.

However, we all know how complex, complicated, and time-consuming finance in all aspects of our lives, not just tax time, can be. Yet, we just scribble on stick-it notes, create “to-do” lists on notepads, or even worse make mental notes or simply “wing” it. And that typically translates into money problems we experience for the other 10-11 months outside of tax season.

Imagine the benefits if we had total control of our finances all year round? Wouldn’t it be more prudent to pay attention to everything money related all year instead of pulling ourselves away when tax time comes about? What do we do now that we have a child in high school bringing up attending university? Or when retirement is coming around the bend? Or thinking of getting married, buying a home, or starting a family?

Those are just as important, if not more so than “tax time.” Yet, we just address all the to-dos, milestones, projects, et al as they come. Assuming we aren’t procrastinators and we tackle them with fervor and zeal, we still rarely have the time to stop everything to attend finances, and often we aren’t 100% sure what the right decision to make is. Who hasn’t called mom or dad, that smart cousin, or asked around when it comes to something?

We trust mechanics with our car, doctors with our health, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians with home repairs. We look to experts in those areas we don’t have the time to address or lack the know-how. So it makes a ton of sense to do the same with equally as important financial areas, doesn’t it?

Like the doctor, mechanic, and roofer we aren’t sure who to trust, who is knowledgeable and will have a professional, courteous attitude. When it comes to personal and business finances who put all that together with the same precision and accuracy utilized with our taxes?

Machado & Silva had its roots nearly fifty years ago when founder Ken Machado opened the doors to the business. During Ken’s five decades of working in the accounting and tax industry, he served many clients who are still with Machado & Silva today. Ken’s reasonable prices, generosity and easy going nature attracted clients to him. His wisdom, guidance, and hard work kept them coming back.

Danielle started working for Kenneth Machado in January of 1989, Machado & Silva was established in January, 2008 (Danielle & Kenneth became co owners). Machado & Silva became family owned in August, 2018. For nearly 30 years family-owned Machado & Silva have been bringing their experience, knowledge, and expertise to bear serving the community.

Whether for local businesses or personal needs, debt resolution, financial planning and advise, budgeting, bookkeeping, retirement planning, selling a home or rental, accounts payable (paying bills on time, freeing up your own), accounts receivable (sending out and managing invoices), divorce taxes, estate and Trust taxes, and everything else under the financial sun is under their purvey.

Owners Danielle Silva and Cameron Silva have a love affair with numbers for as long as they can remember – both have been doing nothing else since high-school. They and their staff of friendly experts – like Danielle (AFS), Joshua Leite (BA in Accounting) and Kelley Pereira- recognize that accounting is so much more than the numbers they crunch: it’s the relationships they build, the help and relief they provide, and the service to the community. All rewards unto themselves.

They are friendly, professional, offer prices that are competitive and affordable, and are just flat-out, an office that cares. Owned and run by locals, for locals.

“We are not your average accountant’s office! We are real people. We provide quality work, and we truly care about our clients and their success.” explains Danielle. “One of the best rewards is when a client explains how stressed they are over their taxes, and how we make it easy and less stressful. It’s not uncommon to get hugs from grateful clients who leave our office feeling like a weight has been taken off of their shoulders.”

When it comes specifically to tax time their single-minded goal is to be as accurate as possible and bat it out of the proverbial park when it comes to returns. To do this it is integral that they have the aforementioned relationship because it’s the only way to gain an understanding of the business and personal goals of their clients, to give the best advice, to ensure that the client makes the best decisions.

Here are what some folks are saying about their experience with Machado & Silva, Inc.:

“Danielle and her team of professionals are amazing to work with. They are dedicated, understanding, and most importantly, caring. They have always put my needs and what is in my best interest first. Communication and timeliness is something they make a priority. As a client for over ten years, I can speak with confidences that Machado & Silva is truly the best and one of a kind!”
• David M.

“I have been a client for many years and love supporting local businesses. It’s great to see so many new services being added every year that are beneficial for everyone. With the personalized service you receive it makes you feel like someone actually cares about your future! Love my Machado and Silva family.”
• Victoria B.

“We are planning our retirement; Danielle is instrumental in helping us organize our finances and budgeting. We’re very glad we met with her and will continue to rely on her expertise. Thank you!”
• Schneider Family

“If you are looking for a reliable, affordable, friendly business to handle your payroll, bookkeeping, taxes etc. Visit or call Machado & Silva (508) 993-8447 ask for Danielle! I have been a customer there for years for my personal taxes and business bookkeeping and could not be happier!” –
• Denise R.

You can read more reviews and testimonials here. Their helpful and easy to navigate website contains many common and most often used forms for free, as well as a client portal in addition to being an information resource.

If you are looking for the area’s best in accounting, bookkeeping and tax preparation, executed by friendly, professional locals and offered in an affordable fashion then you’ll never need to look any further. You can trust that Machado & Silva, Inc., have your best interest in mind.

__________________________________________________________________

Machado & Silva Inc.

950 Kempton St
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 993-8447
EMail: info@machadosilva.com

Monday-Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

Social Media:
Instagram: instagram.com/machadosilvainc/
Facebook: facebook.com/MachadoSilvaInc/
Website: machadosilva.com/

On Saturday, January 26, an elderly Wareham resident received a phone call from a male saying their grandson was in jail and needed money to secure his release. The elderly victim was then told to go to Lowes and Home Depot to purchase gift cards, which they thought would be used for their grandson’s release from jail. The victim then took out $6,000 from their bank account and $4,000 from their credit card to purchase the gift cards. The suspect then contacted the victim again requesting the codes on the gift cards. In total, the victim was scammed for $10,000. The Wareham Police Detective Division is actively investigating the case.

The Wareham Police Department reminds everyone to be on the alert for scammers. If you did not initiate the call, do not give out personal information and beware of anyone requesting that information over the phone. There are various twists to this including telling the victim a relative has been kidnapped, hurt, or in some kind of trouble. If you think a loved one is in trouble contact the police. Again do not give out any information and if you believe you have been the victim of a scam contact the police department.

If you are a business and the purchase of a several thousand dollar gift card seems out of place, please question it so these thieves can be stopped!

The following message was posted to New Bedford Firefighters IAFF Local 841’s Facebook page:

At 12:25am on Monday, New Bedford police received a call that a motor vehicle crashed at the intersection of Kempton Street and Route 140 involving two vehicles.

Police arrested 52-year old Allen Bowman of North Dartmouth for OUI-liquor (second offense), operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

There were no major injuries according to officers on scene.

A retired Massachusetts State Police Trooper pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with the ongoing investigation of overtime abuse at the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).

Daren DeJong, 57, of Uxbridge, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Senior Judge Mark L. Wolf scheduled sentencing for May 1, 2019. DeJong was arrested on July 25, 2018, and indicted on Sept. 6, 2018.

DeJong, who is currently retired, was a Trooper assigned to Troop E, which is responsible for enforcing criminal law and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90. DeJong received overtime pay for hours that he either did not actually work at all, or shifts in which he departed one to seven hours early.

The conduct involves overtime pay for selective enforcement initiatives, including the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE) and the “X-Team” initiative. Both initiatives are intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90 through an enhanced presence of MSP Troopers and targeting vehicles traveling at excessive speeds. DeJong was required to work the entire duration of the shifts – either four or eight hours – and truthfully report the date, time and sector of deployment on the citations issued during the shift. DeJong concealed the fraud by submitting citations that were issued outside the overtime shift, altered the citations to create the appearance that citations were issued during the overtime shift, and/or submitted citations that were never issued and never took place.

Trooper DeJong earned $200,416 in 2016, which included approximately $68,394 in overtime, of which more than $14,000 was attributable to AIRE and X-Team shifts that DeJong either left early or did not show up for.

In 2015 and 2016, 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 of whom have pleaded guilty or have agreed to do so.

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. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit are prosecuting the case.

In the first weeks of 2019, members of the New Bedford Police Department Narcotics Unit have broken up three separate Fentanyl distribution services, arresting three alleged drug traffickers.

On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, detectives with the narcotics unit made two arrests for drug trafficking. After seizing approximately 40 grams of Fentanyl along with Oxycodone pills, detectives arrested Miguel Fuster Jr., 5/7/1976, of 27 Chestnut Street, New Bedford, who was the target of a Fentanyl distribution service being operated out of 27 Chestnut Street. After seizing more than 30 grams of Fentanyl along with 15 grams of cocaine, detectives arrested Jose E. Rodriguez, 8/17/1977, of 445 Dartmouth Street, New Bedford, who was the target of a Fentanyl distribution service being operated out of 445 Dartmouth Street.

On Thursday, January 28, 2019, after seizing more than 80 grams of Fentanyl, detectives arrested Frank M. Rivera, 6/24/1986, of 200 State Street, New Bedford, who was the target of a Fentanyl distribution service being operated out of 200 State Street. All three men were charged with trafficking Fentanyl, along with other drug related charges.

“The New Bedford Police Department will continue to be relentless in 2019 in disrupting Fentanyl distribution activity that is doing damage to our community, and that touches the lives of nearly every resident in some way,” said Deputy Police Chief Paul Oliveira.

Have you had a chance to visit the Seaport Inn Grill (110 Middle St., Fairhaven) near the New Bedford/Fairhaven bridge? Here’s a look at the beautiful restaurant/bar and a few of their meals to include scallops risotto, seared tuna, and fried brussel sprouts appetizer.

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

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

The City of New Bedford will conduct its 2019 annual Point-in-Time Count of persons experiencing homelessness on Wednesday, January 30 from 2:00 p.m. until Thursday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. (24-hour count). The Point-in-Time Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and is conducted across the nation during the last 10 days of the January.

The 2019 local Point in Time or “PIT Count” event, dubbed “Everyone Counts,” includes dozens of teams of community and agency volunteers and will kick off with a public launch. City officials will gather with the public to initiate this year’s PIT Count efforts on Wednesday, January 25 at 1:10 p.m. on the front steps of City Hall.

The Point-in-Time Count (PIT) is conducted in New Bedford through the efforts of the New Bedford homeless continuum of care, known as the Homeless Service Providers Network (HSPN). The HSPN is convened and staffed by the City’s Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development.

The New Bedford PIT Count helps identify vulnerable groups by conducting surveys that provide demographic characteristics, homeless history, homeless experiences and other vital information. The census counts both sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a given night. The information collected through the PIT Count is used to help measure New Bedford’s progress towards ending homelessness and to help refine and strategically focus future planning efforts toward that end. Typically the data collected through these efforts provides a reliable snapshot of both sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

“The City’s Point-in-Time Count ensures that individuals and families experiencing homelessness are counted in a respectful and compassionate manner each year. This census-taking event collects important data that informs our strategic efforts, and raises awareness about the issue of homelessness in our community,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

Immediately following the city’s kick-off, volunteers and members of the community will reconvene at this year’s Point-in-Time Coordination Center located at Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction (PAACA) building at 360 Coggeshall Street. At 2:00 p.m., teams of volunteers will begin the 24-hour count and disperse throughout the city to survey individuals and families currently residing on the streets and in other locations not meant for human habitation within the city.

Building off the success and lessons learned from previous counts, the HSPN’s PIT Committee is holding a resource event for those experiencing homelessness at PAACA on January 30th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Point-In-Time Count and Resource Event is an opportunity for both those within the homeless community and volunteers to interact. The PIT Resource Event is multi-faceted and includes a variety of resources, food, health services, haircuts, music and more. The PIT Resource Event is more than an opportunity to help connect those living on the streets who may not necessarily be aware of resources available to them.

The PIT Committee continues to partner with both Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Catholic Social Services’ Sister Rose Shelter in order to spread the word among those within the homeless community as to the importance of the count and when it will take place. Instead of only looking for persons experiencing homelessness, both groups have already begun encouraging those whom they serve to participate in the count, directing them to the PIT Coordination Center and other locations throughout the city where volunteers will be stationed. It is anticipated that this approach, coupled with traditional community engagement, will produce the most accurate and robust data.

Both the successful count in 2018 and the anticipated success of this year’s PIT is attributed to extensive planning, volunteer training, and the receipt of donations from the community. In preparation for the Count, the PIT Committee has held weekly planning work sessions since November to plan the overall logistics of the count, identify “hot spots”, gather donation items, and recruit volunteers. As a result of these efforts, the PIT Committee has successfully recruited and trained over 70+ dedicated volunteers for the homeless count. In addition, numerous local business and organizations have graciously donated gift cards, clothing, backpacks, and other essential supplies that will either be placed in backpacks to be donated to those being counted or handed out during the course of the count.

Patrick J. Sullivan, Director of Planning, Housing and Community Development, noted that “the Point-in-Time Count provides an important one day snapshot of those experiencing homelessness in New Bedford’ in a way that helps us understand both general demographics of those being counted as well as specific characteristics of those individuals and families in these situations so that we may strategically act to reduce those numbers and eventually end homelessness in our city.”

For more information about the count, please contact Jennifer Clarke at (508) 979-1500 or at Jennifer.Clarke@newbedford-ma.gov; for more information about the approach being taken by the city’s HSPN in addressing homelessness, please go to www.nbhspn.com.