What do you think of this effort to deter panhandlers? From a fan on our Facebook page:

“So happy they finally put these in at the Market Basket lights! Now they need to do the other side.” – Jennifer Lincoln‎.

Three New Bedford City Councilors disagreed when the “spiked” cobblestones were first placed at the “octopus” intersection. In may, New Bedford City Councilors Hugh Dunn, Ian Abreu, and Maria Giesta sent a strongly worded letter to Mayor Jon Mitchell regarding the “dangerous and malicious placement of spiked cobblestones median at the entry of our City is wrong.”

The letter can be read here.

The mayor’s office responded in may that “the improved median strip is intended to address an increasingly dangerous situation where people walking along the median have put both themselves and motorists at risk.”

Last evening, at approximately 11:13 p.m., troopers from the State Police Barracks in Foxboro responded to reports of a wrong-way driver, which resulted in a crash on I-495 northbound, just north of Exit 9 in Norton.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Nicholas Martin, discovered that a 2005 Toyota Camry, driven by Arnold Reda, 84, of Foxboro, was traveling north in the area of Exit 13 in Mansfield, when it made a U-turn and began traveling south in the northbound lanes. The vehicle subsequently crashed into a 2016 Mercedes GL450 driven by a 56-year-old man, who had three passengers, a 42-year-old woman, and 12 and 10-year-old boys, all of Foxboro. The adults of the Mercedes were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, and the juveniles were transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence. All were reported to have non-life threatening injuries.

The Camry then struck a third vehicle, a 2003 Lincoln Towncar, driven by a 58-year-old woman from Weymouth, with a passenger, a 27-year-old woman from Foxboro. The driver of the Lincoln was not injured, the passenger was transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Arnold Reda was determined to be deceased at the crash scene, as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

The remaining facts and circumstances of the crash are currently under investigation by troopers from the Foxboro Barracks. Troop H Headquarters, State Police Crime Scene Services Section (CSSS), State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section (CARS), Norton Fire Department, Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MADOT) all assisted on scene.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro announced today that a suspect is actively being sought for the November 11th murder of 23-year-old Reynaldo Pena in New Bedford.

Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Alexis Silva, 30, of New Bedford. Mr. Silva has been charged in New Bedford District Court with the Murder of Mr. Pena. He is also being charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm.

The public is urged to not approach or attempt to apprehend Mr. Silva. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about the case or the whereabouts of Alexis Silva is asked to please call New Bedford Police Detectives at 508-717-1120-1212 or the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the District Attorney’s Office at 774-229-6248.

Around 11:30am on Wednesday, the Downtown Smoke Shop at 277 Union Street in New Bedford was raided by police.

New Bedford police confirm that narcotics officers raided the Downtown Smoke Shop, but wouldn’t get into more specifics.

Per sources who wished to remain anonymous, it is alleged that the Smoke Shop was selling recreational marijuana from the facility without a license, but that has not been confirmed by New Bedford police. Currently, there are no retail licenses to sell marijuana in New Bedford.

In an effort to encourage everyone to do their holiday shopping in New Bedford, Mayor Jon Mitchell has announced that New Bedford will again offer a special Holiday Parking Program. From Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, 2018 through Tuesday, January 1, 2019, the City of New Bedford will offer FREE parking at your first metered space for up to two hours in both the Downtown and on Acushnet Avenue, or up to two hours FREE parking at the Elm Street Garage, and the Zeiterion Garage!

“New Bedford is pleased to once again offer free parking to encourage everyone to support local small businesses by doing their holiday shopping in the city,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

Anyone parked at a meter in either the Downtown or on Acushnet Avenue while doing holiday shopping who receives a ticket as a result of parking in excess of the 2-hour limit, may mail or present their ticket along with a copy of a sales receipt for $10.00 or more from a Downtown or North End Business District restaurant/merchant to the City of New Bedford Traffic Commission Office. The parking ticket will be forgiven with the presentation of the same day receipt.

The Traffic Commission Office is located at 51 Elm Street and is open from Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Questions regarding the Holiday Parking Program should be directed to the Traffic Commission Office at (508) 961-3153.

The 2018 Holiday Parking Program is presented by the Office of New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell in partnership with Downtown New Bedford Inc., and the New Bedford Economic Development Council.

Due to expected temperature drop for this evening, the overflow will be opened tonight. Guests can arrive at 6pm and the cutoff time will be 8:30pm. We will expect to reach capacity of 30 guests within the next few days with the temps “feeling” lower than 10 degrees. The message is to plan accordingly and arrive early so ensure a cot. All inquires can be forwarded to 1-800-homeless and Sister Rose House.

Bishop Stang High School has named Shaun Stanton to be the new Varsity Boys Lacrosse Head Coach.

Dennis Golden, Bishop Stang Athletic Director, commented, “We are very impressed by Coach Stanton’s depth and breadth of experience, his commitment to excellence in academics and athletics, and we look forward to his leadership of our young men.”

Coach Stanton began his lacrosse career as a student-athlete at Avon Old Farms, where he was the captain of the New England champion lacrosse team in 1980, and is now a member of their Hall of Fame. He went on to play lacrosse at Boston College, where he captained the Men’s Lacrosse team. Coach Stanton earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and Philosophy from Boston College, and a Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of St. Mary’s in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Coach Stanton currently teaches History at the St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, MA. He founded their lacrosse program in 1985, and as head coach, earned more than 200 career victories in the Independent School League (ISL). The ISL twice named him Coach of the Year, he was named Man of the Year in 2003, and he received the ISL Service Award in 2013. During his tenure, he coached 4 All-Americans and 4 Academic All-Americans. Coach Stanton continued coaching lacrosse after he retired from coaching at St. Sebastian’s, serving as the UMass Dartmouth Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator in 2014-15, and the head coach in 2016. He served as a volunteer assistant at Curry College in 2017.

In accepting the position, Shaun reflected, “I am honored to be selected to become part of a faith based program in line with my beliefs. The opportunity to work with young men, and to develop character, through the sport of lacrosse, is a great opportunity.”

Shaun and his wife Christine live in Dartmouth, and have three sons, Zane, Mac, and Patrick.

Contact Bishop Stang Athletic Director, Dennis Golden for more details at dgolden@bishopstang.com or (508) 996-5602 x 427.

We’re thrilled to announce that Seastreak will be sailing between Nantucket and New Bedford from 11/30-12/3 for the world famous Nantucket Christmas Stroll!

Enjoy hundreds of decorated seven-foot Christmas trees that line downtown streets, carolers in costume singing familiar holiday tunes at various locations, craft shows, tours, and so much more!

Originally starting in 1973, the weekend was meant to keep shoppers on the island to encourage them to buy holiday gifts from locals. Today the weekend is one not to miss!

On Stroll Weekend Main Street will be closed to vehicles to allow for a variety of holiday events. Stores will be open for the weekend offering refreshments as shoppers browse the special discounts.

Other main events of Christmas stroll include the Festival of Trees in the Whaling Museum as well as meeting Santa and Mrs. Clause as they arrive off the Coast Guard Cutter.

Photo credits:

Santa Claus by Jamie Holmes.
Christmas Trees by Emily Elisabeth Photography.
Town Crier by Mark Snider.

Calling all teens! The Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen pageant is seeking contestants from New Bedford and its surrounding cities and towns to compete in its upcoming pageant! An information session will be on December 8th for anyone interested in learning more.

Do you know a teen that would make a great role model? One that wants to make a difference in her community? Could your teen benefit from developing leadership, confidence, and speaking skills? How about scholarship money?!

This year’s winner will receive a $500 college scholarship, entry to the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen pageant, plus additional gifts from community sponsors. The winner will also spend an entire year making appearances, and engaging in various community service and leadership opportunities. Runners-up and top scoring contestants will also receive scholarships and/or recognition.

Participation is open to teen girls between the ages of 13 and 18 from any of the following cities/town throughout Greater New Bedford: Acushnet, Assonet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester, and Westport.
 
Contestants compete in five phases of competition: Interview, Talent, Physical Fitness (a brief, group Zumba-style routine), On-Stage Question, and Evening Wear.  Note: This is not a glitz/glam pageant. It does not require an expensive wardrobe. No experience is necessary!
 
A full information session will be held on Saturday December 8th at 2:00 PM at the Cheryl McCormack Academy of Dance located at 731 Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford. Attendance does not obligate competing, however interested contestants are required to attend. If this date does not work, we encourage contestants to contact us to discuss a secondary date.
 
To register for the info session, email info@missnewbedford.org or call (508) 971-9564. You may also visit www.MissNewBedford.org or find Miss New Bedford on Facebook
 

“Good afternoon everyone, I was hoping you could share this important traffic message with your audience in advance of tomorrow night, Thanksgiving Eve, which has come to be known as Blackout Wednesday. We are urging residents to drive sober and be especially alert on what can be a dangerous driving night.”

New Bedford Police has begun increased traffic enforcement, thanks to a Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant issued to the NBPD traffic division. The funds are issued by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security/Office of Grants and Research/Highway Safety Division by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Stepped up enforcement is especially important during the busy holiday season, with people on the road to holiday gatherings, shopping and holiday-themed events.

This is crucial on Thanksgiving Eve, which has become known as Blackout Wednesday.

Thanksgiving Eve , which falls on Wednesday, Nov. 21 this year, has become the deadliest holiday on our roads. From 2012 to 2016, drunk driving crashes killed more than 800 people over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The day has become so deadly that it has become known as Blackout Wednesday.

Why is it so dangerous? Several factors come into play.

A lot of people are home for the holiday, including college students. The night is popular at bars, with friends heading out to reunite before the family holiday the next day. Alcohol sales also tend to increase, according to MADD.

Stay safe tonight. Designate a sober driver. Take a cab, a bus, or a rideshare company.

NBPD will have extra patrols out on the road, making sure that everyone has a safe journey to their destination.

Remember that tonight will be the traditional pre-Thanksgiving game bonfire at Buttonwood Park.

So be alert, drive sober and stay especially aware of your surroundings. Your family and friends are looking forward to seeing you, safe and sound, on Thanksgiving. And so are we.