The public is invited to meet Capt. Dennis Ledo, the new station commander for Station Two at 168 Cove St. in the south end, during an open house from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7.

Capt. Ledo replaced Capt. Dennis Hebert, who recently retired.

Capt. Ledo brings a wealth of experience to his new position, including working all three shifts at all three stations. He is a 24-year veteran of the department.

Capt. Ledo has worked eight years in the narcotics division, including assignments with the district attorney’s office and the Drug Enforcement Agency. He worked as a school resource officer for 18 months and as the director of the professional standards division for four years.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2010, to lieutenant in 2012 and to captain in 2016.

He is looking forward to meeting the residents and business owners in the south end. “I want to build on the good job they’re already doing here,” he said. “I’m happy to be part of the team down here. I’m looking forward to reaching out to the community. It’s a beautiful area. There’s a lot of good police work being done here.”

Capt. Ledo encourages the public to attend the open house. Anyone unable to attend may call the station at 508-991-6300 ext. 79203 to speak with Capt. Ledo about any concerns they might have.

Spinner Publications proudly presents Blue Collars, a debut novel written by New Bedford native Catherine McLaughlin and the publishing house’s first book of fiction. Blue Collars is slated for release Spring 2018.

A compelling story about growing up during the late 1950s and 1960s in a New Bedford working-class family, Blue Collars details the triumphs and tragedies of the close-knit Kilroy family. Told through the eyes of young Fiona “Finn” Kilroy, her story unfolds in the city’s South End, a neighborhood where Portuguese, Irish, French, and Cape Verdean immigrant families lived side-by-side in mostly three-decker tenement houses typical of many New England cities. Finn’s father worked long hours as a loomfixer at the Berkshire Hathaway textile mill along the city’s waterfront and her mother struggled to keep the children healthy, well fed and well dressed.

Surrounded by the love of a caring, extended family, Finn’s life seems from the outside to be carefree and idyllic. But a terrible secret haunts her childhood. This is the story of a young girl’s endurance in the face of betrayal and her brave efforts to overcome the shocks that rock her world. Finn’s efforts to present a normal face breaks the
reader’s heart. Her story infuriates – even as her determination to stay strong and survive will inspire every reader.

From Finn’s tumultuous childhood to her coming of age, we deeply experience her family’s life of love, abuse, and heartache amidst a backdrop of historical events such as textile strikes and economic and political upheaval that shaped America and this industrial city.

Catherine McLaughlin grew up in New Bedford and now lives nearby in Padanaram. She received her undergraduate degree from UMass Dartmouth, formerly Southeastern Massachusetts University, and her graduate degrees from the University College Dublin and Bowling Green State University. A published poet and an accomplished artist, McLaughlin has taught English and writing for 40 years and is a professor emerita of Framingham State University.

Buzz for Blue Collars:

Here are a some advance reviews ….

“Catherine McLaughlin’s novel, Blue Collars, is a powerful work of fiction. From the first page to the last, the story is both real and relatable. Finn Kilroy and her supporting cast of characters jump right off the page, making Blue Collars a page-turner that kept me up late into the night. Highly recommended!”
—Steven Manchester, #1 bestselling author, The Rockin’ Chair and Twelve Months

“McLaughlin’s work never fails to leave the reader enthralled. Blue Collars is no exception. In this book, we journey the streets, backyards, and factories of New Bedford in the late 1950s throughout the fevered sixties as seen by McLaughlin’s young heroine, Finn. We watch hopefully as Finn overcomes one issue, dilemma after another — problems too heavy for her slender shoulders to bear, and we, the rapt reader, look for solutions alongside her.”
— Patricia Gomes, Poet Laureate, City of New Bedford, Massachusetts

“In Blue Collars, Catherine McLaughlin captures the full array of emotion from innocent joy and love to despair. On one page the main character Finn is playing blissfully at the beach with her father and siblings, on another she recalls the death of her best friend’s brother.
But mostly this is a story about a secret that gnaws at Finn throughout her childhood and adolescence – one that she believes would tear apart her tight-knit family. Like the dike protecting the harbor and factories of that New England city, Finn builds a wall of silence to protect her family. But the specter of guilt and shame leaves its imprint on the young girl.”
— Elizabeth Pimentel, freelance journalist

Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson is spear-heading an effort on behalf of the National Sheriffs Association to push Congress to take action on securing America’s border and other matters against illegal immigration.

Over the past few months, Sheriff Hodgson and his staff have been reaching out to sheriffs from coast to coast to discuss border security, illegal immigration and sanctuary policies. The result: A letter signed by 380 sheriffs and the Ohio Sheriffs Association representing 40 states which was recently delivered to every member of Congress.

“Congress must act to pass legislation to secure our borders through enforcing immigration laws, tightening border security, support the replacement and upgrades to current barriers and fencing and construction of barriers along the U.S. and Mexico international boundary as requested by those areas where it is needed, suspending and/or monitoring the issuance of visas to any place where adequate vetting cannot occur, end criminal cooperation and shelter in cities, counties, and states, and have zero tolerance and increased repercussions for criminal aliens,” the letter opens. “I stand firm with my fellow Sheriffs throughout our nation to have our borders secured first, in full cooperation and support of our promise and mission to uphold and enforce our nation’s laws, and we expect nothing less from Congress.”

Sheriff Hodgson said he decided to rally support from NSA and his fellow American Sheriffs due to the delay in moving forward on legislation that would address the illegal immigration and border security problems.

“We’re calling on Congress to take action now, on the security issues at the border and against sanctuary policies in our states, cities and towns,” Sheriff Hodgson said. “These sanctuary policies, including the laws California enacted, directly undermine and limit cooperation and collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement, making it harder for America’s sheriffs to protect our citizens and legal residents. In addition, the problem of MS-13 and other gangs that operate back and forth across our borders has become worse because of our failure to secure the border and the continued court-ordered catch and release policies.

“Enough is enough.”

Sheriff Hodgson recommended the public contact their representatives in Congress to voice their frustrations with the lack on action on immigration matters. He also recommended Congress vote and pass Rep. Bob Goodlatte’s (R-Va.) proposed “Securing America’s Future Act” (HR 4760), which increases border security, implements consequences on Sanctuary communities, and supports partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement. The bill has been approved by the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and awaits consideration from the full House.

“Congress’ inaction undermines sheriffs’ ability to protect our citizens,” National Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jonathan Thompson said. “Sheriffs across this country have signed this letter because Congress cannot continue to weaken our efforts to make our communities as safe as possible.”

The letter and list of sheriffs can be found here: https://www.sheriffs.org/ImmLtr

A Randolph man was sentenced in federal court in Boston yesterday for his role in a trans-national marijuana scheme that distributed thousands of pounds of marijuana and laundered millions of dollars in proceeds.

Michael Gordon, 48, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to 15 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay forfeiture of $5,030,812, to forfeit his interests in a house in Randolph, two houses in Florida, $371,239 seized during the investigation, and an Acura SUV used to facilitate his crimes.

In December 2017, Gordon and his co-conspirator, Daphne Jean, were convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and conspiring to launder drug money through real estate transactions. Gordon was also convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 1000 kilograms (2200 pounds) of marijuana and various counts of money laundering involving the purchase of real estate in Florida and Randolph.

From at least July 2011 to November 2014, Gordon shipped large amounts of marijuana from sources in California to Boston through the U.S. Postal Service and Federal Express, and then distributed the marijuana in the Boston area. Jean assisted Gordon by renting apartments that were used to receive the shipments of marijuana, and helping to launder drug proceeds. The operation produced millions of dollars in profits, and Gordon and Jean laundered the drug proceeds by participating in various financial transactions in Massachusetts and elsewhere.

Jean is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6, 2018.

The Buttonwood Park Zoo is saddened to announce the death of Grace, one of the Zoo’s two female bison; Grace was 19 years-old. Over the last few weeks the Zoo’s animal care team observed Grace’s lack of appetite and deteriorating health. Zoo veterinary staff performed exams and blood work but after several weeks of continued issues it was determined that Grace’s quality of life would not improve and the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her.

Grace was one of three bison that were brought to the Zoo in July of 2000. Sarah, George and Grace were all originally from the Alta Vista Farm in Rutledge, MA. According to Assistant Zoo Director, Shara Crook, “Grace was named for her graceful exit from the trailer into the bison habitat; upon exiting the trailer she stumbled but gracefully caught herself and kept right on moving.”

Zoo Director, Keith Lovett stated a necropsy has been performed on Grace to determine the exact cause of her declining health and expects the results to be back in the next few weeks. Lovett says, “Bison are an iconic North American species and the Zoo has a long history of caring for these majestic animals. Grace will be sorely missed by both Zoo guests and Buttonwood staff.”

During her time at the Buttonwood Park Zoo Grace gave birth to three bull calves, Yazhi in 2002, Bogart in 2004 and Charlie Brown in 2005. All three were sired by George. Grace at almost 19 years-old surpassed the life expectancy of bison which is between 10-15 years in their wild range.

Bison became the national mammal of the United States in 2015 when Congress passed the National Bison Legacy Act. Bison are listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Bison numbers declined in the 1800s due to hunting; today bison population numbers remain low even with conservation efforts and national protections.

New Bedford’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches is inviting New Bedford students to enroll in April Staycation Fun Week – a week of engaging activities at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center during school vacation week. April Staycation Fun Week runs 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., from Monday, April 16 through Friday, April 20.

The enrollment fee for the program is $100 per week for New Bedford residents and $150 per week for non-residents. Throughout the week, students will participate in engaging educational and recreational activities. A morning snack and lunch will be provided daily. This year, the program Staycation Fun Week is also offering a separate program of model boat building with Community Boating Center, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for students ages 10 and up.

Interested parents may register their children at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, located at 181 Hillman Street. Parents may also reserve a seat for their child by visiting www.nbprb.com to register online.

For more information regarding the February Staycation Fun Week, spring registration or other programming, contact the Recreation Manager, Dave Ponte at david.ponte@newbedord-ma.gov or call (508) 961-3015.

Police arrested a driver Sunday, March 25 after he struck two police cruisers and a vehicle that had been stopped at Route 18 South and South Street at about 9:37 p.m.

Mariano Ixcuna, 41, of 505 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, was charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, text messaging while driving, failure to make a lane change to avoid a stopped emergency vehicle and a warrant arrest.

Police had stopped a vehicle in the right lane of Route 18 and South Street when a vehicle traveling south struck two cruisers involved in the vehicle stop. One of the cruisers then struck the vehicle that had been stopped.

Officer Michael Doyle was standing at the stopped vehicle and, blinded by the cruiser’s emergency lights, did not see the approaching vehicle. He was pushed out of the way of the oncoming vehicle by Officer Alan Faber. Officer Faber and Officer Alberto Silva were able to jump out of the vehicle’s path to safety.

The airbags in Ixcuna’s vehicle deployed upon impact. Ixcuna, the operator of the stopped vehicle and the officers were not injured.

Ixcuna told police he was looking for his cell phone and was reaching down to grab it when he struck the cruiser.

Due to the expected temperature drop for this evening the overflow at 71 Division Street will remain opened tonight. All inquiries can be forwarded to Sister Rose House and 1-800-homeless.

Mayor Mitchell will hold neighborhood office hours for the month of March this Tuesday, March 27 from 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p .m. at G & S Pizza, at 2840 Acushnet Avenue.

Mayor Mitchell announced he would set aside time each month to hold office hours in city neighborhoods so that residents could meet with him outside of normal business hours and in their own neighborhood.

In his State of the City this year, the Mayor announced that a new format of office hours would be established, inviting residents to join him for dinner at local restaurants in different neighborhoods of the city. G & S Pizza will be the first dinner event – and the Mayor is buying.

City residents are invited to attend the neighborhood office hours to meet with Mayor Mitchell directly and share their concerns and ideas, as well as a few pizzas. The sessions are open to all New Bedford residents, no advance appointments are required and meetings with the Mayor will be done on a first come, first served basis.

Need a local example of why voting matters? This past Saturday, 2% of Freetown’s population got their way and banned marijuana retail sales in town.

In a special election on Saturday, the town of Freetown voted to prohibit the sales of retail marijuana by 24 votes. If 13 voters voted the other way, Freetown would have allowed marijuana retail sales.

Unofficially, 414 of the 5,855 registered voters decided the outcome with 219 voting to prohibit retail sales and 195 voting to allow dispensary licenses to be issued at 20% of the amount of liquor store licenses.

This photo was posted by the Freetown Police Department on their Facebook page at 6:44pm with the caption: “Staff at the Special Town’s Election reports that are no lines! It’s a good time to cast your vote!”

While ‘free’ is in the name, Freetown allowed 7% of registered voters to prohibit something that will be legal statewide this spring. According to the 2010 census, there are 8,870 people residing in Freetown, which means 4% of Freetown’s population the election. With 219 voting winning the day, that means 2% of the population pushed prohibition on the town.

Apathy ruled the day this weekend and Freetown will miss out on a booming industry (although they will have one of the largest grow facilities in New England). The irony is that Freetown supported legalizing recreational marijuana in Massachusetts in 2016 and voted to build a 130,000 square foot grow facility, but voters said: “let’s grow it and smoke it, but just don’t sell it in my town.”

Mark this Freetown special election down as a lesson in the importance of voting. I’m certain the people who didn’t spend 5 minutes to vote will spend hours on social media complaining about the results. I’m looking forward to sharing this article with them.