Applications for WEB New Bedford will open on Friday, March 16, 2018. WEB New Bedford is a free eight month business accelerator program for City of New Bedford residents. The program is a multi-partner pilot effort to provide comprehensive services for residents who want help starting or growing their business in New Bedford.

Twelve residents, with a focus on recruiting women and minorities, will be accepted into WEB New Bedford. After completing the program requirements, each WEB New Bedford participant will be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in Seed Funding for their business.

The WEB New Bedford program features free technical assistance from multiple partners, workshops from the Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) and the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC). The program will hold weekly seminars featuring successful women entrepreneurs in the community and provide two free Bristol Community College courses from the Small Business and Entrepreneurship certificate program.

The program runs from May 2, 2018 through December 11, 2018. Any interested City residents are encouraged to attend the information sessions on March 20 from 3 to 4 p.m. or March 22 from noon to 1 p.m. The information sessions will be held at the Greater New Bedford Career Center, 618 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford. Applications will be due on April 13, 2018.

Applications are available online at gnbwib.org/webnewbedford or can be picked up at partner locations including South Coast Chamber of Commerce, CEDC, New Bedford Economic Development Council, Immigrant’s Assistance Center, Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board and the Greater New Bedford Career Center.

WEB New Bedford is funded through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing Economic Development Urban Agenda program.

For more information please contact Dr. K. Holloway Cripps kcripps@gnbwib.org or 508.979.1504 x111 or Brianna Alves balves@southcoastchamber.com 508.999.5231.

After a major winter storm that brought blizzard conditions, high winds and snow to New Bedford on Tuesday, City crews have made significant progress in removing snow from the City’s roads and their work will continue throughout the night.

The Citywide Snow Emergency Parking ban will be lifted on 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018. City residents should continue to honor the parking ban until it lifts on Wednesday morning so that City crews may continue their work to remove snow through the night.

New Bedford City offices will reopen tomorrow, Wednesday, March 14, 2018, including City Hall, the public libraries, and senior centers. Activities at the senior centers are canceled. The Buttonwood Park Zoo will reopen on a delayed schedule at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14.

New Bedford Public Schools remain closed Wednesday, March 14, 2018

New Bedford Public Schools will remain closed on Wednesday; please monitor local media and the New Bedford Public Schools website, www.newbedfordschools.org, for updates.

One-Day Delay of Residential Trash/Recycling Collection

ABC Disposal will operate on a one-day delay schedule for the remainder of this week.

– Residents whose normal collection day was Tuesday will now have their trash collected on Wednesday.

– Residents whose normal collection day is Wednesday will now have their trash collected on Thursday.

– Residents whose normal collection day is Thursday will now have their trash collected on Friday.

– Residents whose normal collection day is Friday will now have their trash collected on Saturday.

A Romanian national was sentenced on Monday, March 12, and another pleaded guilty, in federal court in Boston in connection with an ATM skimming scheme operating throughout Massachusetts and other states including Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina.

Ion Trifu, 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release. In December 2017, Trifu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use counterfeit access devices and money laundering conspiracy. Nicusor Bonculescu, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, conspiracy to use counterfeit access devices, and aggravated identity theft. Judge Young scheduled sentencing for June 7, 2018.

In May 2017, Trifu and Bonculescu were indicted in connection with the ATM skimming scheme along with 12 others. Bonculescu is the eighth defendant to plead guilty.

The defendants, except for Trifu, were members of the Hornea Crew, led by Constantin Denis Hornea and Ludemis Hornea, and engaged in ATM skimming – a scheme in which the defendants obtained debit card numbers and PINs from unsuspecting bank customers, created counterfeit cards, and made unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts.

Over a period of 18 months, the Crew installed skimming devices and made unauthorized withdrawals in seven states, including Massachusetts. In particular, members of the Crew installed skimming devices in the following locations: Amherst, Bellingham, Billerica, Braintree, Chicopee, Quincy, Southwick, Waltham, Weymouth, and Whately, Mass.; Enfield, Conn.; Columbia, Greenville, Greenwood, Mauldin, and Saluda, S.C.; Savannah, Ga.; and Yadkinville, N.C. The Crew made unauthorized withdrawals at ATMs in approximately 29 Massachusetts towns; seven Connecticut towns; six New York towns; Salem, N.H.; and Sumter, S.C.

Members of the Hornea Crew and Trifu transferred money throughout the United States and to Romania and the People’s Republic of China. Some of those transfers were for the purchase of skimming devices and related components from abroad.

The charge of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering conspiracy provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to use counterfeit access devices provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison. The defendants will face deportation proceedings upon completion of their sentences. 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; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. Assistance with the investigation was also provided by the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) in Boston; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Postal Service; Massachusetts Department of Correction; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Amherst, Billerica, Braintree, Boston, Quincy, Southwick, Waltham, Whately, and Westwood Police Departments; Connecticut State Police; Greenwich Police Department; the New York City Police Department; Houston Police Department; South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; Richland County (South Carolina) Sheriff’s Department; Florence and Saluda (South Carolina) Police Departments; and the Solicitor’s Offices of Greenville and Saluda Counties. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy E. Moran of Lelling’s Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

Do you enjoy Cosplay? AJ stopped by the Cosplay Meetup at the Silver City Galleria Mall in Taunton this past weekend to chat with some fans of the hobby.

Video by Arjenis Marcial

What do you know about The Romeiros (Pilgrims)? We caught up with them at the St. Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth while they were on their 100-mile, week-long trip to promote peace while traveling to 50 churches around southeastern Massachusetts.

Video by Arjenis Marcial.

On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, New Bedford’s three middle schools and New Bedford High School will be commemorating the tragic events that took place at Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. During the past week, each of the schools conducted planning discussions with selected staff and students to address the recent call for students to walk out of their schools on that day as a way to make a statement to the public and government officials about school safety. Different events will be taking place in schools with the key unifying element being focused on students discussing and expressing their concerns in productive ways.

Normandin, Keith and Roosevelt Middle Schools have a shortened day on March 14 due to professional development sessions scheduled for teachers. Various opportunities will take place, including writing messages that focus on acts of kindness with representatives from each advisory period, who will then take these messages to make a school-wide chain in the foyers of each school. Each middle school is conducting school assemblies to prepare with the students for the activities on Wednesday. Many of the elementary schools are doing the same.

At New Bedford High School, the Student Advisory Council has planned a series of actions to remember the 17 victims. Wednesday’s advisory will begin by reading the names of the 17 victims followed by a 17 second moment of silence. Students will also compose messages which will be bound into a book to be sent to Parkland. Weather permitting, students will then proceed to an outdoor athletic field where they will form the number 17. The student formation will be photographed and sent with the booklet. Students have also indicated they will continue to memorialize the victims by hosting numerous “Acts of Kindness” throughout the school year.

Principals are also informing students and staff regularly of the actual safety elements of their schools in response to the recent district-wide assessment of doors, entrance procedures, and precaution protocols.

Early yesterday morning Massachusetts State Police Troopers and Manchester, NH, Police located and arrested the man who severely beat a woman following a minor motor vehicle crash last week.

At approximately 8 a.m. Monday Troopers from the MSP’s Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and Manchester officers apprehended JOSEPH FALERO, 37, of Manchester, NH, at an apartment in that city.

FALERO was the subject of a warrant charging him with assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and motor vehicle violations. Trooper Kenneth Quigley from the State Police-Andover Barracks obtained the arrest warrant last Friday after his investigation of the assault.

The arrest stemmed from an incident that occurred shortly after 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6. Troopers from the Andover Barracks responded to a report of a woman being assaulted on the side of Route 93 northbound in Methuen. On scene, Troopers found a 30-year-old woman suffering from significant injuries and facial lacerations. The woman was covered in mud and snow and appeared to be in shock.

Further investigation by the Troopers revealed that the woman’s car had been sideswiped by a Honda Civic operated by a man. Both drivers exited their cars. When the woman attempted to call police, the man began severely beating her in the face, and when she fell to the ground he kicked her in the face, neck, and back. The woman began to lose consciousness. The suspect fled before Troopers arrived.

The suspect’s Honda Civic was later recovered abandoned in Manchester. Investigation by Trooper Quigley determined that the assailant was FALERO.

Troopers from the MSP’s Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section assisted Troopers from the Barracks and developed intelligence that led them to set up surveillance yesterday, along with local police, on the residence in Manchester. FALERO was taken into custody a short time later.

FALERO was charged as a fugitive from justice and will be held in New Hampshire until his rendition to Massachusetts to face prosecution for the assault.

Due to the continued storm conditions, and low temperatures, the overflow at 71 Division Street will remain opened tonight. All inquiries can be forwarded to Sister Rose House and 1-800-homeless.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts is hiring!

We are looking for mission-focused Community Program Facilitators to join the GSEMA team! In this role, you will coordinate programs for girls in specific geographic areas within the council, with a focus on health and wellness, financial literacy, STEM, and outdoor education. Girls also participate in product programs (like the beloved cookie program!) and go on field trips. You will have a unique opportunity to support girls in developing leadership skills that they will take with them wherever they go.

Are you mission driven, looking to work in a dynamic team environment, and influence the lives of girls? If so, take the time to check out the largest Massachusetts girl-serving organization – Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA).

Since 1912, Girl Scouts has empowered girls to develop the skills and the voice to become successful and productive citizens. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

If you are looking for a part-time youth development position where you can have FUN and work directly with girls, we have the job for you as a Community Program Facilitator!

In this paid position, you will facilitate Girl Scout programs for girls at local sites including after-school settings, youth and community based organizations and housing developments in specific areas of eastern Massachusetts. Programs will include weekly girl programs, participation in Girl Scout product sales, the recruitment of speakers and volunteers and the possibility of bringing girls on local field trips. Comprehensive training and support is provided.

HOURS:
Various work schedules available between 2 pm – 6 pm, Monday-Friday.
We have other job postings as well, including summer camp positions!

Can’t wait to join our team? To apply, submit your resume and cover letter with salary expectations by clicking apply or by visiting here: https://tinyurl.com/gsemase

Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity.
http://www.gsema.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GirlScoutsEMass/

A former Dartmouth Selectman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston in connection with concealing approximately $2.5 million in cash from the U.S. District Court following his sentencing proceedings in 2015.

John George Jr., 71, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice before U.S. District Court Senior Judge Douglas P. Woodlock, who scheduled sentencing for June 12, 2018. George was indicted in April 2017.

In July 2015, George was sentenced to 70 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $688,772 and forfeiture of $1.38 million for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA). George was required to disclose his financial status to the Court, and reported that he only possessed approximately $28,000 in cash. However, in December 2015 and January 2016, federal law enforcement recovered more than $2.5 million in cash, as well as Rolex watches and jewelry that George had concealed in safe deposit boxes in New Bedford and Fairhaven.

The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. 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; Todd A. Damiani, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations; Joel P. Garland, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and U.S. Marshal John Gibbons for the District of Massachusetts made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Ryan M. DiSantis of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit are prosecuting the case.