New Bedford Police narcotics unit took 83.3 grams of Fentanyl, 38.3 grams of a cocaine base substance, 5.6 grams of cocaine and 13 Suboxone strips off the streets Thursday during an investigation into Fentanyl distribution out of 132 Nye St. second floor west apartment.

A search warrant was executed for Juan Pedroza Ortega, 29, of that address. Ortega was located in a motor vehicle that pulled into a parking spot on Coggeshall Street. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered the drugs along with packaging materials, digital scales and $3,263 in cash.

The apartment is located within 300 feet of Global Learning Charter School at 190 Ashley Blvd.

Ortega was arrested and charged with possession of class B substance (film strips) with intent to distribute, possession of class B substance within a school zone with intent to distribute, trafficking in cocaine (more than 36 grams), trafficking of cocaine within a school zone, trafficking in Fentanyl, trafficking in Fentanyl in a school zone.

Ortega was ordered held without bail at the Dartmouth House of Correction by Judge Edward H. Sharkansky at Third District Court in New Bedford until a detention hearing on Dec. 29.

A Boylston man pleaded guilty last Thursday in federal court in Worcester to two child pornography charges.

Randy Alan Chaplis, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Hillman scheduled sentencing for March 22, 2018. Chaplis was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 16, 2017, and has been detained since his arrest.

On Feb. 9, 2017, Chaplis sent two emails to an undercover law enforcement officer that included dozens of images of child pornography, including prepubescent girls engaged in sex acts with adult men. In other email communications with the undercover officer, Chaplis stated that he likes three-to-10 year olds, and that he has “fun” with his girlfriend’s five-year-old daughter when her mother is not home. Chaplis emailed graphic descriptions of the sexual acts he purportedly performed on his girlfriend’s child starting when the child was two-years-old. He asked whether the undercover officer intended to have sexual intercourse with the undercover officer’s infant daughter once she turned three or four.

On March 15, 2017, federal agents executed a search warrant at Chaplis’ residence and seized an external hard drive and a desktop computer that included multiple images of child pornography.

The charging statutes provide for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Michael Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney William F. Abely of Weinreb’s Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

New Bedford police responded to a bank robbery at Santander Bank on 1238 Kempton Street at 5:07 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. No injuries were reported. Police are actively investigating.

With buses and cruisers overflowing, members of Neighborhoods United and the New Bedford Police Department distributed toys to about 100 area children this holiday season as the conclusion to the seventh annual Safe Zones Fill the Bus Toy Drive.

The gifts were donated by generous area residents who participated in fill the bus toy drive effort sponsored by Neighborhoods United and the New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth and Fairhaven police departments.

“We are very grateful for the generous donations from the community,” said New Bedford Police Lt. Ricard Rezendes, who helped to coordinate the effort. “We also appreciate our sponsors who give their time and hard work to make this very rewarding effort a success. I wish to extend a special thanks to Jerry Pinto of Neighborhoods United for his hard work in leading the Safe Zones Fill the Bus Toy Drive again this year.”

On Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 20 and 21, a Tremblay’s Bus drove through the city streets, dropping off presents to families to ensure that everyone had gifts to open Christmas morning. Gifts were also distributed to children at St. Luke’s Hospital.

As police officers, Neighborhoods United staff members and Mr. and Mrs. Claus knocked on doors of recipients, they were met by enthusiasm responses from the children and an emotional outpouring from the families.

“Things like this never happen to people like me,” said one hard-working single mother, tears in her eyes.

Another dad had one response as he watched his son receive a present. “God bless you,” he said.

Sponsors of the event are: New Bedford Third District Court Probation Department; The Boat restaurant; Southcoasttoday.com; WBSM/WHFN, 107.1 FM; Cumberland Farms, New Bedford and Dartmouth; Target, Dartmouth; Wal-Mart, Fairhaven; Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Dartmouth; Blue Eagle Printing; New Bedford Guide; Neighborhoods United; Minuteman Harley-Davidson; A. Walecka & Son; Tremblay’s Bus and employees; Amaral Bus and Beacon Paint & Hardware.

PAY: $15.80hr – $21.52hr

Conducts inspections, investigations and communication/outreach activities throughout the City to ensure compliance with all City, State and Federal requirements.

Assists with implementation of meter program, backflow prevention device testing and sewer deduct meter inspection program. Ensures customer compliance with City Ordinances, as well as any State and/or Federal regulations.

Issues Violation Notices to achieve compliance with regulations. Initiates litigation against parties who fail to comply with departmental notices.

Responsible for maintaining organized documentation and record keeping of Water Division programs. Assists with data management of Water Division, including but not limited to, digitization of existing records, distribution system maintenance and repair records, and the City’s data management program.

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent. Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. Possession of a Backflow Prevention Device Testing/Inspection license and proficiency in digital data management preferred. Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and good driving record.

For application/complete job description, please visit www.newbedford-ma.gov or contact the Personnel Dept., 133 William St., Room 212, 508-979-1444. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is found. EEO

New Bedford has a residency requirement.

Last night at approximately 9:20 p.m., troopers from the State Police barracks in Middleborough responded to reports of a pedestrian struck on Route 24 northbound near Exit 15 in Bridgewater.

Preliminary investigation by State Troopers indicates that Darkeem Kelow, 26 of Boston was operating a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox in the left travel lane on the southbound side of Route 24 when his vehicle, for reasons still under investigation, struck a 2004 Honda Civic also traveling southbound. A male passenger in that vehicle sustained injury and was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital.

Kelow exited his vehicle and ran into the left travel lane on the northbound side and was struck by a Ford Escape. He was determined to be deceased at the scene. The male operator of the Ford Escape from Marion was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained in the crash.

The facts and circumstances of the crash remain under investigation by troopers from the Middleborough Barracks, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section (CARS) and State Police Crime Scene Services (CSSS). State Police were assisted by Bridgewater EMS, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT).

By Chris Fernandes

“Invention, my dear friends, is 93% perspiration, 6% electricity, 4% evaporation, and 2% butterscotch ripple.” –Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)

Invention, in the most literal sense, is at the heart of the delightfully creative desserts crafted at the aptly titled ‘Donut Factory’ at 102 Rockdale Ave in New Bedford. The Donut Factory opened in October of 2017 and is the brainchild of Jackie Pinheiro, who says the film ‘Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory’ was a childhood favorite and played a large role in the style and decorum of her charmingly unique coffee shop. The Donut Factory team is even crafting a “Golden Ticket Giveaway” inspired by the film’s plot. (More to come on that. Patience, Veruca.)

When prompted about what separates The Donut Factory from other coffee and donut shops, Pinheiro’s enthusiasm was evident. “Our atmosphere is pretty unique! The location is Steampunk-themed and we really try to craft an experience for customers entering our shop. We want them to sit and enjoy their time with us because customer service is such a huge part of the Donut Factory experience. You will always be greeted with a smile.”

Jackie runs the shop with a team of equally passionate employees led by restaurant manager Carla Duarte, whose ten years of experience in the industry and passion for customer engagement helps keep things running smoothly.

Said Pinheiro of her partner, “She is the mastermind behind the operation and comes up with some extraordinary recipes with our creative team.”

And creative they are. If you recall, Willy Wonka’s factory offered much, much more than chocolate (Snozzberries taste like Snozzberries!) Likewise, The Donut Factory serves so much more than their namesake. Beyond the numerous traditional and attention-grabbing donuts available (Strawberry Shortcake, Maple Bacon, Strawberry Kiwi Cheesecake, Smores, Snickers, M&M, Chicken and Waffles, Buffalo Chicken, etc.) the shop also offers an impressive array of sub, sandwich and bagel options.

“We offer specialty bagels paired with extreme flavored cream cheeses, including S’mores Bagels with marshmallow cream cheese, Fruity Pebbles Bagels with tutti frutti cream cheese, even a Baked Potato Bagel with bacon, cheddar and chive cream cheese!” The shop also serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and “Steampockets” that are filled with mouthwatering ingredients like linguica and cheese, buffalo chicken and Portuguese steak.

The Donut Factory doesn’t cut any corners when coffee and beverages are involved either. They feature an eight-keg nitro coffee system from Massachusetts roasters ‘Church Street Coffee’ which offers flavors like peppermint, mocha, pumpkin, chai tea, cinnamon and dark roast. They also offer their own customized iced coffee called “X Factor” which is designed to be energizing and tastes like everyone’s favorite nostalgia-inducing New England staple, coffee milk.

Though they’ve only been open since October, The Donut Factory is already finding ways to give back to the community they credit for keeping the cogs turning. As mentioned, the shop is currently organizing a Willy Wonka-style “Golden Ticket Giveaway” wherein 100 prize tickets will be hidden in the shop between December 26 and March 31. If you find one, you will win one of various prize offerings including tickets to Disney on Ice and other events, Donut Factory tours, free donuts or coffee, discounts and more. Your “Golden Ticket” can then be entered into their grand prize drawing on March 31, 2018 for a chance to win a prize that would leave little Charlie green with envy.. a free trip to Disney World! Full terms and conditions can be viewed on The Donut Factory’s website.

rom their creative and friendly employees to their awe-inspiring menu options, their nostalic tip of the hat to a much adored film.. to their sense of community and spirit of giving, it seems that all engines are running at full steam at The Donut Factory. As nice as it is to see a new, locally run business succeed, it’s even nicer to see them share their success with the folks who helped to get them there.

As Willy Wonka stated upon seeing Charlie selflessly surrender his prized gobstopper, “So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

_____________________________________________________________

The Donut Factory
102 Rockdale Ave.
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Phone: (774) 425-4179

Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday-Sunday: 6:00am-6:00pm

Facebook: facebook.com/therealdonutfactory/
Website: http://therealdonutfactory.com
EMail: info@therealdonutfactory.com

_________________________________________________________

The overflow will be opened again tonight. We are expecting a long bout of frigid temperatures over the next week and a half. I will confirm that the overflow is opened every day with the email blast by 12pm. Guests should plan to arrive at 6pm and not earlier so we have time to prepare and guests aren’t waiting as long to enter the facility. All inquiries can be forwarded to Sister Rose House and 1-800-homeless.

Due to the expected temperature drop, the overflow will be opened tonight. I do expect to be near capacity tonight so guests should plan to arrive as early as 6pm. Plan accordingly and all inquiries can be forwarded to Sister Rose House and 1-800-homeless.

On Saturday, December 23, 2017, Dartmouth Police responded to three (3) separate calls regarding car breaks in or around the North Dartmouth Mall.

During the course of investigation, Officers David OIKARINEN and Adam REGO were able to identify the suspect’s vehicle as a black Mazda 626 bearing Rhode Island registration TI249.

A short time after the vehicle information was disseminated, Officer Keith DACOSTA observed it traveling on North Hixville Road. Prior to being able to engage the vehicle, the operator sped off. While fleeing the area at a high rate of speed, the suspect struck a mailbox, before ultimately losing control and crashing into a large tree.

Subsequent to the crash, the male operator was identified as Marcellino D. ALVES, 60, of #46 Lonsdale Avenue, Pawtucket, RI.

As he received injuries as a result of the crash, ALVES was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital for evaluation.

As a result of the incident, ALVES was charged with operating after suspension of his license (6th offense), negligent operation of a motor vehicle, speed greater than reasonable, marked lanes violation, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in property damage.

The car breaks remains under investigation by the Dartmouth Police Department Investigative Services Division.