Dartmouth Station 3 firefighters continued their annual tradition of donating Christmas toys to The Schwartz School at Meeting Street. On Wednesday, December 13, firefighters hosted Evan and Brayden, pre-school students at The Schwartz School at Meeting Street, for a tour of the fire house before delivering dozens of large bag filled with toys to The Schwartz School at Meeting Street.

“The Dartmouth District 3 firefighters and staff go above and beyond for our families each year,” said John M. Kelly, President of Meeting Street. “Thanks to their efforts, each Schwartz student has a gift to open. This year they outdid themselves.”

In addition to toys, firefighters also purchased winter clothing and other items for 22 struggling Meeting Street families.  “We can’t thank them enough, their generosity is truly inspiring,” Kelly added.

Firefighters: Members of Dartmouth Station 3 provide a tour to students from the Schwartz School prior to delivering their annual toy and winter clothing donation on December 13.

Evan, pre-school student at The Schwartz School at Meeting Street, goes inside a fire engine during a tour at Dartmouth Station 3. Firefighters provided a tour to two students prior to delivering their annual toy and winter clothing donation on December 13.

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About Meeting Street
Meeting Street compassionately and innovatively empowers children and their families to thrive by fostering the development of the whole child. Founded in 1946, Meeting Street’s vision is to be a national leader in child development, education, research and training. With locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, Meeting Street annually serves over 5,000 children and families in Southeastern New England through its core programs: Early Intervention, Early Head Start, Olneyville Initiative, Healthy Families America, The Early Learning Center, The Grace School, The Carter School, Southcoast Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, and The Schwartz Center.www.meetingstreet.org.

Bail was set at $500 for a suspect charged with illegal possession of a firearm, ammunition and possession of nearly 22 grams of marijuana, five grams of cocaine and four grams of crack cocaine.

Daniel Rodriguez, 40, of 46 Winsper St., Apt. 3, New Bedford, was arrested Dec. 7 on charges of possession of a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Judge John Stapleton set the bail despite requests from the District Attorney’s office that bail be set at $2,500. Rodriguez made bail Dec. 11.

Rodriguez is set for a pretrial hearing on Jan. 5.

Rodriguez has a lengthy court history. He has 13 prior adult court arraignments, including two prior convictions for possessing narcotics with intent to sell. He was found guilty of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in 1997 and was given a year in prison, with the sentence suspended. He was also given one year’s suspended sentence in 2001 for possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.

Quick work by the New Bedford Police Department led to the arrest Tuesday of a man with an extensive criminal history who attacked the 77-year-old owner of the home he burglarized.

Shane Patrick Murdock, 45, of 103 Davis St. Apt. 3, New Bedford, was arrested on charges of breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony, possession of burglarious tools, resisting arrest, assault and battery on a person over 60, assault on a person over 60 with a dangerous weapon and two arrest warrants.

Murdock has a 62-page record for a host of offenses, including charges that led to two years in the house of correction in 2009 for larceny and 18 months in the house of correction in 2005 for knowingly receiving stolen property, among other charges.

Police responded to a report of a break in progress on the 100-block of Seabury Street at about 1:47 p.m. Tuesday. When police arrived, they were informed that the suspect had fled the scene on a bicycle. Police quickly located the suspect, who fled on the bicycle from police before being apprehended near 757 Ashley Boulevard.

The homeowner reported that he arrived home to find an unfamiliar bicycle and ladder outside his home and a bathroom window open. As Murdock exited the home after seeing the homeowner, he pushed and scratched the homeowner during a brief struggle and threatened to strike him with a plastic chair.

Murdock is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Third District Court.

Born in Nuremburg in 1927, Ms. Myerson witnessed the rise of Nazi Germany and the terrors of the Holocaust. A resident of Dartmouth, Ms. Myerson recounted this darkest chapter of the 20th century as only an eyewitness can, part of her ongoing efforts that it may be more fully understood by today’s youth and not be forgotten by future generations.

The overflow will be opened tonight as we are expecting frigid temperatures and a feel like temp in the low teens. Guests can start to arrive at 6pm and our capacity is 25. I do expect to be near capacity tonight so guests should plan to arrive as early as possible. All inquiries can be forwarded to Sister Rose House and 1-800-homeless

PAY: $17.80/hr – $24.91/hr

Performs skilled electrical work. Installs, repairs, replaces, upgrades, tests and maintains electrical equipment and wiring in City-owned, leased or occupied buildings or properties. This may include power, lighting, traffic control systems, fire alarm systems. Troubleshoots grounded, shorted and open circuits. Inspects tests and approves new and existing municipally connected systems.

High school graduate or GED equivalent with specialized course work in electrical practices and knowledge of electrical principals and procedures. Possession of a Massachusetts journeyman or master electrician’s license. Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license with good driving record. Operates a motor vehicle on a regular basis. Mandatory CORI (Criminal Offender Record Investigation) background check per City Council Ordinance effective May 14, 2013.

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. New Bedford has a residency requirement. EEO

The following is New Bedford’s proposed ordinance on use of marijuana in public submitted to the New Bedford City Council for a second reading on 14 December, 2017:

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By Julie Lavoie

First, let me congratulate those members who have sought and won re-election. As you all know, it was a very energizing election and in some races, it was closer than some of those running would have liked.

Second, I’d like to bring up the elephant in the room. We are facing a very difficult battle ahead in the search for the right candidate to lead our schools as superintendent. If you are not aware, the reputation for this district is not favorable among those looking to fill similar positions. This leads us to a smaller pool of candidates and even smaller of those who be the right fit for the job. This is deeply concerning.

Currently we have a situation which directly hampers any ability we have in finding the right match for our district. We have an outgoing superintendent that has taken out a no trespass order against an incoming committee member. Without presuming guilt or innocence on either side, if anyone felt there was sufficient fear for their personal safety, a no trespass order is not at all appropriate or even effective. Under a no trespass order any school official can summon Mr. Oliveira at any time to any place. According to FERPA, even a parent volunteer is considered a school official. Instead, the allegations should be presented to a judge with due process involved and the appropriate order put in place if the case has any merit. To be blunt, without due process and the presentation of that merit, this no trespass order gives the direct appearance of retaliation. And since perception is truth, that’s not something we want associated in any way with our district.

Regardless, this pivotal time for our district. This trespass order and the chaos surrounding it only serve as a major distraction from the serious work we have before us and furthers the already poor reputation we have as a district. The longer this plays out, the less effective we become at filing the position with a qualified candidate and the less qualified people are attracted to the position. In the end, I fear that this circus will only lead to yet another poor candidate in place and our children’s education will be no better for it.

At this time, I’m asking you to vote to remove the trespass order initiated by the superintendent against Mr. Oliveira. If there is sufficient rationale for her allegations she should pursue it in court like everyone else as any form of protection order. I’m asking you as a highly educated parent, as a resident who is invested in this city and as someone who wants the same thing everyone else does. Vacate the order so that we can all stop talking about it and get back to work on more important issues.

New Bedford mayor Jon Mitchell has submitted three ordinances regarding outdoor café permits to be reviewed by the City Council during their December 14, 2017, meeting.

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Fire officials urge people to make fire safety an important part of planning for their holiday celebrations because more home fires happen on December 25 than any other single day in Massachusetts except Thanksgiving. “Firefighters are not the kind of guests you want during the winter holidays, so please make fire safety part of your celebrations,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. “Start by making sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home,” he said.

Cooking Leading Cause
Ostroskey said, “Cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home and the holiday season is no exception. It is important to remember two key things: Stand by Your Pan to prevent cooking fires and to Put a Lid on It if one does occur.” “Leaving cooking unattended, even for a minute, is the leading cause of fires,” said Ostroskey. When baking, use a timer, and stay nearby.

· On December 21, 2016, at 5:29 p.m., the Framingham Fire Department was called to a cooking fire in an apartment building. The fire was started when cooking oil on top of the stove ignited and extended to the cabinets. Smoke alarms were present and alerted the occupants and no one was injured at this fire. A single sprinkler head activated and extinguished the fire. The total estimated dollar loss was $8,000.

· On Christmas Day 2016, at 8:00 a.m., the Brockton Fire Department was called to a cooking fire in a two-family home. The cause was arcing from the electric stove. The home had no smoke alarms or sprinklers but fortunately no one was injured. The estimated dollar loss was $20,000.

Heating Second Leading Cause of Holiday Season Fires
Heating is the second leading cause of home fires during the holiday season. “Keep warm and keep safe by having the furnace and chimney checked by professionals, and when heating with wood, dispose of the ashes in a lidded metal ashcan outside the home,” reminded Ostroskey. A single ember can stay hot and undetected for days. Use the three foot rule and keep combustibles, like holiday decorations, three feet away from heat sources.

· On December 16, 2016, at 6:22 a.m., the Holliston Fire Department was called to a heating fire in a single-family home. The homeowners were using a woodstove and the fire is believed to have started in the chimney. Working smoke alarms alerted the occupants and no one was injured at this fire. The building was not sprinklered and the total estimated dollar loss from this fire was $325,000.

Heating Leading Source of CO in the Home
Heating is also the leading cause of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home and sadly we lost a father and son in Acushnet on December 7, 2016. They were overcome by the invisible fumes from a leaky furnace and had no carbon monoxide alarms in the home to warn them. Both smoke and CO alarms are required in Massachusetts homes.

Burn Candles inside a 1-Foot Circle of Safety
State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said, “Many of the holidays celebrated at this time of year use candles. Sadly, the increased candle use at this time of year also causes a boost in candle fires.” Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are among the December days when the most candle fires occur. Consider using battery-operated candles instead, especially if you have children or pets.

· On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016, at 12:54 p.m., the Needham Fire Department was called to a candle fire in a mudroom in a single-family home. The candle ignited a nearby jacket. No one was injured at this fire. Alarms were present but it was undetermined if they operated. The building was not sprinklered and damages were estimated to be $5,000.

· On Christmas Day, December 25, 2016, at 10:09 p.m., the Southampton Fire Department was called to a candle fire in the kitchen of a single-family home. The candle ignited a nearby decoration. Alarms were present and operated and no one was injured at this fire. The building was not sprinklered and damages were estimated to be $100,000.

Christmas Tree Safety Tips
Although Christmas tree fires are rare these days, they are very serious when they do occur. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, one-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems and one-quarter start when the tree is placed too close to a heat source such as a fireplace, woodstove, radiator or space heater. Ostroskey said, “Always keep your Christmas trees watered, place it well away from a heat source, and dispose of them promptly after the holidays.”

For more information on fire safety, contact your local fire department or the Department of Fire Services at 1-877-9-NO FIRE or on-line at http://www.mass.gov/dfs and search on Winter Holiday Safety.