PAY: $15.64 – $21.31

Performs, according to standard office procedures, a variety of duties requiring a moderately complex degree of decision making and knowledge of the functions of the department. Perform all levels of payment processing including cashiering, processing mail, Lockbox CDM and departmental turnovers. This position requires an in-depth knowledge of the department function and proficiency with the following software platforms – financial/billing system (MUNIS), credit card processing, second party payment processing and banking software and information used for payment and reconciliation purposes. Candidate must be willing to learn new processes and procedures, as deemed necessary.

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent; two years of work experience in a financial institution or in a position that required money handling and customer service. 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

I noticed these amazing young ladies in New Bedford showing how they were inspired to perform #ActsOfRandomKindnessNB around New Bedford. It’s from 2016, but still very valid today!

Does it inspire you to do the same?

Help Safe Zones, Tremblay’s Bus Company, the New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth and Fairhaven Police Departments and the New Bedford District Court Probation Department brighten the Christmas season for local children and families in need of help this year, while boosting your own holiday spirit, by participating in the seventh annual Safe Zones Fill the Bus Toy Drive.

Bring an unwrapped new toy to any of four locations Saturday, Dec. 9.

The Safe Zones & New Bedford Police Departments School Bus will be located at 871 Rockdale Ave., New Bedford, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Fairhaven Police Departments School Bus will be located at Walmart, 42 Fairhaven Common Way, Fairhaven, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Dartmouth Police Departments School Bus will be located at Target, 479 State Road, Dartmouth, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Acushnet Police & Fire\Rescue Departments School Bus will be located at the Acushnet Police Department, 64 Middle Rd, Acushnet, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Through Dec. 21, gifts can also be dropped off at the following police stations: New Bedford downtown station, 572 Pleasant St.; New Bedford South End station, 168 Cove St.; New Bedford North End station, 781 Ashley Blvd; New Bedford Police headquarters, 871 Rockdale Ave.; Dartmouth Police Department, 249 Russells Mills Road; Fairhaven Police Department, 1 Bryant Lane, Fairhaven; Acushnet Police Department, 64 Middle Road.

In October of this year, the Massachusetts Senate passed a bill that included moving the threshold for felony larceny from $250 to $1,500. Currently, if someone steals more than $250 it’s considered a felony, less than that is a misdemeanor.

The backers of the bill claim it’s tough to get a job if you are convicted of a felony and why they are pushing to move the felony starting point to over $1,500. Should people who steal at a young age live with a felony on their record for the rest of their lives?

Opponents feel that this move will increase thefts in retail stores as criminals will now steal higher tag items knowing that it’s a misdemeanor. Stealing already costs retailers across the country $48.9 billion each year and this cost is passed on to the shopper.

What do you think? Leave it at $250, move it to $1,500 or somewhere in-between?

Flu season is upon us.

It seems like I get the flu every other year and I can usually pinpoint my infection day to someone constantly coughing and sniffling near me in a public space. When I do get sick, I take it as my responsibility to stay home as not to spread the flu. I consider it a serious public responsibility and the best way to get well. Unfortunately, too many selfish people feel it is their responsibility to spread the flu to as many people as possible.

I was recently in a coffee shop and had the unfortunate experience of sitting near a man that hacked up his lung for an hour. The idea of getting out of the house to get a coffee was more important than possibly infecting hundreds of people with the flu. A selfish man to say the least.

According to the CDC, 3,000 to 56,000 people die from the flu each year in the United States. For example, 56,000 people died during the 2012-2013 flu season. That’s a lot of people considering flu season generally lasts only a few months. The people with the highest risk of dying from the flu are elderly, babies and people with suppressed immune systems like cancer patients going through treatment.

According to MassLive.com, the CDC has called this flu season the worst in 10 years, and attributed 53 pediatric deaths to it. The number of year-to-date laboratory confirmed cases of flu in the state now states at 5,708, a rise of 1,655 over the week ending Jan. 26.

I can’t help but feel hundreds if not thousands of people needlessly die from the flu every year because so many selfish people decide to go into crowded public places while contagious. If you are sick with the flu, or a terrible cold, do us all a favor and stay home, especially if you are just bored and need to get out of the house. Lives depend on it.

Here are the CDC’s recommended ways to prevent the flu: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm

The Massachusetts State Police Dive Team today assisted the US Coast Guard and other agencies in the search for the clam harvesting vessel Misty Blue approximately 10 miles off Nantucket.

Troopers deployed side scan sonar today. Through the use of that sonar search teams located a large object underwater believed to be the vessel. Weather and ocean conditions prevented troopers from diving onto the target. Conditions tomorrow are expected to be similar and will preclude diving. The current plan is for State Police divers to return to that area on Thursday and dive onto the target detected by sonar to confirm whether it is the vessel and assist further as needed.

Following an investigation, members of the police department’s Gang unit and Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau (Narcotics Division) conducted a search warrant on Monday evening at 6: 15pm.

The search warrant was conducted on Bullard st, in two separate apartments. The target of the search warrant was Miguel Martins age 21.

Results of the search in the second floor apartment uncovered 44 grams of cocaine, packaging materials, a scale and $1,347.00 in cash. Arrested in the apartment were Miguel Martins age 21 and his roommate, Corey Houser age 33. Detectives also searched the 3rd floor apartment which belonged to Mark Sylvia age 57. A search of his apartment uncovered 2.6 grams of cocaine, packaging materials, a scale, $100.00 cash and a loaded Master Arms 9mm Rile with a high capacity magazine.

The 3 men were arrested at the scene were charged with the following Miguel Martins:

l. Trafficking Cocaine
2. Unlawful Possession of ammunition
3. Possession of a large capacity firearm
4. Unlawful Possession of a high capacity magazine
5. Improper storage of a large capacity firearm

Corey Houser
1. Possession to Distribute Class B substance
2. Possession to Distribute Class B Subsequent Offense

Mark Sylvia
1. Possession to Distribute Class B substance
2. Unlawful Possession Ammunition
3. Possession Large Capacity Firearm
4. Unlawful Possession of a high capacity magazine
5. Improper storage of a large capacity firearm

PAY: $14.67 – $18.33/hr

Enforces parking regulations and restrictions. Receives daily assignments, which determine assigned area of responsibilities. Obtains information from the supervisor, or designee, requiring special attention. Patrols particular assigned areas at the supervisor’s discretion. Check for any and all parking violations, including, but not limited to: expired meters, parking abusers, expired stickers/registration plates, “No Parking” areas, loading zones, time zones, fire hydrants, driveways, handicap parking and handicap ramps.

High school graduate or GED equivalent. Ability to read and write English. Ability to reference codes for specific violations. Possession of valid Massachusetts driver’s license with a 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

PAY: $15.64hr – $21.31hr

Minimizes environmental health and sanitation problems, and continues to decrease the rodent and vermin population within the community by law enforcement and education. Conducts inspections, investigations and communication/outreach activities throughout the City to ensure compliance with State Sanitary Codes and numerous other State and local regulations.

Issues Violation Notices to achieve compliance with health codes. Initiates litigation against parties who fail to comply with departmental notices. Assists with performing inspections of eating and drinking establishments or dwellings used for human habitation to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. When assigned, may perform other duties pertaining to inspection or investigation of environmental health issues related to protection, analytical analyses, outreach and education.

Graduation from high school or GED equivalent. Must possess good verbal and written communication skills. Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and good driving record. Operates a motor vehicle on a regular basis. Must have a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, mandatory by MGL Chapter 6 Sec 172C.

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

A New Bedford family, updated by Karisa Leigh on her Facebook page, is spreading some holiday cheer by doing 25 random acts of kindness around New Bedford. The acts include leaving candy canes on cars, scratch tickets at gas pumps and leaving flowers and positive notes on cars.

Here are a few examples posted:

Can we make #ActsofRandomKindnessNB flood Facebook?

Do you know someone spreading some holiday cheer? Share their story with us at mike@newbedofrdguide.com.