Two new restaurants will officially open in New Bedford tomorrow, one in the South End of the city and another the North End.

Mi Antojo is opening their second restaurant at 601 South Second Street and Rick and Margaret Trapilo are opening Pub 6T5 at 736 Ashley Boulevard.

As the November 7th New Bedford election draws near, a lot of candidates and supporters throw out numbers and statistics – some are accurate, some are not. Lately, I’ve seen a lot of claims on social media regarding the New Bedford High School dropout rate – from 55%-60% recently on Facebook.

One person heard it was 55% and wanted to know the truth.

Another person stated he knew it was at 60%.

So what is the current New Bedford High School graduation rate? How has it trended over the years?

First, it’s important to note that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary education keeps the only stats that matter. The 2016 Graduation rate numbers can be found here and the dropout numbers here.

The numbers for any given year are generally released in February. We reported the 2016 numbers here.

Now let’s look at the numbers.

New Bedford High School’s 2016 four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate was at 70.9% and the non-adjusted rate was at 65.2%. The 2015 four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate was 67.8%. It was 61.4% in 2010. Simple math tells you that the cohort graduation rate has increased by 9.5% from 2010 to 2016. Considering New Bedford High School had 2,066 students in 2016, that would mean New Bedford High School is graduating about 200 more students over a 4-year period.

Here’s a look at the 2016 graduation rates for New Bedford High School:

Graduation rates and dropout rates tell very different stories. Sometimes kids stay in school without dropping out – they don’t graduate that year, but they don’t dropout either. This is why you see graduation rates, cohort graduation rates and 5-year graduation rates. Kids may not graduate with the freshman class they started with for various reasons, but that doesn’t mean they drop out.

New Bedford High School’s four-year dropout rate was at 12% in 2016, down from 13.9% in 2015. It stood at 21.2% in 2013. The dropout rate seems to be moving in the right direction. New Bedford High’s 2016 graduating class dropout rate is 4.4%. Here’s the breakdown for 2016:

The graduation rate at comparable Durfee High School in Fall River in 2016 was at 79.2%, a full 9% higher than New Bedford High School. Clearly New Bedford High School still needs work, but it’s not as bad as some are claiming on social media.

So what’s the fact check? The New Bedford High School dropout rate for 2016 was 12%, not the 55-60% some are claiming.

Notice a questionable fact floating around social media? Email mike@newbedfordguide.com.

The City’s Homeless Service Providers Network presented The Rev. David Lima, Executive Minister at the InterChurch Council of Greater New Bedford, with its Sister Rose Award.

Named in honor of Sister Rosellen Gallogly who served as the Executive Director of Market Ministries in the City for years and was a founding member of the City’s Homeless Service Provider’s Network, the Sister Rose Award was presented to Rev. Lima by Mayor Jon Mitchell and Carl Alves, Executive Director of Positive Action Against Chemical Addition (PAACA) Inc., at the Homeless Connect Event at the New Bedford YMCA.

Mr. Alves said, “David has long been an advocate for those in need within the City of New Bedford, giving of his time and passion in bettering the lives of those who have been marginalized and those who suffer. Rev. Lima’s work has had a tremendous impact on this Continuum’s ability to address issues of the disenfranchised, those in crisis and those experiencing homelessness. He has been a role model to me and to many of us who serve this community.”

“Rev. Lima epitomizes service to our community,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “The Sister Rose Award is a fitting accolade to honor his numerous acts of service, which he performs without seeking recognition. He is undoubtedly among the most deserving to receive this award.”

The Sister Rose Award is given annually to an individual from within the continuum of care in recognition of achievement, dedication and compassion in one’s personal and professional life in living out the mission of the HSPN that is rooted in the belief that every person is entitled to live in dignity.

A 38-year-old New Bedford man apprehended last year with an illegal firearm and ammunition was sentenced to serve three-and-a-half to five years in state prison, District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Juan Rosario pleaded guilty last week in Fall River Superior Court to a two-count indictment, charging him with carrying an illegal firearm-subsequent offense and carrying a loaded illegal firearm.

The case is the result of a motor vehicle stop in the city of New Bedford on June 20, 2016 at approximately 1:20 pm. The stop was based solely on a tip from an ATF Agent. The agent reported to New Bedford Police’s Gang Unit that a male was looking to sell a firearm. The male was described as Hispanic with short hai,r wearing a gray t-shirt, and driving a red Trailblazer with a specific registration. That plate was run by police and led police to 357 Ashley Boulevard.

Surveillance was begun at that location, with the vehicle parked off street in a lot adjacent to the registered owner address. While surveilling the area, police observed a Hispanic male with short hair and a gray t-shirt walk out of a rear door at 357 Ashley Boulevard and through a hole in the fence. The male got into the Trailblazer and began to drive away. The vehicle was subsequently stopped and the operator is observed to match the description given by the ATF Agent. The operator is approached at gunpoint and ordered to place his hands in view. He complied and advised police there was a gun in the car. A 9mm illegal firearm was recovered from the driver’s side door pocket and contained 14 rounds in the magazine.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Digiantomaso, and the state prison sentence was handed down by Judge Thomas McGuire.

“This case highlights the benefits of cooperation between the ATF and the New Bedford Police Department. Thanks to this cooperative effort, another illegal gun has been taken off the streets that could have been used to inflict serious harm to someone,” District Attorney Quinn said. “It is very concerning that 14 rounds were found in the magazine of the gun. This can result in the type of senseless violence that negatively impacts our communities and is simply unacceptable. It is also worth noting that the defendant had a prior conviction for carrying an illegal firearm.”

Did you know Restaurante Algarve (128 County St., New Bedford) has Portuguese buffet and Fado music every Thursday night? Food starts at 6pm, music at 8pm. Here’s a look at last week’s festivities.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union Local 851, Council 93, have reached a new labor contract.

The City of New Bedford employs nearly 326 AFSCME union employees, who serve the public in a variety of roles including as clerks, custodians, carpenters, electricians, maintenance workers, mechanics, inspectors, pipefitters, zoo keepers, 911 dispatchers, among other positions.

AFSCME Local 851 members ratified the agreement on Thursday, October 26, 2017.

“This is a fair agreement that will eliminate the lowest wages from our pay scale,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell, who has advocated for a living wage for all city employees. “At the same time, the agreement is responsible to taxpayers, and establishes a full residency requirement for new employees. I’m grateful for the willingness of AFSCME’s members to negotiate in good faith throughout the contract process, and for their service to the residents of the city.”

The agreement covers the period July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2019. AFSCME had been working without a settled contract since the prior agreement expired on June 30, 2016. In March of 2017, the City and AFSCME reached an agreement which was ratified by the union membership, but the appropriation to fund the agreement was not approved by the City Council.

Highlights of the contract include:

– Residency: Employees hired by the City after the date of the agreement shall remain a New Bedford resident for the entire tenure of their employment.

– The City will conduct a study to evaluate the wage range and schedule for all AFCSME positions, which has not previously been done for AFSCME positions in New Bedford. The study will help to inform the City’s efforts to attract and retain qualified employees to fill those positions.
– In furtherance of the Mayor’s goal of providing the City’s lowest paid employees a living wage, two grades and one step have been eliminated from the bottom of the pay scale. (By July 2018, the lowest paid AFSCME position will earn $13.92 an hour.)

– Use of GPS technology will assist in the deployment and coordination of City personnel and equipment.

– Temporary Light Duty: Employees who are injured or ill and temporarily unable to perform regular assignments will be given an opportunity to work in a temporary light-duty assignment when available.

– Establishment of a Joint Labor Management Committee to improve communications between management and labor, encourage discussion of health and safety improvements, training, and employee productivity among other matters.

– AFSCME employees will receive wage increases:
o The 1.5% planned for January 1, 2017, in the agreement earlier this year which was not appropriated, will be effective July 1, 2017.
o 1% on July 1, 2017;
o 1% on January 1, 2018;
o 1.5% on July 1, 2018.

– AFSCME employees will also receive a $500 signing bonus.

Residents can prevent future gun tragedies by turning in firearms at the Gun Safety Exchange Program sponsored by the New Bedford Police Department to be held this Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 4, 2017 at New Bedford Police Headquarters, 871 Rockdale Ave.

The exchange encourages residents to turn in guns, no questions asked. One fewer gun on the streets means one less opportunity for violence and tragedy.

Unwanted Pellet, B.B. and Airsoft guns as well as ammunition will also be accepted at the exchange

Everyone turning in a firearm will receive a gift certificate to an area business.

Anyone without an active firearms license wishing to turn in a gun can call the New Bedford Police Department beforehand at 508-991-6350 to avoid being prosecuted for illegal transportation of a firearm. However, the exchange is anonymous; no one will be asked for his or her name.

For more information on the Gun Safety Exchange Program, call 508-991-6300, ext. 79573.

Two men arrested Friday for a string of armed robberies in New Bedford are now facing additional charges in connection with other thefts.

Ryan Stojack, 26, of 65 Shaw Road, Fairhaven, has been charged with four additional robberies, two at Dunkin Donuts locations on Coggeshall Street and Purchase Street, one at a 7-11 on Phillips Road and one at Price-Rite on Hathaway Road.

Those charges are:

Breaking and entering in the nighttime and breaking into a depository for a break Oct. 10 at the Dunkin Donuts at 1746 Purchase St.

Breaking and entering in the nighttime. On Oct. 16 at Dunkin Donuts at 245 Coggeshall St. In both incidents, he gained access through the drive-through window.

Larceny over $250. On Oct. 16, he stole more than 40 packs of cigarettes at 7-11, 1389 Phillips Road and fled the store.

Shoplifting, assault and battery, intimidating a witness and armed robbery. On Oct, 21 at Price Rite, 133 Hathaway Road, Stojack stole over $100 of meats and fled in a vehicle. When a store employee attempted to stop his vehicle, Stojack punched and threatened the employee.

Police also arrested Thomas Pendergast Jr., 29, of 88 Linden St. Apt. 1S, New Bedford in connection with this incident. He is charged with shoplifting, assault and battery, intimidating a witness and armed robbery.

The two men already face charges in connections with three armed robberies within 10 days

The first robbery took place Oct. 18 at the XtraMart, 117 Durfee St.

Seven days later, on Oct. 25, the Sunoco Gas station at 2942 Acushnet Ave. was robbed.

The next night, Oct. 26, Stojack robbed Brooklawn Liquors, 496 Ashley Blvd.

The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a Frost Advisory, which is in effect from 11 PM this evening to 9 AM EDT Wednesday.

* Location…Northern Connecticut, Rhode Island and portions of eastern Massachusetts.

* Temperatures…Lows will bottom out in the upper 20s to middle 30s by daybreak Wednesday.

* Timing…Widespread frost expected between 2 and 8 am Wednesday.

* Impacts…Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Frost Advisory means that widespread frost is expected. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

Some area residents experienced the inconvenience of losing power for a few hours during the Sunday night storm.

Many of our friends and fellow citizens in Puerto Rico have been without power for more than five weeks.

Staples such as food and water are in short supply.

New Bedford residents generously stepped up a few weeks ago to fill trucks shipped to Puerto Rico to help hurricane victims.

New Bedford Police Det. Gene Fortes, who helped organize the previous truck filling effort, is once again supporting an initiative to help hurricane victims in his native Puerto Rico in a collaborative effort with Edwin Cartagena from United New Bedford, Lorenzo’s Bakery and others.

He is asking residents to create a “Puerto Rico care package” with specific items and will be going to Puerto Rico this weekend to coordinate the distribution of these bags and other items generously donated by residents.

To create a care package, fill a plastic bag with:

1 5 lb bag of Canilla Long Grain rice
1 pack of coffee (such as Cafe Bustelo)
4 cans of tomato sauce
1 Adobo seasoning
2 packs of M&Ms
4 cans of Spam
4 cans of Green Pigeon peas
4 cans of pink beans
4 cans of tuna
4 cans of canned spaghetti and meatballs
6 cans of Carmela sausages
1 Luci outdoor 2.0 inflatable solar light

Completed bags can be dropped off at Lorenzo’s Bakery, 1533 Acushnet Ave. or United New Bedford, 127 West Rodney French Blvd. Deadline for dropping off the bags is Friday, Nov. 3.