Deepwater Wind will establish a significant construction and long-term operations hub in the City of New Bedford for its Revolution Wind project if selected by the state’s utilities, the company announced today, becoming the first offshore wind developer to commit to using New Bedford as its base.

Deepwater Wind’s plans for the Revolution Wind project to use the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal and other facilities in the City will help to jumpstart the offshore wind industry in Massachusetts.

Deepwater Wind will be the first offshore wind company to use the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal if its Revolution Wind project proposal is approved in January by Massachusetts utilities.
The Revolution Wind project will use the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal for significant construction and staging operations – creating approximately 700 direct regional construction jobs to complete the first 144 megawatts (MW) of what could be a much larger project over time.

It is expected that the economic activity located in the City will lead to hundreds of additional indirect jobs. Many of these jobs will be located in New Bedford as part of Revolution Wind’s use of the marine terminal and other facilities.

“This is just the start of the regional economic benefits generated from Deepwater Wind’s projects. Revolution Wind will occupy just 20 percent of our site. As we build future projects in the site, we’ll create many more jobs in the region,” said Jeffrey Grybowski, Deepwater Wind’s Chief Executive Officer.

“We have worked hard to position New Bedford to become the leading offshore wind port on the East Coast,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “Deepwater Wind’s announcement today that it will use New Bedford as its base for the first major offshore wind project in New England is a major step in that direction. We look forward to working with Deepwater to help create job opportunities for our residents and grow our maritime economy.”

During its use of port facilities in the City, the Revolution Wind project will pay $5.5 million in annual fees to the state and $500,000 annually to the City of New Bedford.

“These funds will make it possible for the Port of New Bedford to provide essential additional port services, invest in and plan for the future growth of the port, and help maintain our leadership role in commercial fishing by successfully integrating an emerging industry on our waterfront,” said Port Director Edward Anthes-Washburn.

Upon approval by the Massachusetts utilities, the 144 MW Revolution Wind project will generate between $200 to $250 million in direct and indirect regional economic activity.

In addition, Deepwater Wind will locate ongoing operations and maintenance for the Revolution Wind project in New Bedford. Deepwater Wind is working with the City to identify suitable sites for an operations and maintenance facility and vessel dockage. That work will create another approximately 60 direct and indirect annual jobs over the 25-year lifespan of the wind farm.

“Our leadership in the Southcoast delegation ensured significant procurement of renewable offshore wind, utilizing New Bedford as the main port,” said State Senator Mark C. Montigny (D-New Bedford), who authored key amendments during the 2016 energy debate to ensure stable and consistent offshore wind procurements. “New Bedford’s key role in this emerging industry is made possible by state-funded
infrastructure and dynamic public-private partnerships with innovative developers like Deepwater Wind. This is an opportunity for significant economic growth and job creation in our city and the entire Southcoast region.”

“When the Southcoast delegation came together to fight for this procurement, we threw our weight behind the idea that the offshore wind industry would establish a prominent presence here in New Bedford,” said State Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral (D-New Bedford). “It is incredibly rewarding for the entire community to see Deepwater Wind’s plans taking shape, with new jobs soon to follow. Through thoughtful capital investment, we paved the way for this industry to make roots in our City and soon, our region will lead the nation in energy production once again.”

“There is no better home for our Revolution Wind project than the Port of New Bedford,” said Matthew Morrissey, Deepwater Wind Vice President Massachusetts.

“Offshore wind will transform the port to become one of the country’s premier offshore wind hubs and create hundreds of good, well-paying jobs for local workers in one of the country’s most exciting new industries.”

The Revolution Wind proposal is the first utility-scale offshore wind proposal to be offered to the Commonwealth through competitive procurements authorized by the state’s landmark 2016 energy legislation.

Deepwater Wind proposed the 144 MW, 24 turbine Revolution Wind farm – paired with a 40 megawatt-hour battery storage system provided by Tesla – in response to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ request for proposals for new sources of clean energy in Section 83D of the Act to Promote Energy Diversity. Deepwater Wind also provided alternative bids for a larger 288 MW version of Revolution Wind and a
smaller 96 MW version. Revolution Wind would be the largest combined offshore wind and energy storage
project in the world. Deepwater Wind will build Revolution Wind in the company’s federal lease site off the coast of Massachusetts. The site is located 30 miles from the mainland and about 15 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard.

Utilities and state regulators are expected to make a decision in January, 2018 on the Revolution Wind proposal. If approved, local construction work on Revolution Wind would begin in 2022, with the project in operations in 2023. Survey work is already underway at Deepwater Wind’s lease area.
Deepwater Wind also intends to submit an offshore wind proposal under Massachusetts’ separate 83C offshore wind RFP; those bids are due in December

The following was submitted to New Bedford Guide:

“I took my 5 year old daughter to pick pumpkins today with her little brother. After carving her pumpkin with her for 2 and a half hours we finally put it outside of our house with its strobe light that I picked up at the store today.

Within an hour I just had this need to check on her pumpkin. Of course, the worst feeling ever is seeing my daughter’s pumpkin gone that she busted her ass for. I live on Jouvette Street and this seriously saddens me.

How can you do something like that to a child? She is going to be so heartbroken tomorrow morning when I tell her the truth about these cruel people. Thank you to whoever stole my daughter’s pumpkin that she was so proud of completing. Please, if anyone saw who did it or saw some kids/people walking with a pumpkin like this please speak up.

I’m just really upset and it breaks me to know I have to tell her tomorrow. – Melissa.

A Taunton woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for concealing information and making false statements in order to receive Social Security disability benefits and Section 8 housing assistance to which she was not entitled.

Marisha Ebanks, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to four months in prison, three years of supervised release, with the first three months to be served in home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution of $178,722. In June 2017, Ebanks pleaded guilty to one count of Supplemental Security Income fraud and one count of making false statements.

In 1999, Ebanks began receiving housing assistance payments from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program; and in January 2003, she began receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for both Section 8 housing and SSI is based, in part, on the applicant having limited income and resources. In assessing a married individual’s eligibility for these benefits, the income of the applicant’s spouse is considered if they live together.

When Ebanks applied for SSI benefits in September 2002, she truthfully reported that she was married, but falsely stated that she and her husband did not live together, when, in fact, she and her husband were living together with their two children. SSA sent Ebanks annual reminders of her obligation to report any changes in her household composition, including any change in income of any household member, but Ebanks concealed her husband’s true residence. During an eligibility redetermination with SSA in October 2010, Ebanks continued to report that she was married, but falsely stated her husband was not a member of her household.

Similarly, in May 2002, in order to continue receiving Section 8 housing, Ebanks falsely reported that her husband had moved out of her residence. She repeatedly omitted her husband from the list of household members on recertification questionnaires in subsequent years, and she falsely stated that no member of her family received income from any employment, even though her husband was working.

Ebanks fraudulently received approximately $70,655 in disability benefits and $108,067 in Section 8 housing assistance benefits.

During the morning hours of Thursday, October 19th, Wareham Police Department Detectives, the Mass. State Police VFAS Unit, and Mass. Parole Officers arrested 8 people during a warrant sweep conducted throughout the Wareham area. The following people were arrested for outstanding arrest warrants pertaining to past criminal charges, failure to meet court ordered obligations, and or failure to report to court ordered proceedings:

1. Zachary Allen-Bergeron, age 26 of Wareham, MA
Default Warrant – B&E and Larceny Over $250

2. Darius Dower, age 23, of East Wareham, MA
Two Warrants – Assault & Battery & Kidnapping

3. Lisa O’Hearn, age 41, of East Wareham, MA
Default Warrant – Motor Vehicle Offenses

4. Alberto Velasquez, age 28, of Onset, MA
2 Default Warrants – Larceny & Destruction of Property and Drug Violations

5. Christopher Franklin, age 39 of Wareham, MA
2 Default Warrants – Motor Vehicle Offenses

6. Peter Hammerberg, age 32 of Wareham, MA
Default Warrant – Receiving Stolen Property & Larceny

7. Brandon Siegel, age 24, Wareham, MA
Two Default Warrants – OUI and Motor Vehicle Offenses

8. Kayla Boutilier, age 26, Onset, MA
Charged with Disorderly Conduct and Disturbing the Peace during the warrant arrest of Alberto Velasquez in Onset.

The arrested parties were scheduled to be arraigned today at Wareham District Court.

PAY: $14.26 hr – $20.79hr

Maintenance of Airport property and equipment to ensure the efficient and effective safety and service for all users of the Airfield and Landside Facilities. Inspects and maintains the runways, taxiways and other paved and non-paved areas on and off the airfield in accordance with FAR part 139 regulations. Conducts mandatory day/night airfield and wildlife inspections. Issues Digital NOTAMS. Assists in any emergency or incident at the airport.

High school graduate or GED equivalent. One year of previous paid experience preferred. Must pass training programs issued by the Airport Manager and required security background check. (TSA mandated – finger prints and a 10-year background check). 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 Buttonwood Park Zoo is celebrating the birth of a Bolivian gray titi monkey (Callicebus donacophilus). This is the first species born to primates in the new Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs exhibit. The baby was born on September 7 to first time parents, Madeira and Crumpet. Baby’s gender is unknown at this time. Crumpet, 3 years-old, and Madeira, 9 years-old, arrived from the Minnesota Zoo this spring, joining five other species of small South American primates in Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs sponsored by Stoico/FIRSTFED.

There are less than 60 Bolivian gray titi monkeys at 17 Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) institutions in North America. Bolivian gray titi monkeys weigh around two to three pounds as adults and have a lifespan of 20-25 years. They are diurnal, meaning active during the day, and are an arboreal species. Members of the group exhibit social bonding by sitting side by side and twining their tails. There is a strong bond between adult mating pairs; they stay close and carry out activities together, including infant care. The baby will remain on the back of one parent for several months, about 80% of that time will be with dad, Crumpet.

Buttonwood Park Zoo is now home to six species of South American primates. According to Zoo Director, Keith Lovett, “The Zoo participates in a managed breeding program, in partnership with AZA, focused on the long-term sustainability of this South American primate species; this birth assists in improving genetic diversity of this population.”

In the wild, this species is found in the tropical forests throughout central Bolivia and into Rondônia in eastern Brazil. Although their population in the wild is decreasing and agricultural activities have resulted in considerable habitat loss, Bolivian gray titi monkeys are reasonably tolerant of habitat disturbance and are adaptable to a variety of environments throughout its relatively wide range. Bolivian gray titi monkeys are listed as a species of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

Lovett says “The opening of Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs marked the first time primates have resided at the Zoo in decades; having a birth so soon after its opening is exciting for both Zoo guests and staff alike.”

Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs sponsored by Stoico/FIRSTFED opened on July 28, 2017. Focused on the conservation of endangered and threatened species from South America and the health of the world’s oceans, Rainforests, Rivers & Reefs connects guests with small, endangered primates from regions of South America and ocean dwelling species from around the world. Interpretive signage and on-site education inspires visitors to take small, tangible actions to reduce their impact on habitats and oceans, furthering the Zoo’s conservation mission to protect wildlife from extinction.

The public is invited to meet Capt. Amos Melo, the new commander at station 3, and discuss issues of concern in the North End during two separate events Wednesday, Oct. 25 and Thursday, Oct. 26.

A conversation with Capt. Melo hosted by St. Andrew’s Church will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 at St. Andrew’s Church, 169 Belleville Road.

During this event, residents have the chance to meet Capt. Melo and hear his insights on how the neighborhood can be safer. Residents and Capt. Melo can also talk about the recent violence in the neighborhood and share thoughts on how to have a safer neighborhood and enhance community safety.

From 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 26, a meet and greet is scheduled at the station, 781 Ashley Blvd., to allow residents and business owners the opportunity to meet the captain at the station and discuss issues of concern with him directly.

“This is a great opportunity for me to meet the fine people who live and work in the north end of our city,” Capt Melo said. “I believe that together as one we can make New Bedford’s north end a safer and better place to live and work.”

Meet Jen Blum, 40-year-old esthetician and founder of the Help Save Foundation.

Jen, like many women today, was trapped in an abusive relationship for 13 years and nobody had any idea. After mustering the courage, she planned an escape and took her two sons with her. After an unsuccessful attempt at getting the police to listen to her story, she finally got them to investigate.

Jen knew that in the wake of the events she had just endured, that she wanted to help other women who might be in the same situation she had found herself in. This sparked the creation of the Help Save Foundation, a local non-profit, which is focused on helping those stuck in abusive relationships become free and safe, while aiding them in rebuilding their lives.

Along with the efforts in aiding these women in removing themselves and their children from these situations, Jen focuses on helping women in shelters who’ve suffered as well. In the last year, she and her team have put on several projects, such as Project You’re Beautiful. The focus was to compile handbags to give to women in shelters who’ve fled domestic abuse and were left with nothing, filled with all of the necessities a woman might need. They were successful in getting over a three hundred handbags to women in shelters throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Her hope is that by showing other women where she was in the midst of her abusive situation and where she is now, that they too can find life after domestic violence.

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Faces of New Bedford is a project by Colton Simmons. If you are interested in booking a shoot or getting prints from the series email all inquiries to colton@coltonsimmons.com.

Follow Colton on Instagram: https://instagram.com/simmonscolton

Read more of the Faces of New Bedford series here.

Looking for an educational, fun time with the family? Here’s a look at the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center in Cape Cod – one of more than 70 locations that make up The Cape Cod Museum Trail.

The Cape Cod Museum Trail, sponsored by First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union, launched in late 2014 when a few museum directors were invited to discuss ways to share, coordinate and promote each other’s vast and diverse resources. It continues to evolve with many new member museums joining the trail monthly.

A 20-year-old Taunton drug dealer, who was also possessing illegal firearms, was sentenced to serve up to four years in state prison, District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Emanuel Andrade pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court earlier this week to charges of unlawful possession a high capacity firearm, unlawful possession of an illegal firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute a class B drug and assault and battery on a household member.

On March 2, 2017, Taunton Police were dispatched for a report of a woman in her underwear running out in the street. When police arrived, they encountered the woman, who told police the defendant had assaulted her. She also stated the defendant has guns and drugs in the house. Based upon her interview, Taunton Detective Bob Kramer applied for and received a search warrant for the home, which revealed three illegal firearms ( two of which are large capacity), along with 8 grams of cocaine, indicia of distribution, $28,000 in cash and more ammunition.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Sheehan, and the 2-and-a-half to four years state prison term was handed down by Judge Renee Dupuis.

“This defendant was selling drugs and making a significant profit, along with being in possession of large capacity guns,” District Attorney Quinn said. “This type of behavior undermines the safety and quality of life for the citizens of Taunton. The state prison is appropriate.”