The Mayor’s Youth Council invites New Bedford voters, to attend a candidates’ forum on Tuesday, October 12th from 5:00PM to 9:00 PM in the New Bedford Whaling Museum Harbor View Gallery. The forum will include 3 events for candidates running for city wide offices. The forum for City Council- At -Large Candidates will be 5:00 to 6:30 PM, the School Committee forum will follow from 6:45 to 7:45 PM and the Mayoral forum from 7:50 -8:45PM.

The format for the forum will include a series of questions presented by the Youth Council involving current issues related to New Bedford and the public schools. If time allows, there will also be an audience Question and Answer period for the candidates. Each participant will have the opportunity to share with voters who they are, why they are running for office, and what they hope to accomplish.

This forum will be conducted by members of the Mayor’s Youth Council. The Mayor’s Youth Council began hosting candidates’ forums in 2007 and this is the seventh forum hosted by the Mayor’s Youth Council as an opportunity for youth to participate and share their voice in the election process.

November 1st is the first day for Open Enrollment for Health Insurance with the Massachusetts Health Connector and also the first day for Fuel Assistance. The South Coast Health Van will be on site at 166 William Street to provide FREE Flu shots and other vaccinations as well as blood pressure checks for anyone who is interested. Open Enrollment for Health Insurance is a one time per year Event which runs from November 1st until January 23rd this year.

People who want to apply for the first time or want to change their Insurance plans must do this during the designated time period, (unless they have had any life changes such as; job loss or change, birth or death etc., can apply at any time during the year) Anyone applying for Mass Health can apply at any time during the year and do not have to wait for Open Enrollment. State approved Navigators will be on site to assist persons with their applications and questions.

The Fuel Assistance Program begins November 1st until April 30th, and is in the process of taking applications for recertification clients and appointments for any new client. The PACE Fuel Assistance Program (LIHEAP; Low Income Heating Assistance Program) assists income-eligible persons who need assistance paying their heating bills during the winter months. Fuel Assistance Intake Workers will be on hand to take applications and answer questions. Anyone who is eligible for Fuel Assistance may also be eligible for the Weatherization Program and also the heating system Program referred to as Heartwap.

Appointments are recommended for both Programs by calling 508-999-9920.

A formerly vacant single-family home in New Bedford’s North End was sold to a first time home buyer last week through a lottery process. The property on Jireh Street had been abandoned for several years when it was identified through the Receivership Program, a collaborative effort through which the City of New Bedford and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office target vacant and abandoned properties and promote their restoration and return to productive reuse.

The once vacant property has been completely revitalized by Excalibur Property Management, Inc. through the City’s “Neighborhoods First” initiative. The primary goal of the City’s “Neighborhoods First Initiative” is to provide affordable homeownership opportunities to first time homebuyers, while restoring vacant and derelict properties that devalue neighborhoods.

The property on Jireh Street contains three bedrooms, and one full bath, kitchen, dining and living room. The City’s DPHCD utilized $110,000 in financing through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME program to fund project renovations, which included updating to energy efficient fixtures, appliances, a new electrical service, new plumbing and heating systems. Exterior renovations include window replacement, replacing exterior steps, porches, and roof replacement.

Mayor Jon Mitchell said, “This project is one of many examples of our commitment to preserving and improving the quality of life available to New Bedford residents across our city. All residents benefit from neighborhoods that are more inviting places to live and raise a family. We’re thankful to all of the partners, including the Attorney General’s Office, BankFive, and our Office of Planning, Housing & Community Development, who helped turn this once-distressed property into the beautiful home that its new owners just purchased.”

Local lenders of the Fall River/ New Bedford Housing Partnership coordinated the lottery and pre-approval process for the project. In addition to underwriting potential loan applicants, the local lenders are providing the new homeowner with very advantageous financing through MassHousing’s “Buy New Bedford” Mortgage Program. With “Buy New Bedford”, the new homeowner will be receiving a reduced fixed-rate first mortgage from Bank Five, a Participating Lender of the Housing Partnership. The “Buy New Bedford” program allows borrowers to qualify for a mortgage using flexible underwriting guidelines, as well as having lower down payment requirements. “Buy New Bedford” was introduced by MassHousing in gateway cities to help cities provide additional homeownership opportunities and can be combined with the City’s down payment and closing cost assistance Program.

The sales price of $169,900 was reduced to ensure that an eligible first time homebuyer could qualify for the purchase. In addition to first mortgage financing from Bank Five, The City provided HOME funding to assist with down payment/closing costs and gap financing assistance through the “Neighborhoods First” Homebuyer Program.

Patrick J. Sullivan, Director of the City’s Department of Planning, Housing & Community Developmen,t said, “This homeownership opportunity was created through the ongoing partnerships between MassHousing, The Attorney General, Bank Five and the many local lenders comprised through the Fall River/New Bedford Housing Partnership. We strongly believe that homeownership remains a tremendous opportunity for New Bedford residents to build a pathway to financial success and also build strong neighborhoods”.

The City of New Bedford has sought out new and innovative ways to address distressed properties, erase blight and reverse the destructive influence these properties have on neighborhoods. One of the most effective techniques the city has used is the Attorney General’s Receivership Program.

The law creating this program was enacted in 1993 and provides for the appointment of receivers by the courts to undertake and oversee the rehabilitation of residential properties with persistent, un-remedied code violations. This program provides recourse for municipalities, organizations, and citizens to reclaim and remedy problem properties.

The Attorney General’s New Bedford office has been a strong supporter of this program, providing extensive technical assistance to the city’s Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development (DPHCD).

For more information about this project or First Time Home Buyer programs, contact the City of New Bedford Department of Planning, Housing and Community Development at (508) 979-1500 or visit the City’s website at www.newbedford-ma.gov.

The second victim of this morning’s double homicide in New Bedford has been identified as 28-year old Fabio Tavares of New Bedford.

New Bedford Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating a shooting homicide which occurred in the City of New Bedford during the overnight hours this morning.

New Bedford Police received a 911 call around 1:30 a.m. in regards to shots being fired at a motor vehicle at 200 Central Avenue. The caller stated that popping sounds were heard on the street just prior to the sound of a car crash. When police arrived, they found the 2001 Honda Accord angled up against a parked car on the south side of the streets.

First responders determined the Stephen Bodden, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle was already deceased. A second victim, Fabio Tavares, was sitting in the passenger seat and was found to still be breathing. He was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, where he later died.

The investigation is currently being coordinated by Assistant District Attorney Robert Digiantomaso. It is an extremely active investigation at this time, and no further information can be released currently.

Did we spot you at this year’s New Bedford Chowder Fest? Here are some highlights from Sunday.

The New Bedford High School Cheerleading Team is holding a fundraiser this Thursday and Friday with a Youth Cheer Clinic.

New Bedford High School
Youth Cheer Clinic
Instructed by the NBHS Cheer Team

When: Thursday, October 12 and Friday October 13
Where: New Bedford High School gymnasium
230 Hathaway Road
Time: Thursday 3:30pm – 5:00pm; Friday: 5:00pm – 8:00pm NBHS Home Football Game!

Cost: $35 per athlete! Open to all athletes Grades K-8, ages 5-13!

Clinic Includes: Cheer bow, snacks, and cheering on the sidelines along with the NBHS Cheer team at the home football game!

Registration is now open: http://www.tinyurl.com/nbhscheer

According to their Facebook page, Massachusetts state police sending 13 cruisers to Puerto Rico:

“A trucking company today is loading 13 Massachusetts state police cruisers for transport to Puerto Rico in support of the mission by Massachusetts law enforcement officers to assist with policing and security duties on the island. Flatbed trucks, coordinated by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, are arriving at General Headquarters throughout the morning to transport the cruisers to a port facility, from where they will be loaded onto a shipping barge for transport to Puerto Rico. The first wave of Massachusetts troopers and local police officers departed for Puerto Rico on Saturday for a two-week deployment. Two additional deployments are planned in coming weeks. Watch this page for updates from the Puerto Rico deployment over the next few weeks.”

Update 1: The second victim of this morning’s shooting in New Bedford died from his wounds about an hour ago at St. Luke’s Hospital. He is a 28-year-old New Bedford man. Next of kin notification has yet to be made. Once his next of kin has been notified of his death, this office will be able to publicly identify him in a follow up media advisory.

Update 2: The first victim, who was already deceased when found by first responders on Central Avenue, can now be publicly identified as Stephen Bodden, 27, who had last known addresses in both New Bedford and Taunton.

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New Bedford Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating a shooting homicide which occurred in the City of New Bedford during the overnight hours this morning.

New Bedford Police received a 911 call around 1:30 a.m. in regards to shots being fired at a motor vehicle at 200 Central Avenue. The caller stated that popping sounds were heard on the street just prior to the sound of a car crash. When police arrived, they found the 2001 Honda Accord angled up against a parked car on the south side of the streets.

First responders determined the Stephen Bodden, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle was already deceased. However, a 28-year-old New Bedford man sitting in the passenger seat was found to still be breathing and was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, where he later died.

The investigation is currently being coordinated by Assistant District Attorney Robert Digiantomaso. It is an extremely active investigation at this time, and no further information can be released currently.

On Monday October 9th at about 1:40 AM, a Worcester Police officer was on patrol in the area of Compass Tavern on Harding St. The officer observed a fight between approximately twenty to thirty people in the Compass parking lot, and called out for assistance on the radio. The officer ordered the crowed to stop fighting and disperse, and most of the crowd went on their way.

One male, later identified as Gabriel Padin, twenty-one-years-old of 45 Tirrell St in Worcester, continued trying to antagonize males in the other group. The officer asked Mr. Padin to leave, and asked his friends to help get him into a vehicle and out of the crowd. Mr. Padin pulled away from his friends, and started walking over to the other group. He was screaming and trying to fight them again, while blocking the exit of cars in the parking lot.

The officer observed Mr. Padin attempt to punch one of the males in the other group. At this point, the officer grabbed Mr. Padin and told him to stop. Mr. Padin elbowed the officer multiple times in the chest and chin. A security guard from the Compass Tavern assisted the officer, and Mr. Padin punched the security guard multiple times. The officer took Mr. Padin to the ground, where a struggle ensued. During the chaotic fight, the officer felt his duty belt being pulled back and forth. A bystander started shouting to the officer that Mr. Padin was grabbing the officer’s gun. The officer saw Mr. Padin’s right hand around the handle on the officer’s firearm. The officer twisted his hips away, delivered two punches to Mr. Padin’s abdomen, and was able to break Mr. Padin’s grip on the gun.

Other officers arrived and were able to handcuff Mr. Padin, who is charged with Attempt to Disarm a Police Officer, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Assault and Battery, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, and Disturbing the Peace. He will be arraigned on Tuesday in Worcester District Court.

New Bedford Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating a shooting homicide which occurred in the city of New Bedford during the overnight hours this morning. This is New Bedford’s 7th homicide of the year.

New Bedford Police received a 911 call around 1:30 a.m. in regards to shots being fired at a motor vehicle at 200 Central Avenue. The caller stated that popping sounds were heard on the street just prior to the sound of a car crash. When police arrived, they found the 2001 Honda Accord angled up against a parked car on the south side of the streets.

First responders determined the 27-year-old Taunton man sitting in the driver’s seat of the vehicle was already deceased. However, a 28-year-old New Bedford man sitting in the passenger seat was found to still be breathing and was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, where he remains this morning in critical condition.

Next of kin notification has not been made as of this hour to the homicide victim’s family. If and when next of kin notification is made, this office will send out a follow up media advisory identifying him.

The investigation is currently being coordinated by Assistant District Attorney Robert Digiantomaso. It is an extremely active investigation at this time, and no further information can be released currently.