Last evening at approximately 10:12 p.m., troopers from the State Police Barracks in South Boston responded to reports of a pedestrian being struck on Quincy Shore Drive at Alstead Street in Quincy. The pedestrian was reported to have serious injuries.

Upon arrival, Troopers James DeAngelis and Ryan McLeod discovered that a 2005 Saab 93, operated by a 31-year-old man from Quincy, struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian, identified as Scott D. Rooney, 45, of Quincy was transported to Boston Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased, as a result of injuries sustained from the crash.

The name of the driver of the Saab will not be released until the investigation determines if charges will be filed.

Two lanes were closed during the incident and subsequent follow-up investigation. One lane was open for traffic travelling outbound. All lanes were open to traffic at approximately 2:00 a.m.

The remaining facts and circumstances of the crash are currently under investigation by troopers from the State Police South Boston Barracks and Troop H Headquarters in South Boston. State Police Crime Scene Services Section (CSSS), State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section (CARS), State Police Troop H Headquarters, Quincy Police Department, and Quincy Fire Department all assisted on scene.

There will be a “Remembrance” community vigil for Brad Lourenco on Monday, June 19, from 6pm-7pm on the corner of South First & Delano Street, in New Bedford. Brad Lourenco was shot and killed in New Bedford on June 5th, 2017.

Organizers ask for people to wear and display a Purple Peace Ribbon.

A time filled with Life,
Love and Laughter
An offering of Help,
Hope and Healing
A time to celebrate Friends,
Family and Fellowship

Sponsored by: AJ Gomes Neighborhood Association, Neighborhoods United, Verdean Gardens Neighborhood Association, Inter-Church Council, Latino Coalition, Minority Action Committee, Old Bedford Village, Youth Build, Community Foundation SEM, and Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month Committee 2017. For more information call 508-993-8500 and/or e-mail obvdcbr@yahoo.com

Walk and Talk, a new program that will bring New Bedford Police Department officers even closer to the communities we serve, was introduced at a media event Thursday, June 15.

Mayor Jon Mitchell and Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro discussed the program and its importance to the vital effort of maintaining connections with city residents and businesses.

“This important community-building initiative is a great way to get more residents and business owners talking directly with the officers who patrol their neighborhoods. It offers the opportunity for the community to share concerns, ideas and questions with police officers face to face,’’ said Mayor Jon Mitchell.

“The walk and talk initiative is taking the traditional beat officer principles intertwined with the community policing philosophy, operating within the modern policing demands,’’ New Bedford Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro said.

“This initiative will offer police officers an opportunity to build our relationships with the community and the community to communicate their needs and concerns,’’ the chief said.

The program reflects the chief’s commitment to New Bedford being a “City of One.’’ Working together with the entire community, NBPD is dedicated to keeping the city a safe and welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors.

Through this program, patrol officers in certain areas will exit their vehicles and walk on the streets, meeting as many people as they can between calls for service. This will help officers develop an even stronger understanding of the community they serve and a deeper understanding of the issues that affect the community.

NEW BEDFORD CABLE ACCESS
VIDEOGRAGPHER FLOATER
$13.00/HOUR NO BENEFITS (VARIABLE TIME)

The Videographer Floater is called on as-needed basis for assistance with overall operations. Assists Videographers in shooting, editing and airing various programs on the government and educational access channels. Demonstrates knowledge of equipment and responsibilities will result in more detailed assignments, as well as an increase in assignments.

Some experience in shooting and editing video, and/or enrollment in an Associate’s Degree program for broadcasting, TV production, mass communications, media, etc. preferred. Candidates must have a willingness to learn overall television production skills. Candidates also must have a flexible schedule as nights, weekends and holidays will be required. Candidates should also have knowledge of proper video equipment handling and maintenance including trouble shooting a plus.

Mandatory CORI (Criminal Offender Record Investigation) background checks 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

Mayor Jon Mitchell has established a Task Force on Facilities Fees that will examine the schedule of fees for the use of parks and city-owned facilities by private organizations, as well as city services that support private events.

The city has a proud history of supporting private organizations that perform important public services. This includes offering city buildings and park space at below market rates, and providing a variety of support services by city employees. These services are of course funded by city tax dollars. The mission of the Task Force will be to determine how the cost of providing these services should be apportioned between city taxpayers and the organizations that benefit from the services.

Mayor Mitchell said, “I am grateful for the willingness of the Task Force members to delve into these complex issues so that the costs of providing services is fair to both taxpayers and the organizations that provide important services to the community.”

The Task Force on Facilities Fees will be chaired by City Councillor James Oliveira. Also named to the Task Force are City Councillor Brian K. Gomes; Park Board member Elaine Safioleas; Director of Facilities and Fleet Management Kenneth Blanchard; Commissioner of Public Infrastructure Zeb Arruda; Director of Parks, Recreation and Beaches Mary Rapoza; Chief Financial Officer Ari Sky; Celine Saraiva, president of the Clark’s Cove Neighborhood Association; and Helena DaSilva Hughes, executive director of the Immigrants’ Assistance Center. This group includes input from the city agencies involved in use of facilities, members of the City Council and Park Board, as well as community groups who utilize city-owned space.

The Task Force will offer the opportunity for public input at a time to be scheduled. The Mayor encourages taxpayers and organizations alike to participate so that the Task Force can arrive at the fairest possible recommendation.

The Task Force will provide its findings and recommendation to the Park Board and to the city departments involved.

Respect, discipline and hard work are at the core of success.

That philosophy is shared with Keith Middle School students who are participating in a new program, C.O.R.E., sponsored by New Bedford Police School Resource Officer Julio Barbosa and the Keith Middle School faculty.

Officer Barbosa and the Keith faculty hope that students who are recommended for the program take on the challenge of improving themselves physically, mentally and emotionally. In addition to Officer Barbosa, Keith seventh grade assistant principal Rachelle Relihan and sixth grade assistant principal David Mather are also CORE instructors.

The four components of CORE are:

Change: A student will be referred to CORE by a teacher or administrator if they see a need for behavioral change.

Own: A student who is referred to CORE recognizes his or her behavior and is willing to participate in the program in an effort to better themselves.

Respect: The key component to the program is respect, for one’s self, for one’s environment and for everyone else who is in CORE.

Educate: Every session of the program includes an educational piece where students gain knowledge pertinent to becoming better students, citizens and people.

“Education is the key to success,’’ Officer Barbosa told the students during a recent meeting of the program, which is held weekly.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from, who you live with, what color you are … if you come to school, if you are respectful and work hard, you’re going to make it.’’

Students in the program have faced behavioral challenges, including talking back, walking out of class, using inappropriate language and refusing to follow directions.

Officer Barbosa told the students he is disappointed to hear negative reports about their behavior at the school. “The adults in this building are to be respected at all times,’’ he told the students.

A major part of the weekly program is building discipline through exercise, including light dumbbell weights, kettle bells, ropes, push-up, crunches and yoga.

This aims to strengthen participants on the outside while gaining confidence and self-esteem on the inside.

“Don’t give up,’’ Officer Barbosa told the students. “You’ve got to be positive.’’

The Schwartz School at Meeting Street held its annual prom on Wednesday, May 31st at the New Bedford Country Club. Five Schwartz School students participated in the traditional rite of passage for high school students at the “Under the Sea” themed party, which featured a DJ, dancing, and dinner.

Pictured students are Evan Couto of Assonet, Paris Casimiro of Swansea, Evan Franklin of Rochester, Yianna Hatzinikolau of Brockton, and Matthew of Lakeville.

CITY OF NEW BEDFORD
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (variable time) $13.39hr

Responds to given locations with lights and siren, driving in a defensive manner, obeying the rules of the road.

Working alongside a Paramedic, stabilizes patients at scene, i.e. CPR, airway management, control bleeding, assists in starting IV, splints body as needed using proper equipment to load patient into ambulance.

Prepares patient care reports contiguous with incidents to ensure continuity of care for the EMS Office, billing records and physician information.

Ensures that equipment is in proper places and in good working order, cleans equipment and patient care compartment in order to have the ambulance ready for the next response. Replaces stock used in the course of patient care as required.

Contacts the Dispatch Center in order to inform them of status relative to response, arrival, availability, deployment of additional resources for any other reason necessary for operation.

Minor vehicle maintenance, which includes washing; checking oil, water, fuel; washing floors and cleaning windows.

Attends re-certification classes in order to maintain certification.

Applicants must possess current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (Ambulance) by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and current certification as a Healthcare Provider by the American Heart Association (M.G.L., Chapter 111c, sections 3 and 6). Must have a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and good driving record.

This position is subject to re-certification by the State Office of Emergency Medical Service.

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. EEO

New Bedford has a residency requirement.

The Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches is currently taking basketball sign-ups for the Youth United Summer Basketball League at the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, 181 Hillman Street. Brian Baptiste, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at UMass Dartmouth will be overseeing the program.

The league starts June 19 and will run until August 18. Residents of New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth and Fairhaven are welcome to participate. The Youth United Summer Basketball League is a co-ed summer league played at Buttonwood Park on Monday and Wednesday evenings, with games held during the July-August season.

The league is for boys and girls ages six through 18. Minors must be accompanied by their guardian. Players that are 18 years of age must provide photo identification. Players will be broken up into the following divisions by age: 6-9, 10-12, 13-14, 15-18. Registration is open and participates may sign up at the discounted rate of $35 until July 8.

For more information regarding registrations and volunteer opportunities, contact the Andrea McCoy Recreation Center at (508) 961-3015.

Meet Dr. Reverend Kenn Bongiorno, 51-year-old Pastor and Professor.

Kenn didn’t grow up in a spiritual home or one that attended church. At 19-years old he spent three weeks with his grandfather in the hospital during his grandfather’s last days alive. With a lot of emotions running through him, he spoke out and told God that he needed to know if he was real, and if he was to show himself to him. One late night, Kenn saw all the pain his grandfather was going through and thought that if he could, he would take his place for him. Kenn said that at that moment, “God told me that he took my grandfather’s place at the cross and my place and that my grandfather would live beyond this life.”

That night transformed Kenn and he would spend the next decade of his life trying to learn about who this God was, traveling to Southeastern University in Florida to attend college and then up to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA. During his time at Southeastern, he felt a strong call to New England, although he knew little about it or had ever even visited it, to bring the hope he found in Jesus. After a four-year pastorate in Pennsylvania and a sabbatical in Switzerland, his call was answered, as an opening at the multicultural city by the sea that he had envisioned many years before became available

Since moving here, Kenn has worked to strengthen the core members of his congregation to be able to impact their church and community of New Bedford. They’ve held services at the Zeiterion Theatre and have done a lot to impact our community. They’ve partnered with local non-profit United New Bedford, sponsoring their I Love My City Annual Event and more recently, went to Satellite Village to provide food and activities for all ages.

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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.

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Read more of the Faces of New Bedford series here.