Colonel Richard D. McKeon, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced that a “Sobriety Checkpoint” will be implemented by the Massachusetts State Police on a Public Way in Bristol County on Friday, March 31, 2017 into Saturday, April 1, 2017.

The purpose is to further educate the motoring public and strengthen the public’s awareness to the need of detecting and removing those motorists who operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs from our roadways. It will be operated during varied hours, the selection of vehicles will not be arbitrary, safety will be assured, and any inconveniences to motorists will be minimized with advance notice to reduce fear and anxiety.

THANKS TO A GRANT PROVIDED BY THE HIGHWAY SAFETY DIVISION OF THE MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY,

New Bedford Public Schools’ three middle schools will host a Family Wellness Night with Physicians to Prevent Opioid Abuse on April 6. Three local physicians who lead PPOA, Dr. Michael Rocha, Dr. Craig Longo, and Dr. Thomas Bozzo, will present at each middle school to work with families and students on preventing opioid abuse and protecting city families from the opiate crisis.

Family Wellness Night will be held at each of the three middle schools on Thursday, April 6, 2017. The event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with pizza and refreshments provided beginning at 6 p.m. courtesy of Nelson Hockert-Lotz of Domino’s Pizza.

Families from all schools are invited to attend the Family Wellness Night closest to their home.

April 6, 2017 – 6 p.m. refreshments, 6:30 p.m. start – Family Wellness Night:

– Normandin Middle School – 81 Felton Street (Community Room/Cafeteria)

– Keith Middle School – 225 Hathaway Boulevard (Community Room)

– Roosevelt Middle School – 119 Frederick Street (Community Room/Cafeteria)

“We feel as physicians that we need to step outside of our office to help turn the tide on the opiate epidemic facing our community,” said Dr. Michael Rocha. “One of our main goals is to educate our community and focus on prevention while directing those that need help to the resources that they need.”

“We are looking forward to this informative, important event devoted to engaging and supporting families in the community,” said Superintendent Pia Durkin. “With the dedication of Dr. Rocha, Dr. Longo, Dr. Bozzo, and Physicians to Prevent Opioid Abuse, our families will have the tools to best protect themselves and their children against the tragic opiate crisis that affects communities around our state and country.”

New Bedford Police detectives have charged two former employees of Continental Cold Storage at 65 Conway St. in New Bedford with stealing more than 8,300 pounds of frozen scallops and selling them to other seafood companies in the area.

Michael Caton, 30, of Applegate, California, and Antonio E. Vieira, 44, of Tiverton, R.I., face charges of larceny from a building, uttering a false document, forgery of a document and conspiracy.

A warrant was issued for Vieira, who was arraigned at New Bedford District Court. A warrant has been issued for Caton’s arrest.

Both men have been terminated from Continental Cold Storage.

The scallops were reported missing Feb. 6. At that time, Continental Cold Storage reported that four pallets worth of scallops could not be located.

That triggered an investigation by the New Bedford Detectives unit that concluded March 10.
The two men sold the scallops to a third party, who was unaware they were stolen. The third party then sold them to another individual, who sold them to a seafood company in the city.

The companies were not aware the scallops were stolen.

The value of the stolen scallops is estimated at $150,000. The scallops were sold for $83,500.

The investigation remains open and further charges may be filed. The Massachusetts Environmental Police assisted with the investigation.

All children should grow up in a safe, nurturing home. Childhood has a marked, determined effect on one’s personality and quality of life. Since most of us end up having children of our own, we typically model many aspects of our own parents’ rearing skills – they serve as a mindful reference for when we take the role of parent.

Sadly, the number of children in foster care, seeking that safe, nurturing and stable home is alarming. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services June 2016 AFCARS report, 427,910 children were in foster care. This is a truly sad human story that typically flies under many people’s radar yet is an important one that impacts our very own neighborhoods.

Foster parenting is a way to provide children with care, love and support while they are not able to be with their parents. A way to not only positively impact a child’s life, but your own, for foster parenting can be a rewarding experience. Beyond that, your influence on the child’s life will eventually affect their role as a future parent, so indirectly that impact is generational.

Started in the early 1850s by Charles Loring Brace, foster parenting has been pulling homeless or neglected children off the streets of America and improving the quality of life for both children and new foster parents alike. In greater New Bedford, Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Foster Care and Family Services Program has been serving the region since the early 1980s.

The team of dedicated professionals ensures that the children and parents are not only matched but provides all the information, support, and assistance every step of the way through the process and after.

Aubrey Macfarlane-President/CEO and Eileen Dugas, Program Director of Foster Care and Family Services, are two impassioned individuals who are driven to find homes for the many children under their care and provide comprehensive resources for interested parents.

Together they administer three foster care programs:

• Comprehensive Foster Care: for children from birth up to 22 years old.
• Complex Medical Foster Care: for children with significant medical needs. Complex Medical Foster parents are benefits eligible and receive a salary in addition to the daily stipend.
• Transitional Age Youth Care: for children 16-22 years old who are working towards independent living.

Each of these programs has the support of a social worker and clinical coordinator. All social workers/case workers are licensed Social Workers and/or have a Bachelor’s Degree, many are enrolled in Master’s Degree Programs. The Clinical Coordinator at Kennedy-Donovan Center’s Foster Care and Family Services Program is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and the mentors have varied experience working with youth and young adults in the community.

Children in Complex Medical Foster Care have additional services in the foster home such as visits by a nurse and medical supports. Transitional age youth have the additional assistance of mentors to support the development of independent living skills.

Program Director, Eileen Dugas shared her inspiration, “I was a foster parent for several years. While I was a foster parent and providing care for children, I felt there was opportunity to have even more engagement with children involved with child protective services. This led to a career change from early childhood education to social work. I began my career in foster care as a social worker prior to advancing to the program director position. As a foster parent, I was able to support and guide the children who were a part of my family until they could be reunified. As a social worker and program director, there is opportunity to impact many children’s lives.”

Understanding that the process of becoming a foster parent – in spite of its rewards – can be one that requires significant adjustment, Kennedy-Donovan Center offers each foster parent 14 days of paid respite. This allows foster parents some time for self-care, vacations, and more. Foster parents are provided with extensive opportunities for support and training, have access to 24-hour assistance and become the greatest advocates and support system for the children they welcome into their home.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, you can not only contact the wonderful professionals at the Kennedy Donovan Center straight away, but you can attend an informational session – the next is held on April 18th from 11:00am – 12:00pm and 6:00pm – 7:00pm at 385 County St, New Bedford.

__________________________________________________________

Kennedy-Donovan Center
385 County Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (508) 997-5875
EMail: fostercare@kdc.org

Website: kdc.org/services/foster-care-family-services/
Facebook: facebook.com/KennedyDonovanCenter

_________________________________________________________

You may have caught a small glimpse of the folklore dancers during local feasts. This event will be the next level!

In spite of the fact that every other surname in the “phone book” is a Portuguese one, there are surprisingly few cultural events throughout the year. The first ones that come to everyone’s mind are the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament and Day of Portugal. Outside of those, two there is occasional live fado and that’s about it. Of course, there’s a huge variety of restaurants and bakeries, even two museums, but between these there is little else that hearkens back to the “old country.”

LusoCentro, an education center that promotes Portuguese-speaking people through educational programs, language training and cultural activities is hoping to change that. Located in the Eileen t. Farley Learning Resources Center of Bristol Community College, LusoCentro will be hosting the first annual “Uma Noite Folclórica,” to showcase the long tradition of Portuguese theater, dance and music.

The night will feature a variety of folklore groups and ranchos from throughout New England including Rancho Folclórico Escola Portuguesa de New Bedford, Grupo Folclórico de Sociedade Cultural Açoreana of Fall River, The Taunton Portuguese Folklore Group of Taunton, MA, Grupo Folclórico de Cranston Portuguese Club of Cranston, RI, Rancho Folclórico da Nossa Senhora Fatima of Cumberland, RI, and of course, the hosts, Bristol Community College’s LusoCentro.

Each organization involved has its own staff with years, even decades of experience performing or teaching in each and every group; either in the United States or back in Portugal; either in folklore groups, fado groups, or event Portuguese bands. Many of the group members have participated and competed in hundreds of performances and competitions on a local, national or international level. From local parades and feasts to international championships at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

The goal is to introduce a new annual event to the South Coast – one that will benefit cultural dance and music organizations, and help preserve the Portuguese culture through children involvement. By attending the annual event you not only enrich yourself by 100% of the funds from ticket sales (and raffle) go back to groups that assist children to be involved in the culture as an historic education tool. It’s a positive activity that keeps kids off the streets, away from drugs, crime and dangers that they can easily get tangled into.

The future, safety and success of any culture, heritage, nation or family is only determined by the enrichment of our children through our culture and heritage and through morals and ethics.

Sound, which will be provided for by Underground Sound; lighting, tickets, promotional items, scholarships and raffle prizes will be provided for by Mr. Brian Martins, making it possible to have all funds raised from ticket sales and the raffle to be equally divided amongst the folklore groups/ranchos in attendance and LusoCentro. The event will close with a performance by Mauricio Morais, the awarding of the raffle winners and several scholarships, including four $150 scholarships and one $1000 scholarship to be awarded to an active participant of one of the attending folklore groups.

In addition, and to help fill the theater; organizers will be raffling off 2 tickets for one lucky supporter to go to Portugal with the internationally acclaimed Portuguese Kids! All tickets sold are automatically entered into the raffle, but additional raffle tickets will be sold that night for purchase. This trip for two includes round trip airfare from Boston to Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Açores, Portugal via Açores Airlines, 4 star hotel accommodations, 12 meals, tours of several historical villages (Sete Cidades, Furnas, Nordeste), guided tours and dinner entertainment provide for by the Portuguese Kids.

Tickets are $15 each. 100% of ticket sales go back to the folklore groups in attendance and LusoCentro. Tickets can be reserved by calling Brian Martins at 774-417-1295 or by email at Brianma1977@yahoo.com. Tickets can also be purchased online at:eventbrite.com/e/a-night-of-folkloreuma-noite-folclorico-tickets

Where:
Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center Theater
BCC Main Campus
777 Elsbree Street
Fall River

When:
Saturday, April 1st at 6:00pm

Event Page: facebook.com/events/1066245560159038/

New Bedford Guide, in partnership with the New Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, will host a forum for Ward 3 City Council candidates on Thursday, March 23 at New Bedford High School’s Little Theatre. Candidates Guy Larock, Bethany Fauteux, Kathy Dehner, Hugh Dunn, Mark Zajac and Jill Marie Ussach are all expected to attend. The forum will be from 6:00pm – 7:30pm.

The forum will be moderated by New Bedford Guide’s Michael Silvia. Questions will be prep-planned, come from our Facebook audience and from spectators on hand. Expect the debate to last around 90 minutes and can be watched live on New Bedford Guide’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/NewBedfordGuide/).

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has ordered that the United States flag and the Commonwealth flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 in honor of Firefighter Joseph Toscano of the Watertown Fire Department who died in the line of duty on Friday, March 17, 2017.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1. The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls

2. Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings

3. All state military installations

Local environmental advocacy group Hands Across the River Coalition, Inc. meets monthly with the next meeting taking place Wednesday, March 29, 2017 from 6:00-7:45 p.m. at the Millicent Library, Fairhaven, MA. Open to the public. Attendees are advised to use the Walnut Street entrance on lower level.

Hands Across the River Coalition, Inc. advocates for the safe cleanup of New Bedford Harbor and other contaminated sites in the Greater New Bedford area. The group provides information about the detrimental health effects caused to our community from toxic chemicals such as PCBs, DIOXIN, mercury, lead and others. HARC was formed in anticipation of the cleanup of contamination in the Acushnet River that needed to be done in order to protect human health.

HARC’s primary goal is to ensure the health-conscious clean up of the Acushnet River which runs through New Bedford Harbor into Buzzards Bay, to monitor and advocate for the total preservation of said body of water and shoreline, educate the community about the health effects of toxic chemicals in our environment, to obtain environmental justice for generations now and in the future and to ensure a quality environment, forever, through its efforts.

The Acushnet River was known to be the #1 most PCB contaminated river in the world. Concerns about fish consumption with PCB contaminated fish prompted the EPA to designate this site as the “New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site”. It is the largest Superfund site in all of New England. Through years of hard work from HARC’s 600 members, other community groups, and strong Congressional support against the EPA’s plans to incinerate the PCBs in New Bedford, the EPA decided to withdraw its plans. Later, they developed a much safer plan, when the EPA began full scale, hydraulic dredging of PCBs in the Upper Harbor in September of 2004. PCB sediments were then sent to an off-site TSCA, (Toxic Substances Control Act), approved landfill in Michigan.

Today, Upper Harbor sediments are still being sent offsite due to the much higher concentrations of PCBs in that area dumped by the responsible party, Aerovox, now AVX who is owned by Kyocera in Japan. Currently, after a $366,250,000.00 plus interest settlement, the EPA is in the process of mechanically dredging and burying 300,000 cubic yards of PCB sediments in the Lower Harbor riverbed near a residential area and high school in Fairhaven, MA. You would think, after such a huge settlement, that the EPA would remove all the PCBs from the river offsite but instead, is burying a large amount in the riverbed. This is the first time in the entire country that the EPA is burying deadly, cancer causing PCB sediments in the riverbed dangerously close to residents. This is our fight today and HARC questions how the EPA is spending the money from the settlement with plans to leave 50 PPM (parts per million) of PCBs behind after their dredging is completed. This amount left will continue to contaminate the fish and in turn affect public health.

Hands Across the River Coalition, Inc. appeals to everyone to join them in working to protect our air, soil and water, and especially public health, by removing all PCBs safely to an offsite TSCA,, approved landfill. For more information, contact Karen Vilandry, HARC president (508) 951-1184 harcgnb@gmail.com

An investigation by New Bedford Police detectives has led to the arrest of a 34-year-old Mattapoisett man for stealing the purse of a 90-year-old woman Friday at Market Basket, 122 Sawyer St.

Andrew Denham, 34, of Mattapoisett, was charged with larceny from a person.

He is charged with grabbing the woman’s purse at about 3:20 p.m. Friday as she was placing groceries into her vehicle at Market Basket, 122 Sawyer St.

Her purse was found in front of a home a few blocks away from Market Basket. The suspect was identified by surveillance video.

Police remind the public to keep a close watch on their belongings at supermarkets and other public places.

A 32-year-old New Bedford man was treated and released at St. Luke’s Hospital Tuesday after reporting being stabbed in the area of Acushnet Avenue and Cannon Street near Monte Park.

The victim was brought into the hospital by a companion who said she saw him surrounded by six men as she drove in the area to pick him up. The victim reported being stabbed in the back and was taken by the companion to St. Luke’s Hospital at about 2 a.m.

New Bedford police are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 508-991-6350 or the anonymous tip line at 508-992-7463 or e-mail tip@newbedfordpd.com.

Video by Carlos Pimentel Felix.