Here’s a look the 72-foot scallop boat Captain Jeff being recovered in the New Bedford harbor.

Their boat took on too much water and they needed be rescued by the amazing men and women U.S. Coast Guard and TowBoatUS.

Six people rescued from fishing boat in the New Bedford harbor

Here’s video of the rescued crew members of the 72-foot scallop boat Captain Jeff coming back to land in New Bedford and going home.

Their boat took on too much water and they needed be rescued by the amazing men and women U.S. Coast Guard and TowBoatUS. Full details:

Six people rescued from fishing boat in the New Bedford harbor

Special thanks to the New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven Fire Departments, Towboat US, the New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbormasters, and the USCG helicopter that also responded.

The Buzzards Bay Marine Task force was requested to assist US Coast Guard in the outer New Bedford harbor for a 72′ scalloper boat with 6 men on-board taking on water.

The New Bedford, Dartmouth and Fairhaven Fire Departments, Towboat US and the New Bedford and Fairhaven Harbormasters, and USCG helicopter also responded.

Upon arrival, USCG lowered two pumps to the vessel but the pumps could not keep up. At this time, the USCG with the help of TowBoatUS went in and rescued all 6 fishermen.

The crew was transported to New Bedford harbored and evaluated by EMS. The vessel was left adrift until the towing company could return and is currently docked and being dewatered in New Bedford’s south end near Brittney Dye plant and will be returned to the New bBedfird harbor soon.

“What a strong team effort by all involved and despite the extremely rough weather conditions this morning, we are relieved that everyone will be returning home safely.” – New Bedford Fire Department Chief Gomes

New Bedford police are seeking an arrest warrant for 49-year old Richard Nunes with a last known address of Glendale Street in Maynard, MA.

Nunes who has had prior ties in New Bedford and who may still be in the area is wanted in connection with a breaking and entering charge which occurred at Penny’s Variety Store located at 181 Arnold Street. The break was reported on Sunday morning at approximately 07:30 am. Damage to the building was caused as result of the break and a large quantity of cigarette cartons were taken.

Officer Bryant Capello was able to identify Nunes from surveillance footage. We are asking for the publics assistance in locating Nunes. Anyone with information of his whereabouts is asked to contact us at 508-C-RIME (2-7463) or at tip@newbedfordpd.com.

The recreational marijuana use ballot question passed in Massachusetts on November 8th, 2016. What does that mean for a residents of Massachusetts? Here is everything you need to know about recreational marijuana use in Massachusetts:

Possession and use of Marijuana in Massachusetts

• The law doesn’t take affect immediately. The new marijuana law provisions regarding smoking/possessing provisions go into effect on December 15, 2016.
• Governor Charlie Baker and Massachusetts legislators can make changes to the law before December 15, 2016. 
• People 21 years and older can possess up to 10 ounces inside their residence. 
• People 21 years and older can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana outside their residence.
• People can grow up to six marijuana plants in their residence.
• People can give one ounce or less of marijuana to a person at least 21 years old without payment.
• People can possess, produce or transfer hemp legally.

Sale of Marijuana in Massachusetts

• Retail marijuana shops can open in 2018
• Medical marijuana facilities get first crack at retail marijuana sales before Jan 1, 2018.
• There will be three taxes on retail sales:
  • 6.25% Massachusetts state sales tax
  • 3.75% excise tax
  • Cities/towns can add a 2% tax
• People can give one ounce or less of marijuana to a person at least 21 years old without payment.

Regulation of Marijuana in Massachusetts

• The law creates a Cannabis Control Commission of three members appointed by the state Treasurer which would generally administer the law governing marijuana use and distribution, promulgate regulations, and be responsible for the licensing of marijuana commercial establishments.
• The law creates a Cannabis Advisory Board of fifteen members appointed by the Governor that will adopt regulations governing licensing qualifications; security; record keeping; health and safety standards; packaging and labeling; testing; advertising and displays; required inspections; and such other matters as the Commission considers appropriate. 
• Revenue received from the additional state excise tax or from license application fees and civil penalties for violations of this law would be deposited in a Marijuana Regulation Fund and would be used subject to appropriation for administration of the proposed law.
• Marijuana-related activities authorized under this proposed law could not be a basis for adverse orders in child welfare cases absent clear and convincing evidence that such activities had created an unreasonable danger to the safety of a minor child.
• Supplying marijuana to persons under age 21 is unlawful.
• The law does not affect existing law regarding medical marijuana treatment centers.

Regulating Marijuana locally

• The law authorizes cities and towns to adopt reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of operating marijuana businesses and to limit the number of marijuana establishments in their communities.
• A city or town could hold a local vote to determine whether to permit the selling of marijuana and marijuana products for consumption on the premises at commercial establishments.
• The law permits property owners to prohibit the use, sale, or production of marijuana on their premises (with an exception that landlords cannot prohibit consumption by tenants of marijuana by means other than by smoking)
• The law allows employers to prohibit the consumption of marijuana by employees in the workplace.
• State and local governments could continue to restrict uses in public buildings or at or near schools.

Operating a vehicle under the influence of Marijuana in Massachusetts 

• The law does not affect the operation of motor vehicles while under the influence.
• Any amount of marijuana in the driver’s blood or urine while driving will establish that the driver was under the influence. 
• First time offenders face a fine of between $500 and $1,000, up to 30 months of house arrest, and license suspension for up to one year. 
• Massachusetts does not extend its implied consent rule for drug testing, but the refusal to take the test can be admitted into evidence against the driver.
• Police do not use breathalyzers – if they suspect marijuana use while driving they can request the driver perform a blood test at a local hospital. 
• Driving while under the influence of marijuana is covered in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 24 and should be your go-to reference. 

This morning at approximately 1:40 a.m., State Police from the Dartmouth barracks responded to reports of a wrong-way operator on Route 195 in Fairhaven, which resulted in the arrest of the operator in Wareham.

Trooper Christopher Meleo observed a 2015 Nissan Altima travelling westbound on Route 195 in the eastbound travel lanes. Tpr Meleo, with his emergency lights activated, paralleled the vehicle from the eastbound travel lanes but the operator refused to stop and continued travelling westbound on the eastbound side at a high rate of speed. Troopers from the Dartmouth and Bourne Barracks along with local police departments monitored traffic to ensure the wrong way operator did not cause any crashes.

With assistance from Marion Police Officer Jeffery Habicht successfully deployed a tire deflation device in the area of Exit 20. The vehicle struck the device causing all four tires to deflate but continued to travel westbound on Route 195 east.

A short time later, the vehicle lost control and stopped in the median just prior to Exit 21. The driver, identified as, JOWAUN GAMBLE, 23 of Wareham was placed under arrest on the following charges:

• OUI Liquor
• Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
• Wrong Way on a State Highway
• Failure to Stop for a Police Officer
• Resist Arrest
• Speeding

GAMBLE was booked at the State Police barracks in Dartmouth and subsequently transported to the Bristol County House of Correction where he will be held pending his arraignment at New Bedford District Court on Monday.

Three New Bedford city councilors are pushing to add undocumented workers (or “illegals” as they have called them) to a protected class when it comes to discrimination. This seems to be the beginning steps of making New Bedford an official sanctuary city and risking a confrontation with a President-elect Trump who has promised to cut of federal funding to sanctuary cities. 

When it comes to legislation and motions every word matters. On Tuesday, November 22, 2016, Councillors Coelho, Oliveira and Rebeiro are scheduled to put forward this motion:

“WRITTEN MOTION, Councillors Coelho, Oliveira and Rebeiro, requesting, that our State Legislative Delegation join us and other communities across the Country and not deport masses of illegals in order to insure harmony and safety in our community and to not discriminate against a group of people.”

In their words, they want our State legislators to call it discrimination to deport someone living in New Bedford illegally. This doesn’t seem to be sitting well with many people. Most people on our Facebook discussion thread seem to oppose this and on our Twitter poll nearly 70% oppose it.

Why would something so unpopular be pushed officially in the New Bedford City Council chambers?

The most obvious reason is that Donald Trump was elected President and this is a clear knee jerk political reaction against his potential immigration policy. Across the country Hillary Clinton supporters are holding anti-Trump protests, hosting high school and college walk outs and politicians are pushing to protect residents in America “illegally” by creating sanctuary cities. 

A sanctuary city is a designation given to cities that adopt a policy of protecting undocumented immigrants by not prosecuting them for violating federal immigration laws. Some 32 American cities have pushed for this designation to include Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minneapolis and Seattle.

New Bedford has always quietly been an unofficial sanctuary city. Walk into any seafood processing plant on the New Bedford waterfront and you’ll see evidence of this claim. Scallops are being processed by some of the hardest working men and women in America, here legally and illegally. 

But now three New Bedford City Councilors seem to be pushing towards an official designation by going on record. That wouldn’t mean much under President Obama, but could hurt New Bedford under a Trump administration.  New Bedford relies on state and federal grants for our schools, historic park, fire department personnel and a lot of construction projects. President-elect Trump has already stated that he would block federal funding for sanctuary cities.

I’m not pushing a message for or against New Bedford being a sanctuary city. We have been an unoffical sanctuary city for decades and I know our fishing industry relies on hard working undocumented workers. But why get Trump’s attention? Why not continue to fly under the radar? Why play political chicken with a President Trump? 

Regardless if you are for or against calling for “illegals” to be protected against deportation, your voice can be heard at the New Bedford City Council chambers on Tuesday, November 22nd, or you can call or email your City Council members here. 

The Acushnet Police Department recovered items from a motor vehicle recently stolen in Acushnet. From their Facebook page:

A Motor vehicle that was stolen from Acushnet was recovered. Items from other B&Es in the area were found in the MV. Two victims have come forward to identify and retrieve property. If you were a victim of a B&E and you can identify the items please call the Acushnet Police Department or message us here so that we can return your property.

You can call the Acushnet police at (508) 998-0240. 

The City of New Bedford – Department of Public Infrastructure

Acushnet Ave & Wamsutta St Railroad Bridge:

-Contractor will be working on miscellaneous items throughout the project.

-The roadway closure at Acushnet Ave & Wamsutta will remain closed. Please follow detour signs.

Other:

-MASSDOT will be performing bridge repairs at County St and Purchase St over the I-195 East Bound.

-The Contractor is scheduled to complete final trench paving at various intersections along Ashley Blvd between Park Ave and Deane St.

-Contractor will be building the Cove Walk between West Rodney French Blvd. and Cove Rd.

-Contractor will be building an extension to the Multi use path on West Rodney French Blvd, between Hazelwood Park and Hurricane Barrier gate.

-Contractor will be installing cement concrete wheelchair ramps and sidewalks on Tallman Street, Bullard Street and Nye Street between Acushnet Avenue and Belleville Avenue.

-Contactor will be paving miscellaneous patches though out the city.

-Hydrant flushing on dead ends in the city. This may cause a temporary loss of water pressure.

The New Bedford Office of Tourism and Marketing has announced that Luxury Travel Guide has selected New Bedford, Massachusetts as the Top Fishing Destination of the Year 2016.

New Bedford impressed Luxury Travel Guide judges with its rich maritime history spanning three centuries, status as the number one fishing port in America and authentic port that blends commercial industry with recreational boating. Kerry Payne, Account Manager, at Luxury Travel Guide said, “The Luxury Travel Guide Awards represent the pinnacle of hospitality achievement, championing the best in their respective fields. New Bedford 300dpi.jpgTherefore, to come out on top is truly an achievement you should be proud of.”

The Luxury Travel Awards recognize and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the affluent travel and tourism industry in Europe, The Americas, Asia & Australia, and Africa & Middle East. All winners of the Luxury Travel Guide Awards are subject to the same rigorous assessment criteria, carried out by their in-house professionals. This ensures only the most deserving firms and individuals walk away with one of these prestigious accolades and gain a place in their awards winners’ guide, which will be distributed to over half a million professional & affluent people around the world.