City offices will be closed to the public on Monday, June 20, as New Bedford observes the Juneteenth holiday. This includes the public libraries. Buttonwood Park Zoo will remain open.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, specifically the date that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were finally notified of their emancipation on June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Juneteenth was first recognized in Massachusetts in 2007 and was formally designated a state holiday during the summer of 2020. Observance of the holiday began in 2021, and Mayor Jon Mitchell designated Juneteenth a City-observed holiday beginning that year.

Monday’s observance will delay residential trash, recycling, bulky pickup and yard waste routes by one day. Commercial recycling also will be delayed by one day. Commercial collection for trash & cardboard will be on schedule.

Carney, DeValles and Ashley Elementary Schools to meet/greet leaders for SY2022-2023.

New Bedford Public Schools welcomes three new principals for the 2022-2023 school year at Carney Academy, Ashley and DeValles Elementary Schools, Superintendent Thomas Anderson announced publicly yesterday and said that, “it is always exciting to welcome new team members into such important roles.” The three were introduced at the June 13 meeting of the New Bedford School Committee.

Principal Daniel Mckoy
Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy

Mr. Daniel Mckoy, Sgt. William H. Carney Memorial Academy Principal, starts on July 1, 2022. Mr. Mckoy joins the Carney Academy community from Boston Public Schools, where he has served in multiple capacities including a Grade Team Leader, classroom educator, and Principal. Mr. Mckoy states, “My core belief is that all students no matter how they look or where they are from deserve educators that have high expectations in them. Educators that believe in their innate ability to achieve academic success and to be valuable contributors to our future society. I’m grateful today that I had educators in my life that represented these beliefs when I was a struggling student and my mission and dream is to be that representation for all of the children and families that I serve.”

Principal Mario Pires
John B. DeValles Elementary School Principal

Dr. Mario Pires, John B. DeValles Elementary School Principal, starts on July 18, 2022. Dr. Pires joins the DeValles School community from Boston Public Schools where he has served as the Assistant Head of School for the last six years. Prior to that Dr. Pires’ previous roles included being a Content Instructional Leader and educator in New Bedford Public Schools, and a visiting lecturer at Bridgewater State University. Dr. Pires states he is “excited to return home to serve students, educators, families, and community members. I look forward to leading as the Principal of the DeValles Elementary School and increasing access to educational opportunities so that all brilliant New Bedford scholars can shine.”

Principal Mark Souza
Charles S. Ashley Elementary School Principal

Mr. Mark Souza, Charles S. Ashley Elementary School Principal, starts his new role on July 1, 2022. Mr. Souza joins the Ashley Elementary School community after serving as an Assistant Principal at Normandin Middle School for the last four years. Prior to that Mr. Souza served as an Assistant Principal and an elementary school educator with Carver Public Schools and New Bedford Public Schools. Mr. Souza states, “I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as Principal at Ashley School. I look forward to working with our amazing students, staff, and community to continue to develop kind, curious, and thankful learners.”

Superintendent Anderson expressed sincere appreciation to the schools’ outgoing principals, for their dedicated service to the students and staff at their schools.

In the coming weeks, the new principals will announce opportunities to join them at their respective schools to meet and greet their students, staff and families.

The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is pleased to present the 25th New Bedford Folk Festival with a special line-up in honor of its silver anniversary on Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10, 2022. After a two-year delay due to the pandemic, the festival returns with the best in contemporary, Americana, traditional, blues and Celtic folk music. To celebrate this musical milestone the festival has invited folk music legend Tom Rush, folk, jazz, and pop songstress Susan Werner, cutting edge Celtic band RUNA, Grammy nominated old time and American roots fiddler Bruce Molsky and legendary fiddler Tony Trischka called”the father of modern bluegrass by the New York Times, Native Americana blues master Cary Morin, the award winning French-Canadian group Musique à bouches, singer-songwriters Cheryl Wheeler, Garnet Rogers, Catie Curtis and John Gorka described by Rolling Stone as “the preeminent male singer-songwriter of the New Folk Movement” and many more.

The New Bedford Folk Festival presents music on 7 stages that range from the 1200 seat Zeiterion Performing Arts Center to the intimacy of the “Meet the Performer” stage in the historic Seaman’s Bethel. Performers are presented in concerts and in the popular festival “workshops” which feature 3 or 4 performers or groups on stage at the same time in one-time, unique shows.

The festival also features six blocks of craft vendors and a gourmet Food Court and Beer Garden which is open to the community.The festival takes place at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and throughout the 11 blocks of historic downtown New Bedford and the Whaling National Historical Park.

The lineup of performers for the 25th festival includes: Alisa Amador, Roy Book Binder, Bourque Emissaires, J.P. Cormier, Catie Curtis, Dansmall, É.T.É., Beppe Gambetta, Abbie Gardner, Vance Gilbert, Seth Glier, John Gorka, Rev. Robert B. Jones, Pete and Maura Kennedy, Chris Matthews, McLane, Cummings and Van Norstrand, Bruce Molsky and Tony Trischka, Cary Morin, Grace Morrison, Peter Mulvey, Musique à bouches, Mustard’s Retreat, Chris Pahud, Emerald Rae, John Roberts, Garnet Rogers, Sally Rogers and Howie Bursen, Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, RUNA, Tom Rush, Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan, Art Tebbetts, The Vox Hunters, Susan Werner, Cheryl Wheeler All performers are subject to change.

Ticket prices are $40 for a single day, $50 for the weekend, $85 for a Weekend Plus Pass (two days of performances plus access to the Premium Lounge), and $150 for a Premium Pass (two days of performances, a Premium Pass lanyard, 2022 Folk Festival T-shirt, access to the Premium Pass Lounge, guaranteed seating at all Zeiterion performances and priority seating at Whaling Museum performances, free parking in Zeiterion and Elm Street garages, discounts at several food vendors in the Food Court & Beer Garden outside the Zeiterion Theatre, and more). . Children under 12 are free. Tickets are available by calling 508-994-2900, online at http://www.newbedfordfolkfestival.com/ or at the Zeiterion Box Office at 684 Purchase Street in New Bedford.

The New Bedford Folk Festival is supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Councils of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Westport, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Community partners include The City of New Bedford, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum

On Friday, at 11:00am the Arlington, Massachusetts Police Department responded to reports of a coyote on Crosby Street in Arlington. Upon arrival, police recognized the coyote as the same one that had been spotted for the past month several times in the neighborhood, including frequent visits to the Bishop School playground.

In the previous year. Arlington Police responded to the same area for three children who were bitten by coyotes in separate incidents.

Because the school was about to release children for their noon recess, the police had to put this particular coyote down to prevent another incident where a child was bitten.

Arlington Police Chief Julie Flaherty said, “While it is unfortunate to have to take this step, it is important that we protect our residents from wild animal attacks. It is clear that this coyote had been repeatedly fed by a resident in the area, and therefore had lost all fear of humans.”

Officials are advising locals to not feed wild animals, especially coyotes because they will begin to get comfortable being around people and may easily become dependent on food from humans. They will increasingly become habituated to being around people, increasing the chance and frequency that someone will get bitten.

“On Monday, June 13, 2022 at 7:21pm, the Acushnet Police were called to a residence in the 200 block of Perry Hill Road. A landscaper working at a job site on Cape Cod earlier today found what appeared to be an old hand grenade and brought it home to Acushnet.

After showing it to a family member and out of an abundance of caution, the Acushnet Police were contacted and responded. Based on the nature of the situation, the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad was notified and responded as well.

After evaluating the item, the decision was made to perform a controlled detonation of the device on the property.

At 9:08pm, the device was detonated without incident. Further examination revealed it was only a training device that contained no explosives.

Due to the amount of corrosion in the device, x-raying it before detonation would have been inconclusive. No further information will be released at this time.” -Acushnet Police Department.

“Community Alert: The Fairhaven Police Department along with several other agencies are searching for a potential lost boater.

A sailboat, out of New Bedford, washed ashore on the Town Beach on West Island and it appears the boat was occupied at some point before washing ashore. The vessel was stolen the night before from Community Boating Center in New Bedford, but the boater may have fallen overboard.

Fairhaven Police Department photo.

Does anyone know this man? It appears he may be the missing boater we are looking for. We just want to find out if he is safe.

Land and sea assets from the Fairhaven, New Bedford and Mattapoisett police departments, and the U.S. Coast Guard with help from the Fairhaven Harbormaster and Fairhaven Fire Department, the SEMLEC Search and Rescue Team and the Mattapoisett and Marion Harbormasters are searching the area.

If anyone has any information or has seen anything on any Fairhaven or New Bedford Coastline please contact the Fairhaven Police Department at 508-997-7421.” -Fairhaven Police Department.

West Isand Weather Station KA1BH photo.

“Normally, we use this page to highlight the great things going on within our park and recreation system. However, sometimes folks choose to destroy the things we work hard to achieve.

It seems that last night around 11:30pm, the gentlemen with the fancy pants helped himself to a couple of pieces of signage from Apponaganset Park. Needless to say we would like them back.

If anyone knows fancy pants please contact the Dartmouth Police or let us know so we can pass the info along.” -Dartmouth Parks and Recreation.

Dartmouth Parks and Recreation photo.

Dartmouth Parks and Recreation photo.

Dartmouth Parks and Recreation photo.

Dartmouth Parks and Recreation photo.

Looking for talented line cooks to join our team! We have opportunities at The Sail Loft, Cisco Kitchen and Bar, Joe’s Original and The Black Whale.

Culinary folks, come join us for food and fun on the Roof Deck at Cisco Kitchen and Bar! From 9am to 3pm this Saturday June 18th on the Roof Deck!

Here’s the best part: Qualified applicants will receive a $50 Servedwell Gift card~
Can’t attend but still wanna work for this great company? Apply online: https://www.ciscokitchenbar.com/jobs/

Cisco Kitchen + Bar
https://www.ciscokitchenbar.com/
1482 East Rodney French blvd New Bedford, MA 02744

The Department of Public Health (DPH) released updated guidance regarding the use of masks and face coverings in the Commonwealth. Recognizing that Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccination rates with over 84 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated and over half of adults boosted, and in light of recent improvements in COVID-19 indicators, effective July 1, 2022, the new guidance advises that masks indoors are optional for most individuals, regardless of vaccination status.

Massachusetts residents have ready access to vaccines, rapid tests, and therapeutics – all the resources needed to prevent severe illness and the Commonwealth’s COVID data shows these tools work.

“To protect friends and family members, residents are reminded that getting a vaccine and booster remain the best way to protect against serious illness or hospitalization from COVID-19,” said Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “Based on our nation-leading vaccination efforts, DPH now recommends that Massachusetts residents have the option to make a personal choice about wearing a mask or face covering in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status.”

All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing masks or face coverings in certain settings, including in health care facilities. DPH continues to advise masks for individuals with a weakened immune system, those at increased risk for severe disease because of age or underlying conditions, or who have a household member with a weakened immune system and at increased risk.

Visit www.mass.gov/maskrules for a complete list of venues where face coverings remain required. Today, state requirements for face coverings in certain congregate care settings were also adjusted

Southcoast Health officials announced today that the Wound Care Center at St. Luke’s Hospital is a 2022 recipient of the Center of Distinction Award by Healogics®, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services.

The Center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including a patient satisfaction rate higher than 92 percent.

“The Southcoast Health Wound Care Center is a valuable service line that helps dramatically increase the quality of life for patients in our region,” said Jacqueline Somerville, Senior Vice president and Chief Nursing Officer for Southcoast Health. “I am so proud of everyone who has helped make this achievement possible and for the outstanding work our staff and providers do to continue bringing exceptional care to patients in our community.”

The Southcoast Health Wound Care Centers at St. Luke’s and at Charlton Memorial in Fall River offer highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds which have not healed in a reasonable amount of time.

“We are always working with our patients and their care teams to develop a personalized approach to care for their chronic wounds,” said Mari Murphy, Wound Care Practice Manager at St. Luke’s Hospital. “In our program, we are proud to help improve patients’ quality of life and overall health by treating non-healing wounds with the goal of healing them.”

According to data from Healogics, nearly 7 million Americans are living with chronic wounds, and specialized care can reduce the risk of amputation by nearly 50 percent.

Advanced wound care modalities provided by wound care experts include negative pressure wound therapy, total contact casting, bio-engineered tissues, biosynthetic dressings, compression therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen treatments.

“Celebrating Wound Care Awareness Month this June, we want to remind patients how important it is to receive care for chronic wounds early,” said Cheryl Thompson, RN, Wound Care Program Director at Southcoast Health. “Early detection can help prevent complications such as infection, hospitalization and in severe cases amputation.”

To learn more about the Wound Care Center at Southcoast Health please visit Wound Care Fall River & New Bedford MA | Southcoast Health.