New Bedford police narcotics and gang detectives have arrested a man for trafficking 60 grams of fentanyl.

On October 30, 2021, as a result of an investigation into a fentanyl dealing operation, a search warrant was executed for Matthew Caplan, 33, and his residence at 17 Swift Road in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

As a result of the search of his residence, detectives located two plastic bags of fentanyl weighing 60 grams, two digital scales, numerous plastic bags with corners cut out, packaging materials, and $15,000 in cash.

Caplan was charged with trafficking in 36 grams or more of Fentanyl.

New Bedford Police Department photo.

New Bedford narcotics detectives arrested two men on two separate occasions for trafficking drugs this weekend.

On October 29, 2021, narcotics and gang detectives executed a search warrant for Devon Hunt, 27, and his residence located at 99 Beetle Street.

While searching his home, detectives located a .40 caliber handgun with 12 rounds of ammo, 23.5 grams of cocaine, multiple cut corner bags, a digital scale, cutting agents, 95 suboxone film strips, and $6,929 in cash.

Hunt was previously found guilty in January of 2019 for possession of a firearm.

Hunt was arrested and charged with trafficking in 18 grams or more of cocaine, possession to distribute a class B drug, possession of a class B drug, possession of a firearm, possession of a large-capacity firearm, having a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and unlawful possession of a large capacity shotgun or rifle.

On October 30, 2021, detectives investigated a fentanyl distribution service being operated out of 474 Country Street by Troy Silveira, 56. A search warrant was then executed for Silveira and his residence. The narcotics unit located 31.5 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, packaging materials, and $7,005 in US currency.

Silveira was arrested and charged with trafficking in 18 grams or more of fentanyl.

“Sunday evening at approximately 7:35pm multiple calls came into the ROCCC Dispatch Center reporting a motor vehicle accident in the area of Braley Hill Rd.

Callers reported a lone occupant/operator trapped in the vehicle. RFD arriving units confirmed that the occupant was trapped in the vehicle and was unresponsive.

A medflight helicopter was dispatched to the scene and the landing zone was determined to be the cul-de-sac at the end of Ashley Brook which is an open location located close to the scene of the crash. After a 15 minute extrication using the Jaw-of-Life and other extrication tools, the patient was removed from the vehicle in critical condition.

The patient was transferred from RFD care to the crew of the waiting helicopter for transport to Rhode Island Hospital Trauma Center.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Rochester Police.” -Rochester Fire Department.

Rochester Fire Department photo.

Rochester Fire Department photo.

“This holiday season, officers are supporting Hispanic families in need.

This is a new initiative the Hispanic Police Officers of New Bedford are taking part in, and we are hoping to expand the program to even more families in the future!

In the picture: New Bedford Police Department’s Domestic Violence Advocate/Intern Coordinator Sulmarily Ortiz (Left), Francheska and her son, Ethan.)”-

Moments ago, the legislature’s Special Joint Committee on Redistricting released a proposed redistricting map for the Massachusetts congressional districts. This proposal would retain the separation between New Bedford and Fall River, leaving the Southcoast region divided. Senator Montigny opposes this proposal and has offered the following statement:

“The proposal released this afternoon continues an unjust and inequitable division that dilutes our region’s collective voice,” said Senator Mark Montigny. “New Bedford and Fall River are post-industrial working-class cities with vibrant growing minority populations. We share many common economic interests such as offshore wind, commuter rail, and advanced manufacturing. Simply put, our interests do not align with affluent Boston-area suburbs or the South Shore.

Dividing our cities into separate congressional districts dilutes our collective voice and must not be allowed to continue. I will work aggressively in the Senate to unite New Bedford under one congressional district for the Southcoast region.”

Mass.gov photo.

The existing and proposed map can be accessed via the following link: https://malegislature.gov/Redistricting

Give your Halloween pumpkin a second life by setting it out with yard waste or placing it in your backyard compost bin. Corn stalks are also accepted with yard waste.

Pumpkins and can be set out on yard waste collection day, the weekday after trash and recycling collection. Friday’s trash and recycling collection area has yard waste collected on Monday.

Pumpkins can be placed with fall yard waste, such as leaves. Even if you do not have other yard waste, place pumpkins loose in a barrel (not a city cart) or in a paper yard waste bag and set it at the curb by 7 a.m. Please do not make bags or barrels too heavy. Yard waste collection ends December 17th this year.

If you made a jack-o’-lantern, remove all lights and other items before placing the pumpkin out for yard waste collection. Pie or sugar pumpkins are perfect for cooking. There are recipes for pumpkin soup, desserts, seeds, etc. If you have a sugar pumpkin, you might only have the stem left to compost!

Yard waste, including pumpkins, is collected separately, and composted on site at the Crapo Hill Landfill. There it will decompose and by spring becomes a high-nutrient, mulch-like soil that is used for landscaping and gardening. You may pick up free compost at the Crapo Hill Landfill, 300 Samuel Barnet Blvd., New Bedford, Monday – Friday 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 8-10:45 a.m. Bring your own shovel and containers.

New Bedford and Dartmouth residents may purchase compost bins at the Crapo Hill Landfill Scale House, 300 Samuel Barnet Blvd., New Bedford, Monday – Friday 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 8-10:45 a.m. The Earth Machine and the New Age Composter are both available at a cost of $25 each. Cash, check, or money order only. No credit or debit cards. Mask required.

Trash, recycling, or yard waste collection questions, call ABC Disposal at (508) 999-2619. Composting, recycling, and waste reduction questions, call Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, Waste Reduction Manager, at (508) 979-1493.

Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District photo.

Dartmouth Residents Can Set Out Pumpkins with Yard Waste

Give your Halloween pumpkins a second life by setting them out with yard waste or placing them in your backyard compost bin.

Cornstalks are also accepted with yard waste. Please remove any twine, rope, wire, or decorations. Also, no painted pumpkins. If you made a jack-o’-lantern, remove all lights and other items before placing the pumpkin out for yard waste collection. This is so the finished compost will be free of unwanted items that will not easily breakdown into nutrient-rich soil amendment.

The remaining dates for the Town of Dartmouth’s SMART Program curbside yard waste collection follows: the Monday & Tuesday Solid Waste Collection routes have yard waste collection on Friday, November 19, 2021. The Wednesday & Thursday Solid Waste Collection routes have yard waste collection on Friday, November 5, 2021, and Friday, December 3, 2021.

Pick-up begins at 7 a.m. All pumpkins, cornstalks, grass, leaves, and yard clippings must be placed in paper bags, loose in barrels, or corrugated boxes. Please do not make bags, barrels, or boxes too heavy. Pumpkins, cornstalks, and yard waste may also be brought to the Water Pollution Control Facility at 759 Russells Mills Road, Dartmouth. A Transfer Station Sticker is required and available free of charge to SMART customers. Hours for the leaf compost area are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 7:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Pie or sugar pumpkins are perfect for cooking. There are recipes for pumpkin soup, desserts, seeds, etc. If you have a sugar pumpkin, you might only have the stem left to compost!

Yard waste, including pumpkins, when composted, will decompose, and becomes a high-nutrient, mulch-like soil that is used for landscaping and gardening. You may pick up free compost at the Crapo Hill Landfill, 300 Samuel Barnet Blvd., New Bedford, Monday – Friday 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday 8-10:45 a.m. Bring your own shovel and containers.

Trash, recycling, or yard waste collection questions, call the Dartmouth DPW at (508) 999-0740. Composting, recycling, or waste reduction questions, call Marissa Perez-Dormitzer, Waste Reduction Manager, at (508) 979-1493.

“We are very pleased to introduce to you our newest Call Firefighter, Colin Matton. Firefighter Matton has completed 240 hours of training provided by the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. He and his fellow classmates graduate tonight in a ceremony in Fall River.

Firefighter Matton joins several members of his family in protecting and serving Acushnet. His father Jason (APD), Grandfather Barry (APD), Uncle Michael (APD)and his Uncle Brian (AFD) are all proud of his accomplishment and join all of us in congratulating this fine young man.”-Acushnet Fire & EMS Department.

Out of 20 cities and towns in Bristol County, New Bedford has the lowest rate of fully vaccinated people against Covid-19 with only 50% of the city’s population being fully vaccinated. The 50% rate is also one of the lowest (if not the lowest) vaccination rates of any city in Massachusetts. By comparison much larger cities like Boston have a 64% full vaccination rate. Overall, 69% of Massachusetts’s population has been fully vaccinated.

In Bristol County, Mansfield had the highest rate at 70% and comparable size Fall River had a 55% fully vaccinated rate, or 10% higher than New Bedford. Here’s a list of all 20 cities and town in Bristol County as of October 28, 2021:

“URGENT: Maria Ramos Moreno disappeared yesterday from 20 Nye St New Bedford Massachusetts. If anyone sees him call 911 or the New Bedford Police at (508) 991-6300.

URGENTE: Maria Ramos Moreno desapareció ayer en la 20 Nye st New Bedford Massachusetts si alguien lo vio llamar al 911 o Los New Bedford Police a (508) 991-6300.”-Adrian Ventura.

See video of father here.

Bask Announces Free Yoga Classes in New Bedford
Classes will be available Mondays in November at Sangha

Bask, Inc. (“Bask”), a locally owned cannabis dispensary in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, has partnered with New Bedford yoga studio, Sangha, to offer free yoga classes.

In an effort to provide access to wellness programs for those in need, Bask is sponsoring Kripalu Yoga classes at the Sangha yoga studio. Kripalu Yoga is designed for students at all levels of ability and practice. Sangha co-founders Jeff Costa and Howard Klein bring years of yoga and fitness expertise to their New Bedford studio where, according to their website, they have “created a friendly, inclusive, and healing arts community.”

Bask’s sponsorship provides free registration for up to 15 people per class. Participants can register for each free class at the following link on the Sangha website: sanghanewbedford.com/schedule
Bask has been serving registered medical patients at the Fairhaven dispensary since 2018. The multi-award-winning cannabis dispensary, cultivator, and manufacturer was named Best Dispensary in 2019 by south coast residents and recently expanded its cannabis retail operations in Fairhaven with the addition of recreational sales to adults 21 and older in February of 2021.

About Bask, Inc.
The founders of Bask are experienced medical cannabis cultivators, educators, and advocates. The team came together over a shared vision to create an environment where patients could learn and have safe access to quality products. Bask opened its doors to medical patients in February of 2018 as the first cannabis dispensary on the South Coast of Massachusetts. In February of 2020, the company moved its cultivation and processing operation to a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility in Freetown, MA in partnership with AmeriCann, Inc.

Visit their Fairhaven dispensary for medical and recreational needs.

Bask, Inc.
2 Pequod Road
Fairhaven, MA 02719
www.cometobask.com
(774)305-4749