On Sunday, January 3, at about 11:50 p.m. officers responded to an address on Fearing Hill Road for a person playing loud music in a vehicle. Officer Hannah Salerno asked the occupant of the vehicle to turn down the music, and the officer cleared the area, with peace restored.

At about 12:30 a.m. Officer Salerno was again dispatched to the same location, for another disturbance involving loud music. Officer Salerno asked the person to turn off the engine and go in the house. This time the person refused, and a scuffle ensued after an attempt was made to place her under arrest. With the assistance of Sergeant Daniel Henderson and Officer Justin Silveira, the individual was placed in custody. Heather Whiteley (37), of West Wareham, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and resisting arrest.

Ms. Whiteley refused to be placed into a cruiser and was very belligerent. Sergeant Henderson directed Officer Silveira to go back to the police station and bring the prisoner transport van to the scene so that Whiteley could be safely moved. The three officers had to physically lift and place her in the van because of her refusal to cooperate. There were no injuries reported during the incident.

The SouthCoast Community Foundation announced it is awarding over $600K of Stabilization Grants from its SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund to 60 nonprofits from the Southeastern, Massachusetts region. The selected group of 501(c)3 organizations clearly demonstrated a financial need due to COVID-19 and cover a range of areas of need including arts and culture, education, and economic opportunity.

The recipients also actively serve vulnerable populations, are dedicated to a re-envisioned organization of adaptability and innovation, and have demonstrated a commitment toward racially diverse leadership within the nonprofit.

“Although we have seen amazing resilience from community-grounded nonprofits they are still struggling due to the relentless impact of COVID-19,” said, John Vasconcellos, President of SouthCoast Community Foundation. “We are exceedingly grateful that our Emergency Response Fund has been able to provide them critical support thanks to the outpouring of philanthropic partnerships we’ve found with so many local individuals, families, businesses, and other foundations. This is our tenth round of grant-making from the Fund. Given the state of the pandemic and its continuing impact to our most vulnerable, we look forward to continuing to raise and grant these important funds well into 2021.”

Grants ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 are being issued to the following grantees:

Arts & Culture Focus
• AHA!
• Attleboro Arts Museum
• Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford, Inc.
• Dartmouth Cultural Center
• Dream Out Loud Center
• Fall River Symphony Orchestra
• Mass Music & Arts Society
• Massachusetts Design Art & Technology Institute
• Narrows Center for the Arts
• New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks!
• New Bedford Festival Theatre
• New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center
• New Bedford Historical Society
• Old Dartmouth Historical Society
• On Stage Theatrical Productions, Inc.
• Plymouth Guild, Inc.
• Seaglass Theater Company
• YEAH! Corps
• Your Theatre, Inc.
• Zeiterion Theatre, Inc.

Economic Opportunity Focus
• Catholic Social Services
• Community Action for Better Housing, Inc.
• Community Economic Development Center
• Coastal Foodshed, Inc.
• Father Bill’s & MainSpring
• Gleason Family YMCA
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth
• Haven’s Healing Hands
• Health Imperatives, Inc.
• House of Possibilities
• Joe Andruzzi Foundation
• Kennedy-Donovan Center, Inc.
• Marion Institute
• PACE, Inc.
• Plymouth Task Force to End Homelessness
• Round the Bend Farm
• SouthCoast LGBTQ Network, Inc.
• Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Housing Program, Inc.
• St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
• St. Vincent de Paul Society/Sacred Heart Food Pantry
• The Arc of Bristol County
• The Arc of Plymouth and Upper Cape Cod
• The Literacy Center
• The Salvation Army – Brockton
• The Salvation Army – New Bedford
• The Women’s Center
• United Way of Greater New Bedford

Education Focus
• Attleboro YMCA
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South
• Boys and Girls Club of Fall River
• Brockton Day Nursery, Inc
• Coaching4Change
• Dennison Memorial Community Center
• Hockomock Area YMCA
• NorthStar Learning Centers
• Our Sisters’ School
• People Incorporated
• Schwartz Center for Children
• Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Inc.
• YWCA of Southeastern, MA

The SouthCoast Community Foundation established the SouthCoast Emergency Response Fund in partnership with local funders, in March of 2020. The Fund provides flexible resources to organizations that work with those most vulnerable due to the COVID-19 virus and the most impacted by inequity. To date, it has raised nearly

$6 million and granted over $5.4 million to 120 nonprofits. Donations to the SouthCoast Emergency Fund can be made online. For general inquiries about the Fund please direct inquiries to emergencyfund@southcoastcf.org.

The Foundation is a public charity serving thousands of people throughout Southeastern Massachusetts who share a common goal of improving the quality of life through philanthropy. Since 1995, the Community Foundation has distributed over $39 million from more than 200 funds to humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations in the region. To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit www.southcoastcf.org.

“Miss Molly has been discharged from NEMAC. She has had surgery, and is recovering. She will be on antibiotics and pain medication. She needs to be monitored constantly, for her wound care, surgery site, eating, and drinking. She is in the best possible foster care for her recovery and has a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks. She still has a long way to go so PLEASE keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Thank You all for your donations, shares and well wishes! We appreciate you!

#foreverpawsfamily

#prayersformolly

#familypetsaresuperheros

#gratefuleveryday

Donations for her care can be made via FB, Venmo, in person at the shelter, via our website with the Donate Button or over the phone via credit card. She still has quite the recovery ahead of her but we believe she WILL get the happy ending she deserves!”

Forever Paws photo.

Bristol Community College will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast and Day of Service virtually this year given the current pandemic. The college is proud to continue its dedication and recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of service with a special event on Monday, January 18, at 9 a.m.

The virtual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service event will include a keynote presentation and social justice workshops led by Dr. David E. Jones, Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Talent Management at William Paterson University, as well as public resources to assist the community with how to safely provide service where it is needed most.

Join the college on Monday, January 18, 2021, at 9 a.m., on the free Zoom video platform by registering at the link below. Once registered, participants will receive an email invite with the Zoom link and information to join the event. The virtual event is free and open to everyone.

Please register here: www.bristolcc.edu/MLK

Dr. David E. Jones currently serves as Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Talent Management at William Paterson University, in Wayne, N.J., and is a member of the teaching faculty for the Equity Institute at the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center. Dr. Jones regularly leads diversity workshops, training sessions or keynotes to help individuals and organizations change culture and develop more inclusive communities. He is the recipient of the American College Personnel Association Commission for Social Justice Educators Award and the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Doris Ching Award for Excellence as a Student Affairs Professional.

For more information about Bristol Community College’s virtual 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/MLK or email Robert.Delaleu@bristolcc.edu.

The City of New Bedford’s Office of Housing and Community Development is hosting two (2) public meetings in January to discuss its FY21 Annual Action Plan.

As part of its Annual Action Plan process, the City’s Office of Housing & Community Development (OHCD) is hosting to explain and discuss the federal funding that the city receives as an entitlement community under the U.S. Department of Housing & Community Development.

Join us in this virtual meeting to hear about these programs and share your ideas about these limited federal funds and how they could be used to serve the needs of New Bedford residents, particularly those of low and moderate incomes, over the coming fiscal year.

We hope you will take the time to join us for one of these sessions; we want to hear what you think are the greatest housing and community development needs and priorities within the City of New Bedford!

If you intend on applying for funding you are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in one of these two forums.

Information will be provided explaining how to submit proposals that will respond to those needs in the coming fiscal
year. Two times are available via ZOOM (the second meeting is a repeat of the first):

• Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Community Meeting via ZOOM (6pm-7:30pm)
https://zoom.us/j/95021172006?pwd=ZUFEdG1keTJuTzdjVFNldmpydUdwdz09

• Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Community Meeting via ZOOM (6pm-7:30pm)
https://zoom.us/j/93690593398?pwd=R3p5bGdrYnFMUGNEck0wVUhHRzNldz09

The FY2021 RFP (proposal application) will be made available online at the OHCD website at https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/housing-community-development/ beginning Tuesday evening, January 12th.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Clarke, Deputy Director Community Development, at Jennifer.Clarke@newbedford-ma.gov or at 508 979-1500.

The City of New Bedford is also hosting an RFP workshop to explain and discuss the RFP (application) and process for applying for these funds.

RFP WORKSHOP
Friday, January 15th.2021 at 9am for CDBG and at 10am for ESG.

Register at OHCD@newbedford-ma.gov by Thursday January 14th to receive the ZOOM Information you’ll need.

This information is available in Portuguese or Spanish upon request. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if any accommodations are needed, please contact the Office of Housing and Community Development at 508.979.1500. Requests should be made as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police has seen a significant increase in the thefts of off-highway vehicles (OHV), primarily dirt bikes, in Central Massachusetts.

A strategy often employed in OHV thefts is to search social media and the internet for machines, especially those placed up for sale. Individuals may then conduct a drive by of the area and return later to steal the machines.

As the primary enforcement agency for OHV laws, MEP takes this issue seriously.

Please consider these extra precautions to protect your investment:

– Store your OHV in a secure location, chain it when possible;
– Store your OHV with no fuel and/or remove the spark plugs to prevent the machine from starting;
– If you’re selling your machine or posting content on social media, be mindful of the details you post or share online;
– If you see suspicious activity, inform your local police department.

If your machine is stolen, report it immediately to the local police department where the machine was located so the information may be entered into the national database. MEP should be notified immediately thereafter at 1-800-632-8075.

Be sure to keep all pertinent information related to your machine in a safe and separate location, to include the vehicle identification number, engine number, registration numbers, make, model, color, year, and any other identifying characteristics (specialized stickers, decals, et al).

With a few simple precautions, you can take responsibility to assist in protecting your significant financial investment.

On January 2, New Bedford police officers seized a combined 50 grams of cocaine, Percocet pills, and approximately $3,000 in cash as the result of an investigation in the area of 87 Fruit Street in New Bedford.
 
27-year old William Rodriguez of 344 Morgan Street and 30-year old Jarel Howell of 4 Shawnee Ct. were both charged for trafficking cocaine. Detective Tim Soares was the arresting officer in this case. 

If you have any information on criminal activity in your community, the New Bedford Police Dept. wants to hear from you. You can leave an anonymous tip on our voicemail at (508) 991-6300 Ext. 1.

“The New Bedford Police Department grieves the passing of retired Capt. Richard M. Spirlet of Westport.

He was the beloved husband of Lois (Shea) Spirlet, father of Susan Spirlet, Troy Spirlet (Donna), and Tara Spirlet Johnsons (Steven) and brother of Anne Spirlet.

Capt. Spirlet’s contributions to the NBPD and the City of New Bedford are historic and deeply respected. He served as Commander of the north end station, PIO, and as the Coty’s first K-9 officer along with a host of other outstading and memorable achievements. Capt. Spirlet was also a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard.

“Capt. Spirlet’s contributions to the department and community remain significant to this day. He left a positive impression wherever he went, and for me personally, he was a rare and irreplaceable friend.”-Chief Cordeiro.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, children, ad entire family. We will remember and honor him always. Our hearts are collectively broken with the loss of this amazing man. #RIP.”

Mayor Jon Mitchell today announced the reopening of a Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Care Center in New Bedford for those recovering from COVID-19.

The former nursing home facility, located at 4586 Acushnet Avenue, is slated to open January 18, 2021 as a COVID-19 recovery and care center. The facility will be operated by Essex Group’s nonprofit Buttonwood Healthcare division, a partnership that began in April with the announcement of the establishment of two regional care centers in New Bedford.

It is one of two such facilities leased by the City. Earlier this year, the City opened the other of the two facilities, located at 1123 Rockdale Avenue; that care center will remain closed at this time. The Acushnet Avenue site has 123 beds, while the Rockdale Avenue site has 107 beds. The care center will be staffed by physicians and advanced practice nurses who are committed to seeing that patients are cared for and treated.

The City has decided to reopen the facility to assist the region’s healthcare system with the recent surge of COVID-19 patients. The facility will house patients who still require medical care, but do not require hospitalization, to ease the burden on local hospitals.

The centers are designed to serve as post-hospital recovery centers for patients recovering from COVID-19. Patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 may need extended recovery time from the illness and/or may need additional time to be released from quarantine, utilizing one of these care centers.

“Our most important objective right now is to protect the vulnerable so that they can have the opportunity to be vaccinated. Central to this effort is ensuring that the health care system can attend to all patients who come through its doors,” said Mayor Mitchell. “We retained control of the surge facilities we established last Spring in case there was another resurgence of the virus, and now we need the same relief again. With new cases higher than ever and a regional health system stretched nearly to full capacity, we are reopening the larger of the two facilities so that our hospitals can continue to provide necessary care to COVID and non-COVID patients alike. I wish to thank Frank Romano of Essex Group for his steadfast commitment to operate the facility, Keith Hovan at Southcoast Health for his reliable partnership, and the Baker-Polito Administration for its willingness to cover the patients admitted to the surge facility with public health insurance.”

“Essex Group is pleased to continue to serve as the operator of New Bedford’s innovative regional care centers, which provide necessary additional capacity for patients recovering from COVID-19,” said Frank Romano, CEO of Essex Group Management Corporation. “We are pleased to be part of the team collaborating to stand up these facilities, thanks to the leadership of Mayor Jon Mitchell, who recognized the need to add COVID-19 capacity in southeastern Massachusetts early on in this crisis. We are also thankful to Secretary Marylou Sudders for her support and for helping to make the process a smooth and cohesive one, including through MassHealth coverage.”

“We deployed extra patrols on New Year’s Eve to enhance safety on our roadways. Even though bars and restaurants closed early because of the ongoing pandemic curfew, we realized that there were still many opportunities for drivers to consume alcohol at private gatherings.

The extra patrols were deployed in all five geographic Troops during the night and made four arrests, issued criminal summons to three other motorists, and issued 137 citations for unsafe driving offenses, including 66 speeding tickets.

As seen in the photos, we stationed our two Breath Alcohol Testing Mobiles on busy roadways, one on Route 16 in Medford and Everett and the other on Route 290 in Northborough. As can often be the case, the night became eventful in other ways as well.

Patrols from Troops B and C (western and central Massachusetts) were diverted to Springfield before midnight to assist in the investigation into the shooting of our Trooper there, and patrols in Troop H (Metropolitan Boston) assisted in investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash.”

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Massachusetts State Police photo.