“As we begin this pilot of new sign designs for buses that are intended to improve our riders’ experience and provide clear information at bus stops, we are asking for public feedback to best ensure we are meeting your expectations,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng

This week, we launched a pilot to redesign bus stop signs in an effort to improve their accessibility and visibility. In the coming weeks, we’ll be hosting eight pop-up events at pilot bus stops to gather rider feedback on the pilot.

This bus stop signage pilot comes in advance of anticipated bus service changes to come as part of the Bus Network Redesign Program.”-Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority photo.

A recent study titled ‘A Life of Tax: How Much Tax Will Americans Pay Over Their Lifetime?’ has revealed that residents of Massachusetts are among those who will pay some of the highest lifetime taxes in the United States.

According to the study, the average American will pay approximately $524,625 in taxes throughout their lifetime, which accounts for about a third (34.7%) of their estimated lifetime earnings of $1,494,986. Massachusetts residents, however, are expected to pay even more, with a total lifetime tax burden of $816,700.

The study breaks down the taxes into different categories. For Massachusetts residents, the tax on earnings is estimated to be $374,256 over a lifetime. Additionally, tax on personal expenses, including food, clothing, personal care, and entertainment, is projected to be $52,039. Property tax will add another $325,086, and owning the most popular car (Toyota Rav 4) will cost an additional $65,319 in tax payments alone, across the average four cars owned in a lifetime.

These figures place Massachusetts as the fourth highest state in terms of lifetime taxes, following New Jersey, Washington D.C., and Connecticut. Residents of New Jersey are expected to pay the most, with a total lifetime tax burden of $987,117.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced upcoming overnight maintenance and debris removal on three key bridges in the New Bedford and Fall River areas.

Starting at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, through 6 a.m. the next morning, road closures and rolling roadblocks will be in effect for the following bridges:

Braga Bridge: Street sweeping will be conducted, requiring rolling roadblocks.

Veterans Memorial Bridge: Maintenance work will be performed, with state police implementing rolling roadblocks.

New Bedford-Fairhaven Swing Bridge: Maintenance activities will take place during this period.

MassDOT advises drivers to exercise caution, reduce speed, and plan for potential delays while traveling through these areas.

Delegation from U.S. Conference of Mayors met with Israeli and Palestinian officials on trip sponsored by Project Interchange.

“NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell chaired a group of U.S. Mayors on a trip to Israel earlier this week on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the leading organization representing American cities. Mayor Mitchell is a member of USCM’s Board of Trustees.

The delegation spent four days in Israel meeting with municipal leaders, academics, business leaders, and experts from both Israel and Palestine. They also held discussions with released hostages and their families, and others coordinating humanitarian aid in the region. Site visits included Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, and the city of Sderot on the border with Gaza. In the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by the terror group Hamas, 70 civilians, including 20 police officers, were murdered in Sderot.

Mayor Mitchell was back at City Hall on Friday.

“Although this is the USCM’s fourth mayoral delegation to Israel, the issues in the region today are more relevant than ever to Americans,” Mayor Mitchell said. “The current conflict is widening the political fault lines in our country, and I believe that it is important for mayors, as the leaders of their cities, to take opportunities like this to deepen their understanding of a situation that, as everyone can agree, is complicated and difficult.”

The trip was sponsored by a joint program between the USCM and the American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange, which facilitates exchanges between Israeli, Palestinian, European, and American officials. The mission of the program is to enhance Americans’ understanding of the region’s politics by exposing mayors to diverse perspectives and promoting new and mutually beneficial relationships with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. This is the program’s fourth mayoral delegation to Israel, which was funded entirely by the program.

Participants included Mayor Daniel Rickman of Columbia, South Carolina, Mayor Travis Stovall of Gresham, Oregon, and officials from the USCM and AJC. Based on security considerations, the USCM requested that members of the delegation refrain from announcing the trip beforehand or releasing details of the itinerary prior to return.”-City of New Bedford.

“BOSTON – A Dominican man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for reentering the United States and distributing fentanyl after previously being deported.

Juan Carlos Santos-Ocasio, a/k/a “Cristhian Aybar-Done,” 44, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to six years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He will be subject to deportation upon the completion of his sentence. In October 2023, Santos-Ocasio pleaded guilty to one count each of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of Fentanyl and unlawful reentry of deported alien.

In October 2007, Santos-Ocasio was arrested in the Bronx, N.Y. for heroin distribution conspiracy. In November 2008, Santos-Ocasio pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of New York and was subsequently sentenced to 37 months in prison. He was removed from the United States upon completion of his sentence in the summer of 2010.

Sometime after his removal, Santos-Ocasio reentered the United States unlawfully. In November 2022, he was arrested in Lawrence, Mass. for reentering the United States without authorization. In addition to being in the U.S. without authorization, Santos-Ocasio also distributed 40 grams or more of fentanyl.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and John E. Mawn Jr., Interim Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“HEADS UP FOR ROUTE 18 DRIVERS:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – MBTA is closing parts of Route 18 overnight next week to work on the new pedestrian bridge.

For construction-related issues on the pedestrian bridge project, please call 508-676-3558 or email or SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us.”-City of New Bedford.

City of New Bedford photo.

“Sheriff Heroux signed a proclamation confirming the BCSO’s commitment to veterans with the U.S. Army Reserve. Sgt. Curtis Mateus and Lt. Nelson Cabral from the newly formed BCSO Veteran’s Committee joined the Sheriff for this signing.

The BCSO Veteran’s Committee consists of both current and former staff who have served in the military. Members volunteer their time in giving advice on departmental issues pertaining to military service members and veterans, guide service members in accessing veteran benefits, coordinating drill, activation, and deployment scheduling, as well as connecting veterans in the community with careers at the Sheriff’s Office.

This new partnership between the BCSO and the Army Reserve will assist soldiers, families, and veterans overcome barriers to obtain meaningful employment opportunities with the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.”-Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.

“Cops for Kids with Cancer met with a 7-year-old, and his family, from Worcester to present a $5,000 check to assist with medical expenses as he undergoes cancer treatment.

Trooper Alexa Harvey, from the Sturbridge barracks, was connected with the boy and his family and knew the troopers from C-5 would love to meet him while the family was presented with this check.

The hope of Cops for Kids with Cancer is to remove some financial burden from parents, so all their energy can go to helping their child beat cancer and live a healthy life.”-Cops for Kids with Cancer.

The following is an opinion sent to New Bedford Guide. It does not reflect the opinion of New Bedford Guide, nor is it an OP-ED. In fairness and objectivity, we share opinions from our readers whether we agree or disagree with their opinion.

Do you have a counter opinion to this opinion? Have an opinion about something else? Email us at info@newbedfordguide.com.

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“The stunning defiance and arrogance of Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump.

Each phase of Israel’s response to the Hamas attack of October 7th reveals the depth of arrogance, self-righteousness and selfishness of Benjamin Netanyahu. The comparison to Donald Trump is startling. Each man is facing criminal convictions and is delaying judicial accountability: Netanyahu by continuing the horrendous war upon Gaza and Trump by fomenting and threatening civil war and utilizing every trial delaying tactic.

Devoid of compassion or commitment to the founding principles of their nations each man is doubling down on hateful rhetoric and is appealing to the vindictive and nationalist tendencies of millions of supporters.

Each man has the ability and possibility of completely destroying any international respect or support previously accorded their nation. The principles of rule of law, equality and fairness have no significance to them but are obstacles to their dictatorial aspirations.

It is particularly distressing that in two of the most educationally advanced nations, with unlimited access to accurate news, that hundreds of thousands of citizens continue to believe obvious lies, and support each man despite overwhelming evidence of their unethical, narcissistic and destructive agendas.”-Betty Ussach, Dartmouth.

“BOSTON – A Dominican man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy in which he sold over $150,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency.

Ruben Dario Diaz Sanchez, 68, was sentenced on April 3, 2024 by U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs to time served (approximately one year in prison). In January 2024, Diaz Sanchez pleaded guilty to four counts of counterfeit acts committed outside of the United States, one count of dealing in counterfeit obligations and securities and one count of conspiracy.

Diaz Sanchez was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2019 along with co-conspirator Maximo Morillo. The defendants were subsequently extradited to the United States in April 2023. Following sentencing, Diaz Sanchez was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.

In or about October 2014, Diaz Sanchez, who resided in the Dominican Republic, solicited an individual in the United States to purchase and smuggle counterfeit U.S. Currency into the United States. Morillo served as the point of contact with a printer manufacturing the counterfeit U.S. Currency in the Dominican Republic. Between May 2015 and January 2016, in the Dominican Republic, Diaz Sanchez arranged, negotiated and coordinated the sales of 1,590 counterfeit $100 bills for a total face value of $150,900.

On Feb. 15, 2024, Morillo was sentenced to time served (approximately one year in prison).

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Dominican Republic law enforcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Diaz Sanchez. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.”-Massachusetts Departmetn of Justice.