The Buttonwood Park Zoo has opened another brand new outdoor exhibit on its seven acre campus – this time, a home for the world’s smallest species of deer.

The new outdoor habitat, filled with lush green grass and a cool watering hole, was created for BPZOO’s two Chilean pudu, Kelly, age 8 and Chewy, age 4. Native to Chile and Argentina, they have been living behind the scenes at BPZOO for more than a year – and are now adjusting to their new space.

“Although very small in stature, Chilean pudu make up for their diminutive size with a large personality,” said Buttonwood Park Zoo Director, Keith Lovett. “The new expansive pudu habitat allows the Zoo to not only provide an enriching environment for the animals, but it also creates the opportunity for the Zoo to raise conservation awareness for this unique species which is experiencing population declines in the wild.”

8 year old female Chilean pudu, Kelly under some greenery in BPZOO’s newly opened habitat. Buttonwood Park Zoo photo.

Chilean pudu (Pudu puda), also referred to as southern pudu, live in the temperate forests of southern Chile and southwestern Argentina. They are listed as a Near Threatened species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population is declining as a result of forest loss and degradation, predation by domestic dogs, vehicular accidents, poaching as well as potential impacts from other species (such as wild boar, invasive deer, and cattle).

An adult pudu’s body length is less than three feet long, with its shoulder height ranging from 1 to 1.5 feet tall. The pudu has a short, reddish-brown coat and a short tail. Fawns are born with white spots. Males have simple spike antlers about 3 inches in length.

The Buttonwood Park Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Chilean pudu. The goal of the SSP is to cooperatively manage animal populations within AZA accredited zoos to ensure the sustainability of a healthy and genetically diverse population while enhancing the conservation of this species in the wild.

There are only 42 Chilean pudu at 13 AZA accredited facilities.

Jonovan Gonzalez, 27, of New Bedford will be arraigned this morning in New Bedford District Court on charges connected to the Tuesday night homicide of a 41-year-old man in New Bedford, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

The defendant is charged with murder, carrying an illegal firearm, and carrying a loaded illegal firearm. He was taken into custody on Wednesday evening by New Bedford Police.

The arraignment will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gillian Kirsch, who has coordinated the investigation for the district attorney’s office since Tuesday night.

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to this office, New Bedford Police and Homicide Unit prosecutors continue to actively investigate the homicide.

At 9:51 pm on Tuesday, New Bedford Police responded to reports of a shooting in the area of 139 Dartmouth Street. When police and paramedics arrived on the scene, they located the male victim outside of 139 Dartmouth Street.

The victim, later identified as Ausarmaat Rahotep, 41, of New Bedford, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency room doctors, the victim succumbed to his injuries and died at 10:16 p.m.

The Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken custody of the deceased and will conduct an autopsy.

Tatianna Morales of New Bedford is missing. She’s been missing for 24 hours without contacting her friends or family and she would never leave her son who has a birthday coming up. It’s very unusual for Tati to not answer her close friends and family for this long and she’s not one to up and disappear.

She’s 5’4, 21 years old, brown eyes, heavyset, and her hair was last seen in a bun, wearing black shorts, a white cardigan, and a graphic tee. Last seen in Roxbury and had texted she was going to get her son but never showed up.

She was driving a white Ford Escape with Massachusetts plates and was with Jovanie Pierre aka “Vanny Barrz” who is also missing.

If seen please call New Bedford Police Department at (508) 991-6300 or her family at 774-762-3832.

Jovanie Pierre aka “Vanny Barrz.”

At about 11:50 AM on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, officers assigned to District A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for an armed robbery in the area of 1 Avenue De LaFayette (Hyatt Regency) in Boston. On arrival, officers were met by the victim who stated he had met the female suspect on an online dating app.

The victim stated the suspect met the victim in the lobby before they made their way back to the suspect’s hotel room where they had a conversation lasting approximately thirty minutes. The victim stated the suspect pulled out a taser and held it to the victim while she rummaged through his pockets. The victim stated the suspect stole over one hundred dollars from him before he was able to run out of the room. The victim stated he notified the hotel’s security staff who in turn called police.

Officers proceeded up to the suspect’s hotel room where they were met by the suspect who denied knowing the victim. The suspect stated she had never seen the victim before. As officers continued to try to ascertain what had actually occurred between the two parties, the suspect became completely uncooperative. The suspect eventually started FaceTiming another male before officers located a pink taser on top of the suspect’s luggage. Officers recovered the taser and the suspect was taken into custody.

Officers arrested Selena Rivera-Apodaca, 24-years-old, of Kent, Washington. Rivera-Apodaca is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on the charge of Armed Robbery.

A protected piping plover chick was illegally removed from a RI beach last week by vacationers who brought it home to MA.

When the chick became ill, it was brought to a wildlife rehabilitator. Despite the best efforts of veterinarians, the chick had become too weak from the ordeal and died.

An investigation is ongoing. This serves as an important reminder to not disturb or interfere with plovers or other wildlife.

Yesterday afternoon Forestry 1, Marine 1, and the Mattapoisett Harbormaster responded to a reported sunken vessel off Antassawomock.

F-1 checked for any potential environmental concerns onshore while M-1 checked the area around the boat and none were found.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. today Trooper Michael MacDonald and his Field Training Officer, Trooper John Mindek, assigned to State Police Sturbridge, were conducting stationary patrol on Route 84 eastbound in Sturbridge. While they were stationary they observed a gray Volkswagen with a large crack in the windshield. Trooper MacDonald then entered traffic and proceeded to catch up to the vehicle, noting it was being operated at 80 miles per hour where the posted speed limit is 65 mph. He then activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle.

Once the vehicle was stopped both Troopers approached it and identified the operator, then informed him why he was stopped. While they were speaking to the operator Trooper MacDonald detected a strong odor of freshly burnt Marijuana. He also observed signs of impairment on all three occupants inside of the vehicle. After subsequent investigation on scene it was determined the operator was under the influence of Marijuana and the vehicle was going to be towed. Additionally, it was discovered his driver’s license was suspended.

Prior to the vehicle getting towed the passengers were asked to exit. The front seat passenger, identified as RASHAAD ELIE, 24, of Malden, immediately began acting strangely and stood in a defensive position, worrying Troopers that he may be concealing a weapon. A pat-frisk of ELIE’s person was conducted and Troopers immediately located a firearm, loaded with a round in the chamber. ELIE did not possess a license to carry firearms. He was cooperative and was placed in custody without incident. Troopers also located numerous pills, believed to be Xanax, in a small fanny pack that was in ELIE’s possession.

ELIE was transported to State Police-Sturbridge where he was booked. The rear seat passenger was released from the scene without charges. A bail commissioner was contacted and placed a bail amount of $1000.00 on ELIE. He is expected to be arraigned at Dudley District Court on the following charges:

1. Carrying a Firearm;
2. Possession of a Firearm without FID Card;
3. Carrying a Loaded Firearm;
4. Possession of a Firearm with Two Prior Violent/Drug Convictions;
5. Improper Storage of a Firearm;
6. Possession of Ammunition without FID Card; and
7. Possession of a Class E Drug.

The operator was issued a criminal summons and allowed to leave the scene, he will be required to appear at Dudley District Court in the near future on the following charges:

1. Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License;
2. Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Intoxicating Drugs;
3. Marker Lanes Violation;
4. Speeding; and
5. Equipment Violation (windshield).

“Dear School Committee members,

As a concerned parent, I am highly disappointed by your decision to start school with remote learning. Frankly, you did not use any guidelines or recommendations by the state or Governor Baker.

You certainly did not use science or local statistics/trends to guide your decision. Your decision leads me to believe that the driving force for your vote was the administration’s inability to implement the proposed hybrid plan in a timely fashion. If that is the case, then shame on you. There is no excuse why other local school districts are able to implement such a plan while Dartmouth sits on its hands and buys some time with remote learning.

When 80% of parents surveyed felt comfortable enough to send their children to school in some capacity, you as administrators take that choice away from these parents. You are cheating the students, parents, teachers, and faculty of Dartmouth I strongly suggest you convene at an earlier date and reconsider your vote.

Sincerely,
Paul Couto.”

New Bedford police have reported three shootings since Sunday, one resulting in the death of a 41-year old man.

New Bedford police were alerted to a shot spotter activation in the 140-block of Myrtle Street around 00:10 am on Wednesday. Police discovered evidence of shots fired, but no injuries were reported.

At 9:51 pm on Tuesday, New Bedford Police responded to reports of a shooting in the area of 139 Dartmouth Street. When police and paramedics arrived on the scene, they located a male victim at 139 Dartmouth Street. The victim, later identified as 41-year old Ausarmaat Rahotep of New Bedford, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of emergency room doctors, the victim succumbed to his injuries and died at 10:16 p.m.

There was also a shooting Sunday night. new Bedford police responded to a ShotSpotter activation on Sunday at approximately 3:43 am in the area of 211 Acushnet Ave., near Monte’s Park. Evidence of shots fired was discovered. Police are actively investigating the incident.

University still committed to celebrating the 1,900 graduates on campus in 2021.

Today, UMass Dartmouth announced that October Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2020 will be postponed until 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the original May 2020 Commencement ceremonies were postponed to October 9 and 10, 2020.

The University is committed to holding on-campus Commencement ceremonies when the events can be held safely per all federal and state guidelines and protocols.

“You finished your UMassD career under difficult circumstances, and you did so with grace, creativity, and passion. I commend you and look forward to a time when we call all celebrate together,” said Acting Chancellor Mark Preble.

In May 2020, the 1,410 undergraduates, 412 graduate students, 45 doctoral students, and 60 law students celebrated their graduation virtually alongside their peers, faculty, staff, and alumni.