Massachusetts State Police arrest man for trafficking cocaine

On Wednesday at about 6:10 p.m., Trooper Bryce Molnar assigned to the State Police-Northampton Barracks was patrolling Route 91 southbound when he observed a black Chevrolet Cruz with a New Hampshire registration abruptly swerve from the left lane to the right lane, narrowly missing another vehicle travelling in the right lane. Trooper Molnar activated his emergency lights and stopped the car near Exit 18 in Northampton.

As the vehicle came to a stop, Trooper Molnar observed the back passenger duck below the seat out of his view. The Trooper approached the passenger side and could see the rear passenger, later identified as, PETER GARRETT, 32 of Springfield, still leaning over with one hand positioned near a black backpack placed near his feet. Trooper Molnar asked GARRETT to step out of the vehicle in order to search the area where he was seated. GARRETT was pat frisked and seated in the rear of Trooper Molnar’s cruiser.

As a result of a search, the trooper discovered a white rock-like substance, believed to be crack cocaine, with an approximate weight of 75 grams. In addition, approximately 100 wax baggies of suspected heroin, and a total of $2,490 cash was seized from GARRETT’s person and the backpack.

GARRETT was transported to the Northampton Barracks where he was booked. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $50,000. GARRETT was transported to the Hampshire County Jail where he was held until his arraignment yesterday in Northampton District Court.

GARRETT was charged with the following offenses; Drug Trafficking Class B and Possession of Class A.




Investigators offering $5,000 reward for Sid Wainer fire assistance

New Bedford Fire Chief Paul N. Coderre Jr. and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey are asking for the public’s help with the March 24, 2020 fire at Sid Wainer & Son Food Distribution Company at 2301 Purchase Street in New Bedford. The fire started a little after midnight on the loading dock and involved a number of tractor-trailers.

“Anyone who saw something or someone in the area around the time of the fire or who has any information about how it started, is asked to call the confidential Arson Hotline at 1-800-682-9229,” said Chief Coderre. “We do not know what caused the fire and are not saying it is arson. We are using the 800 number we have for the public to communicate with us about fires confidentially and to advertise the reward program,” he added. The Arson Hotline is part of the Arson Watch Reward Program sponsored by the property and casualty insurance companies of Massachusetts. The program provides rewards of UP TO $5,000 for information that helps investigators determine the cause, whether or not it is arson.




Massachusetts Public Health officials warn of virus-linked syndrome in children

Chris Lisinski
State House News Service

With nine suspected cases of a newly identified pediatric condition in Massachusetts that may be connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel on Thursday alerted health care providers to be on the lookout and ordered them to report any additional cases immediately.

More than 100 cases of the condition, referred to as pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome, have been confirmed in New York, including three deaths.

Bharel said in a Thursday memo that nine children in Massachusetts hospitals are suspected to have PMIS, flagging it as a key issue for those on the front lines to watch. She called for mandatory reporting of any confirmed or suspected cases in patients younger than 21 to the Department of Public Health, effective immediately, “to reduce morbidity and mortality.”

“The reason this order’s important is to put out what the symptoms are that primary care and hospitals should be looking for to report this condition,” Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said at a Thursday press conference on COVID-19 response. “We don’t know what the prevalence is of the condition in Massachusetts yet. That’s why the public health order was so important.”

Health experts have long said that children are less vulnerable to the COVID-19 respiratory illness than adults, but evidence is growing in Europe and in New York state that they may be susceptible to an inflammatory condition that appears linked to the same novel coronavirus.

In her advisory, Bharel wrote that the majority of PMIS patients tested positive for SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Bharel instructed providers to investigate whether pediatric patients who may be presenting symptoms of the syndrome have had any recent illness with COVID-19 or close contact with someone else who caught the highly infectious virus.

The symptoms do not mirror COVID-19, however. Fever, inflammation and other severe issues such as organ failure could be signs of the syndrome, Bharel wrote, when there is no evidence of a plausible alternative diagnosis.

“This syndrome has features which overlap with Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome,” Bharel wrote. “Inflammatory markers may be elevated, and fever and abdominal symptoms may be prominent. Other reported findings have included rash, myocarditis and other cardiovascular changes, coagulopathies, and acute kidney injury. Additionally, some patients have developed cardiogenic or vasogenic shock and required intensive care. Respiratory symptoms may not be a prominent feature.”

She stressed the importance of “early recognition” by pediatricians and added that it is “essential” for providers to collaborate with specialists in infectious diseases, rheumatology, cardiology and critical care.

Public health officials have confirmed 80,497 COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts since the outbreak began and a cumulative death toll of 5,315. Less than 4 percent of all confirmed cases were observed in residents 19 and younger, and the rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 was also the lowest in that age group by a wide margin.

In a Wednesday statement, before Bharel issued new guidance and while state officials were still compiling data about the prevalence of the syndrome in the state, American Academy of Pediatrics Massachusetts Chapter President Dr. Elizabeth Goodman said the growing concerns highlight “why it’s important that parents stay connected to their pediatrician.”

“If a pediatrician thinks a child should be seen in the office, we urge parents to follow through so that we can catch things early, before they become emergent,” she said. “Any family with a known COVID-19 case — any family member — should be on the lookout for fever, rash, red eyes, cracked lips, abdominal pain, swollen or red hands or feet in their children, even if the child was never sick.”




New Bedford reports 88 more COVID-19 cases, death total remains at 45

Mayor Jon Mitchell’s office reported 88 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Bedford on Friday, bringing the total positive cases in the city to 1,383, up from 1,295 on Thursday. No additional deaths were reported leaving the total COVID-19 related deaths at 45.

The City of New Bedford is offering a mask to any New Bedford resident who wants one at no cost, at a series of drive-through distribution events in late May and June. Full details here.

18 additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River, according to Mayor Coogan’s Office. This brings the total in Fall River to 906. Fall River saw 2 more deaths, bringing the total to 19. Full details here.

On May 14, the Massachusetts Public Health Department reported that the state added 1,685 more positive cases of COVID-19 bringing to total to 82,182. This is an increase from Wednesday’s 1,165 reported cases. Full details here.

Several Republican legislators on Tuesday urged Gov. Charlie Baker to not delay the reopening of the economy any longer, expressing frustration that other states around Massachusetts are allowing businesses to resume activities while owners and employees in their districts remain in limbo. Full details here.




New Bedford Creative announces self-guided public art walking tours in Seaport Cultural District and North End

Reimagining urban spaces is second nature to New Bedford artists. Throughout the city, you’ll find public areas that have been either activated or redefined thanks to the creative impulses of artists in this authentic seaport destination on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

This coming summer, as we all reimagine what time spent outdoors means without public events due to the Covid-19 crisis, this wealth of art has now been collected into three self-guided Public Art Walking Tours by New Bedford Creative, which can still be enjoyed as a community while practicing social distancing.

Patricia Thomas, Co-chair of New Bedford Creative Consortium’s Public Art Squad and Artistic Director of culture*park says, “With these designated Walking Tours, New Bedford is right alongside other great cities where artists, art and community matter!”

“Being able to visit works of art outside, and in person now, is an extra special gift. I hope folks will get out and walk to see the murals, statues and other outside art that may have been hiding in plain sight.”

The Self-Guided Tours are available to residents and visitors alike as either downloadable PDFs or via a specially created Google map. You can find links to both on NewBedfordCreative.org’s cultural district page and the tours page on DestinationNewBedford.org.

There, you’ll find the Self-Guided Public Arts Tours arranged into three distinct districts in New Bedford: The Seaport Cultural District – Downtown; The Seaport Cultural District – Waterfront; and Love The Ave in the North End centered along Acushnet Avenue.

In all, over 50 works of art ranging from murals to sculpture are represented on the tours. Many represent the commitment and investment New Bedford has made in its culture over many years. That’s a historical feature of the city that’s seen renewed energy and purpose in recent times. It’s caused an explosion of public art by the many artists who make their home here.

Other work reflects the individual inspiration of those artists who characterize themselves as street artists and who bestow their gifts upon the city at random. These gems arrive with regularity upon the landscape.

Indeed, though all the New Bedford Creative Self-Guided Public Art Walking Tours are bursting with talent, more still remains to be discovered in the city and none of them are designed to be comprehensive but rather interactive.

Public art walking tour patrons are encouraged to discover the work listed on each tour, as well as new work that comes to light regularly throughout the city.

Share your revelations with all of us by taking pictures and sharing to social media with the hashtag #NBCreative. The tours and the wonder this artwork generates can create a new community experience all its own as we collectively redefine our city together moving forward.

The New Bedford Creative Consortium is the leadership group whose purpose is overseeing the execution of the citywide strategic Arts and Culture Plan entitled New Bedford Creative: our art, our culture, our future. The Arts and Culture Plan is a huge step forward in building a thriving creative ecosystem in our city, and these are the people dedicated to implementing it. This volunteer group is facilitated by the Creative Strategist, meets quarterly and is divided into three Squads: Public Art + Facilities, Placemaking + Community, and Fundraising + Distribution.




New Bedford Cumberland Farms closes after employee tests positive for COVID-19

In April, Cumberland Farms shut down two Westport stores after a delivery driver tested positive for COVID-19 and now a third store has closed. The Cumberland Farms store at 757 Ashley Blvd. in New Bedford closed its doors after one of their employees tested positive for the coronavirus.

The temporary closing on Tuesday evening was to allow a crew to disinfect, clean and sanitize the entire store and reopen at some point next week.

In a statement by the company, they stated “We are making every effort to provide the affected Team Member and our broader team with the necessary resources and support. We are taking all appropriate steps following guidance from local health officials.

We are grateful to all our customers for your patience and understanding during this time. All Team Members that work at these stores have been contacted and advised to follow CDC-recommended guidelines.”




Massachusetts State Police respond to motorcycle crash in Medford that claims life of one, leaves another injured

Last night at about 9:20 p.m., Troopers from State Police-Medford responded to a motorcycle crash on Fellsway North in Medford that resulted in the death of the operator and seriously injured the passenger.

Preliminary investigation indicates a 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle being operated by, ENZO VNICIUS, 29, of Malden, popped the front tire off the roadway. VNICIUS then lost control of the motorcycle and struck the right rear corner of a parked van, ejecting both he and his passenger.

VNICIUS struck a tree and was determined deceased on scene. His passenger, a 31-year-old female from Somerville, was thrown onto the sidewalk and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by Troop A of the Massachusetts State Police along with the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section (CARS), and Crime Scene Services Section (CSSS). Troopers were assisted on scene by the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

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#StigmaFreeSouthCoast: Juliet Xifaras

Juiet Xifaras, RN, IBCLC, and wellness enthusiast has over ten years of experience in the field of maternity nursing, specializing in breastfeeding and childbirth education. In 2018 she followed her passion and launched “Wholehearted Wellness” to support mind and body wellness using holistic solutions. She continues to support mothers with lactation and the challenges that may arise for women navigating the transition to motherhood. Juliet is a wife and twin mama. She sat down with us to discuss strategies and struggles during postpartum/perinatal as well as her own mental health struggles.

Juliet started out her career in social work primarily working with pregnant teenagers and this inspired her to go into nursing. Her nursing career started as a labor and delivery nurse in San Diego supporting laboring and birthing moms. Eventually, Juliet became a lactation consultant and worked with moms during the perinatal period. “The postpartum period is such a major transition for these women,” says Juliet, “It is certainly one of the biggest transitions for women.” Juliet mentions that the perinatal stage is defined as during pregnancy and through the postpartum period – into the first year. Using her experience as a lactation consultant, Juliet partnered with a local friend and business owner, Courtney Steele, to offer a 4-week series where new moms could come together to support each other, learn a little more about the lactation process from Juliet but also receive a little pampering. “Self-Care is such a vital part of the postpartum stage and we wanted to provide that as well as a space to gather and collaborate and just be surrounded by other women going through the same process.”

Juliet herself has a pretty significant history with mental health issues. “I struggled with anxiety and depression starting in my late teens,“ said Juliet, “ I had these indirect pressures from my upbringing and family and mixed with my desire for perfection, it caused me to have some significant triggers.” These mental health issues were a concern for some family members when Juliet and her husband, Tom, were considering pregnancy. “I had been building my toolbox, as I call it, of healthy coping mechanisms for when I was feeling triggered. I built this up over time and through experience.” Juliet knew that because of her battles with anxiety and depression it would put her at risk for postpartum depression. After much consideration and deliberation, Juliet and her husband were blessed with twin boys. “I was elated! It was like falling in love all over again.” “After about the first 4 months with my boys, that’s when things started to go badly. I started comparing myself to other moms in these groups I was following and it was my inner need for perfection that I felt like I was failing – mix these feelings with a lack of sleep and I hit a wall and the anxiety and depression hit.” Juliet credits her time spent at the Day Hospital, which is a section of Women and Infants in Providence, where new moms suffering with depression and anxiety, can bring their babies and spend the day. “It was great to spend time with my boys and other moms and their children and support each other,” said Juliet.

Throughout her years of dealing with anxiety and depression, Juliet has been able to not only help herself, but help others in the process. “I know that I need to ask for help when I am feeling triggered. It is part of that toolbox that I have developed over time on what I can draw on and fall back on when I need it.” Juliet shared the acronym M (medications) E (exercise) D (diet – what we eat) S (sleep) as a great starting point to fall back on when feeling overwhelmed/guide to follow to healthy coping skills. “Knowing yourself and knowing your triggers while also being able to ask for help from your support system is the best advice I can give new moms when starting out.”

This article was made possible and is sponsored by Balkun Title & Closing – with years of experience their team is more than qualified to execute final steps for a flawless real estate transaction. Visit them at https://www.danbalkun.com/ or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BalkunTitleandClosing

Stigma free Southcoast is a collaborative initiative highlighting the everyday people of the Southcoast who are working to remove the stigmas associated with mental health, mental illnesses, depression, suicide, postpartum and addiction, to name a few. Our goal and mission is to share our stories and personal battles with the end result of moving closer to removing the stigma. We are your everyday people- the teachers, the businessmen and women, the parent at the sporting event, your neighbor. These are everyday struggles that know no color, race, sex, socioeconomic status- the stigmas are real and they are daunting. Let’s work together to help make a #stigmaFreeSouthcoast.




New Bedford convicted drug dealer charged with fentanyl trafficking

On May 13, New Bedford Police Narcotics Detectives seized more than 30 grams of fentanyl during a search of 314 Coffin Ave., Apt. 5. Along with fentanyl, detectives reportedly discovered more than $1,300 and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

Brian Wayne Still, 40, 314 Coffin Ave., Apt. 5, was charged with trafficking in fentanyl. He has a prior conviction for distribution of class B (cocaine). Detective Nathan Pimental led the investigation.

Fentanyl is responsible for 93% of all overdose deaths in Massachusetts.

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.




Baker to distribute $502 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to local cities and towns

The Baker-Polito Administration Thursday announced that it is preparing to distribute up to $502 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to local cities and towns for eligible costs related to the COVID-19 response effort. The Administration is also providing guidance to local municipalities on this formal distribution process and establishing protocols to maximize the use of federal resources and promote compliance with federal restrictions.

This distribution, plus funds allocated directly to Boston and Plymouth County, represents approximately 25% of the state’s allocation from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, and in most cases, is expected to be sufficient to address incurred or expected eligible COVID-related expenses. This approach is intended to distribute money to municipalities quickly and efficiently, and maintain necessary flexibility to allocate additional funds if unanticipated needs arise, or if federal rules change. These resources will also help ease municipal cashflow pressures.

The Administration’s distribution process will allow municipalities to apply for estimated Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) needs. These funds will help address any existing deficits in FY20, thereby avoiding the need to use reserves to fund a deficit or carry one into Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21). Municipalities will then have the opportunity to request funding for FY21 eligible COVID-19 costs at a later date.

These funds must be utilized by municipalities consistent with parameters established by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES” Act) and guidance from the US Treasury Department.