“On May 22 the NBPD honored rookie Officer Tyler White with its prestigious Life Saving Award for acting selflessly and with great courage to save the life of another.

Early on the morning of May 1, Officer White responded to a single motor vehicle accident on Turner St. A vehicle struck a tree and was fully engulfed in flames and covered in heavy smoke.

Without hesitation and regard for his own safety, Officer White ran to the burning car and after several attempts was able to remove the driver, who suffered serious lower body injuries from being trapped under the dashboard.”

The 98-bed facility was constructed to guard the region against a spring surge.

The Southcoast Health COVID-19 surge hospital located in the Tripp Athletic Center at UMass Dartmouth has closed. The hospital was built in partnership with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to safeguard the capacity of the region’s hospitals during the COVID-19 spring surge. No patients were admitted to the hospital.

Southcoast Health and MEMA are currently removing all medical equipment from the site and the entire facility will be professionally cleaned. The cleaning process is expected to finish on June 1, 2020.

New Bedford officials reported two additional COVID-19 related deaths since Saturday bringing the total to 61.

Mayor Jon Mitchell’s office reported 73 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Bedford on Tuesday, bringing the total positive cases in the city to 1,757 , up from 1,673 on Saturday.

20 additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River, according to the Mayor’s Office. This brings the total in Fall River to 1,181. The death toll from the coronavirus in Fall River remains at 26. Full details here.

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced that the City of New Bedford has launched MaskNB, an initiative in partnership with the American Red Cross and Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corporation, to continue to promote the widespread use of masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by offering a mask to any City resident who wants one at no cost, at a series of drive-through distribution events in late May and June. Full details here.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles announced it will be implementing further extensions to the renewal timelines for expiring professional credentials, and licenses and permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Driver’s License Permits (CDLs / CLPs). Full details here.

New state guidance allows for high schools to hold in-person, outdoor graduation ceremonies starting July 19, with certain safety precautions in place and as long as public health data around COVID-19 allows the state to continue along its reopening plan. Full details here.

On Wednesday, May 27, 7pm tune in on the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra website or on Facebook for a LIVE STREAM of Bach-Talk with Talk-Bach with NBSO concertmaster Jesse Holstein.

The first known edition of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin dates from 1720 while he was employed at the court of Anhalt-Cothen in Germany. These works greatly expanded the musical, technical, and harmonic possibilities of the violin, which was largely used as a singularly melodic instrument up to that point. With these works, Bach revolutionized both solo violin music and violin playing beyond measure.

Please join Jesse for a deep-dive into their genesis and history through the lens of the final Partita in E-major. (He might even do some very bad baroque dance moves to illustrate the rhythm of the movements. Please don’t let that be a deterrent!)

This Bach-Talk will include a “Talk-Bach” where you can type in questions and comments.
You have two options to view this live stream. The live videos will not appear until very close to 7pm, and it is possible that the performance may start a bit late.

Option 1: If you have a Facebook account, go to the NBSO Facebook Live Videos page where you will see current and past live videos. Click on “Bach-Talk with Talk-Bach” to open the post so that you can comment and see others’ comments.

Option 2: Go to our website and look for the Events tab, then Upcoming Events, and click on “Bach-Talk with Talk-Bach” Simply scroll down to find the video.

All of our live stream performances can be viewed afterward in either place.

On Monday, May 25, at about 7:30 p.m. Wareham Police and other emergency services responded to Sandwich Road for a one car motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival officers observed a male that yelling, flailing his arms, and clenching his fists. It appeared as though he was directing his hostility towards bystanders at the scene. The male now hurled expletives at Officer Aaron Pacheco and Juvenile Detective Karl Baptiste.

The male was detained, and the officers determined that he had crossed the center line striking a curb, crossing the road again striking a guard rail, and then attempted to drive the vehicle to his residence before finally stopping. Multiple individuals told the officers that they had observed the vehicle swerving between lanes prior to the accident. One of the vehicles which had to swerve defensively to avoid a head-on collision was a Wareham Emergency Medical Services ambulance that was transporting a patient to the hospital at the time. Another witness was visibly shaken by the intensity of the accident.

After a brief investigation the officers arrested Alexx Joseph Rezendes (22), of 8 Sandy Road, Wareham. He is being charged as follows;

• Operating under the influence of liquor.
• Possessing an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.
• Marked lanes violation.
• Operating to endanger.
• Speeding.
• Failure to inspect vehicle.
• Disorderly conduct.
• Disturbing the peace.

Mr. Rezendes was not injured in the accident.

“Mayor Jon Mitchell announced that the City of New Bedford has launched MaskNB, an initiative in partnership with the American Red Cross and Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corporation, to continue to promote the widespread use of masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by offering a mask to any City resident who wants one at no cost, at a series of drive-through distribution events in late May and June.

This weekend, May 30 and 31, will be the start of distribution at New Bedford High School, 230 Hathaway Boulevard, with masks available to residents from Ward 1 on Saturday and Ward 2 on Sunday.

– WARD 1: SATURDAY, MAY 30 – 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.
– WARD 2: SUNDAY, MAY 31 – 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.

For more information, visit www.masknb.com. If you’re unsure of the Ward in which you live, visit www.wheredoivotema.com and above the polling location for your address, your Ward will be visible.”

Katie Lannan
State House News Service

Current high school sophomores, who missed their first chance to take the grade 10 English and math MCAs exams this spring amid COVID-19 school closures, will instead likely be given the tests this winter, as 11th graders, under a plan set to be discussed at a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting Tuesday afternoon.

In a memo to board members, Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said administering the 10th grade tests to 11th graders next school year would give members of the class of 2022 the ability to earn the competency determination (CD) required for high school graduation and to qualify for scholarships based on their test scores. The test schedule “will be announced shortly,” and officials “will work to balance the need to provide an opportunity to earn the CD with the uncertainties about school schedules and conditions next year,” the memo said.

Students in the class of 2023, who will be sophomores in the fall, will take their 10th grade tests in the spring, as is usual, and next year’s seniors will have two opportunities for English and math re-tests if they have not yet earned their competency determinations, Riley wrote. “We recognize that the situation for next school year may change depending on the evolving nature of the pandemic,” he wrote. “We will reassess as needed and keep the Board and the public informed about any changes.”

The board plans to meet remotely at 2 p.m., and the agenda includes an update on action steps related to COVID-19. Riley has convened a 27-member working group to help develop “a K-12 summer and fall restart and recovery plan” after a spring of remote learning.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced UMass Dartmouth as one of four institutions selected as part of a Southern New England pilot regional fisheries studies project worth $1.1 million.

Scientists at UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) have been awarded $278,592 to conduct fisheries surveys as part of the Bureau of Ocean Science Energy Management’s (BOEM’s) Regional Fisheries Studies to Guide Offshore Wind Development.

The Baker-Polito Administration, in partnership with the State of Rhode Island and the BOEM, announced grants worth $1.1 million to four institutions to support regional fisheries studies that will collect data vital to the ongoing development of the offshore wind industry in North America, according to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs press release.

“Collaborating with our state and federal partners to support these studies will help us better manage fisheries and natural habitats while positioning the offshore wind industry to stimulate economic development and deliver clean, affordable energy to Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker.

“The data collected through these regional studies will help inform offshore wind development, protect fisheries and marine wildlife, and ensure our fishing industry continues to thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.

The first-in-the-nation studies will conduct important research on recreational and commercial fisheries, seabed habitat, and comparable offshore wind policies in Europe. SMAST scientists will conduct towed net surveys for larval lobster and fish neuston (small fish organisms) throughout the wind energy areas. This 18-month study, led by Professor Kevin Stokesbury, will provide baseline information on the spatial and temporal distribution of species at their earliest life stage, during which they are transported by tides and currents.

“This project is an example of how our dedicated School for Marine Science and Technology faculty, staff and students are working hand-in-hand with the fishing industry and federal and state agencies to gather critical data necessary to advance the development of offshore wind in a manner that ensures the sustainability of important fisheries resources,” said SMAST Dean Steven Lohrenz.

INSPIRE Environmental, the University of Rhode Island, and the New Bedford Port Authority have also been awarded contracts as part of the project.

The initiative is sponsored and funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

Read full press release here

The Freitas family who opened All Ranks Academy of Gymnastics five years ago have made the tough decision to close their doors for good.

The family-owned operation has exhausted every avenue of possibilities to keep the business open – one that has been a great source of joy for children and their parents alike. Because Governor Baker as closed most businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has meant an end to revenue sources for many. While chain stores like Walmart, Costco, A&P, et al have the financial resources and capital to survive – even receiving government “bail-outs” – that isn’t the case for many “mom & pops”
stores like All Ranks Academy of Gymnastics.

The saddest aspect of it all is that the Freitas’ had fulfilled a dream by opening up the gym – a dream that has been smashed and along with it all the families who took much enjoyment from gymnastics. Perhaps many of whom had dreams and aspirations to pursue the sport to an Olympic level.

In a Facebook post the family made the announcement along with a personal message to their clients’ families:

“To All Our All Ranks Academy Families ,

Coach Dustin and Coach Billie.”

In their 5 years of being open the Freitas’ had a positive impact on hundreds of families in the greater New Bedford area and beyond winning state championships and even competing at the national level.

A sad loss not only for the Freitas’ and the kids involved in their program but the entire community.

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles announced it will be implementing further extensions to the renewal timelines for expiring professional credentials, and licenses and permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Driver’s License Permits (CDLs / CLPs).

While the RMV had previously announced 60-day extensions for most credentials, passenger plate registrations and inspection stickers expired or expiring in March and April, extensions will be pushed back even further.

These additional extensions under Governor Charlie Baker’s declaration of a State of Emergency the week of March 9th, replicate the ongoing measures the RMV is taking to reduce the need for customers to physically visit an RMV Service Center or one of its business partners’ facilities, allowing for ‘social-distancing’ by decreasing non-essential travel and customer volume.

The new changes to expiration extensions are now in effect as follows:

All non-commercial driver’s licenses and ID cards that expired or will expire in March, April, and May 2020, will now expire in September 2020. Driver’s licenses and ID cards that will expire in June have been extended until October 2020. Driver’s licenses and ID cards that will expire in July have been extended until November 2020. Driver’s licenses and ID cards that will expire in August have been extended until December 2020. The specific expiration date typically coincides with an individual’s birth date. Customers holding a license marked “Limited-Term” that has expired or will expire between March 1 and August 31, 2020 should visit Mass.gov/RMV for more information and to check the validity of their credential.

All learner’s permits expiring between March and August 2020 have been extended until December 2020. This extension will allow additional time for permit students and driving schools to complete in-car instruction and a road test when those functions are authorized to re-start safely.

All Massachusetts commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and commercial learner’s permits (CLPs) with an expiration date between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020, have been extended. CDLs and CLPs that expired or will expire in March, April, and May 2020, will now expire in September 2020 and do not need to be renewed at this time. CDLs and CLPs that will expire in June have been extended until October 2020. CDLs and CLPs that will expire in July have been extended until November 2020. CDLs and CLPs that will expire in August have been extended until December 2020. This does not apply to any commercial driver or permit holder whose privileges were suspended or revoked for traffic offenses.

All CDL Medical Certificates (Med Certs) that have expired or will expire after March 1st through May 31st have been extended until June 30th. All CDL Medical Certificates expiring between June 1 and August 31 have been extended until September 30, 2020. This will prevent license downgrades and elective medical visits, as well as alleviate demand on medical providers, during the State of Emergency.

The annual motor vehicle safety and emissions inspection stickers that expire on May 31, 2020 will now expire on July 31, 2020. This extension will also apply to those whose expired March 2020, and April 2020 inspection sticker was already extended by 60 days. Annual motor vehicle inspection stickers typically expire on the last date of the month. While automotive repair and maintenance facilities continue to remain open as “essential services” and inspection stations may operate at their discretion, these annual inspections do not need to occur at this time.

All passenger plate registrations that will expire in May 2020, will now expire in July 2020. This extension will also apply to those whose expired March 2020 and April 2020 passenger plate registration was already extended by 60 days. Registration renewals can continue to be performed online at Mass.Gov/RMV during this time. Customers seeking to do so in-person will not be able to make an appointment and should delay their visit to a Service Center at this time.