A former resident of New Bedford was resentenced today in federal court for a 2013 armed bank robbery.

David A. Frates, 41, was resentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 84 months in prison, five years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $1,098. Frates was originally sentenced in July 2016 to 11 years in prison after he was classified as a career offender. In 2018, Frates’s classification as a career offender was vacated by the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and he was ordered resentenced.

On Sept. 24, 2013, Frates, who was masked and armed with what appeared to be a semi-automatic firearm, entered a branch of the St. Anne’s Credit Union in New Bedford. Once inside, Frates approached a teller, pointed the firearm at the teller and demanded the bank’s money. The teller complied with Frates demands and he exited the bank. The bank’s surveillance cameras and witness interviews identified Frates as a possible suspect. On Oct. 1, 2013, law enforcement recovered items involved in the robbery, including a black BB gun. Frates was later located and arrested for the robbery.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced the award of four contracts to provide Mobile Addiction Services Vans in Boston, Springfield, Worcester, Fall River, and New Bedford, that will serve individuals at high risk for overdose and other medical complications associated with substance use.

The mobile vans will provide treatment and basic clinical care including medications for addiction treatment, naloxone distribution and training, and syringe exchange. They will also offer primary care services such as wound care, vaccinations, screenings for communicable diseases including HIV and tuberculosis, and referrals to behavioral health services and specialty care.

“The disproportionate impact on underserved communities and populations requires that we bring treatment and care to people who otherwise would not get it,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “These vans will bring treatment directly into areas most affected and connect them to potentially lifesaving services.”

The goal is to provide care to individuals not receiving services through other means, initiate medication for addiction treatment, and provide connections to long-term, community-based care in an effort to prevent overdose deaths, support long-term recovery, and improve health and quality of life for vulnerable individuals.

“Offering low threshold, low barrier access to treatment, clinical care and harm reduction services is crucial,” said Deirdre Calvert, Director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. “These vans will provide additional access and help us to connect with individuals we’ve been unable to reach before.”

DPH will provide each of the van service providers, Boston Health Care for the Homeless in Boston, Tapestry Health Systems in Springfield, UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, and Stanley Street Treatment and Resources (SSTAR) in New Bedford, $350,000 annually to provide these services. The Kraft Family Foundation has donated the vans in Worcester and Springfield. The anticipated start of Mobile Addiction services is July 1, 2020.

On May 19, New Bedford police officers arrested three people and seized more than 25 grams of fentanyl, 18 grams of crack cocaine, $1,007, and drug paraphernalia.

Police officers executed a search warrant at 128 Sycamore St., Apt. 2, and seized 20 bags of fentanyl weighing more than 25 grams, a digital scale, packaging materials and $895.

Juan Rivera Montilla, 25, was charged with trafficking, conspiracy, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Nathaneal Navarro-Ayala, 40, 128 Sycamore St., Apt. #2 was charged with trafficking and conspiracy. Detective Timothy Soares led the investigation.

Also that day, Detectives seized more than 18 grams of crack cocaine and $112 after witnessing what appeared to be a street-level drug transaction on Hathaway St. near Madeira Ave. Erique R. Monteiro, 33, 71 S. 6th St. was arrested and charged with distribution, trafficking, and conspiracy.

Detective Nathan Pimental and Detective Kevin Barbosa led the arrests.

If you have any information on criminal activity in 2our 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.

It protected your boat all winter, now it’s time to protect the environment.

White boat wrap is accepted through this drop-off program at the Dartmouth Transfer Station. Zippers and straps must be removed and discarded. Spray painted wrap cannot be accepted.

“Shrink wrap is a valuable recyclable plastic and it is a waste of our limited disposal resources at Crapo Hill to treat it as garbage. We are working with the Waterways Commission and the Harbormaster to alert individual boaters of this win-win solution to the annual shrink wrap disposal problem.” said David Hickox, Director of Public Works in the Town of Dartmouth.

Dartmouth residents may take boat wrap to the Dartmouth Transfer Station, May 18 through June 30. A transfer station permit is required. There is a container for boat wrap only. The Dartmouth Transfer Station is open Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Dartmouth residents who would like to obtain a transfer station permit, or a day pass, may call the Dartmouth DPW at (508) 999-0740.

The boat wrap collected through this program can be recycled into a variety of items including plastic pallets, composite lumber, and plastic film used to cover greenhouses.

For more information, contact the Refuse District’s recycling office by phone at (508) 979-1493 or by email at Marissa@gnbrrmdistrict.org.

New Bedford officials reported three additional COVID-19 related death on Wednesday bringing the total to 52.

Mayor Jon Mitchell’s office reported 24 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Bedford on Wednesday, bringing the total positive cases in the city to 1,582, up from 1,552 on Tuesday.

Greater New Bedford has six operation COVID-19 testing sites; two in New Bedford, three in Dartmouth, and one in Fairhaven. Details on each location and list of COVID-19 symptoms here.

38 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 1,042. The death toll from the coronavirus in Fall River remains at 22. Full details here.

With Governor Baker outlining his plan for reopening the state’s economy Monday, COVID-19 numbers continue to trend in a positive direction overall. Massachusetts has seen 873 more positive cases in the last 24 hours. A decrease from the previous 24 hour period. Full details here.

“On Saturday, May 16, 2020, Massachusetts Environmental Police responded to a residence in Somerset to a report of someone disturbing a pair of Canada Geese and their nest.

Upon arrival, the individual admitted to chasing off a pair of Geese with a garden hose and then destroying their nest. The individual was cited for violations of Massachusetts General Law 131 Section 74.

The Canada Goose is the only species of goose that breeds in Massachusetts. The species thrives in both residential and suburban areas – and given their population growth, they can also become nuisance.

However, taking, disturbing, or destroying the nest and/or eggs of Canada Geese is illegal. For information on how to deal with Canada Geese and to avoid or solve problems with them, please visit .”-Massachusetts Environmental Police.

“On the evening of Monday, May 18, 2020, Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers conducted a plain-clothed enforcement patrol along the Boston waterfront.

Officers encountered several individuals engaged in fishing, ultimately observing numerous striped bass fishing violations, to include: possession limit violations, minimum size violations, and illegal possession of river herring violations.

In total, the Officers issued nearly $2,500 in fines and seized 15 illegally caught striped bass. The seized catch was properly stored overnight and will be donated to the Pine Street Inn, a homeless service shelter in Boston.”-Massachusetts Environmental Police.

“Can we have your attention please??? Do you remember Luscious? Our beautiful girl who has been waiting for her forever home since December 25, 2018…HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!!!!!!

Luscious has found herself a wonderful home, with an amazing and dedicated new mom who has been spending time with her during her training. After waiting over a year to find a family of her own, her patience was rewarded today.

Thank You to New England Dog Training-Bill you were absolutely amazing to this girl, and we are so grateful.

Thank you to New Bedford Guide Fall River Reporter and WSAR for doing spotlights, and featuring her on your streams and shows!

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY LUSCIOUS! You have certainly earned it. Thank You SO VERY MUCH to your new family for taking a chance on this amazing girl. We wish you all the best!”-Forever Paws Animal Shelter.

Support Your local no-kill animal shelter, providing shelter to The Greater New Bedford and The Greater Fall River Areas: WALK TO SUPPORT FOREVER PAWS! (or run or bike!)

How does it work? 3 easy steps:

Register HERE for the virtual 1 mile or virtual 5K any time between May 1 – May 31. During registration you will be asked to choose your participating Shelter and team. Be sure to select FOREVER PAWS and 100% of your $10 registration fee will come to us. That’s right, 100%. (You can also choose to make an additional donation as your register.)

Walk or Run your distance (with your pet if you would like) by June 1. Note: Local Stay at Home orders allow us to run outdoors (observing Social Distancing guidelines).

Submit your Time online either using the free “IYR Virtual” mobile app or manually in the online race results. CLICK HERE for instructions on how to use the IYR Virtual app and enter your time.

Bonus: Participants who send a picture of them and their pet walking/running/biking to asilva@foreverpaws.com will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket!

Runners who submit their time by June 1 will be entered into a drawing for “door prizes.”

“It breaks our heart to announce the recent passing of Fran Haddocks, a dear member of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office family.

Fran started as a Corrections Officer and worked his way up to Superintendent over his almost 40 years here, and although he officially retired years ago, he was a frequent face around the BCSO and a friend to many. “Fran gave each of us who worked with, and for him, the opportunity to learn and grow professionally through his guidance and compassion,” Sheriff Hodgson wrote while informing the staff of Fran’s passing.

Please keep the Haddocks family, especially Maj. Belinda Bulgar, Donna Robertson, Marcel Canery, Maj. Scott Rose and K9 Officer Brennan Bulgar, in your thoughts.”-Bristol County Sheriff’s Office.