New Bedford Fire Chief Paul N. Corderre Jr., New Bedford Police Chief Joseph C. Cordeiro, Bristol District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said the cause of the December 28, 2019 fire at 143 Myrtle Street in New Bedford appears to have been an electrical event in the kitchen. Because of the damage to the wiring and the electronic appliances, the fire will remain officially undetermined.

The fire took the life of an elderly man who lived on the top floor of a two-family home.

The fire originated at the kitchen countertop level where there was a toaster, a can opener, and a coffee maker. There was a 3-way adapter plugin one outlet and a microwave oven plugged into an extension cord. It was impossible to determine which, if any, of the appliances were actually plugged in, or in use, at the time of the fire.

The New Bedford Fire Department, the New Bedford Police Department, and State Police assigned to both the Office of the State Fire Marshal and to the Office of the Bristol District Attorney jointly investigated the fire.

Chief Corderre said, “On behalf of the New Bedford Fire Department, I offer my deepest condolences to the family.”

Electrical is one of the leading causes of fatal fires in Massachusetts. For more information on how to prevent electrical fires go to: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/electrical-fire-safety.

City Celebrates! New Year’s Eve presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell and sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank

• FREE Programming throughout Downtown New Bedford 5PM-8PM
• Fireworks on the waterfront by State Pier 8:30PM

Check out amazing street performers, stilt walkers, jugglers, fire-eaters, and…

• An Interfaith Service from 5-6pm in Seamen’s Bethel featuring harpist Eva MacFarlane 6:00-8:00PM
• A dynamic Toe Jam Puppet Band performance at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30PM at the YMCA!
• Living Art: Fortune Teller by Ten31 Productions and Lucky The Whaling City Witch card reading at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park 5:30-7:30PM
• New for 2019! Vinny’s Miracle Fish Puppet at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
• The Living Snow Globe at Wings Court from 5:30 to 7:30!
• The Snow King & Queen at the Zeiterion Penlar space from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
• Hot Chocolate with Miss New Bedford at the Zeiterion theatre starting at 5pm!

6:00-8:00PM

• Jedlie’s Magic Circus presents a Family Magic Workshop at the New Bedford Public Library 5:30 and 6:30PM
• Whaling City Sounds provides jazz music at the UMASS Dartmouth CVPA/Star Store 5:00-7:00PM
• New for 2019! D.D. Bastos & the Sons of Providence play at New Bedford Harbor Hotel 6:00-8:00PM
• Face Painting by Overhead Arts at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

In Wings Court & Custom House Square:

• DJ Anghelli will be spinning dance hits in Wings Court 5:00-8:00PM
• New for 2019! Check out Mr. Vinny’s Bubble Guys and Gals in Wings Court 5:30-7:30PM
• Overhead Arts performances with stilt walkers, and glow hoops (Purchase Street, Wing’s Court, Custom House Square)
• Cirque de Light will heat up the night with improvisational fire spinning and LED hoop performances from 5:00-8:00PM in Custom House Square

On Friday, December 27, detectives from the New Bedford Police Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau seized 98 grams of cocaine, more than $10,000 cash and various drug paraphernalia at the conclusion of an investigation into a cocaine distribution service based in Fall River, MA.

The raid involved searches at 241 Sunset Hill in Fall River netting 98 grams of cocaine and drug paraphernalia and at 113 Globe St. Apt. 3 netting $10,202 cash.

Two small dogs were removed by animal control from the Globe St. address.

As a result of the incident Wilson F. Colon-Tirado, 27, was arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine in excess of 36 and drug possession with intent to distribute. Colon-Tirado was previously convicted of trafficking cocaine in 2018 and is on parole.

The case was led by Det. Kevin S. Barbosa.

Bristol County Savings Bank (BCSB), headquartered in Taunton, Massachusetts, has promoted David J. Medeiros and George J. Mendros to the positions of Vice President/Retail Banking Manager and Vice President/Specialty Relationship Manager, respectively. These changes will further drive the customer experience and deepen the Bank’s relationships within the retail and business sectors.

Medeiros, Vice President/Retail Banking Manager, will be responsible for the management of the entire retail branch network, including oversight of the branches, establishing business development goals, enhancing the customer experience and implementing strategic initiatives. Prior to his current position, Medeiros served as Vice President/Regional Banking Officer and AVP/Regional Branch Administrator for the Bank. Previously, he held the positions of Vice President – Branch Manager and Vice President – Area Manager for Sovereign Bank in the New Bedford, Massachusetts area and Vice President – Lead Branch Manager of the Downtown New Bedford Office for Shawmut Bank, NA.

Active in the community, Medeiros presently serves on the EICC Advisory Committee at New Bedford High School. He was previously a Vice President and Board Member with Downtown New Bedford Inc. and held board positions with Junior Achievement and the American Cancer Society, as well as committee and officer positions with the American Heart Association, United Way of Greater New Bedford and New Bedford Working Capital (PACE). Medeiros resides in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.

As Vice President/Specialty Relationship Manager, Mendros will handle the execution of the Bank’s business development strategy, including the high-risk portfolio, oversight of the cash strategy and providing direction and enhancements for the Bank’s high school branches and educational programs. Prior to his new position, Mendros served as Vice President/Regional Banking Officer and Assistant Vice President/Regional Bank Administrator for the Bank and Branch Manager at the Bank’s North Attleborough banking office. Previously, Mendros held several positions for Bank of Boston and South Shore Bank.

Mendros serves on the Taunton Cable Advisory Board and is a member of the Rotary Club of Taunton, the Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce, the United Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce. He volunteers for the Heart of Taunton, the American Heart Association – Southern New England Heart Walk and the Old Colony YMCA. Mendros earned his bachelor’s degree in History and Classical Studies from Boston University and resides in Taunton.

Due to the expected low “feel like” temps coupled with the freezing rain and high winds, the overflow will be opened again tonight. All inquiries can be forwarded to Sister Rose House and 1-800-homeless.

All guests should plan to arrive for 6:00pm and the cutoff time will be 8:30pm. Dinner will be served between 6:00pm and 7:30pm and we wrap up between 9:45pm and 10pm.

As a reminder, the overflow will be activated on nights that the temperature is expected to be at 28 degrees or less. If the temperature were to drop below 28 at 4 or 5:00am rather than 7 or 8:00pm as an example, it doesn’t ensure that the overflow would open. All guests are expected to get up at 5:00 am and exit the premises by 6 or 7:00am.

Also, precipitation or snow alone doesn’t ensure that the overflow will open but are taken into consideration coupled with the temperatures. We also view the feel like temps, so as an example if the temperature was expected to be at 30 degrees but the wind-chill coupled with rain or snow presents or “feels like” 25 degrees then the overflow would be activated.

Every year we always have grey area days but we do the best in our judgment to make the right call. On days that we are expected to open an email blast will be sent by 12pm.

Also, 1-800-homeless will notify any callers if the overflow will be open on expected days. This will be our 4th season and with all the challenges at any given time, we are hopeful to continue safe operations and save lives, especially on the coldest nights. We also are looking for extra help, especially if the number of guests expected on any given night reaches 30. We also have 25 guests on the main floor so manpower is very important.

Meat lover? This just might be New Bedford’s greatest meal for two or more carnivores. Here’s a look at the ‘Molcajete Cielo Mar y Tierra’ at Mi Antojo Mexican Restaurant – S 2nd st. They also have a location at 113 Conway Street.

William G. Spreyer, A 74-year-old Rehoboth man, died Friday at Rhode Island Hospital hours after being involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle on Route 44 in Rehoboth.

At around 7:45 a.m. Friday, Rehoboth Police received multiple 911 calls reporting that a vehicle traveling westbound had crossed over into the eastbound lane and struck another vehicle in the area of 502 Winthrop Street (Route 44).

The preliminary investigation has revealed that Mr. Spreyer was operating a Toyota Sienna, and traveling westbound towards Seekonk when he veered into the eastbound travel lane and struck a Ford Explorer being operated by a Rhode Island woman. Mr. Spreyer and his 72-year-old wife were seriously injured in the crash and were rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where Mr. Spreyer later died. It is believed that Mr. Spreyer may have suffered from a cardiac-related issue just prior to veering into the eastbound travel lane.

The driver of the Ford Explorer was also taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

There is no suspicion of foul play related to this incident. The investigation and accident reconstruction remains ongoing at this time.

The Second Amendment gives us the right to bear and keep arms, but many Americans don’t know that the original intent of the amendment was not to protect against our neighbors but to stand against their government should the need arise. This is why we should proceed with extreme caution when any politician begins to talk about gun control. The second amendment is something that has been squabbled about for decades and the argument will likely continue for decades more.

Liberals state they want to take gun rights away from citizens for the health and safety of others. Just a glance at the numbers should tell you that this reasoning is false. If their true intent was to protect human life then their first fight should be to ban tobacco which kills over 12 times the people compared to guns nationwide. Their next target should be alcohol, which claims four times as many lives as guns.

Graphs made from 2018 data released by: National Safety Council American Journal of managed care, Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO).

Banning the use of cars would certainly save more lives than banning guns. In fact, all of the choices seem more logical when you consider that in order for guns to be banned we’d have to make a change to the United States Constitution. So the next time you hear of gun control, keep in mind that if their primary objective was public safety they wouldn’t be asking for your guns, they would be focusing on the things that statistically have a higher chance of killing you. What they’re really asking for is your freedom.

Liberals want gun control and conservatives want the freedom awarded by the second amendment. Is there a solution? Maybe.

What if all guns required an insurance policy? That seems to have worked for other situations that involve assets that have the potential for causing damage to others. While no insurance settlement will be able to ease the pain of a loved one being lost to gun violence, an insurance requirement will mean gun owners take more precautionary steps with their weapons and in turn preventing them from falling into the hands of someone not authorized to use them.

Insurance companies could then judge the dangerousness of a particular weapon, based on actual damage that similar weapons had done in the past, and write policies accordingly. It’s far from a perfect scenario, but it might be a compromise that both sides could find acceptable, and definitely something we should consider before a change to the constitution and the removal of one of our oldest freedoms.

Have an opinion or essay to share? Email info@newbedfordguide.com

A motor vehicle stop Friday night led to the arrest of a man for trafficking in heroin, among other charges.

At about 8:20 p.m., Trooper Anthony Martone of the Cheshire Barracks was on patrol on Main Street in North Adams when he observed a 2005 Honda Pilot traveling Westbound in the Eastbound travel lane of Main Street. Trooper Martone pulled the vehicle over and determined that the operator, ORLANDO PEREZ-MARTINEZ, 31, of Holyoke, had a suspended license.

Trooper Martone placed PEREZ-MARTINEZ under arrest and during a motor vehicle inventory, discovered evidence indicating the possible presence of heroin in the vehicle. Further investigation, with assistance from Trooper Scott Mason and Officer Kevin Stant of the North Adams Police Department, led to the discovery of approximately 25 grams of a substance believed to be heroin and approximately 9 grams of a substance believed to be cocaine.

PEREZ-MARTINEZ was charged with the following offenses:

• Trafficking in heroin
• Possession with intent to distribute cocaine
• Wrong-way operation
• Operating after suspension

PEREZ-MARTINEZ was held on $5,000.00 bail pending his arraignment in North Adams District Court.

An altercation between two motorists on the Mass Pike in Auburn last night led to the arrest of a Connecticut man for Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon, among other charges.

At about 9:00 p.m., State Police received a report of a road-rage incident involving two operators who were traveling Westbound on I-90 in Auburn. The caller reported that the other operator had thrown a knife at him while the two traveled on the Pike, causing injuries to him and his passenger. Sergeant Dave Pinkham was able to locate the suspect vehicle, a 2015 Jeep Wrangler, and effected a motor vehicle stop on I-90 Westbound in Auburn.

Trooper Matthew Cunha conducted interviews with all parties involved and determined that the operator of the Jeep, JOSHUA GARREY, 26, of Wethersfield, Connecticut, was traveling westbound when he became involved in a road-rage type incident with the operator of a 2011 BMW 328, which was also traveling westbound. It is believed that the incident initially involved one vehicle cutting off another, then escalated to lights being flashed, gestures expressed, “brake jobs”, and at one point, GARREY throwing a folding pocket knife at the operator of the BMW. At the time the knife was thrown, the BMW driver’s side window was open, allowing the thrown knife to enter the passenger compartment, striking the driver, a 22-year-old man, and his passenger, a 23-year-old woman, both from Middletown, Connecticut. Both sustained minor injuries and were going to seek medical treatment on their own.

GARREY was placed under arrest and charged with the following offenses:

• Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (2 counts)
• Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
• Following too closely
• Throwing an object on a highway
• Failure to use care and caution

GARREY was released on $500.00 bail and will be arraigned at a later date in Worcester District Court.