New Bedford Narcotics Detectives executed search warrants in New Bedford and Dartmouth and arrested two men and a woman on charges that range from trafficking fentanyl to unlawful possession of a firearm.

The following were arrested as a result of the investigations:

– Donald Hardy, 33, of 274 Harrison Street, Fall River, was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Detective executed a search warrant at the Moby Dick Motel in Dartmouth, where they discovered a loaded .9mm handgun. The lead investigator was Detective Kevin Barbosa.

– Christopher James Francis, 58, of 50 Pierce Street, New Bedford, was arrested for trafficking fentanyl after detectives executed a search warrant at his residence and discovered just under 20 grams of fentanyl, three suboxone strips and $1,700 in cash. The lead investigator was Detective Jean Lopez.

– Crystal M. Avellar, 40, of 280 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford, was arrested for trafficking fentanyl after Detectives executed a search warrant at her residence and discovered just over 10 grams of fentanyl and $1,800 in cash. The lead investigator was Detective Jordan DaSilva.

All three are due to be arraigned in New Bedford District Court on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

The Buttonwood Park Zoo partnered with KultureCity to make a visit to the Zoo an accommodating and positive experience for guests with sensory issues.

KultureCity certified the Buttonwood Park Zoo as sensory inclusive, through a process that entailed staff training led by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation.

“Families on the Southcoast have been visiting the Zoo and making memories for over 125 years and we are continuously striving to make that experience accessible for all,” said Carrie Hawthorne, the BPZoo’s Education Curator. “Thanks to this certification, staff is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible while visiting the Zoo.”

Beginning on September 25, 2019, “sensory bags”, equipped with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards will be available at the North Woods Gift Shop for guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment.

Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to overstimulation and noise, which can be part of the environment at the Zoo.

“To know that you soon will be able to see families visit the Buttonwood Park Zoo with their loved ones who have a sensory challenge and who were not able to previously attend is truly a heartwarming moment. Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that the Zoo is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing.” Traci Johnson, Executive Director, KultureCity.

PAY: $15.00/hr, 15 hours per week

Assists in the daily operations of the Circulation Desk, monitors the borrowing of materials and performs related public service duties as required. Must be available some nights and Saturdays.

Provides courteous public service at the circulation desk by responding promptly to patron requests according to established procedures. Promotes library service to the community by assisting in the planning and implementation of library programs. Makes the library collection accessible by following established circulation and cataloging procedures. This position performs a variety of clerical duties, which include: assistance in opening and closing department; typing and filing; assisting in maintaining appropriate security on ground floor when reporting inappropriate patrons’ behavior to Librarian. May assist in collecting, recording and transferring all monies (cash or checks, in person or by mail) coming in, ordering supplies and calling repair services when necessary.

High school diploma or GED required. Two years of college or appropriate public library experience with an automated library system preferred. Possession of a valid Massachusetts driver’s license and good driving record preferred. Ability to speak Spanish preferred. Must have a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, mandatory by MGL Chapter 6 Sec. 172C.

For application/complete job description, please visit www.newbedford-ma.gov. New Bedford has a residency requirement. EEO.

The Halloween spirit is alive at Zeiterion Performing Arts Center this October with three festive and affordable movies! The fun begins with The Phantom of the Opera silent movie and live soundtrack on Oct. 27, followed by The Witches of Eastwick starring Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jack Nicholson on Oct. 28, and culminates with The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live shadowcast on Halloween night.

Tickets are available by calling 508-994-2900, online at https://zeiterion.org/, or at the Zeiterion Box Office at 684 Purchase Street in New Bedford. Group sales are available for 10 tickets or more, which can be purchased by calling 508-997-5664 x123.

Halloween happenings at the Zeiterion include:

The Phantom of The Opera (1925)
Sunday, October 27, 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: $7.50, general admission

The 1925 picture stars Mary Philbin as Christine and Lon Chaney as the Phantom for a unique theater experience as The Z’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ provides the soundtrack to the timeless tale, thanks to the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the American Theater Organ Society.

Movie Monday: The Witches of Eastwick
Monday, October 28, 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $3, general admission

The devil and his mistresses visit The Z this Halloween! The 1987 feature film follows three single women (Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer) who yearn for “Mr. Right” in a picturesque New England town. Their wishes are granted – at a cost – when a mysterious and wealthy man (Jack Nicholson) arrives. Based on John Updike’s bestseller, The Witches of Eastwick is a star-bright otherworldly delight.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Thursday, October 31, 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $15, general admission

The cult classic with a twist returns! RKO Army performs a live shadowcast as the movie starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick rolls on screen. Whether you’ve seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show 10 times or never before, you’re in for a real treat this Halloween. This R-rated performance encourages participation from viewers 18 years and older.

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The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide New Bedford and the region with performing arts programming of excellence that inspires, educates, engages and entertains. Tickets are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org, by calling 508-994-2900, or in person at the box office at 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Mass. Zeiterion Box Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and two hours before each performance.

On Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at approximately 2:15 p.m. troopers responded to reports of an assault at the bike path at the Ryan Playground in Mattapan. Upon their arrival, they discovered a 47-year-old female with serious cuts and bruises to her head. She was quickly transported to an area hospital and an investigation into finding the person responsible for the attack ensued, conducted by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to Troop H.

The victim of the assault was able to provide troopers with a detailed account of the event. She stated her attacker knocked her to the ground then got over her and struck her numerous times before attempting to drag her into the wood line. Investigators interviewed numerous people from the area, gathered evidence, and acted on several tips that came in from the public.

Through their efforts, MSP Troop H detectives developed a detailed description of the attacker, which was then disseminated to law enforcement agencies in the surrounding communities. Shortly after the description was disseminated a police officer from the Lincoln Police Department contacted MSP detectives and informed them he believed he had an encounter with a man matching the suspect’s description on an earlier date. The officer was able to provide a name and identified the individual as DWYARRN BURTON, 26, of Boston.

Troopers began searching recent addresses on file for BURTON; however, he apparently moved around and his whereabouts were erratic. During the search for BURTON Troopers continued to gather video surveillance and physical evidence, which led them to believe that BURTON was responsible for the Mattapan assault.

On October 3 BURTON was scheduled for a court appearance for an unrelated case stemming from an Aug. 5, 2019 arrest for indecent assault and battery. On that same date Troopers began a search of areas BURTON was known to frequent and, at 2:25 p.m. on Oct. 3 they located him walking on a sidewalk. BURTON was arrested on the court warrant and transported to an MSP barracks, where he was interviewed about the September 17 Mattapan assault. During the interview, the MSP detectives gathered additional evidence. They subsequently charged BURTON with the Mattapan assault.

Information developed during the investigation indicates that BURTON and the victim did not know each other. Evidence indicates he approached and asked her for a cigarette, and when she did not give him one he attacked her.

Troopers charged BURTON with the following offenses for the September 17, 2019 incident:

1. Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon; and

2. Assault and Battery.

BURTON was arraigned today at Dorchester District Court where he was ordered held without bail pending his next court appearance on Nov. 5.

“The New Bedford High School Whaler Marching received an 80.0 and 1st place overall in Division 3 and earned caption awards for Best Music, Best Percussion and Best Colorguard at today’s home band competition. Our score today improved 10 points from our last competition two weeks ago! Go Whalers! #creativity”-

Photos by E. Sirianos.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today reported the state’s first death from a vaping-associated lung injury, a woman in her 60s from Hampshire County, to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She was among the 121 suspected cases that have been reported to DPH since September 11 when Massachusetts began mandating that clinicians immediately report any unexplained vaping-associated lung injury to the department.

Of the 121 suspected reports, 9 cases have been confirmed and 10 are probable for meeting the CDC’s definition of vaping-associated lung injury, nearly double the number of cases DPH reported a week ago to the CDC. At least 39 reports are for patients who have been ruled out as having vaping-associated lung injury.

With the number of suspect cases rising statewide and nationally, Governor Charlie Baker announced on September 24th a public health emergency and a four-month statewide ban on sales of all vaping products in Massachusetts. The sales ban applies to all vaping devices and products, including tobacco and marijuana.

“The number of confirmed and probable cases of vaping-associated lung injury we’re seeing continues to escalate and today I was deeply saddened to hear about the death of a patient who had this illness,” said Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD., MPH. ` `We are investigating these cases as quickly as possible and working with our federal partners to better understand this outbreak.”

DPH issued a clinical advisory on September 11 asking providers to report any case of a person experiencing otherwise unexplained progressive symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, cough, or weight loss, of any severity, and an abnormal chest imaging study associated with vaping. The suspected cases are to be reported to DPH via a form and sent to a confidential fax line.

As of October 1, a total of 1,080 lung injury cases associated with using e-cigarette or vaping products have been reported to the CDC from 48 states and 1 U.S. territory. Eighteen deaths have been confirmed in 15 states, not including the Massachusetts death reported today. All patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette or vaping products. No single product has been linked to all cases of vaping related lung injury.

As a result of Massachusetts’ public health emergency, the Commonwealth implemented a statewide standing order for nicotine replacement products that allows people to access products like gum and patches as a covered benefit through their insurance without requiring an individual prescription, similar to what the Baker Administration did to increase access to naloxone, the opioid antidote. Individuals who are vaping are encouraged to call the Massachusetts Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit makingsmokinghistory.org or Mass.gov/QuitVaping to connect to treatment.

Also, Massachusetts recently relaunched two public awareness campaigns, “Different Products, Same Danger” and “The New Look of Nicotine Addiction”, aimed at educating parents and middle and high school-aged youth about the dangers of vaping; the campaigns are appearing on social media channels and billboards statewide. More information on both campaigns is available at getoutraged.org. Materials are also available for download on the Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse website.

DPH’s guidance for local boards of health, health care providers, and retailers can be found on its website at mass.gov/vapingemergency.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office, two men suffered from apparent fatal overdoses at the same time at Bedford Towers on Middle Street in New Bedford around 7 pm Sunday night.

The New Bedford Police Department received a 911 call from a woman who reported that two men were unresponsive in the kitchen. Police report that the two men were deceased when they arrived.

The victims are a 68-year-old New Bedford man and a 44-year-old Fall River man. Police report that both men were found deceased in the kitchen where a baggie with white powdery residue was found near them. Bristol County District Attorney’s office are treating the deaths as fatal overdoses, but the toxicology report is still pending.

In fiscal year 2019, UMass Dartmouth increased externally funded grant awards by 26 percent over fiscal year 2019, bringing the university’s total research and outreach awards for the year to $16 million.

“This increase in research funding is testament to the expertise and passion for discovery of our world-class faculty,” said Chancellor Robert E. Johnson. “Our faculty and the students they teach are applying their research to regional and global issues that will have impacts across generations.”

“The ability of our faculty to create new knowledge in service to society, from the SouthCoast to other continents demonstrates the power and value of being a national research university,” said Provost Mohammad Karim. “It is also important to note that the grant awards represent only one segment of our research enterprise, as our faculty also share their scholarship via national publications and conferences.”

The largest share of the awards – $10 million – focus on marine science-related topics.

The largest FY19 grant was $1.9 million from Vineyard Wind to assess the impact of wind farm construction on fish populations through surveys carried out pre- and post-construction. The research is being conducted by professors in the Department of Fisheries Oceanography (DFO) of the School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) including Professor Pingguo He, Professor Steve Cadrin, Professor Kevin Stokesbury, and their staff. The aim of this research is to evaluate impact of wind farms on commercial fisheries through collaborative effort among offshore wind companies, the fishing industry, and SMAST, which gathered input from local fishing groups, policymakers, and academics to create a shared monitoring framework.

Already, UMass Dartmouth researchers are off to a fast start in FY2020 with a $2.1 million grant by the National Science Foundation to help elementary school teachers integrate problem-solving skills common for computer programming into their math and science classes. The initiative is led by Director of the Kaput Center for Research & Innovation in STEM Education and Professor of Mathematics Education Chandra Orrill, Associate Provost for Decision Support & Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Computer and Information Science Ramprasad Balasubramanian, and Assistant Professor of STEM Education and Teacher Development Shakhnoza Kayumova.

Other FY2019 highlights include:

• $1.48 million from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the Workers Education Program led by Workers Education Program Director Lisa Jochim, providing adult education and English Language Learner programs to hundreds of students in downtown New Bedford.

• $1.3 million from towns and organizations across the SouthCoast and Cape Cod to analyze and monitor coastal water quality as part of a project led by Professor Brian Howes.

• $857,061 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Science Foundation, and other organizations to Professor Changsheng Chen for ocean modeling research.

• $760,026 from the National Science Foundation for research related to the loss of Nitrogen in the Pacific Ocean and other ocean studies by Professor Mark Altabet.

UMass Dartmouth cultivates a vital and vibrant culture of research, scholarship, and innovation that reflects the expertise of our faculty, staff, and students; the strength of our academic programs; and the needs of our region, the Commonwealth, and the global community.

UMass Dartmouth achieved official recognition as a national research university in 2016 from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The university achieved U.S. News & World Report national university ranking 2017, making it the only nationally ranked Massachusetts doctoral research university located south of Boston.

Massachusetts State Troopers from State Police-Northampton and a Massachusetts State Police K-9 unit on Saturday captured a wanted felon from Connecticut after he broke into a home in Goshen, Mass.

MSP Troopers and a K9 located THOMAS WOJCIK, 31, on the second floor of a home in Aberdeen Road, after responding to another home on the same road that appeared to have been burglarized. After Troopers cleared the first home, a witness reported seeing a man fitting WOJCIK’s description a short time earlier near the first home and heading toward the second home.

Shortly before 11 a.m., MSP units responded to the second home on Aberdeen. Troopers set up a perimeter around the home, which was supposed to be unoccupied, while Troopers Christopher Dumas, Christopher Bruneau, and Scott Davis, and Trooper Davis’ K9 partner Cairo, entered the home.

After hearing movement on the second floor, the Troopers moved to the staircase. Trooper Davis issued repeated verbal commands telling the suspect to surrender or he would release Cairo on an apprehension. WOJCIK then walked up to the top of the stairs and was taken into custody by Troopers Dumas and Bruneau.

The suspect was transported in custody to Cooley Dickinson Hospital for evaluation and then released to State Police-Northampton, where he was booked as a fugitive from justice. WOJCIK, of Berlin, Conn., is wanted on a warrant out of that state charging him with burglary, robbery, and larceny. Connecticut authorities will arrange his rendition to their state to face those charges.

On Friday, the day before WOJCIK’s capture, he was the subject of a manhunt in Goshen, whose residents have been victimized by a string of recent housebreaks. He was not located on Friday but Troopers continued to work the case in the area the next day, leading to the swift response that led to his capture.