Mayor Jon Mitchell announced that the City will host the annual series of summer concerts on the New Bedford waterfront during July and August of this year. The Summer Sound Series will feature live musical entertainment on Pier 3 in Downtown New Bedford’s Seaport Cultural District. Residents and visitors will dance to live music, enjoy beverages available for purchase and relax along New Bedford’s beautiful working waterfront.

The City will also sponsor a free summer movie night at Custom House Square.

Summer Sound Series will consist of seven waterfront concerts, weather permitting. The first concert of the series will be Friday, July 5 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Remaining concert dates, also Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., are: July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2 and August 9.

“Our summer concerts have become more and more popular since we launched them in 2013, attracting hundreds of area residents to the waterfront on Friday evenings,’’ said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “The concerts are a great way to spend time with family and friends in downtown New Bedford, enjoy the dining and culture of our city and enjoy great music for free. We invite everyone to the New Bedford waterfront for this year’s concert series.’’

Parking is available at Elm Street Garage within walking distance of City Pier 3.

Supporting Sponsors include Freitas Package Store, Miller Lite, Colonial Wholesale Beverage, Cape Air, Canned Heat Craft Beer Co., Manny and Diane Pina and Empire Ford of New Bedford.

The public is invited to bring chairs and enjoy front row seating to performances by the following bands:

July 5: Word Premier Band (90s and today’s funk, dance, originals, R&B)
July 12: Beat Salad (Funk, blues, soul and rock)
July 19: Harmony (Cape Verdean/Creole and American music)
July 26: Perfect Example (Old-school soul and R&B)
August 2: Home Brewed (Classic, new country, Americana, rock & roll, oldies)
August 9: Hipshot (Dance music, then and now)
The city will also host an end-of-summer movie night of “see-worthy’’ family fun Friday, Aug. 23 at Custom House Square in downtown New Bedford.

Bring your own chair or blanket. Snacks will be available for purchase.

Two films will be shown:

At 7:30 p.m., “Hotel Transylvania 3- Family Vacation’’
At 9:30 p.m., “Instant Family’’

This is just a small sampling of fun events scheduled this summer. Destination New Bedford has compiled a new 2019 summer events digital guide with a comprehensive look at summer happenings. For more information, visit www.destinationnewbedford.org.

A 41-year-old New Bedford man who stole more than $150,000 from his employer over the course of five years was convicted by a jury on Friday after a three-day trial in Fall River River Superior Court, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Kenny Alvarado was convicted of a single count of Larceny Over $250 By Single Scheme and was sentenced by Judge Gregg Pasquale to a two-year house of corrections sentence, with one year to serve. The balance of the jail sentence was suspended for 10 years, meaning if the defendant is charged with a new crime during the next decade, he could be sentenced to serve an additional year behind bars on this case prior to any new sentence imposed.

Kenny Alvarado was first hired in 2008 by the owners of Original Bob’s Discount, a local furniture store in New Bedford. He was first hired as a sales associate before being promoted to assistant manager. During his time as assistant manager, several senior employees at the New Bedford location took ill and Kenny Alvarado was increasingly relied upon.​

In July 2013, the business began receiving calls from customers about purchases they had made, but the store owners could not locate any paperwork documenting the sales. This began occurring somewhat regularly, and ultimately the business began to suspect employee theft. While the business accepted both cash and credit, many transactions were completed in cash. During this time period, the business was not computerized and relied on paper slips and receipts. Kenny Alvarado had knowledge of the furniture slip system, the cashier system, and the furniture delivery system.

A constable was hired by the owners to internally investigate the matter. After examining the internal paperwork and absence thereof, the constable began to suspect the defendant. On August 2, 2013, the Defendant was interviewed by the constable, at which time he confessed to stealing approximately 120 times from the company, totaling a loss of more than $150,000 to the company. The theft was then reported to New Bedford Police and the defendant was arrested.

The defendant’s scheme centered around offering customers an employee discount if they paid in cash. The defendant would then pocket the cash and never document the sale.

A civil restitution hearing has been scheduled to July 23rd.

The trial was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick Driscoll, who recommended a one to three-year state prison sentence.

“I am very pleased the jury held the defendant accountable for stealing a significant amount of money,” District Attorney Quinn said. “He violated the trust placed in him by the owners as an assistant manager of the store. This was a family owned business that was significantly impacted by the defendant stealing.”

At 6:45 pm last night, the State Police Bomb Squad and Fire Investigation Unit was called to 344 Middleboro Avenue in Taunton to assist the Taunton Fire and Police Departments. There was a large number of commercial grade fireworks on the home’s deck.

The resident was constructing wooden launching tube racks. He lit one of the fireworks on the deck which ignited other nearby fireworks and spread to the side of the house. He suffered minor injuries.

The remaining fireworks on the deck, inside the home and around the yard were removed by the Bomb Squad for later disposal and the racks and tubes were taken by the Taunton Fire Department. Charges will be filed by the Taunton Police Department.

“The use of fireworks except by licensed professionals in Massachusetts is illegal because they are so dangerous,” said State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey.

Freetown police filed criminal charges against Freetown Highway Surveyor Charles Macomber, age 54, alleging that he sold two town-owned military Humvee vehicles to a local man in return for cash. Police allege that Macomber also offered to sell two additional town-owned vehicles to the same buyer. Police allege that Macomber instructed the buyer to remove the Humvees after the close of the Freetown Highway Department’s business hours. Police allege that Macomber had no legal authority to sell any town-owned vehicles.

According to police, all of the vehicles were stored on the grounds at the highway department.

On April 18, 2019, police became aware that the two military Humvees had been stolen. Detective Shane Kelley investigated the theft and, in addition to discovering Macomber’s involvement, discovered that Wayne S. Morse, age 28, of Freetown Street Lakeville, was also involved. Police allege that Morse assisted the buyer in removing the two Humvees from the highway department, and subsequently sold one of the Humvees for $8,000. Police allege that Morse misled Detective Kelley during the investigation and that he concealed one of the stolen Humvees. Detective Kelley recovered one of the Humvees at a business located in Raynham.

The police department had acquired the surplus Humvees from the Federal government to be used in the event that one of the Humvees currently being operated by the department required parts or needed to be replaced.

Mr. Macomber was charged with the following crimes:

– Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (2 counts)
– Larceny Over $1,200 (2 counts)
– Embezzlement by a Public Officer
– Mr. Morse was charged with the following crimes:
– Concealing a Stolen Vehicle
– Misleading a Police Investigation

Ronald McLean, President/CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association, Inc. (CCUA), on behalf of Massachusetts Credit Unions, along with members of the Massachusetts Credit Unions Social Responsibility Committee presented a check to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless (Coalition) in the amount of $202,725 at the 3rd Annual Stephen D. Jones Credit Union Charity Golf Tournament in support of “A Bed for Every Child” campaign.

“The idea of so many children throughout Massachusetts not having their own bed is undreamed-of,” said McLean. “Massachusetts Credit Unions have banded together to ensure every child has a place to dream. We believe in the good work that the Coalition accomplishes and are happy to do our part in helping children get a good night’s sleep to prepare them for a better future.”

Massachusetts Credit Unions have supported the Coalition for more than two decades surpassing more than $2 million in donations and providing blankets, toys and books to help families in need. In 2018, Massachusetts Credit Unions raised $202,725 through efforts including the Stephen D. Jones Charity Golf Tournament and a variety of credit union-driven initiatives. The need for “A Bed for Every Child” reaches all cities and towns in Massachusetts; no city or town is sheltered. Paul Marotta, chair of Massachusetts Credit Unions Social Responsibility Committee, shares his overwhelming gratitude for the collaborative efforts of credit unions demonstrating the credit union founding principle of people helping people for such an important cause.

A Bed for Every Child began when a concerned inner city, public school teacher reached out to the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. At the time, the teacher was seeing an increase in the number of students who did not have a bed of their own. As a result, these students were coming to school tired and not ready to learn. According to Robyn Frost, Executive Director, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, “There is no one face to a child receiving a bed, but they do have one thing in common, and that is, they are growing up in poverty in Massachusetts.” Frost shares, “The ability for A Bed for Every Child to keep up with the demand continues to outpace the Coalition’s capacity. We are extremely fortunate to have the Massachusetts Credit Unions as our partner.”

To learn more about Massachusetts Credit Unions visit www.bettervaluesbetterbanking.com. To learn more about A Bed for Every Child, visit www.abedforeverychild.org.

Several members of the MA CUs Social Responsibility Committee along with CCUA President/CEO presented 2018 donation to Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless initiative “A Bed for Every Child.” Pictured Left to right are: Charlene Bauer, Metro Credit Union; Ronald McLean, CCUA; Rui Domingos, Naveo Credit Union; Mark Cochran, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union on behalf of the Stephen Jones Family; Kevin Zipps, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union; Tina Baptista, MA Coalition for the Homeless; Paul Marotta, Hanscom Federal Credit Union; David Plantier, MassMutual Federal Credit Union; and Peter Panaggio, St. Anne’s Credit Union of Fall River, Mass. Missing members of the committee include: Sarita Ledani, RTN Federal Credit Union; Robert Lockett, Workers’ Credit Union; Melissa Morin, Credit Union of the Berkshires; Jon Reske, UMassFive College Federal Credit Union.

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About Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless
The mission of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless is to eradicate homelessness from the commonwealth of Massachusetts. It aims to meet this mission through advocacy, developing and maintaining membership and support, public education, and creation of programs and initiatives to empower all people in Massachusetts to have a place to call home. Learn more at mahomeless.org.

About the Cooperative Credit Union Association
The Cooperative Credit Union Association is a regional trade organization serving as the voice for nearly 200-member credit unions located primarily throughout Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. CCUA members hold combined assets in excess of $45 billion and serve a collective membership base of more than 2.3 million consumers. It’s on behalf of these member credit unions that CCUA advocates before Congress and state legislatures, regulatory bodies and the general public through its Better Values—Better Banking consumer awareness campaign.

In addition to advocacy, CCUA also engages its members with an array of industry resources, from compliance assets and marketing support to vetted products and service providers; an array of educational workshops and conferences; and a variety of communication channels that include a daily e-newsletter, live and recorded video programs, and a quarterly magazine focused on CCUA’s advocacy initiatives. For more information, visit www.CCUA.org.

“We would like to extend Officer Michael Mello all the best wishes on his recent retirement. Officer Mello retired on June 29th after 23 years of service. The City of New Bedford and our department want to thank you for your service and dedication to citizens of this city.” -City of New Bedford Police Department.

The 2020 election cycle has begun and it will be one of the most heated elections in U.S. history. With extreme passion comes heated arguments and of course physical assaults.

A viral story on Turtleboy sports got my attention this morning.

On July 1st, a man posted a video showing a woman screaming obscenities, throwing trash and flipping off a man during what he claims is rush hour traffic on Route 128 in Massachusetts. In his text on YouTube, he claims the woman was doing it because of his Trump flag that can be seen in the video.

In the text on his YouTube video, he also claims she swerved at his vehicle and threw other trash at him before the video started:

“So this happened….on route 128 in Massachusetts during the morning rush hour. Before the camera started rolling, this woman had swerved into me, thrown what I think was a pizza box and several bottles of water. Yes, she’s essentially driving a dumpster on wheels.

Either way, I didn’t call the cops – I mean, I could, but she’s clearly nuts and I figure it’s a hell of a laugh.”

It’s very concerning that this woman was screaming “Die!” while throwing objects and barely paying attention to the road in front of her. I also can’t condone filming and driving, but can’t blame the guy for wanting to document a person harassing you with a vehicle.

Unfortunately, this is what our country has come to – physically attacking people for wearing a hat, having a flag on your vehicle or simply having an opposing view. Last Friday, the avowed white supremacist who drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters in Virginia in 2017 was sentenced to life in prison Friday on hate crime charges. Just a few days ago, Antifa members physically assaulted a conservative journalist in Portland, sending him to the hospital with a serious head injury. There are crazy, angry people on both sides of the extreme political spectrum – this woman attacking a Trump supporter is just the example of the day.

We have 16 more months until the 2020 election and I expect things will get much worse between now and then. My suggestion is to try and have conversations with those you disagree with – assaulting them is never the answer. But I expect these final words to fall on deaf ears.

Rachel Perry of New Bedford will leave in 2 weeks to represent Massachusetts at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Since she received the title of Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen in April, she has traveled the state, meeting Congresswomen and Congressmen at the State House, singing the National Anthem at the Kids PanMass Challenge, and performing her rock fiddle talent at Miss Massachusetts.

Rachel’s career goals are to earn a degree in Hotel Administration and specialize in commercial hotel real estate. As a seventeen-year-old, she wants to represent the best of Massachusetts businesses, residents, cities, towns and travel destinations.

You can follow her journey on: @MMAOTeen.

Live stream finals of the July 27th performance: live.maoteen.org.

The New Bedford Health Department, working closely with the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is again this year conducting an annual monitoring program to track the potential threat from EEE and WNV carrying mosquitoes. Under the program, mosquito traps are put in place to collect pools of mosquitoes and mosquito populations are monitored throughout the summer months.

As part of the mosquito tracking program, the New Bedford Health Department will request that the BCMCP target key areas of the New Bedford for spraying, including public parks and locations that host large public events.

As such, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct targeted ground spraying for mosquitoes early on the morning of Friday, July 5, 2019. This round of spraying will target areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Common Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, Custom House Square and the downtown area. Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Friday morning, weather permitting. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows this evening prior to the spraying.

The precautionary measures that are advised for EEE and WNV include the following:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all windows and doors.

New Bedford police officers responded to two shots fired calls on Monday. One man was wounded at 1 Sylvia Court, just south of the downtown area.

At 3:24 pm, New Bedford police officers received a call for shots fired in the area of 183 Chancery Street. The incident is being further investigated by the police and they are not providing any further information.

At 7:48 pm, New Bedford police officers received a call for shots fired at 1 Sylvia Court. Police arrived and found the victim “grazed” by a bullet. He was treated by EMS at the scene and did not need to go to the hospital. New Bedford police detectives are treating the incident as an attempted murder incident.

Anyone with information on these shootings should contact the New Bedford Police Department at 508-991-6300 x79519.