A female driver backed into The Pour Farm Tavern this morning in downtown New Bedford around noon today. No injuries. Video by Michael Silvia.

Did you know that gay men and women were arrested for being gay in the 50’s? On last week’s The LGBTQ Voice episode, the LGBTQ youth and elders shared their coming out stories.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.newbedfordguide.com/the-lgbtq-voice-show-episode-2-youth-and-elders/2018/01/14

Catch The LGBTQ Voice on New Bedford Guide’s Facebook page every Tuesday at 7pm.

Join The LGBTQ Voice for their second episode! In this episode, host Dan Everton will randomly ask questions to LGBTQ elders and youth so we can gain insight into generational perspectives.

Catch The LGBTQ Voice on New Bedford Guide’s Facebook page every Tuesday at 7pm.

During The LGBTQ Voice’s first episode, we asked our guests about their experiences with hate and if they are optimistic about 2018 and the future.

Full episode: https://www.newbedfordguide.com/the-lgbtq-voice-show-episode-1-introduction-to-the-organizations/2018/01/05

Catch The LGBTQ Voice on New Bedford Guide’s Facebook page every Tuesday at 7pm.

The LGBTQ Voice live with an introduction to the South Coast LGBTQ Network, NB-AGLY, LGBTQ Supper Club, Project Yes and Pride Cafe.

Catch The LGBTQ Voice on New Bedford Guide’s Facebook page every Tuesday at 7pm.

Want to sponsor the show? Email leo@newbedfordguide.com

It’s been an interesting year in New Bedford. We had municipal elections and a spike of homicides year-over-year to include a double-murder and a 16-year old murder suspect.

Click on the title to read the story. Here are the top 25 New Bedford Guide stories of 2017 based on readership:

25. 16-year-old David Lima arrested for Wednesday’s murder

In March, 16-year-old David Lima was arrested and charged with the morning New Bedford homicide of Jonas Trinidad Jr.

24. 19 year old New Bedford man dies after being shot by Fall River police

19-year old Larry Ruiz-Barreto was driving away from a gathering when a police officer shot into the vehicle. Ruiz-Barreto, 19 was transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

23. State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in New Bedford

In late October, a 25-year-old Acushnet man was involved in a single-vehicle roll over crash on Route 140 near Exit 4 in New Bedford which resulted in his death.

22. My confrontation with a future New Bedford murder suspect and her victim

Ever had a confrontation with a future murder suspect and her male victim? I did and told my story.

21. Dartmouth police arrest 5 males with three loaded firearms at Thai Taste II

Four adults and one juvenile were arrested with three firearms in their vehicle after a disturbance at Thai Taste II in Dartmouth.

20. Sunday Night Homicide In New Bedford Leads to Quick Arrest; Arraignment Slated for Today

This is the homicide referred to in story #22 – 23-year-old allegedly sliced her ex-boyfriends four car tires, smashed the windows and then reportedly stabbed 45-year-old Juan Roman.

19. Wanted fugitive crashes stolen car, loses arm near Route 18 in New Bedford

A man driving a stolen car drove down the wrong way on Acushnet Avenue near Beetle Street. The car thief was chased by police down Route 18 and then crashed on the Purchase Street exit. Video in the article.

18. Sunday Night Homicide In New Bedford Leads to Quick Arrest; Arraignment Slated for Today

23-year-old Zaishary Gonzalez of New Bedford was arrested during the early morning hours in September in connection to a homicide of her former boyfriend. See story #20 and #22 for more details.

17. Police arrest 15 in prostitution sting in New Bedford’s north end

Unfortunately, prostitution is a way of life in New Bedford, especially in Ward 2 north of Coggeshall Street. The New Bedford Police Department do at least one major “john” sting each year to let you know they are watching.

16. 16-year old crashes into home on Orleans Street while getting driving lesson

A 16 year old male was driving was getting lessons form a 19 year old passenger when they left the parking lot of the Normandin Middle School. The 16 year old accelerated west through the parking lot jumping the curb, taking out a sign post and then colliding into 119 Orleans Street. Video in the article.

15. Police searching for suspects who slashed tires on 21 vehicles in New Bedford

21 vehicles had one to two tires slashed in the area of Highland Street, Loftus Street, Harvard Street and Phillips Avenue. Less than a week earlier New Bedford police officers arrested an adult male and two juvenile males for “keying” 23 vehicles. June was a bad month for vandalism in New Bedford.

14. Murder suspect of 20-year old New Bedford man still at large

A 20-year old New Bedford man was shot multiple times around 11am near the intersection of Matthew Street and Bank Street near the Rural Cemetery. Police arrived to find a young man laying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.

13. 33-year old New Bedford man shot and killed on Acushnet Ave

At 2:44 am, New Bedford Police responded to reports of shots fired by the city’s Shot Spotter gun shot detection system in the area of 1669 Acushnet Avenue. When first responders arrived on scene, they located a male victim lying in the street.

12. Movie trailer: The Highway Murders

In 1988, eleven women vanished from the streets of New Bedford, Massachusetts. By the spring of 1989, the remains of nine victims had been discovered along the highways surrounding the city. Two of the women were never found. Trailer in the article.

11. New Bedford woman charged with abandoning 11-year old on dark road in Mattapoisett

Police arrested 28-year old Marina Johnson of New Bedford and charged her with 2 counts of reckless endangerment of a child under 18 and 1 count of abandonment of a child under 18.

10. State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in New Bedford on Route 140 at Nash Street Overpass

A 2004 Lexus ES 330 operated by a 21-year-old female from Fall River and a 2010 Buick Enclave operated by a 35-year-old female from New Bedford, had a side swipe collision. As a result of this collision the Lexus went off the right side of the road into the woods and the Buick was stopped in the left lane. The Buick was possibly disabled at this time with its lights off.

9. Victim of New Bedford Homicide Identified

The victim of the August 17 homicide in New Bedford was publicly identified as 33-year-old New Bedford resident, Marcus A. Roberts. This is an update to story #13.

8. One dead after three attempted suicides in New Bedford last night

There were three suicide attempts in New Bedford on July 30 with one person succumbing to their injuries.

7. 22-year old New Bedford man stabbed to death

Yes, another homicide made the list. In January, a 22-year old New Bedford man was stabbed to death on Ashley Boulevard.

6. 39-year-old New Bedford man found hanging at Fort Taber

Besides the man who hanged himself in Buttonwood Park a few years ago, this was the most public suicide that New Bedford has seen in recent memory.

5. Letter: Reflecting on the man who passed away on Route 140

This is a letter sent to us in regards the man that passed away after a single-vehicle crash on Route 140 in Lakeville in April. According to reports, a dozen people attempted to assist the man.

4. Man dies in fatal crash on Route 140 in Lakeville

This is the accident referenced in Story #5. State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Route 140 northbound in Lakeville which resulted in the death of the operator.

3. Opinion: Resident disgusted with new luxury cars in New Bedford public housing

This story stirred a LOT of discussion on our Facebook page. It can be upsetting to some to see luxury cars in government housing.

2. 10 people who should run for mayor of New Bedford in 2017

2017 was an election year for New Bedford. I wrote an article showcasing 10 people I felt should run for mayor and it was our second most read article of the year. Unfortunately, none of them ran and only two people ran against Mayor Mitchell.

1. Mom’s dead. Not sure if anyone told you

Drug addiction has touched us all. There wasn’t an essay on the subject better than this one.

Born in Nuremburg in 1927, Ms. Myerson witnessed the rise of Nazi Germany and the terrors of the Holocaust. A resident of Dartmouth, Ms. Myerson recounted this darkest chapter of the 20th century as only an eyewitness can, part of her ongoing efforts that it may be more fully understood by today’s youth and not be forgotten by future generations.

Have you bee to the Coast Guard Heritage Museum in Barnstable? We had a chance to stop by and get a tour of the museum dedicated to the amazing men and women who served.

The Coast Guard Heritage Museum is part of the The Cape Cod Museum Trail brought to you by First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union.

More: http://capecodmuseumtrail.com

I noticed these amazing young ladies in New Bedford showing how they were inspired to perform #ActsOfRandomKindnessNB around New Bedford. It’s from 2016, but still very valid today!

Does it inspire you to do the same?

The Botelho Family added a couple more yard decorations including a 20-foot mega tree.

For more information follow us on our FB page Botelho Family Xmas Light Spectacular: https://www.facebook.com/Botelho-Family-Xmas-Light-Spectacular-544926062383198/