The New Bedford Coalition to Save Our Schools (NBCSOS), a vibrant, diverse, grassroots community-based organization of over 150 members, has launched a statement and invitation to public dialogue today, to insist that the school system, which includes the school committee and all other associated decision-making bodies, makes deep changes.

The statement includes items which correspond with areas that the school committee normally takes up and was collaboratively developed by the NBCSOS membership and through community surveys. It urges administrators and elected officials to respond publicly to each of the needs and to clearly articulate to the public what is currently in place to address the issues outlined and future plans to strengthen these areas.

The statement asserts: “This public health crisis has taught us that we must rethink our schools and society. Whether in healthcare, public health, the criminal justice system, emergency services, environmental protection, immigration, economic development, transportation, social services, urban planning, postal services, education, and a myriad of other services, what we have witnessed is that we have been and are living a deeply inequitable and dangerous existence. It is time that we imagine a different community and world.” 

You can read the entire document here.
 

“Early yesterday morning, Trooper Andrew Zeller, assigned to the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, had just returned from working on a homicide investigation in Dover and secured some evidence at the Medical Examiner’s Office on Albany Street.

Trooper Zeller then stopped to get gas at the J&T Mobil Station at 273 East Berkley Street in Boston. While he was paying for his fuel, a man walked into the gas station and collapsed in front of him. Trooper Zeller alerted emergency medical services and began CPR.

Assisted by Trooper Michael Lane, who responded to the scene, Trooper Zeller administered several doses of the overdose reversal drug Narcan and continued chest compressions until Boston EMS arrived. He and Trooper Lane were able to re-establish a pulse and revive the man, who was transported to Boston Medical Center, where he is expected to recover.”

“Massachusetts Environmental Police found an individual in Swansea with 250-pounds of live horseshoe crab in their vessel.

Further investigation found that the individual did not possess a valid permit or letter of acknowledgment to catch horseshoe crabs. The individual was charged for commercially fishing without a permit and for numerous safety violations.

All crabs were found to be alive and were safely returned to the waters of the Commonwealth.”-Massachusetts Environmental Police.

“Thank You for Thanking Us: Special thanks to Bruins legend Ray Bourque who personally stopped by District A-1 (Downtown) on Thursday, May 14, 2020, to deliver meals to the officers who work there.

According to Bourque, he just wanted to say thank you to the officers for keeping everybody safe and he thought delivering meals from his restaurant, Tresca located at 233 Hanover Street in the North End, was the perfect way to show his appreciation. Said one of the officers, “Everybody knows Ray Bourque is one the greatest players in the history of the NHL. But, they should also know, especially after what he did for us today, that he’s also one of the nicest.”

Drafted 8th overall in the first round 1979 NHL draft, Bourque went on to play 21 seasons with the Bruins while appearing in 19 consecutive NHL All Star Games. In 2001, he won a Stanley Cup while playing for the Colorado Avalanche.

To this day, Ray Bourque remains one of the most popular players in Boston Bruin history.”-Boston Police Department.

District and ‘STEAM the Streets’ call for community submissions for year-end social media campaign celebrating TLC – Teaching, Learning and Connecting

New Bedford Public Schools is partnering with STEAM the Streets, inviting the community to provide creative content for a social media campaign entitled #NBTLC. The campaign aims to show that even during this time of extended school closure, the NBPS community is stepping up to the challenge with creativity and resourcefulness to enhance TLC – Teaching, Learning and Connecting.

The #NBTLC campaign will culminate in a district-wide music video to be released on Wednesday, June 17, the eve of the last day of the school year.

Speaking enthusiastically of the online campaign, Superintendent Thomas Anderson stated, “NBTLC is an innovative way for our students, families and staff to show the community their creativity and engagement in teaching, learning and connecting. STEAM stands for ‘Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math’ and ‘STEAM the Streets’ focuses on the arts by tapping the creativity in each of us. I’m looking forward to seeing the final product that highlights our talents and shows our passion.”

There are lots of opportunities for New Bedford families, teachers and staff to submit material to be featured in the music video. For instance, teachers can submit videos showing innovative projects they’ve assigned to their students, and students and families can submit videos working on those projects at home.

Ways that students, families and staff can be a part of the #NBTLC music video:

• Make Art – Create a sign with your own word that represents TLC.

• Dance – Record yourself doing dance moves to the #NBTLC beat.

• Give Thanks – Special people are helping us get through these tough times. Whether you’re a student, parent, or school staff – film a message thanking that special person in your life.

Videos can be submitted through May 27 at: STEAMtheStreets.org/NBTLC

On Wednesday at about 6:10 p.m., Trooper Bryce Molnar assigned to the State Police-Northampton Barracks was patrolling Route 91 southbound when he observed a black Chevrolet Cruz with a New Hampshire registration abruptly swerve from the left lane to the right lane, narrowly missing another vehicle travelling in the right lane. Trooper Molnar activated his emergency lights and stopped the car near Exit 18 in Northampton.

As the vehicle came to a stop, Trooper Molnar observed the back passenger duck below the seat out of his view. The Trooper approached the passenger side and could see the rear passenger, later identified as, PETER GARRETT, 32 of Springfield, still leaning over with one hand positioned near a black backpack placed near his feet. Trooper Molnar asked GARRETT to step out of the vehicle in order to search the area where he was seated. GARRETT was pat frisked and seated in the rear of Trooper Molnar’s cruiser.

As a result of a search, the trooper discovered a white rock-like substance, believed to be crack cocaine, with an approximate weight of 75 grams. In addition, approximately 100 wax baggies of suspected heroin, and a total of $2,490 cash was seized from GARRETT’s person and the backpack.

GARRETT was transported to the Northampton Barracks where he was booked. A bail commissioner was contacted and set bail at $50,000. GARRETT was transported to the Hampshire County Jail where he was held until his arraignment yesterday in Northampton District Court.

GARRETT was charged with the following offenses; Drug Trafficking Class B and Possession of Class A.

Reimagining urban spaces is second nature to New Bedford artists. Throughout the city, you’ll find public areas that have been either activated or redefined thanks to the creative impulses of artists in this authentic seaport destination on the South Coast of Massachusetts.

This coming summer, as we all reimagine what time spent outdoors means without public events due to the Covid-19 crisis, this wealth of art has now been collected into three self-guided Public Art Walking Tours by New Bedford Creative, which can still be enjoyed as a community while practicing social distancing.

Patricia Thomas, Co-chair of New Bedford Creative Consortium’s Public Art Squad and Artistic Director of culture*park says, “With these designated Walking Tours, New Bedford is right alongside other great cities where artists, art and community matter!”

“Being able to visit works of art outside, and in person now, is an extra special gift. I hope folks will get out and walk to see the murals, statues and other outside art that may have been hiding in plain sight.”

The Self-Guided Tours are available to residents and visitors alike as either downloadable PDFs or via a specially created Google map. You can find links to both on NewBedfordCreative.org’s cultural district page and the tours page on DestinationNewBedford.org.

There, you’ll find the Self-Guided Public Arts Tours arranged into three distinct districts in New Bedford: The Seaport Cultural District – Downtown; The Seaport Cultural District – Waterfront; and Love The Ave in the North End centered along Acushnet Avenue.

In all, over 50 works of art ranging from murals to sculpture are represented on the tours. Many represent the commitment and investment New Bedford has made in its culture over many years. That’s a historical feature of the city that’s seen renewed energy and purpose in recent times. It’s caused an explosion of public art by the many artists who make their home here.

Other work reflects the individual inspiration of those artists who characterize themselves as street artists and who bestow their gifts upon the city at random. These gems arrive with regularity upon the landscape.

Indeed, though all the New Bedford Creative Self-Guided Public Art Walking Tours are bursting with talent, more still remains to be discovered in the city and none of them are designed to be comprehensive but rather interactive.

Public art walking tour patrons are encouraged to discover the work listed on each tour, as well as new work that comes to light regularly throughout the city.

Share your revelations with all of us by taking pictures and sharing to social media with the hashtag #NBCreative. The tours and the wonder this artwork generates can create a new community experience all its own as we collectively redefine our city together moving forward.

The New Bedford Creative Consortium is the leadership group whose purpose is overseeing the execution of the citywide strategic Arts and Culture Plan entitled New Bedford Creative: our art, our culture, our future. The Arts and Culture Plan is a huge step forward in building a thriving creative ecosystem in our city, and these are the people dedicated to implementing it. This volunteer group is facilitated by the Creative Strategist, meets quarterly and is divided into three Squads: Public Art + Facilities, Placemaking + Community, and Fundraising + Distribution.

In April, Cumberland Farms shut down two Westport stores after a delivery driver tested positive for COVID-19 and now a third store has closed. The Cumberland Farms store at 757 Ashley Blvd. in New Bedford closed its doors after one of their employees tested positive for the coronavirus.

The temporary closing on Tuesday evening was to allow a crew to disinfect, clean and sanitize the entire store and reopen at some point next week.

In a statement by the company, they stated “We are making every effort to provide the affected Team Member and our broader team with the necessary resources and support. We are taking all appropriate steps following guidance from local health officials.

We are grateful to all our customers for your patience and understanding during this time. All Team Members that work at these stores have been contacted and advised to follow CDC-recommended guidelines.”

Last night at about 9:20 p.m., Troopers from State Police-Medford responded to a motorcycle crash on Fellsway North in Medford that resulted in the death of the operator and seriously injured the passenger.

Preliminary investigation indicates a 2008 Kawasaki motorcycle being operated by, ENZO VNICIUS, 29, of Malden, popped the front tire off the roadway. VNICIUS then lost control of the motorcycle and struck the right rear corner of a parked van, ejecting both he and his passenger.

VNICIUS struck a tree and was determined deceased on scene. His passenger, a 31-year-old female from Somerville, was thrown onto the sidewalk and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by Troop A of the Massachusetts State Police along with the Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section (CARS), and Crime Scene Services Section (CSSS). Troopers were assisted on scene by the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

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The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of May 18, 2020 –May 22, 2020 and they are as follows:

Eversource:

Eversource will replace the gas mains at the following locations:

• Tarkiln Hill Rd. and Park Ave. from Tarkiln Hill Rd. to Church St.
• Brook St. from Collette St. to Earle St.
• Davis St. from Riverside Ave. to 389 Davis St.
• Johnathan St. from Arnold St. to 57-59 Johnathan St.

Eversource will be doing final street and sidewalk restoration at various locations citywide.

Other:

• Contractor (PA Landers) to continue work at MassDOT Project #606709, New Bedford- Roadway Reconstruction and Related Work (including signals) along a section of Kings Highway and Tarkiln Hill Road, Construction to take place during regular working hours (Monday – Friday), police details and traffic controls will be in place.
• Contractor (PA Landers) to resume work on JFK Blvd, Griffin St to Cove St.
• Department of Public Infrastructure will be filling potholes on a continuous basis throughout the city.
• Department of Public Infrastructure conducting its annual street sweeping program city-wide.
• The contractor (WES Construction) is scheduled to continue construction of the new pumping station and installation of the site utilities at the Front St./ Elm St. site. Elm St, between JFK Memorial Highway (RTE 18) and Macarthur Dr. will be closed to westbound traffic. Westbound traffic will be detoured via MacArthur Drive. There will be detour signage and traffic controls in place.
• Due to ongoing construction at the High Hill Reservoir residents may experience discolored water. The water is safe, and the discoloration will be temporary. We recommend allowing the water to settle for a few hours and then flushing your service line by letting the bathtub run for a few minutes until the water clears.

** Please note: contractors will continue to follow guidelines and protocol regarding COVID-19 social distancing while conducting work in construction zone.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation the Department of Public Infrastructure will be closed to the public entry. Office staff is available to assist by email and telephone.