“Michael and Matthew of Oxford went outside to say hello to Trooper Joel Daoust. Under normal circumstances, Trooper Daoust will sometimes stop and talk to the boys while they are outside playing, and he is patrolling.

Today, while going by, Matthew was worried they’d get arrested if they didn’t have masks on. Obviously they won’t be, but it’s a great idea to keep everyone safe.

Stay safe and healthy!

#PracticeSocialDistancing”

Strong winds with showers and possible thunderstorms are headed our way.

According to the National Weather Service, the area will experience south winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 75 mph possible in portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, northeastern, southeastern and western Massachusetts and northern and southern Rhode Island.

The High Wind Watch is in effect from 8:00 a.m. Monday morning until 11:00 p.m. Monday night.

Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Numerous power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

The National Weather Service recommends fastening loose objects or shelter objects in a safe location prior to the onset of winds.

The forecast:

Sunday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 59. Light southwest wind becoming south 8 to 13 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night
A chance of showers, mainly after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday
Showers. High near 60. Windy, with a south wind 16 to 21 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Monday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and midnight. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 8 to 13 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

In Greater New Bedford, residents are already feeling the impact of COVID-19. Many local businesses have closed or moved to reduced hours, workers are either out of work or struggling to find child care, and schools have been closed until May. It’s an uncertain time and many are finding themselves in financial situations where they have to choose between food, rent and/ or medication.

United Way of Greater New Bedford is stepping in to help, and the City of New Bedford is actively supporting the effort. United Way has established the Help United – Greater New Bedford COVID-19 Response Fund to assist residents affected by the Coronavirus. This fund will provide cash assistance to out of work service workers and retired or out of work seniors over 65 in the Greater New Bedford area.

“United Way is no stranger to helping those in most need in our community. We have been working around the clock to ensure people have what they need during this difficult and uncertain time,” said Michelle N. Hantman, President & CEO. “We’ve set up the Help United Fund to assist residents financially and our Hunger Commission is making sure local food pantries are well stocked.”

The Help United Fund is the only local fund being endorsed by the City of New Bedford and Mayor Jon Mitchell.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has abruptly turned upside down the lives of many of our fellow residents of Greater New Bedford, some of whom will not be eligible for federal relief. It is with them in mind that United Way launched this fund,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “I encourage everyone in our region to step forward with whatever you can afford in support of our friends and neighbors.”

Mayor Mitchell has appointed Christian Farland as Chairman of the Help United Response Fund. Mr. Farland is a professional civil engineer and the founder and President of Farland Corporation, Inc., a site contracting company specializing in residential and commercial site development, and the President of Thompson Farland, Inc., a civil engineering land surveying company.

“The impact of the Covid-19 crisis on our community is unprecedented,” said Farland. “As a business owner with deep ties to New Bedford, I am increasingly concerned for the service workers in our cities and towns, laid off or working reduced hours that compromise their ability to provide for their families. I am confident in United Way of Greater New Bedford’s ability to effectively raise and designate resources to those in need, and proud to support this effort.”

You can make a donation to the Help United Fund by texting HELPUNITED to 313131 or visiting unitedwayofgnb.org.

“We aren’t sure how long our community will be impacted by the coronavirus, but the more donations we receive, the longer we will be able to support residents and keep them in their homes,” said Hantman.

Those looking for assistance from the fund can review the guidelines and apply at unitedwayofgnb.org/help-united.

In addition to the financial assistance to residents, United Way’s Hunger Commission continues to deliver food to pantries in Greater New Bedford. Restaurants with food they are unable to use are encouraged to donate their food to the Hunger Commission by calling 508-994-9625.Those looking for food assistance should visit unitedwayofgnb.org to see an up-to-date list of open pantries and their hours.

Anyone with questions regarding COVID-19 should dial 2-1-1 to get information. Mass 211 is a 24/7, free, confidential hotline that provides information on local resources. 211 has been designated by the Department of Public Health to answer your questions. Mass 211 is funded by local United Ways.

The Dartmouth Police Department posted the following on their Facebook page:

“Calling all cAHs…Calling all cAHs

Though all of us here at DPD are much more concerned about getting sick with a different kind of virus these days, do you know what else also makes us sick to our stomachs? Yup. You guessed it…THIEVES!

In an effort to help us start feeling a bit better, we are requesting a little dose of assistance with identifying this guy, who recently tried to pass a forged prescription at a local pharmacy.

If anyone would like to help us get one step closer to developing a vaccine for thievery, they are encouraged to either send us a private message or call Detective Sean “Doc” McGuire at 508-910-1733.

Thank you!

PLEASE SHARE”

Dartmouth town officials were recently notified of two COVID-19 related deaths. This marks the first two deaths in Dartmouth. Though both of the decedents were listed in High-Risk categories, their names, ages, and genders will not be disclosed out of respect to their individual families.

Mayor Mitchell also reported New Bedford’s first two COVID-19 related deaths on Wednesday.

Mayor Jon Mitchell, Southcoast Health President and CEO Keith Hovan, and representatives of Essex Group Management Corporation today announced two Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Care Centers in New Bedford for those recovering from COVID-19. Full details with photos and videohere.

On April 9, the Massachusetts Public Health Department reported that the state added 2,151 more positive cases of COVID-19 bringing to total to 15,202. This is an increase over Wednesday’s 1,588 reported cases. 70 new COVID-19 related deaths were reported since yesterday bringing the total deaths in Massachusetts to 503. Full details here.

A correctional officer and a K9 officer from the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office have tested positive for COVID-19. Full details here.

Attention parents and guardians and your kids! Looking for a positive (and socially distant) activity for children whose schools are closed?

Want to do some fun with calisthenics based on the bodyweight exercises that Massachusetts State Troopers do?

Want some enjoyable physical activity young people can do at their own pace, in their own homes?

Mark your calendars for Monday, April 13, at 11:30 a.m. and join members of the MSP Academy’s Fitness Unit as we kick off Workout With A Trooper! And keep joining us for new workouts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through the end of June.

We hope to see you there online!

The investigation into the facts and circumstances of the death of the man found on the shoreline at Revere Beach on Tuesday, as well as efforts to identify the man, are ongoing.

The body was recovered Tuesday morning after washing ashore in the area of the beach near the Oak Island Bath House.

The cause and manner of death remain under investigation. Based on the post-mortem examination, the decedent is a male, approximately 30-40 years old, and roughly 5’11” tall. During the examination a metal plate was discovered in the man’s lower back, indicating he has had lower back surgery in the past.

We ask anyone who has information about a man who matches that description, who is missing or unaccounted for, to call our State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County at 617-727-8817.

The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of April 13, 2020 –April 17, 2020 and they are as follows:

Eversource:

Eversource will replace the gas mains at the following locations:
• Hathaway Rd. from Valley View Dr. to Rockdale Ave.
• Sycamore St. from Summer St. to Pleasant St.
• South Front St. from 460 S. Front St. to Gifford St.

Other:

• MassDOT Project #606709, New Bedford- Roadway Reconstruction and Related Work (including signals) along a section of Kings Highway and Tarkiln Hill Road, to begin Monday April 13th. Construction to take place during regular working hours (Monday – Friday), police details and traffic controls will be in place.
• 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 will continue sidewalk panel replacements along Purchase St., between Rockland St. and Wing St., Pleasant St. between County St. and Wing St., Fredrick St. and Clara St. During work hours, police details and traffic controls will be in place.
• The Contractor is scheduled to continue CCTV and cleaning of wastewater piping in the River Rd. / Mill St. area.
• Contractor 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.

* 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.

“During these unprecedented times, we have seen the community come together in a way we could have never imagined. We have also met the most amazing, selfless individuals who want to make a difference.

So today, we’d like to acknowledge and thank…

Ms. Susan Souza of Homeless Heart Foundation Inc. for the generous donation of hand sanitizer for our members to keep in their pockets at all times. We truly appreciate your thoughtfulness and caring for our first responders.

There are so many more caring “donors” and we will be acknowledging them throughout the next couple of weeks.

It takes a village.
Please stay home.
Thank you,

New Bedford Fire Department.”