No license is needed to fish in fresh water the first weekend in June!

“Mark your calendars for this year’s Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend on June 1 and 2! No license is required to fish any public lake, pond, reservoir, stream, or river in Massachusetts from 12 a.m. Saturday, June 1 until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 2.

• Other than Free Fishing Weekend, you need a license to fish in fresh water if you are 15 or older. If you’re 15–17 or 70 and older, your license is free. Funds from fishing license sales support MassWildlife’s fisheries research, fish stocking programs, and angler education programs. Buy your fishing license here.
• All other regulations, including catch limits, apply during Free Fishing Weekend. Before heading out on the water, make sure you know the rules.
• For saltwater anglers, 2024 Free Saltwater Fishing Days are May 12 and June 16.

Where to fish:
Use the Go Fish MA! fishing map to find places to fish near you! You can also explore trout stocked waters or handicapped accessible fishing sites.”-Massachusetts Wildlife and Fisheries.

“BOSTON – A Jamaican man was sentenced today for his role in the laundering of hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug trafficking proceeds from Colombian cartels through banking systems around the world.

Seivright Donald Afflick, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 37 months in prison. The defendant will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of the imposed sentence. In February 2024, Afflick pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conducting substantive money laundering transactions.

Beginning in 2016 and continuing until 2022, an investigation into a sophisticated money laundering organization based primarily in Barranquilla, Colombia was conducted. During an extensive five-year investigation, the organization allegedly laundered over $6 million in drug proceeds through intermediary banks in the United States, including banks in Massachusetts, as well as additional proceeds through banks in the Caribbean and Europe by use of the Colombian Black Market Peso Exchange (BMPE) – a common method of trade-based money laundering used to repatriate the proceeds of drug trafficking to Colombia. An undercover agent infiltrated the organization by portraying himself as an international money launderer able to pick up bulk cash throughout the world, launder the proceeds through his United States-based accounts and send the money to Colombia through the BMPE.

Throughout the course of the investigation, members of the money laundering organization would contact the undercover and arrange meetings for the undercover and the undercover’s purported associates to collect bulk cash throughout the world. Individuals, such as Afflick, performed the role of money courier. Afflick delivered bulk cash on two occasions in Jamaica. That cash was then deposited into the undercover bank account in Massachusetts, and then subsequently wired to accounts and repatriated back to drug traffickers in Colombia. Over the course of the conspiracy, Afflick was responsible for the laundering of approximately $670,000 in drug proceeds.

Afflick was charged in a 50-count indictment along with 19 other individuals in March 2022. Afflick is the sixth defendant to be sentenced in the case. Three other defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The remaining defendants have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua R. Levy and Stephen Belleau, Acting Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Dolan and Alathea E. Porter prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

“Bristol Community College’s Joseph A. Marshall Veterans Center has partnered with the Department of Labor’s Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) program to host the upcoming workshops “Your Next Move” and “Marketing Yourself” to better assist veterans, National Guard members and military spouses with the transition to civilian careers.

The free workshops will take place on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., in the Commonwealth College Center (G building), on the Bristol Fall River Campus, 777 Elsbree Street. Representatives from Bristol’s Career Services department and the MassHire Fall River Career Center will also be present.

Please register for the June 12 workshops, here: www.signupgenius.com/go/boston-multi-signup

Bristol Community College is the second community college in Massachusetts to host the OBTT workshops.

The college’s Joseph A. Marshall Veterans Center serves as a single point of contact for all Bristol and Veterans Affairs materials, educational benefit certification, academic counseling, essential resources, opportunities for peer connections and assistance with job preparation and placement services, including veteran-specific job fairs and recruitment activities.”

“The City of New Bedford has roadwork sites for the upcoming week of June 3, 2024 – June 7, 2024, and they are as follows:

Eversource will be working on gas main relays and services on:

• Main cutting and capping on Blacker St at County St
• Main cutting and capping on Delano St at County St
• Main relay on Acushnet Ave from Phillips Rd to Bowles St
• Main relay on Bayview St from W Rodney French to Point St
• Main relay on Acushnet Ave from Phillips Rd to 3082 Acushnet Ave
• Main relay on Church St from Belleville Rd to Park Ave
• Main relay on Hudson St from W Rodney French to Brock Ave
• Main tie in on Nelson St at County St
• Main tie in and service on Princeton St from Church St to Ashley Blvd
• Services on Central Ave from Church St to Conduit St

Eversource will be working on test pits and related work for future electric upgrades at the following locations:
• Pine St from MacArthur Dr to terminus
• MacArthur Dr from Pine St to Walnut St
• Walnut St from MacArthur Dr to S. Second St
• S. Second St from Walnut St to School St
• School St from S. Second St to County St
• County St from School St to Locust St

For more information about this project, please call the project information hotline at 1-833-836-0302 or email ProjectInfoMA@eversource.com to join the email list for regular construction and community updates.

Other:

• Contractor (Indus) will be crack sealing varies locations throughout the City.
• Contractor (K5 Corporation) will be working city wide repainting pavement markings. Work will take place between 7:00 PM and 6:00 AM Tuesday thru Friday.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working at the MassDOT road reconstruction project on County Street from Nelson Street to Rivet Street.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working on a road reconstruction project at West Rodney French Boulevard from Cove Street to George Street.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working on a road reconstruction project at Elm Street from JFK Memorial Highway (Route 18) to Purchase Street.
• Contractor (JH Lynch) will be working on the MassDOT road reconstruction project at the intersection of Rockdale Avenue at Allen Street. Final paving operations scheduled for Thursday, June 6th, with no local traffic access. Traffic detours will be in place during workday hours of operation.
• Contractor (PA Landers) will be working at the MassDOT road reconstruction project on Kings Highway from Mt. Pleasant Street to Oliver Street.
• Contractor (Various utility companies) will be working on utility pole transfers at the MassDOT road reconstruction project on Acushnet Avenue from Tobey Street to Pequot Street.
• MassDOT will be staging installation and beam end cleaning and concrete encasements at I-195 East and West bound lanes over Purchase Street, County Street and State Street. Work will take place Sunday – Thursday with overnight operations only.
• Contractor (SCR Constructors) will continue site work at the future South Coast Rail station platform locations in the city. (Church Street at Carlisle Street and Wamsutta Street at Acushnet Avenue.) and continue site work at the future pedestrian bridge across Rte. 18 impacting parking along Purchase Street between Willis Street and Pearl Street and at the Division of Career Services on Acushnet Avenue. If you have questions, please email the project team at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us
• MassDOT to continue pavement preservation and related work on Route 140 both northbound and southbound from mile marker 0.0 to mile marker 5.2. Work to be conducted during overnight hours. Police details and ramp closures with detours to be expected.
• Contractor (SCR) will be erecting the steel arch for the pedestrian bridge starting the week of June 17th which will require nightly closures of Rt 18.

Project: Lead Service Line Replacement Program Phase II General Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00am -5:00pm)
• The contractor will be working Lead Service Line Replacements. Monday on Hawthorn Street between Rockdale Avenue and Reed Street. Tuesday on Hawthorn Street between Whittier Street and Burns Street. Plymouth Street between Whittier Street and Burns Street. Wednesday on Plymouth Street between Rockdale Avenue and Whittier Street. Rockdale Avenue between Carroll Street and Plymouth Street. Thursday on Carroll Street between Whittier Street and Rockdale Avenue. Friday on Carroll Street between Burns Street and Rockdale Avenue. Ryan Street between Burns Street and Rockdale Avenue. At times during working hours, these locations may be closed to thru traffic with signs posted to detour traffic around work areas. Police details will be on-site allowing access to residents only and assisting with traffic management.

Project: Phase 4 Transmission Main Reinforcement Project Contractor: C. Naughton Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
• The Contractor will be constructing a gravel service road and completing final site grading at the 48-in water transmission main north of the railroad crossing at Chipaway Road in East Freetown.

Project: Shawmut Avenue and Howland Street Pumping Station Improvements Project General Contractor: WES Construction Corp. (Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
• The contractor will continue installation of granite curb and concrete sidewalk placement along Nash Road between Shawmut Avenue and Mount Pleasant Street. Lane restrictions may be in place during working hours, with one lane of alternating traffic open. Police officers will be on-site to assist with traffic management.”

“The NBFD is pleased to announce our new E-One Typhoon Custom Top Mount Pumper has arrived at Greenwood Fire Apparatus in North Attleboro.

This pumper replaces our 2008 Engine 8 located at Station 8 on Acushnet Avenue in Ward 2, the City’s near north end. Captain Peter Clark, FF John Souza, the members of Engine Company 8, and E-One sales representative Colin Boutin deserve credit for designing a pumper that focuses on functionality, maneuverability, and takes advantage of all the available storage space to carry the equipment needed to complete our mission.

The pumper is less than 32’ in length but consists of a full size cab, top-mounted pump panel, and a low rise hose bed. The wheelbase was decreased by 15” by deploying the two crosslays from the rear of the pumper. A “motor vehicle fire line’ tray will be added to the passenger side below the ground ladders.

The cab is also equipped with a UV light air purification system to neutralize airborne pollutants. It is estimated the new Engine 8 will be placed in service in a month after it is fully equipped and the four groups have completed their familiarization and training.

The Department thanks Mayor Jon Mitchell, our City Councilors, and the finance team for funding our new Engine 8.”-New Bedford Fire Department.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

New Safeguards, Training, Staffing, and Equipment Result From Comprehensive Review Following March Presidential Primary.

“NEW BEDFORD – The City is implementing a range of reforms following a review of voter complaints during the March 6 Presidential Primary.

Ryan A. Pavao, acting first assistant city solicitor, was tasked by Mayor Jon Mitchell to review complaints and make recommendations for improvement.

The review’s recommendations include:

• Changing the allocation of political party ballots at polling locations and establishing a protocol to inspect/re-count ballots before distribution to the precincts.
• Maintain at least three runners, or poll workers responsible for supply trips back and forth from City Hall, per election.
• Establish a procedure in which poll workers will automatically call for resupply of ballots when the number on hand reaches a certain level.
• Update training requirements to include custodial workers and police officers.
• Involve voting machines and other election equipment in pre-election training.
• Update poll worker training materials to incorporate updates and/or revisions in state and federal election law, and have state Elections Division review the materials prior to distribution.
• Promulgate educational information to voters, particularly regarding party enrollment, deadlines, and voter registration requirements.

“We are continually looking for ways to improve the services City government delivers,” Mayor Mitchell said. “These procedure and training improvements will make our elections run more smoothly.”

The City has already begun to implement the recommendations, with additional resources being deployed to the Elections Office. These include the purchase of new high-speed equipment for ballot counting and mailings, additional voting machines, and staffing, some of which are presently pending City Council approval. All together, these investments total $163,000.”-City of New Bedford.

“Vidyanidhi “Vinnie” Rege, Ph.D., of Barrington, R.I. has been named the Dean of the Bristol Community College New Bedford Campus. Dr. Rege joined Bristol in 2020 as the Dean of Business and Experiential Education and will continue to serve as the college’s Dean of Business in addition to his new role.

As Dean of the New Bedford Campus, he will utilize his experience to foster a student-centered educational environment responsive to the needs of diverse students, as well as the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the greater New Bedford region. He will also continue to advance relationships with area institutions, community organizations and leaders to develop linkages and collaborations. Dr. Rege began his new role on May 13, 2024.

Dr. Rege earned his Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant & Catering Management at the Baltimore International College; his Master of Science in Service Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology and his Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University.

While serving at the college, Dr. Rege has launched successful initiatives resulting in increased student engagement and experiential learning opportunities. He has cultivated strong partnerships with local businesses and non-profit organizations, as evidenced by his existing collaborations with advisory board members and relationships among key community stakeholders.”

Cape Cod Pirate Festival to Set Sail on June 1-2 and June 8-9.

“SOUTH YARMOUTH: Mark your calendars for the weekends of June 1-2 and June 8-9 when the 2024 Cape Cod Pirate Festival (www.capecodpiratefestival.com) comes to Joshua Sears Memorial Field at 28 Wood Road in South Yarmouth. Tickets half-price for Yarmouth residents on June 1.

The 4th annual swashbuckling event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 1st in celebration of Yarmouth Day. Local and state officials are expected to participate in the opening ceremony.

Presented by New Latitude Event Solutions (www.newlatitudeevents.com), the two roguish weekends will feature entertainment, swashbuckling adventures, rollicking music, crafts, black powder and cannon demonstrations, axe and knife throwing, beverage tastings, open mic opportunities and much more.

Get ready for some pirate-themed fun, explore wares from local and far-off vendors, sample fare to satisfy the heartiest of appetites, and prepare for a jolly good time.

The festival will run from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For additional details and ticket information, please visit (www.capecodpiratefestival.com).

Tickets are half-price for Yarmouth residents on June 1.”

Places that Matter: New Bedford helps prioritize places for preservation, conservation, recreation and affordable housing.

“New Bedford, MA: The Waterfront Historic Area League, Inc. (WHALE) and Trust for Public Land (TPL) are excited to publicly debut a collaborative new project entitled Places that Matter: New Bedford. The project has two years in the making, when the 1772 Foundation and the Island Foundation chose New Bedford for the opportunity to partner with TPL on creating a “greenprint” for the city. A greenprint is a map of places that matter to a community. Creating one starts with community input and leads to state-of-the-art computer models and maps developed using Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

The map-based decision support tool and StoryMap can aid New Bedford community leaders, advocacy groups, and residents in making informed decisions about how to grow while preserving the character, environment, and quality of life in the city. WHALE and TPL surveyed New Bedford residents in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, hosting community outreach and conversations to identify the places that matter to the community. This effort yielded over 200 nominations to Places that Matter, and those sites are included in the final map.

Based on the observations, recollections and local knowledge of the city’s residents, the interactive map identifies:

• Historical and cultural assets
• Opportunities for expanded affordable housing
• Opportunities for open space, parks and public art
• Areas at risk from sea level rise and rising temperatures

The goal of Places That Matter: New Bedford is to better understand how the community values places in New Bedford, and ultimately to help WHALE and others identify sites for future historic preservation and affordable housing efforts. These tools will aid in strategic planning efforts when working to improve the community and meet residents’ needs.

Places that Matter: New Bedford publicly debuted on May 9 as part of the AHA! Night: Preservation Celebration. This tool is free and available for anyone to utilize for their own interest, education, or community advocacy efforts.

The online resources can be accessed through WHALE’s website or directly through TPL at the following links:

Places that Matter

‘Places that Matter’ New Bedford Cultural Conservation Landing Page

Virtual trainings will be held throughout the summer and WHALE will be leading efforts to present the project to interested community groups and organizations. The trainings are free to attend, and are scheduled for June 5 at 12PM and July 10th at 2PM. Please register to attend through WHALE’s website: https://waterfrontleague.org/events/

Places that Matter: New Bedford was funded by The 1772 Foundation, whose mission is to ensure the safe passage of our historic assets to future generations and The Island Foundation, who funds groups that have community-wide recognition and support and demonstrate a positive vision for the present and future of New Bedford.”

“Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina, Inc. today announced a grant award of $15,000 from Southcoast Community Foundation. Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina, Inc.

(CAEL) is a community-based nonprofit organization with a mission to engage, educate, empower, and mobilize the Hispanic and Latino communities for positive social change. CAEL offers Spanish-language training and fellowship opportunities, emergency case management, mental health support groups, and translation services, among other needed services.

This grant award was provided to expand on existing Spanish language literacy programming held by Mujeres Victoriosas, a partnering community-based organization, and create an addition English as a Second Language program for New Bedford’s Hispanic and Latino residents.

“Through the Polaroid Fund, the Community Foundation is proud to support 10 local organizations, including CAEL, that will offer programs to help New Bedford residents find a pathway to success through workforce development and ESOL classes,” said SouthCoast Community Foundation President and CEO, Dr. Melanie Edwards-Tavares.”-Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina, Inc.