The City of New Bedford and Jeff Costa, a personal trainer in yoga, fitness and meditation, once again invite the public to ‘Meditate in the Park,’ a program running Friday afternoons from June 15 through August 17. Last summer, Costa and the City launched the program to promote wellness for residents and employees alike.

Each Friday from June 15 through August 17, Costa will host the program at the park at Custom House Square from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. In case of rain, the meditation program will move indoors to the Co-Creative Center, 137 Union Street (across Barkers Lane from Custom House Square).

The public is invited to the twenty-minute sessions of quiet and community, an opportunity to unplug at the end of the week. The City has partnered with Costa to offer the program to residents and the Department of Personnel has reached out to City employees with information on this program, which has been incorporated into the overall wellness program offered to employees.

“Studies suggest that many stress-aggravated conditions – anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disorders, and more – may be helped by the simple practice of meditation,” said Costa. “Research also suggests the existence of a ripple effect of well-being in the surrounding environment when people meditate together as a group.”
Costa is a highly respected retreat leader, teacher trainer, group instructor and personal trainer in yoga, fitness, and meditation. He also serves on the New Bedford Human Relations Commission and is a proud resident of downtown New Bedford.

The City of New Bedford and Jeff Costa, a personal trainer in yoga, fitness and meditation, once again invite the public to ‘Meditate in the Park,’ a program running Friday afternoons from June 15 through August 17. Last summer, Costa and the City launched the program to promote wellness for residents and employees alike.

Each Friday from June 15 through August 17, Costa will host the program at the park at Custom House Square from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. In case of rain, the meditation program will move indoors to the Co-Creative Center, 137 Union Street (across Barkers Lane from Custom House Square).

The public is invited to the twenty-minute sessions of quiet and community, an opportunity to unplug at the end of the week. The City has partnered with Costa to offer the program to residents and the Department of Personnel has reached out to City employees with information on this program, which has been incorporated into the overall wellness program offered to employees.

“Studies suggest that many stress-aggravated conditions – anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep disorders, and more – may be helped by the simple practice of meditation,” said Costa. “Research also suggests the existence of a ripple effect of well-being in the surrounding environment when people meditate together as a group.”

Costa is a highly respected retreat leader, teacher trainer, group instructor and personal trainer in yoga, fitness, and meditation. He also serves on the New Bedford Human Relations Commission and is a proud resident of downtown New Bedford.

On June 3, preceding the Bishop Stang High School graduation exercises, the 22nd annual Alumni Medal Ceremony took place in the school’s Chapel of the Annunciation. Thirty-nine members of the Class of 2018 received the Alumni Medal, with two graduates representing the third generation of Spartans. Since 1997, 604 sons, daughters, and grandchildren of alumni have been honored.

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Bishop Stang High School

Our mission: Bishop Stang High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory school called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by “making known the goodness of God.” We holistically educate a diverse student body in a respectful, nurturing and disciplined environment. Our school family inspires young people to excel in learning and life through growth in faith, integrity, knowledge and service.

To learn more about Bishop Stang High School, visit us at www.bishopstang.org , follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BishopStangHS, and find us on Facebook at Bishop Stang High School.

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 Thursday, June 14, 2018. This round of spraying will target areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, and the Downtown area. Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Thursday morning, weather permitting. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows the evening prior to the spraying.

As it does with EEE and West Nile Virus, the New Bedford Health Department works closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to track other emerging mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus. While Zika-carrying mosquitoes have not been identified the New Bedford area, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that the likelihood of becoming infected with Zika virus from a mosquito bite in Massachusetts is very low, residents are urged to take the general precautionary measures to prevent mosquito bites. In addition, travelers to areas where the Zika virus has been detected in mosquitoes or humans should take extra precaution to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes during their trip. This includes both females and males who travel to areas where the Zika virus is occurring. If you or your partner is planning on traveling, you should check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information about where Zika virus is occurring: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-information.

The same precautionary measures are advised for EEE, WNV, and the Zika virus. These include the following:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Ø 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.

Ø 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.

Ø 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

Ø 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.

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

This morning Mattapoisett Fire Department Chief 1, Engine 1 and Rescue 1 responded to Route 6 by the Police Station for a three-car motor vehicle crash. On arrival of Chief 1, it was reported that one vehicle was on its roof and smoking with one person trapped inside.

Crews worked to get the occupant from the vehicle and then secured all the hazards. Fairhaven and Marion Fire Departments assisted with ambulances on the scene. Route 6 was shut down for a lengthy period of time while crews cleaned up the road and the Mattapoisett Police Department could conduct an investigation.

From the New Bedford Police:

On Tuesday, June 12, at approximately 1052 hrs the Mattapoisett Police Department received a report of a severe car crash on Rt. 6 in front of the police station. First units on scene found a Mazda SUV on its roof with severe damage. Officers on scene were advised that there were two additional vehicles involved. The operator of the Mazda was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was initially trapped inside the vehicle. Boston MedFlight was dispatched but later canceled due to extended response time. The driver of the Mazda was extricated from the vehicle and transported to Rhode Island Trauma Center. The occupants of the second and third vehicle sustained what appeared to be non life-threatening injuries and were transported to Tobey Hospital.

Rt. 6 was closed for approximately 1 hr while the accident was investigated and the debris was cleared. The Mattapoisett Police Department was assisted by the Mattapoisett Fire Rescue, Fairhaven Fire EMS, Marion Fire / EMS, Fairhaven Police Department and Marion Police Department, Marion, MA. The accident still remains under investigation by the Mattapoisett Police Department.

Karen Ann Treadup has been named Deputy Superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools. The principal of Carney Academy for the past eight years, Treadup begins her new position July 1, 2018.

A New Bedford native and lifelong city resident, Treadup has served New Bedford Public Schools for 31 years, beginning as a Special Education teacher in 1987. She holds a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State University.

A third-generation New Bedford educator, Treadup’s career follows in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, both of whom were city schoolteachers before her.

In accepting the position, Karen Treadup said “It has been a privilege and honor to have served the students and families of the NBPS since 1987. I look forward to working with Superintendent Anderson as I continue this service to the students, families and the ​New Bedford community in my role as Deputy Superintendent.”

The Department of Justice today announced the arrest of more than 2,300 suspected online child sex offenders during a three-month, nationwide operation conducted by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces. The task forces identified 195 offenders who either produced child pornography or committed child sexual abuse, and 383 children who suffered recent, ongoing, or historical sexual abuse or production of child pornography.

The 61 ICAC task forces, located in all 50 states and comprised of more than 4,500 federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, led the coordinated operation known as “Broken Heart” during the months of March, April, and May 2018. During the course of the operation, the task forces investigated more than 25,200 complaints of technology-facilitated crimes against children and delivered more than 3,700 presentations on Internet safety to over 390,000 youth and adults.

“No child should ever have to endure sexual abuse,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said. “And yet, in recent years, certain forms of modern technology have facilitated the spread of child pornography and created greater incentives for its production. We at the Department of Justice are determined to strike back against these repugnant crimes. It is shocking and very sad that in this one operation, we have arrested more than 2,300 alleged child predators and investigated some 25,200 sexual abuse complaints. Any would-be criminal should be warned: this Department will remain relentless in hunting down those who victimize our children.”

The operation targeted suspects who: (1) produce, distribute, receive and possess child pornography; (2) engage in online enticement of children for sexual purposes; (3) engage in the sex trafficking of children; and (4) travel across state lines or to foreign countries and sexually abuse children.

The ICAC Program is funded through the Department’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). In 1998, OJJDP launched the ICAC Task Force Program to help federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems or computer technology to exploit children. To date, ICAC Task Forces have reviewed more than 775,000 complaints of child exploitation, which resulted in the arrest of more than 83,000 individuals. In addition, since the ICAC program’s inception, more than 629,400 law enforcement officers, prosecutors and other professionals have been trained on techniques to investigate and prosecute ICAC-related cases.

For more information, visit the ICAC Task Force (link is external) webpage at: https://www.icactaskforce.org/ (link is external). For state-level Operation Broken Heart results, please contact the appropriate state ICAC task force commander. Contact information for task force commanders (link is external) are available online at: https://www.icactaskforce.org/Pages/ContactsTaskForce.aspx.

A 26-year-old Taunton man who went on a robbery and carjacking spree in various area of Bristol County last fall was sentenced to serve three to five years in state prison last week, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Eric Ortiz pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court last week to a multi-count indictment, charging him with armed carjacking and two counts of armed robbery.

On September 27, 2017, Fall River Police were contacted by a male and female victim outside a CVS Pharmacy. The victims told police that as they were entering their car, a man approached them and asked for a lighter. The male victim began to open his car door when the defendant stopped him, grabbed onto his waistband and said, “you see this, give me the keys.”

The male victim saw the impression of a gun and handed the keys to the man. The defendant got into the car and sped off. The male victim’s cell phone was located on the side of Route 24 in Taunton. Fall River Police, utilizing surveillance video from outside the CVS, were able to positively identify the suspect as this defendant.

Later on the same day, Taunton Police responded to Rick’s Mobil for a reported armed robbery. The female cashier was followed into the store by the defendant. The defendant approached her and told her he had a gun. He then demanded money. Surveillance shows him taking cash from the register. He is seen on video fleeing the scene in the Fall River victims’ car. Taunton Police found the carjacked vehicle the next day in Taunton.

Then on October 16, 2017, Easton Police responded to a call for an armed robbery at Papa Gino’s pizzeria. In this incident, the defendant came into the restaurant, ordered a pizza, then demanded cash from the register, while threatening that he had a gun.

The cashier and a witness gave a description of the male and provided Easton Police with a description of the vehicle the defendant used to get away and a license plate number. Easton Police tracked the vehicle to Bellingham and immediately contacted Bellingham Police.

Police in Bellingham found the car and a male matching the robber’s description near the car. He was arrested without incident.

During a sentencing hearing before Judge Raffi Yessayan, Assistant District Attorney Daniel Walsh argued for a five to seven-and-a-half year state prison sentence, while the defendant requested a three to five-year prison term. Judge Yessayan handed down a three to five-year state prison sentence, and also placed the defendant on supervised probation for three years. The probationary begin will begin upon the defendant’s release from prison.

“This defendant clearly poses a danger to the community based on his violent crime spree fueled by drugs,” District Attorney Quinn said. “Hopefully, this sentence will adequately protect the public from this defendant.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) opened the Padanaram Bridge Causeway in Dartmouth to vehicular traffic on Monday, June 11, 2018.

“The MassDOT Highway Division is pleased to have the newly reconstructed Padanaram Bridge Causeway now open to motorists,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “I would like to thank state and local officials, and members of the public for all of their patience and support during the reconstruction of this scenic area.”

The work on the Padanaram Bridge Causeway Reconstruction Project began in June of 2016 with the bridge being permanently closed in August 2016. The project included roadway, drainage, structural, and lighting improvements along Gulf Road from the eastern edge of Apponagansett Park to the Padanaram Bridge and Smith Neck Road from Gulf Road southerly approximately 400 feet.

“Today’s opening marks the end of this long-anticipated project so that this causeway will remain structurally sound for decades into the future,” said State Senator Mark Montigny. “A direct link through town helps ensure efficient access for first responders and improves the overall ease of transportation and convenience for residents and visitors. It also helps the great local businesses, where I’ve unofficially monitored the project alongside constituents over countless cups of coffee.”

“This was a project that shows that local and state government work well together. This improvement to our Causeway will provide generations to come easy access to our beautiful village and our beaches. Governor Baker, Secretary Pollack and our town officials deserve all the credit,” said State Representative Chris Markey.

The project contractor is John Rocchio Corporation. The cost of the project is $8.27 million.

A report of the attempted theft of a television led to the arrest of three adult males and a juvenile for trafficking in cocaine after more than 300 grams of cocaine was located at 119 Adams St. Apt. 3 at 2:32 a.m. Monday, June 11.

When patrol officers reported to the address where the theft was reported, they observed over 300 grams of cocaine, several bags of heroin, a digital scale and packaging materials, all in plain sight.

Police subsequently arrested four people:

A 16-year-old male juvenile, trafficking in cocaine, possession of class A substance, conspiracy to violate drug laws and larceny over $250.

Timothy Pina, 18, of New Bedford, trafficking in cocaine, possession of class A substance, conspiracy to violate drug laws and larceny over $250.

DeMarcus Lopes, 19, of New Bedford, trafficking in cocaine, possession of class A substance, conspiracy to violate drug laws and larceny over $250.

Carlos Alberto Saenz, 20, of New Bedford, trafficking in cocaine, possession of class A substance, conspiracy to violate drug laws and larceny over $250.

All four suspects are being held without bail pending dangerousness hearings.