“Massachusetts Environmental Police Boat on scene assisting IFAW and Marblehead Harbormaster with a deceased 42′ Humpback Whale off Prescott Beach Marblehead.
The whale will be brought ashore for the IFAW team to perform a necropsy to determine the cause of death.”-Massachusetts Environmental Police.
Massachusetts Environmental Police photo.
“On Thursday, Hazmat Technicians from the New Bedford Fire Department took part in an Ammonia Emergency Response Training & Live-Release Drill in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
The training program consisted of classroom instruction and practical evolutions where the Hazmat Technicians practiced leak mitigation techniques with actual anhydrous ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia is used extensively within the City of New Bedford by the seafood industry for cold storage of seafood.
The NBFD extends its thanks to Transcaer, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the North Kingstown Fire Department for this excellent training opportunity.
The NBFD currently employs over twenty firefighters who are trained and certified to the Hazardous Materials Technician level.”-New Bedford Fire Department.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
“BOSTON – A Salvadoran man has pleaded guilty today to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Melvin Alexander Orellana-Martinez, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien before U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
On eight separate occasions between July 2007 and January 2020, Orellana-Martinez was removed from the United States. Between February 2008 and March 2019, Orellana-Martinez was convicted in California and Texas federal courts on five separate occasions of either illegal reentry or improper entry.
Orellana-Martinez was last deported from the United States on Jan. 14, 2020. Sometime after his January 2020 removal, Orellana-Martinez unlawfully reentered the United States. On Jan. 6, 2023, federal immigration authorities were notified that Orellana-Martinez had unlawfully reentered the United States after he was arrested on unrelated state charges.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of the imposed sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Boston’s Field Office Director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.
Massachusetts has its first reported and confirmed case of the potentially deadly Powassan virus in Sharon. State officials are warning warns residents to take precautions against the tick-borne disease.
Mass.gov explains the virus,”Powassan virus causes a rare, but often serious disease, and is spread by the bite of tiny, infected black-legged (deer) ticks. There are two types of Powassan virus in the United States. One type is found in ticks that normally feed on woodchucks (groundhogs); the second type is carried by black-legged ticks, the same ticks that can also carry the germs that cause Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis.”
Powassan virus is spread by the bite of an infected tick and can spread from the tick into a person after only a short time of attachment, so it’s crucial to check yourself frequently when walking, on hikes, gardening, etc. You may not notice symptoms since they take minimum of a week to manifest and in some cases, up to a month.
Symptoms/signs include confusion, fever, headache, loss of coordination, seizures, speech difficulties, vomiting, and weakness. In severe cases, one may experience encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. 10% of those who contract the severe form of the disease will die and survivors may have long-term health problems.
Unfortunately, there is no treatment once infected and one can only drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and get plenty of rest.
The CDC tracks cases and provides data and maps. You can visit their page and see current data here.
By Sam Doran
State House News Service
Top Democrats expect to file a compromise Wednesday on a bill (H 4582) designed to continue funding the state’s overrun emergency family shelter and implement reforms to cut costs by limiting how long families may stay in shelters.
As the News Service first reported, lawmakers working on a fiscal 2024 supplemental budget (H 4466 / S 2711) picked up the paperwork needed to file a deal Wednesday morning.
In a joint statement Wednesday afternoon, lead conferees Sen. Michael Rodrigues and Rep. Aaron Michlewitz said they were finalizing details of the compromise in order to “timely” file the new language “for the House and Senate to consider the report tomorrow.”
Both branches will be holding formal sessions Thursday. Under the Joint Rules, a conference report would need to be filed by 8 p.m. Wednesday in order for the branches to take it up anytime after 1 p.m. Thursday.
“I’m not going to get into specifics, but I think you heard that they picked up a jacket. Usually that’s a good signal. And I think a deal will be done in short order,” Senate President Karen Spilka told the News Service in the afternoon.
Known as a conference jacket, the blank form is used to gather signatures from House and Senate negotiators to finalize a deal. Retrieving an unsigned jacket from the clerk’s office usually indicates that a six-person negotiating committee is close to final agreement.
Rep. Paul Donato of Medford, chair of the Second Division, said he believed a supp deal was on the radar for this week.
“I mean, we’re here, and we’re going to be here for a while. Time to do the supp budget and get it out of the way,” Donato said during a recess in the House’s first budget debate session of the week.
The six-person committee, chaired by Michlewitz and Rodrigues, held its first meeting April 1 after the branches passed competing versions of the bill in March.
In its version, the Senate proposed making an $863 million state escrow fund available to fund family shelters through next fiscal year. The House proposed using $245 million from escrow savings to cover the shelters until the current fiscal year ends this summer. The bills take different approaches to proposed limits on how long families can remain in the emergency shelters. Also tied up in the conference talks are provisions related to streamlined licensing for outdoor dining at restaurants and the authorization for restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages to go.
Current appropriations for the shelter system are expected to run out “sometime mid- to end of April,” Rodrigues said this month, adding that the Healey administration has “other flexible funds that they can use.”
Sen. Patrick O’Connor of Weymouth, one of two Republicans on the conference committee, told the News Service that he learned details of a House-Senate compromise Tuesday and decided to withhold his signature from the jacket.
“You know, we’re in tough financial times, and this is a large amount of money that the state’s been spending on this, and will continue to spend on this. And I would like to see more actionable plans put in place to see where the end-game is here,” he said.
O’Connor said he wants to see state officials “be louder” in calls for assistance to the federal government and the state’s delegation on Capitol Hill.
“We do not have the financial resources to do it alone,” O’Connor said. “And until we have a long-term plan in place, I cannot support the continued spending of this much of our state resources.”
“⚠️ 𝐃𝐑𝐔𝐆-𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄-𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 ⚠️
Do you have any expired or unused medications you want to get rid of? Look no further! This Saturday, April 27, the New Bedford Police Department will have a manned collection site set up in the parking lot of our headquarters (871 Rockdale Avenue) from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The Drug Enforcement Administration – DEA has coordinated the 26th nationwide one-day collaborative prescription drug-take-back initiative event. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐍𝐨 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞.
Since 2010, this initiative has resulted in over 1.7 million pounds of pharmaceutical waste collected over twenty-five drug-take-back events in New England.”-City of New Bedford Police Department.
City of New Bedford Police Department photo.
“WINDHAM, N.H. – Earlier today, April 24, State Troopers conducted a high-visibility traffic enforcement initiative on Interstate 93 to detect and deter speeding and aggressive drivers.
During the effort, from a State Police aircraft, Trooper Provenza of the Special Enforcement Unit observed a 2015 BMW 228i traveling at 108 mph. Trooper Provenza notified Trooper Knell of Troop B, who was on the ground and able to stop the BMW. The driver of the BMW was identified as Joshua Dube, 29, of Methuen, Massachusetts. Dube was taken into custody on charges of reckless operation and failure to display license plates.
Additionally, during today’s initiative, Troopers also stopped 3 other drivers for speeds above 100 mph and 17 additional drivers for speeds above 90 mph. A child restraint was also checked, and one driver was determined to be operating after suspension.
The New Hampshire State Police will continue these types of enforcement efforts through the spring and summer seasons to improve highway safety and reduce crashes.”-New Hampshire State Police.
New Hampshire State Police photo.
‘Chief of Innovation and Policy Development’ Will Drive Technology and Policy Improvements for Better Municipal Services.
The City of New Bedford is creating a new position that will drive innovation and reforms across City government. The Chief of Innovation and Policy Development will be a senior-level position in City government that will identify and implement new technology and policies to improve the quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of municipal services.
“Our residents deserve a City government that solves problems and delivers results,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “We can do more for them with the right tools, including proven technologies and up-to-date policies. The world is changing quickly, and the City of New Bedford won’t be left trailing behind.”
The Chief of Innovation and Policy Development will perform three core functions:
Drive improvement in the delivery of municipal services
• Identify, develop, and implement high-impact innovations and new policies.
• Manage projects that focus on service and business model innovation.
• Explore best practices in other cities, facilitate their importation to New Bedford, and pursue and manage grants that support the process.
Build and grow innovation capabilities
• Identify training needs for employees to ensure the effective utilization of new technologies and policies.
• Redesign procedures and practices to deliver essential services in a timely and effective manner.
• Facilitate the use of artificial intelligence applications to expand operational efficiency and problem-solving capabilities.
• Track and report on innovation metrics and business impact on a regular basis.
Champion innovation
• Promote a municipal innovation agenda to City employees and stakeholders, and invite their ideas and feedback.
• Promote the City as a recognized innovation leader among municipalities nationally to build brand and better attract and retain talent.
• Identify external relationships that may accelerate innovation and its practical implementation through public-private partnerships.
The Chief of Innovation and Policy Development will be a data-driven decision maker with experience in municipal finance and managing staff. Anyone interested in applying can visit https://mss.newbedford-ma.gov/mss/employmentopportunities/default.aspx.
“The crew of Engine Company 5 and New Bedford EMS Medic 4 had the opportunity to greet a few special guests this afternoon at Fire Station 5.
At 1:00am on Saturday April 6, Engine 5 and Medic 4 were dispatched to a residence in Sassaquin for a female in labor who was delivering her baby. Engine 5 arrived and assisted mom with the delivery and stimulating the baby. Medic 4, who was returning from St. Luke’s Emergency Department from a previous call arrived two minutes later and assumed care of mom and baby Laiana.
Paramedic Supervisor William Sullivan also responded with Medic 4. A firefighter operated the ambulance en route to St. Luke’s which allows both EMS providers to provide patient care during transport.
Mother Kelly, Laiana, her son Jayden, and aunt came in and visited with both crews. Jayden received a tour of Engine 5 & Medic 4. It was great to see they’re all doing well!
Great work E-5 Gr. D Lt. Eric Hartford, FF Anthony Szklany, FF Christopher Lynch, FF Andrew Bois, Medic 4 Paramedics Lucy Nolan & Aharon Bento, and Paramedic Supervisor William Sullivan.”-New Bedford Fire Department.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
New Bedford Fire Department photo.
“At 2 PM Mondayy helicopter Air 5 of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing located and began following a stolen Lexus that was on the move in Ashland. The car had previously been stolen out of Peabody and had eluded several local police departments in the Natick area as well as other MetroWest towns.
Air 5 advised MSP Troop H that the stolen vehicle was traveling west on Rt. 9 through Southborough and Westborough and onto Rt. 495 Northbound. MSP cruisers began responding to that area.
At 2:08 PM MSP Air 5 advised that the vehicle, a 2002 Lexus IS, was is passing Rt. 290.
Massachusetts State Police photo.
The suspect vehicle took the turn onto Rt 117 in Bolton and reversed direction, re-entering Rt 495 on the southbound side. Two MSP K9 Unit cruisers also responded to the area of 117 and one of them located the stolen vehicle and began pursuing it. The stolen vehicle by that time had crossed into Troop C and Troop C Headquarters assumed command and control of the pursuit.
A short time later, as the pursuit continued, the stolen vehicle entered Rt. 290 west in Marlborough.
Troopers set up stop sticks on 290 west between Solomon Pond Rd in Marlborough and Green St. in Northborough. The stolen vehicle struck the stop sticks and crashed into another vehicle and came to rest in the median strip. There were no injuries to the occupants of the other vehicle.
Massachusetts State Police photo.
Numerous Troopers converged on the scene and secured the three occupants of the stolen vehicle.
Two of the suspects were transported to UMass Medical Center with minor injuries. A juvenile was transported to the State Police-Leominster Barracks for booking.
Subsequent investigation determined that the stolen vehicle was involved in a prior crash with two other vehicles on the ramp from Rt. 495 S to Rt. 290 W in Marlborough.
We will update on charges when that info is available.”-Massachusetts State Police.
Massachusetts State Police photo.
Massachusetts State Police photo.