At 1:46am, the Fall River Police responded to a report of a person who was shot at the Holiday Inn Express Fall River North at 360 Airport Road.

First responders arrived to find a man bleeding from two gunshot wounds. The unnamed individual was conscious at the time and the wounds did not appear to be life-threatening. He was rushed to Charlton Memorial Hospital were he is currently in stable condition.

This is a developing story. We will add more details as information is confirmed.

Video by The Fall River Experience:

“Ladies and gentlemen, it was a day here in Fairhaven. The following has been released as our official statement following the events of the morning. Stay safe, see something, say something! We are here for you.

The Fairhaven Police Department reports that a 55-year-old New Bedford man was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm without a license and additional charges on Friday.

CARLOS BRITO, AGE 55, OF NEW BEDFORD, was arrested and charged with:

• Carrying a Firearm Without a License
• Receiving Stolen Property Under $1,200
• Number Plate Violation To Conceal Identity of Vehicle
• Possession of Ammunition Without an FID
• Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device

Fairhaven Police Department photo.

On Friday, Feb. 2, at approximately 9 a.m., the Fairhaven Police Department was called to the area of Green and Cedar streets for a report of a suspicious person who was wearing rubber gloves and placing pantyhose over his head.

Officers responded and located that individual, later identified as BRITO, in a parked Honda Accord that had stolen registration plates.

An on-scene investigation located a loaded, 9mm handgun under the driver’s seat of the Accord, and zip ties, duct tape, latex gloves, plastic bags, and a pillow elsewhere in the vehicle.

BRITO, who does not have a firearms license, was arrested at the scene.

BRITO was arraigned Friday in New Bedford District Court, where he was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing that is scheduled for next week.

Fairhaven Police ask that anyone with information about this incident call detectives at 508-997-7421. These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”-Fairhaven Police Department.

“DARTMOUTH, FAIRHAVEN, FALL RIVER, LAKEVILLE, SEEKONK and WAREHAM, Mass. – Southcoast Health announced today that all six of the not-for-profit community health system’s urgent care locations have been reaccredited by the Urgent Care Association (UCA) and received the Accredited Urgent Care designation.

Accreditation is the highest level of distinction that can be earned from the Urgent Care Association and the process is extremely thorough, including site visits, patient visit observations and policy reviews. It is completed every three years to ensure that each location meets the UCA’s standards for service, safety and quality.

“Once again, we are able to demonstrate our commitment to providing high quality and comprehensive care across the South Coast region,” says Renee Clark, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Southcoast Health. “We are grateful for our outstanding urgent care team that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to our community by providing this exceptional care seven days a week.”

Southcoast Health photo.

Southcoast Health Urgent Care offers patients convenient non-emergency care and are equipped with X-ray and laboratory services. These facilities are open to the public and patients seen are not required to have a Southcoast Health primary care provider. In response to the uptick in seasonal illnesses, the Fairhaven Urgent Care recently extended its hours until 10pm, Monday through Friday, until March 12, 2024.

In addition to the reaccreditation, Southcoast Health earned special recognition for following UCA best practices, including Lab QC documentation and Inbox lab resulting process and special commendation for the Antibiotic Stewardship Program.

“These achievements exemplify our commitment to providing our patients with exceptional care and service when they need us most,” says Marc Gardner, Executive Director of Urgent Care Services. “I want to thank the urgent care providers, staff and collaborating Southcoast Health departments for their diligent preparation and attention to detail throughout this process. Each of our urgent care locations serve as an essential resource for our community. Earning this recognition would not be possible without the continued effort of our amazing clinical team.”

For added convenience, patients seeking urgent care services can wait in the comfort of their own home until it is their turn to be seen through the online check-in system. Visitors can find the closest center and its current wait time, and even save a spot in line before arriving.

Additionally, backed by the specialty services and resources of Southcoast Health, the new Book-It process allows urgent care patients to book a follow-up appointment with select specialists without a referral from a primary care provider before leaving their visit.

To learn more about Southcoast Health Urgent Care, please visit: Urgent Care MA & RI | Find Your Nearest Urgent Care | Southcoast Health.

About Southcoast Health
Founded in 1996, Southcoast Health serves communities across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island as the largest provider of primary and specialty care in the region. The not-for-profit, charitable system includes three acute care hospitals – Charlton Memorial in Fall River, St. Luke’s in New Bedford (a Level II Trauma Center), and Tobey in Wareham, Massachusetts with a physician network of more than 675 providers.

With upward of 7,500 employees, Southcoast Health is the largest employer in southeastern Massachusetts, and one of the largest employers in the Commonwealth, according to the Boston Business Journal. More information is available online at www.southcoast.org.“

“The City is hosting a public meeting to gather feedback on the proposed monument in the South End to honor veterans of the Global War on Terror.

The monument’s advisory committee and professionals from Martha Schwartz Partners, the internationally renowned design firm chosen to build the monument, will meet on Monday, Feb. 12 at the Fort Taber Community Room at 6 p.m. Preliminary design concepts for the monument will be available for review and discussion.

Mayor Jon Mitchell announced the formation of an advisory committee to oversee the monument project at a 9/11 memorial service in 2021. The advisory committee, made up of members from the Veterans Advisory Board, local artists, and members of various City departments, has recommended the West Beach jetty as the location for the monument.”-City of New Bedford.

City of New Bedford photo.

City of New Bedford photo.

A video went viral on social media on Thursday showing a homeless man angrily pleading with police after being denied entry into the new migrant shelter set up in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

The Melnea Cass Recreational Complex which gives local children a safe place to play, will now be shut down for at least 3 months to house migrant families according to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

She toured this closed down facility on the exact day the 4th and final Walgreens Pharmacy closed its doors in Roxbury, Massachusetts, which has been a major concern in this community that feels it’s resources are running thin.

Why Governor Healey chose to close down a recreational center in Roxbury (one of the poorest neighborhoods in Boston) of all places, is raising serious concerns of residents in Massachusetts.

The homeless gentleman in the following video is clearly frustrated that the local homeless population is not receiving the same help and attention that homeless migrants are. Warning the video does contain explicit language.

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“DARTMOUTH, MA – On Thursday, February 1, 2024, members of the Dartmouth Police Department Investigative Services Division, in partnership with the Massachusetts State Police High Risk Victims Unit, conducted an undercover sting operation to combat the growing threat of prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation.

Throughout the day and night, detectives working in an undercover capacity arranged to meet with suspects at a local hotel/motel through an online ad that was posted.

As a result of the operation, a total of seven (7) men were arrested and charged with sexual conduct for a fee.

According to Dartmouth Chief of Police, Brian P. Levesque, “This operation was the direct result of our commitment to combating the ongoing issues that we are experiencing at our local hotels and motels. Though it is impossible to completely eradicate the inherent problems that come with the transient environment that these establishments support, I would like it to be known that we, along with our partners at the State Police, will be taking further progressive measures to suppress this activity moving forward.”-Dartmouth Police Department.
“

“Earlier this week, our members, friends, and family came together as part of the State Police Association Benevolent Fund Team to take part in the 8th annual BFit Challenge hosted by the Boston Bruins Foundation at TD Garden.

We would like to thank all who came out in support of such a great cause that in total raised more than $865,000 to benefit first responders and military charities including the Benevolent Fund.”-State Police Association of Massachusetts.

All photos by the State Police Association of Massachusetts:

The New Bedford Police Department have arrested two car breakers during two seperate incidents in the past few days. One suspect led officers on a foot chase and is now facing two counts of breaking into a motor vehicle to commit a felony and resisting arrest. NBPD released the following statement detailing both incidents.

“On January 26th at around 10 PM, Sgt. Andy Simmons of the department’s narcotics unit was conducting surveillance in the west end sector. At this time, he observed a male walking in the area of Sixth St. and School St. trying the door handle of a parked vehicle. Sgt. Simmons watched as the male moved on towards another vehicle, successfully opened the door, and then entered.

The suspect exited this vehicle shortly thereafter and Sgt. Simmons asked awaiting detectives to approach him. Sgt. Jonathan Lagoa and Detective Emily Pacheco stopped the suspect who was identified as Mr. JAVIER MENDEZ-COLON, 32, of 60 S. Second St. MENDEZ-COLON was found to have property belonging to the vehicle’s owner in his possession. He was then placed under arrest and taken into custody.

MENDEZ-COLON was charged with breaking into a motor vehicle at night with the intent to commit a felony. He has an extensive history with numerous convictions for a variety of crimes including two previous charges of breaking and entering. At the time of this arrest, MENDEZ-COLON was on probation out of New Bedford District Court.

Early this morning at around 3:30 AM, in the area of the Watson St./Duke St. intersection, police were called regarding a vehicle break. A quarter-glass window on the driver’s side had been smashed by the suspect who then entered the vehicle and stole some property. Upon being spotted by the vehicle’s owner, he immediately fled the scene, jumping over nearby fences to make his escape.

Later in the morning, at around 6 AM, Ofc. Carlos Fernandes was on patrol when he observed this same male going through a parked vehicle on Willow St. in the area of the Bullock St. intersection. Ofc. Fernandes approached the male who then once again attempted to flee the scene, leading responding officers on a foot chase through several nearby yards before he was ultimately caught and taken into custody after a brief struggle. He was identified as Mr. WALTER BREWSTER, 55, with a last known address of 103 Durfee St. BREWSTER was discovered to have numerous items believed to have been stolen from parked vehicles, including the one from Watson St. earlier in the morning. He was arrested and charged with two counts of breaking into a motor vehicle to commit a felony and resisting arrest.

Mr. BREWSTER also has an extensive criminal history with numerous convictions for offenses such as assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, larceny, possession of burglarious tools, and 4 previous cases of breaking and entering.”

Thursday morning at 9:55am, 911 calls were received reporting a possible explosion inside the mill complex located at 46 Harbor Street.

First arriving crews reported the sprinkler system was flowing and a smoke condition on the first floor. This is a three-story, Type 4 mill building measuring over 900’ long and 100’ wide. The fire originated in the office space of a machine shop on the first floor. The fire was contained by one sprinkler head.

Fire crews performed overhaul, conducted ventilation operations, and assisted in restoring the sprinkler system.
The cause of the fire was investigated by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit and determined to be a heat gun left too close to combustibles. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

New Bedford EMS, City of New Bedford Police Department (Official), City of New Bedford Emergency Management assisted on scene.

New Bedford Fire Department photo.

“BOSTON – A Chelsea man pleaded guilty today to illegally selling multiple machinegun conversion devices to an undercover federal agent.

Michael Williams, 50, was indicted on two counts of transferring or possessing a machinegun and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for May 15, 2024. Williams was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in July 2023 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023.

In January 2023, Williams agreed to sell several machinegun conversion devices and other firearm accessories to an undercover agent. Following a series of communications, Williams met the undercover agent twice at a pre-arranged location. On Jan. 12, 2023, Williams sold the first machinegun conversion device, along with numerous rounds of ammunition. On the following day Williams sold two additional machinegun conversion devices to the undercover agent. Williams is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction.

FBI photo.

The charge of unlawful transferring or possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The felon in possession charge provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. 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; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.