COME JOIN OUR PACE TEAM!

We are looking for candidates with a passion for working with children in an early learning environment with the following qualifications and skills:

• AA/BA in Social Services or related field,
• Experience working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds,
• Sensitivity to the needs of families with low-income and knowledge of community resources essential,
• Excellent communication, verbal and writing skills, computer skills (Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel),
• Driver’s License and access to a vehicle for transportation to home/agency visits,
• Bi-lingual in Spanish,
• Must be able to pass CORI & DCF background checks and meet state/federal mandates pertaining to credentials and professional development.

The Family Advocate is responsible for recruiting and enrolling eligible children for Head Start services. He/she follows federal guidelines and procedures for enrollment; completes forms, verifies eligibility, and enters family data in the computer. Home visits and family survey forms are completed to engage families in partnerships to improve and support the quality of family life while also encouraging parents to be involved in their child’s education and school readiness.

The Advocate participates in case management meetings to ensure that quality services are delivered to each child and family. He/she maintains a record of referrals, supportive services and outcomes. The Advocate facilitates positive relationships between the Head Start Program, children, families, and community agencies and services.

Head Start provides family-centered pre-school programming for over 250 income-eligible families with children from age 3 to age 5 living in the Greater New Bedford area.

To learn more about the program visit us at: www.paceinfo.org and click on the “Programs” tab.

SALARY:  $22.06 – $24.56/hour, 35 – 40 hours. per week, 44 – 52 weeks per year, depending on funding and caseload assignments.

Excellent benefits include: paid vacation time, personal time, sick time and holidays; low-cost health insurance; dental, vision plans, and no-cost life insurance.

P.A.C.E. is an AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

E-mail a cover letter, resume, and the name of the position you are applying for to hrjobapplications@paceinfo.org no later than:

NEW BEDFORD — In the early hours of Wednesday morning the New Bedford Police responded to a report of an alleged stabbing.

Police officers arrived to the 331 Middle Street in the Temple Landing Housing Complex amid a tenant dispute. One person was injured by a knife during the altercation and was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

38-year-old Raymond Carmona was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

This is an ongoing story and more details will be added as they come in.

“— ???? ???????? ?? —

We’d like to congratulate two new additions of the New Bedford Police Department who were sworn in earlier yesterday, Ofc. Edgardo Llanos and Ofc. Jonathan Fagundes.

We wish you luck and we thank you for your service to our City!”-City of New Bedford Police Department.

City of New Bedford Police Department photo.

“BOSTON – A lifetime Level 2 sex offender, pleaded guilty today to possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Eric Robert Johnson, 50, of Billerica, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for May 2, 2024. Johnson was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in February 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2022. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

“Possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime because it further victimizes the innocent children who were abused to create these horrific images and drives demand for the creation of more abusive material,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Johnson, a lifetime sex offender previously convicted of child rape, possessed over 5,000 files showing the sexual abuse of children, including infants. He is clearly a danger to our communities, and now faces significant time in federal prison. Our office will continue to relentlessly pursue individuals who harm children.”

“Images of children being sexually abused aren’t just documenting a moment in time. They’re a window into the horrific, ongoing reality for many of these kids. Sex offenders like Eric Robert Johnson who collect this material perpetuate the demand for it, which means more children will be exploited,” said Jodi Cohen Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “It’s imperative for the FBI and our law enforcement partners to intercept such predators when we find them, and we’re grateful Mr. Johnson accepted responsibility today for his criminal conduct.”

Searches of Johnson’s person and residence in February and March of 2022 resulted in the recovery of 25 electronic devices including a laptop, hard drives and other electronic devices. Multiple hard drives were found hidden next to Johnson’s bed as well as in Johnson’s basement ceiling, shelves, cabinets and in an ammunition can located in a crawl space at the residence. At the time of the search, the laptop was running a program to wipe, delete or remove files from an attached hard drive and was approximately 56% complete before being disabled by an on-scene forensic examiner.

A subsequent forensic examination revealed over 5,000 files depicting CSAM on seven of the seized devices, including images and video files depicting the sexual abuse of minor victims as young as infants and toddlers. Further forensic examination determined that 15 of the seized devices were encrypted or had hardware and could not be searched.

Additionally, during the search of Johnson’s residence, at least three mutilated dolls with the vaginal region sliced to make a hole were seized. Two children’s backpacks containing various children’s clothing including bathing suits and a nightgown, were found under his bed, along with a bag of children’s costumes. Additionally, children’s diapers were also observed throughout the residence.

Johnson was previously convicted in 1992 on state charges in New Hampshire of two counts of Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault of a Child Under 13 Years of Age. At the time of the searches, Johnson was a Level 1 registered sex offender in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Per the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board, Johnson is currently a Level 2 registered sex offender.

The charge of possession of child pornography after a prior conviction for a sex offense provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI SAC Cohen and Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus, Luke A. Goldworm and J. Mackenzie Duane of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.”-Massachusetts Department of Justice.

An active Massachusetts State Police sergeant, an active state trooper, along with two retired troopers and two others were arrested in connection with a bribery conspiracy that gave guaranteed passing scores on commercial driver’s licenses to applicants.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said Tuesday that Sgt. Gary Cederquist, 58, of Stoughton, Trooper Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater, and civilians Scott Camara, 42, of Rehoboth, and Eric Mathison, 47, of Boston, were arrested Tuesday. Retired State Troopers Calvin Butner, 63, of Halifax and Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham were arrested Monday in Florida.

“This is about the people charged in this case, not the 2,000 people who work for the State Police, and we [the US Attorney’s Office] will continue to pursue such cases without fear or favor” said US Attorney Josh Levy.

Watch US Attorney Josh Levy’s press conference on the matter below.

"The Golden Handshake"

4 police officers and 2 civilians were arrested today (including two active duty Massachusetts State Troopers)–along with two retired troopers were arrested on Monday– following a 76 count federal indictment related to bribery, extortion and fraud… pic.twitter.com/XEv95IWdjf

— Grant Smith Ellis (@GrantSmithEllis) January 30, 2024

</center?

A lifetime Level 2 sex offender, pleaded guilty today to possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Eric Robert Johnson, 50, of Billerica, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for May 2, 2024. Johnson was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in February 2022 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2022. He has remained in federal custody since his arrest.

“Possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime because it further victimizes the innocent children who were abused to create these horrific images and drives demand for the creation of more abusive material,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Johnson, a lifetime sex offender previously convicted of child rape, possessed over 5,000 files showing the sexual abuse of children, including infants. He is clearly a danger to our communities, and now faces significant time in federal prison. Our office will continue to relentlessly pursue individuals who harm children.”

“Images of children being sexually abused aren’t just documenting a moment in time. They’re a window into the horrific, ongoing reality for many of these kids. Sex offenders like Eric Robert Johnson who collect this material perpetuate the demand for it, which means more children will be exploited,” said Jodi Cohen Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “It’s imperative for the FBI and our law enforcement partners to intercept such predators when we find them, and we’re grateful Mr. Johnson accepted responsibility today for his criminal conduct.”

Searches of Johnson’s person and residence in February and March of 2022 resulted in the recovery of 25 electronic devices including a laptop, hard drives and other electronic devices. Multiple hard drives were found hidden next to Johnson’s bed as well as in Johnson’s basement ceiling, shelves, cabinets and in an ammunition can located in a crawl space at the residence. At the time of the search, the laptop was running a program to wipe, delete or remove files from an attached hard drive and was approximately 56% complete before being disabled by an on-scene forensic examiner.

A subsequent forensic examination revealed over 5,000 files depicting CSAM on seven of the seized devices, including images and video files depicting the sexual abuse of minor victims as young as infants and toddlers. Further forensic examination determined that 15 of the seized devices were encrypted or had hardware and could not be searched.

Additionally, during the search of Johnson’s residence, at least three mutilated dolls with the vaginal region sliced to make a hole were seized. Two children’s backpacks containing various children’s clothing including bathing suits and a nightgown, were found under his bed, along with a bag of children’s costumes. Additionally, children’s diapers were also observed throughout the residence.

Johnson was previously convicted in 1992 on state charges in New Hampshire of two counts of Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault of a Child Under 13 Years of Age. At the time of the searches, Johnson was a Level 1 registered sex offender in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Per the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board, Johnson is currently a Level 2 registered sex offender.

The charge of possession of child pornography after a prior conviction for a sex offense provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, FBI SAC Cohen and Billerica Police Chief Roy Frost made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus, Luke A. Goldworm and J. Mackenzie Duane of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Chris Lisinski
State House News Service

A judge on the state’s highest court denied a bid to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the Republican presidential primary ballot, writing Monday that the complaint essentially “come[s] too soon” in the election cycle.

Supreme Judicial Court Justice Frank Gaziano upheld the decision of the State Ballot Law Commission, which last week dismissed a challenge alleging Trump is ineligible for office due to his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol that sought to overturn his electoral defeat.

The three-member commission concluded it does not have jurisdiction over the case brought by parties including Free Speech for People and civil rights firm Lichten & Liss-Riordan. Gaziano agreed, writing that state law gives the panel authority over “any nominee for state, national or county office” or “certificates of nomination or nomination papers filed in any presidential or state primary.”

“Trump’s place on the ballot was not secured through the submission of nomination papers, nor, at this stage, is he the subject of any certificate of nomination or a nominee,” Gaziano, who was appointed to the court in 2016 by former Gov. Charlie Baker, wrote. “… Because Trump’s appearance on the primary ballot is not pursuant to ‘nomination papers,’ this provision does not apply.”

“The petitioners’ objections have, in essence, come too soon,” Gaziano added. “If there is any question whether the commission has the authority or jurisdiction to consider the petitioners’ objections regarding Trump’s eligibility to appear on the general election ballot, that question will not become ripe until, and if, he is selected as his party’s nominee for President. That question is not currently before me.”

Gaziano pointed out that the question of whether Trump is eligible to serve as president under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution could soon be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is set to hear oral arguments next week in a case concerning Colorado officials barring the former president from the ballot.

Free Speech for People, which is represented by former Democrat U.S. Senate and attorney general candidate Shannon Liss-Riordan, said challengers plan to “immediately” appeal Gaziano’s ruling to the full SJC.

It was a beautiful and powerful scene at YouthBuild New Bedford on Monday afternoon when Mark Santos, a student of the program gave his final presentation in front of his mentors. Like anyone would be, Mark was a little nervous to present in front of an audience.

He didn’t know until he walked into the room that we at New Bedford Guide would be in attendance filming his presentation, the pressure was on!

He began with a series of poems titled “The Storm” which was a beautifully written representation of his experience and transformation while being a part of YouthBuild New Bedford program. Mark then delivered a speech that unveiled some of the personal life struggles he was experiencing during his journey through the program.

Not a single person in the room had dry eyes. As mentioned, we were in attendance to film his speech, you can watch below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by New Bedford Guide (@newbedfordguide)

“(T)he DEA should deschedule marijuana altogether. Marijuana’s placement in the Controlled Substances Act has had a devastating impact on our communities and is increasingly out of step with state law and public opinion.”

U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.), led nine of their Democratic colleagues, including U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram, urging them to remove marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The letter comes after an August 2023 recommendation from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) that marijuana be rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III. The senators are calling for a complete descheduling of marijuana, consistent with state law, public sentiment, and the need to eliminate criminal and civil penalties for marijuana use.

This letter is also signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

“We write to urge the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to swiftly deschedule marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA),” wrote the senators. “(R)escheduling to Schedule III would mark a significant step forward, (but) it would not resolve the worst harms of the current system. Thus, the DEA should deschedule marijuana altogether. Marijuana’s placement in the CSA has had a devastating impact on our communities and is increasingly out of step with state law and public opinion.”

In August 2023, HHS recommended moving marijuana to a less restrictive DEA schedule. This followed an October 2022 directive from President Biden requiring HHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review the current scheduling of the drug. Prior to this review, the last review of marijuana scheduling occurred in 2016, when HHS ultimately recommended keeping marijuana under Schedule I. Now, HHS has identified credible scientific support for marijuana’s medical uses and has reversed its position. The medical science, as well as developments in state law and international law, support removing marijuana from Schedule I.

The Senators were clear about the need to completely deschedule the drug: “Rescheduling would do little to rectify the most severe harms of the current system…. (The) criminal penalties for recreational marijuana use, and for medical use of marijuana products that lack federal approval, would still exist, disproportionately penalizing Black and Brown communities. Similarly, non-citizens could still be denied naturalization and green cards, and even deported, based on recreational marijuana use and most marijuana offenses,” the senators continued. “Furthermore, rescheduling marijuana would not restore access to public housing or nutrition assistance for individuals who use marijuana recreationally or engage in other marijuana activity against federal law,”

“These harms could be remedied only through fully descheduling marijuana. The Biden Administration has a window of opportunity to deschedule marijuana that has not existed in decades and should reach the right conclusion — consistent with the clear scientific and public health rationale for removing marijuana from Schedule I, and with the imperative to relieve the burden of current federal marijuana policy on ordinary people and small businesses,” concluded the senators.

The senators have requested that the DEA and DOJ provide more information on steps taken to act on HHS’s rescheduling recommendation no later than February 12, 2024.

Senator Warren has long fought to reform cannabis policy and provide justice to individuals currently and formerly incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses:

In November 2023, Senators Warren, Merkley, Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) led 16 lawmakers in a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Director Andrea Gacki, asking FinCEN to update its out-of-date guidance on marijuana-related businesses to promote fairness in financial services for marijuana businesses operating in states where marijuana is no longer illegal.

In May 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, Senator Warren highlighted the need for the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would create a safe harbor from prosecution, asset forfeiture, or other liability for financial institutions that serve cannabis businesses, as a critical step toward helping cannabis businesses access safe banking services and protecting workers from the safety risks of working in cash-only businesses.

In December 2022, Senator Warren and Representative Blumenauer led a bipartisan and bicameral group of lawmakers in a letter urging the Biden-Harris Administration to deschedule marijuana.

In July 2022, Senators Warren and Sanders led a letter to President Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, following up on previous requests that the administration use its authority to deschedule cannabis and pardon non-violent cannabis-related offenders.

In November 2021, Senators Warren, Markey, and Merkley sent a letter to President Biden urging him to use his authority to pardon all individuals convicted of federal non-violent cannabis offenses.

In October 2021, Senators Warren and Booker urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to decriminalize cannabis by removing the drug from the list of federally controlled substances.

In March 2021, Senators Warren, Merkley, and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) cosponsored the bipartisan SAFE Banking Act to ensure that legal cannabis businesses have access to critical banking services.

“New firefighter introduction!

Please welcome FF Jay Davies. Jay worked his first shift for Lakeville today.

FF Davies is currently enrolled in paramedic school and has been an EMT for 2 years. He has been working for a private ambulance company.

FF Davies lives with his girlfriend, 2 dogs, and 3 cats.

Welcome aboard Jay!”-Lakeville, MA Fire Department.

Lakeville, MA Fire Department photo.