Prediction models are all over the map (pun intended) as a swath of winter weather will descend on the Southcoast late Friday through Sunday morning. Early totals show 1 to 3 inches Friday night with the potential for up to 14 inches Saturday through Sunday. Obviously the modeling might change, but there is little doubt that our area will be affected in some way, shape or form during the weekend.

There is every indication that a storm will continue to develop and strengthen off the Atlantic coast later this week. Fun Fact: the storm might intensify enough from Friday to Saturday to be classified as a bomb cyclone as it moves north into New England. Late January is typically prime time for winter storms; we’ve dodged a few bullets this season and the last couple of winters have been relatively mild.

We’ll continue to update the forecast as the weekend approaches. In the meantime…

The city’s holiday season kicks off this weekend, with the Downtown Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting on Saturday followed by the Clasky Common Tree Lighting on Sunday. Here are details:

Downtown Holiday Stroll

Date and time: 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 (Rain date: 12 – 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11)
Location: Downtown New Bedford
Events: (updates at the “dNB’s Holiday Stroll” event page on Facebook)

• New Bedford Fire Museum Antique Fire Truck Rides, Barkers Lane 12 – 4 p.m.
• Southcoast Brass Band (various locations) 12 – 3 p.m.
• Seaglass Theater Company Carolers (various locations) 2 – 4 p.m.
• BuyBlackNB Mini Market in Bristol Hall, 12 – 5 p.m., with live music from Manny Escobar 12 – 2 p.m.
• A Festive Holiday Drag Performance by Kirbie Fully Loaded
• A Special Dance Performance by NBPAC on The Whaling Museum plaza, corner of William and First streets, 3 p.m.
• New Bedford Star Chasers Cosmic Bike Parade, 2–4 p.m.
• Santa spotting throughout downtown
• The Cureist Pop-Up Shop at Calico, 173 Union St., 12–5 p.m.

City of New Bedford Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting

Date and time: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5.
Location: Pleasant Street in front of Main Library downtown
Program:

• Join Mayor Jon Mitchell, New Bedford City Council President Joe Lopes and the New Bedford community for the annual tree lighting celebration. This year’s emcee will be Armand Marchand, executive producer for New Bedford Festival Theater.
• At 4:30 p.m., a parade will march from the bottom of William Street, near the Whaling Museum, to the library steps for the tree-lighting. The parade will feature the New Bedford High School marching band and color guard, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and surprise guests.
• Remarks at the library by Mayor Mitchell and Councilor Lopes will be followed by holiday songs by Miss New Bedford Megan Sylvia, Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Hannah Lima, and Miss Whaling City Teen Kieyana Fleming.
• FREE hot chocolate will be offered courtesy of Community Services, Veterans Transition House and New Life Church

Festival of Lights Celebration at Clasky Common Park

Date and time: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Location: Clasky Common Park at County Street and Pope Street
Program:

• Remarks by Mayor Mitchell and Councilor Lopes, followed by holiday songs by Miss New Bedford Megan Sylvia, Miss New Bedford Outstanding Teen Hannah Lima, and Miss Whaling City Teen Kieyana Fleming (scheduling may not allow for all three), and the Parker School Chorus
• Guest appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus

There was much discussion on our Facebook page this evening regarding “Trunk or Treat” events in the local area. A quick search on Facebook will reveal a couple of dozen all within a reasonable drive from the New Bedford area. We’ve highlighted a few of them below. If you plan accordingly, you could hit up several in the same day and attain legendary status with your kids.

One of the best local ones is hosted by Team ROSO / REMAX Vantage in North Dartmouth. Its happening on Saturday from 10am to 1pm, they even have a haunted house! Stop by 77 State Rd. to enjoy the fun and check out their event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/847651802611360

Today at 5pm in Taunton you can check out one at the Star Drive In: https://www.facebook.com/events/253094716822891

In New Bedford at the Elizabeth Carter Brooks Annual event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1970031489827137/ from 6pm to 7:30pm Located at 212 Nemasket St.

Here’s one on Saturday 2pm to 4pm in Wareham, at the Gleason Family YMCA: https://www.facebook.com/events/4617461098285196/

Another one in New Bedford on Saturday at the YMCA in downtown, 6pm to 7pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/1089529878523023/ A quick heads up for this one; they are asking for a $5 donation per child.

Here is one in Fall River at Almac’s on the go located at 550 Newton St. https://www.facebook.com/events/577272123407005/

In Dartmouth at Soares’s Martial Arts, 5pm to 7pm on Saturday the 30th. Preregistration suggested: https://www.facebook.com/events/828363497851762/

Take a drive to Lakeville for this one at the Church of the Nazerene; 180 Main Street. https://www.thelcn.org/events/trunk-or-treat/

We’ll wrap up with an event at Fall River City Hall on Saturday from 2pm to 6pm.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for the next several days in New Bedford. No appointment is needed at these walk-up clinics. All New Bedford residents receiving their first dose will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card while supplies last.

Friday, August 27:

• Normandin Middle School – 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Roosevelt Middle School – 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Keith Middle School – 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 28:

• Cape Verdean Veterans Association Hall – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Roosevelt Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Keith Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Riverside Park – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 29:

• Normandin Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Roosevelt Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Keith Middle School – 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• St. Anthony’s Church – 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“Westport Police continue to have busy weekends as July comes to an end.

On Friday police investigated two reported disturbances. The first report was located on American Legion Highway and the second report was located on Pratt Avenue.

In addition to these calls for service, police investigated motor vehicle crashes on Route 88 north of the Fontaine Bridge, another in the area of 66 State Road and a third at the intersection of 177 and Forge Road.

On Saturday, at approximately 1:45 AM, police observed a motor vehicle violation on Sanford Road and initiated a motor vehicle stop. The operator, identified as Nuno Ribeiro of Waterbury CT, was placed under arrest after police determined he was operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, Operating Negligently and having and Open Container of Alcohol.

Police also investigated a report of a disturbance and investigated an accident on Monroe Street.

On Sunday, at approximately 12:55 AM, police observed a vehicle traveling on State Road swerving between lanes. The vehicle was stopped and the operator was identified as Malcom Perez of Fall River MA. After an investigation, it was determined the operator was under the influence of alcohol and placed under arrest.

At the police station Perez was non-compliant, he refused to be printed and photographed. He was transported to Bristol County House of Correction at Ash Street.

At approximately 10:00 PM, police observed a black Honda traveling on State Road near Hebert Terrace with no license plates. The vehicle was stopped and the operator, identified as Johnathan Avila of Westport, was placed under arrest for a warrant out of Fall River District Court.

On Monday, at approximately 3:00 AM, police observed a motor vehicle violation in the area of 245 State Road and conducted a motor vehicle stop. A query of the registration revealed it was reported stolen out of Plymouth, MA. The occupants were all removed from the vehicle and searched. The operator originally provided a false name to police and was later identified as Nicole Medeiros of Randolph, MA.

Medeiros had a suspended license in Massachusetts and was wanted on a default warrant out of Brockton District Court. Medeiros was transported to the station where she was booked and placed into a cell. While in the cell block Medeiros removed numerous pink wax packets from her person and attempted to flush them down the toilet. Police observed the packets and removed them from the toilet, where they were later determined to contain methamphetamine.

She was charged with Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Subsequent Offense of Operating with a Suspended License, Marked Lanes Violation, Failure to Identify and Possession of Class B.”-Westport Police Department.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for this week and weekend in New Bedford.

No appointment is needed at the walk-up clinics. All New Bedford residents receiving their first dose will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card.

* Market Basket, 122 Sawyer Street – Friday, July 2 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

* Price Rite (South End), 39 South Street (Corner of Route 18) – Saturday, July 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A $50 gift card to Price Rite will also be available to the first 20 New Bedford residents receiving their first dose.

* Riverside Park – Saturday, July 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* Monte Park – Sunday, July 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The New Bedford Health Department’s site at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center will be open on Monday, July 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for walk-in vaccinations.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for this weekend in New Bedford.

No appointment is needed at the walk-up clinics. All New Bedford residents receiving their first dose will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card.

* NAACP of Greater New Bedford, 95 Cedar Street — Saturday, June 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

* Fort Taber Park, South Rodney French Boulevard — Sunday, June 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The New Bedford Health Department’s site at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center will be open on Monday, June 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for walk-in vaccinations.

New Bedford, Massachusetts–COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for this weekend in New Bedford.

No appointment is needed at the walk-up clinics. All New Bedford residents receiving their first dose will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card. Pfizer vaccines will be given at the Seabra and Buttonwood Park locations. JNJ Vaccine will be given at the Southcoast / Madeira field location.

-Seabra Foods, 41 Rockdale Avenue –Saturday,June 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., operated by CIC Health with the New Bedford Health Department.
The first 20 New Bedford residents getting their first dose will receive a $50 Seabra gift card.

-Madeira Field, 88 Tinkham Street –Saturday,June 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,operated by Southcoast Health.

-Buttonwood Park (near Lawler Branch Library) –Sunday, June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,operated by CIC Health with the New Bedford Health Department.The New Bedford Health Department’s site at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center will be open on Monday, June 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for walk-in vaccination

Colonel Christopher S. Mason, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, announced that a “Sobriety Checkpoint” will be implemented by the Massachusetts State Police on a Public Way in Bristol County from Friday, June 4, 2021 into Saturday, June 5, 2021.

The purpose is to further educate the motoring public and strengthen the public’s awareness to the need of detecting and removing those motorists who operate under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs from our roadways. It will be operated during varied hours, the selection of vehicles will not be arbitrary, safety will be assured, and any inconveniences to motorists will be minimized with advance notice to reduce fear and anxiety.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics are planned for this weekend in New Bedford.

No appointment is needed at the walk-up clinics.

All New Bedford residents receiving their first dose will receive a $20 Dunkin’ gift card.

• Seabra Foods, 41 Rockdale Avenue – Saturday, June 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., operated by CIC Health with the New Bedford Health Department.

The first 20 New Bedford residents getting their first dose will receive a $50 Seabra gift card.

• Madeira Field, 88 Tinkham Street – Saturday, June 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., operated by Southcoast Health.

• Buttonwood Park (near Lawler Branch Library) – Sunday, June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., operated by CIC Health with the New Bedford Health Department.

The New Bedford Health Department’s site at Andrea McCoy Recreation Center will be open on Monday, June 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for walk-in vaccinations.