“Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend is almost here!

This weekend only, you won’t need a license to fish any public lake, pond, reservoir, river, or stream statewide. Take advantage of this opportunity to introduce someone new to fishing or try it yourself! All other rules, including catch limits, apply. Details: bit.ly/2021freefishing

Other than Free Fishing Weekend on June 5–6, you need a license to fish if you’re 15 or older. If you’re 15–17 or 70 and older, your license is free. Funds from fishing license sales support MassWildlife’s fisheries research, stocking, education programs, habitat restoration, and more.

We thank you for your ongoing support.”-Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.

Shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21st, Trooper Anthony Lavigne, was patrolling Route 91 northbound in Greenfield. Trooper Lavigne witnessed a black Hyundai sedan speeding in a construction zone around Exit 46. Trooper Lavigne then initiated a motor vehicle stop on the Hyundai and approached the operator,

ALEXANDREA CHADWICK, 28, of West Brookfield. Trooper Lavigne informed CHADWICK the reason for the stop. When Trooper Lavigne asked for the registration for the vehicle, one of the passengers, TIMOTHY HUBBARD, 33 of Ware, attempted to explain the vehicle was rented to a friend’s sister whom he had never met. Neither CHADWICK, nor HUBBARD could provide documentation confirming the circumstances of the vehicle. Trooper Lavigne, during the occupants’ attempts to explain the details of the rental, recognized drug paraphernalia on the floorboards near HUBBARD’s feet.

Massachusetts State Police photo.

Trooper Lavigne removed CHADWICK, and HUBBARD from the vehicle and placed them in handcuffs and read them their Miranda Rights. In conversation it was determined the items on the floor belonged to HUBBARD. Trooper Lavigne was then backed up on scene by Troopers Michael Leslie, and Brian Vaidulas. Troopers then removed the two remaining occupants ROBERTO ROLDAN, 30, of Palmer and THOMAS GRIFFIN, 27, of West Brookfield, from the rear of the vehicle.

Trooper Lavigne then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle along with Trooper Leslie. The Troopers were able to find and seize approximately 93 grams of crack cocaine, 810 bags of heroin, several crack pipes, and a large amount of currency believed to be proceeds from illicit narcotic activity. Investigation revealed the four occupants were traveling together to the New York – Canadian Border.

HUBBARD was placed under arrest and booked. He was scheduled to appear in Greenfield District Court on the following charges:

1. Trafficking Heroin;
2. Trafficking Cocaine; and
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law.

CHADWICK was scheduled to appear in Greenfield District Court on the following charges:

1. Speeding;
2. Trafficking Heroin;
3. Trafficking Cocaine; and
4. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law.

GRIFFIN was scheduled to appear in Greenfield District Court on the following charges:

1. Trafficking Heroin;
2. Trafficking Cocaine; and
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law.

ROLDAN was scheduled to appear in Greenfield District Court on the following charges:

1. Trafficking Heroin;
2. Trafficking Cocaine; and
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law.

The following Sunday evening around 11:00 p.m., Trooper Lavigne again noted a speeding vehicle, this time a Mitsubishi SUV in the construction zone on Route 91 near Exit 46. After stopping the vehicle and speaking to the operator he could not produce a rental agreement for the vehicle that was not expired. Trooper Lavigne and Trooper Leslie then saw a small electronic scale with a white powdery substance on it, and plastic baggies in the rear seat.

Trooper Lavigne asked the operator AMIR DOVE, 22, of Hartford Conn. to step out of the vehicle which he initially refused to do. DOVE then stepped out briefly after being ordered to and attempted to get back into the vehicle before troopers were able to secure DOVE in handcuffs. At this time, Troopers removed the vehicle’s passenger ELLIOT BELL, 21, also of Hartford Conn. and conducted a search of the vehicle based on probable cause.

The search discovered a bag containing 29 grams of crack cocaine, and 51 wax bags containing a powder suspected to be Fentanyl, 2 digital scales, and a large amount of currency.

DOVE and BELL were placed under arrest and transported to the Shelburne Falls Barracks for booking. The pair were scheduled to appear in Greenfield District Court on the following charges.

DOVE:

1. Trafficking Ccaine;
2. Possession to Distribute a Class A Drug;
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law; and
4. Speeding.

BELL:

1. Trafficking Cocaine;
2. Possession to Distribute a Class A Drug; and
3. Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law.

Several events, including in-person and virtual events, are planned in New Bedford throughout the upcoming Memorial Day weekend to honor the courageous men and women who lost their lives serving the United States.

Social distancing and mask-wearing is advised at in-person events to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

CANCELED: Saturday, May 29, 2021
9:00 a.m. at Rural Cemetery

The Greater New Bedford Civil War Round Table will conduct a memorial exercise at the Union Soldier’s Burial Site at Rural Cemetery, 149 Dartmouth Street. These services typically include historical reenactment, music, and a gun salute.

Monday, May 31, 2021
10:00 a.m. (Virtual) at Seamen’s Bethel

The New Bedford Port Society’s Annual Memorial Day Fishermen’s Service, Pier 3, New Bedford Waterfront.

12 Noon (Virtual) Broadcast Live on Facebook from Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
City Memorial Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony at Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Clasky Common Park.

**Update** Rescheduled to next weekend, no reason given~!

The MASS DOT announced on its twitter feed earlier today that parts of Rte 24, specifically those in Fall River will be affected by closures starting this Friday, May 14th. Earlier this week highway information signs were warning drivers that the on ramps in both direction off rte 195 heading on to rte 24 were going to be closed.

DOT Announcement:

“Beginning tomorrow, Rt 24 northbound and southbound #FallRiver closed for travel from 8:00pm Friday, May 14, until 5:00am Monday, May 17. Rt 24 closed for culvert work. Detour in place.”

Earlier this week the Fall River Reporter had more specifics on the closure: https://fallriverreporter.com/culvert-installation-on-route-24-in-fall-river-to-lead-to-multiple-detours-beginning-this-week/

As the MA DOT tweet lacks an real substance, here are the full details:

Traffic management will utilize 24-hour detours that will be in place until the work has been completed. Route 24 northbound will be detoured first, and then as work progresses the northbound lanes will be opened and Route 24 southbound will be detoured.

The detours will be as follows:

Route 24 north coming from I-195 east:

-Continue on I-195 east to the exit to Route 24 south (Tiverton RI/Newport RI).
-Take the exit to Route 24 south and continue to the exit to the Brayton Avenue exit.
-Take the exit to Brayton Avenue.
-Take right on Brayton Avenue to Eastern Avenue (Route 6).
-Continue straight on Eastern Avenue (Route 6) to north Eastern Avenue (Route 6).
-Continue on North Eastern Avenue to the rotary.
-Take the first right at the rotary to Route 24 north.

Route 24 north coming from I-195 west:

-Take the exit to Route 24 south (Tiverton RI/Newport RI) and continue to the exit to the Brayton Avenue exit.
-Take the exit to Brayton Avenue.
-Take right on Brayton Avenue to Eastern Avenue (Route 6).
-Continue straight on Eastern Avenue (Route 6) to north Eastern Avenue (Route 6).
-Continue on north Eastern Avenue to the rotary.
-Take the first right at the rotary to Route 24 north.

Route 24 north coming from Rhode Island:

-Take the ramp to Brayton Avenue.
-Take right on Brayton Avenue to Eastern Avenue (Route 6).
-Continue straight on Eastern Avenue (Route 6) to north Eastern Avenue (Route 6).
-Continue on north Eastern Avenue to the rotary.
-Take the first right at the rotary to Route 24 north.

Route 24 South coming from Freetown:

-Take President Avenue/Eastern Avenue exit to Route 6.
-Enter the rotary and take the second right to north Eastern Avenue (Route 6).
-Continue straight on north Eastern Avenue (Route 6) to Eastern Avenue.
-Continue straight on Eastern Avenue (Route 6) to Brayton Avenue.
-Continue straight on Brayton Avenue.
-Take the second left to Route 24 south.

The following was reported by the New Bedford Fire Department regarding the Saturday night fire at 2 Smith Street and the Sunday morning fire at 95 Rivet Street in New Bedford:

Firefighters on Group D were busy battling two separate fires which both occurred on Saturday. The Department is proud of their diligence and skill in battling both of these fires.

The first fire occurred at 1:30 pm in a single-family residence located at 2 Smith Street Court. The fire began on the exterior of the residence and was extending into the interior when crews arrived. Members of Engines 1, 7, 8, along with Ladders 1 and 4 were able to extinguish the fire and prevent further extension into the dwelling. Command Units 1 and 2 also responded to this single alarm fire.

At 1:57 am multiple 911 calls were received reporting a structure fire at 95 Rivet Street. This is a three-story mixed occupancy with a former restaurant located on the first floor with apartments on the second and third floors. There is also a single-story addition in the rear of this structure being used for storage.

Upon arrival, crews located fires on two floors that were rapidly extending throughout the building. First arriving fire companies began conducting interior operations including a primary search for victims as not all of the tenants had been accounted for. After a short time fire conditions deteriorated and with the tenants accounted for, District Chief Robert Mourao ordered crews to exit the building and begin exterior operations. The fire was elevated to a third alarm requiring all six engines and three ladder trucks to operate at the fire scene.

Firefighting operations became difficult due to wind conditions, frigid temperatures, dangerous footing, and freezing equipment and apparatus.

Our thoughts are with the five displaced residents who are victims of this fire. Fortunately, they were awakened by working smoke detectors and were able to safely escape the building. They are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. Three firefighters suffered injuries, two were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital and released later in the day, and one was treated on scene by NBEMS.

The Department would like to thank NBEMS, NBPD, and NBEMA for their on-scene support. Rehabilitation services were provided by the Providence Canteen and the MA Department of Fire Services. Mutual aid was provided by the Fairhaven, Acushnet, Mattapoisett Fire Departments as well as Dartmouth Fire Districts 1, 2, and 3. Eversource Gas and Electric along with NB DPI assisted at the scene as well.

The cause of this fire remains under investigation by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit and the MA State Fire Marshals Office.”

Katie Lannan
State House News Service

More than 10,000 new cases of COVID-19 were identified in Massachusetts over the Christmas holiday weekend, and 2,156 people were hospitalized with the respiratory disease as of Sunday, according to Department of Public Health data.

One hundred new deaths reported Sunday and another 46 on Saturday bring the pandemic’s death toll here to 11,852 since March 20, a figure that rises to 12,110 when deaths among people with likely COVID-19 cases are added. The DPH did not publish its daily case and testing breakdown on Friday because of the holiday, and reported two days of data on Saturday. Saturday’s numbers included 7,424 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. On Sunday, the caseload grew by another 2,973 to 338,704. Of those cases, public health officials deem 78,688 to be currently active. As of Thursday, when the DPH published its more thorough weekly report, it considered a total of 229,910 people to have recovered from COVID-19 and no longer self-isolating. That report showed a statewide positivity rate of 6.14 percent over the previous 14 days, with 1,170,158 tests conducted over that time period.

Twelve cities and towns had local positivity rates that were at least twice the statewide rate, and 43 were above 10 percent. Also Thursday, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reported 552 new COVID-19 cases among students participating in hybrid or in-person learning in public schools, and 397 cases among school district staff with building access. Those figures are from the week of Dec. 17-23. The total 949 new school cases is below the 1,009 logged the previous week.

The mild weather we’ve been experiencing these past few weeks has lulled many of us into a false sense of confidence. We’ve had days as warm as 70 degrees in spite of having mornings or evenings dipping close to freezing.

Mother nature will be sending us a reminder this weekend in the form of a significant storm that will be bringing snow, rain, or a messy mix depending on where you live. The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the entire state ahead of Saturday’s storm.

The storm will begin to impact the area on Friday night starting with rain. On Saturday the rain will start to turn heavy and be accompanied by strong winds. As evening approaches the powerful winds will create very rough seas and the rain will potentially switch over to snow over the South Coast.

A more definite forecast is difficult to make due to the complexity of the storm system. In essence, mother nature may throw us a curveball. “The track of the storm remains uncertain, which could have significant implications for the location, amount, and type of precipitation, as well as the wind direction over coastal waters.”

The storm is expected to dissipate on Sunday but will be followed by blustery conditions and below-normal temperatures.

“The Massachusetts State Police Division of Field Services will deploy additional patrols across the state tonight in anticipation of holiday eve social gatherings that present opportunities for alcohol consumption and increased traffic volume.

Extra patrols will complement regular barracks patrols in each of the five regional Troops. Additionally, MSP will deploy sobriety checkpoints tonight in Troop A (northeastern Massachusetts) and Troop C (central Massachusetts).

Additional patrols will be deployed Friday and Saturday evenings as well. The Massachusetts State Police urge all motorists to make responsible decisions over the holiday weekend by designating sober drivers, wearing seatbelts and following all other traffic laws.” -Massachusetts State Police.

Matt Murphy
State House News Service

The week began Monday with the state tracking 22,023 active cases of COVID-19 after public health officials reported 4,009 new cases of the coronavirus over the weekend and 43 new confirmed deaths from the disease.

The Department of Public Health reported on Sunday that 568 people were in the hospital for confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 144 patients who were in intensive care units. That was an increase of 55 patients hospitalized with the virus since Friday and 26 patients newly being treated in ICUs around the state.

The state reported a combined 172,858 new molecular tests on Saturday and Sunday, which put the state’s seven-day average positivity rate at 2.27 percent. When removing repeat higher education testing from the equation, the positivity rate over the past week was 3.92 percent.

This past weekend was the first since Gov. Charlie Baker put in place a new mandatory mask policy in public, and began imposing curfews on some businesses, forcing them to close by 9:30 p.m. so that people have time to return home and comply with the new statewide advisory that people remain in their homes from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. The new guidelines were put in place to slow what Baker has newly described as a second surge of COVID-19, with the seven-day average of new confirmed cases up 717 percent from a low of 157 a day and the average number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 over the past week up 222 percent from a low of 155. The death toll from the virus now stands at 9,923 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Zeiterion Performing Arts Center finds a new way to celebrate Halloween during the pandemic with “Halloweekend” on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, at The Zeiterion Drive-In located in the Seastreak Ferry “Whale’s Tooth” Parking Lot. Each night will feature a family-friendly movie, kids will receive candy upon arrival, and costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $25 per vehicle, available only in advance of the event at https://zeiterion.org/drivein/.

The “Halloweekend” movies featured at The Zeiterion Drive-In are:

Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Friday, October 30, 7:30 p.m.

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula (Adam Sandler) has invited all his best friends – Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Werewolf family, and more – to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis’s (Selena Gomez) 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to these legendary monsters is no problem – but his world could come crashing down when one ordinary guy (Andy Samberg) stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis. Rating: PG

The Addams Family (2019)
Saturday, October 31, 7:30 p.m.

They’re creepy, they’re kooky, and they’re moving somewhere spooky – New Jersey! The Addams Family is back in their first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, The Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbor. Featuring the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Bette Midler, Allison Janney, Snoop Dogg and more. Rating: PG

In addition to the two “Halloweekend” films, the current Drive-In line-up of concerts and movies includes:

Adam Ezra Group
Thursday, October 15, 7:00 p.m.

Talk to any Adam Ezra Group fan around the country and they’ll tell you that each of their performances is a one-of-a-kind, community-driven experience, propelled by the spirit of the people in front of the stage. For both fans and band members alike, an AEG concert is a rally to live life with intensity and soak in the moments we share with one another. Adam Ezra Group is Adam on guitar and vocals, Corinna on fiddle, accordion, and vocals, and Poche on bass, and vocals.

Livingston Taylor
Friday, October 16, 7:00 p.m.

Livingston Taylor’s 50-year musical legacy has been described as “equal parts Mark Twain, college professor, and musical icon.” A natural performer, his Taylor-esque sound and a unique mix of music, anecdotes and ineffable warmth have fans exclaiming, “His storytelling made me anticipate every word. Taylor connects with his audience like nobody else.” A prolific songwriter with 22 albums, Livingston hasn’t stopped performing since his early coffeehouse days and has shared the stage with major artists such as Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Buffett, and Jethro Tull. Come hear this airplane-flying, motorcycle-riding, singing storyteller at this unique waterfront stage.

Coco (2017)
Saturday, October 17, 7:30 p.m.

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Rating: PG

Festival Ballet Providence & New Bedford Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, October 18, 3:00 p.m.

An afternoon of dance and music presented by Festival Ballet Providence and New Bedford Symphony Orchestra! Rhode Island’s resident ballet company will perform to live music by NBSO. Join us as these two world-class organizations in the Southcoast unite to for a unique and truly moving experience.

Susan Werner
Thursday, October 22, 7:00 p.m.

Susan Werner composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop, all delivered with sassy wit and classic Midwestern charm. Throughout her expansive career, boundless versatility has emerged as a hallmark of Werner’s talent, and has proven to be a quintessential ingredient of her engrossing musical persona.

The Avengers (2012)
Friday, October 23, 7:30 p.m.

Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) assemble together for the first time in this epic, action-packed blockbuster alongside Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Director Joss Whedon creates an unprecedented masterpiece that has become a global phenomenon. Rating: PG-13

Frozen 2 (2019)
Saturday, October 24, 7:30 p.m.

Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The truths about the past await her as she ventures into the unknown—to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle. The answers are calling her, but they are also threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she’ll face a dangerous but remarkable journey. In Frozen, Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In Frozen 2, she must hope they are enough. Rating: PG.

Grupo Sazón
Sunday, October 25, 3:00 p.m.

Grupo Sazón is a seven-piece orchestra playing Salsa, Cha Cha, Merengue and Latin Jazz lead by master percussionist, founder and musical director Jesús Andújar. Andújar was born into a family of musicians in Samaná, Dominican Republic. At a young age he developed his rhythm, timing, and ear for music while working on the farms. He now leads a group of incredibly talented musicians who play throughout the New England area, performing authentic music from the Spanish Carribbean and has an expansive repertoire of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha Cha, Calypso and Latin Jazz!

Black Panther (2018)
Thursday, October 29, 7:30 p.m.

Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther’ follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, and Danai Gurira. Rating: PG-13.

The Drive-In series is the Zeiterion’s response while programming inside the theater is paused due to the pandemic. To ensure safety, it has implemented policies for all attendees, including the use of a face covering while outside the vehicle. Vehicles will be directed to every other space, so attendees may sit or stand in the empty space while maintaining social distancing. Restrooms will be available, and they will be monitored for safety, but congregating anywhere on the premises is not permitted. Pets are not allowed. The complete list of information and policies is available on https://zeiterion.org/drivein/.

The Zeiterion Drive-In is sponsored by Big Ocean Creative, The Black Whale, Bristol County Savings Bank, the City of New Bedford, Hawthorne Medical, Joe’s Original Kitchen + Bar, New Bedford Credit Union, New Bedford Port Authority, Seastreak, Southcoast Health, Vineyard Wind, and The Whale’s Tail.

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The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide New Bedford and the region with performing arts programming of excellence that inspires, educates, engages and entertains. Tickets are available for purchase at www.zeiterion.org or by calling 508-994-2900. Temporary Zeiterion Box Office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.