The Venus de Milo restaurant and banquet hall remains open for business.

A civil hearing between the owners of the Venus de Milo restaurant and the Swansea Board of Health was not heard as scheduled on Thursday, May 28, after attorneys for owner Monte Ferris Jr. voluntarily dismissed their civil action.

The matter, to be heard in Bristol County Superior Court, was a hearing on a preliminary injunction that has kept the iconic restaurant and banquet hall open despite recent orders from the Swansea Board of Health suspending its food license and demanding it cease and desist from operating.

The Bristol County Superior Court Clerk Magistrate’s office said the hearing had been taken off the day’s list of cases and would not be heard.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Heroes are born each year during the Massachusett Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament.

In Thursday's Division 1 preliminary baseball game at B.M.C. Durfee High School, Malden senior outfielder Thomas Lynch Jr. put on his superhero cape.z

With two outs and the tying run just 90 feet away, Hilltopper senior Will Labrie hit a line drive in the gap in right center that appeared to heading for extra bases. But Lynch Jr. made a miraculous, diving grab that ended Durfee's season.

"It feels great right now," Lynch Jr. said after the No. 37 Golden Tornadoes stunned the No. 28 Hilltoppers, 3-2, before a large gathering at the Joseph “Skip” Lewis turf baseball field. "It's our first state tournament win since I've been here. It feels good to back up my pitcher."

See more at heraldnews.com.

Johnston officials are scrambling to get the high school’s yearbooks fixed after they were printed with an error on the cover.

Superintendent Scott Sutherland tells 12 News they received 125 yearbooks with “Johnston Senior High Shool” written on the spine.

The error, he said, was made by Treering, the company responsible for the printing.

In a letter to families, Sutherland said the school’s yearbook club reviewed a digital proof and a sample version of the book before it was printed. However, the proof that was provided didn’t include a visible image of the spine.

See more at wpri.com.

Trips on the MBTA commuter rail system, including the South Coast Rail service from New Bedford and Fall River to Boston, will be fare-free every Friday in June, July and August.

The fare-free trips are part of a series of summer promotions announced by the Healey administration earlier this spring that cut costs for regular commuters or people going on day trips.

There are also half-price monthly passes, $1 guest rates and more — but riders should also be prepared for a reduced service on certain days to accommodate trains headed to the World Cup in Foxboro.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Newly food safety regulations, updated last month, could shut down the Venus de Milo restaurant and banquet hall by suspending its license to operate.

The restaurant and Swansea's Board of Health have been at odds in recent months over issues of food safety, including allegations that it served "raw chicken." The town issued a first license suspension in March, which was successfully appealed. It issued another suspension on May 14 on the grounds that the restaurant was not providing certain food safety logs, then issued a cease-and-desist order on May 19 to Venus De Milo owner Monte Ferris.

But per the town's new food safety rules which came into effect April 9, restaurants can only appeal license suspensions once. Another license suspension cannot be appealed, which shuts the doors indefinitely.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The public is asked for help to find a Fall River vandalism suspect whose photo is posted on the police department's Facebook page. 

Authorities were alerted last week regarding damage to a memorial in honor of a 23-year-old victim who was shot and killed three years ago. Thanks to surveillance footage, investigators identified the culprit as William Acosta Abreu. 

He is considered dangerous and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact Fall River police. 

Swansea resident Camden Huck has graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Program.

Huck was one of 40 firefighters from 14 Massachusetts departments to complete the program, according to a community announcement. The graduation ceremony took place at the Department of Fire Services’ Bridgewater campus.

“I'd like to congratulate Camden, who worked very hard to complete the Call/Volunteer training program,” Swansea Fire Chief Eric Hajder said, according to the announcement.

Huck joined the Swansea Fire Department in November 2025 and is assigned to Station 1, according to the announcement. His family has a history in public safety ? his father is a retired police officer, and his brother is also a firefighter at Station 1.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A man has been arrested in connection with an incident that prompted a massive law enforcement response in a Fall River neighborhood last week.

Kysim Noble, 49, was taken into custody Friday on multiple charges, including armed assault with intent to murder and home invasion, after a search warrant was executed at his Osborn Street residence.

According to police, Noble was wearing clothes that matched the description provided by witnesses at the scene on Lindsey Street earlier that night.

Police are asking for the public’s assistance finding a 20-year-old man accused of vandalizing a murder victim’s memorial in Fall River earlier this month.

In a social media post shared Tuesday, the Fall River Police Department explained that detectives were first made aware of the vandalism on May 18.

The County Street memorial was made to honor 23-year-old Diamonte Odom, who was shot and killed there three years ago.

Detectives uncovered a video shared to social media showing a man purposefully smashing candles and destroying the memorial, according to police.

See more at wpri.com.

New Bedford residents and firefighters banded together Tuesday evening to rally against the city’s plan to close Engine 9.

Mayor Jon Mitchell laid out his proposed budget, which aims to close a $32 million gap with cuts to various services. His proposal calls for the closure of Engine 9 and laying off the firefighters who work there.

Mitchell said it’s a decision he is not making lightly.

“The city’s budget has reached a boiling point,” he said. “We had to make some tough decisions.”

But residents like 80-year-old Carol Strupczewski argue that Mitchell made the wrong decision.

“You’ve got to fight for what’s right,” Strupczewski said. “I sent an email to the mayor and I told him it’s insane to close a fire house.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

A Bristol County Superior Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order allowing the Venus de Milo restaurant to operate, and stopping the Swansea Board of Health from enforcing a license suspension and cease-and-desist order against it.

In a May 19 letter to Venus De Milo owner Monte Ferris, Swansea Health Director Jonathan Abreu said the health board was issuing a cease-and-desist based on allegations of "raw chicken being served to guests, as well [as] poor sanitation and prevention of cross-contamination" at the Swansea Fire Department Ball on May 16.

Abreu states in his letter that Fire Chief Eric Hajder "confirmed he also received multiple complaints from colleagues and guests during the event who experienced issues with raw chicken."

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously favored Mitch Ruscitti for the next town administrator, citing his municipal leadership skills and his long-game financial literacy, among other “top qualities” that rival the legacy of Swansea’s previous administrator, Mallory Aronstein. 

At the board’s May 21 meeting, the “burdensome” ordeal of choosing one of three finalists up for the job of managing Swansea’s daily operations was put to rest as Chairman Michael Beaudette led his fellow board members Robert Medeiros and Alanna Solitro in explaining why Ruscitti rose to the top of the candidate pool.

Solitro said there were two of the three candidates that could “do what we need” at a time when Swansea faces financial turbulence, the kind that Ruscitti’s “chops for handling money,” said Medeiros, could calm.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Governor Maura Healey has ordered flags in Massachusetts lowered to half-staff in honor of a fallen firefighter. 

Robert Kilduff died in the line of duty at the scene of a triple-decker fire in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood Saturday night. 

The governor said his death is "heartbreaking" and "a reminder of the dangers firefighters face everyday." 

Flags will remain at half-staff through the day of Kilduff's funeral. 

The price of gasoline is slightly lower but remains high in Massachusetts. 

The average per gallon is now four-dollars-48-cents.  That's down a penny from a week ago. 

According to Triple A the current national average is four-dollars-50-cents a gallon. 

Memorial Day may be seen as the unofficial start of summer, but it holds a much deeper meaning.

It is a day set aside each year to honor and remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

This solemn holiday became a federal observance in 1971 and is celebrated on the last Monday in May each year.

Across the United States, people observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials, attending parades, and gathering with family and friends to reflect on and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Dartmouth

The Memorial Day Parade will kick off at 9 a.m. Monday at the Town Landing on Gulf Road. The participants will cross the Padanaram Bridge and Causeway, where the VFW Auxiliary will conduct the ceremonial wreath placement.

Fairhaven

The annual Memorial Day Parade steps off from Fairhaven High School at  9 a.m. Monday for the raising of the flag. Then it continues north on Main Street to Riverside Cemetery. At the cemetery, there is a ceremony at the Civil War monument with participation from military and veterans’ groups and others.

Fall River

The Global War on Terror Monument Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at North Park on Snake Hill. 

The Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m. starting from Kennedy Park and heading along South Main Street to Government Center.

New Bedford

The New Bedford Port Society’s annual Fishermen’s Memorial Day Service will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at Pier 3, 51 MacArthur Drive, following a procession from Seamen’s Bethel that begins at 9:30 a.m. In the event of rain, the event will be held inside Seaman’s Bethel.

The parade will form at the intersection of Hathaway Boulevard and Parker Street beginning around 10:30 a.m. before stepping off at 11:30 a.m.

The parade will march east on Parker Street to County Street, where it will turn left and head north on County Street. The parade will then turn right to head east on Pope Street, where it will make its final turn into Clasky Common Park.

Swansea

The annual Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. Monday. It will begin at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Gardners Neck Road, proceed down Wilbur Avenue, and conclude at Private Joseph Butler Boulevard.

Somerset 

The annual Memorial Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. Monday at Somerset Berkley Regional High School. It steps off at Luther Avenue, travels down County Street to Center Street, and down Center Street to the World War I Memorial for a wreath-laying. The procession then continues on Riverside Avenue to Wood Street, up Wood Street to County Street, and then left to the VFW, where events will wrap up with a short ceremony at the VFW Post 8500.

Westport

Westport’s annual parade on Monday will start at 9:30 a.m. at Westport Town Hall, 816 Main Road, with the placing of a wreath, rifle salute, and playing of Taps at the World War I monument. The half-mile-long parade will then proceed south along Main Road, ending at Beech Grove Cemetery.

More details at heraldnews.com.

St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River is getting another boost in its ongoing restoration efforts.

The Diocese of Fall River is hosting its fifth Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala on June 3 at White’s of Westport, according to a community announcement.

The fundraiser supports repairs and improvements to St. Mary’s Cathedral, the mother church of the diocese.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III is set to receive the gala’s Luminary Award. Quinn, who is not seeking reelection and will conclude three full terms in January, has been involved with the gala since its inception, serving as its first emcee and a yearly member of the planning committee.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha will present the award.

See more at heraldnews.com.

An early morning fire Saturday on Tuttle Street in Fall River has left 10 people without anywhere to live.

Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon said crews arrived to find heavy flames and smoke coming from the second floor and blowing out bay windows. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames.

One police officer was treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation.

Bacon told 12 News the fire is believed to have been accidental, caused by an electrical malfunction.

See more at wpri.com.

A Boston firefighter died while fighting a 3-alarm fire in Dorchester Saturday night.

Robert Kilduff Junior died after he fell from the third floor of the building.

Kilduff was a veteran among the department, serving there for over two decades.

Those who are now remembering him shared words of his devotion to saving others.

“He was a third generation firefighter who proudly served this city. He was our friend, our brother and a dedicated family man,” Boston Fire Department President Sam Dillon said.

“Bobby was known as one of those guys throughout the department that you could go to for anything. He was just a firefighters firefighter. He would do anything for you, he would do anything for the city,” Boston Fire Department Commissioner Rodney Marshall added.

See more at wpri.com.

Back in 2005, the sporting world witnessed the Chicago White Sox baseball team end an 88-year-old World Series drought.

On the high school scene in Fall River, Floriano Lima took over the coaching ranks for the Diman baseball team that year after several seasons as an assistant.

In the span of over two decades, the Bengals have consistently been in the mix for league championships.

In his final regular-season game as head coach Thursday against league opponent Blue Hills, Lima went out with bang.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The Swansea Friends Meeting House is the oldest historic structure in town, the oldest Quaker meeting house in the state, and as of Wednesday, May 20, it’s one of a handful of historic preservation sites to be named on an annual list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

Built in 1701, the historic structure on Prospect Street in Somerset could one day become a “cultural center” and museum for public education, said Richard Peirce, chairman of the Friends of Somerset Historic Preservation nonprofit.

“It really has a lot of meaning for the community,” Peirce said, adding that he’s hopeful when it comes to partnering with town officials to “reach a consensus for how the building could best be used to serve the community.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

Tributes are pouring in for former Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank. 

Governor Maura Healey remembered Frank as "brilliant, fearless, quick-witted, and never afraid to say exactly what was on his mind."  Former President Barack Obama said Frank was "one of a kind" and credited his efforts to help pass the Dodd-Frank Act. 

Frank passed away Tuesday night at the age of 86.

Seven Fall River teens and two Medway teens were arrested mid-day Tuesday, May 19, in connection to a melee at Second Beach in Middletown.

They are facing charges after a gathering of 1,200 high school-aged people at the popular Rhode Island beach led to violence, according to reports from WJAR. Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures breaking records and hitting 93 degrees at T.F. Green Airport, according to the National Weather Service.

This incident occurred about two hours before a disturbance at Narragansett Town Beach around 3 p.m. during which three people suffered minor stab wounds. Two adults were arrested on charges not related to the stabbings.

Police were called to Second Beach at 12:45 p.m. Tuesday to monitor the large crowd.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Barney Frank, the longtime Democratic U.S. House member, has died at 86.  He died from congestive heart failure Tuesday evening at his home in Maine. 

Frank was a pioneering gay rights advocate and a leading figure in the effort to recover from the 2008 Great Recession. 

In a 1987 interview, he became the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay. 

His most notable legislation was the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

A primary suspect has been identified in the homicide investigation at a Newport hotel where an 85-year-old woman was found dead earlier this week.

According to Newport police, they were asked by Bristol police Monday morning to notify Terry Costello at Harbor Base Inn that her son, 66-year-old Bernard Costello, had died by suicide after jumping from the Mount Hope Bridge.

However, when officers arrived, they discovered Terry dead inside one of the rooms and immediately ruled her death suspicious. Police later observed she had upper-body stab wounds.

Based on evidence at the scene, police said Bernard Costello is their primary suspect, noting that the incident was isolated and they do not believe anyone else was involved.

See more at wpri.com.

It’s been nearly one year since flames ripped through the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, killing 10 residents and injuring dozens of others.

Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon emphasized Wednesday afternoon that he never wants anything like it to happen again.

“As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Gabriel House fire, we’ve been looking for meaningful ways to honor the victims and ensure this tragedy doesn’t repeat itself,” Bacon said.

The tragedy shook the city to its core and marked the state’s deadliest fire in more than 40 years.

See more at wpri.com.

Calling all local seafood lovers. If you’re fishing for fun way to launch into the summer season, the Fall River Seafood Festival will have you hooked.

“An unforgettable afternoon of flavor, music, and coastal celebration,” is headed to the city waterfront Saturday, May 23, from 2 to 6 p.m. as the Seafood Festival makes a splash along Heritage State Park and the Fall River Carousel.

The event promises to be the “reel” deal for fresh, locally sourced seafood, creative coastal bites and brews from area establishments, and endless summer vibes.

See more at heraldnews.com.

On May 18 night, town voters approved a higher budget, amended zoning by-laws, and hit the gas on new trucks, vans and equipment that will serve an array of municipal and public safety departments. And they did it all under two hours.

The Special Town Meeting drew a smaller turnout than usual, but met quorum with 121 voters filing into the auditorium of Joseph Case High School, 70 School St., and adjourned after 14 minutes; the Annual Town Meeting that kicked off at 7:30 and attracted 139 voters ended at 9:17 p.m.

With warnings from moderator Paul Burke advising those who turned up at the meetings to “act appropriately,” voters were mostly united on all 32 items on both the special and annual meeting warrants — most were unanimously approved, and all others were voted in by a majority.

A city housing development zone close to downtown could expand to provide for more housing redevelopments or new construction to take root — and be eligible for state aid. 

The housing development zone, or HD1, that runs parallel Fall River’s waterfront to the east of North and South Main Streets, could be adding a new block to an already robust zone. The decision is pending Planning Board approval.

At Mayor Paul Coogan’s request, the zone expansion was heard by the City Council at its April 28 meeting, where councilors approved the matter before referring it to the city’s Planning Board. 

The 2,871,168-square-foot zone resembles a polygon that fills in 65.9 acres bordered by Morgan Street and Middle Street that extends into Lyon Street to the north and south, and South Main Street and Plymouth Avenue to the east and west. The area is bordered by Hartwell Street to the northeast.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Hundreds of beachgoers were forced from Narragansett Town Beach after a stabbing Tuesday afternoon.

Narragansett Police Chief Kyle Rekas confirmed officers were called to the Boston Neck Road beach after receiving reports of numerous beachgoers who had been stabbed.

Rekas said three victims suffered minor stab wounds and were brought to the hospital for treatment.

No one is in custody at this time and it’s unclear what led up to the stabbing.

See more at wpri.com.

Nine beachgoers were arrested after a disturbance at Second Beach in Middletown Tuesday afternoon, according to police.

Officers were called to the beach after receiving reports of a gathering of approximately 1,200 high schoolers near the main pavilion.

Police said the officers immediately began monitoring the crowd’s behavior and wound up arresting a young man who began “acting disorderly” toward others.

That’s when another young man began assaulting the officers, “causing the crowd to become increasingly disorderly and aggressive,” according to police.

See more at wpri.com.

Memorial Day may be seen as the unofficial start of summer, but it holds a much deeper meaning.

It is a day set aside each year to honor and remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

This solemn holiday became a federal observance in 1971 and is celebrated on the last Monday in May each year.

Across the United States, people observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials, attending parades, and gathering with family and friends to reflect on and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Fall River will host several Memorial Day events and ceremonies to honor veterans and fallen service members. Events began Friday, May 15, with the Civil War Monument Ceremony at Oak Grove Cemetery. The Fall River Flags of Freedom grave-flagging program will run May 16-24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame Cemetery, and St. Patrick’s Cemetery. The Washing of the Fall River Vietnam Memorial Wall will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Veterans Memorial Bicentennial Park.

See the list of events at heraldnews.com.

Former Fall River Police Chief Kelly Furtado will be honored with a state lifetime achievement award recognizing her “outstanding contributions to the field of law enforcement.”

Furtado is the 2026 recipient of the Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement’s Spirit of MAWLE Lifetime Achievement Award. 

In a May 14 letter notifying Furtado of the win, MAWLE notes Furtado’s “dedication” and “hard work” that endure as an “inspiration for others, especially women who are encouraged to achieve their own milestones by your example." 

MAWLE President Sarah Palermo stated, “We had excellent candidates for this award," but the nomination from Sgt. Ross Aubin “really gave us an idea of Chief Furtado's many accomplishments with details that make you proud just reading it. You can really feel ... she has had a true impact; and that she is someone that younger officers can emulate, as we continue in our careers, seeking to make meaningful impacts of our own.”

“She deserves it,” Palermo said.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A trailer once used for COVID-19 response in Fall River has been repurposed into a new Mobile Public Safety Command Center, city officials announced Monday.

As public gatherings and events increase for the summer season, officials said the new center will serve as a hub to support coordination and communication among public safety personnel.

“This investment strengthens our ability to respond quickly and effectively to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and event attendees throughout the city,” Mayor Paul Coogan said in a statement.

Tiverton Police Corporal Jordan DaSilva spent more than two years looking for the man responsible for a swatting call.

DaSilva was pleased to learn that the suspect was taken into custody in Hungary earlier this month.

“It’s not going to be tolerated,” DaSilva said.

Officers rushed to a Tiverton home on April 24, 2024, after a caller claimed a man had killed his family and was planning on shooting his dog and himself.

See more at wpri.com.

When Michael Poirier was a student at B.M.C. Durfee High School in the mid-2010s, he’d bring his skateboard to class and stash it in the office of the vice principal: Paul Coogan.

“I left my skateboard in Coogan’s office in high school so frequently, because they’d be like, ‘Don’t bring it in the hallway, you’re skating in the hallway,’” he said. “Now, I just went to the mayor’s office and talked about a skate park.”

Poirier is one of a group of friends and local skaters who helped Coogan’s administration overhaul the dilapidated Lafayette skate park. He, Courtney Ross, Devon Molina and others have spent years helping with a major redesign and reconstruction — one that’s not only more fun for them but a local attraction for the growing skating community, something they can hand down to new generations of skaters. It’s ready to open, with a ribbon-cutting set for Sunday, May 24.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Lakeville police are investigating after a pipe bomb was found Saturday afternoon near the edge of Egger Bog Pond.

In a press release, the department said a person reported finding what appeared to be a bomb around 12:38 p.m. by the pond’s edge off Highland Road.

The Massachusetts State Police Bomb squad responded to the scene and confirmed the object was a PVC pipe bomb. State police then safely disposed of the bomb.

Lakeville police are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Robert Schiffer at rschiffer@lakevillema.org or by calling 508-947-4422.

See more at wpri.com.

Newport police are investigating a false bomb threat at Newport Hospital on Sunday morning.

Investigators say just after 7 a.m., police responded to a reported bomb threat at the hospital.

Once on scene, officers secured the area and, along with the Rhode Island State Police bomb detection K-9 unit, thoroughly searched the area.

After their investigation, police deemed the threat not credible, or a swatting call.

Officials say swatting calls are dangerous because they take officers and other emergency resources away from real calls needed for their services.

Last weekend, the hospital was placed on lockdown following a threatening phone call where someone told staff that a man was coming to “shoot the place up,” according to police.

Read more at wpri.com.

Once a champion, always a champion.

Olivia Silva and Bre Fontes were a special part of Joseph Case softball lore that landed the school back-to-back-to-back MIAA state championships for the first time in program's history.

Now the former Cardinals athletes and Swansea hometown stars can etch their names on a collegiate trophy.

Silva and Fontes were recently a part of Umass-Dartmouth's crown clinching 8-3 win over Rhode Island College in the Little East Conference tournament championship game. It was the Corsairs' second-ever LEC title and first since 2023.

See more at heraldnews.com.

For over half a century, Fall River’s iconic Liberal Club Restaurant has been a go-to for great food and friendship.

Despite its out-of-the way location — tucked within a residential South End neighborhood — the not-so-secret family-run culinary treasure has built a name for itself as a beloved city fixture sought after by hungry patrons from near and far.

But all good things eventually come to an end.

After a more than five-decade run, Liberal Club Restaurant will soon be saying goodbye to its longtime 20 Star St. home and the customers they’ve come to know as family.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Middle and high school students from Fall River Public Schools recently attended the One8 Applied Learning Showcase at The TRACK at New Balance in Boston, where students from across Massachusetts presented projects focused on STEM, civics, history, and applied learning to more than 500 industry professionals, according to a community announcement.

A team of sixth-graders from Morton Middle School was selected as the Winning Project for Investigating History at the 2026 One8 Applied Learning Showcase.

Students Cora Farias, Keliany Vieira, Michael Louime, and Sophia Santos presented their Unit 3 Summative project, “Ancient African Societies,” as part of their Investigating History curriculum under the guidance of social studies instructional coach Soklim Chhean.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The man accused of shooting and killing a man in Cranston before causing a deadly crash in Swansea will remain behind bars until his trial, a judge announced Thursday afternoon.

Rhode Island Superior Court Associate Justice Luis Matos denied Demitri Sousa’s request for bail after determining that his actions the night of the shooting and crash demonstrated a reckless disregard for law enforcement.

Sousa, 28, of Seekonk, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with the death of 35-year-old Javon Lawson.

Investigators believe Sousa banged on the side door of Lawson’s Legion Way home and shot him several times after he opened the door. Police said the shooting likely stemmed from a dispute between the men over a “mutual female acquaintance.”

See more at wpri.com.

The New England Patriots unveiled their 2026 season schedule Thursday night.

The season will kick off with a Super Bowl LX rematch between the Patriot and the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, Sept. 9.

The rare Wednesday-night game will be the first Week 1 Super Bowl rematch since 2016, when the Denver Broncos hosted the Carolina Panthers. It will also mark the first time the Patriots will open the season against the Seahawks.

The Patriots will play two Thursday Night Football games this year against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 22 and the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 10.

New England will also play their sixth international game when they travel to Germany to face the Detroit Lions.

On Monday, May 18, voters will be able to make their voices heard at the special and annual town meetings, where a total of 32 articles will be up for deliberation at the evening double header. 

Facing Swansea is a list of routine money moves that residents will be asked to greenlight to fund operating accounts, cover expenses, buy insurance for town employees, and purchase new equipment for the schools and the public safety sector. 

Apart from that, the town is asking residents to consider bylaw changes on trend with Swansea’s appetite for attracting clean energy infrastructure to town. 

The Special Town meeting, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in the Joseph Case High School auditorium at 70 School St., will hear five articles on a warrant that considers utility installations and a deficit from wintertime expenses.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Kevin Kiley has been reappointed to continue overseeing operations for the Diocese of Fall River, which serves southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands.

Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha has appointed Kiley to a third term with the expanded title of chancellor, chief finance and operating officer, according to a community announcement.

The reappointment, effective April 18, 2026, is for an additional five-year term. Kiley said this term will mark a shift from rebuilding to sustaining, ensuring the Diocese is prepared for the future.

Kiley first took the role in 2016 after a 23-year career with the Archdiocese of Boston. His responsibilities quickly expanded from being finance-focused to overseeing day-to-day operations that support 64 parishes, 18 schools, and other affiliated organizations. These entities serve approximately 250,000 Catholics in the region.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A Westport woman and a friend's 11-year-old child were stuck at the highest point of a roller coaster Monday, and it started to rain. 

It Happened at Six Flags New England in Agawam. 

A Providence TV station reported Samantha Shirley and the child made it to safety when the ride started to move again after about 45 minutes. 

Six Flags gave all the riders vouchers and dry clothes.  

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) is asking drivers to be cautious while going over the the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge.

RITBA announced Wednesday evening that contractors are in the process of replacing the seven original bridge joints on the westbound span.

Traffic will be limited to one lane as contractors are working on the joints. Each of the seven joints will be covered by raised plates and both lanes will be open while work isn’t being done.

RIBTA warned that the plates are not flush with the bridge and “cause a bump.”

See more at wpri.com.

The man convicted of shooting and wounding an undercover detective in New Bedford two years ago will spend at least five years behind bars, 12 News has learned.

Denzel Gomes pleaded guilty earlier this week to two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault and battery with a firearm, and one count each of attempted assault and battery with a firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and carrying a firearm without a license.

Detectives believe Gomes was in the backseat of a moving car when he shot and wounded New Bedford Police Detective Lavar Gilbert, who was sitting in an unmarked cruiser parked outside a pizza shop in July 2023.

Read more at wpri.com.

A man was arrested after he allegedly broke into an eyecare store and stole thousands of dollars’ worth of sunglasses in Dartmouth over the weekend.

Police were called to Pearle Vision off Faunce Corner Road for an alarm activation around 4 a.m. Saturday. When officers arrived, they found the front door smashed, display cases damaged and a significant amount of merchandise stolen.

While searching the area, police said they found Andre Kerman riding a bicycle nearby. When an officer tried speaking with Kerman, he fled and “refused to stop” as sunglasses fell from a backpack he was carrying, according to police.

Kerman, 51, of Fairhaven, was eventually apprehended. Inside the backpack, police said they found numerous pairs of sunglasses from Pearle Vision with the price tags still attached, valued at nearly $51,000.

See more at wpri.com.

After two years of planning a v to combat financial strain and overcrowding at some schools, Fall River is poised to begin implementing plans that could affect where students will head to school this fall. 

The Fall River School Committee voted unanimously at the May 6 meeting to grant school administrators the green light to proceed with notifying Fall River Public School families and students of potential school reassignments — leaving open the opportunity for parents to request to change their student’s school assignment after June 15, according to the most recent information listed on the FRPS website. 

Those requests will be reviewed as they come in by district officials, and “We’ll try to honor the request,” interim Deputy Superintendent Elizabeth Legault said at the May 6 meeting.

See mroe at heraldnews.com.

Litter may be normalized in urban spaces — the eyesore of trash on park trails, dumped items dotting highway ramps, and household items lodged in street gutters and drains is common — but at what cost to the city? 

The cost to some is too high, and they want change. More than 433 people signed a Change.org petition pushing for cleaner streets, public spaces, and parks in Fall River.

The petition cites “urban studies” that have demonstrated the regular maintenance of public spaces increases community pride, boosts local tourism, and raises property values.

“By neglecting these areas, we risk the overall well-being of our community and future generations' quality of life,” the petition reads.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

The state commission overseeing police standards has finished its review of an investigation into the Fall River Police Department’s use of a search warrant to unmask an anonymous Facebook poster, and apparently found no evidence of wrongdoing.

According to documents received by The Herald News as part of a public records request, the state Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission received a complaint about the issue and the city’s investigation in late March.

POST reviewed all evidence and “closed this matter” as of April 30.

POST apparently took no further action.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A selection committee tasked with searching for the next person to take the helm of Swansea’s daily operational affairs by July 1 has narrowed the choice down to three finalists up for the job. Now, the town invites residents to provide feedback on the candidates.

On Thursday, the May 7 Board of Selectman’s meeting kicked off on Zoom where the public was able to listen as Bernard Lynch, the principal and founder of Community Paradigm Associates — a consulting nonprofit — spoke about the search for the right candidate, indicated the timeline for the selection process, and gave an overview of who the three finalists were.

One internal candidate, Town Planner Christopher Parayno, was named as a finalist. The two other candidates mostly unanimously hand-picked by the selection committee are already serving as town administrators for other Massachusetts municipalities: Hopedale’s Mitchell Ruscitti and Harwich’s Joseph Powers.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A Fall River man was recently sentenced to state prison after a “vicious” attack last August outside a New Bedford bar left a man seriously injured, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Elionei Dejesus Mendes, 23, of Fall River, pleaded guilty March 30 in Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury and assault and battery causing serious bodily injury.

According to a DA’s office release, Mendes was sentenced to three to five years in state prison followed by three years of supervised probation.

Charges stem from an altercation that took place Aug. 2, 2025, when New Bedford Police responded to reports of a fight outside Bento's Bar at 555 Pleasant St., New Bedford.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The New Bedford Harbor Hotel is changing ownership.

Known for its restaurants such as Merrill’s on the Waterfront and Bittersweet Farms, Lafrance Hospitality announced its acquisition of the hotel on May 6.

Buying the 70-room boutique property located at 222 Union St., represents another milestone in Lafrance Hospitality’s continued growth and reinforces the company’s commitment, according to a press release, to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences throughout New England and beyond.

The five-story New Bedford Harbor Hotel is known for its harbor views and convenient access to the city’s cultural, dining and maritime attractions. Under Lafrance Hospitality’s ownership, the property will undergo a series of changes to the guest experience.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A judge has dismissed much of a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a Fall River Public Schools safety officer against the school department and several school officials.

In a decision filed May 5, Bristol County Superior Court Judge Thomas Perrino said school safety officer Carla Cruz let the statute of limitations run out on claims that two coworkers propositioned her for sex, offered her drugs and groped her, and that school officials were negligent in investigating this.

Charges against a third coworker were not dismissed.

Cruz filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in July 2025, and on Oct. 9 filed a civil lawsuit in Superior Court seeking $10 million and a jury trial for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

See more at heraldnews.com.

An investigation is underway after a threatening phone call forced Newport Hospital into a lockdown Saturday afternoon.

Officers rushed to the hospital just before 4 p.m. after learning someone had called and told staff that a man was coming to “shoot the place up,” according to police.

Newport Hospital immediately went into lockdown as officers guarded the hospital entrances.

Police said there is no credible threat to the hospital, patients, staff or the general public at this time and the lockdown has been “scaled back.”

See more at wpri.com.

Westport Animal Control is thanking a good Samaritan for notifying officers about an injured osprey last week.

In a social media post Friday, Westport Animal Control explained that a resident called to report that a osprey “had been spending an unusual amount of time on the ground.”

“The concerned resident reported that the bird appeared injured and was unable to fly,” Westport Animal Control wrote.

An animal control officer went to the location that the resident provided and found the bird on the ground with visible injuries, including blood on its wing and shoulder.

Read more at wpri.com.

Graduates are expected to cross the stage as Bristol Community College celebrates its 59th commencement. The ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 16 under the college’s solar canopies at the Fall River campus, according to a community announcement.

Degrees and certificates will be awarded to students from the college’s campuses in Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and online learners. Associate degrees in arts, science and applied science are planned to be conferred, along with certificates of achievement. Academic honors including cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude will also be recognized.

The event is expected to highlight several student and community achievements, including the announcement of this year’s valedictorian, salutatorian, distinguished citizens and an honorary degree recipient.

Elizabeth Anne Pereira of Acushnet has been named valedictorian. Pereira is graduating with an Associate in Arts in Business Administration Transfer. She plans to continue her education at Bridgewater State University.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

A national broadband internet provider is planning to deliver free wifi in two city parks.

The Park Board on Wednesday, May 6, granted permission for Ripple Fiber to install equipment in Chew and Kennedy parks in the city’s South End that would create free public wifi in the parks.

The equipment will be placed inside existing storage space in the parks, and would be unobtrusive.

“We think we found some good suitable locations that aren’t going to inhibit anyone from using the park, and also aesthetically it’s going to be in a shed,” said Stephen Maher, representative of Ripple Fiber.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A Massachusetts man is being held without bail following his arraignment yesterday in Rhode Island. 

Demetri Sousa of Seekonk pleaded not guilty for the February shooting death of Javon Lawson in Cranston, Rhode Island.  Hours later Sousa was involved in a fiery crash in Swansea that killed two Bristol, Rhode Island, residents. 

Charges in connection with the deadly crash would be handled in Massachusetts.   

A new poll gives Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey a five-point lead over his primary challenger in the race for the Democratic Party nomination. 

The Emerson College survey finds Markey ahead of Congressman Seth Moulton by a margin of 37-to-32 percent with 29-percent undecided. 

The poll of one-thousand registered voters was taken earlier this week. 

The margin of error is plus or minus three-percent.

The FBI recently arrested a 20-year-old Hungarian man believed to be responsible for a swatting incident in Tiverton two years ago.

Officers rushed to a Tiverton home on April 24, 2024, after a caller claimed a man had killed his family and was planning on shooting his dog and himself, according to FBI Boston.

The officers determined it was a hoax call shortly after arriving at the home.

Investigators reviewed digital evidence and were able to trace the swatting call to Hungary.

See more at wpri.com.

A homicide investigation is underway in New Bedford, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

Officers were called to the area of Acushnet Avenue and Russell Street around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday for a report of shots fired.

Upon arrival, the DA’s office said a 31-year-old man was found in his vehicle suffering from several gunshot wounds.

The victim, identified as Steven Coan, was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

See more at wpri.com.

The Committee to Recall Mayor Paul Coogan stands by its affidavit to begin the recall process, despite Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey giving the opinion that the petitioners’ affidavit was “invalid.”

The committee, driven by the unified goal of ousting Coogan from the sixth floor of Government Center, posted to Facebook the evening of May 4 to allege that “our affidavit was submitted correctly.”

Furthermore, “We are concerned that the city has shared information with the local media before informing us. The mayor and his corporation counsel have formally colluded and objected to the recall moving forward,” the group said in the online statement.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Strong winds caused difficulties for firefighters battling a massive blaze at Mid City Steel that broke out Monday afternoon, May 4, and caused multiple brush fires.

According to an update the following day, May 5, from the Westport Fire Chief Dan Baldwin, fire crews were on scene throughout the day Tuesday — working in coordination with Mid City Steel personnel — monitoring hot spots within the 548 State Road facility and in the surrounding wooded areas along Davis Road.

Heavy machinery was used to break apart the large scrap pile of processed vehicles where the fire initiated around 3:30 p.m. Monday, and access deep-seated hotspots.

See more at heraldnews.com.

On April 29, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation got its final permit for the Washington Bridge replacement, coming from the Coast Guard in the final throes of the DHS shutdown.

“We were very excited,” said RIDOT’s project manager, Peter DeSimone.

The westbound side of the bridge, which carries I-195 over the Seekonk River, has been shut down for more than two years after its abrupt closure in December 2023. Now, DeSimone said drivers will start to see construction on its replacement in the coming weeks.

“One of the first activities will be the installation of the drilled shafts, which are the supports to the piers,” DeSimone explained.

RIDOT said the work will stay within the footprint of the old Washington Bridge, with the bulk of it happening on the water.

“It should not impact the traveling public early on,” DeSimone added.

See more at wpri.com.

The Feast of the Blessed Sacrament announced it will implement an age restriction for the first time this year.

Only people who are 21 and older can enter the Feast grounds after 8 p.m.

“Please know that this decision was not made lightly,” the Feast said in a statement. “It reflects our continued efforts to create a safe environment during our busiest evening hours, while still preserving the welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that defines the Feast during the day and early evening.”

The Feast features a variety of food, wine and entertainment that highlights the rich traditions of Madeira and the entire Portuguese-American community.

See more at wpri.com.

The bank that still holds the mortgage on the fire-damaged and uninhabitable Gabriel House property on Oliver Street wants the money it’s owed — nearly $1 million.

Then it wants “to get out of this litigation,” said Sarah Kelly, attorney for OneLocal Bank.

The Norwood-based community bank has waded into a complicated set of civil lawsuits between victims of the July 13 assisted living facility and the individuals and companies accused of negligence that led to 10 deaths, 30 injuries, and the displacement of dozens of poor, elderly and disabled residents.

At stake is about $6 million in property insurance money, frozen pending the outcome of the lawsuits — which may take several years. The bank wants to dip into that for its cut. But victims in the case say there are other ways for the bank to get its money back: foreclose on Gabriel House, or go after Gabriel House owner Dennis Etzkorn’s other properties.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Based on monitoring the air quality is safe in the vicinity of Monday's massive scrap yard fire in Westport. 

Residents on Davis Road from State Road to Old Bedford Road were advised to shelter in place due to heavy smoke from the fire at Mid City Scrap on State Road. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation but authorities said it currently does not appear to be suspicious.  

The public is asked for help to locate a Dartmouth teenager reported missing over a week ago. 

Sixteen-year-old Fayth Dean was last seen on foot in the Bakerville Road area. 

Her photo and description are posted on the police department's Facebook page. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dartmouth police.

The city may have learned a few lessons from last year when it comes to the balancing act of keeping trash collection routine for its nearly 100,000 residents, and keeping waste hauling companies hitched.

Fall River is ready to act on a two-year contract plus a one-year built-in extension option, with Capitol Waste Services, Inc. The East Boston-based waste hauler would be responsible for collecting the city’s solid waste and disposing of it, in addition to handling curbside collection of single-stream recycling.

The cost of the contract is not included in materials provided to City Council members as of the April 28 meeting, where the Council voted to refer the contract proposal to the City Council Committee on Finance. According to earlier reports, the trash collection makes up 2.9% of the city’s Fiscal 2027 budget of $479 million.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Hours after a group of petitioners began official efforts to recall Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, Corporation Counsel Alan Rumsey deemed its submitted affidavit invalid, putting a pause on recall efforts.

Using caselaw as a basis for his opinion, Rumsey told The Herald News he reviewed the Committee to Recall Mayor Paul Coogan’s affidavit on the morning of May 4, and said, “the recall petition is invalid because it is not in compliance with the affidavit requirements,” citing section 8-5(b) of the City Charter.

Rumsey made the distinction that the 13 signatures in the attestation of the affidavit filed with the City Clerk's Office that morning at 8:30 a.m. were notarized, but not sworn.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Police have blocked off a portion of Route 6 in Rehoboth as crews respond to a mulch fire in the area of Hollister Road.

A 12 News photojournalist at the scene observed flames coming from a mulch pile and a large amount of smoke billowing across the roadway.

In a social media post just last week, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services warned that mulch is a combustible material and urged people to keep piles a safe distance apart.

See more at wpri.com.

A mass of thick, black smoke could be seen for miles on Monday as firefighters worked to get a massive fire under control off Route 6 in Westport.

Crews from more than a dozen departments responded after the fire broke out at Mid City Scrap, located between Route 88 and Davis Road.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Mid City Scrap said all of its workers are “safe and accounted for, with no injuries.” The business also thanked firefighters for their “swift, professional response” and the community for its support.

Route 6 remains closed in both directions in that area. MassDOT said the closure was expected to last for several hours and advised drivers to seek alternate routes.

Nearby neighborhoods were blanketed with smoke, including Davis Road, where firefighters were seen in backyards trying to make sure the flames didn’t spread that way.

“I was on my way home from work. I could see it on the Braga Bridge, the smoke,” resident Trisha Therrien said. “When I was driving back, the smoke kept getting darker and darker. A few homes down you could see the fire in the woods, and you could hear the booms.”

See more at wpri.com.

A Massachusetts child is the winner of a FIFA art competition. 

Leo Silveira is a 6th grader at the Nativity Preparatory School in New Bedford. 

Now his drawing will be displayed on the bus of the Brazilian team's official World Cup buses. 

In mid-April, his parents found out by email that their son's picture of fans cheering on the Brazilian national team had been chosen.  Leo says he has been supporting the Brazilian team every single day since the 2018 World Cup.

The public is advised to plan ahead for World Cup traffic in and around Foxborough. 

Seven FIFA matches will be played at Gillette Stadium between June 13th, and July 9th. 

State officials warned again today that parking will be more limited than at other events.  Everyone attending matches is strongly urged to use public transportation.  Those driving are warned to arrive early. 

It's recommended that commuters not attending the soccer matches avoid the area or work from home on game days. 

Gas prices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are climbing as the conflict between the United States and Iran enters its tenth week.

Rhode Island’s average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.39, which is 31 cents higher than last week’s $4.08. The situation is similar in Massachusetts, where the average also climbed 31 cents over the past week, from $4.04 to $4.35.

The national average is currently $4.46 per gallon.

“All the factors that drive the cost of gasoline have been heading toward higher prices,” AAA Northeast’s Jillian Young said. “Along with higher oil prices, gasoline demand has held strong and U.S. exports are shattering records, leading to tighter inventories. Oil and gas markets will remain volatile amid ongoing uncertainty about a potential end to the war and resumption of vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.”

See more at wpri.com.

Firefighters were called to the Stop & Shop on Route 6 in Seekonk after a freezer unit reportedly caught fire Monday morning.

In a social media post, the department said the fire was quickly put out, but there was smoke throughout the store when crews arrived on scene.

“A working fire assignment was requested, along with an additional ambulance, to assist staff and visitors present during the incident,” the department wrote. “One individual was evaluated on scene but declined further medical treatment.”

Authorities on Friday, May 1, identified the roofer who died after falling from a Southborough home on Wednesday as Fall River resident Antonio Holger.

A spokeswoman for the Worcester District Attorney’s Office said Holger was 43 years old.

Holger was working on a roof at 3:39 p.m. Wednesday at a Flagg Drive residence when he fell, according to a joint press release by the Southborough Police and Fire departments.

Holger was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, but later died.

Read more at heraldnews.com.

Lawyers for victims in the Gabriel House assisted living facility fire claimed owner and operator Dennis Etzkorn has “a web of companies and corporations” used to “hide” his assets, including a $2.8 million beachfront home in Miami Beach, Florida.

On Friday, May 1, Judge Raffi Yessayan heard multiple motions in the complex case. Attorneys for the victims, Etzkorn, and for other parties with financial interests in the case filled in a courtroom at Bristol County Superior Court, attempting to determine who is owed a piece of whatever money is available to cover losses after the tragic July 2025 fire.

The historic blaze was the deadliest statewide in four decades. Ten people, all elderly, were killed as a result of the fire. Thirty people were injured. The fire left dozens of residents, mostly elderly and disabled, temporarily homeless and having lost most of their possessions.

See more at heraldnews.com.

An investigation is underway after an 8-month-old boy died over the weekend.

Taunton police were called to a home on Somerset Avenue just after 11:30 p.m. Friday for a report of an unresponsive infant, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

The baby was flown to a hospital in Boston, the DA’s office said, where he was pronounced dead Saturday morning.

The DA’s office said the cause and manner of the child’s death have not yet been determined.

See more at wpri.com.

Two businesses were damaged after an early morning fire in Acushnet on Saturday morning.

The two businesses are Lash Queens and Rivers End cafe.

The owner of the cafe told our photographer that their building only had fire damage to the outside, however there is some water damage to the bar.

It’s unclear how extensive the damage is to the other business.

See more at wpri.com.

The new president and CEO of Market Basket is Chuck Casassa.  He replaces longtime leader of the Tewksbury-based supermarket chain, Arthur T. Demoulas, who was ousted amid allegations he planned a work stoppage in a feud with the board of directors. 

Casassa started working for Market Basket as a bagger in 1976, and worked his way up including over three decades as a store manager. 

In an effort to expand access to “hands-on learning” in Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey’s administration is awarding $70 million in Career Technical Education program grants to 28 schools across the state.

In a press release Thursday, Healey’s office noted that the funding will create up to 2,500 new CTE seats by expanding and creating dozens of career tech programs and upgrading schools’ equipment, technology and lab spaces.

“Across Massachusetts, we’re hearing from students and families who want access to career technical education,” Healey said in the release. “That’s why we’re making a $70 million investment to expand programs, create new seats and modernize training facilities so more students can get the skills they need and step into strong, in-demand careers.”

The following schools in Southeastern Massachusetts are among those receiving grants:

• Bristol-Plymouth Regional Vocational Technical in Taunton: $1,500,000 
• Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School in North Dighton: $1,500,000 
• Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School: $3,750,000
• New Bedford High School: $1,750,000
• Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole: $3,500,000 
• Taunton High School: $1,100,000
• Tri-County Regional Vocational in Franklin: $2,000,000

See more at wpri.com.

The building that was supposed to be a temporary headquarters for the New Bedford Police Department back in 1999 has now been the department’s home for a quarter-century. 

“This was a grocery store,” Chief Jason Thody said. “It never was designed or built to serve as a police department.”

“We’ve invested in it to keep police officers safe, but in the long run, they need to be in a real police headquarters,” New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said, adding that building a new headquarters would be more cost-effective. 

A new facilities study by the planning and architectural firm Caolo & Bieniek Associates Inc. that examined city-owned spaces recommends 360 Coggeshall Street as the location of that new building, citing its “central location throughout the City of New Bedford, adjacencies to the Downtown development, ample utilities to serve a building of this size and existing infrastructure for police traffic patterns and resident access.”

See more at wpri.com.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III is expressing frustration with a judge’s decision to release a suspect charged with stabbing a woman in Taunton last month.

Justin Brown-Madison was arraigned on charges of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and domestic assault and battery stemming from a March 10 incident.

According to prosecutors, he’s accused of stabbing the hand of the mother of his child after becoming angry with her. Officers on scene saw a wound on the victim’s hand and found a broken knife of the second floor lading and the blade in the driveway.

Quinn said Brown-Madison “has a terrible record,” noting that he had a “very serious case” open in Plymouth County Superior Court for firearms and drug-trafficking offenses. The state reportedly requested a dangerousness hearing, arguing he should be held without bail because no conditions of release could protect the victim or the public. They also requested to have his bail revoked on the open case in Plymouth County.

See more at wpri.com.