The man accused of defacing dozens of gravestones and memorials at two Freetown cemeteries four years ago has been convicted, according to authorities.

In a social media post Thursday, the Freetown Police Department confirmed that 24-year-old Jacob Dupuis pleaded guilty to possession or control of an incendiary device or material, two counts of vandalizing a gravestone, vandalizing property, malicious destruction of property over $1,200 and tagging property.

Dupuis was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with 90 days to serve and the remainder suspended, followed by two years of probation. He was also ordered to undergo mental health counseling and to complete 200 hours of community service.

Police said the investigation began in March 2022, when officers were called to White Cemetery on Keene Road after someone defaced nearly three dozen gravestones with red spray paint.

Several of the headstones had swastikas painted on them, while others had cryptic messages like “ha ha ha ha” and “I will be back.” One head stone even had “I’m a psycho” written over the engraving on the front.

Officers were called to Profile Rock two days later to investigate potential vandalism at Profile Rock, where remnants of suspected Molotov cocktails were discovered near a spot that had been burned. Similar graffiti was also discovered nearby, which hinted at a possible connection to the cemetery vandalism, according to police.

Investigators returned to White Cemetery a couple months later after someone defaced nearly three dozen more gravestones and memorial markers with red spray paint.

Police said at least one of those headstones has a swastika painted on it, while others had messages like “catch me if you can, “I’ll be back” and “I’ve been a bad boy” written on them.

See more at wpri.com.

The Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations approved new fire safety requirements Thursday in an effort to prevent future tragedies like the deadly fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River.

The new requirements, which will be included in next year’s edition of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, include annual checks for recalled sprinkler heads and the prompt replacement of faulty equipment.

“The Gabriel House residents and their families have not left our thoughts in the 15 months since that tragic night in 2025,” Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon Devine said. “Nothing can fill the void left by their loved ones, but I hope this makes clear to them that we are committed to saving other families from enduring the same heartbreak.”

The tragedy at Gabriel House on July 13, 2025, shook the city to its core and marked the state’s deadliest fire in more than 40 years.

Firefighters rushed to the assisted living facility early that morning after receiving several 911 calls from inside the building. Those firefighters were immediately met with thick black smoke, roaring flames and trapped residents hanging out of windows.

More than 30 residents and five firefighters were brought to nearby hospitals to receive treatment for various injuries.

There were approximately 70 residents of varying mobility living at the Gabriel House, which first opened in 1999, at the time of fire. The residents who survived their injuries or escaped unharmed lost nearly everything in the fire, including a place to live.

Investigators believe the fire started in a second-floor room where an oxygen concentrator and smoking materials were later found, but they were unable to confirm the exact origin since the resident who lived there passed away.

Gabriel House’s fire suppression system also failed to activate, and it was later discovered that the sprinkler heads had been recalled more than 20 years ago.

The Fall River Fire Department took a proactive approach in the wake of the Gabriel House fire and discovered recalled sprinklers during at least four building inspections.

The Fall River Fire Department and National Fire Sprinkler Association has been actively pushing to change fire safety codes statewide since the tragedy.

“We owe it to those families to do everything we can to prevent something like this from happening again,” Healey said. “We will continue working to strengthen safety, prevent future tragedies and protect our residents.”

See more at wpri.com.

The sister of a woman who was found dead in Rehoboth last year is drumming up support after learning that the man accused of killing her plans to ask for a plea deal.

Gregory Groom, 23, has been charged with murder, assault and battery on a pregnant victim, aggravated intimidation of a witness, and domestic assault and battery in connection with the death of his girlfriend 18-year-old Kylee Monteiro last year.

Her sister Faith Monteiro told 12 News Groom’s attorney Elliot Levine plans to propose a plea deal in Bristol County Superior Court later this month.

In a letter Levine sent to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III over the summer, Levine requested Groom receive a sentence of 19 to 20 years in prison. In exchange, Levine said Groom would plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Levine pointed to Groom’s lack of criminal record and his grandfather’s testimony to a grand jury about how Kylee was wearing his grandson down.

Specifically, Groom’s grandfather described Kylee as being “manipulative,” noting that she “would not do anything around the house,” according to Levine’s letter.

“Gregory was doing her laundry, he was bringing her food to their bedroom, he was bringing her dirty dishes down to the kitchen sink, while she was not even leaving the bedroom,” the letter states.

Groom’s grandfather also testified that his grandson “was too young to handle feeling suffocated and being controlled by [Kylee’s] manipulation.”

Eventually, Kylee moved out of the Groom house and into the Bethesda House, which is a shelter for pregnant women. Levine wrote that Kylee was eventually “thrown out [of the shelter] for violating their policies.”

Groom’s grandfather said Kylee came back “uninvited,” which caused his grandson to explode, according to Levine’s letter.

Faith expressed frustration with Levine’s letter.

“It hurts to know that they can throw everything under the rug and brush it off as if her life didn’t matter, or her unborn baby’s life didn’t matter,” Faith said, referring to the contents of the letter. “The way he wrote it, it sounds like that her life isn’t important and that she deserved what happened to her.”

“I don’t think there’s any reason for anyone to go through what she went through,” she added.

Faith described her sister as being bubbly, fun and full of life.

“I keep waiting for her to call me and say something like, ‘Hey, can you come pick me up? I want to come home now,'” Faith said. “But that phone call never comes.”

Faith said she often struggles to explain the feeling of losing her sister.

See more at wpri.com.

Thirteen members of the Fall River Police Department who responded to the deadly Gabriel House assisted living facility fire of July 13, 2025, were honored in Boston with the state’s highest recognition for bravery in law enforcement.

Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll distributed the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery at the Statehouse to 18 total officers from departments across the state.

The fire at the Gabriel House assisted living facility was the deadliest fire statewide in more than 40 years. About 70 people were trapped inside, most of them elderly, disabled and immobile. Ten people were killed.

The scope of the rescue job, coupled with a fire raging out of control due to malfunctioning sprinklers, stretched the resources of the Fall River Fire Department. Members of the FRPD who arrived on scene risked their lives to pull residents from the burning building, with no fire safety gear or training.

Interim Police Chief JT Hoar, who is himself a previous awardee, nominated the officers.

"I know they were all humble," he said. "They didn't feel it was necessary to be recognized in that way. But I think at the end of the day, what they did was nothing short of heroic."

A five-decade Somerset tradition marches on this week with the return of its annual Musictown Festival – but this time with a little less marching.

Now in its 53^rd year, the festival highlights the town’s rich musical roots with a multi-day celebration showcasing local talent and promoting Somerset schools’ music programs.

Musictown, organized by the nonprofit Somerset Friends of Music, is marked by key events each year, such as a ball with a crowning of the Musictown Royal Court, a concert night, a kids' day, and parade.

This year’s festival will be stepping off without its signature parade, but the beat goes on with other noteworthy events to look forward to.

Festivities kick off Thursday, Oct. 15, with the Musictown Ball featuring dinner, dancing, performances by the Somerset Berkley Regional High School Show Choir and Blue Raider Marching Band and the main event: the crowning of the members of the 53rd Musictown Royal Court.

New this year, the musical monarchy is growing with the addition of a Junior Musictown Court of middle schoolers.

Musictown Ball will be held at White's of Westport from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/53rd-musictown-ball. 

Musictown Family Fun Day, previously known as Kiddies Day, descends on Somerset Berkley Regional High School on Saturday, Oct. 17, with more activities and more ways to introduce kids to music.

The event, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature performances by the SBRHS marching band and show choir, the Somerset Middle School show choir, a performing arts showcase, food trucks, crafts and more.

Become an honorary member of the Blue Raider Marching Band, as they invite festival-goers to march with them, or learn to twirl flags with the Color Guard or try your hand at a percussion instrument. Guests can also get a first-hand feel for playing at the “instrument petting zoo.”

For a schedule of Family Fun Day events, visit the Somerset Friends of Music Facebook page.

Music town will culminate later this month with its Musictown Concert on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Dr. Robert Perry Performing Arts Center in Somerset Berkley Regional High School.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The price for a gallon of regular gas in Massachusetts is four-cents lower than a week ago. 

The current price is four-dollars-30-cents. 

Triple A reported the national average is four-dollars-33-cents per gallon.  

David Lucio is still trying to come to terms with the sudden and tragic loss of his friend Carl Colangelo.

“It’s hard to believe that he’s not here,” Lucio said. “We’re all going to miss him.”

Colangelo died in a head-on crash while on a work trip in Bastrop, Texas, according to authorities. He was 66 years old.

Lucio told 12 News he and Colangelo have been friends for decades.

“I don’t think I ever saw Carl frown,” he said. “He was always smiling, and he would make you smile one way or another.”

Lucio and Colangelo both spent more than 30 years together on the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament Committee, which is responsible for organizing the city’s annual Portuguese celebration.

Two Fall River men pleaded guilty on federal drug distribution charges this week, with one also pleading guilty to drug conspiracy and firearm charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

On Oct. 7, Wilson Colon-Tirado, 34, pleaded guilty to three counts distributing 40 or more grams of fentanyl, a count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances and a count of being a felon possessing a firearm after an investigation involving controlled buys at the Sunset Hill public housing development in Fall River.

On Oct. 5, Antonio Calderon, 44, pleaded guilty to four counts of distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine after an investigation involving controlled buys at a strip mall in the north end of the city.

Court documents do not indicate any connection between the two men. They were charged separately. They were investigated by the same agent in the Bridgewater field office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Colon-Tirado had a co-conspirator who was charged after the same investigation: on Sept. 22, Antonio Dossantos-Tirado, 36, of Brockton, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing 28 or more grams of crack cocaine and one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Clashing in their only scheduled debate, incumbent Ed Markey and John Deaton traded criticism. 

Markey repeatedly tied Deaton to President Trump and warned that a Republican win would give the president's agenda another Senate vote.  Deaton pushed back, saying he has never voted for Trump and would make decisions based on what benefits Massachusetts and the country.  He also questioned whether Markey could effectively serve another six-year term, while Markey called the criticism a distraction. 

The candidates also debated high energy costs, Medicare for All and Markey's vote to authorize the Iraq War.

The long-standing legal battle between the two major Lizzie Borden tourist attractions in Fall River seems to be over.

A federal district court judge has ordered Miss Lizzie’s Coffee to pay its former neighbor, the Lizzie Borden House, just over $31,000 in attorney fees after having lost a trademark infringement lawsuit by default.

The Lizzie Borden House and Miss Lizzie’s Coffee have had bad blood since September 2023, when the museum and inn’s parent company sued its new neighbor on Second Street in federal court.

US Ghost Adventures, owner of the Lizzie Borden House, argued it has the exclusive right to use the wordmark “Lizzie Borden” in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and alleged customers mistakenly thought the businesses were related.

Earlier this year, Miss Lizzie’s Coffee lost the lawsuit by default, when a federal judge ruled that owner Joseph Pereira, acting as his own attorney, did not adequately respond to court requests for information.

USGA had claimed it was due more than $239,000 for lost profits, damages to the trademark, “damages to [USGA’s] goodwill,” expenses spent “mitigating customer confusion” and more.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River is marking 100 years of service with a Centennial Gala on Oct. 22 in Dartmouth.

The organization serves 28,000 people annually across Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and the Islands, according to a community announcement. Founded in 1924 as a welfare and adoption agency, Catholic Charities now provides services that include emergency shelter, food assistance, immigration legal services and mental health support through parish-based programs.

The agency says its work continues to center on three priorities: feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and welcoming the stranger.

The Solanus Casey Food Pantry in New Bedford distributes more than 600,000 pounds of food each year and serves more than 650 households, according to the announcement. The pantry records more than 31,000 visits annually and provides weekly food deliveries to more than 70 homebound residents. Staff also assist participants with SNAP benefits and connect them with health services, including screenings and vaccinations.

Catholic Charities also operates several shelters and housing programs throughout the region.

St. Joseph's House in Hyannis provides emergency shelter and a day program that includes meals, hygiene support, case management and housing navigation services.

Grace House in New Bedford serves as an emergency shelter for women. Ascension House in Attleboro provides emergency shelter for adults, while Sister Rose House in New Bedford offers emergency shelter and coordinated support services for men.

The Youth and Young Adult Transitional Housing Program, known as YYAP, assists individuals ages 18 to 24 with housing support and wraparound services.

Central to those efforts is the H.O.U.S.E. Program, which stands for Helping Others Until Self Empowered. The program provides emergency shelter, housing search assistance, housing stabilization services and up to two years of post-placement support for families in Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and Attleboro.

See more at heraldnews.com.

The owner of a Tiverton seafood restaurant is picking up the pieces after a car slammed into the outdoor dining room over the weekend.

Michael Napolitano, owner of Macray’s Seafood, told 12 News he was having lunch with a friend Sunday when he heard the crash.

“There was a big bang,” Napolitano recalled. “I thought it was an earthquake, because it was only for a quick second, I didn’t know what was going on.”

It wasn’t until he looked up and saw the car that he realized what had happened.

“I ran over, saw the driver and just made sure everyone was alright,” he continued.

Thankfully, Napolitano said no one was injured. But the restaurant’s Tiki bar and tented outdoor dining room were significantly damaged upon impact.

Napolitano initially only closed the restaurant’s dining room and remained open for take-out orders, but he eventually had to make the difficult decision to shut everything down.

He said Macray’s Seafood is a seasonal restaurant that stays open as long as the weather allows.

But now, the damage is so extensive he is unsure when the restaurant will be able to open its doors again.

“We’ve got to wait and see,” he said. “This is all new to me, so I’m still trying to figure it out. But as of right now, I don’t have a clue. I’m just trying to get everything in order.”

Napolitano does not plan on pressing charges against the the young driver of the car, especially since it was a total accident.

Right now, Napolitano said he’s getting his affairs in order and working with his insurance to assess the damage.

In order to open back up, Napolitano said he will have to replace the outdoor tent, which could prove to be tricky.

“Without that tent, I don’t know what we will do,” he said. “We want to stay open. I’ve got staff that want to keep working but, without that tent it is going to be tough. It’s not worth being open for just takeout.”

See more at wpri.com.

Stop & Shop’s website and apps are offline as its parent company grapples with a cybersecurity breach.

Ahold Delhaize confirmed in a statement Monday that it’s experiencing “a security issue within its network.”

“Our teams are taking steps to assess and mitigate the issue,” Ahold Delhaize explained. “This includes taking some systems offline to help protect them.”

“Protecting our infrastructure in the best interest of our customers, associates and partners is a top priority,” the statement continued. “We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused customers and partners.”

Stop & Shop’s website and app were “unavailable” Monday night, with maintenance messages alerting customers that stores, pharmacies and gas stations are operating as normal.

“We are working to restore service as quickly as possible,” the maintenance message reads.

The maintenance message also states that any unfulfilled online orders will be refunded.

Hannaford and Giant Food, which are also both owned by Ahold Delhaize, have been impacted by the cybersecurity breach as well.

The extent of the cybersecurity breach remains unknown at this time.

See more at wpri.com.

A 32-year-old man from Westerly suffered serious injuries after a crash on the Braga Bridge Saturday afternoon, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

The DA’s office said the man drove a motorcycle onto the bridge traveling eastbound at 12:38 p.m. While on the bridge, he turned the motorcycle around and began driving into oncoming traffic.

Shortly afterwards, he struck a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, as well as a second vehicle, before fleeing the scene on foot. He then entered I-195 West, where he was hit by a car, according to the DA’s office.

The DA’s office said the man was brought to Rhode Island Hospital with significant injuries.

The crash, which closed down the eastbound side of the Braga Bridge for several hours, remains under investigation.

See more at wpri.com.

The Fall River Police Department investigated an incident that occurred on Friday, October 9, 2026, involving an unauthorized individual entering Espirito Santo School.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., an adult male entered the school through an exterior door that was later determined to have a malfunctioning locking mechanism. The individual proceeded a short distance into the building before being confronted by an attentive faculty member who recognized that he did not belong there. The faculty member promptly escorted the individual out of the building without incident.

School administrators immediately took steps to secure the affected entrance and cooperated fully with our investigation.

At no point during the incident was there any reported physical confrontation, threat of violence, or injury to students or staff. Nevertheless, we take any unauthorized entry into a school seriously, regardless of the circumstances or the individual's intentions.

Through a coordinated investigative effort, including a review of surveillance footage, interviews with school personnel, and additional investigative measures, officers worked to identify and locate the individual.

On the morning of Saturday, October 10, Fall River Police officers successfully located and identified the individual as Joshua Halladay, Age: 37. During their interaction, officers observed signs that Halladay may have been experiencing a behavioral health crisis. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Halladay has also been charged for his actions regarding the unauthorized entry to the school.

The safety and security of our schools remain a priority for the Fall River Police Department. We commend the faculty member for her attentiveness and immediate action, as well as the school administration for its prompt response and cooperation throughout this investigation.

We recognize that incidents of this nature can understandably raise concerns among parents, students, and school personnel. As an additional precaution, the Fall River Police Department will be increasing its presence around all schools to provide reassurance to families and maintain a visible commitment to school safety.

While this incident occurred at a private parochial school, we recognize the importance of sharing information and maintaining awareness across all of our educational institutions. We have notified our partners at Fall River Public Schools, Local Charter Schools, and Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School of the incident. Additionally, all Fall River Police Officers are being briefed on the circumstances to ensure they remain informed, vigilant, and prepared to address any concerns.

School safety is a shared responsibility, and our commitment extends to every school in our city, regardless of whether it is public, private, or charter. We will continue working closely with school administrators and our educational partners to reinforce security protocols, address potential vulnerabilities, and ensure that students, staff, and families can feel safe and confident in their learning environments.

A Fairhaven man and his two daughters are without a home after a fire tore through it Saturday evening.

Fairhaven Fire Chief Todd Correia told 12 News firefighters rushed to the Main Street home around 5 p.m. after receiving several 911 calls.

Correia said it took firefighters about an hour and a half to knock down the flames. He added that the fire is believed to have started on the first floor.

No one was home at the time. Correia said the family’s dog and cat died in the fire.

The house has been deemed a total loss and the residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross, according to Correia.

The cause remains under investigation, however, Correia said it appears to be accidental in nature.

See more at wpri.com.

The city of Fall River is looking for a donated tree to stand outside Government Center during the holiday season.

They are asking for a “nicely tapered spruce, fir, or pine tree measuring approximately 30 to 40 feet tall.”

Residents and property owners who have a tree that fits those parameters are encouraged to take a photo and submit it online for consideration.

The city of Providence has a similar request, as they look for two trees to stand in front of City Hall.

See more at wpri.com.

A seafood restaurant in Tiverton is temporarily closed after a car crashed into the front of the building over the weekend.

Macray’s Seafood was forced to close its dining room on Sunday and remained open for takeout until they had to close due to the circumstances.

The owner told 12 News they hope to reopen by Wednesday, but cleaning up may push their reopening back further.

No one was hurt in the crash.

See more at wpri.com.

Two Fall River men pleaded guilty on federal drug distribution charges this week, with one also pleading guilty to drug conspiracy and firearm charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

On Oct. 7, Wilson Colon-Tirado, 34, pleaded guilty to three counts distributing 40 or more grams of fentanyl, a count of conspiring to distribute controlled substances and a count of being a felon possessing a firearm after an investigation involving controlled buys at the Sunset Hill public housing development in Fall River.

On Oct. 5, Antonio Calderon, 44, pleaded guilty to four counts of distributing 28 grams or more of crack cocaine after an investigation involving controlled buys at a strip mall in the north end of the city.

Court documents do not indicate any connection between the two men. They were charged separately. They were investigated by the same agent in the Bridgewater field office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Colon-Tirado had a co-conspirator who was charged after the same investigation: on Sept. 22, Antonio Dossantos-Tirado, 36, of Brockton, pleaded guilty to one count of distributing 28 or more grams of crack cocaine and one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Colon-Tirado and Calderon are scheduled to be sentenced in early 2027.

Calderon’s cocaine charge carries a sentence of five to 40 years. Colon-Tirado’s fentanyl charge carries a sentence of five to 40 years, while his conspiracy charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years and his firearm charge carries a sentence of up to 15 years.

Both men have criminal histories: Calderon has 13 convictions, including for trafficking cocaine, which led to a sentence of 10 to 15 years in state prison. Colon-Tirado has “at least” 32 criminal convictions, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including one for cocaine trafficking that led to a state prison sentence of two to three years.

According to unsealed affidavits filed by an ATF investigator, a cooperating witness recorded video and audio during buys from Colon-Tirado and Calderon.

Early voting is set to begin Saturday Oct. 17 for Greater Fall River voters to cast their ballets ahead of the State Election on Nov. 3.

Voters with have no shortage of decisions to make when the step up to the cubicle. The Nov. 3 election will feature races for governor congress house and senate seats and more.

There are also nine statewide ballot questions that voters will be asked to weigh in on including housing conservation recreational marijuana and state policy.

Early voting will run from Oct. 17 through Oct. 30. Greater Fall River voters can cast their ballots at designated early voting locations.

Polls throughout the state will be open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 3.

Voter registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 24, you can check your status or register online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR.

All Fall River residents can early vote at the Government Center Atrium, 1 Government Center, at the following times:

Fall River will offer early voting every day from Oct. 17 through Oct. 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends.

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in Massachusetts is lower than it was a week ago. 

It's currently four-dollars-34-cents,  that's down three-cents.

Triple A reports the national average is four-dollars-36-cents per gallon. 

The Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport employee arrested for attempting to bring an unloaded firearm and knife through a security checkpoint was just days into working as the director of operations, 12 News has learned.

Nathan Brown, 48, was taken into custody and charged with possession of a firearm without a permit and possession of a weapon other than a firearm.

The firearm, a .40-caliber Glock 22, was discovered after Brown was stopped for a random security inspection, according to a police report.

“When informed his bag needed to be searched, he replied, ‘I need to drop something off first,'” the police report states.

When Brown was told the bag needed to be searched first, the police report said he “admitted he had an unloaded pistol in the bag.'”

Officers did not find any ammunition in Brown’s bag, according to the police report. Brown also told TSA agents he did not mean to bring the gun to work and had forgotten he put it in his bag a few days earlier.

The police report adds that officers found a knife with a 4-inch blade after taking possession of Brown’s bag.

Brown has an active concealed-carry permit in Washington state, according to the police report, but it is not valid in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island Airport Corporation Bill Fischer told 12 News Brown was hired as a contract worker about a month ago.

Brown’s attorney John Calcagni told 12 News he was hired to work as the airport’s director of operations.

Calcagni said Brown moved to Rhode Island from Washington with his family on Sept. 6, just two days prior to his first day on the job.

“Brown was fully cooperative with them throughout the entire process,” Calcagni said, noting that he didn’t try to conceal the weapons or sneak them through the checkpoint.

Calcagni said it’s clear Brown’s conduct “was more the product of negligence rather than criminal intent,” and asked the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office to consider the circumstances of the crime before moving forward with a felony prosecution.

“Brown has already been terminated as a result of this incident, and now finds himself and his family in a new state, with no real relationships or resources, and now no job,” Calcagni said. “These are very unfortunate circumstances.”

See more at wpri.com.

A former Fall River woman has won a $1.15 million judgment against her ex-husband, a fired former Fall River police officer who beat and strangled her on multiple occasions, including while on duty and in uniform.

It is unclear, however, if she will be able to collect — the judge’s ruling notes that the ex-cop is in “parts unknown,” having not responded to any outreach in the case.

In November 2023, a year after suffering injuries in multiple attacks at the hands of her husband, Brenna Custadio sued Bryan Custadio both individually and in his official capacity as a police officer.

She also sued the City of Fall River, the Fall River Police Department and a host of officers, both individually and in their official capacities.

Her initial complaint accused Bryan Custadio of three instances of assault and battery, covering up the attacks, and violating her civil rights.

She alleged that Bryan Custadio, on Oct. 15 and 20, 2021, threatened her with an axe, stole her phone, pulled her by the hair and strangled her. In an incident on Nov. 28, 2021, Bryan Custadio arrived at their home on North Main Street while on duty in his patrol car and in uniform, beat and choked her, and used his phone to remotely delete home surveillance footage that showed the attack.

Bryan Custadio was placed on paid leave from the Fall River Police Department in November 2021 after the third attack. The following February, he also faced allegations of domestic abuse against a different partner.

He was fired from the force in July 2022; months later in January, the state Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission decertified him for criminal conduct and other allegations, making him unable to work as a police officer.

Custadio in December 2023 pleaded guilty to three domestic violence cases against both women. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison, which he served at Dukes County House of Correction. He has since been released.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts is among the safest states in the country according to the personal financial website wallethub.com. 

Findings are based on multiple factors ranging from assaults, mass shootings and hate crimes to natural disasters. 

The five safest states ranked are all in New England, Vermont is first followed by Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut.  Rhode Island is ninth on the list. 

Jury selection is underway in federal court for the trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farrell.  He's accused of sexually exploiting Sarah Birchmore when she was an underage teenager and then killing the 23-year-old pregnant woman.   

Birchmore's death in her Canton apartment in 2021, was initially ruled a suicide until federal prosecutors got involved. 

The presiding judge reportedly told lawyers they should be prepared for opening statements as soon as this Friday. 

Nearly $3.2 million will be distributed to Fall River, Westport and Berkley over the next four years to help address substance abuse and overdoses across the region.

Officials announced the funding as local leaders continue efforts to reduce overdose deaths and connect people struggling with addiction and mental health to services.

According to city officials, fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Fall River have declined since 2018, when the city recorded more than 1,000 overdoses. Even so, officials said outreach efforts, community partnerships and employee training remain critical.

“When you embed a team with a policeman, with an outreach worker, with an intake worker, with therapists, and get people the help they need, it does make a difference,” said Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan.

Fall River police, along with the Westport and Berkley police departments, received the funding through a Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) grant and another grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The combined funding has supported the creation of a “High Risk HUB,” which brings together hospitals, courts and other organizations to coordinate services for people at risk.

Since 2020, the Fall River Addiction Support and Treatment (FAST) Response Team has helped about 1,500 people annually, according to program director Niki Fontaine. She said the additional funding could allow the team to serve even more residents.

“Just because we help someone in that crisis, we’re following up for at least six months, regardless [of] if it was mental health, substance use, or homelessness. I think the follow-up is key,” Fontaine said.

Fontaine said cases are handled based on each person’s circumstances. For some, the team may take a holistic approach, while for others, it could be different. “Sometimes we have to be tough, you know, and I think just making sure you have a good balance,” Fontaine said.

Fontaine said this is the first year the FAST Response Team has received increased funding and credited the program’s sustained efforts with contributing to the decline in overdose rates.

See more at wpri.com.

Bristol County District Attorney candidates staked out their claim for the seat in a debate that touched on ICE, police misuse of Flock cameras and the Lindsay Clancy case.

WPRI hosted the Oct. 2 debate between Republican former Fall River City Administrator Seth Aitken and Democrat Chris Markey, who has been state representative of the 9th Bristol District since 2011. He stepped down to run for DA.

The candidates took questions from hosts Tim White and Ted Nesi, and were allowed 60-second closing statements.

They’re seeking to replace retiring incumbent District Attorney Tom Quinn III, a Democrat who has served in the post since 2015.

It’s the first open race for Bristol County District Attorney since 1978 when five Democrats competed for the nomination ultimately won by Ronald Pina. Aitken is the first Republican to run for the post in more than 50 years, according to election records.

On ICE, the candidates took differing approaches.

Markey said the DA should ensure federal immigration enforcement does not interfere with the administration of justice in Bristol County.

He said he cannot impose his views on the federal government, but as DA he would act if ICE enforcement disrupted a prosecution.

“I can't impose my beliefs onto the federal government, but what I can do is make sure that it doesn't interfere with the administration of justice, which is the oath that I will take for Bristol County,” Markey said.

Aitken said he would not take ICE off the table as a law-enforcement partner but acknowledged potentially systemic problems with the agency's training and tactics.

“I can't impose my beliefs onto the federal government, but what I can do is make sure that it doesn't interfere with the administration of justice, which is the oath that I will take for Bristol County,” Markey said.

Aitken said he would not take ICE off the table as a law-enforcement partner but acknowledged potentially systemic problems with the agency's training and tactics.

See more at heraldnews.com.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is declaring an energy emergency. 

Monday's declaration calls for more heating aid and a three-month pause on a solar program charge on electric bills starting in January.  About 50-thousand middle-income households could receive up to 680 dollars toward heating oil. 

The state also plans to add 15-million dollars to heating aid for low-income residents.  This comes as the price of heating oil is up more than 70-percent from last year.

A driver is facing attempted murder charges after hitting two Bridgewater State students. 

The university says the driver veered toward the students during Saturday's Homecoming Weekend.  One student was hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, while the other suffered minor injuries. 

The driver is an East Weymouth man in his 40s who was involved in a road-rage incident before, according to the university.  However, officials say there is no evidence he specifically targeted these two students in particular.

Republican nominee for governor Michael Minogue is setting a Massachusetts spending record. 

The Boston Globe reports Minogue spent nearly five-million dollars on media buys last month.  In September, he spent roughly double the amount his opponent, Democratic incumbent Maura Healey, spent in any single month during her campaign. 

Healey's campaign is criticizing the spending as an attempt by Minogue to "buy the election."  Minogue has put about 16-million dollars of his own money into his campaign.

Two boaters suffered serious head injuries after a crash in the Taunton River on Saturday.

According to the Somerset Fire Department, the crash happened around 9:25 p.m. when a 14-foot vessel hit a pier at Weaver’s Cove and began to sink.

Marine units with the Somerset and Fall River fire departments responded to the scene, and pulled both victims out of the water.

The two people were transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment.

See more at wpri.com.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Sunday night they have suspended their search off the coast of Nantucket for six people who went missing after contact with their plane was lost.

“Suspending a search is not an easy decision,” Coast Guard Northeast District Commander Matthew Lake said in a statement. “We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and our gratitude to our partner agencies who helped support search efforts.”

Around 2 a.m. Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration told the Coast Guard that contact had been lost with the Gulfstream G100 aircraft, tail number C-GRJP.

The aircraft was flying from Bermuda to Boston. The passengers and crew consisted of four Canadian nationals and two Bermudian nationals.

On Saturday afternoon, the Coast Guard announced that search crews had located debris from the aircraft.

A spokesperson for Nantucket Memorial Airport released a statement that read in part, “At this time, search and rescue efforts are being led by the United States Coast Guard. The airport has been informed that the aircraft reportedly declared an emergency prior to the loss of contact; however, details regarding the circumstances of the incident remain unconfirmed.”

See more at wpri.com.

A 52-year-old Fall River man is dead after being hit by a front loader yesterday at a recycling facility in Freetown. 

First responders were called to the scene at Excel Recycling on Ridge Hill Road just before noon.  Police said David Torres died from his injuries at an area hospital.

The cause of the accident was under investigation.     

To hear city Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon tell it, the scene wasn’t that much different from what firefighters would have done over a century ago, save for the diesel engines, smartphones and modern clothing.

On Oct. 1, the Fall River Fire Department welcomed its newest truck, Pumper 9, in a ceremony rich with firefighting traditions at the Flint Reney/Eastwood Fire Station on Eastern Avenue.

The truck received a traditional “wet down” and was towel-dried by firefighters and local officials including Mayor Paul Coogan, state Sen. Michael Rodrigues and state Rep. Alan Silvia. It received a blessing from fire chaplain Rev. Michael Racine, who sprinkled it with holy water.

Bacon said the truck shares its name with a horse-drawn pumper used by the department at a Pleasant Street station over a century ago.

“If you could somehow bring one of those firefighters from 1899 here today, and show them the truck sitting here, I don’t think he’d know what to make of it,” Bacon said.

The new pumper truck is one of six in the city’s frontline fleet, which also includes three ladder trucks and a heavy rescue truck. It replaces a pumper truck built in 2017 that will be kept as a reserve.

Bristol Community College has appointed April Lynch of Somerset as vice president of Strategy and Innovation.

The new leadership role will focus on institutional priorities, organizational performance and innovation, according to a community announcement. Lynch will oversee implementation of the college's strategic plan and provide executive leadership on strategic initiatives across the institution.

Her responsibilities include project management, organizational learning, assessment, professional development and college programming. The position also is intended to strengthen data-informed decision-making and support partnerships that align with the college's strategic priorities and regional goals.

Lynch brings more than two decades of experience at Bristol Community College. During her tenure, she has served as an adjunct instructor, associate professor of Business Administration, director of the Academic Center for Entrepreneurship, strategic fellow, chief of staff and chief strategy officer.

In addition to her academic leadership experience, Lynch has owned and operated businesses in manufacturing, marketing communications and strategic branding.

She also serves on the boards of the Southeastern Economic Development Corporation and the Fall River Deaconess Home. Lynch is participating in the LEAD SouthCoast program, which is designed to strengthen leadership skills and community engagement.

See more at heraldnews.com.

A 48-year-old airport contract employee has been arrested after police said he tried to bring an unloaded firearm and knife into a secure area of Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport, Target 12 has confirmed.

Nathan Brown, of Warwick, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm without a permit and possession of a weapon other than a firearm, according to a police report.

Police said the firearm, a .40-caliber Glock 22, was found after Brown was stopped for a random security inspection.

“When informed his bag needed to be searched, he replied, ‘I need to drop something off first,’” police wrote in the report. When Brown was told the bag needed to be searched first, he “admitted he had an unloaded pistol in the bag,” according to the report.

Police confirmed there was no ammunition in the bag. Brown told TSA agents he did not mean to bring the gun to work and had forgotten he put it in his bag a few days earlier.

Brown was taken to the airport police station, according to police. While he was being processed, police said they found a knife with a 4-inch blade.

Brown has an active concealed-carry permit in Washington state, according to police, but it is not recognized by Rhode Island.

Airport spokesperson Bill Fischer said Brown was hired as a contract worker about a month ago. He worked for Airport Operations, according to the police report.

Fischer said Brown appeared before a justice of the peace Friday afternoon to be processed on the criminal charges.

Possession of a firearm without a permit is a felony in Rhode Island.

See more at wpri.com.

A bid to get Lindsay Clancy's murder charges dropped has been thrown out by a judge in Massachusetts. 

Judge William Sullivan denied a motion filed by attorney Kevin Reddington on Thursday that would have found her not guilty of murdering her three children.  Reddington had said there was no evidence that said Clancy admitted to the murders. 

Clancy's first trial ended last month with jurors deadlocked over her insanity defense.  She's due back in court on November 2nd.

An investigation is underway after a worker died at a Freetown scrap metal recycling facility Thursday.

First responders were called to Excel Recycling around noon after receiving reports of an injured employee.

Freetown Police Chief Scott Rose told 12 News first responders determined the worker was injured in an incident involving a front-end loader.

It’s unclear exactly how the worker died at this time. Rose said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified and is assisting with the investigation.

See more at wpri.com.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Minogue brought his campaign to the South Coast on Thursday, criticizing Democrat Maura Healey’s first-term record as polls show him trailing by double-digits.

Minogue’s itinerary included a meet-and-greet with congressional candidate Tyler Macallister at Merrill’s on the Waterfront in New Bedford and a campaign fundraiser at White’s of Westport. In an interview with 12 News, he said he is feeling momentum.

“People understand this is the tipping point election,” he said. “We cannot afford four more years of Maura Healey overspending, overtaxing and overregulating. And if we think people have been leaving in the past — if she wins again, it will be a massive exodus of young people and entrepreneurs and businesses. And we cannot let that happen.”

See more at wpri.com.

An investigation is underway into a crash in Fairhaven that stemmed from a driver fleeing a traffic stop on Wednesday night.

Police said an officer attempted to pull over a vehicle near Bridge Street, but when the officer stepped out of his cruiser, the driver sped away on Alden Road.

The suspect then ran from the scene after crashing into another vehicle, a utility pole and a residential fence in the area of Howland Road.

According to police, the vehicle’s three passengers and the driver of the other car were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

As of noon Thursday, the suspect hadn’t been located.

Police assured there is no threat to the public at this time, saying that no weapon was involved, nor was there any indication that the driver was armed.