Under a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Patriot Stevedoring & Logistics, the port operator at Brayton Point in Somerset, Mass. has changed its system for loading scrap metal in order to avoid illegally discharging scrap metal into Mt. Hope Bay,

in violation of the Clean Water Act. Patriot Stevedoring & Logistics also agreed to pay a $27,000 penalty to settle the alleged violations by EPA's New England office that it discharged without a permit between Feb. 25 and Oct. 30 of 2020.

"Thanks to this settlement, this company is changing their procedures to eliminate scrap metal being deposited into Mt. Hope Bay. EPA is pleased that this will result in a cleaner and healthier bay environment," said EPA New England Acting Regional Administrator Deb Szaro. "This action demonstrates that EPA takes the concerns of local citizens about noncompliance with environmental laws very seriously."

EPA alleged that the company discharged scrap metal into Mt. Hope Bay while the material was being loaded onto ships. Although Patriot Stevedoring is authorized to discharge stormwater under an EPA permit, it is not permitted to discharge scrap metal.

Patriot Stevedoring changed its metal stevedoring process in September 2020 to load scrap metal onto a dumpster-like carrier that is hoisted directly into the ship's cargo bay for unloading. This avoids metal being dropped into the water during loading.

The company agreed to phase out the use of the mechanical claws it had used before. Patriot Stevedoring leases the port at 1 Brayton Point Road, the location of a coal power plant that is no longer operating.

This port area discharges stormwater from one outfall into the bay. Eastern Metal Recycling is a deliverer of up to 50 truckloads of shredded scrap metal to the port daily and after about a month, enough is stockpiled to call in a ship to pick it up.

EPA received multiple complaints about scrap metal being discharged into the water during loading and transport. The case stems from an EPA inspection, as well as from photos and video sent by members of the public showing Patriot Stevedoring dropping metal from a crane's claw when loading metal material onto the ship.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office of Massachusetts, Nine men have been charged in connection with a trafficking conspiracy involving kilograms of cocaine sent via the U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico to Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

BOSTON – Nine men were charged in connection with a wide-ranging drug trafficking conspiracy that involved dozens of parcels suspected of containing kilograms of cocaine sent from Puerto Rico to various addresses throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Investigators intercepted eight parcels and seized more than 16 kilograms of cocaine from the mail.

“We allege that the defendants received parcels sent via U.S. Mail from Puerto Rico containing kilograms of cocaine -- which we allege they then sold here in our communities. That’s illegal and dangerous, of course, and it is an affront to the hard-working public servants in the U.S. Postal Service,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “The trafficking conspiracy was detected and dismantled thanks to effective investigative work by the people who protect our mail system and by local and state law enforcement. Those investigators remain on the lookout, and the public should know that people who misuse and abuse public services for criminal schemes can expect to face justice.” 

“Today’s arrests are an example of our commitment and dedication to protect those we serve and to keep our communities safe from illegal drugs and those who seek to harm the public through their continued efforts to break the law,” said Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S.. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “These defendants allegedly used the mail to transport narcotics from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts and Rhode Island, introducing narcotics into the communities in which we all serve. This conduct will never be tolerated. Winning the battle against illicit drugs is a top priority for the Postal Service and the Inspection Service. Our objectives are to rid the mail of illicit drug trafficking and the associated violence, preserve the integrity of the mail, and, most importantly, provide a safe environment for postal employees and Postal Service customers — the American public.”

As alleged in the charging documents, since February 2020, law enforcement has been investigating a drug trafficking organization operated by Patrick Joseph. Based on a wiretap investigation, it is alleged that Joseph coordinated the transportation of 10-20 kilograms of cocaine at a time from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, and eventually to Massachusetts and Rhode Island via the U.S. Mail. During this investigation, the cocaine seized by investigators was found concealed in two-kilogram quantities inside air fryers and locking cash boxes before being sent through the mail.

Today, investigators seized various firearms, 21 kilograms of cocaine and over $100,000 cash.

The following defendants were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base:

• Patrick Joseph, 39, of Stoughton, Mass.;

• Donald Cue, 36, of Randolph, Mass.;

• Night Menard, 36, of Randolph, Mass.;

• Christian Junior Alvarado-Deleon, 20, of Randolph, Mass.;

• Oscar Nieves-Sosa, 20, a Dominican national residing in Hyde Park, Mass.;

• Stiven Berrio Osorio, 21, a Colombian national residing in Chelsea, Mass.;

• Robert Monteiro, 37, of Brockton, Mass.;

• Patrick Snow, 43, of Harwich, Mass.; and

• Felix Baez-Munoz, 31, of Methuen, Mass., who remains a fugitive at this time.

“The multiple kilos of cocaine intercepted through the combined work of these partner agencies would have, had they reached the streets, fueled despair and violence,” said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Christopher S. Mason. “The message to traffickers should be clear: the postal mail is not a safe route for you to distribute your poison and we will be as vigilant in interdicting that method of transport as we are with all other methods.”

“The Boston Police Department continues to work in partnership with our federal partners to prevent and reduce violence in our communities,” said Superintendent in Chief Gregory Long. “Today's arrests and seizure of firearms and drugs is a testament to the strong working relationships that ultimately resulted in removing dangerous firearms and drugs off the street.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Mendell, USPIS Acting Inspector McCallister, MSP Colonel Mason and Superintendent in Chief Long made the announcement today. The Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division and Homeland Security Investigations in Boston provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip C. Cheng and James E. Arnold of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. 

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A Fall River man has been killed in a single car crash Wednesday night in Tiverton. 

According to the digital edition of the Newport Daily News, 35-year-old Jonathan Gosselin was speeding before hitting a sign at the intersection of Bulgarmarsh and Main Road around 8:40 PM.

Police found Gosselin’s car crashed into a tree 1.6 miles from the initial contact scene. The accident remains under investigation by Tiverton Police Detectives and investigators.

Charges against an 18-year-old Fall River man already in custody in connection to last Tuesday's double-homicide were upgraded to murder this morning, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.

A new criminal complaint charging Jeremy Holmes with two counts of murder and one count of assault and battery by means of a firearm was filed in Fall River District Court late this morning.  

The defendant is also still charged with carrying an illegal firearm, carrying a loaded illegal firearm, and unlawful possession of a large capacity firearm.

A previously scheduled 2 pm dangerousness hearing today has now been cancelled and the defendant will instead be briefly arraigned on the new charges this afternoon in Fall River District Court.

 Due to court-imposed Covid-19 restrictions, limited seating will be available in the courtroom.  

A district court judge this morning has already ordered reports on the facts of the ongoing investigation into the totality of the incident outside Griffin Park to be impounded.

Jeremy Holmes was taken into custody without incident last Friday night around 8:15 at the Boston Marriott Hotel in Burlington.  Mr. Holmes was arrested by members of District Attorney Quinn's State Police Detective Unit, Fall River Police, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitives Apprehension Section and Burlington Police. 

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office, Homicide Unit prosecutors and Fall River Police, continue to actively investigate the incident.

Fall River Police received 911 calls around 4:22 pm last Tuesday to report shots fired in the vicinity of Griffin Park.  When first responders arrived on scene, they located two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

 The two victims, Jovaughn Antonio Mills, 29, of Fall River and Miguel Sanjurjo, 14, of Fall River, were rushed to Saint Anne's Hospital and Charlton Memorial Hospital respectively.  Both victims were declared deceased by emergency room physicians.

The third male shooting victim, 19, of Fall River, was transported to Saint Anne's Hospital via a private vehicle.  This victim was then transported to Rhode Island Hospital for further treatment. and is expected to recover.

A second defendant connected to the incident, Dana Mazyck, 21, of Fall River, was apprehended on May 25 in Fall River by members of District Attorney Quinn's Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit and Fall River Police detectives.  He is charged with carrying an illegal firearm, carrying a loaded illegal firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building. 

Mr. Mazyck briefly appeared in Fall River District Court Tuesday and was ordered held in jail pending the results of a dangerousness hearing, which is scheduled to occur next Wednesday. 

"I want to thank investigators and prosecutors from Fall River Police and from our office for their tireless effort in investigating these very violent and tragic deaths.  

Their hard work has now led to murder charges against this defendant and firearm charges against a second defendant. The facts of this case are very disturbing and tragic, especially since it involves very young individuals," District Attorney Quinn said.  "It is particularly concerning that residents of the Corky Row section of Fall River cannot feel secure in their own neighborhood at 4:00 in the afternoon, and were subjected to multiple rounds of gunfire that took two lives and injured a third person. Given the time of day and the number of people in the park, it is very fortunate that more people were not killed or injured. The investigation is ongoing."

North Attleboro Police, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the district attorney's office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating a homicide, which occurred this afternoon on High Street.

North Attleboro Police responded to 64 High Street this afternoon around 4:01 pm for a reported shooting incident.  When first responders arrived at the apartment building, they located the male victim inside his apartment suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

 The victim, a 38-year-old North Attleboro man, was rushed to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where he was later pronounced deceased.

First reported in the digital edition of CBS 12 in Providence, Honeywell International is planning to lay off hundreds of employees at a Smithfield, Rhode Island facility.

The facility that produced the infamous N95 face mask , is cutting approximately 470 jobs. Employees were notified today and are being urged to look for other jobs.

Honeywell Spokesperson, Eric Krantz Indicated that the company is shifting to a more efficient way of manufacturing with automated production lines.

The nine Fall River City Council members commented on last week’s shooting in the Corky Row Neighborhood as well as other shooting incidents that have occurred so far in 2021.

City Council member, Trott Lee said “come and talk to me about it” when discussing if anyone had a question about him caring for the city and the recent shooting.

Council member, Michelle Dionne also expressed her surprise at the number of shootings that have occurred in Fall River compared to a year ago. Dionne said that even though it is good there haven't been as many deaths this year, she still explained her concern that the 20 shootings of this year so far have matched that of 2020’s total. 

City Council President, Cliff Ponte stated that the committee is committed to answer any public safety issues and discuss how to help.

The Boston Celtics collected their second loss of the series against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, 130-108. Marcus Smart led the Celtics in scoring with 19 while Kevin Durant and Joe Harris of the Nets scored over 25 points each. The Celtics resume their playoff series for Game 3 with Brooklyn on Friday, May 28, at the TD Garden in Boston.

A South Main Steet building saw as bricks rained down the side Tuesday morning, hitting two pedestrians.

A spokesperson for the Fall River Police Department has confirmed to WSAR that the pair of pedestrians were hit by the falling bricks just before noon and suffered what was described as non-life-threatening injuries.

Work on the roof of the building caused some of the bricks to come loose and fall off the facade of the building located in the 200 block of South Main Street of downtown Fall River. The two unidentified victims were taken to Rhode Island Hospital. The FRPD confirmed that a 25-year-old man is in stable condition while the 34-year-old is in critical condition but has been stabilized.

Governor Baker is teaming up with Dunkin' and Boston Museum of Science to increase accessibility to COVID-19 vaccines.

BOSTON - The Baker-Polito Administration, in collaboration with the Museum of Science Boston and Dunkin’ today announced initiatives to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts continues to be a national leader in vaccination rates with over 77% of adults having received at least one dose, and the Administration is supporting additional opportunities to drive vaccine uptake.

The Museum of Science Boston and CIC Health will host a vaccination clinic for all individuals 12 and older who live, work or study in Massachusetts on Friday, May 28, from 11AM– 6PM and Saturday, May 29, from 11AM – 4PM.

Visitors receiving a vaccine will be provided free parking and two free tickets to the museum, which can be used for a future date. Live demonstrations from Museum educators, raffles and other giveaways will be offered to those who come to receive their vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered at this clinic, and another clinic will be held on June 18 & 19 to facilitate second doses.

Vaccine administration will be held in the Atrium outside the Charles Hayden Planetarium and Mugar Omni Theater. Advanced registration for an appointment is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcomed. 

In collaboration with the Commonwealth, Dunkin’ and CIC Health, Dunkin’ Days at the Hynes, a two-day initiative to boost vaccination of all eligible residents in the Commonwealth, will be held on Thursday, May 27 and Friday, May 28 from 11AM to 3PM, and will offer newly vaccinated individuals a free Dunkin’ Iced Coffee. All individuals 12 years of age and older who live, work or study in Massachusetts are eligible to receive the vaccine. There is no pre-registration required, and walk-ups are strongly encouraged.

Along with free Dunkin’ Iced Coffee, there will be appearances by Dunkin’ mascots Icy Joe and Sprinkles, photo ops and prizes.

The Hynes Convention Center located at 900 Boylston Street in Boston accepts walk-ins for vaccination as well as those with previously scheduled appointments.

Auchincloss Leads 17 Members Urging DeFazio to Fund Innovative, On-Demand Public Transit

“We urge you to invest in accessible, on-demand public transit to advance equity, increase
economic and social mobility, and help combat the climate crisis.”
  
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, is leading a letter of 17 colleagues to Chairman DeFazio urging him to include funding for on-demand public transit (also referred to as “microtransit”) in the House’s transportation bill. 
 
“To make public transportation more accessible for all, the need for more transit options is clear,” said Rep. Auchincloss, “increased access to jobs and economic opportunities, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, a new mobility option for those with disabilities and the elderly, and a public transportation service that is adaptable and resilient in a time of crisis.”

Representatives Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Jim Cooper (D-TN), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Kaiali’i Kahele (D-HI), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA), Doris Matsui (D-CA),  A. Donald McEachin (D-VA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), and Dina Titus (D-NV) also signed onto the letter. 

See the full letter attached and below.
________________________________________
May 24, 2021
 
The Honorable Peter DeFazio
Chairman
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
 
Dear Chairman DeFazio: 
Thank you for your leadership on developing a transportation bill that will help our nation address deep economic mobility challenges, the climate change crisis, and disparities in racial equity. We are particularly excited about the prospect of dramatically expanding and improving access and mobility. We believe that an important part of this effort is the deployment of on-demand public transit (also referred to as “microtransit”) by transit agencies and cities. 

Today, more and more transit agencies and municipal governments across the country are looking at using on-demand public transit to provide critical connections to preexisting transit hubs and to fill so-called “transit desert” gaps, often in historically underserved areas.

The benefits of these demonstrations are clear: increased access to jobs and economic opportunities, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, a new mobility option for those with disabilities and the elderly, and a public transportation service that is adaptable and resilient in a time of crisis. 

Unfortunately, it is often difficult or impossible for many looking to address issues of access and mobility to directly access federal funding. We believe Committee should address this in the reauthorization of the FAST Act by including language which to invest in transit innovations. At the same time, supporting new forms of public transportation should never come at the expense of important labor and accessibility protections. With this in mind, we request a program that: 

•    Creates a significant and dedicated funding program within FTA that provides transit agencies and municipal governments support for transit innovations such as microtransit, on-demand paratransit, and integrated mobility services. 

•    Supports desired policy outcomes by directing funding to new or expanded services that advance equity, economic mobility, and environmental goals. 

•    Protects and supports labor by meeting or exceeding the standard set out by President Biden recently in his American Jobs Act plan that Congress should “require transportation investments to meet existing transit labor protections.” We agree with this standard and stand ready to work on any additional measures to ensure there are strong labor protections. 

•    Goes beyond demonstrations and creates a pathway to sustainable funding by allowing for multi-year grants and access to formula funding for projects that prove successful. 

•    Increases accessibility by requiring that any service funded under this program be accessible to everyone, with ADA-compliant vehicles in the fleet, the ability to call for a ride for those who do not use smartphones, and payment options for those without credit cards. 

•    Ensures all communities can compete by allowing any transit agency, state, or local government to apply, by requiring that at least 20% of funds go to rural areas, and by providing an 80% federal match. 

•    Provides important data to the public sector by requiring regular and robust data sharing for any public/private partnership. We urge you to invest in accessible, on-demand public transit to advance equity, increase economic and social mobility, and help combat the climate crisis. 

Sincerely, 
Jake Auchincloss 
Member of Congress 

 
To learn more about Congressman Jake Auchincloss visit https://auchincloss.house.gov or connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.   

###

A second suspect has been arrested earlier today in connection to the double-homicide at Corky Row in Fall River.

The 21-year-old man was identified by Fall River and Massachusetts State Police as Dana Mazyck, is being charged with carrying an illegal firearm, carrying a loaded illegal firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building. The defendant appeared briefly in Fall River District Court and was ordered for Mazyck to be held in jail, pending the result of a dangerousness hearing scheduled for next Wednesday, June 2. 

The investigation continues into the murder of 14-year-old Miguel Sanjurjo and Jovaughn Antonio Mills, 29 as well as an unidentified 19-year-old Fall River man, who was shot in the leg and is expected to recover.

Governor Baker Files Legislation to Extend Certain COVID-19 Emergency Measures

BOSTON — Today, Governor Charlie Baker will file legislation to extend certain emergency measures currently in place via executive orders that are set to expire on June 15 when the State of Emergency will be rescinded. Most restrictions, including limitations placed on businesses, will be rescinded effective May 29 as Massachusetts nears the goal of vaccinating four million residents.
 
This legislation proposes to extend measures providing for a temporary suspension of certain open meeting law requirements, special permits for expanded outside dining at restaurants, and billing protections for COVID-19 patients. When the State of Emergency ends, these orders will expire, and temporarily extending these measures will allow for time to transition. Extending these measures, which were instituted by executive order, requires legislation.
 
To allow public bodies to safely meet during the pandemic and ensure public access to meetings, Governor Baker issued an Executive Order in March 2020 allowing these bodies to meet quorum requirements even if meetings were held remotely through electronic means as long as measures were taken to ensure the public with electronic access to the proceedings. The bill filed by Governor Baker today will extend these provisions related to the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law until September 1, 2021, which will allow additional time to consider possible permanent changes to the open meeting law to provide for greater flexibility in conducting open meetings through reliance on electronic streaming and similar measures.
 
The bill will also grant municipalities authority to extend special permits for restaurants offering outdoor dining issued under the State of Emergency through November 29, 2021. Under an Executive Order issued in 2020, municipalities were permitted to use an expedited process to approve temporary permits for new or expanded outdoor dining and alcohol service. Without a legislative extension, special permits granted under the Governor’s Order will expire 60 days after the end of the State of Emergency. 
 
The legislation will also extend a protection adopted in an executive order that prohibits medical providers from billing patients who have received COVID-related emergency and inpatient services for charges in excess of costs paid by their insurers. As filed, the protection would extend until January 1, 2022, at which time recently passed federal legislation that included protections for both emergency and non-emergency cases will become effective. Earlier this year, Governor Baker signed legislation establishing surprise billing protections for patients for non-emergency services.
 
“Massachusetts is leading the nation in the vaccination effort and that progress is enabling the Commonwealth to return to normal,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These temporary measures will help businesses and residents in this transition period, and I look forward to working on these and other issues in the week ahead with our partners in the Legislature.”
 
Last week, Governor Baker announced that on May 29, all industries will be permitted to open.
 
With the exception of remaining face-covering requirements for masks in public and private transportation systems, hospitals and other facilities housing vulnerable populations, all industry restrictions will be lifted at that time, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. The gathering limit will be rescinded.
 
Before June 15, the administration plans to take additional steps that will permit the continuation of targeted public health measures beyond the end of the State of Emergency, including the mask requirements announced last week.
 
 

Al Mac’s Diner’s newest take-out service On-The-Go, may become a new Fall River favorite coffee spot. The Iconic Al Mac’s Diner was bought two years ago by City Council President, Cliff Ponte and his newest project, On-The-Go, opened earlier this month. Ponte says the new spin-off is not like its counterpart, Al Mac’s Diner, that focuses on serving customers for sit-down breakfast and lunches, instead their emphasis is on coffee, pastries and fresh breakfast with an available drive-thru service. The building is located on Newtown Street near the Fall River Shopping Center, the same building that was formerly Tim Hortons that has been vacant for 11 years before Ponte signed a lease on the location. Ponte also stated that he plans to promote the business through local advertisement to let the public know that the lot is no longer empty.

SPECIAL TOWN ELECTION MAY 22, 2021

Ballots Cast 378 444 361 308 300 1791
QUESTION 1 PR 1 PR 2 PR 3 PR 4 PR 5 TOTALS
          YES       209  224     206   143   136    918

           NO       169   220      155   165  164    873
 

         TOTALS   378  444     361    308    300   1791

City of Fall River Hosting Community Meeting with Residents of Corky
Row Neighborhood

(Fall River, MA- May 23, 2021)- Mayor Paul Coogan has scheduled a meeting with the
residents of the Corky Row Neighborhood to discuss public safety and other quality of life issues
within their neighborhood.

The meeting will be attended by state and local officials and various
department heads who will address issues such as public safety, community development, code
enforcement, minimum housing and community maintenance issues.

The meeting will take place
on Monday, May 24th, 2021 at 6:00pm at Corky Row Club, 602 Third Street, Fall River.

Media
and members of the community are welcome to attend.

An 18-year-old Fall River man was arrested this evening in connection to the ongoing investigation into Tuesday afternoon's double-homicide in Fall River, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III and Fall River Police Chief Jeffrey Cardoza announced.

Jeremy Holmes was taken into custody without incident tonight around 8:15 at the Boston Marriott Hotel in Burlington.  Mr. Holmes was arrested by members of District Attorney Quinn's State Police Detective Unit, Fall River Police, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitives Apprehension Section and Burlington Police. 

The defendant is charged at this time with Carrying an Illegal Firearm, Carrying a Loaded Illegal Firearm and Unlawful Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm.  

He will be arraigned on these charges Monday morning in Fall River District Court, at which time prosecutors will request the defendant be held for a future Dangerousness Hearing.  Due to court-imposed Covid-19 restrictions, limited seating will be available in the courtroom. 

"I want to thank all the investigators for their efforts in this case, which has led to the arrest of this defendant on firearm charges. Our investigation into the senseless death of the two victims is ongoing. Significant resources will continue to be expended as this investigation continues," District Attorney Quinn said. 

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office, Homicide Unit prosecutors and Fall River Police, continue to actively investigate the incident.

Fall River Police received 911 calls around 4:22 pm Tuesday to report shots fired in the vicinity of Griffin Park.  When first responders arrived on scene, they located two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

 The two victims, Jovaughn Antonio Mills, 29, of Fall River and Miguel Sanjurjo, 14, of Fall River, were rushed to Saint Anne's Hospital and Charlton Memorial Hospital respectively.  Both victims were declared deceased by emergency room physicians.

The third male shooting victim, 19, of Fall River, was transported to Saint Anne's Hospital via a private vehicle.  This victim was then transported to Rhode Island Hospital for further treatment. and is expected to recover.

The investigation into this incident is extremely active and ongoing, and no further information can be disseminated at this time.

"I want to recognize the diligence of every investigator involved in this case.  Since the first 911 call, they have worked non-stop to make an arrest.  I hope this brings some small measure of comfort to the victims' families, and the Cory Row neighborhood," said Fall River Police Chief Cardoza. 

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced plans to close the Commonwealth’s vaccine preregistration system by the end of May. The COVID-19 Vaccine Finder at vaxfinder.mass.gov will remain available, with over 900 locations listed across the state.

The Administration also announced the expansion of the state’s Homebound Vaccination Program to support in-home vaccinations for all eligible residents who are unable to get to a vaccine site, beginning Monday, May 24. 

Preregistration System: The preregistration form at vaccinesignup.mass.gov will be closed to new submissions on Tuesday, May 25. Over the next several days, all remaining people still in the system will be contacted with an opportunity to book appointments before closing out the system on May 31. All remaining people who preregistered will be given an opportunity to book before the system closes.

The Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Vaccine Finder at vaxfinder.mass.gov will remain available. There are over 900 locations available with thousands of appointments in every region of Massachusetts. Users can also find information about no wait, walk-up appointments at select locations, accessibility information, and can plan for their appointment using the MBTA trip planner tool. Users can also filter by type of vaccine offered, to ensure that people under 18 or their parents can search for locations that only offer the Pfizer vaccine. Users can also call 211 to access the Massachusetts Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line for help booking an appointment.

Massachusetts remains a national leader in vaccinations, ranking #1 in the country for first doses and total doses per capita among states with more than 5 million people, and #2 in these categories among all states. The Commonwealth is focusing on a targeted, community-based approach to reach residents who have not yet received a first dose. There are over 900 locations across the Commonwealth.
 
The Commonwealth launched the preregistration system on March 12 in partnership with the Google Cloud Team. Since then, nearly 2 million people have preregistered and nearly 600,000 appointments have been scheduled. Many residents preregistered to ensure they would have access to an appointment, but continued to search elsewhere and in many cases opted out of the system after they found an appointment elsewhere. People who preregistered were contacted via email, text messages, and/or robocalls with the opportunity to book appointments.
 
The Administration has continuously improved the system, adding locations and introducing options for people to choose their vaccination location and edit their submission. Today, people are given the option to choose from among 23 mass vaccination and regional collaborative locations when they are contacted to book an appointment through the preregistration system. 

Homebound Vaccination Program: Beginning Monday, May 24, the Administration will expand the state’s Homebound Vaccination Program to support in-home vaccinations for all eligible residents who are unable to get to a vaccine site. This expansion will support continued vaccination of hard-to-reach populations and supports the Administration’s goal to make COVID-19 vaccines readily available.  

The Administration launched the Homebound Vaccination on March 29 for individuals who met specific federal criteria, such has requiring significant supports to leave the home for a medical appointment. Beginning May 24, any individual who has trouble getting to a vaccine site is eligible for the homebound program.  

Individuals can call (833) 983-0485 to register for an in-home vaccination. The registration phone line is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM and has representatives who speak English and Spanish, as well as translation services available in 100+ languages.

After registering, individuals will be called within five business days by the state’s Homebound Vaccine Provider, Commonwealth Care Alliance, to schedule an appointment. It may take some time to get an appointment, and the quickest way to get vaccinated remains to schedule an appointment at a vaccination site by visiting VaxFinder.mass.gov. 

The Homebound Program is primarily using Johnson & Johnson vaccines, a safe and effective vaccine that only requires one visit to an individual’s home. For individuals 12-17 years old who are homebound and would need significant support to leave the home to get to a medical appointment, the Homebound Program is offering Pfizer vaccines. Homebound youth are encouraged to register for the Homebound Program by Friday, May 28 to ensure that an in-home vaccination can be scheduled during the month of June.

More information on the Homebound Vaccination Program here.

MassDOT Advisory: Fall River

Culvert Installation Operations and Temporary Closures on a Section of Route 24 Northbound and Southbound

Culvert work will take place from 8 p.m. on Friday, May 21, through 5 a.m. on Monday, May 24

Location of work will be between the interchange with Interstate 195 and the interchange with President Avenue/Eastern Avenue (Route 6) 

24-hour detour will be in place at varying times to facilitate work within this area of Route 24

FALL RIVER – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that it will be conducting a culvert installation across Route 24 northbound and southbound, between the interchange with Interstate 195 and the interchange with President Avenue/Eastern Avenue (Route 6), in Fall River.

The work will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 2021, and is scheduled to continue through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021, and Route 24 traffic within that area will be detoured at varying times as work is done.

 The work at this section of Route 24 will be performed around the clock to minimize the roadway closure.  

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

The detours will be as follows:

Route 24 north coming from I-195 east:

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

Route 24 north coming from I-195 west:

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

Route 24 north coming from Rhode Island:

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

Route 24 South coming from Freetown:
·    Take President Avenue/Eastern Avenue exit to Route 6.
·    Enter the rotary and take the second right to north Eastern Avenue (Route 6).
·    Continue straight on north Eastern Avenue (Route 6) to Eastern Avenue.
·    Continue straight on Eastern Avenue (Route 6) to Brayton Avenue.
·    Continue straight on Brayton Avenue.
·    Take the second left to Route 24 south.

Drivers traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. All scheduled work is weather dependent and/or may be impacted due to an emergency situation.

For more information on traffic conditions travelers are encouraged to:

•    Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.
•    Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information, and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
•    Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.
•    Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on 
 

Massachusetts Announces Reinstatement of Unemployment Work Search Requirements Beginning Week of June 15 
 
BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that work search requirements will be reinstated for all regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants effective the week of June 15, 2021. This requirement applies to UI claimants receiving Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and those on Extended Benefits (EB). Massachusetts temporarily suspended these work-search requirements in March 2020, following updated federal guidance at the outset of the pandemic.  
 
The Commonwealth is set to lift all COVID-19 restrictions and complete the reopening process on May 29, 2021. The statewide COVID-19 state of emergency will terminate on June 15, 2021. With more than 200,000 jobs at Massachusetts employers advertised in the MassHire JobQuest, claimants are encouraged to learn more about finding employment opportunities through tools like the MassHire Career Centers.  
 
The reinstatement of the work search requirement for UI claimants means that beginning with the benefit week of June 13, 2021 through June 19, 2021, claimants must attest each week that they are making at least three work-search activities per week and provide proof of work search activity to the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if requested. These requirements will be necessary to maintain eligibility for UI benefits. Examples of valid work-search activities include, but are not limited to: 

•    Completing a job application in person or online with employers who reasonably may be expected to have an opening for suitable work. 

•    Registering for work and reemployment services with a local Mass Hire Career Center 

•    Using other job search activities, such as reviewing job listings on the internet, newspapers or professional journals, contacting professional associations, and networking with colleagues or friends. 

Most claimants will be entitled to continue to receive partial or reduced UI benefits—and the full amount of the special COVID-related $300 weekly stipend offered through the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program—even as they return to employment. Claimants who report wages from new employment will have their regular UI weekly benefit proportionately reduced to offset new wages, but in most circumstances claimants will remain eligible for the $300 weekly stipend until their regular wages exceed 133 percent of their regular weekly benefit amount (calculated without including the $300 weekly stipend). The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program will end in the first week of September. 

Under the work search requirements, claimants will need to keep a detailed written log of their work search activities. Claimants may also be called upon to attend a Career Center related activity and will be required to bring printed completed copies of their work search activity logs. Claimants may also be asked to provide their work search information to DUA upon request and must keep proof of their work search documents for one year after they stop requesting benefits. Claimants should not mail the work search logs to DUA unless requested. 

Massachusetts is set to complete its reopening process on May 29, 2021, when all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted. Massachusetts remains a national leader in vaccinations and is on-track to fully vaccinate more than 4 million people by the first week of June, and the Commonwealth recently launched a new program to make it easier for employers to help get their workers vaccinated. As of April 2021, there were nearly 200,000 job-postings across Massachusetts, the highest that figure has ever been in history. 
 
Effective the week of June 15, regular UI claimants will not be able to cite COVID-related reasons to waive work search requirements and must accept suitable employment, if offered. Refusing work because a UI claimant would rather collect more money in unemployment benefits is not reasonable in any circumstances and is considered fraud. Employers may report any furloughed employees who refuse to come back to work by emailing  UIReturntowork@detma.org. 
 
Claimants who need assistance looking for their next job are encouraged to contact their local MassHire Career Center. MassHire Career Centers offer unemployed workers a wide array of reemployment services and tools that will assist them in preparing for their next employment opportunity. Claimants can contact a MassHire Career Center nearest them by visiting the Career Center website or calling their local Career Center. Claimants can locate a Career Center near their home by using the MassHire Career Center locator here. More than 200,000 jobs at Massachusetts employers are advertised in the MassHire JobQuest. Click here to look for jobs. 
 
Employer Resources: 
 
WorkShare 
If an employer had furloughed workers during the pandemic and wants to call them back, the employer may want to consider using the Commonwealth’s WorkShare program. Workshare helps employers bring employees back part-time while allowing them to maintain the additional $300 a week in federal UI benefits as well as continuing to subsidize a portion of their wages. For more information on WorkShare go to https://www.mass.gov/workshare-for-employers or call (617) 626-6877.  
 
Virtual Career Fairs 
Employers may also contact their local MassHire Career Center to set up a free virtual recruitment event to assist with reaching out to unemployed individuals in their area. Employers can contact their local MassHire center to discuss their options here.  
 

There will be a special town election on Saturday, May 22, 2021 to vote on the following QUESTION:

Shall the Town of Somerset be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to construct and furnish a new Somerset Middle School to be located at 1141 Brayton Avenue, Somerset, MA, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto?

POLLING HOURS:  12 NOON - 8:00 PM

POLLING LOCATION:  SOMERSET BERKLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
                                       STUDENT DINING HALL
                                       625 COUNTY STREET
                                       SOMERSET, MA  02726

The Digital Edition of The Boston Globe is reporting that the Federal Government, at the urging of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy and others in government, have pulled the ICE contract from Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson, who fired back in a statement issued Thursday Afternoon:

"Shame on Department of Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas for putting his left-wing political agenda above public safety by ending the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

This is nothing but a political hit job orchestrated by Sec. Mayorkas, the Biden administration and other anti-law enforcement groups to punish outspoken critics and advance their partisan agenda to score political points.

This decision puts the people of Bristol County, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States of America at greater risk of being victimized by criminal illegal aliens.

While Sec. Mayorkas and the Biden administration are turning their backs on the people of our great country,

I will not.''

The Boston Bruins traveled back to the TD Garden for Game 3 of their NHL Playoff Series against the Washington Capitals. The Bruins were able to pick up their second win of the series with a 3-2 victory. Taylor Hall and Brad Marchand both picked up their second goals in the playoffs as Craig Smith closes the game out with a double overtime game-winning goal, his first of the playoffs. The Boston Bruins currently lead the series 2-1 as Game 4 is scheduled for Friday, May 21 at 6:30 PM.

Fall River, MA. – May 19, 2021 - Today, Fall River Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Malone
confirms with great sadness that a 14-year-old student enrolled at the Resiliency Preparatory
Academy was shot and killed yesterday, May 18, 2021, at Griffin Park

. In addition, another
victim, a 29-year-old male who was a former FRPS student, also succumbed to this tragedy.

Our faculty and staff have been actively providing counseling and crisis response interventions
all day across the district.

As this incident occurred in a public park in the afternoon, we have
many students who were in the area of the park.

We have increased Fall River Police officer
presence in our schools and we are working closely with them as this is an ongoing and active
investigation. If anyone has any information that may help solve this horrible and senseless
crime, please contact the Fall River Police Department at 508-672-8477.

The safety, wellness, and security of our students and staff are always our highest priority. We
ask that you remain vigilant in our collective efforts to uphold safety and always if you see
something, say something.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the recently departed, their families, friends, and loved
ones.
 

The two deceased victims of yesterday's shooting near Griffin Park in Fall River have been identified. 

The 29-year-old victim who was identified as Jovaughn Antonio Mills of Fall River, was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon at Saint Anne’s Hospital. A 14-year-old victim, Miguel Sanjurjo of Fall River, was also pronounced dead at Charlton Hospital the same afternoon as Mills. 

The third victim, who police have yet to identify,  continues to be treated at Rhode Island Hospital after being transported from Saint Anne’s Hospital but is expected to recover, according to physicians.

Fall River Police as well as Massachusetts State Police detectives and Homicide Unit prosecutors continue their investigation on the double-homicide. The ongoing investigation is being considered “extremely active.” No further information has been released at this time.

Site plans have been approved for potential Chipotle Mexican Grill to come to Fall River, according to the office of the City Planner, as first reported in the Digtal Edition of the Fall River Herald News,.. 

The California based restaurant chain has plans for a 2,300-square-foot building composed of a dining area and drive-thru lane. Chipotle will be located in the same Fall River shopping plaza as Ocean State Job Lot and Aldi with the building's approximate location looking to be adjacent to a former T-Mobile store. 

Currently, the closest Chipotle Mexican Grills in Massachusetts for nearby residents are in Dartmouth, Seekonk and Raynham.

Chipotle isn't the only potential dining service coming to the local area as Chick-fil-A have hinted at a location as well. 

The Georgia based restaurant chain Chick-fil-A, specified in an email that they listed the address to be the same location as the TJ Maxx but there is also a large and vacant lot diagonally from the clothing store in the SouthCoast Marketplace.

The Boston Celtics will open a first round NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Series with the Brooklyn Nets Saturday at the Barclay's Center, after securing the #7 seed with a 118-100 win over Washington last night, with Jayson Tatum scoring 50 points on the night, in the opening round of an NBA Play in Tourament to end a 72 game NBA Regular Season.

With final votes in both chambers today, the General Assembly passed legislation to increase Rhode Island’s minimum wage from $11.50 to $15 over a four-year period.

The bill will now be sent to the governor, who plans to sign it into law in a ceremony Thursday at 10:30 a.m. outdoors on the Smith Street side of the State House.

The bill (2021-H 5130A, 2021-S 0001aa) sponsored by Rep. David A. Bennett and Sen. Ana B. Quezada, would increase the minimum wage to $12.25 on Jan. 1, 2022; raise it to $13 on Jan. 1, 2023; raise it to $14 on Jan. 1, 2024; and finally to $15 on Jan. 1, 2025.

“At last, Rhode Island is on the path toward breaking the cycle of poverty for those at the bottom of the wage spectrum. Minimum wage has not kept pace with inflation over the decades, and our neighboring states have already taken this step toward making it closer to a living wage,” said Representative Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston). “This legislation is a long time coming, the result of many years of advocacy by many on behalf of working people. I’m very grateful to my colleagues for moving this bill forward today for the sake of hardworking Rhode Islanders, many of whom do critical work in health care and other essential services, and who were asked to put their own lives at risk during the worst of the pandemic. Today, we are committing to a more livable wage for our constituents, because working families deserve the dignity of being able to support themselves on their wages.”

The minimum wage in Rhode Island was last raised to $11.50 on Oct. 1, 2020. In Massachusetts, the minimum wage is currently $13.50, but is scheduled to rise to $15 by Jan. 1, 2023. Connecticut’s minimum wage goes to $13 in August, and is slated to rise to $15 on June 1, 2023.

According to the Rhode Island Working Families Party, 61 percent of those whose wages will be affected by the bill are female, and more than 31 percent of all workers of color in Rhode Island will be affected.

“Raising the minimum wage lifts people out of poverty, particularly women and people of color who are vastly overrepresented at the bottom of the wage scale,” said Senator Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence). “It will mean fewer children spending hours alone every day because their parents work two or three jobs to pay the rent. It will mean fewer people suffering from homelessness or food insecurity. It will mean more money spent at local stores and businesses, and more reliable income for landlords. Getting individuals and families to a level of income that more closely aligns with today’s cost of living will also ease the demand on public assistance. Raising the minimum wage makes our state a safer, healthier and more prosperous place to live.”

The sponsors added that minimum wage increases, particularly those aimed at bringing Rhode Island’s wage up to the level of surrounding states, help employees without putting their companies at a competitive disadvantage, since they apply to all employers. 

Representative Bennett, who is chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, has been the primary sponsor of every law enacted to raise Rhode Island’s minimum wage since 2012, when minimum wage was $7.40. Senator Quezada has frequently cosponsored the bills in previous years.

Fall River Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating a double-homicide, which occurred this afternoon in The City of Fall River.

Fall River Police received 911 calls around 4:22 pm today to report shots fired in the vicinity of Griffin Park.  When first responders arrived on scene, they located two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  

The two victims, a 29-year-old Fall River man and a 14-year-old juvenile male, were rushed to Saint Anne's Hospital and Charlton Memorial Hospital respectively.

 Both victims were declared deceased by emergency room physicians earlier this evening.

A third male shooting victim, 19, of Fall River, was transported to Saint Anne's Hospital via a private vehicle.  This victim has since been transported to Rhode Island Hospital for further treatment.

The investigation into this incident is extremely active and ongoing this evening, and no further information can be disseminated at this time.
 

Massachusetts’s average gas price is up five cents from last week ($2.86), averaging $2.91 per gallon.

Today’s price is 18 cents higher than a month ago ($2.73), and 96 cents higher than May 17, 2020 ($1.95). Massachusetts’s average gas price is 13 cents lower than the national average.

AAA forecasts 34 million Americans to take a road trip 50 miles or more from home Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the unofficial kickoff to summer. 

That is a 52% increase compared to last summer, but nearly 9% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Regardless, motorists will be met with the most expensive gas prices since 2014. 

“This is going to be an expensive summer for motorists. However, we do not expect it to deter travelers from hitting the road. AAA finds that despite the higher pump prices, Americans still take their road trips but just may not travel as far as originally planned or go to their planned destination and spend a little less,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public and Government Affairs. 

AAA Northeast’s May 17 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be 8 cents higher than last week ($2.96), averaging $3.04 a gallon. Today’s national average price is 17 cents higher than a month ago ($2.87), and $1.17 higher than this day last year ($1.87).
 

Somerset Town Meeting approved a financing package for a new middle school last night inside the Somerset Berkley Regional High School, by a vote of 459 yes and 134 no. 

The vote needed two-thirds approval from those that were in attendance. 

While two articles were tabled the other 30 were approved.

The vote last night sets up a Debt Exclusion vote that requires a simple majority in Somerset this coming Saturday.  

The 10 women and 3 men of the jury deciding the case of Correia v United States asked a question of Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock on Thursday regarding page 10 of the 13 page instruction document given to jurors when they got the case on Tuesday. 

The question is likely to have involved the Batman Rolex Watch that the former Fall River Mayor originally received for giving the order to run a water line for one of the alleged four co conspirators. 

Its possible that the jurors are now close to verdict, as they are in the final counts of the second indictment. 

By Boston Celtics |  @Celtics
Celtics.com
May 13, 2021

BOSTON, MA – Celtics forward Jaylen Brown yesterday underwent successful scapholunate reconstruction surgery. He is expected to return to basketball activities in approximately three months. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.

FALL RIVER, NEW BEDFORD, and WAREHAM, Mass. – Southcoast Health announced on Thursday that its upcoming Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination clinics, offered across the region, will now be open to individuals 12 and older, while walk-up availability will continue at all of the not-for-profit community health system’s sites. 

Southcoast’s decision follows the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds earlier this week, as well as the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation on Wednesday.  

Minors will need to have a parent or legal guardian sign a Massachusetts consent form at the clinic or bring a signed copy downloaded from https://www.mass.gov/lists/ma-consent-forms-for-people-under-18-years-of-age, Southcoast officials said. The form must include a parent or legal guardian’s phone number in the event a staff member needs to contact them. 

You do not need to have a Southcoast primary care provider to receive vaccination at a Southcoast clinic.

No appointment will be necessary at the following Southcoast clinics, with walk-ups welcome:

?    May 13, 12-5:30pm, Pfizer, Vanity Fair (375 Faunce Corner, Dartmouth)
?    May 14, 12-5:30pm, Pfizer, Vanity Fair (375 Faunce Corner, Dartmouth)
?    May 15, 7am-3pn, Pfizer, Liberal Club (20 Star St., Fall River)
?    May 15, 8am-12pm, Pfizer, Vanity Fair (375 Faunce Corner, Dartmouth)
?    May 17, 12-3:30pm, Pfizer, Liberal Club (20 Star St., Fall River)
?    May 17, 3-7pm, Pfizer, Multiservice Center (48 Marion Rd., Wareham)
?    May 18, 3-7pm, Moderna, Multiservice Center (48 Marion Rd., Wareham)
?    May 18, 9am-3pm, Johnson & Johnson, Mobile Wellness Van at Onset Pier (182 Onset Ave., Wareham)
?    May 19, 2-6pm, Pfizer, Liberal Club (20 Star St., Fall River)
?    May 19, 9am-4pm, Johnson & Johnson, Mobile Wellness Van at Pier 3 (51 MacArthur Dr., New Bedford)
?    May 20, 12-5:30pm, Pfizer, Vanity Fair (375 Faunce Corner, Dartmouth)
?    May 20, 2-7pm, Johnson & Johnson, Mobile Wellness Van at Acushnet Council on Aging (59 ½ Main St., Acushnet)
?    May 21, 7-11am, Pfizer, Liberal Club (20 Star St., Fall River)
?    May 22, 12pm-4pm, Pfizer, Liberal Club (20 Star St., Fall River)
?    May 22, 8am-12pm, Pfizer, Multiservice Center (48 Marion Rd., Wareham)
?    May 22, 9am-1pm, Johnson & Johnson, Mobile Wellness Van at Boys & Girls Club of Fall River (803 Bedford St., Fall River) 
?    May 24, 1-3pm, Pfizer, Liberal Club (20 Star St., Fall River)
?    May 25, 3-7pm, Pfizer, Liberal Club (20 Star St., Fall River)
?    May 25, 12-5:30pm, Pfizer, Vanity Fair (375 Faunce Corner, Dartmouth)
?    May 25, 3-7pm, Moderna, Multiservice Center (48 Marion Rd., Wareham)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer recommend masks for fully-vaccinated Americans indoors or outdoors, including in crowds, according to sweeping new guidance announced Thursday.

The new recommendation, which carves out exceptions for buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, will have significant implications for schools and businesses as the country begins to reopen.

It’s an about-face from guidance issued just 16 days earlier in which the CDC suggested masks should still be used indoors or in crowds even if people are fully immunized, which the CDC defines as two weeks after the final shot.

MORE: CDC director grilled over mask guidance in heated Capitol Hill hearing

In making the decision, the CDC pointed to additional data from the last few weeks that show the vaccines work in the real world, stand up to the variants and make it unlikely vaccinated people can transmit the virus.

The announcement comes after CDC Director Rochelle Walensky faced criticism for being too slow to provide a path back to normalcy for fully vaccinated people, over 117 million of whom are in the U.S. Walensky has defended the CDC's approach as scientifically-based to ensure protection not just for individuals but also the entire U.S. population.

MORE: Pressure builds for CDC to update indoor-mask requirements for vaccinated people

In recent days, though, Walensky has pledged an update on both the CDC’s guidance for vaccinated Americans and the science that supports the changes. President Joe Biden also hinted that guidance was coming.

While states will still have the choice to implement their own guidelines -- nearly half of all states still have some sort of state-wide mask mandate in place -- the new guidance will have immediate implications for offices, schools and public-facing businesses.

At the same time, mask enforcement for non-vaccinated people will be challenging and is likely to re-up the discussion on vaccine passports, which some states have banned.

MORE: The risks unvaccinated Americans are weighing

The CDC began to update its guidance for fully-vaccinated adults last month, first giving the go-ahead for vaccinated people to hangout with other vaccinated people indoors without masks, and with unvaccinated people who were low-risk — allowing grandparents to see their grandchildren indoors without masks. Earlier this month, the CDC also announced that vaccinated people could ditch their masks outdoors so long as they’re not in crowds.

But a growing public health consensus that the vaccines are performing well against the variants commonly found in the U.S. and in curbing transmission suggested that the CDC could go further.

Walensky, for her part, pledged updated guidance "very soon" in an interview on CNN Wednesday night, but defended the CDC’s approach as cautious and scientific in order to protect communities both with low vaccination and high vaccination rates.

Walensky said the CDC has to make sure the vaccines are working to stop asymptomatic transmission, which is largely believed to be the case, and watch for the vaccines’ efficacy against emerging variants, particularly the variants initially discovered in the U.K., South Africa, Brazil and recently, India.

"I have been completely forthcoming with respect to the science, with respect to our guidance, with respect to our numbers, with respect to our cases. And I really look forward to updating the guidance and providing the science that allows us to do so very soon," Walensky said on CNN.

Jaylen Brown Injury Update
By Boston Celtics |  @Celtics
Celtics.com
May 10, 2021

BOSTON, MA – This past weekend Celtics forward Jaylen Brown was diagnosed with a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist. Brown is expected to have the torn ligament surgically repaired later this week, and will be out for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.

The 10 women and 3 men that comprise the jury in Correia v United States were sent home at 3:35pm EDT this afternoon, after listening to closing arguments from U-S Attorney Zach Hafer, and Defense Attorney Kevin Reddington. 

Hafer spent about 90 minutes summarizing the 2 weeks of  testimony, using the same exhibits that were shown during the two week trial, saying that the former Fall River Mayor was ''very very guilty'' of the 24 counts against him. 

Reddington attacked the credibility of witnesses who cut immunity deals with the Prosecution, saying that in at least once case they were dealing with a ''big drug dealer'' in reference to Tony Costa. 

In terms of the final evidence presented by the prosecution, Reddington said the idea that former Chief of Staff Gen Andrade would be ordered by the former mayor to kick back thousands in salary was ''the silliest thing on here'' and that she was loaning Correia money to meet his legal bills. 

The Defense and The U-S Attorneys  have finished their  closing arguments in the trial of Correia v United States, while Judge Douglas Woodlock continued to provide jury instructions regarding the 24 counts that a jury of 10 women and three men will debate and decide this week. 

Assistant U-S Attorney Zach Hafer told the jury that Correia was ''very very guilty'' of the counts against him, as the prosecutors used various exhibits that the jury had already seen during trial,, reviewing counts 1-13 from the 2018 indictment, and counts 14 through 24 from 2019. 

Defense Attorney Kevin Reddington attacked the Prosecution Witnesses who had been granted immunity, calling Tony Costa ''a big drug dealer'' and questing the testimony of several witnesses involved in the SnoOwl Counts. 

MassDOT Advisory: Raynham
Overnight Ramp Closures along Route 44 and Route 24
Closures will take place from 7 p.m. tonight, Monday, May 10, to 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11

RAYNHAM – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing that it will be implementing temporary overnight ramp closures along Route 44 and Route 24 in Raynham.  

The closures will take place from 7:00 p.m. tonight, Monday, May 10, through 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11. The closures are needed to allow crews to conduct leveling operations as part of the Route 44 over Route 24 Bridge Replacement Project.

The schedule and detours for tonight’s temporary ramp closures will be as follows:
•    The ramp from Route 24 northbound to Route 44 westbound will be temporarily closed. Drivers traveling on Route 24 northbound looking to access Route 44 westbound should take exit 20A from Route 24 northbound to turn right on Route 44 eastbound, continue on Route 44 eastbound to Paramount Drive, and turn left onto Route 44 westbound.

•    The ramp from Route 44 westbound to Route 24 southbound will be temporarily closed.  Drivers traveling on Route 44 westbound looking to take the ramp to Route 24 southbound should continue on Route 44 westbound to turn right on South Street west. From South Street west, drivers should turn left on Route 104 to turn left onto Route 44 eastbound. From Route 44 eastbound, take the Route 24 southbound ramp.

•    The ramp from Route 24 southbound to Route 44 eastbound and westbound will be temporarily closed. Drivers traveling on Route 24 southbound looking to access Route 44 eastbound or westbound should use the Route 140 exit (exit 17) to access Route 24 northbound. From Route 24 northbound, take exit 20A to access Route 44 eastbound. From Route 44 eastbound, continue on Paramount Drive to turn left on Route 44 westbound. 
Signage and police details will be in place to facilitate travel during these closures. 
 

According to Federal Prosecutors, former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II bought sex toys, including a ball gag, bed restraints and handcuffs in a sex toy purchase with SnoOwl Investor money in 2015. 

Closing arguments began around 10:50am EDT Monday Morning. 

Federal Prosecutor Zach Hayfer says 12 witnesses were told 12 different stories in regards to various SnoOwl Investors. 

Prior to the start of closing arguments, Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock announced that one of the female jurors had been excused to ''ensure the integrity and health'' of those in the courtroom, with a number set at 26.

For the first time, Correia's father is in the courtroom, along with Correia's mother and his current girlfriend. 

State Public Health Officials Award $2.3 Million 
for Recovery-Based Reentry Services for Black and Latino Men 

Funds to support recovery and re-integration into society after release from incarceration

BOSTON (May 10, 2021) – The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced $2.3 million in grants awarded to provide recovery-based services for Black and Latino men who are at risk of fatal overdoses upon release from incarceration.

The pilot program will serve Black and Latino men with a history of substance misuse who are incarcerated in Suffolk, Essex, Worcester, and Hampden counties. Local non-profit, community-based organizations will provide culturally-responsive wraparound services and case management pre- and post-release, including individual recovery support from any substance of use. 

The award recipients are: Casa Esperanza, Inc. and Fathers’ Uplift in Suffolk County, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center in Essex County (in collaboration with the Lynn Community Health Center), Legendary Legacies in Worcester County, and New North Citizens’ Council in Hampden County. The organizations are located in areas that have higher rates of fatal opioid overdoses among Black and Latino men and, as part of the award, will provide devoted physical space for programming. 

“Studies have shown that incarcerated individuals who participate in reentry programs are less likely to relapse after treatment for substance use,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “This award is part of our ongoing effort to dismantle barriers to substance use treatment services especially in communities of color.”

“This grant award underscores our steadfast commitment to health equity, particularly among Black and Latino men in these communities who have higher rates of fatal overdoses,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “These targeted programs are culturally responsive and community-driven to meet the needs of these individuals who have some of the highest rates of incarceration and are at greater risk for poor health based on social conditions.”

The organizations will work in partnership with county sheriff’s departments and provide programming services to eligible men during reentry planning, approximately six months before release. 

The grant award will continue until August 2026, with $460,000 distributed to each program annually. The program is funded through a combination of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (SAPT) block grant and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Overdose to Action (OD2A) grant.

“This program will be an integral component to Massachusetts’ pursuit of racial equity and eliminating racial disparities in health outcomes and overdose prevention,” said Deirdre Calvert, Director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. “Providing dedicated services for Black and Latino men will help to support their recovery and re-integration, which will be invaluable in breaking the cycle 

Closing arguments are underway in the trial of Correia v United States in Courtroom 1 of the Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston's Seaport District. 

Federal Attorney Zach Hayfer told the jury that the Federal Prosecutors have shown the jury ''witness after witness'', ''record after record'' and ''exhibit after exhibit'' to fund what prosecutors have long called the former Fall River Mayor's ''lavish lifestyle''.

Hayfer called Correia's behavior during the Marijuana portion of the case, in which the former Mayor is accused of bribery and extortion; Hayfer called it ''Old School pay to play political corruption''.

Two men and one woman have been indicted for their alleged role in the previously unsolved October 2019 homicide of a 17-year-old in New Bedford, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Kevin Edwards, 22, of Fall River, has been indicted on charges of murder, assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, carrying an illegal firearm and unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device.

Mauricio Pineda, 25, of New Bedford, has been indicted on charges of murder, accessory to murder before the fact, assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, carrying an illegal firearm, unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of an illegal firearm and two counts of unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device.

Ashlee Cambra, 23, of Fall River has been indicted on a single count of accessory to murder after the fact.

The three defendants will be arraigned in the coming weeks in Fall River Superior Court.  Mr. Pineda will be arraigned on May 17 and Ms. Cambra will be arraigned on May 18.  An arraignment date for Mr. Edwards has yet to be scheduled by the court.

At around 7:05 pm on October 19, 2019, New Bedford Police responded to the area around 160 Ashley Boulevard for reports of an apparent shooting involving two victims.

When police and paramedics arrived on scene, they located Paul Collazo-Ruiz, 17, of New Bedford, and a 20-year-old New Bedford man, both of whom had sustained apparent gunshot wounds.  

Collazo-Ruiz was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics, while the 20-year-old was rushed to the hospital.  The surviving victim, who is not being identified, was hospitalized for a period of time before recovering from his wounds. 

The investigation has been led by Deputy Assistant District Attorney William McCauley and Assistant District Attorney Matthew Friedel.  Massachusetts State Police deceives assigned to this office, along with New Bedford Police helped conduct the ongoing investigation.

All three defendants are currently in custody.

Since the defendants have yet to be arraigned in connection to the murder, no further information can be released about the facts of the case at this time.  More details on the facts and circumstances of the murder, and the ensuing investigation will be revealed during the defendants' arraignments in open court.

Local Providers Launch 1-833-8VAXNOW Vaccine Hotline and
FRVax.com Website to Assist Fall River Residents

(FALL RIVER, MA- MAY 5, 2021)- At a press conference Friday morning, Mayor Coogan
was joined by Tess Curran, Director of the City’s Health and Human Services, and Kim Smith,
Executive Director of the United Way, to announce two new resources for Fall River residents
seeking COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

In response to widespread sentiments of frustration and confusion regarding vaccine access
among Fall River residents, the 1-833-8VAXNOW hotline and FRVAX.com website have been
created to provide centralized information about vaccine clinics in Fall River. Both the hotline,
which is staffed from 12 -8 pm 7 days a week by multilingual Vaccine Navigators, and the
website are operational as of May 5th, 2021.

Due to an increased quantity of vaccines in Fall River, residents should be aware that vaccine
appointments are available on an almost daily basis and that any individual aged 16 or older is
eligible to receive a vaccine. Fall River residents are urged to call 1-833-8VAXNOW or visit
FRVAX.com if they are seeking information about the COVID-19 vaccine.

These new tools were created through collaboration between local service providers, including
the United Way of Greater Fall River, United Neighbors of Fall River, SSTAR and Healthfirst
Family Care Center, together with the City of Fall River’s Department of Health and Human
Services and the Office of Mayor Paul Coogan.

“Between technology barriers, misinformation and the rise of mobile clinics, we know it can be
hard for residents to find accessible information about vaccines in Fall River,” remarked Mayor
Paul Coogan. “There was a need for a reliable, one-stop-shop for vaccine information.

Now,
residents can call a hotline to get assistance from a real person, or they can visit FRVAX.com to
find a streamlined list of clinics in the City. On the FRVAX website, you can search for clinics
by day, vaccine type or provider- but as a whole it’s a very simple website and easy to use.”

PAUL E. COOGAN
Mayor
One Government Center ? Fall River, MA 02722 ? Tel (508) 324-2600
Fax (508) 324-2626 ? Email: epevide@fallriverma.org

About the United We Help Vaccinate Fall River Hotline
United We Help Vaccinate Fall River (UWHVFR) call center aims to supplement existing
services such as 211 and private websites over the course of the next 24 weeks, beginning May
5, 2021, by assisting as many individuals as possible in Fall River who are unable to navigate
online portals with successfully scheduling their vaccine appointments.

UWHVFR has hired and
trained 8 multi-lingual staff for the Virtual Call Center.

In addition, Language Line Services have
been engaged to assist those whose native language is other than English, Spanish or Portuguese.
By calling 833-8VAXNOW (833-882-9669) appointment seekers can speak with multi-lingual
Vaccine Navigators from 12-8 pm/7 day a week, to help with preregistration on the MA website
or securing appointments at various local sites in the Fall River area.

This may include seeking a
specific appointment day or time, or even scheduling by vaccine type. “Having a local hotline
and website will allow us to provide much needed support for Fall River families”, said Kim
Smith, Executive Director of United Way of Greater Fall River.

United We Help Vaccinate Fall River is supported by a Vaccine Hesitancy and Equity grant from
SouthCoast Community Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund and the Massachusetts
Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED). UWHVFR will operate in
collaboration with community organizations and State Networks to assess the level of hesitancy,
pinpoint the communities that need higher levels of engagement and encouragement, and
develop a promotional campaign to mitigate uncertainty and hesitancy. As need dictates, they
will also direct efforts to address vaccine hesitancy with outbound calls to help reschedule
appointment no-shows and cancellations, as well as follow-up to outreach team households as 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Reopening of Additional Phase 4 Industries to Go Into Effect May 10th
 
BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts will move forward in the Commonwealth's reopening plan to reopen certain outdoor Phase 4 industries effective May 10th, as previously announced. The Administration continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. 

On March 22, Massachusetts loosened restrictions and advanced to Phase IV of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. Since then, daily new COVID-19 cases have dropped by 45%, hospitalizations have dropped by 23%, and deaths have dropped by 69%. All these metrics have dropped by around 80% or more since the beginning of the year.

The Commonwealth also remains a national leader in COVID-19 vaccinations, and over 3.9 million people are fully or partially vaccinated, and Massachusetts is on track to meet its goal of vaccinating over 4 million people by the beginning of June.

Effective Monday, May 10th:

The Commonwealth will reopen certain outdoor Phase 4 industries.

•    Amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.

•    Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be permitted to take place with staggered starts and other appropriate safety measures after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH.
 
Additionally, large capacity venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open at 12% capacity as part of Phase 4, Step 1 will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.  
 
Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high-risk sports.
 
Singing will also be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses.
 
Grocery stores and retail stores with a pharmacy department should consider dedicated hours of operation for seniors, but will no longer be required to offer senior hours. 
 
Additional Changes Anticipated to be Effective Saturday, May 29th:
 
Contingent on continued positive trends in the public health and vaccination data, on May 29th, additional sectors will be permitted to re-open and gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.
 
The additional sectors that will be permitted to open include:

•    Parades, street festivals and agricultural festivals, after submitting safety plans to the local board of health including measures for maintaining social distance, staffing and operations plans and hygiene and cleaning protocols.  

•    Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, which will be subject to restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance floors.
 
Subject to public health and vaccination data, the restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate the requirement that food be served with alcohol and to increase the maximum table size to 10.
 
Last week, the Administration also relaxed the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings and announced further reopening plans for August 1st. 
 
For more information, visit mass.gov/reopening. 
 
 

Department of Public Health food testing prompts expanded national recall of Enoki mushrooms

BOSTON (May 7, 2021) – Testing conducted by disease investigators at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has led to the expansion of a national recall today of Enoki mushrooms, after two packages the investigators purchased in the Commonwealth tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Guan’s Mushroom Co. of Commerce, CA said today it was recalling all packages of its Enoki mushrooms and suspending national distribution after tests conducted at the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory by staff from DPH’s Food Laboratory came back positive for Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, pregnant women, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems

. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The State Public Health Laboratory’s findings highlighted the presence of this organism in the company’s mushroom product found on store shelves in Massachusetts.

"This outcome of our food surveillance testing demonstrates how public health in Massachusetts works to protect the food supply and enable consumers to purchase products and dine out with confidence," said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. 

The company said the recalled products were distributed to retail stores nationwide from produce distributors in California, New York, and Pennsylvania. The company said no illnesses have been reported to date and credited DPH as well as routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for prompting the recall.

The Enoki mushrooms come in a clear plastic package with the description “Enoki Mushroom” in English, Korean, and French, with Guan’s logo in the front. On the back, there is a UPC code. For the 100g/3.5-ounce, the code is 859267007020 and code 810023170303 is for the 200g/7-ounce. 

Questions about the recall can be directed to DPH’s 24-hour Epidemiology Program hotline at (617) 983-6800.

Day 14 of Correia v United States will feature the closing arguments in the case from Prosecution and Defense Attorneys and an explanation to jurors of the charges and the law regarding their deliberations. 

The closing statements will begin at 9:30 this morning, with Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock addressing the jury immediately following. 

its likely the jury will then elect a foreperson and begin to sort through material relating to 13 counts of Wire and Tax Fraud relating to investors of the SnoOwl Smart Phone app, with the remaining 11 dealing with extortion and bribery relating to the granting of letters of non opposition regarding marijuana retail establishments in Fall River. 

Correia issued some 14 of those before abandoning the office of Mayor in Fall River in the Fall of 2019.

(the photo used was first published by the Fall River Herald News)