News | Dartmouth

header_bg

Visit our partners:

News

Temps may be low, but spirits are high as residents brave the cold

Dartmouth may have been spared from more snowfall Sunday, but the town still faced the bitter cold as temperatures never rose above 21 degrees and the windchill made it feel colder. But despite the cold,…

Chris Markey officially announces candidacy for District Attorney

Chris Markey speaks at the Fall River District Court. Photo by Kat Sheridan

After 15 years as the state representative for the Ninth Bristol District, Chris Markey officially announced his candidacy for Bristol County District Attorney…

Most Popular

UMass Dartmouth celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.'s memory at 24th annual breakfast

Dr. Keisha Blain gives her keynote speech. Photos by Kat Sheridan

“I want you to know the names,” said Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in the ‘I've Been to the Mountaintop’ speech that he gave on April 3, 1968, “That we and the people will get to the promised land.” UMass Dartmouth held their 24th annual Martin...

Four years after phone policies implemented, teachers pleased but students less so

Stock image of the Dartmouth High School.

Dartmouth High School enforced “Cell Hotels” for students to put their phones in during classes four years ago. The administration feels that this has had a positive impact on both student’s social and academic lives. Phones are not allowed to be...

Dartmouth middle schoolers take a peek at some future career opportunities

students learning

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, Dartmouth Middle School seventh graders got a glimpse into their potential future career paths in the school’s annual career day. Twenty-nine local professionals attended the event to share their jobs with over 280 students...

School choice program to continue into 2026-2027 school year

chris oliver

Dartmouth Public Schools' school choice program is set to return for the 2026-2027 academic year. The school choice program, which began in 2016, gives high school students from neighboring towns the opportunity to attend Dartmouth High School. This...

School Committee sets 2026-2027 school calendar

The calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year for Dartmouth Public Schools has been set. The school year will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 2, and the last day is set for Thursday, June 17. Unlike previous years, students will have Dec. 23 off, with...

New grill and bakery to grill up local and cultural flavors

Ellie Paris in the door of the new grill and bakery. Source: Ellie Paris

Cape Verde, Portugal and Brazil are coming to Dartmouth. At least, the cuisine will be when The Grill Basket Express opens in the 15 State Road Shaws plaza. “I think there’s no better legacy than impacting other people and inspiring and motivating...

Buzzards Bay Coalition protects four new properties with conservation restrictions

Over 37 acres of land will be protected and placed under conservation restrictions with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, permanently protecting the private properties from any future development plans. A conservation restriction allows a land owner to...

Storm dumps foot of snow, see how Dartmouth responded

The town sign in the snow. Photos by Kat Sheridan

After snowing all day Sunday and into early Monday morning, Dartmouth ended up with a little over 12 inches of snow as of 8:30 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. Most people stayed in on Sunday, making soup and hot cocoa, organizing...

State Rep. Christopher Markey to run for Bristol County District Attorney

chris markey

After serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for 15 years, state Rep. Christopher Markey is looking to switch gears and run for Bristol County District Attorney. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced that he...

Snow day is snow problem as Dartmouth continues to face winter storm

The frozen Padanaram Harbor. Photo by Mari Huglin

As the winter storm that started this morning continues into the evening and Monday morning, Dartmouth has gotten around 14 inches of light and powdery snow as of 12 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26. The snow is estimated to turn into potential mixed...

Non-essential town functions closed Monday

Stock image of Town Hall.

Non-essential town facilities will be closed on Monday, Jan. 25 and resume on Tuesday, Jan. 26. School will be canceled and trash pick up will be on Tuesday, Jan. 26. The select board meeting will be happening virtually and the school board...

State Rep. Christopher Markey to not seek reelection, will run for Bristol County District Attorney

Christopher Markey

After 15 years of serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, state Rep. Christopher Markey will not be seeking reelection this November. Instead, he will be running for Bristol County District Attorney, a position now open as incumbent...

Residents make their final preparations for impending snow storm

Nearly every shopping cart at the Shaw's on State Road was in use on Saturday, Jan. 24 as residents prepared for the upcoming storm that's projected to bring between 8 and 15 inches of snow. With one day remaining before the storm's arrival,...

Dartmouth prepares for impending snow storm

Stock photo of the Department of Public Works.

With Dartmouth expected to get between eight and 15 inches of snow onSunday, Jan. 25 and Monday, Jan. 26, the Department of Public Works and the town are taking preparations and have some tips. A parking ban will be in effect from 9 a.m. Sunday to...

Dartmouth, New Bedford residents go out in the cold to protest I.C.E.

An American flag waves over a sign against I.C.E. Photos by Kat Sheridan

“We have to come out and show people that not everybody stands behind these terrible crimes of I.C.E.,” said Rafael Pizarro of New Bedford. “People are willing even in this cold to come out and have their voices heard. I think it’s important to do...

Prestige car wash water shut off for bylaw violations

A picture of Prestige Car Wash. Source: Katie Boss

The Department of Public Works denied TD Construction a utility layer license, which allows contractors to work on sewer and water pipes, during the Thursday, Jan. 22 Board of Public Works meeting. The company was working on Prestige Car Wash on...

Sherbrooke Farms traffic, civil and environmental concerns discussed at Zoning Board meeting

Part of the Sherbrooke Farms land. Photos by Kat Sheridan

The petitioners for Sherbrooke Farms granted the Zoning Board of Appeals an extension on their application decision, giving them until May 14 to have public meetings about the 40B apartment building application. Sherbrooke Farms would have 156...

Zoning board approves Audi/Volkswagen dealership

A sky view of the land between the Dartmouth Collision Center (left) and the Walmart (right). Source: Google Earth

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the request to build an Audi and Volkswagen dealership during the Thursday, Jan. 22 meeting. This will be located between the Walmart and Dartmouth Collision Center on State Road. Chair Michael Medeiros stated...

District Attorney Thomas Quinn to not seek reelection

Thomas Quinn. Source: District Attorney's Office

After serving nearly 12 years as the Bristol County District Attorney, Thomas Quinn will not be seeking reelection for a fourth term. He did not say why he decided to not seek reelection. Quinn grew up in Bristol County and became a prosecutor 40...

Fire breaks out on Hixville Road, no one injured

Damage done to the interior of the house. Source: Stacy Mangan

A fire broke out at a house on Hixville Road on Friday, Jan. 16. One person and dog escaped, while another dog died in the fire. The source of the fire is unknown at this time. The other three inhabitants were uninjured as well. The basement and...

Bristol County Jail eliminates nearly $3 million

In an effort to prioritize jail operations, Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux has eliminated nearly $3 million in non-jail positions within the Bristol County Sheriff’s Department. The units that saw positions eliminated or left vacated are COVID...

Schwartz School student selected for 50th annual Meeting Street Telethon

surf

When Alex Murphy of West Bridgewater was still in his mother’s womb he had a stroke that caused him to be born with a number of complex medical needs. Murphy was born with microcephaly, which causes a baby’s brain to be smaller than average and...

Rhode Island man sentenced for assault, robbery in Dartmouth

The Fall River Superior Court. Photo by Kat Sheridan

Muhammad Sheikh, 41 of Woonsocket, Rhode Island was sentenced to serve two years at the state prison and three years of supervised probation for assault and robbery at the King Smoke Shop at 245 State Road. He was charged with armed robbery,...

No school but snow much fun

Avarey Landgrof, 7, tips over in her sled.

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, kids spent their day off frolicking in the snow. There were snowmen built, sleds sliding down the hill behind Dartmouth Middle School and snow ball fights. Snow started early Sunday morning, and continued into...

UMass Dartmouth earns prestigious Carnegie classification

UMass Dartmouth

UMass Dartmouth is among the 5% of colleges and universities that have been nationally recognized with the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement for its community engagement initiatives. The Carnegie Elective Classification...

Parking ban in effect until 12 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19

A parking ban will be in effect from 12 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18 until 12 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19 due to snow conditions. Vehicles shouldn't be parked on the hydrant side of the street. If there isn't a hydrant, park on the even house numbered side.

Round the Bend Farm has their first winter open farm day

Two children run along the stone fence at Round the Bend Farm. Photos by Kat Sheridan

It may be January but it wasn’t too cold for a farm dog to beg for homemade food while kids ran around and explored nature at the first ever winter open farm day at Round the Bend Farm. “I think we relax when we’re in nature, I think we’re tuned...

Fourth graders sing a chorus or two

Three girls from the Potter School sing a solo during the concert. Photo by Kat Sheridan

“Really, this concert is a gift to you,” a DeMello School fourth grader told the audience during the school's winter concert, “I’m sure you’ll agree once you hear us singing like absolute angels.” The DeMello, Potter and Quinn Schools held their...

Select Board seat up for grabs in upcoming Town Election

voting

As the Annual Town Election cycle kicks into gear, the race for a spot on the Select Board is the only potentially contentious one so far. As of Wednesday, Jan. 15, four people have taken out nomination papers for an open seat on the Select Board,...

Parks and Recreation department hosts hip hop classes

The Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting hip hop dance classes for ages five to 13. The classes will be on Wednesdays from Jan. 28 to March 25 with no class on Feb. 18. Students will learn the latest dance moves to popular music. The...

Parks and Recreation department holds a theater class

Magic mirror on the wall, who will be Snow White in the Department of Parks and Recreation play? Anyone ages five to 15 is welcome to try out and get a chance to be Snow White, or anyone in the musical. The theater class will teach kids the basics...

Princesses in Dartmouth

Camila Sovik, age 6, stirs some sugar into her tea. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Kids got all dressed up in nice dresses and pretty headbands to go to church, but not for worship. Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church had a high tea on Sunday, Jan. 11. “I thought it’d be fun,” said Kanie Semedo, age 7. About 25 people came out to...

Zoning board approves 56-unit luxury apartment building

The site of the pending luxury apartment building. Photo by Kat Sheridan

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved a 56-unit luxury apartment building, to be built at 806 to 808 State Road at a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 8. The developer’s representative, John Markey, wrote a draft decision for the board to read over and...

A new Audi and Volkswagen dealership could be coming to Dartmouth

The lot that could become a car dealership. Source: Town of Dartmouth.

The Zoning Board of Appeals heard the case for a new Audi and Volkswagen dealership that could be built on State Road, between the Walmart and Dartmouth Collision Center. They have scheduled a second meeting to consider potential impacts of their...

Stormwater and timeline concerns discussed for the Residences at Hawthorne at Zoning Board meeting

The updated Residence at Hawthorne plan from the Dec. 5 meeting. Source: Christian Fardland

The Residences at Hawthorne, a proposed chapter 40B apartment complex with 138 units where the Hawthorne Country Club used to be, has issues with the placement of the stormwater basins. The Zoning Board of Appeals also requested an extension on the...

Zoning board hears about 'The Hathaway' for the first time

The layout of the architectural plans for Hathaway, with Hathaway Road in front, Hope Evangelical Church the left and the rest of the property off the screen. Source: Allen and Major Associates Inc.

A new apartment complex on Hathaway Road may be coming to Dartmouth, bringing more affordable housing units to the town. The Zoning Board of Appeals held a first hearing for “The Hathaway,” a proposed 300-unit housing project, at its Thursday, Jan....

Artificial Intelligence is aiding natural intelligence at the Dartmouth public schools

Dartmouth High School. Stock photo

The Dartmouth High School has begun to integrate artificial intelligence into their education. While this has not been established district wide, the high school has rolled out their usage practices and guidelines. The main goal is to create AI...

Round the Bend Farm manifests love one seed at a time

For the past five years, Round the Bend Farm has been growing and distributing food to local non-profit organizations as part of their Manifest Love program. Now, Manifest Love is growing, with the farm set to expand distribution into the winter...

Dartmouth Jail receives funding for correctional classes

The Healey-Driscoll administration announced they are awarding the Bristol County Sheriff’s office $63,208 for welding education and training as a part of a grant for career and technical education in correctional facilities. “These grants will...

The Hathaway developer requests 20 waivers for project approval

The site where the Hathaway would go. Photo by Kat Sheridan

Four months after paperwork for the proposed 300-unit apartment project known as The Hathaway was submitted, a public hearing will be held for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 8. The hearing will take place at Town Hall in room 304 and will begin at...

Dartmouth man arrested for robbery and drug charges in New Bedford

The robber, allegedly Nicholas Ouimet, on camera footage at Walgreens. Source: New Bedford Police Department

Nicholas Ouimet, 33 of Dartmouth, was arrested on Monday, Jan. 5 after allegedly robbing a CVS and a Walgreens in New Bedford and being found in a stolen vehicle with illicit substances. He is being charged with eight crimes, including robbery and...

Diving into the new year one cold plunge at a time

As snow fluttered down, about 30 people in bathing suits ran into the freezing water at Round Hill Beach. The South Coast chapter of the Surfrider Foundation held their first polar plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, along with the first snow of the year....

Rates of 'high needs' students are on the rise due to state laws and social factors

A graph showing the rates of high needs students from 2014 to 2025. Source: June Sabo Maguire

Due to a combination of changing state laws and potential social factors, the rate of high needs students in Dartmouth Public Schools has risen more than 14% in the past 12 years. During financial planning, the School Department announced that the...

Polling location for precinct 3 may return to Dartmouth Bible Church

town hall

As the town election season begins to near, election day may look a little different for Precinct 3 voters, as their polling location may return to the Dartmouth Bible Church. Four years ago, the voting location for precinct 3 was moved to the UMass...

Car caught fire on State Road, cause unknown

The car on fire. Source: Jaime Lyn Carvalho

Around 12 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2 a Hyundai Sedan caught fire on State Road near the Dartmouth Towne Center, and the cause is currently unknown. According to Fire District 3 Chief Richard Arruda, the driver heard a “bang” and noticed the engine...

Dartmouth teen charged in New Year's Day alleged hit-and-run that killed pedestrian in New Bedford

district court

A 16-year-old from Dartmouth faces five charges for an early New Year’s Day car crash that killed Nicolasa Ventura Colaj, 33, of New Bedford. The teen has been charged with motor vehicle homicide, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the...

Dartmouth through the photos: A look back at 2025

sledding

Dartmouth was busy with news this year, from new restaurants opening, several proposed housing projects, a plane crash, to a house exploding from fireworks. But the town also had fun this year, with kids taking part in sports and theater...

How to dispose of real Christmas trees, fake trees and wreaths

As the holiday season winds down, Dartmouth residents have several options for disposing of real Christmas trees, artificial trees, and wreaths. For SMART program participants real trees can be picked up curbside on the regular trash pick up day....

Autumn Glen collects toys for local women's shelter

women

During the holiday season, Autumn Glen at Dartmouth collected toys to support The Women's Center, a local women's shelter that serves the New Bedford area. The Women's Center serves 13 cities and towns across Bristol County and provides a safe...

Approaching deadline for Southcoast Community Foundation scholarship program

The deadline for applications to the Southcoast Community Foundation scholarship program is Tuesday, Jan. 6. Graduating seniors, adults returning to education and current college students are invited to apply. Students can complete one universal...