News

News

28 years after high school stabbing, friends clean up unkempt memorial

On April 12, the anniversary of her brother Jason’s death, Shauna Robinson normally goes to the cemetery with her family to put down flowers and take care of his grave. She also goes to the former high school — now Dartmouth Middle School — to place...

Johnson & Johnson vaccinations on pause at Southcoast Health clinics

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Dartmouth residents looking to get their Johnson & Johnson shots will have to make do with other vaccines for the foreseeable future, as clinics across the country are setting aside doses following reports of blood clots in six patients. The...

Dartmouth Walmart now offering Covid vaccine, but no appointments available

Walmart is now offering the Covid-19 vaccine at locations across Massachusetts — including its Dartmouth outlet — starting this week, the company announced on April 9. The multinational retailer had been offering vaccines in 48 states since April 2...

Compost bins offered at discount to Dartmouth residents

As of April 12, the Greater New Bedford Regional Refuse Management District is SOLD OUT of ALL compost bins. Officials said that an announcement will be made when compost bins are available again. This year, the Greater New Bedford...

UMass Dartmouth official refutes allegations from student leaders

A UMass Dartmouth official has refuted a variety of allegations — including a failure to address systemic racism and discriminatory funding policies — leveled at her by student leaders in a letter calling for her resignation earlier this month. In...

Bristol County Sheriff’s Office settles lawsuit brought by immigrations detainees

A landmark class action lawsuit settled last week has secured the continued release of federal immigrations detainees from the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Faunce Corner Road. Savino v. Souza...

Students compete for 'Dartmouth's Finest' crown

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
While the Dartmouth High auditorium wasn’t at full capacity, the venue was certainly filled with talent as ten members of the senior class competed in this year’s “Dartmouth’s Finest” contest on April 9. “It was so much fun — they impressed me all...

New cases rise as Dartmouth remains ‘yellow’

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Covid cases are once again up in Dartmouth as nearly one third of all residents in the county have gotten a first vaccination dose. This week, the town’s Board of Health reported 76 new cases of the virus — the first time it’s been above 70 since...

District No. 1 firefighters practice search and rescue at Covid-safe training session

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
After more than a year away from the old station on Bridge Street, District No. 1 crews are back to hands-on training that was missing during the pandemic. In the old station’s basement on April 7, crews of two or three firefighters practiced...

Fall River to remove upper dam at Lake Noquochoke

The City of Fall River is planning to remove a dam near the upper portion of Lake Noquochoke — but it will not affect the lake’s water levels, according to a city official. Administrator of Community Utilities for Fall River Paul Ferland said that...

Record low turnout for annual town election

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
The Town Clerk will remain an elected position, as town citizens voted amid record low turnout in the annual town election on April 6. In this year’s election 1,617 of Dartmouth’s 22,710 registered voters turned out to vote, representing 7.12% of...

Officials give thanks as longtime Planning Board chair steps down

After three decades of service, Planning Board Chair Lorri-Ann Miller was recognized by Dartmouth officials on two different boards as she held her last meeting in town government on April 5. Miller is stepping down from her longtime role as two new...

Sheriff Hodgson attends protest against him

Those driving by Faunce Corner on Saturday may have seen a special guest at a protest against Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and Immigration and Customs Enforcement: the sheriff himself. The protest was organized by Bristol County for Correctional Justice,...

Assisted living added to proposed Hathaway Road project

Neighbors are voicing discontent with a plan for a 149-unit elderly housing development at Hathaway Road after changes to the proposed project were announced at an April 5 Planning Board meeting. The complex was first introduced as 55-plus housing...

Town switches to chloramine disinfectant to solve water quality issues

Dartmouth’s water treatment system has been switched from chlorine to chloramines as of March 22, Interim Department of Public Works Director Tim Barber told the Select Board at an April 5 meeting. Switching to chloramine treatments is expected to...

UMass Dartmouth police union issues no-confidence vote in top leaders

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Citing “hostility, retaliation, and unethical behavior,” union members of the UMass Dartmouth Police Department overwhelmingly voted “no confidence” in Police Chief Emil Fioravanti and Deputy Chief Haydee Martinez. With the vote, the International...

Easter Bunny visits Stackhouse for holiday photos

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
A day before her holiday, the Easter Bunny managed to hop its way over to Bliss Corner for an afternoon of photographs outside the Stackhouse Club on Faith Street. Throughout the afternoon, guests were able to get their shots in the sun with the...

Dartmouth man arrested for razor knife attack

Police arrested a Dartmouth man on April 2 after a member of his household was slashed several times with a razor knife, according to a release from the Dartmouth Police Department. After police responded to a domestic dispute at the home at around...

UMass student leaders call for official’s resignation over issues with systemic racism

Student leaders at UMass Dartmouth have published a letter this week calling for Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Shannon Finning to resign for failing to address the community’s concerns with systemic racism at the school. In a letter sent to...

Dartmouth still ‘yellow’ as Covid cases remain stable

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
While the number of Covid-19 cases in Dartmouth is much lower than it was during the winter surge, the pandemic is far from over. This week, the town’s Board of Health reported 53 new cases of the virus — only two less than the previous week...

Shaking felt in Dartmouth not seismic activity, says scientist

Did you feel that? Dartmouth residents are reporting on social media that they felt shaking in what seemed to be an earthquake at around 10:45 a.m. on April 2 — but it wasn’t, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Robert Sanders, geophysicist at...

Voting in the April 6 town election? Here’s how

The town election in Dartmouth will take place on April 6. On this year’s ballot are a number of candidates , Town Meeting members, and a ballot question about changing the Town Clerk position from elected to appointed (it is currently the only...

Dartmouth Community Media helps raise awareness on mental health

As the current mental health crisis worsens due in part to pandemic-related stress, depression, anxiety, and isolation, Dartmouth Community Media is doing its part to raise awareness. The community TV station has partnered with the Help and Hope...

Injured piglet making progress weeks after rescue

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Three months ago, an injured piglet named Chance was destined for death after becoming the runt of his litter at a local farm. But thanks to the Don’t Forget Us, Pet Us Animal Sanctuary in North Dartmouth, the growing piggy is running and jumping...

Kidding around: Farm ushers in spring with baby goats

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
For some, a sign of spring is warm weather and flowers beginning to bloom. At Round the Bend Farm on Allens Neck Road, a sure sign of the season is goats — baby goats. This year, the farm saw 16 new goats — only three of which were girls. “It’s a...

Dartmouth woman injured in fatal car crash

A Dartmouth woman was seriously injured and her passenger was killed in a one-car crash in New Bedford on March 28, according to a press release from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. The driver — a 21-year-old Dartmouth woman whose...

Woodcock of the walk: Birds show off at Dartmouth wildlife area

Anyone walking around overgrown fields at dusk this time of year may encounter a springtime marvel: the striking courtship flight display of the American woodcock. Woodcocks are small wading game birds that live in the eastern U.S. They may have the...

State educators get their shots at Dartmouth mass vaccination site

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Nearly 200 educators had a day for the books on March 27 at the first of four mass vaccination clinics designated for educators and school staff. The state-run clinic at the old Circuit City at the Dartmouth Towne Center was part of a large push as...

Covid cases back on the decline

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
After a slight uptick last week, new Covid cases are back on the decline in Dartmouth. This week, the town’s Board of Health reported 55 new Covid-19 cases. According to state data, Dartmouth had a 14-day average daily incidence rate of 20.2 per 100...

Resident prepares for release of first children's book

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
It all started with a song. After the birth of his second daughter around two decades ago, Dartmouth resident Ed Pacheco would sing a song about a “little lamb” to his kids to get them ready for bed. Now, that very song has become the basis of his...

Cases nearly double at psychiatric facility as Covid outbreak worsens

Covid-19 cases at Southcoast Behavioral Health on Faunce Corner Road jumped 80% in the past week as an outbreak at the psychiatric facility continues, with staffers alleging unsafe conditions — including loosely enforced safety precautions...

Dartmouth OfficeMax to close May 15

Dartmouth’s OfficeMax will be closing its doors on Saturday, May 15, according to a spokesperson from parent company Office Depot. The large office supply retailer located at 388 State Road is currently having a closing sale, with 5-30% off most...

NAACP branch president asks Dartmouth to retire Indian logo

This article has been updated to include comments from School Committee member Mary Waite and the facts that the diversity committee has yet to meet and that Hall’s letter had not been received by school officials at the time of writing. The...

Raising a stink: Developers air grievances over sewer, stormwater issues

Dartmouth developers took the town’s Department of Public Works to task at a March 23 Board of Public Works meeting, complaining about delays and increased construction costs due to communication and permitting issues for a Clark’s Cove sewer hookup...

Board of Health candidate profile: Darci Moran

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
A Dartmouth resident since 1978, physicians assistant Darci Moran has always wanted to find ways to help the town she loves — which is why she is running for an open Board of Health seat on April 6. One of the major factors for her candidacy, she...

Board of Health candidate profile: Dr. Christian Pope

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
For the past year, Hawthorn Medical Associates’ Dr. Christian Pope has worked closely with the town’s Board of Health as its volunteer physician. Come the annual town election on April 6, he hopes to be on that very board. “I am proud to be part of...

Select Board approves building permit fee hike

Building permit fees in Dartmouth are set to increase after the Select Board approved a new fee schedule proposed by Building Commissioner Joe Braga at a meeting on March 22. Braga told the board that both residential and commercial rates in town...

No change in beach sticker prices this year

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
The cost of beach stickers will remain the same for the 2021 season. On March 22, the Parks and Recreation Board voted to keep the stickers at the $35 cost it has been for the past decade. Earlier this year, officials proposed a $5 increase...

Planning Board candidate profile: Kevin Estes

Longtime resident and Town Meeting member Kevin Estes hopes to turn his love for Dartmouth’s character into concrete policy as a Planning Board member. Estes is running in the upcoming town election against former town employee Jane (Kirby) Pansire...

Planning Board candidate profile: Jane (Kirby) Pansire

Former town employee Jane (Kirby) Pansire has a passion for planning. The 25-year Dartmouth resident worked for the town’s zoning and planning departments for more than a decade, and is now hoping to secure longtime Planning Board chair Lorri-Ann...

Dartmouth resident starts up New Bedford news outlet

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Citing concern over a lack of news coverage in New Bedford, a group of South Coast journalists hope to fill that void with the launch of a nonprofit news website called the New Bedford Light . The digital publication, scheduled to be up...

Covid numbers remain low amid slight increase in new cases

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
After holding steady at 47 cases for the past two weeks, Dartmouth has seen an ever-so-slight slight increase in new Covid-19 cases, according to the latest report from the town’s Board of Health. This week, the Dartmouth saw 59 new cases of the...

Residents ring in spring at equinox stroll

The vernal equinox is here, bringing cause for celebration as the days grow longer and warmer. Tradition holds that on the equinox, day and night are equal lengths all over Earth. In Thailand, people celebrate by throwing water all over each other...

Covid outbreak at psychiatric hospital as staffers allege unsafe conditions

This article was updated on March 22 to include comments from a spokesperson at Southcoast Behavioral Health. Staff at Southcoast Behavioral Health on Faunce Corner Road are alleging unsafe conditions at the psychiatric facility after...

Town Clerk candidate profile: Kelsi Power-Spirlet

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Ever since she went to grad school at Trinity College in Dublin, resident Kelsi Power-Spirlet said she has been obsessed with how elections are run — especially at the local level. That passion for politics is precisely why she is running for Town...

Town Clerk candidate profile: Sarah Arruda

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Although she’s only been a Town Hall employee less than half a year, Town Clerk Sarah Arruda said that the amount of work she’s done so far shows she is dedicated to serving the town and more than ready for a full term come April 6. Before her...

Here’s how Dartmouth residents hope to tackle traffic issues

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
Road improvements — namely, more protected lanes and paths for pedestrians on major roads like Route 6 — will be a necessary part of Dartmouth’s future development. That’s what more than 20 residents agreed while discussing the town’s transportation...

Conservation Commission seeks applicants

The Conservation Commission is seeking a new member to fill a vacancy. The seven-member commission is responsible for protecting the land, water, and biological resources of their communities. Those interested should have experience the disciplines...

New gear, renovation plans in the works for Fire District 1

Big plans are in the works for Dartmouth Fire District No. 1, as firefighters may be seeing new gear, a hazard pay stipend, and renovations to the Bridge St. fire station in the near future. The Prudential Committee pored over a number of possible...

More residents to become eligible for vaccine in coming weeks

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news
All residents over 16 will be eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine starting April 19, according to a March 17 announcement from Governor Charlie Baker. Currently, those over the age of 65, healthcare workers, those with two or more certain medical...

Pages