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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...

New 300-unit housing project proposed for Hathaway Road

The proposed The Hathaway layout. Source: Town of Dartmouth

A 300-unit apartment project has been proposed for Hathaway Road by Dave Calhoun with L.L.C. Saxon Partners that would consist of six residential buildings, which would be known as “The Hathaway.” The Zoning Board of Appeal will have the first...

It's crystal clear why this Dartmouth local makes glass art

Some of Hopp's art. Photos by Kat Sheridan

When Dartmouth local Jackie Hopp makes her pieces of glass art, she starts with a circle of clear glass. She then chooses a pattern, picking out the colors and cutting out the shapes. She starts with a rectangle, runs a blade across the glass and...

An exclusive interview with Santa Claus

Santa and Mrs. Claus talk to a child.

We thought we’d have to travel all the way to the North Pole to interview Santa Claus, but to our surprise he was planning to visit Dartmouth at some of the festive favorites like Fill-the-Bus and the Padanaram Holiday Stroll! We finally got to ask...

Merry Christmas!

A gigantic snowman. Source: Kerry Ann

Merry Christmas and Happy Holdidays from the Dartmouth Week team. Here is a collection of some of our favorite holiday decorations.

Trial for Dartmouth man who allegedly possessed illegal fireworks scheduled for 2026

Kevin Ruiz walks out of court. Source: Trung Dang

During his probable cause hearing, it was decided that Kevin Ruiz, 54, will have his next trial on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Bristol District Court for allegedly igniting fireworks and damaging the garage he had been living in. Ruiz was charged with...

Dartmouth High School pops off in annual Pops Concert

The orchestra students perform while dressed for Christmas.

Some may ask that Christmas not be late, but Christmas came early at the Dartmouth High School held their annual Holiday Pops Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 22. “[The concert was] absolutely fantastic as always,” said school committee member John...

Marines make Christmas merry

The marines all posed together. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Lantz Law, USA Wealth Advisors and Lantz Family Insurance Agency have set up a Marine Corp’s Toys for Tots box in their office for about 15 years. This year, Tree Unit Inc. brought 12 boxes filled with toys to the office, where they were greeted...

Round the Bend Farm celebrates Kwanzaa

The Kwanzaa candles representing the seven principles of the holiday. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Kids sat in a circle, discussing the seven principles of Kwanzaa while playing instruments and lighting candles to honor and learn more about the holiday. Samia Walker volunteered to lead a Kwanzaa celebration during the Round the Bend open farm...

Jolly old... Krampus?

Krampus poses with all the toys raised. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Many are excited for Santa Claus to come to town, but what about when Krampus does? Krampus did visit Dartmouth, stopping by Midnight, Moonlight and Magick at the Dartmouth Mall on Saturday, Dec. 20. And when Krampus comes to town, he brings...

Groundwater contamination, soil conditions topics of concern at Sherbrooke Farms meeting

aerial view

Sherbrooke Farms, a proposed 156-unit housing project that would be located at 498 Old Westport Road, has been an ongoing concern for residents, with environmental impacts and public health often at the forefront of the conversation. On Thursday,...

Water rates to increase by 13% 'immediately'

water department

Water rates will increase by 13% and both water and sewer utilities will move to a quarterly billing cycle effective immediately after the Board of Public Works voted unanimously on Thursday, Dec. 18 to pass the measure. Director of Public Works...

Where to shop small and local this holiday season

padanaram

With the gift-giving holidays fast approaching, everyone is starting their lists and checking them twice. There’s lots of local options to support small and local businesses. There are lots of small businesses around Dartmouth, but Padanaram...

Padanaram Bridge closures on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18

Padanaram Bridge. Source: Town of Dartmouth

The Padanaram Bridge will be opened and closed two to three times between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17 and Thursday, Dec. 18. These times are not known, and will be random. This is for Massachusetts Department of Transportation...

Wiggle my ears and tickle my toes! Methinks I see a ... square wheeled bicycle?

young jared

One day 30 years ago, an elf named Jared made a square wheeled bike, leading to a young boy named Billy no longer believing in Santa — afterall, if Santa was real, why would he gift him a bike with square wheels? Now, the story of how Jared ended...

Troop 74 gives back to the community in annual bike build

bikes

Scouts from Troop 74 helped build 50 bikes with EL Harvey New Bedford on Saturday, Dec. 13 as part of the organization’s annual bike build. For 25 years, Waste Connections — a trash pickup service that serves communities across North America — has...

Water rates may increase by 13% as town looks to address deficit

Water rates may be increasing by 13% as town officials work to address a deficit in the town's Water Enterprise Fund. This would on average raise rates by $14.05 per month in a quarterly billing system. During the Fall Town Meeting, members voted...

Dartmouth Fuel Assistance Program continues to help residents

Town hall. Stock photo

The Dartmouth Fuel Assistance Program has helped 113 residents receive funding for heating so far this winter. “It’s nice to see programs like this work, help people out that are in need and in the worst of times,” said Select Board member Stanley...

16 acres of land on Jordan Road conserved 'in perpetuity'

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The vast majority of 16 acres of land on Jordan Road will be protected “in perpetuity” as a conservation restriction has been put on the property under the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust’s stewardship. “We’re protecting exceptional natural...

Dartmouth Middle School chorus sings a sleighing song

The seventh and eighth grade perform the final song. Photos by Kat Sheridan

The Dartmouth Middle School students jingle bell rocked at their annual Christmas choir concert on Monday, Dec. 15. “They worked so hard and I’m just thrilled to be their teacher,” said middle school Choral Director Tara Thomas. “They are really...

The residents at the Residence at Cedar Dell 'sang a chorus or two'

The New Bedford Choral Society performs at the Residences at Cedar Dell. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Dashing through the snow, to get to the Residence at Cedar Dell, and sing this sleighing song. The Residence at Cedar Dell Assisted Living held their annual Christmas concert, this year featuring the New Bedford Choral Society. Ellie Fernandez,...

Wesołych Świąt from the bottom of our heart

The Christmas tree. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Wesołych Świąt, or Merry Christmas, from the Polish Women’s Business and Professional Club, who held their annual Christmas party, filled with traditions to keep Polish culture alive in the Southcoast. The New Bedford Country Club was decorated...

Another successful year of filling a bus with toys

The toys stacked to the ceiling with gifts. Photos by Kat Sheridan

What if Santa drove a school bus to pass out toys to all the good girls and boys? Well, that wouldn’t be Santa, it would be Jerry Pinto after the Fill-the-Bus toy drive. Pinto started the drive 14 years ago. He included the police, specifically...

No whisk no reward in this cupcake decorating contest

Oliver Wakefield gives a double thumbs up to the camera. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Kids got a chance to express themselves artistically at the North Branch library, with cupcakes as their canvasses and frosting as their paint. “I liked how my friends shared [decorating materials] with me and I shared with everyone else,” said...

You better watch out, you better not bark -- cuz Santa Paws came to town

Emma and Sophia Diorio with their dog Nemo get the perfect picture. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Santa Paws is coming to town —- well, he already did. There’s proof too — 70 photos of him and Mrs. Paws with local dogs and cats. “Our dog [has] never, never seen Santa before and it’s his second Christmas so we thought it would be fun to come...

UMass Dartmouth awarded funds for offshore wind and fishing research

boat

UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology was awarded $265,984 from the Healey-Driscoll Administration as part of the Massachusetts Fisheries Innovation Fund. The department will use the funds to study the economic feasibility of...

'All you knead is loaf' at Lover's Bakery

Lover's Bakery. Photos by Kat Sheridan

A buttery scent wafted through the air at Lover’s Bakery, even though they had sold out hours earlier on their first day open. Which makes sense, since Allie Trojano used many pounds of butter to make over 200 croissants for the bakery’s soft...

Things to do: week Dec. 11

File photo of a dog dressed up for Christmas.

Saturday, Dec. 13 Holiday Shopping at Allendale Join the Allendale Country Club for a holiday shopping extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be local businesses and a raffle to find the perfect gift for everyone....

Send us your holiday!

The buoy tree all lit up.

With the holiday season upon us, Dartmouth is in a festive mood with lots of lights, trimming the trees, Christmas cookies and everything in between. Send photos of your decorations to news@dartmouthweek.net along with your name for a chance to be...

Students give back to the community one film at a time

telethon

For two decades the Dartmouth community has worked together to collect and donate toys for kids and families in need in the Fill-the-bus fundraiser, but it wasn’t until three years ago that media students from Dartmouth High School began hosting...

School Committee approves $114 million capital improvement plans request

budget

Year two of the Dartmouth School Committee’s 10-year improvement plan will include 14 capital improvement requests that comes out to a total of $114,565,000. Out of the 14 requests are three large ticket items: $5.6 million for Memorial Stadium...

Sheriff working on Dartmouth jail upgrades to make way for Ash Street inmates

Ash Street Jail. Source: Bristol County Sheriff's Office

One hundred inmates from the Ash Street Jail and Regional Lock-Up in New Bedford may be moved to the Bristol County House of Correction and Jail in Dartmouth if Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux receives a grant or state funding of $10 million...

Christmas is comin' to Dartmouth: Town Hall lighting ushers in the season

yukon

Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Yukon Cornelius welcomed in the Christmas season in style this year as they were escorted by an antique police car and an antique fire engine to the annual Town Hall tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6. With...

Donate metal wheelchair ramps

The Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking metal wheelchair ramp donations in support of their Ramp Donation Program. The Ramp Donation Program was launched in 2024 to give low income homeowners the accessibility they need to be safe in...

Christopher Hodgson Jr. earns Certified Financial Planner designation

Christopher Hodgson Jr. Source: Coastal Financial

Christopher Hodgson Jr. of Coastal Financial recently earned the Certified Financial Planner designation, a respected credential in the financial services industry. The CFP certification is awarded to people who meet rigorous education,...

Oh, shucks! Oysters are now on sale

The Lloyd Center for the Environment will be hosting its sixth annual holiday oyster sale by 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. The Cuttyhunk oysters will be coming from Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms and will cost $35 per dozen. Shucking knives will also be...

Oh the weather outside was frightful, but the buoy tree was so delightful

The Padanaram Buoy Tree. Photos by Kat Sheridan

Hundreds braved the 20 degree weather to usher in the Christmas season. What a bright time it was in Padanaram Village during the annual Padanaram Holiday Stroll and Buoy Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 5. Many local businesses had Christmas...

Residences at Hawthorne will continue to be discussed in the new year

The updated Residence at Hawthorne plan. Source: Christian Fardland

The Zoning Board of Appeals must decide whether to grant the developer of the proposed Residences at Hawthorne zoning exemptions by Feb. 28. The developer, represented by Christian Fardland, discussed two changes they have made to their plans....

Residents continue to push back against State Road Apartments

808 State Road. Photo by Kat Sheridan

The proposed 56-unit apartment building at 802 through 806 State Road raised concerns about rock blasting, drainage on the lot, the added traffic and potential privacy issues. The applicant applied for three variances: lot coverage from the 2,500...

Zoning Board approves new gas station on Faunce Corner Road

The three-component project would be located at 411 Faunce Corner Road where Rose Motors used to be. Source: Google Maps

The proposed gas station, convenience store and drive thru on 411 Faunce Corner Road was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday, Dec. 4, allowing the petitioners to move on to the next stage of the building process. Petitioner...

Christmas calender

The town tree lighting from 2023. Photo by Sean Flannery

Friday, Dec. 5 Padanaram Holiday Stroll Tis the season for the annual Padanaram Village buoy tree lighting. The annual lighting and stroll will be happening on Friday, Dec. 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Live music will be playing as guests stroll...

New Bedford man arrested for lewd crimes in Dartmouth

Francisco Tavares. Source: Detective Lieutenant Keith R. DaCosta

Francisco Tavares, 61 of New Bedford, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 26 as a part of an undercover investigation into reports of people being flashed while at Harry Reynold’s Park. He is being charged with open and gross lewdness and lewd, wanton...

How did the Padanaram Holiday Stroll begin? A walk down memory lane

elf

Forty-seven years ago, four women had an idea to start a Friday night shopping evening for Padanaram’s retailers as a gentlemen’s night out, but now the event is better known as the Padanaram Holiday Stroll. At the time, retailers simply put lights...