#coronavirus

Judge orders release of three Dartmouth ICE detainees

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - The sign outside the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office on Faunce Corner Road
A federal judge ordered the release of three detainees in an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility in Dartmouth on Friday due to concerns of a coronavirus outbreak at the detention center. The order for release from US District Court Judge...

Residents working from home adjust to new "coworkers"

As more Dartmouth residents try to reduce the spread of coronavirus by working from home, many have found this new way to work has also brought them new coworkers — their pets. While they might not understand what is going on in the world around...
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Dartmouth police remind residents about social distancing in new video

In order to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, the Dartmouth police department is reminding residents about the importance of social distancing with their own take on “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” by The Police. The video, which the department...

Nurse at Bristol County House of Corrections tests positive for Covid-19

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - The sign at the 400 Faunce Corner Road facility. Photo by: Kate Robinson
The Bristol County Sheriff's Office has announced that one of the health care professionals working at the office has tested positive for Covid-19. According to an April 2 press release from the Sheriff’s Office, the nurse, an employee of the office...

Science and tech-savvy community members help fight equipment shortages

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Ferreira’s son Tyler, who just celebrated his 13th birthday, joined the effort by drawing messages of hope at the university. Photo courtesy: Tracie Ferreira
UMass Dartmouth scientists and 3D printing enthusiasts are just some of the community members donating much-needed equipment to protect health workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals all over the country are experiencing shortages of...

Dartmouth won’t reveal numbers after confirming first Covid-19 case

Covid-19 has come to Dartmouth, as the town confirmed its first positive case of the viral illness in a recorded video posted to the town’s website on March 25 — but officials won’t be revealing the number of cases in town going forward. As of March...

Rising tensions at Dartmouth ICE facility as detainees strike

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - The sign outside the Faunce Corner Road detention facility. Photo by: Kate Robinson
This article has been updated to include information on the strike and the response from Sheriff’s officers. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainees at a North Dartmouth facility have been on strike since Monday over concerns about...

Police see large drop in calls during coronavirus shutdown

Dartmouth police have seen a significant drop in calls for service this month as schools, restaurants and businesses closed their doors and residents self-isolated at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to statistics released by the...

How one elementary school teacher is keeping upbeat in an uncertain world

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Third grader Avery Parker with a quote in a photo posted to the Dartmouth Police Department’s Facebook page. Photo courtesy: DPD
With schools now closed until May 4 at least, life for many of Dartmouth’s students and teachers has changed completely. But despite missing their kids, teachers all over town are finding new ways to keep positive and stay connected — and third...

Dartmouth coronavirus case named

One of the first coronavirus cases in Dartmouth has been named by CBS Boston as Vanessa Anderson, a resident of Brooklyn who told the local news outlet over the phone that she had moved her family to her father’s South Dartmouth home to escape the...

AP exams will be taken at home, as schools close until May 4

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Dartmouth High principal Ross Thibault in a video announcement on school policy for extended learning. Image courtesy: DHSTV Media
Dartmouth High School Principal Ross Thibault announced this week that students taking the AP exams this spring will be able to complete them at home, according to new College Board guidelines. On March 25, Governor Charlie Baker announced that all...

Meet the parents making masks for those in need

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Hospital staff using some masks sewn by Dartmouth School Music Association parents. Photo courtesy: Greg Jones
A group of Dartmouth High School parents from the Dartmouth School Music Association are putting their skills to use for the community by sewing fabric face masks for hospital staff in need of protective equipment. The parents — who would normally...

Residents returning from New York asked to self-isolate

The town’s Board of Health has requested seasonal residents from New York City isolate themselves at home for 14 days after returning to Dartmouth to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the area. In a notice posted on the town’s website, the Board...

Dartmouth religious organizations adapt to coronavirus

In times of crisis, some turn to religion for guidance — but amid bans on large gatherings, local places of worship sit empty. But that hasn’t fazed many of Dartmouth’s spiritual centers. Religious leaders all over town are doing their best to make...

Town announces first Covid-19 case in Dartmouth

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Public Information Officer Kyle Costa in the video announcing the first Dartmouth case of Covid-19
The Town of Dartmouth has confirmed its first positive case of Covid-19 among its residents. Public Information Officer Kyle Costa of the Dartmouth Police Department made the announcement in a recorded video posted to the town’s website on March 25...

First drive-thru Covid-19 testing site in Dartmouth

Southcoast Health announced on Monday that it has opened the area’s first drive-thru Covid-19 testing site in Dartmouth. According to the announcement, the site is located at one of the health system’s “non-essential” ambulatory facilities that has...

Daffodil field closed due to coronavirus

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - DNRT’s daffodil field is part of its Parsons Reserve and a major attraction every spring. Photo by: Douglas McCulloch
Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust has closed the Parsons Reserve property and its daffodil field for the 2020 season, effective immediately. According to a press release sent out by the land trust, it took the decision to close the reserve due to...

Town coronavirus updates

Here are some of the latest updates from the town regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as of March 24. For the most up-to-date information, visit town.dartmouth.ma.us/board-health/pages/coronavirus-covid-19-information. Households with...

Bishop Stang moves classes online

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Bishop Stang English teacher Bridget Bourque teaching online with daughter Eve. Photo courtesy: Bishop Stang High School
Bishop Stang High School has moved online in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a press release from the school, all of the students, staff, and families that usually create “Spartan Village” on Slocum Road are keeping the school...

Humane Society making pet food deliveries to vulnerable residents

The Humane Society and Shelter Southcoast at a fundraising gala last year. Photo by: Kate Robinson
Dartmouth’s Humane Society and Shelter Southcoast has announced that the shelter will provide any senior citizens who live in town with free pet food and supplies delivered to their doorstep. Shelter director Melinda Ventura stated that the...

Dartmouth Mall now closed

The mall parking lot was nearly empty on March 23. Photo by: Sandy Quadros Bowles
“Temporarily closed.” Those have become the signs of the time, including at the Dartmouth Mall, which is closed as of Tuesday, March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The parking lots resembled a ghost town Monday afternoon, with nearly all stores...

Town election postponed, new date to be decided

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - The Select Board meeting was broadcast live, as Town Hall is still closed to the public. Image courtesy: DCTV
The Select Board has voted to postpone the town election until later this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic that has closed schools, meetings and businesses all over Dartmouth. The election — which was set for April 7 — will take place at a...

Town officials urge residents not to flush wipes

Dartmouth Week
The Dartmouth Department of Public Works is urging residents to stop disposing disinfecting wipes into toilets after a surge in flushed wipes has caused problems at 22 sewer pump stations. Although DPW Director David Hickox expressed satisfaction...

Emergency daycares flooded with kids as parents struggle

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Sally Belanger and some of the kids at her daycare in Dartmouth. Photo courtesy: Sally Belanger/Facebook
Starting today, only three day care centers in Dartmouth are available for parents in need — and it’s not enough, according to one emergency day care owner. After Governor Charlie Baker announced the closure of all non-emergency day care facilities...

Activists say crowded ICE facility could put community at risk during pandemic

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - The sign at the entrance to the Bristol County House of Corrections facility on Faunce Corner Road. Photo by: Kate Robinson
This article has been updated to include comments from the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office. Organizations and activists are sounding the alarm due to crowded conditions at a Dartmouth ICE detention facility, which they say could spread...

Special education presents special challenges during school closures

Dartmouth High School
As Dartmouth school staff adjust to a whole new world during the pandemic, Superintendent of Schools Bonny Gifford wants to assure parents and students that they haven’t been forgotten — particularly those in special education. “Our most powerful...

Kids make towers, inventions while schools are closed

Potter School second grader Alyssa Mota and sister Leah, fifth grade, with their repurposed items. Alyssa made a book bin out of a cereal box and Leah made a planter out of a soda bottle. Photo courtesy: Paula Mota
The first week of school closures is over — but thanks to an online competition started by a group of Dartmouth parents on Facebook, local kids weren’t stuck for things to do. Organizer Mary Waite, a member of the “Dartmouth Parents 14.0” Facebook...

Dog park, recreational facilities closed

Due to the coronavirus, Dartmouth’s Parks and Recreation Department is closing the Dartmouth dog park and all playgrounds as well as suspending all ball field and park usage permits until further notice. All town courts and fields are also closed...

Schools to begin free grab and go meal program

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Free grab and go meals will be offered at Quinn School from March 23. Image courtesy: Dartmouth schools
Dartmouth Superintendent of Schools Bonny Gifford announced this week that the schools will start a free “Grab and Go” meal program on Monday, March 23 while schools remain closed due to coronavirus. “A two-day supply of breakfast and lunch items...

Select Board declares town emergency due to coronavirus

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Select Board chair Stanley Mickelson during the emergency meeting on Wednesday evening, as seen from Youtube Live
With five confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Bristol County, the Dartmouth Select Board declared an emergency in the town of Dartmouth at a special meeting on March 18 due to the global pandemic. As of March 18, positive cases of Covid-19 — an illness...

Town gyms, spas feeling the strain from coronavirus

Along with many Dartmouth businesses, the town’s spas and gyms are feeling the strain of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe. Some are closing, at least one until May, and all have made some changes to their schedule or routine. All six...

List of cancelled events this spring

Most events through early April have been cancelled or postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak. This list is not comprehensive, although we have made an effort to include as many cancelled events as possible. If an event does...

Out and about in a brave new Dartmouth

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - coronavirus - Amanda Reis with kids Ryleigh, 10, and Kayleigh, 2 (foreground) and sister Alexis André and her son Bentley, 7 and dog Baz
Empty playgrounds and school parking lots lent an eerie atmosphere to Dartmouth on Monday, March 16, the first day of closed schools during the global coronavirus pandemic. But many were still out and about in the sunshine — and most keeping a...

UMass Dartmouth to postpone graduations

UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Robert Johnson announced in a press release on March 16 that the university will postpone commencement for undergraduates, graduate, and law students, among other new precautions taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus...

Humane Society moves adoptions, Easter event online

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Brady and Kathryn Laviolette and their dog Shadow take a photo with the Easter Bunny at last year’s Humane Society Easter Extravaganza. Photo: Kate Robinson
Dartmouth’s Humane Society and Shelter on Ventura Drive will move the majority of its operations online for the next few weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to a press release, the shelter is asking people interested in adopting animals...

Community comes together to offer food, services amid pandemic

The entrance to Max’s Restaurant. Photo courtesy: Max’s Restaurant/Facebook.
In the face of an unprecedented pandemic, members of the Dartmouth community are coming together to help each other out — including offering free food to kids in need and free childcare to parents who have to work. An outbreak of Covid-19, an...

Town offices, libraries closed to the public

Update: Town Hall will now be closed to the public until March 23. Due to new restrictions put in place by Governor Charlie Baker in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Dartmouth Town Hall, town libraries and other offices such...

New restrictions on gatherings, restaurants, and schools announced

As Governor Charlie Baker announced aggressive new measures to mitigate the impact of coronavirus on the state, local officials are continuing to raise awareness of the virus and the threat it poses. Baker announced on Sunday that all schools in the...

Youth soccer suspended due to coronavirus pandemic

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - Children playing at the Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association’s fall opener last year. Photo by: Douglas McCulloch
The Dartmouth Youth Soccer Association has suspended all activities, including the Micro program, until April 15, the association announced on March 13. GPS Viper teams are suspending activities until March 30. DYSA president Robert Long stated in...

Dartmouth schools to close next week

This article has been updated to include a link to the Extended Learning website. Dartmouth Public Schools will be closed from March 16 to 20, the district announced on Friday. During the closure, the district will deep clean all schools...

Council on Aging suspends programs, Bristol County jail suspends visitation

The Dartmouth senior center will be suspending all classes and programs through the end of March and the Bristol County House of Corrections will stop all visitation for two weeks due to coronavirus. According to a statement from the Council on...

Shoppers stock up on supplies during coronavirus pandemic

Grocery stores in Dartmouth were more crowded than usual on Friday afternoon, March 13, as shoppers stocked up on supplies to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s like we’re having the worst blizzard ever,” said Trisha Rodrigues, as she...

Nursing homes, assisted living now screening visitors for coronavirus

Dartmouth nursing homes and assisted living facilities are restricting visitors and screening them for illness following new state policies to protect high-risk populations from coronavirus. The Baker-Polito administration released guidelines...

Spring concert, school field trips cancelled due to coronavirus

Dartmouth High School
All large gatherings and events related to the Dartmouth public schools have been cancelled or postponed through the end of March due to coronavirus, the Dartmouth Superintendent’s office has confirmed. This directive includes field trips as well as...

UMass extends spring break, moves courses online amid state of emergency

Dartmouth High School has canceled two trips to Europe and UMass Dartmouth will extend its spring break and offer courses online as coronavirus after Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts on March 10 following a surge...

YMCA takes steps to prevent spread of coronavirus

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - A YMCA graphic urges members to take precautions
YMCA Southcoast, including the Dartmouth YMCA on Gulf Road, is taking special precautions to help prevent the possible spread of coronavirus. Although cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, none have been confirmed on the South...

Dartmouth High cancels trips to Europe amid coronavirus fears

Dartmouth Week - Dartmouth, MA news - A rendering of the coronavirus. Image courtesy: CDC
Two trips to Europe planned for this spring have been canceled due to concerns over coronavirus outbreaks, according to Superintendent of Dartmouth Schools Bonny Gifford. She said over the weekend that the trips — one to Greece and another to Prague...

Dartmouth prepares for potential coronavirus outbreak

Dartmouth, MA news - An empty shelf of hand sanitizer at Walgreens on State Road
Students in Dartmouth public schools are being encouraged to wash their hands and hand sanitizer has run out in stores across town as fears of a coronavirus outbreak continue to spread. The new type of coronavirus causes a flu-like illness called...

Coronavirus resources

Want to know more about coronavirus and the situation outside of our community? Here are links to some reputable resources. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health The U.S. Centers for Disease Control The World Health Organization