OFFSHORE WIND
Video: Gone in 10 seconds — 80-foot smokestack demolished
The monster that hovered over the waterfront for an eternity was brought down Friday to make way for the future wind industry.
BRISTOL COUNTY SHERIFF
Heroux gathers early support to study closing ancient Ash Street Jail
“I’m sold on it. When we see the conditions at Ash Street, it’s not ideal for the staff or inmate conditions. It’s time for us to close that … This kind of seals the deal.” — State Sen. Paul R. Feeney.
EDUCATION
Teaching climate change: High schoolers implore legislators to act on ‘greatest problem’ facing young generation
“If we’re teaching kids the way we taught them decades ago, then we’re failing them.” — Sara Ross, adult partner on student bill proposing new learning standards.
MULTIMEDIA
Podcast: Hear what students have to say on environmental curriculum standards
Listen as New Bedford Light reporter Colin Hogan interviews Sara Karp and Jonathan Lan, two of the many students who wrote the legislation that looks to introduce new learning standards.
ENVIRONMENT
Department of Environmental Protection targeted for ‘egregious’ open meeting violation
The complaint is the latest development in an intense, monthslong dispute over controversial septic regulations. The agency has proposed rules that would force homeowners to spend tens of thousands of dollars on nitrogen-filtering systems — unless their town puts together a plan to reduce nitrogen pollution in other ways.
JACK SPILLANE COLUMN
Ward 3 councilor finalists are fresh faces for voters to choose between
Shawn Oliver and Carmen Amaral will now face off in a Feb. 28 special final election that looks like it could bring as much attention to Ward 3 as has anything in years.
SPECIAL ELECTION
Oliver, Amaral advance; paltry 6.5% turnout in Ward 3 preliminary
Given the time of year and an election in only one ward with no well-known candidate running, a skimpy turnout was predictable, but the outcome was poor even by these low expectations.
COMMUNITY VOICES
Neo-Nazis on South Coast: Local LGBTQ+ group concerned but says ‘we will move forward’
The neo-Nazi group is based mostly in Greater Boston. But in recent months, it has expanded its presence in the South Coast — targeting library events known as “Drag Queen Story Hour,” in which drag artists read books to children.
HATE GROUPS
Neo-Nazis on South Coast: Local LGBTQ+ group concerned but says ‘we will move forward’
The neo-Nazi group is based mostly in Greater Boston. But in recent months, it has expanded its presence in the South Coast — targeting library events known as “Drag Queen Story Hour,” in which drag artists read books to children.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Gallery X memorial exhibit call for art, Murder Mystery Theater, NBSO Magic of Disney
Gallery X is looking for artwork submissions for a memorial exhibit. At the Z, the NBSO is celebrating 100 of Disney by performing favorite soundtracks from classic animated movies.
CIVIC LIFE
Changemaker and Community Preservation grants, plus Adulting 101
The Community Preservation Committee will review its grant applications, while the United Way seeks Changemaker grant applications. Plus learn how to cope with stress and find out what the Regional Economic Strategy Committee is up to.
FISHING
Daily Catch
The New Bedford Light brings you “The Daily Catch” — a listing of the latest seafood prices from the Buyers and Sellers Exchange.
FINE ARTS CLUB
Watch some of New Bedford’s talented up-and-coming artists describe their process
Check out the art and artists before attending our 2023 kickoff meeting on Jan. 19 at the New Bedford Art Museum.
JACK SPILLANE COLUMN
City Council rejects one of New Bedford’s finest for Voc-Tech School Committee
It was not her good qualifications that defeated Carol Pimentel. Rather it was the determination of the City Council not to follow the state’s 2021 directive to vocational technical schools to change their admission policies so that more English learners and disabled students can attend. Pimentel and the mayor support the reforms.
ENVIRONMENT
State lawmakers push back against costly new septic rules
A bill from state Sen. Mark Montigny and state Rep. Chris Markey would stop the state DEP from requiring nitrogen-reducing septic upgrades. The legislation would also make it illegal to require watershed permits without any funding attached.
Dartmouth officials assail state’s ‘corrupted’ septic regulation process
OFFSHORE WIND
Commonwealth Wind appeals ‘capricious’ DPU contract decision
Commonwealth Wind parent company Avangrid has said for months that increases in commodity prices, rising interest rates and supply shortages mean that its 1,200 megawatt renewable energy project “cannot be financed and built” under the terms.
JAIL AND HOUSE OF CORRECTION
New Bristol County sheriff plans to close Ash Street Jail
Paul Heroux said he believes that the immigration detention center on the main campus that was closed in 2021 could be renovated to accommodate inmates now held at Ash Street, a 19th-century building where roughly 75 to 90 inmates are held in custody any given day.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
A peek inside the Z’s $31 million remake
“It’s going to be a state-of-the-art, world-class performing arts center with all the amenities and all the conveniences that people should be able to enjoy when they’re at a concert or a show, or any other program there.” — David Prentiss, president and CEO of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra
SOUTH COAST HISTORY
Video: Memory lane on Milton Street, a Cape Verdean community that thrived in Dartmouth
The mile-long road was a destination for immigrants moving to the area because of the presence of previously settled Cape Verdean families, who helped them adapt to American culture.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Lead pipe replacement slowdown: Blame it on workforce shortage, funding
DPI commissioner speaks for the first time since The Light published two reports last month on the slow progress, saying his department is dozens of employees short.
HOUSING CRISIS
Ousted New Bedford tenants struggle to find shelter
One tenant is struggling to afford her new apartment. Another said the stress of moving led to an injury at work, and now he’s homeless and couch surfing. A third tenant found an affordable place, but he won’t give up the fight to save his neighbors from gentrification.
Homeless students are the unseen victims of New Bedford’s housing crisis
“The housing crisis is very real. I think there’s kind of this esoteric idea of what the housing crisis looks like, and all of us in the school department see it every day. We see it every day with students who don’t have a reliable place to stay at night.” — Margaret Silva, housing specialist…
BRISTOL COUNTY SHERIFF
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WIND
Windfall podcast: Listen to the series here
New Hampshire Public Radio examines the potential for wind power to reshape our energy future in this multi-episode series.
COVID-19
COVID-19 virtual memorial
As the city emerges from the long siege of COVID-19, we pause to take stock of what – and who – we’ve lost.
Please help build this community memorial by adding a tribute to your loved one.
Thank you to our sponsors
Founding benefactors: Irwin and Joan Jacobs, Mary and Jim Ottaway
