“I think this is a horrible time for this to happen. It should have been stretched out until our grocery prices went down.” — Kevin Frederic, supervisor at the Solanus Casey Food Pantry for Catholic Social Services
Category: linkinbio
Posted inCity Hall
City Councilor Oliver apologizes for offensive Facebook posts
“Although this was never my intention I do see that my actions caused harm and for that, I apologize. No one should ever feel illegitimate, afraid, or unheard.” — Statement from Ward 3 City Councilor Shawn Oliver
Posted inEducation
New Bedford makes another pitch for new elementary school
“We have made the modernization of New Bedford school facilities a high priority. … We want to make sure future generations of students have a school that meets their needs.” — Mayor Jon Mitchell
Posted inEducation
Inside the student protest against Shawn Oliver and his Facebook posts
Among the students who were protesting the new Ward 3 city councilor, many identified as LGBTQ, but a large number said they were allies supporting their friends and classmates.
Posted inBristol County Sheriff
Why so many prison suicides? Heroux turns to an expert
Sheriff Paul Heroux is consulting Lindsay M. Hayes, one of the country’s foremost authorities on jail and prison suicide who has been studying federal, state and local correctional systems for more than 40 years.
Posted inElection 2023
Oliver tops Amaral in race for Ward 3 city councilor
Shawn Oliver, who has served as a New Bedford constable for a little more than a year, attributed the result largely to legwork in the ward, starting when he took out his papers in early December to seek the office.
Posted inPolice and Courts
New Bedford offering $5,000 sign-on bonus to new police officers
The city’s police department is currently budgeted for 259 officers, but is now staffed at about 214, according to Mayor Jon Mitchell. Police Chief Paul Oliveira said he could not recall the last time department staffing was at its budgeted levels.
Posted inElection 2023
City Council candidate under fire for ‘hateful’ and ‘extremist’ Facebook posts
Shawn “Oliver’s public social media posts are disrespectful, hurtful, perpetuate harmful stereotypes, and promote intolerance and division.” — Carmen Amaral, Oliver’s opponent in Tuesday’s Ward 3 election
Posted inCrime and courts
How the $75,000 Whaling Museum thefts went down
Robert Burchell had a long history of addiction, debt, arrests and jail stints. Then the museum hired him as a “facilities associate.”
Posted inEducation
Anderson staying put as superintendent; Newton chooses Natick chief
Newton’s decision came in a special session of its School Committee one day after Anderson toured the high-achieving, suburban district, including meeting with faculty and staff, observing classes, answering questions from the public, and presenting a 90-day “transition plan.”
