Jack Spillane
Columnist covering all things New Bedford.
Is COVID-19 cluster at The Vault a warning for New Bedford?
The five confirmed cases were traced to four separate groups within the club that night, including one member of an 11-person bachelorette party.
DA seeks justice in case of Councilor Hugh Dunn
State police say an EMT and paramedic on the scene the night of the accidents described it as “obvious” that he had been drinking and that they smelled alcohol on his breath.
Inside New Bedford’s blockbuster offshore wind deal
They agreed to devote a portion of the Cannon Street site for a modern seafood offloading facility where the public could view the fishing boats as they purchase fresh fish.
Water, Water everywhere
This year DATMA is up and down Union again, and over on MacArthur Drive, between the State Pier and the Black Whale.
City councilors look for free lunch in budget cuts
Councilors tend to avoid making any cuts to the salaries, health care and pension benefits of city employees, lest they incur the wrath of municipal unions.
Getting vaccines to New Bedford’s Latino neighborhoods
The number of fully vaccinated Hispanics in New Bedford is just 24%, compared to 40% of whites, 36% of Blacks and 17% of people who identify as multiracial.
Fairhaven sends a message for Pride month
The three-member Board of Selectmen has made it clear over the last month that the Pride flag has no place on the property that is the seat of town government in Fairhaven.
New Bedford looks warily at new COVID-19 variant
As people get ready for a big summer of art and music, the city continues to lag behind most of the state in the number of folks who are vaccinated.
It’s beach time in New Bedford
Cisco Brewers is going to draw back the curtain on what lovely city beaches New Bedford has, with vistas every bit as breathtaking as West Island and sparkling ocean as charming as Horseneck.
What the heck is happening in the South End?
A month into the 2021 municipal election’s campaign filing period, the William Street political world is abuzz over a Ward 6 race that would normally be a low-key affair.
Gentrification a solvable problem in New Bedford?
“If the city has the political will, it can make any of this work,” said Robert Terrell, a lecturer at Tufts University.
Battle brewing over future of New Bedford neighborhoods
As real estate prices increase, there is evidence that low-income residents are being forced out of homes in New Bedford.
Sad ending for hard-working New Bedford mill employees
Work in the mills may have allowed New Bedford residents to make a living, but it was never a good living for most. And it was never an easy life.
Chris McCarthy’s harrowing COVID-19 survival tale
After suffering three strokes, a heart attack and double pneumonia, the WBSM host tells columnist Jack Spillane he does not know for sure whether he literally died.
COVID-19 has left the city deeply traumatized
Columnist Jack Spillane surveys the pandemic’s toll on New Bedford, from the Latino community to health care workers.
TARBY RICHARDS, 72, ‘THE ONE TO BRING JOY’
Tarby was a fun-loving guy who people liked to be around. He would just go up and talk to total strangers.
POLICE SGT. MIKE CASSIDY, 52, HERO AND ‘GOOD GUY’
After graduating from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, Michael P. Cassidy enlisted in the Marines and fought in Operation Desert Storm. He died on April 28, 2021, after a long battle with COVID-19.
JOAN M. STRATTON, 70, ADVOCATE FOR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
Joan Stratton had lung issues and died at St. Luke’s Hospital on Feb., 12, 2021, from complications due to COVID-19. She was 70 years old.
FORMER MAYOR KALISZ, 63, WAS A FAMILY MAN FIRST
Fred Kalisz died from COVID-19 complications on Jan. 27, 2021. He was 63 years old.
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