Mayor cites improving FBI crime stats in commending the chief, but the police union and exiting head of human resources have been critical of Oliveira.
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Posted inJack Spillane column
Mayor’s housing plan is too little too late
New Bedford housing programs are helping a few hundred people a year while thousands continue to wait.
Posted inFishing industry
The Codfather’s 2nd act: ‘I’m the bank now’
Three years after his release from prison, Carlos Rafael, the infamous former fishing mogul, is financing real estate projects across Greater New Bedford.
Posted inEducation
Educator sex abuse bill: ‘I hope it makes it to the finish line this session’
State senator and child advocates urge lawmakers to take action on a bill that would criminalize sexual misconduct by school staff with students 16 or older.
Posted inEducation
State lags in protecting students from sex abuse
In Massachusetts, a high school employee who engages in sexual relations with a student at the school would not face criminal charges as long as the student is at least 16 years of age. A pending bill would change that.
Posted inTransportation
SRTA to keep free rides through August
“If the Legislature comes through with this funding, hopefully there will be some sentiment around the idea that this is the way of the future and it will be permanent.” — Erik Rousseau, SRTA administrator and CEO
Posted inHousing
City clamps down on sober homes and lodging houses
“The requirement is grounded in concerns about public health and safety, including, as we’ve witnessed firsthand in New Bedford, the risk of fire. It applies to all lodging houses, including those that hold themselves out as ‘sober houses.’” — City spokesperson Jonathan Darling
Posted inCity Hall
Short on shelter, New Bedford mulls homeless camp
The City Council last month decided to at least talk about this as a starting point, and councilors received copies of a report that makes the case for a temporary homeless encampment.
Posted inTransportation
New South Coast Rail timeline: May 2025
Following two other delays and months of silence, the MBTA updated New Bedford and Fall River: “We are confident that we will be able to deliver this system on the timeline we laid out,” MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said.
Posted inStatehouse
Overdose deaths declined 10% in 2023
In New Bedford, there were 76 opioid overdose deaths in 2023, DPH data shows. That’s a decrease from the record peak of 92 deaths in 2022.