Standard-Times • 4th January 2022

Got an On the Run Cinnabun craving? New St. Luke's Hospital kiosk offers pastry and more

Got an On the Run Cinnabun craving? New St. Luke's Hospital kiosk offers pastry and more

NEW BEDFORD — Regulars of the Rockdale Avenue location can still purchase their cinnamon buns and other delectable pastries from On The Run Cinnabun at St. Luke's Hospital.

Mary Kelley-Zis uprooted her business from the corner of Rockdale Avenue and Stackhouse Street to a small lobby kiosk in St. Luke's Hospital after her lease agreement came to an end. She was inspired by the majority of her customers who

Standard-Times • 3rd January 2022

Here's who is in compliance with New Bedford's COVID-19 vaccine and testing policy

Here's who is in compliance with New Bedford's COVID-19 vaccine and testing policy

NEW BEDFORD — Since the city implemented a COVID-19 vaccine mandate and testing policy for city employees, several employee unions have reached agreements.

Following an announcement on Aug. 6, all city employees were expected to be show proof of vaccination or a weekly negative COVID-19 test to work starting Nov. 15. The city reached agreements with AFSCME and the firefighters union. New Bedford Police union rea

Standard-Times • 30th December 2021

City Council newcomer Shane Burgo vows to be 'a voice' in New Bedford's opioid crisis

City Council newcomer Shane Burgo vows to be 'a voice' in New Bedford's opioid crisis

NEW BEDFORD — At just 28, newly elected city councilor-at-large Shane Burgo plans on tackling an issue that's important to him personally: the opioid crisis.

Burgo lost both of his parents to addiction. Growing up in New Bedford, he saw family and friends lose loved ones to addiction, he said. What he plans to do now is change the narrative and stigma behind the opioid crisis.

While city councilors have litt

Standard-Times • 28th December 2021

Here's what new School Committee member Ross Grace Jr. has on his agenda for 2022

Here's what new School Committee member Ross Grace Jr. has on his agenda for 2022

NEW BEDFORD — As he readies to join the School Committee, Ross M. Grace Jr., a lifelong advocate for quality education, is hoping to develop positive relationships, collaborate on building up the district and be more transparent as a committee.

"Healthy dialogue, be respectful, keep our focus on needs in the classroom and meeting students where they're at," are just a few of the ideas Grace expressed about the di

Standard-Times • 23rd December 2021

These students thought they were on the 'naughty list.' Instead they got a nice surprise.

These students thought they were on the 'naughty list.' Instead they got a nice surprise.

NEW BEDFORD — Nearly $5,000 in Wal-Mart gift cards were distributed to students at Normandin Middle School to assist them in spreading holiday cheer.

As part of a long-standing tradition, Normandin has received donations from community members and staff to purchase gift cards for selected students for the past 10 years, with the exception last year due to the pandemic. This year, $4,800 was raised to purc

Standard-Times • 22nd December 2021

'It gives you peace of mind': New Bedford families scoop up free at-home COVID tests

'It gives you peace of mind': New Bedford families scoop up free at-home COVID tests

NEW BEDFORD — Families can celebrate the holidays knowing they are a little safer with at-home testing kits right at their fingertips.

The city of New Bedford was allocated 37,700 at-home COVID-19 testing kits containing two rapid antigen tests each, and began distributing them to residents Tuesday at Keith, Normandin and Roosevelt Middle Schools. Just an hour into the pop-up distribution, three boxes of 90 ki

Standard-Times • 22nd December 2021

This little boy dreams of being a police officer someday. But first, he needs a new heart.

This little boy dreams of being a police officer someday. But first, he needs a new heart.

NEW BEDFORD — A little boy with a huge heart for helping others is in need of a new one for himself.

Five-year-old JJ Montalban dreams of becoming a police officer, but first, he must address his own health. Since he was born in 2016, he has been fighting for his life, his mother Angelie said.

JJ was born with atrioventricular canal defect, congenital heart defect, single ventricle heterotaxy syndrome a

Standard-Times • 21st December 2021

New Bedford to distribute free at-home COVID-19 test kits

NEW BEDFORD — City health and emergency management officials are coordinating with community organizations to distribute more than 37,700 at-home COVID-19 testing kits to their clients. Priority groups include families with young children and minority racial/ethnic groups who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provided New Bedford with the 37,700 testing kits on Friday. Each kit contains two rapid antigen tests, by iHealth Labs. State offici

Standard-Times • 15th December 2021

New Bedford health officials compare HIV/AIDs epidemic to COVID. Why a comparison matters

New Bedford health officials compare HIV/AIDs epidemic to COVID. Why a comparison matters

NEW BEDFORD — A global epidemic that has plagued the world for 40 years may be ending in the next decade, even as the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

On World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the Biden-Harris Administration announced its commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030, reiterating the government’s bipartisan mission to end the HIV epidemic. Similarly, the COVID-19 pandemic continue

Standard-Times • 13th December 2021

New Bedford area schools adapt to a more inclusive health curriculum, despite guidelines

New Bedford area schools adapt to a more inclusive health curriculum, despite guidelines

NEW BEDFORD — While area schools follow outdated sex education curriculum guidelines from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, some districts and schools are making strides in addressing more current issues such as gender identity and sexual orientation.

DESE’s most recent Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework dates back to 1996, but in an attempt to be relevant, schools

Standard-Times • 10th December 2021

New Bedford hip-hop artist, author Tem Blessed publishes diverse graphic novel

NEW BEDFORD — While Tem Blessed was growing up, he longed for superheroes and comic book protagonists who looked like him. So, he created his own.

Blessed, whose full name is Temistocles Ferreria, is a hip-hop artist, environmental activist and author. He was born in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa to Cape Verdean parents and moved to New Bedford when he was just three years old.

He took advantage of every educational opportunity he was given, graduating from New Bedford High School as senior class

Standard-Times • 8th December 2021

2,000 valentines were collected for nursing homes. Now, they're asking for Christmas cards

2,000 valentines were collected for nursing homes. Now, they're asking for Christmas cards

NEW BEDFORD — Now even those without nearby family will receive "Seasons Greetings," thanks to community donations of holiday cards.

A spin-off from her successful "Valentines for Nana" and "FaceTime for Nana" projects, speech therapist Jill Valadao is once again collecting cards with quotes and thoughtful messages to distribute to residents of nursing and assisted living homes.

"There was such positive

Standard-Times • 6th December 2021

One dead as result of early Monday morning fire in New Bedford tenement

One dead as result of early Monday morning fire in New Bedford tenement

NEW BEDFORD — A man has died as a result of a residential fire at 104-106 Hemlock St. early Monday morning.

Daniel DuPont, age 65, died at St. Luke's Hospital, according to Acting Fire Chief Scott Kruger. DuPont was one of 12 tenants of the three-story building.

Kruger said 911 calls about the fire came in at 4:50 a.m. He said the fire started in the second floor north apartment, where DuPont lived. All tenants evacuated

Standard-Times • 4th December 2021

'It's a system, not a period': 2,000 hygiene products donated to help New Bedford women, teens

'It's a system, not a period': 2,000 hygiene products donated to help New Bedford women, teens

NEW BEDFORD — Instead of collecting canned goods this holiday season, The Women's Fund Southcoast collected tampons and menstrual pads.

A total of 2,381 personal care products were gathered through a hygiene drive, including soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant and feminine care products.

"Programs like SNAP don't cover basic hygiene products like soap and deodorant," Executive Dire

Standard-Times • 3rd December 2021

From hazard to holiday: Fairhaven family donates 30-foot tree to city

From hazard to holiday: Fairhaven family donates 30-foot tree to city

NEW BEDFORD — This year's Christmas tree embodies the SouthCoast community, thanks to a donation from a Fairhaven family.

Cristina Lopes and her family moved into their current Fairhaven home about a year-and-a-half ago. A large, 30-foot spruce tree in their front yard became a hazard with high winds from living so close to the water, so when the city posted on Facebook searching for a tree donation, it just made sense to of

Standard-Times • 2nd December 2021

'Launching the city out of the pandemic': Mayor Mitchell outlines $80M COVID relief plans

'Launching the city out of the pandemic': Mayor Mitchell outlines $80M COVID relief plans

NEW BEDFORD — Mayor Jon Mitchell has outlined investment priorities for more than $80 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding.

According to a press release, Mitchell said the funds are going toward "transformational projects and programs that will leverage additional sources of capital, maximize the funding's impacts and improve the lives of city residents for generations."

“The opportunities

Standard-Times • 30th November 2021

Eighth-graders collect clothing and books for adolescents at Southcoast Behavioral Health

Eighth-graders collect clothing and books for adolescents at Southcoast Behavioral Health

DARTMOUTH — More than 350 pounds of clothing and books have been donated for use by adolescents at Southcoast Behavioral Health Hospital thanks to two kind-hearted eighth-graders at Friends Academy.

Addison Kostin and Anna Herliczek were expected to complete a service project for school and since both of their families work in the medical field, they wanted to give back to those who have benefitted from h

Standard-Times • 29th November 2021

Fairhaven media students recognized at national level

FAIRHAVEN — The media arts department continues to gain attraction even after students have excelled in the program.

Former film student Charles "Charlie" Fernandes received a National Student Production Award for his music video to King Guru's "She's the Only One" which was created right before the pandemic. In addition, Fernandes received four nominations in the Commercial category for his English project "Lord of the Flies," director, editor and photographer from the Boston/New England Chapt

Standard-Times • 29th November 2021

Voc-Tech has pitched a new admissions policy. Here's how it will benefit students.

Voc-Tech has pitched a new admissions policy. Here's how it will benefit students.

NEW BEDFORD — Greater New Bedford Voc-Tech has initiated a new change in its long-standing admissions policy.

For years, the three main components of Voc-Tech's admissions policy have focused on scholastic ability, attendance and behavior, and seventh- and eighth-grade students were graded on a points scale to determine eligibility for consideration as a future student.

On Nov. 9, the school committee read the

Standard-Times • 23rd November 2021

New Bedford native appointed as assistant superintendent of Fairhaven Public Schools

New Bedford native appointed as assistant superintendent of Fairhaven Public Schools

FAIRHAVEN — Mark Balestracci will lead the district as assistant superintendent starting Dec. 13.

Balestracci, a Falmouth resident and New Bedford native, has been the principal at Mashpee Middle-High School since 2015 after completing his master's degree in school leadership/administration from American International College. He graduated from New Bedford High School in 2002.

According to Superintendent Tara

Standard-Times • 23rd November 2021

Fall River and New Bedford businesses eligible for $1,000 grant to promote COVID vaccine

Fall River and New Bedford businesses eligible for $1,000 grant to promote COVID vaccine

Small businesses in New Bedford and Fall River may receive $1,000 in grants to promote the COVID-19 vaccine.

Lawyers for Civil Rights and Point32Health are teaming up to provide support to small business local vaccination efforts. Local businesses can apply online or via email for a $1,000 grant that can help promote the COVID-19 vaccine, be it through employee incentives, promotional materials, personal p

Standard-Times • 19th November 2021

'Maybe it's a blessing in disguise': Mother and 5 kids are homeless after New Bedford fire

'Maybe it's a blessing in disguise': Mother and 5 kids are homeless after New Bedford fire

NEW BEDFORD — Jasmine Johnson has been shuttling her five children between multiple homes to make sure they are all getting the shelter they need while still attending school. She continues to prepare for her new job that starts in a couple of weeks. On top of it all, she is trying to find permanent housing after her apartment caught fire on Tuesday.

Johnson's unit at 11 Roosevelt St. was destroyed by a

Standard-Times • 18th November 2021

'Let them eat pie': Dance studio raises funds and collects canned goods for food pantry

'Let them eat pie': Dance studio raises funds and collects canned goods for food pantry

NEW BEDFORD — Attitude Academy of the Performing Arts dancers will be serving up a pie in the face to one of their instructors, but it's all in the spirit of helping out a local food pantry.

Dance studio owner Toni Contois said she has always instilled in her dance students the “love of dance, joy and community service.” Besides working on their technique and learning new choreography, the studio chooses a

Standard-Times • 17th November 2021

'We just want a choice': New Bedford municipal employees protest city's vaccine mandate

'We just want a choice': New Bedford municipal employees protest city's vaccine mandate

NEW BEDFORD — City employees and others against New Bedford's COVID-19 vaccine mandate protested outside of city hall on Tuesday.

According to the policy, as of Monday, Nov. 15, city employees had to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or results of a negative COVID-19 test or be placed on unpaid administrative leave. Employees will be allowed to use accrued vacation or personal time, but not sick time. Co