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Rochester Police Department brings cocoa and community connections

The Grinch brought gifts to the Rochester Police Department event Dec. 5. Photos by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — Hot chocolate flowed, a fire crackled and holiday movies played on an inflatable screen at the Rochester Police Department’s second annual Christmas…

Traffic speeds among top concerns for Mattapoisett road reconstruction project

Map of the area of focus for the Mattapoisett road and sidewalk improvements. Source: MassDOT

MATTAPOISETT — Town and state officials presented ongoing project plans to update several streets leading to Route 6 at a public hearing Thursday. …

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Hold your horses! Mattapoisett police wrangle loose horse

Lt. Justin King gets control of the loose horse. Source: Mattapoisett Facebook

MATTAPOISETT — A loose horse was wrangled by the Mattapoisett Police Department and Natural Resources Department Thursday, Dec. 4. The Mattapoisett police received a report of a loose horse Thursday afternoon. Lt. Justin King and Natural Resource...

Southcoast Insurance opens Mattapoisett branch

Southcoast Insurance Group founder Nick Daddona of Marion, insurance agent Chrissy McKay of Mattapoisett and insurance producer Chase Wingate of Mattapoisett. Source: Southcoast Insurance Group

MATTAPOISETT — Headed by Tri-town locals Nick Daddona and Chase Wingate, Southcoast Insurance Group has opened a new branch in Mattapoisett. Southcoast Insurance was established in 2013 with its first office opened in Dartmouth. The company now has...

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum: Rochester tree lighting kicks off Christmas

Santa poses with Isla Durant infront of his temporary sleigh-car.

ROCHESTER — The Grinch crashed Rochester’s Christmas tree lighting but couldn’t stop the fun and festivities with Santa and an over 40-year-old tradition. Family, friends and neighbors gathered at Rochester Congregational Church Sunday, Nov. 30 to...

Old Rochester students cook up a holiday fundraiser to share

James Russell, Luke Pierre and Rafael Duarte, 3 class officers who created the cookbook, pose infront of an Old Rochester Bulldog. Photo by Mari Huglin

MATTAPOISETT — The junior student body class officers of Old Rochester Regional High School wanted a fundraiser that benefited everyone. They decided to create a cookbook of shared recipes called the “Bulldog Bites Cookbook.” Back in early...

Run for a Santa Cause: Mattapoisett mom, teacher to host fundraiser run for MS

Pease and her 4 children visiting in the hospital, December 5, 2024, the day Pease was diagnosed with MS.

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett mother and Fairhaven Middle School teacher Jennifer Pease was inspired by her MS diagnosis and daughter to organize a 5K Santa Stampede fun run to raise awareness of the disease for the first time this December. On...

Old Rochester students give back at the second annual Day of Giving

One student works on her wreath.

MARION — Old Rochester Regional High School students spread across the Tri-town to give back to their community and continue a new tradition. Students and staff members met at Old Rochester early Wednesday, Nov. 26 before heading off in buses to...

Marion adopts Stormwater Management Bylaw following EPA warning

MARION — Marion property owners will now be required to apply for a permit if they plan to begin a construction project that involves once acre of land or more after voters approved a Stormwater Management Bylaw with a two-thirds majority voice...

Water meter debate heats up at Marion Town Meeting, discussion postponed to May

MARION — A citizens petition to potentially allow the installation of secondary outdoor water meters in Marion sparked a passionate debate at Fall Town Meeting on Monday, Nov. 24 — ultimately leading to the discussion being postponed until Spring...

Romanian man charged with credit card fraud in Mattapoisett

MATTAPOISETT — 39-year-old Nicu Vasile Ardel of Romania was arrested in Mattapoisett after an ongoing investigation of credit card forgery. Detective Dennis Tavares arrested Ardel on charges of Larceny and Credit Card Forgery. Police speculate that...

Gobble, gobble: Old Rochester Junior High School serves up turkey at Mattapoisett Council on Aging

Friends and the community smile together at shared tables.

MATTAPOISETT — Nearly 300 older adult Tri-town senior citizens were served with kindness, energy and big smiles at the Old Rochester school cafeteria by 40 students and around 12 staff members who hosted a Thanksgiving banquet on Sunday, Nov. 23....

Gravy train: Old Colony cooks up Thanksgiving for the Rochester Council on Aging

Old Colony students serve up delicious Thanksgiving fixings.

ROCHESTER — Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School students and staff served 150 Thanksgiving meals for the Rochester Council on Aging on Friday, Nov. 21. 150 Rochester seniors, ages 60 and older, were treated to a traditional...

Old Rochester vies for Acushnet students in tuition deal

Old Rochester and Acushnet Public Schools have met since August to discuss the possibilities of a new tuition deal between the districts.

MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester and three other schools are vying for a tuition deal with Acushnet Public Schools which would welcome more students from the Acushnet district. The Acushnet School Committee will host the final vote on which districts...

What’s next for Old Colony following “no” vote on new building project?

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School sign. File photo.

Now the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School’s plans to construct a new school building are halted, what’s next for the Rochester-based school? On Tuesday, Nov. 18, voters from the five member towns who send students to Old Colony...

Improvements on Old Rochester athletic fields begin this winter

Aerial view of Old Rochester Regional High School and the athletic fields. Source: Old Rochester Regional School District

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional High School athletic fields will be improved from the winter of 2025 until the winter of 2027 with a $750,000 grant from state Rep. William Straus. The Old Rochester Regional School Committee met Thursday,...

$288 million Old Colony project denied by voters

Stickers were avaliable after voters cast their ballots. Photos by Mari Huglin

The five member towns of the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School district did not approve a proposed $288 million building project at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 18. A simple majority across votes from Rochester, Mattapoisett, Carver,...

Marion Town Meeting to discuss stormwater management, outdoor water meters

MARION — Marion voters will consider adopting a stormwater management bylaw and a citizens petition that could allow secondary outdoor water meters at Fall Town Meeting on Monday, Nov. 24 at 6:45 p.m. in the Sippican Elementary School Auditorium....

Police manhunt for Rochester resident continues

Andrew Thatcher, a Rochester resident, left court early a few weeks ago and has not been seen since. Source: Rochester Police Department Facebook

ROCHESTER — 38-year-old Rochester resident Andrew Thatcher is wanted by the Rochester Police Department after fleeing court early a few weeks ago. Thatcher is wanted for the following charges: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault, Negligent...

Community outreach is sweet as pie at Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church

Two volunteers fill a pie crust with filling.

MARION — Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church wants everyone to have a piece of the pie. At this year’s “Great Pie Challenge” on Sunday, Nov. 16, volunteers of all ages gathered at the Marion-based church to bake approximately 200 pies that will be...

Whodunit? A murder mystery at Old Rochester

Tenley Lane, Gianna Anunziato, Amanda Tomasso and Lincoln Fauteaux are shocked at what they find on stage. Photos by Mari Huglin

MATTAPOISETT — Grab your Sherlock caps and magnifying glass to solve the crime within a crime at the new Old Rochester Regional High School fall comedy play. Running over the weekend of Nov. 20 to Nov. 23, this play within a play will explore who...

Marion honors Veterans Day with seaside ceremony

Town Administrator and Navy veteran Geoffrey Gorman salutes the flag as the pledge of allegiance is recited. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MARION — Family, friends and Marion town officials gathered on a cold Tuesday morning to honor United States veterans and active-duty personnel on Veterans Day in a seaside ceremony on Nov. 11. Town Administrator and Navy veteran Geoffrey Gorman...

Marion citizens petition advocates for outdoor water meters

MARION — For Marion resident and Planning Board Chair Andrew Daniel, the creation of his citizens petition to advocate for the option of a secondary outdoor water meter comes from personal experience as a homeowner burdened by sewer rates. “I was...

Hear the bells ring: Mattapoisett celebrates Veterans day

Kathleen and Fred Kawa came from Whitman to enjoy the festivities.

MATTAPOISETT — In the home of the brave and in the land of the free, bells rang out on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in Mattapoisett — honoring Veteran’s day and Armistice day. On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Mattapoisett...

Marion’s Percy Browne House named to 2025 Massachusetts Most Endangered Properties List

Original 1881 design of the house. Source: Sippican Historical Society

MARION — Preservation Massachusetts has named ten historic properties, including the Percy Browne House in Marion, to the 2025 Most Endangered Historic Resources List on Oct. 30. Since 1993, the Massachusetts’ Most Endangered Historic Resources...

$30,000 funding awarded for Rochester website by Rep. Mark Sylvia

Rep. Mark Slyvia at an event. Photo by Mari Huglin

ROCHESTER — Rochester has received $30,000 worth of funding for a new town government website — awarded to the town by Rep. Mark Sylvia and Sen. Michael Rodrigues. Rochester Town Administrator Cameron Durant was grateful for Rep. Sylvia’s...

Preparing for the polls: Nov. 18 Old Colony vote approaches

Pie chart of estimated costs per town for the new construction of Old Colony Regional Vocational High School. Graphs by Grace Roche

Voters in Rochester, Mattapoisett, Lakeville and the two other towns that send students to Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 18 to determine the fate of a $288 million proposed project to...

Out and about: LGBTQ+ hike with Mattapoisett Land Trust

Mike Hugenin is the president of Mattapoisett Land Trust and joined the group for a hike, sharing facts about the area.

MATTAPOISETT — The rain didn’t stop 10 hikers ready to explore Brandt Island Cove on Saturday, Nov. 8 hosted by The Mattapoisett Land Trust and Queer Hikes organization. Mike Hugenin, president of the Mattapoisett Land Trust, joined the hike and...

Rochester resident hired as next superintendent of Wareham Public Schools

Amy Hartley-Matteson is the next superintendent of Wareham schools. Photo by Bobby Grady

WAREHAM — Rochester resident Amy Hartley-Matteson has been chosen by the Wareham School Committee to be the next superintendent of schools on Thursday, Nov. 6. After a months-long search process, she was one of three candidates selected to advance...

Ghouls just wanna have fun at The Loft School

Preschoolers Lillie Sprayregen, dressed as a fairy, and Ambrose Bradley, dressed as "Gekko," march alongside Erin Braman who donned a witch costume.

MARION — At The Loft School in Marion, witches, fairies, super heroes, skeletons and ghosts hit the streets to the beat of the “Monster Mash” on Thursday, Oct. 30 for their annual Halloween Parade. “The parade brings out the best in creativity and...

Storm winds rip roof from Mattapoisett boat business

Roof of Triad Boatworks partially torn off in storm. Source: David Curran

MATTAPOISETT — On the night of Monday, Nov. 3, wind gusts moving at over 50 mph ripped away large chunks of the Triad Boatworks facility roof amid a storm. Located at 1 Park Street, the Mattapoisett family-owned business has served the community as...

Rep. Mark Sylvia presented Manufacturer of the Year Award to Mattapoisett business

Rep. Mark Sylvia with Tony Tranfaglia at the Manufacter of the Year event.

MATTAPOISETT — State Rep. Mark Sylvia is honored to announce that Village Signs of Mattapoisett is a 2025 recipient of the "Manufacturer of the Year” Award, presented by the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus. This award is given in...

Mattaposiett Lion’s Club free festival features fall-tastic fun

Fairhaven resident Dayme Maloney with her 1-year-old son Bennett Maloney pick out pumpkins. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MATTAPOISETT — Even after Halloween, the spooky spirit of the season stuck around a little longer this year at the Mattapoisett Lion’s Club Fall Free Family Festival. Families flocked to Shipyard Park on Saturday, Nov. 1 for hay rides, pumpkin...

Tri-town braces for impact of SNAP benefit freeze

Amid a federal government shutdown, over a thousand SNAP recipients in the Tri-town are now being impacted by the freezing of the food assistance program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, provides assistance to...

Creeping it real at the Marion Art Center’s annual Halloween Parade

Emmy Philbrook, 5, of Marion stops to grab some candy along the Marion Art Center Halloween Parade route while dressed as a princess. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MARION — The Marion Art Center kicked off an eerie-sistible evening of Halloween hijinks with its annual parade, gathering ghouls and goblins of all ages on Friday, Oct. 31. Dressed as M&M’s, video game characters, horror movie villains and more,...

Jeepers creepers! Mattapoisett swarmed with Hallo-queens and creepy kings

A Ghostbuster smiles with her ghostly-dressed dog. Photos by Mari Huglin

MATTAPOISETT — Ghouls, goblins and gremlins haunted the streets of Mattapoisett, parading through the town ending with a costume contest next to the harbor. On Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31, kids and residents of all ages dressed up to take part in...

Blinding lights no more: Marion Maritime Center lights finally dimmed

The Harbormaster's Office and the Maritime Center are located at 1 Wharf Island Road.

MARION — After months of complaints from Marion residents, the lights on the Maritime Center and Harbormaster’s office have been dimmed. At a Marion Select Board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 29, Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman presented the dimmed...

Hurry up and wait: Mattapoisett Board of Health member yet to be elected

The Mattapoisett Board of Health and Select Board met Thursday, Oct. 30 to elect a new Board of Health member. From left to right: Carmelo Nicolosi, Tyler Macallister, Jodi Bauer and Michael Lorenco.

MATTAPOISETT — Postponed for two months already, the Mattapoisett Select Board has yet to elect a new member of the Board of Health. The Select Board held a meeting Thursday, Oct. 30 to discuss and vote in a new member of the Board of Health for a...

Every dog has its day: Marion dog deemed not dangerous at public hearing

The Marion Select Board begins the public hearing of Enzo the dog. From left to right: Vice Chair John Hoagland, Chair Randy Parker and Clerk Norman Hills. Photo by Mari Huglin

MARION — The Marion Select Board let sleeping dogs lie at a “dangerous dog” public hearing — declaring that Enzo, a three-year-old border collie and labrador mix who supposedly bit a walker, is not a threat to the town. At a Tuesday, Oct. 28 Select...

Mattapoisett Police continues investigation into ‘violent’ sign at No Kings protest

A protestor at the Mattapoisett "No Kings" rally holds a violent sign, leading to a police investigation.

MATTAPOISETT — A photograph of a bearded man supposedly participating in the Oct. 18 Mattapoisett No Kings protest while holding a handmade sign with the message: “WANTED better snipers,” has prompted a police investigation, local social media...

Two-vehicle crash causes car rollover in Marion

A Toyota Avalon containing a driver and one passenger rolls over due to a collision. Source: Marion Fire/EMS Facebook

MARION — A Ford Bronco and a Toyota Avalon collided in Marion at the intersection of Spring Street and U.S. Route 6, causing a rollover crash that led to a vehicle landing on its roof on Sunday, Oct. 26 at around 4:10 p.m. The three people involved...

Marion resident charged with 3 additional offenses after initial arrest

The contraband seized by the Marion Police Department and Massachusetts State Police after the Oct. 27 initial arrest. Source: Marion Police Department Facebook

MARION — 35-year-old Marion resident Spencer Mello was arrested and charged with three additional offenses related to drug possession with intent to distribute and possession of ammunition without a Firearms Identification card on Sunday, Oct. 27....

The Legend of Rochester’s haunted ‘Witch Rock’

The text and image were originally painted by the owner of the property the rock sits on in 1990. Photos by Mari Huglin

ROCHESTER — Spooky stories are scattered across the South Coast, and Rochester’s claim to fame is a haunted rock. Located at the intersection of New Bedford Road and Vaughn Hill Road, this haunted rock stands at 12 feet tall and has the words...

Fa-boo-lous trunk or treat with Marion first responders

Sergeant Sean Day with Lexie Dupont, dressed as a magical vampire bat, and Hazel Moore, dressed as Wednesday Addams. Photos by Mari Huglin

MARION — The town of Marion got its spook on with tricks, treats and trunks, hanging out with first responders Saturday, Oct. 25. Dozens gathered as the Marion police, fire and harbormaster’s departments held a trunk or treat complete with...

Rochester’s new fire station estimated cost over $19 million

The Public Safety Building Committee meets to talk about the updates on Rochester's new fire house. From left to right: Fire Chief Scott Weigel, Facilities Director Andrew Daniel, David Sullivan, Chair Arnie Johnson and Deputy Jeff Eldridge.

ROCHESTER — Seeking safety upgrades, improved efficiency and updated gear in a modern building, the construction of the Rochester Fire Department’s new station at 65 Pine St. is estimated to cost $19 million. On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Town...

Detectives on deck: Mattapoisett Police investigate mystery boat

The mysterious abandoned boat on the side of Wolf Island Road. Source: Mattapoisett Police Department Facebook

MATTAPOISETT —- An unknown boat was abandoned on the side of Wolf Island Road on Thursday, Oct. 9 between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. in Mattapoisett. Mattapoisett Police are investigating the case and attempting to identify the owner. According to the...

So long, cowboy: New England Rodeo ends season on a high-note

Bull rider Wilquer Cruz competes for Team Brazil at the New England Rodeo. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

ROCHESTER — Two bull riding teams battled it out on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the New England Rodeo’s final show — ending the season on an action-packed note. Bull riders on Team United States and Team Brazil competed for a prize of $1,000, with Team...

Turning a new leaf: Outdoor education comes to two more schools

MARION — The Marion Institute is expanding its Grow Education program into two new schools within the Old Rochester Regional School District. Old Hammondtown School in Mattapoisett and Rochester Memorial School in Rochester will partner with the...

Driver uninjured in Marion after rollover car crash

Photo of the single vehicle rollover crash that happened on Monday, Oct. 20. Source: Marion Fire Department Facebook

MARION — At 4:43 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20, Marion Fire Department and Marion Police Department responded to a single vehicle rollover crash on the S-curve near Gifford Corner Road on 682 Mill Street in Marion. There was a single, female occupant who...

A creepy cup of joe with ‘Michael Myers’ and the Rochester Police Department

Officer Catilin White, Officer Emmanuel Matias, Sergeant Connor Ledin and Officer Amin Alkahal connect with the Rochester Community at Mary Lou's Coffee, alongside "Halloween" villain Michael Myers. Source: Rochester Police Department

ROCHESTER — Members of the Rochester Police Department served up free cups of joe at Mary Lou’s Coffee with a special guest in tow — the iconic “Halloween” villain Michael Myers. “We reached out to Michael Myers and he took a break from terrorizing...

An un-beet-able community garden sprouts in Marion

Brooke Johnson of Marion pulls fresh carrots from the soil at the Marion community vegetable garden. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MARION — In an unsuspecting corner of Marion where produce was never meant to grow, fresh vegetables now sprout across a half-acre of land and 10 garden beds — each cared for by Marion residents. The half-acre of land is nestled behind the Marion...

‘No Kings’ rallies hundreds of protestors in Mattapoisett

Emily Nugent of Mattapoisett holds a poster encouraging attendees to "Protect Democracy" while Avery Nugent holds a "Resist" flag at the Mattapoisett "No Kings" protest. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MATTAPOISETT — Waving homemade signs and American flags, approximately 400 protestors crowded the sidewalks of Mattapoisett to join one of over 2,000 of “No Kings” demonstrations happening across the nation on Saturday, Oct. 18. Tri-town residents...