News

Kids lift off with the Marion Natural History Museum

MARION — Mike Cronin recently shared his rocketry expertise with the Marion Natural History Museum’s afterschool group. Kids learned about what’s needed for lift-off and propulsion, and how to add the “recovery wadding” and parachute to ensure the...

Rochester Town Election is today

ROCHESTER — Today is election day in Rochester, with voters set to decide the outcome of two contested races and one ballot question, as well as several other open positions. Voting will take from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Council on Aging at 67...
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Mattapoisett Council on Aging looks to fill director position

MATTAPOISETT — As the Mattapoisett Council on Aging looks to fill the director position, two candidates are now in the running. At their Tuesday, May 27 meeting, the Select Board interviewed the prospective directors. Joann Avila has been in long...

Mattapoisett Select Board tables member expansion vote

MATTAPOISETT — After Town Meeting approved a citizens petition to expand the Mattapoisett Select Board from three to five members, Select Board members met on Tuesday, May 27 to discuss the next steps. To increase the size of the Board, Select Board...

Old Rochester promenaders strike a pose

MATTAPOISETT — Dazzling divas and dashing dates stepped into the limelight at Old Rochester Regional High School’s promenade on Tuesday, May 27. Couples, friends and triumphant trios strutted across the auditorium stage in their finest attire,...

Washburn Farmer’s Market features cream of the crop vendors

MARION — The Charles R. Washburn Memorial Trust ventured into un-chard-ed territory, opening a brand-new outdoor farmer’s market on Tuesday, May 27. Fresh produce and meat, artisan crafts and savory spice rubs took center stage at the market with...

All hands on deck at the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race

ROCHESTER — The pop of the starting pistol rang out across Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir at 8:30 a.m. sharp, launching the first boat of the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race into action and signifying the beginning of a cherished 91-year-old tradition...

Remembering the fallen: Rochester honors Memorial Day with expanded program

ROCHESTER — During opening speeches for Rochester’s Memorial Day Procession, State Senator Michael Rodrigues honored the sacrifice of fallen WWII soldiers who never came home: “They gave up their chances to be husbands, fathers and grandfathers...

Two students awarded Mattapoisett Woman’s Club scholarship

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett residents Caitlin O’Donnell and Meredith Cameron have been awarded the 2025 Mattapoisett Woman’s Club scholarship. O’Donnell, a senior at Old Rochester Regional High School, plans to major in psychology at the University...

Betsy Stewart, Michele Bernier win contested races in Mattaposiett Town Election

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett voters favored Betsy Stewart for the Old Rochester Regional School Committee and incumbent Michele Bernier for the Board of Health in the Tuesday, May 20 election. The two ballot questions also passed, both of which asked...

Marion select board considers moving Town Meeting to Saturdays

MARION - In his first motion since returning to the Select Board after an over 30 year absence, John Hoagland proposed moving Town Meetings to Saturdays. This proposal would better accommodate the schedules of senior citizens and parents of young...

Two candidates run for one seat on the Rochester Park Commission

ROCHESTER — Two candidates are vying for one three-year term on the Rochester Park Commission in the upcoming election on Wednesday, May 28. Incumbent David Hughes has nine years of experience serving on the commission, while newcomer Nate Reece...

Town Meeting approves expansion of Rochester Crossroads project

ROCHESTER — Rochester Town Meeting approved the 1.39 acre expansion of the proposed Rochester Crossroads development on Monday, May 19. Development plans from 2022 stated that the lot would host 208 units. With the proposed expansion passed at Town...

Scientist dives into the ocean trenches

MARION — During the Marion Natural History Museum’s annual meeting on Friday, May 16, scientist Chris German of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discussed deep ocean trenches. He covered topics including studying the chemical composition of...

Two vie for one seat on the Rochester School Committee

ROCHESTER — Two names will appear on the ballot for one Rochester School Committee seat in the upcoming Rochester Town Election, which will be held on Wednesday, May 28. Kristin Jimenez, who is currently the parent president of the Parent-Teacher...

John Hoagland wins Marion Select Board seat

MARION — Marion voters elected John Hoagland for one open seat on the Select Board, beating out opponents Cynthia Callow and Sean Sweeney with over 50% of the vote on Friday, May 16. Additionally, two ballot questions regarding proposals for Marion...

Meet Rochester School Committee candidate Kirstin Jimenez

ROCHESTER — For six years, Kirstin Jimenez has served on the Parent-Teacher Organization at Rochester Memorial School, but with her daughter set to enter Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, she is now looking for a new way to be involved...

Meet Rochester School Committee candidate Barbara Lee

ROCHESTER — For two years Barbara Lee has volunteered on the Rochester Memorial School school council, and after the urging of some friends and residents, is now running for a seat on the Rochester School Committee. With a long background in finance...

Marion Town Meeting approves $2.7 million in road and sidewalk funding

MARION — After reaching a two-thirds majority vote, Marion Town Meeting approved the appropriation of $2.7 million that will fund sidewalk, road and way repairs on Monday, May 12. With Town Meeting approval confirmed, the proposal will now appear on...

Local author talks loneliness and how to avoid it

MARION - Have you called your mother today? Or your sibling, or even your best friend? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. Today’s busy world often causes a lack of connections, author and Marion resident J.W. Freiberg and a nationally recognized...

Marion historic district rejected at Town Meeting

MARION — Following months of contentious discussions, voters opposed the creation of a Marion historic district at Town Meeting on Monday, May 12. Requiring a two-thirds majority, the district bylaw was rejected with 154 voters in favor of the...

Funds set aside for future affordable housing projects

MATTAPOISETT — In the closest vote of the night and the only one that required a headcount to determine the outcome, Town Meeting narrowly approved transferring $250,000 from the CPA Undesignated Fund to the CPA Community Housing Fund. The amount...

Stretch Energy Code removed from Marion bylaws

MARION — Town Meeting finalized the removal of the Stretch Energy Code from Marion bylaws, triggering the town to leave the Green Communities Program on Monday, May 12. The Stretch Energy Code established specific energy efficient demands for new...

Over $3.3 million approved for Marion Town House renovations

MARION — Marion Town Meeting approved over $3.3 million in funding for Town House renovations on Monday, May 12. Accessibility improvements, a fire suppression system and a new HVAC system are among the renovations that will be added to the Town...

Renovations may be coming soon to the Mattapoisett Highway Building

MATTAPOISETT — After decades without any major work done, renovations to the Mattapoisett Highway building are now one step closer. Town Meeting approved the Mattapoisett Highway Department’s request for $4 million on May 12 to pay for renovations,...

Petition moves forward to increase Mattapoisett Select Board size

MATTAPOISETT — After a contentious debate that nearly saw the postponement of a citizens petition to increase the Select Board size from three to five members, Town Meeting approved of expanding the Select Board in a voiced vote, which will go into...

Meet Board of Health Candidate Michele Bernier

MATTAPOISETT — Incumbent Michele Bernier is no stranger to the Board of Health, but she is new to campaigning. After writing in her name in the blank candidates spot three years ago and winning the seat, Bernier is now running to stay on the Board...

Meet Board of Health candidate Douglas Schneider

Board of Health candidate Douglas Schneider couldn’t be reached for an interview, but attended a candidate’s night hosted on April 30 by the League of Women Voters Southcoast. MATTAPOISETT — For the past 40 years, Douglas Schneider has been...

Two candidates vie for a seat on the Board of Health

MATTAPOISETT — Two names will appear on the ballot for one Board of Health seat in the upcoming Mattapoisett town election, which will be held on Tuesday, May 20. Douglas Schneider, who has been involved in the development business with a focus on...

Sippican Woman’s Club gives $1,000 grant for technology, website improvements

MARION — The Sippican Woman’s Club 2024 Holiday by the Sea House Tour, which was held on Dec. 7, 2024, was a “fantastic success,” the organization said. The Club partnered with Tabor Academy, homeowners who opened their homes to the public and local...

Camp out with a new scouting troop

A new all female scouting troop may soon be coming to the Tri-town. Leadership from several area troops in Scouting America are working to put together a troop for girls ages 11 through 18, with the closest troop currently located in New Bedford...

Two contested races as the Mattapoisett Town Election approaches

MATTAPOISETT — As the May 20 town election approaches, there are two contested races on the ballot, with two candidates running for one seat on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee and two candidates vying for one seat on the Board of Health...

Two contested races as the Marion Town Election approaches

MARION — With Marion’s Town Election set to be held on Friday, May 16, the races for the available Select Board and the Open Space Acquisition Commission seats are the only ones contested and will feature some familiar faces. Four candidates are...

Rochester Town Meeting to address Rochester Crossroads, school improvements and more

ROCHESTER — The upcoming Rochester Town Meeting will feature an expansion to the Rochester Crossroads housing development project, Rochester Memorial School improvements and a $27,022,457 town operating budget. Rochester voters will face those and...

Three candidates run for two seats on the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

MARION — Three candidates are running for two three-year terms on the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission in the upcoming Friday, May 16 election. Open Space Acquisition Commission members John Rockwell and Adele Sands are running to secure...

Mattapoisett candidates address challenges at forum

MATTAPOISETT — As the Mattapoisett Town Election nears, candidates for two contested races are facing off to discuss how they would address the concerns facing the Board of Health and the Old Rochester Regional School Committee. On Wednesday, April...

The ship hasn’t sailed yet: Join in on the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race

ROCHESTER — Every year since 1934, the Mattapoisett River has seen the craftsmanship of local boaters put to the test. Generations have floated, sank and tipped over into the rushing water on their way to the finish line of the Rochester Memorial...

Mattapoisett Town Meeting to discuss Select Board seats, Oakland Street reconstruction and more

MATTAPOISETT — A $4 million renovation of the Highway Department building. A $1.3 million Oakland Street drainage project. Expanding the Select Board from three to five members. Six requests for Community Preservation funds and a $34,474,066 town...

Marion Town Meeting to discuss historic district, road repairs and more

MARION — Voters will consider the creation of a Marion Village historic district, a nearly $3.3 million renovation of the Town House and a proposal to remove the town from the Green Communities Program, along with several other proposals, at the...

Swings, slides and a ceremony: Rochester breaks ground on Gifford Park Playground

ROCHESTER — Building a playground is no walk in the park. After a year of planning , the Rochester Parks Commission and the non-profit organization Tri-Town for Protecting Children celebrated the new Gifford Park Playground with a groundbreaking on...

Marion candidates share potential plans and perspectives at forum

MARION — In preparation for the Marion Election on Friday, May 16, nine candidates from the Planning Board, Open Space Acquisition Commission and the Select Board discussed their intentions and ideas for the town at a forum on Tuesday, April 29. All...

Proposed Marion Town House renovation to focus on accessibility

MARION — Marion Town House renovations have been considered for over 15 years. With the structure’s current lack of ADA compliance and fire suppression system, some Marion officials are emphasizing that this proposed project should be prioritized...

Yee-haw! Rochester Select Board approves New England Rodeo license

ROCHESTER — Boy howdy! Barrel racing and bull riding could come to Rochester this summer. The Select Board approved a license agreement with the New England Rodeo for temporary use of the fairgrounds at 65 Pine Street during a meeting on Monday,...

Meet the candidates running for the Old Rochester Regional School Committee

MATTAPOISETT — Two candidates are running for one available three-year term on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee, as the impending annual town election approaches on Tuesday, May 20. Candidates sat down with reporter Abby Van Selous to...

Old Rochester Regional School Committee candidate profile: Nina Datshkovsky-Ennis

MATTAPOISETT — Ever since she moved to Mattapoisett in 2010, Nina Datshkovsky-Ennis has looked for ways to get involved in the community. Now, she is running for the open Old Rochester Regional School Committee seat in the May 20 election to address...

Old Rochester Regional School Committee candidate profile: Betsy Stewart

MATTAPOISETT — Betsy Stewart spent 16 years volunteering her time in her children’s schools and being an active member of the Parent-Teacher Organization in the Franklin Public School District. Now she’s looking to apply her experiences to the Old...

Marion Election Candidates Forum

MARION — Marion Election Candidates will have a chance to share their perspective at a Candidates Forum hosted by The League of Women Voters SouthCoast on Tuesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Sippican School Multipurpose Room. The event is open to the...

Sowing new seeds: Mattapoisett Tree Committee honors life of teacher Bill Spark

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Tree Committee and Highway Department helped a new memorial take root at Center School to honor the legacy of longtime teacher Bill Spark who passed away from leukemia in 2009. Following an Arbor Day Observance...

Two contested races as the Rochester election takes shape

ROCHESTER — With the Rochester town election approaching, the ballot is shaping up to have two contested races for the election on Wednesday, May 28. Three newcomers have taken out nomination papers for one Rochester School Committee position, with...

Rochester welcomes familiar Tri-Town face to planning

ROCHESTER — While Michaela Shoemaker has had careers in Hanover, Falmouth and Kingston — she’s finally returning to her roots as Rochester’s new Town Planner. Shoemaker is a Marion native and moved back home five years ago. She said her onboarding...

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