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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…

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…

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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...

Marion Police seize 6 more guns after initial arrest of Wareham man

Marion Police seized multiple firearms, over 175 rounds of ammunition, and drugs following the execution of a search warrant following a drunken driving arrest. Source: Marion Police Department

MARION — The Marion Police Department seized six additional firearms after an initial arrest of a Wareham man who was found passed out in a car in Marion with guns, drugs and open alcohol on Saturday, Oct. 4. Brian M. Ewan, a 67-year-old Wareham...

Unbe-leaf-able donuts draw hundreds to Cervelli’s Farm Stand

Pumkins ready to be picked at Cervelli's Farm Stand. Photos by Mari Huglin

ROCHESTER — Crisp leaves crunched underfoot and skeletons towered over the wooden farm stand as children and customers clutch pumpkins, corn and other treats at Cervelli’s Farm Stand in Rochester. Cervelli’s Farm Stand has served the town for...

Blazing trails at the Mattapoisett Fire Department Open House

Vincent Bradley, 6, of Mattapoisett climbs on top of a vintage fire vehicle. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MATTAPOISETT — Families were fired up at the Mattapoisett Fire Department’s open house on Thursday, Oct. 9. According to Fire Chief Andrew Murray, the event draws about 400 to 500 people each year and gives the department the opportunity to educate...

New England Rodeo to wrap up season with a bull riding showdown

Gabriel Cox of Coventry, RI wins the mini bronc competition. Source: Flex It Photography

ROCHESTER — The New England Rodeo is wrapping up their first season in Rochester with an “exciting, action-packed” team bull riding showdown on Saturday, Oct. 18. The rodeo hosted their final full-length program on Saturday, Oct. 4 with double the...

Old Rochester ‘Walks a Mile in My Shoes’ for National Suicide Prevention Month

(from left to right) Junior Sage Elia, social worker Rosemary Williams, school psychologist Julie Andrade, social worker Kerri Dowdall, junior Abby Desorcy, junior Zadie Goyette and junior Ava Ross-Sinkler at Old Rochester's "Walk a Mile in My Shoes'

MATTAPOISETT — Shouldering heavy backpacks and personal belongings, approximately 65 Old Rochester Regional High School students and over 10 faculty members embarked on a suicide prevention walk on Tuesday, Sept. 23 and Sept. 30. Student members of...

Rochester resident named Woman to Watch by Massachusetts Society of CPAs

Mitzi Keating a Rochester accountant who has been awarded a Woman to Watch by the Massachusetts Board of CPAs. Source: Hannah Naranjo

ROCHESTER — Rochester resident Mitzi Keating was selected as a 2025 Woman to Watch Award by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. The award recognizes professionals who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their...

Driver arrested after Saturday night chase in Mattapoisett

A Mattapoisett police cruiser. Soure: Mattapoisett Police Department

MATTAPOISETT — Connecticut resident Nicholas Kreidel, 19, was arrested Saturday, Oct. 4 after driving recklessly in Mattapoisett. At approximately 11:40 p.m. on Oct. 4, Officer Ben Church was traveling north on North Street when a blue Honda Accord...

Rochester will have two separate ballots for the Old Colony project vote

Map of the proposed Old Colony project construction. Source: Old Colony Building Project website

ROCHESTER — On Monday, Oct. 6, the Rochester Select Board has voted to have two separate ballots for the Nov. 18 special election regarding the Old Colony project proposal. Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School has proposed a $288...

Wareham man arrested in Marion on several gun, drug charges

Marion Police recovered two firearms, ammunition, and cocaine during an OUI investigation on Saturday. Photo Source: Marion Police Department

MARION — A Wareham man was arrested in Marion Saturday, Oct. 4 on gun, drug and operating under the influence charges. Brian M. Ewan, 67, of Wareham was arrested at Cumberland Farms in Marion after Marion Police responded to a report of a man...

Changing tides: Shellfishing solutions presented at summit

Seth Garfield (back) asks a question and Vincent Furtado (front) listens. Photos by Mari Huglin

NEW BEDFORD — Frustrated South Coast shellfish farmers continue to struggle with strict policies implemented by the FDA. Government representatives and local initiatives look to change the tide. The Marion Institute’s fifth annual Food Policy...

Harvesting health at East Over Farm festival

Rochester resident Eric Hedblom of East Over Farm drives a tractor, taking fall festival attendees on a hayride. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

ROCHESTER — Fall was in the air at East Over Farm’s autumn festival, celebrating health and wellness alongside pumpkins and ponies on Sunday, Oct. 5 in Rochester. “It was just a way to bring the community together, open up the farm and have a fall...

Mattapoistett 'indefinitely postpones' vote on Select Board expansion

Over 500 Mattapoisett voters pack into the Old Rochester Regional Gymnasium for Special Town Meeting. Photo by Grace Ann Natanawan

MATTAPOISETT — Over 500 Mattapoisett residents packed into the Old Rochester Regional High School Gymnasium for Special Town Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 4, where voters ultimately decided to “indefinitely postpone” the discussion and conclude the...

A gourd time at Old Colony Fall Family Festival

Kieran Adams gets a harness on before ascending the rock wall. Photos by Mari Huglin

ROCHESTER — Kids raced from laser tag to a mechanical bull to a towering climbing wall while students and vendors sold handcrafted items from their booths at the fifth annual Old Colony Fall Family Festival. Debra Quin, the president of the Old...

‘It’s always for Susan’: Rochester resident honors friend in Jimmy Fund Walk

(From left to right) Kara Pernice, Deborah (Pernice) Duffy, Rick Duffy, Donna Tocci, Sue Kindregan and Nora McKenna finish the Jimmy Fund Walk at the marathon finish line in 2016. Source: Donna Tocci

ROCHESTER — For Rochester resident Donna Tocci, the annual Jimmy Fund Walk celebrates the light of hope and joy amid tragedy. “It is more about celebration and joy and positivity that we’re all helping to create by helping to raise funds for this,”...

Old Rochester adapts to new tech with flexible AI use, maintaining strict phone policy

Old Rochester Regional High School students celebrating the start of the 2025-26 school year. Source: Old Rochester Regional High School Facebook

MATTAPOISETT — “Essentially, we're trying to teach kids responsible technology use,” said Mike Devoll, principal of Old Rochester Regional High School. Old Rochester is adapting to an era of new technology with monitored implementation of AI as a...

Construction begins on Main Street and Hiller Street in Marion

Construction signs on Main Street and Spring Street in Marion.

MARION — Beginning on Thursday, Oct.2, reclamation work and structure adjustments will begin on Main Street, from Spring Street to Water Street, and Hiller Street from Front Street to Main Street. Installation of permanent pavement will happen...

Marion requests volunteers for 175th anniversary

MARION — In 2027, the Town of Marion will celebrate its 175th anniversary. The Select Board is now seeking volunteers to join the 175th Anniversary Committee. The committee will plan and organize events throughout the year to honor Marion’s history,...

Two motor vehicle thefts early Monday morning

MARION — Two vehicles were presumably stolen in Marion during the early hours of Monday, Sept. 29, in the area of Village Drive and Fieldstone Lane. The first vehicle was located in New Bedford several hours later through the motor vehicle’s...

Cranberry bonanza: Harvest season hits Hartley Family Farm

Cranberries are wet-harvested from bogs at the Hartley Family Farm. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

ROCHESTER — With over 11 acres of bogs, three varieties of cranberries and two brothers at the helm of the operation, the Hartley Family Farm began their 24th harvest season in Rochester after a summer of preparation. Located in Rochester, former...

Marion Community Electricity Aggregation renewed until November 2028

MARION — The Town of Marion has renewed its Community Electricity Aggregation program — with new, lowered prices in place from November 2025 to November 2028. The Marion Community Electricity Aggregation program is a group purchasing program that...

Temporary playground closure at Center School

Students play on the Center School Playground that will be closed for the next few weeks for resurfacing construction.

MATTAPOISETT — There will be temporary closures of the Center School Playground starting Oct. 1 to accommodate a resurfacing project. The Center School Playground, located at 17 Barstow St. and will be closed for approximately two weeks. Center...