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Bathroom use controversy draws crowd at Rochester School Committee

Luis Rivera speaks at the June 3 Rochester School Committee meeting. Photos by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — Parents and residents packed the Rochester School Committee’s Wednesday, June 3 meeting to discuss how the administration has handled complaints…

Badly damaged stretch of Delano Road soon to be repaved

The Marion Select Board approved work on Delano Road at a Tuesday, June 2 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche

MARION — After a particularly brutal winter which damaged many roads in town, the one in perhaps the worst condition will soon be repaved with funds from a grant secured…

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ORR students awarded in essay contest

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MATTAPOISETT — Four Old Rochester Regional High School students won awards for their essays about democracy. The essay competition was designed by the Marion Democratic Town Committee to promote interest in civic engagement and help students define...

Rochester election results in tie for a School Committee seat

The race for Rochester School Committee ended with a tie for one of the seats. File photo

ROCHESTER — While Kate Duggan easily won a seat on the School Committee in a contentious race between four candidates, fellow candidates Barbara Lee and Isabel Gomes-McCann are tied for the second available seat. Rochester residents headed to the...

Mattapoisett veteran Colonel Nancy Souza honored at military event in Boston

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MATTAPOISETT — As Nancy Souza prepared to coach volleyball at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in 1991, she was called to active duty and deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. From...

Outrage erupts over trans Rochester Memorial School student using girls' bathroom

Luis Rivera, left, speaks during a May 7 school committee meeting. Photo source: ORCTV

ROCHESTER — The angry father of a Rochester Memorial School student is calling for the district to change its policy on bathroom access for transgender students after he reports a transgender classmate barged into his daughter’s bathroom stall....

Mobile food pantry shifts into gear in Rochester

Maureen Vieira, left, and Nora DuPont stand beside the mobile food pantry at the Rochester Council on Aging. Photos by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — After about a year of paperwork and preparation, Nora DuPont’s community nutrition project is ready to hit the road. She’s the founder of From Georgia, With Love, a nonprofit organization that operates a mobile food pantry in Rochester....

Plymouth County Sheriff's Office layoffs may have ripple effects in small towns

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ROCHESTER — At the beginning of March the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office announced 33 layoffs in the offices of Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Field Services and Civil Process. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation took the largest hit in...

Clear sailing for paddlers and kayakers in annual Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race

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ROCHESTER — Excitement buzzed in the air as old friends greeted each other and newcomers charted their plans for the annual Rochester Memorial Day boat race. Kayakers and paddlers took on the approximately 13 mile route winding through Rochester...

Marion, Mattapoisett hold Memorial Day ceremonies

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Rainy weather might have moved Marion and Mattapoisett’s Memorial Day ceremonies indoors, but it didn’t dampen spirits. Instead of a previously-planned parade, Marion held a ceremony Monday morning in the Sippican School auditorium. The auditorium...

Old Rochester students set to attend Boys and Girls State

MATTAPOISETT - Eight students at Old Rochester Regional High School are slated to attend the Massachusetts Boys and Girls State conventions at Stonehill College in June. At the convention, students attending Boys and Girls State study state and...

Volunteers honor veterans with Hammond Cemetery cleanup

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MATTAPOISETT — In honor of Memorial Day and their friend Ronnie Scott, Raymond Hanks and Anthony Spooner set out to continue their work of cleaning up graveyards. Hanks is a part of the Advisory Committee for Cemeteries, Memorials and Veterans...

Catch a wave! Gnome Surf Therapy offers adaptable surf exercises for all

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MATTAPOISETT — Everyone can surf with a program based out on the South Coast catering to athletes of all ages and abilities. Gnome Surf Therapy spent the day working with Old Rochester Regional elementary, junior high and high school students...

Marion passes new rule limiting Island Wharf green space parking

Select Board members John Hoagland, Randy Parker and Toby Burr passed a restriction on parking in the grass at Island Wharf during a Tuesday, May 19 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche

MARION — The debate over use of the grassy area at Island Wharf has been temporarily settled with new parking restrictions. The Select Board decided at its Tuesday, May 19 meeting to restrict parking on the green space, implementing a parking ban...

UPDATE: Nicole Doyon Lynch, Judy Mooney, Frances-Feliz Kearns win Select Board seats

Voters headed to the polls at Old Hammondtown School on Tuesday, May 19. Photo by Grace Roche

MATTAPOISETT — Nicole Doyon Lynch, Judy Mooney and Frances-Feliz Kearns were elected Tuesday to join the newly-expanded Select Board, among six candidates in a hard-fought race. About 30% of voters came out to the polls Tuesday, May 19 to settle...

Candidates share why they are the best fit at Rochester Candidates Night

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ROCHESTER — The night after Town Meeting, residents showed up to hear from multiple candidates who shared why they would be the best fit for each position on Tuesday, May 19. Rochester elections will take place on Wednesday, May 27 from 8 a.m. to 8...

Rezoning efforts fail at Rochester Town Meeting

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ROCHESTER — An effort to rezone a number of properties in a rural part of town along County and Mary’s Pond roads was rejected at a three-hour Town Meeting on Monday, May 18. Proposed by town officials as a way to increase town tax revenue,...

Cameron Wentworth joins Marion as new Harbormaster

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MARION — Months after former Harbormaster Adam Murphy abruptly left the position, Marion has found its new harbormaster. The Select Board announced Cameron Wentworth will soon assume the harbormaster position, bringing with him experience as the...

Rochester elections to take place on Wednesday, May 27

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ROCHESTER — Voters will head to the polls on Wednesday, May 27 to decide municipal positions. Voting will take place on Wednesday at the Rochester Senior Center located at 67 Dexter Lane from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early in-person voting for the Annual...

Touch a Truck rolls in to Old Rochester

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MATTAPOISETT — Young kids and their families had a honkin’ good time at Old Rochester Regional High School’s Touch a Truck event on Saturday. Students in the school’s early childhood education program and community organizations partnered for the...

Special education major concern at Rochester Town Meeting

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ROCHESTER — Voters questioned the Old Rochester Regional School District's special education budget at Town Meeting Monday, May 18. Around 270 residents attended Town Meeting to discuss how special education is funded in the region. One item asked...

Two Mattapoisett high school graduates receive Lions Club scholarship

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Lions Club announced that Leah Hollenbeck a senior at Old Colony Regional Technical High School and Caitlyn Lund, a senior at Old Rochester Regional High School, are the recipients of the 2026 Mattapoisett Lion’s Club...

Assistant Principal Charles West selected as new Principal for Center School

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MATTAPOISETT — Assistant Principal Charles West was selected as the next Principal of Center School. West is set to begin the role July 1, pending on contract negotiations that are ongoing. West served as the Assistant Principal at Rochester...

Its barrels of fun for the second year of New England Rodeo

A rider rounds the barrels. Photos by Brandy Muz

ROCHESTER — As the dust settled in the pens and the stands filled with cowboy hat-clad community members, the New England Rodeo kicked off it's second season Saturday, May 16. The New England Rodeo came to Rochester first in 2025, bringing barrel...

Meet Isabel Gomes-McCann, candidate for Rochester school committee

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ROCHESTER — Isabel Gomes-McCann is running for the Rochester Memorial School Committee position for the first time. She is focused on being apolitical and serving the district's students first. Gomes-McCann has lived in Rochester for over 30 years....

Meet Kate Duggan, candidate for Rochester school committee

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ROCHESTER — Incumbent Kate Duggan is running for her third term on the Rochester Memorial School Committee. She has served two, three year terms on the School Committee previously first elected in 2020. Duggan has lived in Rochester for 16 years...

UPDATE: Marion election results in, Toby Burr wins Select Board

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MARION — Election results are in with Carelton Toby Burr winning the Select Board position and Margaret McSweeny winning another term on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee. Marion Town Clerk Katrina Desroches said that 847 residents cast...

Incumbent and newcomer race for Marion seat on Old Rochester School Committee

Margaret McSweeny and Katharine McAuley.

MARION — Two contenders are racing for a spot on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee ahead of Marion town elections. Incumbent Margaret McSweeny and Katharine McAuley are running to represent Marion on the school committee ahead of the...

Old Colony students shoot for the stars at culinary competition

Old Colony students set up for competition at the Johnson Space Center during the NASA HUNCH culinary challenge. Photo source: Ashley Ulett

ROCHESTER — Chicken vindaloo tacos helped a group of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School students blast off to Houston this spring. A team of Old Colony culinary students cooked their dish for judges at the Johnson Space Center...

Items up for discussion at Rochester Town Meeting

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ROCHESTER — Voters will be asked to decide on 34 matters at this year’s Town Meeting scheduled for Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at Rochester Memorial School located at 16 Pine St. Town Administrator Cameron Durant presented the items to the public on...

All measures pass at Marion Town Meeting

Voters met in Sippican School for Town Meeting on Monday, May 11. Photo by Grace Roche

MARION — Voters met in the Sippican Elementary School auditorium for a 2 ½ hour-long meeting to take care of town business on May 11. A $32 million dollar budget, funding for a school district-wide health insurance deficit and updates to the...

Mattapoisett voters head to town election this Tuesday

Voters will chose three new Select Board members during town elections on Tuesday, May 19. File photo

MATTAPOISETT — Unlike after most annual town elections, some newly elected Select Board members in Mattapoisett won’t begin a three-year term. voters will be asked to select up to three of the six candidates. how long their terms will be will...

Marion Election is on Friday, May 15

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MARION — Voters of Marion will head to the polls for a contested race between three Select Board candidates at Town Election on Friday, May 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center. Marion is offering in-person Early...

Housing addressed at Mattapoisett Town Meeting

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MATTAPOISETT — Two housing bylaws were addressed at Spring Town Meeting on Monday, May 11. Residents were asked to vote on two bylaws addressing housing in the area. One bylaw was the Cottage Community Bylaw and the other addressed Accessory...

All budgets passed at Mattapoisett Town Meeting

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MATTAPOISETT — Approximately 250 Mattapoisett residents gathered in Old Rochester Regional High School’s Auditorium to vote on the future of the town on Monday, May 11. All town budgets including the general annual funding and the school budget were...

Meet Mattapoisett Select Board candidate Eric Beauregard

Eric Beauregard.

MATTAPOISETT — After over 20 years of military service, Eric Beauregard wants to bring his leadership experience to the Select Board. Beauregard is among six candidates on the ballot for three open seats on the Select Board, one vacated by former...

Meet Mattapoisett Select Board candidate Frances-Feliz Kearns

MATTAPOISETT — After finding success on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee, Frances-Feliz Kearns has set her sights on the Mattapoisett Select Board. Kearns is among six candidates on the ballot for three open seats on the Select Board,...

Meet Mattapoisett Select Board candidate Judy Mooney

Judy Mooney.

MATTAPOISETT — After 26 years of working in local government, Judy Mooney wants to use her municipal experience and free time in retirement to give back to the community. Mooney is among six candidates on the ballot for three open seats on the...

Meet Mattapoisett Select Board candidate Ned Kaiser

Ned Kaiser.

MATTAPOISETT — A business owner and lifelong resident, Ned Kaiser wants to bring his problem solving skills and fresh perspective to the Mattapoisett Select Board. Kaiser is among six candidates on the ballot for three open seats on the Select...

Meet Mattapoisett Select Board candidate James Harlfinger

James Harlfinger.

MATTAPOISETT — After living in Mattapoisett for 77 years, James Harlfinger wants to preserve what makes the town special and be an on-call resource for residents. Harlfinger is among six candidates on the ballot for three open seats on the Select...

Meet the Candidates: Six contenders run for three seats on the Mattapoisett Select Board

From top left: Eric Beauregard, Frances-Feliz Kearns, James Harlfinger, Judy Mooney, Ned Kaiser and Nicole Doyon Lynch.

MATTAPOISETT — Six candidates are racing for three open seats on the Mattapoisett Select Board, as town election on Tuesday, May 19 approaches. Two of these seats were added in a move to expand the Select Board, while the third has recently been...

Meet Mattapoisett Select Board candidate Nicole Doyon Lynch

Nicole Doyon Lynch.

MATTAPOISETT — Nicole Doyon Lynch wants to use her sales and leadership experience to support Mattapoisett as a Select Board member. Lynch is among six candidates on the ballot for three open seats on the Select Board, one vacated by former chair...

Marion, Mattapoisett approve $1.4 million for Old Rochester health insurance shortfall

Mattapoisett voters approved funding part of Old Rochester Regional School District's health insurance shortfall at Town Meeting on Monday, May 11. Photo by Mari Huglin

Two of the three Old Rochester Regional School District member towns voted on a measure to provide one-time funding to the district to cover unexpectedly high health insurance costs at their respective Town Meetings. While Marion and Mattapoisett...

“We had to rebuild”: Mattapoisett Boatyard owners credit community support for post-fire recovery

From Left: David Kaiser, Mattapoisett Boatyard founder Arthur Mclean and Ned Kaiser at the grand re-opening on Saturday, May 9. Photos by Samantha DeGenova

MATTAPOISETT — Four years after the Mattapoisett Boatyard burned down, the business welcomed customers, friends and the community to celebrate the boatyard’s grand re-opening. Inside the rebuilt metal structure housing the boatyard’s internal...

Deceased man found in vehicle, foul play not suspected

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MARION — The Marion Police Department is investigating after a 76-year-old man was found dead in a vehicle Thursday, May 7. Foul play is not suspected. At approximately 8:30 a.m., the Marion Police Department was called to the area of 350 Front St....

Old Rochester boys tennis is young but undefeated

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MATTAPOISETT — With an undefeated season of 11-0 so far, the Old Rochester Regional High School boys tennis team is looking for more wins. Having lost in the second round of playoffs last year, Head Coach Baylen Harper hopes the team can go...

Overview of Mattapoisett Town Meeting main issues

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MATTAPOISETT — Thirty articles will be presented for approval at Mattapoisett Town Meeting this spring. Town Administrator Michael Lorenco presented the warrant for Town Meeting at a Mattapoisett Candidates Night on Wednesday, April 22. Voters...

Future of Island Wharf management remains uncertain

Vincent Malkoski, the chair of the Marine Resources Commission, during a joint meeting with the Select Board on Tuesday, May 5. Photo by Grace Roche

MARION — Controversy surrounding a grassy area on Island Wharf dominated a joint meeting between the Select Board and Marine Resources Commission on Tuesday, May 5. The two groups met at the Music Hall to discuss the area’s management and to gather...

Key issues up for vote at Marion Town Meeting

Marion voters will cover over 40 propositions at Town Meeting.

MARION — Without major projects slated for the upcoming year, spring Town Meeting is set to cover mainly standard financial business. Voters will be asked to approve the town’s budget and various line items, update a bylaw according to new state...

Two new Rochester police officers sworn in at Select Board

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ROCHESTER — Two new patrol officers, Scott Robbins and Jason Arthurs were sworn into the Rochester Police Department. Robbins was sworn in as a full-time officer and Arthurs was sworn in as a reserve officer at a Rochester Select Board meeting on...

Sippican Chorus celebrates the glory of Springtime

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MARION — Voices rang out and filled a sunlit Wickenden Chapel with a feeling of hope and welcoming spring on Sunday, May 3 at a Sippican Choral Society concert. The group held their annual spring concert “The Glory of Spring” with pieces from...

Meet the candidates: Three contenders run for one seat on the Marion Select Board

Norman Hills, George "TJ" Walker and Toby Burr.

MARION — Three candidates are running for one available three-year term on the Marion Select Board, as town election approaches on Friday, May 15. Incumbent Norman Hills is running for reelection, with Toby Burr and George "TJ" Walker eying the...