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Marion Special Town Meeting scheduled

MARION — The town of Marion will hold a Special Town Meeting on Monday, Nov. 9 at the Sippican Multipurpose Room at 16 Spring St. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, visit the Town Clerk’s webpage or contact the office at...

Class of 1966 to hold 60th reunion

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional High School class of 1966 will hold its 60th reunion on Saturday, October 3 at 5 p.m. Classmates wishing to attend can contact Donna Thompson Tufts at dltufts@pm.me for details and RSVP.

Mahoney’s Lane hearing postponed yet again

Over 70 people packed the Mattapoisett Fire Department for a Conservation Commission hearing Monday, Sept. 14. Photo by Grace Roche

MATTAPOISETT — With a larger venue came an even higher turnout for a continued Conservation Commission hearing about a proposed new build. The commission had to continue the hearing for a plan to build seven houses on Mahoney’s Lane yes again at...

Every dog has its day at this Rochester training club

Dog trainers Cristina Fredette and Sherri Swindle, as well as Swindle’s husband, pose with their dogs. Photos by Tanvi Kulkarni

ROCHESTER — The club has an interesting array of participants: a middle school student, a therapy dog, a knee implant engineer and multiple competition dogs. Each dog, with its human, walks around orange cones placed throughout the room, listening...

Down on the Frogfoot Farm

Frogfoot - Marion Institute

For the Marion Institute, six-acre patch of marginal farmland a short distance off Tihonet Road in Wareham helps accomplish two goals: Encouraging the consumption of local produce and combatting food insecurity on the South Coast. Videographer...

Rochester honors firefighters who died during 9/11 with new memorial

The new memorial has a piece of steel from the World Trade Center and a plaque explaining its significance. Photo by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — A rusted piece of steel, once part of the World Trade Center in New York City, now stands atop a block of granite at the Rochester Firefighter's Memorial as tribute to the first responders who died during 9/11. The Rochester Police and...

Mattapoisett elementary schools start year new principals, staff

Charles West and Amanda Chamerblin gave a report on schools opening at the school committee meeting Sept. 10.

MATTAPOISETT — New leaders have joined Old Hammondtown Elementary School and Center School this year, with one administrator a familiar face in the district and one newly joined from Seekonk Public Schools. Charles West is Center School’s new...

UPDATE: State police arrest Haverhill man after chase ends in crash and flames

The car involved in the chase crashed and caught fire Wednesday, Sept. 9. Phos source: David Curran

MARION — State police arrested a Haverhill man after a high-speed chase on I-95 when he crashed his car Wednesday, Sept. 9. Jordani Nieves Reyes, 23, was charged with failure to stop for police, negligent operation of motor vehicle, number plate...

Mattapoisett Lions Club installs accessible ramp for Marion family

Mattapoisett Lions Club members unload part of a ramp they installed for a Marion family Saturday, Sept. 5. Photos source: Mattapoisett Lions Club

MARION — Members of the Mattapoisett Lions Club put their commitment to service into action Saturday, Sept. 5 to install a handicap ramp for a Marion family. Marion Town Nurse Lori Desmarais requested the project, and project director Bruce Rocha...

Grant could offset rising construction costs for Mattapoisett Highway Department building

Town Administrator Michael Lorenco, left, speaks to the Select Board at a Tuesday, Sept. 8 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche

MATTAPOISETT — After Town Meeting approved funding for renovation to the Mattapoisett Highway Building last year, the town is considering asking voters to transfer additional funds to cover rising costs for the project. Because the town received a...

Mattapoisett police officer stops driver going wrong way on I-195

MATTAPOISETT — A police officer intercepted a driver traveling the wrong way on the highway while on duty. Mattapoisett officer Jacob Fluegel stopped the driver traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-195 near Mattapoisett on Friday, Sept. 4....

Marion residents rock ‘n’ roll with Elvis tribute artist

About 400 people joined the last summer concert hosted by the Council on Aging.

ROCHESTER — Town residents rocked and rolled at the last summer concert by Rochester’s Council on Aging with Robert Black and the Elvis Band. “We were joined by about 400 of our closest friends. The music was great, but the time spent with friends...

SRPEDD seeking applicants for its new bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee

The bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee will help make transportation more accessible.

The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) is seeking applications for membership on a new regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The committee will inform SRPEDD about bicycle and pedestrian planning...

Elizabeth Taber Library welcomes new executive director

Kayla King

MARION — Kayla King is Elizabeth Taber Library’s new executive director. She served as assistant administrator at Fall River’s public library, where she was involved in programming, community engagement and public services. The library said in a...

Mattapoisett woman confidently leads next generation

Kim Gioioso leads a session of her confidence class in the First Congregational Church of Marion’s community center on Friday, Sept. 4. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — A group of about 10 girls giggle and chat together inside the First Congregational Church of Marion’s community center, waiting for the beginning of a Friday, Sept. 4 confidence workshop. Kim Gioioso, of Mattapoisett, gathers the sixth...

Cruisin’ on down the wharf

One of the annual summer cruise nights happened at Shipyard Park on Friday, where people came to see vintage cars. Photos by Tanvi Kulkarni

MATTAPOISETT — Car enthusiasts, antique car owners and Mattapoisett residents gathered at Shipyard Park Sept. 4 for one of the last vintage car shows of the summer. Over 50 cars, mostly from the 20th century, were parked on the lawn with hoods up...

Rochester Memorial School Committee chair joins education fellowship

Rochester Memorial School Committee Chair Kate Duggan is participating in this year's Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship, organized by the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. Photos source: Old Rochester Regional School District

MATTAPOISETT — Kate Duggan, the Rochester Memorial School Committee chair, has joined the Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship. The fellowship helps leaders of educational organizations understand and advance equitable education policy. The...

Community-wide survey enriches Mattapoisett’s history

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Historical Commission is working on a long-term, community-wide survey to add to the town’s historical and cultural archives. The commission reached a milestone in the multi-year project, completed by Preservation...

Mattapoisett partners with residents to strengthen climate resilience

Mattapoisett's climate resilience project will focus on sea level rise and storm surge concerns. Photo by Grace Roche

MATTAPOISETT — To improve its climate change preparedness, town government staff and community members are partnering to plan ahead for the future. Mattapoisett was one of several towns that received a $100,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness...

Sippican School celebrates return to school with open house

Marion's comfort dog, Norman, sits in the hallway of Sippican School during an open house Tuesday, Sept. 1. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — Ahead of school beginning today, students and their families crowded Sippican School to explore new classrooms and meet new teachers. The school held an open house Tuesday, Sept. 1 to welcome kids back to school and help them get ready...

Markey, Keating, Minogue among Tri-Town primary winners

Marion voters cast their ballots at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center during the primary election Tuesday, Sept. 1. Photos by Grace Roche

Tri-Town Democrats largely supported Edward Markey to be the party’s U.S. senator candidate and Bill Keating for the U.S. representative nomination. Incumbent Sen. Markey faced current Rep. Moulton in the state primary elections Tuesday, Sept. 1....

Marion approves water tank donation to Carver

From left: Select Board members Toby Burr, John Hoagland and Randy Parker at the Tuesday, Sept. 1 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche

MARION — An unused water tank has been sitting in storage since 2019, purchased to sit on a brush breaker the town planned to buy. The Select Board approved donating the tank to the Department of Conservation and Recreation District 2 fire warden...

West Nile detected in nearby mosquito population

Avoiding mosquito activity can keep people safe from West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito population in a nearby town, state health officials report. The positive results were detected Aug. 18, according to the state. Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester have been placed on emoderate risk...

Tabor Academy to potentially restore and modernize historic Percy Browne House

A historic photo of the Percy Browne House from 1885. Photo source: Sippican Historical Society

MARION — Tabor Academy is exploring the restoration and expansion of the historic Percy Browne House to adapt it for modern use. The Marion Historical Commission completed a study in late August on potential future uses and restoration cost of the...

Marion Institute awarded nearly $1 million grant

MARION — The Marion Institute received nearly $1 million as part of a state-wide grant to support organizations and municipalities helping people lead healthier lives. The funding is designed to support locally-driven efforts to build healthier...

Marion man isn’t on the fence about sharing kindness

Stan Bradford holds his dog Goodness in front of his Kindness Wall at his property at 468 Wareham Road. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — Stan Bradford knows that good fences make good neighbors. That’s why the Marion resident is looking to decorate the fence of his property, at 468 Wareham Road (Route 6), with artwork that spreads kindness and positivity. Bradford began...

Old Rochester names interim assistant superintendent of finance and operations

Michael Perrone has been appointed as interim assistant superintendent of finance and operations for Old Rochester Regional School District. Photo source: Old Rochester Regional School District

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional School District will soon welcome an interim assistant superintendent of finance and operations. Michael Perrone will join the district Sept. 21, bringing over 20 years of school finance and administration...

'Remember her for who she was': Youth soccer organization dedicates memorial to deceased player

The Eitas family, surrounded by Madelyn's friends and soccer community, cut a ribbon to open Maddie's Circle at the Mariner Youth Soccer Complex on Friday, Aug. 28. Photos by Grace Roche

FAIRHAVEN — With sunflowers in hand and tears in their eyes, the Mariner Youth Soccer community gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Maddie’s Circle. Madelyn Eitas’s former teammates, friends and family gathered at 270 Huttleston Ave. to...

How to keep students safe on the road as school year begins

Back-to-school season brings safety precautions for students and drivers. Photo source: ORR School District

MATTAPOISETT — As the new school year begins, the Old Rochester Regional School District shared safety guidelines for students, their families, and drivers. The district asks parents and students to review safety recommendations, and for everyone...

Route 6 bridge construction to fully resume

The bridge repair work on Route 6 is set to fully resume following a pause in July. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni

MARION — Work on the Route 6 bridge over the Weweantic River is set to fully resume in the upcoming weeks, after construction halted work after crews found diamondback terrapin breeding grounds nearby. The bridge was structurally deficient and is...

Bike and pedestrian path closer to completion

MARION — A shared use path that will make Marion more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly is one step closer to completion. The Marion Select Board discussed an update on the progress of the project at a Tuesday, Aug. 25 meeting. MassDOT required...

Mattapoisett considers purchasing beach grooming equipment

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MATTAPOISETT — The town is considering investing in new beach-cleaning equipment to increase efficiency and reduce the cost of labor. The Select Board discussed purchasing a beach groomer to replace the current front end loader and backhoe used to...

Investigation determines administration handled RMS bathroom incident legally

An investigation determined the district acted in accordance with state law and policy after a parent filed a Title IX complain. File photo

ROCHESTER — The Old Rochester Regional School District announced Friday, Aug. 21 that an investigation found the school did not violate a student’s federal Title IX rights in connection with an incident at Rochester Memorial School. In a message...

What to know for Sept. 1 primary election

Election day is Sept. 1. File photo

The state primary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 1. Votes may be cast by mail, early in-person or on election day. There are primary contests on both the Democratic and Republican sides. Voters enrolled in neither party may choose to vote in...

Mattapoisett wave buoy helps researchers study state’s coast

An offshore wave buoy floats off the coast of Mattapoisett in Buzzards Bay. Photo source: Stone Living Lab.

MATTAPOISETT — Off the coast of Mattapoisett floats a yellow buoy, monitoring the height, frequency and direction of the waves that pass under it. It’s part of several new monitoring instruments the Stone Living Lab installed across the coast of...

Plumb Library celebrates its 50th anniversary

Library Director Kristen Cardoso accepts a plaque from the Rochester Historical Commission on Saturday, Aug. 22. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni

ROCHESTER — Plumb Library opened its doors to Rochester residents and state lawmakers Aug. 22 in celebration of its golden jubilee. The library turned 50 on Aug. 18 , and Library Director Kristen Cardoso and Chairperson of the Rochester Historical...

Old Rochester District receives literacy education grant

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional School District received a $117,000 grant as part of state-wide funding supporting literacy education. The Partnership for Reading Success–Massachusetts grant programs, is designed to help districts,...

Rochester Historical Commission begins historical house plaque program

ROCHESETER — After the Joseph H. Plumb Library received a plaque during a Saturday, Aug. 22 ceremony, the town now has 11 historic buildings commemorated with plaques. The Rochester Historical Commission hopes to increase the number by adding ones...

Old Rochester granted $30,000 for civics education

MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester Regional High School received a $30,000 state grant to fund its civics education efforts. The school was among 28 districts to receive similar funding to support teachers’ professional development, strengthen civics...

Former Tabor teacher charged with raping student

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MARION -- A former English teacher at Tabor Academy has been arraigned on 12 charges of rape after allegedly abusing a student over a three-year period. Nannie Clough was arraigned Aug. 17 in Brockton Superior Court on the rape charges and one...

Eagle Scout project helps Sippican Lands Trust track environmental changes

Iain McManus stands next to one of his photo posts at Brainard Marsh. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — At three Sippican Lands Trust properties stand a wooden post with an orange octagon affixed to the top. These “photo posts” are the culmination of Iain McManus’s Eagle Scout project, and were designed to encourage people to take a series...

Marion Police Department’s comfort dog to receive body armor donation

Marion Police Department's comfort dog Norman. Photo source: Marion Police

MARION — The Marion Police Department’s top dog will soon receive new protective gear thanks to a donation from a Taunton non-profit. Vested Interest in K9s donated a bullet- and stab-proof vest to Norman, one of the department’s comfort dogs....

Mattapoisett Museum helps kids learn about the community

A group of campers and counselors from Mattapoisett Rec enjoyed a day of activities at Mattapoisett museum. Photos source: Sara Zaiger.

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Museum and young campers from Mattapoisett Recreation left a lasting positive impact on each other through an encounter earlier this month. On Aug. 3, over 60 campers from the Seahorse Summer Explorers Camp visited...

Rochester Select Board considers $1.3 million land purchase

From left: Town Administrator Cameron Durant and Select Board members Paul Ciaburri, Adam Murphy and Bradford Morse at the Monday, Aug. 17 meeting. Photo source: ORCTV

ROCHESTER — Rochester leaders are considering buying a $1.3 million property for conservation from future development. Town Administrator Cameron Durant proposed the purchase of a 29-acre land parcel off of Snows Pond Road on Snipatuit during a...

Proposed higher density housing bylaw draws mixed reaction

From left: Planning Board Chair Thomas Tucker, Town Planner Victoria Alfaro and Planning Board members Nathan Ketchel and Karen Field at the Monday, Aug. 17 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche

MATTAPOISETT — Residents are split on a proposed bylaw aimed at creating lower-cost, high-density housing along Route 6. The Planning Board held a public hearing for a Cottage Community Development bylaw at its Monday, Aug. 17 meeting to gather...

Summer reading program reaches final chapter of the year

MARION — Summer reading has come to a close at the Elizabeth Taber Library, encouraging children up to 12 years old to read during time off from school. Each of the 172 kids who registered for the program received a free book, funded by Taunton...

Drop and Drive: Neighbors helping neighbors through a monthly food drive

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett is having monthly food drives to help community members put food on the table. On the third Thursday of every month from 5-7 p.m., volunteers at Mattapoisett Congregational Church will collect non-perishable food items...

Mattapoisett Museum will temporarily close to construct an accessible entrance

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Museum will soon be under construction to provide a fully accessible entrance to visitors using wheelchairs, other mobility devices and strollers, as well as visitors who have difficulty climbing stairs. After the...

Marion program helps young explorers discover nature

Coastal explorers take a trip on the Marion Harbormaster boat during the week-long program. Photos source: Marion Natural History Museum

MARION — Young explorers learned about the many habitats and animals in town during a Marion Natural History Museum program. Second- through eighth-grade students spent a week investigating areas along the water, in the forest and on the beach to...

Rochester man accused of attempted murder to be held without bail

Theodore Labelle appeared at Wareham District Court for a dangerousness hearing Friday, Aug. 14. Photo by Grace Roche

WAREHAM — Theodore Labelle, a Rochester man accused of two counts of attempted murder among other charges, will be held without bail after a judge ruled he is too dangerous to release. While Daniel Pond, Labelle’s attorney, requested he be granted...