News

News

Pawsome pals: Meet Marion Institute’s newest furry friend

MARION — Hot dog! There’s a new Chief Morale Officer at Marion Institute, and she’s quite fetching. Meet Biscuit the dog, a four-month-old yellow labrador and Marion Institute’s newest puppy pal. She was adopted by Human Resources Director and...

Marion Select Board candidate profile: Sean Sweeney

MARION — After 25 years of building career experience in management and civil engineering at MIT and several consulting firms, Marion Select Board candidate Sean Sweeney is now looking to bring his diverse skillset to the position if elected on...

Marion Select Board candidate profile: John Hoagland

MARION — Candidate John Hoagland was first elected to the Marion Select Board in 1986 at the age of 29 and went on to serve two terms. Now Hoagland is running in the Friday, May 16 election to return to the Board to address many of the same issues...

Marion Select Board candidate profile: George “TJ” Walker

MARION — For almost two decades, Marion Select Board candidate George “TJ” Walker has committed himself to serving the town as a member of the Planning Board for six years, including five years as chair, and as a current member of the Board of...

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

MARION — Four candidates are running for one available three-year term on the Marion Select Board, as the impending annual town election approaches on Friday, May 16. The open seat is left behind by Select Member Carleton Burr, Jr., who decided not...

Marion Select Board candidate profile: Cynthia Callow

MARION — Select Board candidate Cynthia Callow has served the town of Marion for over a decade as past chair of the Conservation Commission and current chair of the Board of Appeals. Now she intends to apply her experience to the Select Board if...

Old Rochester Credit for Life Fair plays at personal finance

MARION — Old Rochester Regional High School’s second annual Credit for Life Fair was held on Tuesday, April 8 to teach seniors about financial literacy. "There are two things I hear at every fair: One, adults saying they wish something like this was...

Old Rochester seniors pursue the real questions in AP Research

MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester Regional High School honored this year's AP Research students following the completion of their year-long presentation and oral defense projects Friday, April 11. The 12 AP Research students selected topics and designed...

Eggs-citing Easter extravaganza at Silvershell Beach

MARION — Multicolor plastic eggs decorated Silvershell Beach as crowds of kids and parents gathered in the sand, eager to kick off the second annual Saint Gabriel Episcopal Church Easter egg hunt. Participants were treated to face painting, egg...

It takes a village: Rochester Council on Aging funds expansion with community donations

ROCHESTER — The expansion of the Rochester Council on Aging center has been discussed for over two decades, but with rising attendance and lack of space, renovations are now underway. Senior center attendance has grown significantly since Executive...

Buzzards Bay Coalition puts $7.6 million purchase of Little Neck Land on hold

MARION — The Buzzards Bay Coalition is putting their potential $7.6 million purchase of Little Neck land that extends across the coast of Sippican Harbor along Hermitage Road in Marion on hold after failing to reach an agreement with landowners in...

Giddyup! New England Rodeo looks to host events in Rochester

ROCHESTER — New England Rodeo is looking to get back in the saddle this summer, seeking approval to host their events at 65 Pine Street on the Rochester Fairgrounds. According to rodeo Strategic Advisor and Producer Kelly Pina, the “family-friendly...

SouthCoast artist uses Notes App and free parking to produce local landscapes

MARION — John Vliet is living proof to the saying, “An old dog can learn new tricks.” With just an iPad, his car and motivation to leave the house, Vliet has been providing Tri-Town Facebook groups with digital landscapes to give the feeds of...

Turning the page: Mattapoisett on its way to hire new library director

MATTAPOISETT — Following the abrupt resignation of previous Mattapoisett Library Director Colleen Tierney in November 2024, the Library Board of Trustees has been in search of a permanent director to fill the role. Two candidates will move forward...

Not far-fetched: Comfort dog awards su-paw-star students

MARION — Who has four legs, one tail and his own set of awards at Sippican Elementary? Norman does! Although, Norman isn’t the one choosing the recipients. Students are nominated each month by teachers for the recently introduced Norman Award when...

Fighting food insecurity at Marion Institute’s Frogfoot Farm

WAREHAM — One in three people in Southeastern Massachusetts experience food insecurity and do not know where their next meal will come from, according to Marion Institute Executive Director Liz Wiley. Food insecure residents' lack of access to fresh...

United States’ 250th birthday celebration committee in the works

MATTAPOISETT — The United States of America turns 250 years old in 2026 — and Mattapoisett resident Bobbi Gaspar is in the mood to celebrate. Gaspar went in front of the Mattapoisett Select Board on Tuesday, April 8 to bring forth the idea of a...

Some Marion officials fear financial burden of $3.2 million Town House renovation

MARION — Marion is looking to approve over $3.2 million for the renovation of the Town House at the annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 12, but some officials are concerned with the financial burden. The request has been recommended for favorable...

Restoration company found for Marion clock project

MARION — Time has been ticking toward this moment — The Clock Tower Restoration Committee’s months of research into restoring the historic piece of Marion history has led to the Balzar Family Clock Works in Freeport, Maine. As the iconic symbol in...

Rochester Fire Department responds to barn fire

ROCHESTER — The Regional Old Colony Communications Center received a 911 call for a structure fire at a residence on Snipatuit Road in Rochester at 1:48 p.m. Saturday, April 5. Multiple Rochester Fire Department units responded to the afternoon call...

Lights, camera, action! Town Wharf General Store to appear in upcoming feature film

MATTAPOISETT — Town Wharf General Store stepped into the spotlight on Friday, April 4 when indie film “The Weekend on Cape Cod When Everything Changed” shot on location at the shop. In the quaint Mattapoisett morning, bustling film crews blocked off...

The bigger the better: Sippican Land Trust expands Osprey Marsh

MARION — Sippican Land Trust has acquired a parcel of land located at 366 Point Road, expanding its oversight in the Osprey Marsh area. While the acquired land was historically used for residential purposes, the house that currently sits on the...

Select Board appoints new assistant harbormaster

MARION — Peter O’Brien’s time within the Harbormaster’s office has been short — but memorable enough to earn him a new position as Assistant Harbormaster. Serving in the Marines for over 27 years, O’Brien retired in 2023 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant...

Old Hammondtown students branch out with annual tree poster contest

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Tree Committee invited fifth grade students from Old Hammondtown Elementary to create unbe-leaf-able posters for their annual contest. The theme this year was “Trees Around The World,” and with it came dozens of...

Marion Doctor joins SHARE Foundation Board of Directors

NEW BEDFORD — Marion resident Wendy Stern, MD has been elected to the SHARE Foundation Board of Directors. The non-profit foundation works to provide “thousands of physically challenged and nonspeaking individuals with the tools they need to...

Multiple units respond to Marion two-acre brush fire

MARION — A helicopter from the State Air Wing spotted smoke coming from an out of control brushfire on Delano Road Friday, March 28. The multiple Marion Fire Department units who responded to the call at around 2 p.m. were assisted by Wareham Fire...

Rochester author James Quaintance pens first of many books

ROCHESTER — Father, teacher, U.S. combat Marine and now — author. Rochester resident James Quaintance never thought he would add that last role to his resume but a year-long journey has led him to publish his first ever book, “Black Diamonds.”...

Mattapoisett Highway Department to seek $4 million from Town Meeting for facility improvements

MATTAPOISETT — For the past three years, there’s been a leaking hole in the roof of Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer’s office. The roof is rapidly deteriorating and often exposes the facility to the elements. The crew has attempted to...

Friends of Old Rochester Music pull out the stops for March concert

MATTAPOISETT — Friends of Old Rochester Music hit the right notes with two concerts —a choral concert held on Wednesday, March 11 and an instrumental concert on Wednesday, March 18. Students from the Old Rochester Regional School District performed...

Eureka! Sippican Elementary hosts science fair

MARION — They may be small — but their minds are big. Students in first through sixth grade gathered at Sippican Elementary Wednesday, March 26 to show off their skills at the annual science fair. Students were judged by grade based on their...

Mattapoisett Disability Commission seeks grant for Shipyard Park Gazebo accessibility project

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Disability Commission will apply for funding from the Disability Municipal ADA Improvement Grant to make the Shipyard Park Gazebo and its surrounding area mobility accessible. The commission identified six items at...

Town of Marion to finalize nominees for election

MARION — Nominations for the Marion election on Friday, May 16 are soon to be finalized, with the last date to return nomination papers coming up on Friday, March 28 at 5 p.m. There are 10 electable positions available on this year’s ballot,...

Marion residents able to get back to the books with Elizabeth Taber Library reopening

MARION — The smell of fresh paint greeted guests as they entered the Elizabeth Taber Library for its grand opening Monday, March 24. After three months of construction, bookworms were welcomed back into the space — complete with new lighting, new...

Six vie for two seats in the upcoming Mattapoisett election

MATTAPOISETT — The School Committee races are contentious this year with two seats open for the Mattapoisett School Committee, and six candidates running. The Old Rochester Regional School Committee has one seat available — two are running. Time is...

Mattapoisett Democratic Committee to hold caucus for state convention nominees

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee will hold a caucus at the Mattapoisett Library on Wednesday, April 16 at 6 p.m. to nominate and elect five delegates and four alternates to represent Mattapoisett at the Massachusetts State...

Buzzards Bay Coalition to potentially purchase $7.6 million worth of land in Little Neck

MARION — The Buzzards Bay Coalition of Marion is interested in purchasing 70 acres of land in the Little Neck area off Hermitage Road, with the property estimated to be worth approximately $7.6 million of assessed value. The coalition sees that it...

Historic District on the Town Meeting agenda after vote

MARION — The proposed Marion historic district and accompanying bylaw will go forward following a survey presented at the Marion Village Historic District Study Committee Wednesday, March 11. The survey was conducted at the request of several...

Birds, butterflies and frogs: Marion Natural History Museum hosts animal seminar

MARION — Killing two birds with one stone, the Marion Natural History Museum hosted a multifaceted seminar where various nature experts shared their insights regarding different species including birds, butterflies and frogs. The “Butterfly Man” Joe...

Three suspects arrested for stolen car hit-and-run in Mattapoisett

MATTAPOISETT — Three men were taken into custody by the Mattapoisett Police Department on Friday, March 21 after stealing a vehicle in Fall River and committing a hit-and-run with said vehicle on Route 6 in Mattapoisett. The three suspects were seen...

Historic District on the Town Meeting agenda after vote

MARION — The proposed Marion historic district and accompanying bylaw will go forward following a survey presented at the Marion Village Historic District Study Committee Wednesday, March 11. The survey was conducted at the request of several...

Marion works to finalize agenda ahead of Spring Town Meeting

MARION — One large sum sticks out with Spring Town Meeting on the horizon. A $2.2 million renovation to the Marion Town House was among the items confirmed for the May 12 Town Meeting agenda by the Select Board on Tuesday, March 18. The finalized...

Proposed Marion short-term rental bylaw on Town Meeting agenda

MARION — A proposed bylaw that would provide guidelines on short-term rentals in Marion will be on the agenda at the upcoming Monday, May 12 Town Meeting. With the bylaw, the Marion Planning Board aims to ensure the town retains quality of life and...

Soft serve, hard goodbyes: Oxford Creamery owners to sell iconic ice cream shop

MATTAPOISETT — Co-owners Liz and Ken Ackerman served up chilled treats to thrilled customers at the Oxford Creamery for 22 years, fulfilling their ice cream dream to run a small restaurant. However, every cone must come to an end. The Ackermans are...

Creek Road construction to cause traffic delays and limited access

MARION — Construction to install two water valves near the intersection of Creek Road and Point Road will begin on Wednesday, March 19 and it is expected to cause traffic delays until its expected completion on Friday, March 21. Marion residents are...

Buzzards Bay Coalition receives $150,000 to restore Mattapoisett Bogs

MATTAPOISETT — Some cran-merry news for Mattapoisett: the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game contributed $150,000 of funding to the restoration of the Mattapoisetts Bogs. The award will provide support to the Buzzards Bay Coalition in “...

Rochester maps out Memorial Day parade route

ROCHESTER — Plans are already underway for Rochester’s annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade, which will take place on Sunday, May 25, may look a little different this year, with the events committee looking to organize a “beautiful and fun event...

First Congregational Church of Rochester to see cosmetic renovations

ROCHESTER — As the bell has tolled, and thousands of church-goers have filed into the pews of the First Congregational Church of Rochester over the years, the building has seen wear and tear. With peeling paint and original windows that need to be...

Food pantry opens registration for Easter meals

MIDDLEBORO — The Sacred Heart Food Pantry in Middleboro is beginning to take registrations for the Easter meals. The final day to sign-up is Saturday, April 12. This year’s meal package will include a pre-cooked turkey breast, several side dishes...

Rochester Police establish satellite station at Rochester Memorial School

ROCHESTER — On-duty Rochester Police Officers will now have a designated office space to work within Rochester Memorial School. The initiative is meant to “provide an extra measure of safety and security for students and staff during the school day...

Old Rochester Regional High School announces new assistant principal

MATTAPOISETT — Lauren Millette is officially instated as Old Rochester Regional High School’s new assistant principal after serving as interim assistant principal since October 2024. "I am thrilled to officially take on this challenging position,"...

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