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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...

Mattapoisett prepares for Special Town Meeting

Town Hall File Photo.

MATTAPOISETT — With only one issue on the warrant, Mattapoisett residents are preparing to debate the expansion of the Select Board at Special Town Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 4. Since the expansion from three to five members was signed into law by...

What voters should know about the Old Colony Building Project

Building plans for propsed new Old Colony building. Source: Old Colony Building Project

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School has proposed a $288 million project to build a new high school. A vote on Tuesday, Nov. 18 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. will take place asking voters from Rochester, Mattapoisett, Lakeville, Carver and...

Tri-town outperforms MCAS state standards, still remains below pre-pandemic scores

Old Rochester test scores compared to the state average

2025 MCAS scores in the tri-town are above state standards but results were lower than scores in 2024 and 2019, before the pandemic. The Old Rochester School District met or exceeded state standards in all subjects. The Massachusetts Comprehensive...

Seafood setbacks: Tri-town shellfishers at risk due to pollution, strict regulations

Dale Leavitt with a handful of oyster seed.

MATTAPOISETT — Dale Leavitt, owner of Blue Stream Shellfish, was closed for 180 days in 2024 due to stricter regulation of commercial shellfishing in Massachusetts. It “pretty much killed business,” he remembers. “We were losing about $10,000 a...

Bill Belichick attends Tabor Academy football game

In this photo taken by Tabor sophomore Reya Hovan, Bill Belichick, second from the left, stands to watch the Tabor Academy football game.

MARION — Former New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick attended a Tabor Academy football game Friday, Sept. 26. Belichick coached the Patriots for 24 seasons, winning six Super Bowls with the team. Belichick is now the head coach at the...

Road construction in Marion this Tuesday

MARION — The Marion Department of Public Works will begin reclamation work and structure adjustments for roadway improvements on Tuesday Sept. 30. Work will be on the following roadways: Delano Road (Point Road traffic lights to Cross Neck Road),...

We're looking for the next generation

Calling all Tri-town students: Sippican Week is seeking news articles, opinion pieces, photos and more! Graphic by Andrew Griffith

Wanted: Students to help Sippican Week -- in any one of many ways. We aim to constantly provide news about people, events and issues in Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. That’s local people of all ages. Events of interest to everyone from toddlers...

Interested in learning a trade? Head to the Upper Cape Tech open house

Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School is inviting interested eighth graders and their families to an open house of the school Saturday Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The school is located at 220 Sandwich Road in Bourne and is open to kids...

Mattapoisett to potentially pay over $8.5 million for new Old Colony building

Building plans for propsed new Old Colony building. Source: Old Colony Building Project

MATTAPOISETT — Representatives from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School presented plans to the Mattapoisett Select Board for a potential $288 million campus upgrade. Old Colony representatives, including Superintendent Aaron...

Marion requests voluntary water conservation amid mild drought

MARION — Upon receiving notice of Level 1 Mild Drought conditions in the Southeast Drought Region of Massachusetts, the Marion Department of Public Works is requesting that residents follow voluntary water conservation efforts. The department is...

Old Rochester receives national recognition from Special Olympics

MATTAPOISETT — Special Olympics North America is awarding Old Rochester Regional High School with a National Banner recognition for inclusive sports program for students with and without intellectual disabilities. Old Rochester is one of 17 schools...

Old Colony superintendents through the decades share school’s 50 year history and evolution

ROCHESTER — Before Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School opened its doors in 1975, an unavoidable challenge had to be overcome — water had to be found. Land had been bought and cleared, and well-water professionals were hired to find...

The toll of chemical spraying on my father’s honey bee hives

Written by Old Rochester Regional High School junior and Rochester resident Miah Motta, this article examines the impact of pesticides and chemical spraying on her father’s beehives. Ryan Motta, her father, has cared for beehives on his property in...

Lights out: Marion residents file complaints of Maritime Center brightness

MARION — “I thought I was looking at Yankee Stadium coming into this harbor, and the glare that was coming across the channel was unbelievable,” said Marion resident Ray Cullum, explaining his gripes with the Maritime Center lighting. On Tuesday,...

Health is wealth at the first District Wellness Committee meeting

ROCHESTER — Student health and well-being is the new District Wellness Committee’s top priority for the school year. Wednesday, Sept. 17, the District Wellness Committee met for the first time this year to discuss their policy and approach to...

On the road again, Marion making more road improvements

MARION — Pavement updates will continue while the Marion Select Board looks for other grants to fund road needs. The select board reported that the cost of pavement has increased about 30% since last year's original estimations at their meeting...

Rochester residents question $288 million Old Colony campus upgrade

A proposed building schematic for the Old Colony campus upgrade. Source: Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School

ROCHESTER — Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School has proposed a $288 million campus upgrade to construct a new building, implement new programs and bring updated technology to the aging facility. On Monday, Sept. 15, Old Colony...

Marion dog to be euthanized following attack on delivery driver

MARION — The Marion Select Board voted to euthanize a one-year-old dog that attacked a pizza delivery driver earlier this summer. At the Tuesday, Sept. 16 select board meeting, a public hearing was held to determine whether or not the attacking dog...

Meet, greet and eat with capybaras

MATTAPOISETT — Ready to meet the world’s largest rodent? Pine Meadow Alpacas has introduced private tours to meet their two new capybaras. “These two boys are very excited to meet everybody,” said Lauren Paine, education coordinator. On private...

Wampanoag historian unveils buried history of Mattapoisett Natives

MATTAPOISETT — “We're still here and still a thriving culture,” said Linda Coombs about the Wampanoag tribe, the indigenous people of the Mattapoisett area. Coombs, an author and historian from Mashpee, is bringing a new Wampanoag exhibit to the...

A leaf of faith: Old Rochester’s native plant garden takes root

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Environmental Club’s big plan-ts for their campus finally came to fruition after a summer of work. Upon receiving a $500 grant from the Mattapoisett Land Trust and the Massachusetts Cultural Council in April and...

Senator Dooner doubles down on defense

LAKEVILLE — Sen. Kelly Dooner and other representatives discussed government transparency, economic policy and gun laws over lunch to an audience of Cranberry Country Chamber of Commerce members. During the lunch, Dooner, senator for the Third...

Hallelujah! St. Philip’s Episcopal Church concludes 141st year of summer tradition

MATTAPOISETT — St. Philips Episcopal Church has withstood the test of time for 141 years. Protected from hurricanes and still standing tall after over the century, the small church continues its unique tradition of seasonal services. Just over 140...

Rochester Police establishes safe exchange zone

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Police Department’s newly established safe exchange zone encourages residents to “stay safe, stay smart [and] exchange with confidence.” With designated safe exchange zone signs now posted in the Rochester Police parking...

Old Colony presents $288 million campus upgrade for public consideration

building

LAKEVILLE — During a public meeting with town officials on Tuesday, Sept. 9, representatives of the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School presented a funding plan for construction of a new school building. School representatives said...

Mattapoisett Select Board confirms date for Special Town Meeting

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Select Board confirmed that an upcoming Special Town Meeting will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. at Old Rochester Regional High School. With only one issue on the warrant, meeting attendees will discuss the...

Marion Police seize fentanyl, cocaine, resulting in 7 arrests

MARION — The Marion Police Department and Massachusetts State Police seized 840 grams of cocaine and crack cocaine, 63 grams of fentanyl, oxycodone pills and 45 grams of psilocybin from an alleged Marion-based drug operation located at 968 Point...

Poppy the pig finally finds peace after a runaway romp

MATTAPOISETT — The grand adventure of a swashbuckling pig has found a happy ending. Poppy was on the loose for 45 days until she made her way to Pine Meadow Alpaca farm. Presumably intrigued by the other pigs on the property, Poppy made her way...

Tabor Academy celebrates 150th anniversary alongside new school year

MARION — As they kick off their 150th school year, Tabor Academy is celebrating the landmark anniversary with a new fellowship program and groundbreaking technology policies, including a new no cell phone rule during school hours and a focus on...

New England Rodeo welcomes Make-A-Wish families

ROCHESTER — Over 10 Make-A-Wish families gathered at the New England Rodeo on Saturday, Sept. 6 with one goal in mind: have fun. “We do events like this two to three times a month to keep them engaged with us and to have them connect with other wish...

New England Rodeo announces additional show in October

ROCHESTER — Following “an amazing season” in Rochester, the New England Rodeo is expanding their schedule into October. According to Strategic Advisor and Producer Kelly Pina, the final rodeo event will now take place on Saturday, October 4....

Rochester Police Department goes viral for back to school video

ROCHESTER – After posting a first day of school video to their Facebook page, the Rochester Police Department has gone viral, garnering over 860,000 views and 20,000 reactions since posting the video on Friday, Aug. 29. The video showed Chief...

Progress made in Old Colony new building project

A sketch of what the building would look like from the entrance. Source: Old Colony Building Project Facebook Page

ROCHESTER — As Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School looks to expand offerings in plumbing, HVAC-R and dental assisting, as well as admit more students, a proposed plan is in the works to build a new building on the school’s campus....

See what’s happening at the Elizabeth Taber Library

MARION – Lapsit storytime begins for the fall on Monday, Sept. 8 at 10:30 a.m at the Elizabeth Taber Library, located at 8 Spring Street. This program is designed for babies who are not yet walking, featuring songs and stories with a focus on...

Returning to St. Luke’s School of Nursing 50 years later

MATTAPOISETT — When Susan Bonnar of Rochester was a young woman in the late 1960s, the most common career paths for women were to become a teacher, secretary or nurse. Knowing that she didn’t want to be a teacher and since her mother was a legal...

Learn all about ancestry with the Rochester Historical Museum

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Historical Museum will host their monthly meeting on Sept. 17 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Rochester Historical Museum at 355 County Rd. Speaking at the meeting will be Bruce Bassett, who after researching his...

Catch and release program helps turtles win the race

MARION — A summer-long conservation project culminated with interns from the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance gently burying three baby diamondback terrapin turtles in the sand on Friday, Aug. 30, which served as a final effort to protect the...

A day of firsts for kindergarteners and officers

ROCHESTER - On Friday Aug. 29, Superintendent Michael Nelson joined Rochester Police Chief Michael Assad Jr. and Lieutenant Zack Dupere for a special ride-along with incoming kindergarteners on their very first day of school. "For a kindergartner,...

Residents, Select Board debate who to appoint to the Board of Health

MATTAPOISETT — The decision of who to appoint to the Mattapoisett Board of Health may not be a straightforward one, after Board of Health member Michele Bernier and residents pushed back against the Select Board. Doug Schneider, a civil engineer and...

Donate to a Rochester Historical Society exhibit

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Historical Society is now looking for items to add to its upcoming exhibit, “The Tools and Industries That Made Rochester.” The society is looking for old tools that reflect this theme and could include tools used with...

Work to begin later this year on Marion-Wareham bridge

MARION — Phase One of construction on the Marion-Wareham Bridge is scheduled to begin in late 2025, officials from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced at a public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 21. According to Project Manager...

Governor Healey signs into law expansion of Mattapoisett Select Board

MATTAPOISETT — Gov. Maura Healey signed a bill into law on Friday, Aug. 22 that will expand the Mattapoisett Select Board from three to five members. Healey’s signature ended a three-month long process that began when Town Meeting voters approved...

Sippican School students learn the ropes at open house

MARION — A line of parents and students stretched across the sidewalk outside Sippican Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 26, as staff, families and students welcomed the new year with an open house. Carrying bags full of notebooks, pencils, Kleenex...

Marion Maritime Center opens for business

MARION — After five years of planning and 10 months of construction, the new Marion Maritime Center is now open for business. On Tuesday, Aug. 26 town officials came together for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the center and...

Rochester Police Department wins community policing award

ROCHESTER — For Rochester Police Chief Michael Assad, community engagement has always been a top priority. “We’re trying to get out there and just be visible in the community, which is the most important thing,” he said. The department recently...