News

News

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,"...

After almost a decade, Mattapoisett Holy Ghost Committee plans renovation for community use

MATTAPOISETT — The Holy Ghost Reuse Committee is looking to resurrect the original spirit of the 7.8 acres land that was once used as a community gathering space. Clambakes, religious holidays and public events on the grounds were documented as far...

‘Abs-olutely’ crushing it: Old Rochester alum competes in Arnold Sports Festival

MATTAPOISETT — Since his time at Old Rochester Regional High School, David Reynolds, 22, continues to see the fruits of his athletic talents that first got their start on the school’s track and field team. Beginning his athletic career in the 7th...

Get to know Tri-Town’s new State Rep. Mark Sylvia

Newly elected State Rep. Mark Sylvia began his first term in January, representing Marion, Rochester, Mattapoisett and the rest of the 10th Bristol District. Sylvia, a Democrat, took over from longtime Democrat Bill Straus, who served the district...

Initial design for new Rochester fire station approaches finalization

ROCHESTER — After receiving approval for $55,000 worth of funding for site work at the Rochester Special Town Meeting, the new fire station is now a step closer to finalizing initial design work. An update on the site work and design process was...

Old Rochester receives an innovating grant

MATTAPOISETT — The Healey-Driscoll Administration will be awarding $1 million in Innovation Career Pathway grants to 29 school districts, including Old Rochester Regional School District. This funding will enable the school district to plan and...

Lending an ear

MARION — New technology is now available at the Cushing Community Center, located at 465 Mill Street, for anyone experiencing hearing loss, the Friends of Marion Council on Aging announced. This new ADA-compliant technology has been installed after...

Citizen petition could expand Mattapoisett Select Board to five members

MATTAPOISETT — Nicki Demakis’s new citizen petition could transform the way the Mattapoisett government operates, which she believes would be of the best interest for the town’s citizens. Demakis has been paying attention to the changes around her,...

Taber Library to open back up on March 24

MARION — The Elizabeth Taber Library will be closed Monday, March 3 to Friday, March 7 to accommodate its move back to the library building. Due to ongoing construction and improvement efforts the building will remain closed to the public from...

Marion Harbormaster Department calls off proposed harbor fees

MARION — Amid contentious public meetings and receiving backlash from Marion residents, the Harbormaster Department and Marine Resource Commission ultimately decided to drop their proposal to establish additional permit fees for vessels in Sippican...

Quiet start to Rochester election season

ROCHESTER — There are 15 open seats on the Rochester ballot in the upcoming May 28 election, with five incumbents taking out nomination papers so far. It’s still pretty early on in the race as candidates have until April 21 at 5 p.m. to take out...

Tabor Academy oil spill ignites search for mysterious tank

MARION — When plumbers first entered the basement of Tabor Academy’s Lillard Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 8, the first thing they noticed was the smell. A rich, greasy scent emanated from the ground where they could see the wetness of the basement...

Mattapoisett election season begins as incumbents and newcomers join the race

With almost three months to go until election day May 20 in Mattapoisett, things are quiet so far. The deadline for candidates to take out nomination is Friday, March 28. Candidates then have until Thursday, April 1 to return them. Jordan Collyer...

Body cameras are part of a new Rochester police union contract

ROCHESTER — Rochester Police will now be required to wear body cameras according to the new police union contract, which was approved by the Select Board Monday, Feb. 24. Set to go into effect July 1, T own Administrator Cam Durant said this policy...

Incumbents and newcomers secure nomination papers in Marion election

MARION — The town of Marion has 10 seats available on the 2025 ballot for the election taking place on Friday, May 16, including one Select Board seat and two school committees seats for Old Rochester and Marion, respectively. Nominations are not...

Bottoms up! Joel Sullivan opens new wine store in Marion

MARION — Elegant rows of rosé, stacks of craft beer and wine tasting are just a few amenities offered at Rochester resident Joel Sullivan’s new wine store, J. Sull Wine, located in Marion at 119 Wareham Road. Sullivan grew up in Wareham and ran the...

Marion Harbormaster Department hosts open house for new facility

MARION — After almost five years of meticulous planning and construction, the Marion Harbormaster Department showcased its new facility at an open house on Saturday, Feb. 22. A crowd of Marion residents and harbormaster employees gathered at the new...

Marion Harbormaster and police sergeant awarded for life-saving rescue

MARION — After 19-year-old Jordan Haims fell overboard at Silvershell Beach and suffered from severe hypothermia, Harbormaster Adam Murphy and Marion Police Sgt. Larry Savery led a rescue effort that ultimately saved Haims’ life. Murphy and Savery...

Rochester appoints new town planner

ROCHESTER — Michaela Shoemaker, of Marion, was appointed to Rochester Town Planner by the Select Board Tuesday, Feb. 18. This appointment comes after the December departure of Nancy Durfee, who is now serving in the role in Lakeville. Shoemaker isn’...

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