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Car sinks in Sippican Harbor

A car was submerged in the Marion Harbor. Source: Marion Fire and EMS Facebook

MARION — A car sank near the Harbormaster’s office at 1 Island Wharf Road Saturday evening. The Marion Fire Department responded to a call regarding a submerged vehicle at 6:12 p.m. and successfully removed the car around 8:33 p.m. The unattended...

Jingle jangle down the lane: Snow and Santa arrive at annual Marion Stroll

The Clauses greet Marion.

MARION — The Marion Stroll returned with snow dusting the village and Santa arriving by boat, a tradition supporting Marion small businesses for approximately 30 years. The Marion Stroll took place Sunday, Dec. 14, and is an annual event supporting...

Home for the Holidays: Sippican Woman’s Club continues House Tour tradition

Carolers entertain guests as they pick up their tour booklets. Photos by Mari Huglin

MARION — Every December for the past 40 years, residents across Marion have welcomed the community into their homes as part of the Sippican Woman’s Club’s annual Holiday House Tour, bringing the holiday season into full swing. The Club hosted their...

Former Old Colony teacher found guilty of rape, assault and battery charges

Andre Arsenault, a former Old Colony teacher convicted for rape and indecent assault and battery on a person age 14 or over, was found guilty on all charges Dec. 12. File photo

BROCKTON — A former Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School teacher was convicted of rape and assault and battery charges in Brockton Superior Court on Friday. Andre Arsenault, 37, was found guilty on one count of rape, one count of...

Construction on Fieldstone Market addition begins

Construction began two months ago. The roof is almost fully completed. Photos by Mari Huglin

MARION — After years of planning, construction on Fieldstone Market has begun to which owner Arnie Johnson hopes will be completed by the end of May The market, located at 806 Mill Street, is currently constructing an addition to expand the store’s...

Old Rochester, Acushnet negotiate tuition deal

Old Rochester Regional High School students celebrating the start of the 2025-26 school year. Source: Old Rochester Regional High School Facebook

ACUSHNET — Acushnet students could come to Old Rochester Regional High School if a new tuition agreement is approved. The Acushnet School Committee opened negotiations with Old Rochester Regional, New Bedford and Fairhaven High Schools after a...

Eyes all a-glow with Mattapoisett YMCA Buoy Tree lighting

Aria Bell (left) and Margot Ketchel (right) show off their balloon animals at the annual YMCA tree lighting. Photos by Mari Huglin

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett YMCA held its annual beach fundraiser, complete with a tree lighting, beach bonfire, photos with Santa and family activities Tuesday. The annual buoy tree lighting, held Dec. 9 on the beach near the 38 Reservation...

The Clauses sleigh the day at Cervelli Farm Stand

Grace Viglianti, center, and her mother Allie, right share a moment with the Clauses at Cervelli Farm Stand on Sunday, Dec. 7. Photos by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — Santa and Mrs. Clause made a special visit to Cervelli Farm Stand on Sunday to celebrate the upcoming holiday. They posed for photos with the children and families who lined up at the 247 Rounseville Road location, and Mrs. Clause...

Donate metal wheelchair ramps

The Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking metal wheelchair ramp donations in support of their Ramp Donation Program. The Ramp Donation Program was launched in 2024 to give low income homeowners the accessibility they need to be safe in...

Hat’s the spirit: Salty the seahorse gets new headgear

G. B. Knowles used his landscaping equipment to reach the top of the statue and install the new hat Dec. 6. Photos by Grace Roche

MATTAPOISETT — Salty the seahorse, Mattapoisett’s fiberglass marine sculpture at the crossroads of North Street and Route 6, donned a new holiday accessory Saturday. The Mattapoisett Land Trust has installed a Santa hat on the sea creature for...

Rochester Police Department brings cocoa and community connections

The Grinch brought gifts to the Rochester Police Department event Dec. 5. Photos by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — Hot chocolate flowed, a fire crackled and holiday movies played on an inflatable screen at the Rochester Police Department’s second annual Christmas Cruiser Illumination. The event was held Dec. 5 at the department’s 29 Dexter Lane...

Traffic speeds among top concerns for Mattapoisett road reconstruction project

Map of the area of focus for the Mattapoisett road and sidewalk improvements. Source: MassDOT

MATTAPOISETT — Town and state officials presented ongoing project plans to update several streets leading to Route 6 at a public hearing Thursday. Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Town Administrator Michael...

Hold your horses! Mattapoisett police wrangle loose horse

Lt. Justin King gets control of the loose horse. Source: Mattapoisett Facebook

MATTAPOISETT — A loose horse was wrangled by the Mattapoisett Police Department and Natural Resources Department Thursday, Dec. 4. The Mattapoisett police received a report of a loose horse Thursday afternoon. Lt. Justin King and Natural Resource...

Southcoast Insurance opens Mattapoisett branch

Southcoast Insurance Group founder Nick Daddona of Marion, insurance agent Chrissy McKay of Mattapoisett and insurance producer Chase Wingate of Mattapoisett. Source: Southcoast Insurance Group

MATTAPOISETT — Headed by Tri-town locals Nick Daddona and Chase Wingate, Southcoast Insurance Group has opened a new branch in Mattapoisett. Southcoast Insurance was established in 2013 with its first office opened in Dartmouth. The company now has...

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum: Rochester tree lighting kicks off Christmas

Santa poses with Isla Durant infront of his temporary sleigh-car.

ROCHESTER — The Grinch crashed Rochester’s Christmas tree lighting but couldn’t stop the fun and festivities with Santa and an over 40-year-old tradition. Family, friends and neighbors gathered at Rochester Congregational Church Sunday, Nov. 30 to...

Old Rochester students cook up a holiday fundraiser to share

James Russell, Luke Pierre and Rafael Duarte, 3 class officers who created the cookbook, pose infront of an Old Rochester Bulldog. Photo by Mari Huglin

MATTAPOISETT — The junior student body class officers of Old Rochester Regional High School wanted a fundraiser that benefited everyone. They decided to create a cookbook of shared recipes called the “Bulldog Bites Cookbook.” Back in early...

Run for a Santa Cause: Mattapoisett mom, teacher to host fundraiser run for MS

Pease and her 4 children visiting in the hospital, December 5, 2024, the day Pease was diagnosed with MS.

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett mother and Fairhaven Middle School teacher Jennifer Pease was inspired by her MS diagnosis and daughter to organize a 5K Santa Stampede fun run to raise awareness of the disease for the first time this December. On...

Old Rochester students give back at the second annual Day of Giving

One student works on her wreath.

MARION — Old Rochester Regional High School students spread across the Tri-town to give back to their community and continue a new tradition. Students and staff members met at Old Rochester early Wednesday, Nov. 26 before heading off in buses to...

Marion adopts Stormwater Management Bylaw following EPA warning

MARION — Marion property owners will now be required to apply for a permit if they plan to begin a construction project that involves once acre of land or more after voters approved a Stormwater Management Bylaw with a two-thirds majority voice...

Water meter debate heats up at Marion Town Meeting, discussion postponed to May

MARION — A citizens petition to potentially allow the installation of secondary outdoor water meters in Marion sparked a passionate debate at Fall Town Meeting on Monday, Nov. 24 — ultimately leading to the discussion being postponed until Spring...

Romanian man charged with credit card fraud in Mattapoisett

MATTAPOISETT — 39-year-old Nicu Vasile Ardel of Romania was arrested in Mattapoisett after an ongoing investigation of credit card forgery. Detective Dennis Tavares arrested Ardel on charges of Larceny and Credit Card Forgery. Police speculate that...

Gobble, gobble: Old Rochester Junior High School serves up turkey at Mattapoisett Council on Aging

Friends and the community smile together at shared tables.

MATTAPOISETT — Nearly 300 older adult Tri-town senior citizens were served with kindness, energy and big smiles at the Old Rochester school cafeteria by 40 students and around 12 staff members who hosted a Thanksgiving banquet on Sunday, Nov. 23....

Gravy train: Old Colony cooks up Thanksgiving for the Rochester Council on Aging

Old Colony students serve up delicious Thanksgiving fixings.

ROCHESTER — Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School students and staff served 150 Thanksgiving meals for the Rochester Council on Aging on Friday, Nov. 21. 150 Rochester seniors, ages 60 and older, were treated to a traditional...

Old Rochester vies for Acushnet students in tuition deal

Old Rochester and Acushnet Public Schools have met since August to discuss the possibilities of a new tuition deal between the districts.

MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester and three other schools are vying for a tuition deal with Acushnet Public Schools which would welcome more students from the Acushnet district. The Acushnet School Committee will host the final vote on which districts...

What’s next for Old Colony following “no” vote on new building project?

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School sign. File photo.

Now the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School’s plans to construct a new school building are halted, what’s next for the Rochester-based school? On Tuesday, Nov. 18, voters from the five member towns who send students to Old Colony...

Improvements on Old Rochester athletic fields begin this winter

Aerial view of Old Rochester Regional High School and the athletic fields. Source: Old Rochester Regional School District

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional High School athletic fields will be improved from the winter of 2025 until the winter of 2027 with a $750,000 grant from state Rep. William Straus. The Old Rochester Regional School Committee met Thursday,...

$288 million Old Colony project denied by voters

Stickers were avaliable after voters cast their ballots. Photos by Mari Huglin

The five member towns of the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical School district did not approve a proposed $288 million building project at the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 18. A simple majority across votes from Rochester, Mattapoisett, Carver,...

Marion Town Meeting to discuss stormwater management, outdoor water meters

MARION — Marion voters will consider adopting a stormwater management bylaw and a citizens petition that could allow secondary outdoor water meters at Fall Town Meeting on Monday, Nov. 24 at 6:45 p.m. in the Sippican Elementary School Auditorium....

Police manhunt for Rochester resident continues

Andrew Thatcher, a Rochester resident, left court early a few weeks ago and has not been seen since. Source: Rochester Police Department Facebook

ROCHESTER — 38-year-old Rochester resident Andrew Thatcher is wanted by the Rochester Police Department after fleeing court early a few weeks ago. Thatcher is wanted for the following charges: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault, Negligent...

Community outreach is sweet as pie at Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church

Two volunteers fill a pie crust with filling.

MARION — Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church wants everyone to have a piece of the pie. At this year’s “Great Pie Challenge” on Sunday, Nov. 16, volunteers of all ages gathered at the Marion-based church to bake approximately 200 pies that will be...

Whodunit? A murder mystery at Old Rochester

Tenley Lane, Gianna Anunziato, Amanda Tomasso and Lincoln Fauteaux are shocked at what they find on stage. Photos by Mari Huglin

MATTAPOISETT — Grab your Sherlock caps and magnifying glass to solve the crime within a crime at the new Old Rochester Regional High School fall comedy play. Running over the weekend of Nov. 20 to Nov. 23, this play within a play will explore who...

Marion honors Veterans Day with seaside ceremony

Town Administrator and Navy veteran Geoffrey Gorman salutes the flag as the pledge of allegiance is recited. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MARION — Family, friends and Marion town officials gathered on a cold Tuesday morning to honor United States veterans and active-duty personnel on Veterans Day in a seaside ceremony on Nov. 11. Town Administrator and Navy veteran Geoffrey Gorman...

Marion citizens petition advocates for outdoor water meters

MARION — For Marion resident and Planning Board Chair Andrew Daniel, the creation of his citizens petition to advocate for the option of a secondary outdoor water meter comes from personal experience as a homeowner burdened by sewer rates. “I was...

Hear the bells ring: Mattapoisett celebrates Veterans day

Kathleen and Fred Kawa came from Whitman to enjoy the festivities.

MATTAPOISETT — In the home of the brave and in the land of the free, bells rang out on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in Mattapoisett — honoring Veteran’s day and Armistice day. On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Mattapoisett...

Marion’s Percy Browne House named to 2025 Massachusetts Most Endangered Properties List

Original 1881 design of the house. Source: Sippican Historical Society

MARION — Preservation Massachusetts has named ten historic properties, including the Percy Browne House in Marion, to the 2025 Most Endangered Historic Resources List on Oct. 30. Since 1993, the Massachusetts’ Most Endangered Historic Resources...

$30,000 funding awarded for Rochester website by Rep. Mark Sylvia

Rep. Mark Slyvia at an event. Photo by Mari Huglin

ROCHESTER — Rochester has received $30,000 worth of funding for a new town government website — awarded to the town by Rep. Mark Sylvia and Sen. Michael Rodrigues. Rochester Town Administrator Cameron Durant was grateful for Rep. Sylvia’s...

Preparing for the polls: Nov. 18 Old Colony vote approaches

Pie chart of estimated costs per town for the new construction of Old Colony Regional Vocational High School. Graphs by Grace Roche

Voters in Rochester, Mattapoisett, Lakeville and the two other towns that send students to Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 18 to determine the fate of a $288 million proposed project to...

Out and about: LGBTQ+ hike with Mattapoisett Land Trust

Mike Hugenin is the president of Mattapoisett Land Trust and joined the group for a hike, sharing facts about the area.

MATTAPOISETT — The rain didn’t stop 10 hikers ready to explore Brandt Island Cove on Saturday, Nov. 8 hosted by The Mattapoisett Land Trust and Queer Hikes organization. Mike Hugenin, president of the Mattapoisett Land Trust, joined the hike and...

Rochester resident hired as next superintendent of Wareham Public Schools

Amy Hartley-Matteson is the next superintendent of Wareham schools. Photo by Bobby Grady

WAREHAM — Rochester resident Amy Hartley-Matteson has been chosen by the Wareham School Committee to be the next superintendent of schools on Thursday, Nov. 6. After a months-long search process, she was one of three candidates selected to advance...

Ghouls just wanna have fun at The Loft School

Preschoolers Lillie Sprayregen, dressed as a fairy, and Ambrose Bradley, dressed as "Gekko," march alongside Erin Braman who donned a witch costume.

MARION — At The Loft School in Marion, witches, fairies, super heroes, skeletons and ghosts hit the streets to the beat of the “Monster Mash” on Thursday, Oct. 30 for their annual Halloween Parade. “The parade brings out the best in creativity and...

Storm winds rip roof from Mattapoisett boat business

Roof of Triad Boatworks partially torn off in storm. Source: David Curran

MATTAPOISETT — On the night of Monday, Nov. 3, wind gusts moving at over 50 mph ripped away large chunks of the Triad Boatworks facility roof amid a storm. Located at 1 Park Street, the Mattapoisett family-owned business has served the community as...

Rep. Mark Sylvia presented Manufacturer of the Year Award to Mattapoisett business

Rep. Mark Sylvia with Tony Tranfaglia at the Manufacter of the Year event.

MATTAPOISETT — State Rep. Mark Sylvia is honored to announce that Village Signs of Mattapoisett is a 2025 recipient of the "Manufacturer of the Year” Award, presented by the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus. This award is given in...

Mattaposiett Lion’s Club free festival features fall-tastic fun

Fairhaven resident Dayme Maloney with her 1-year-old son Bennett Maloney pick out pumpkins. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MATTAPOISETT — Even after Halloween, the spooky spirit of the season stuck around a little longer this year at the Mattapoisett Lion’s Club Fall Free Family Festival. Families flocked to Shipyard Park on Saturday, Nov. 1 for hay rides, pumpkin...

Tri-town braces for impact of SNAP benefit freeze

Amid a federal government shutdown, over a thousand SNAP recipients in the Tri-town are now being impacted by the freezing of the food assistance program. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, provides assistance to...

Creeping it real at the Marion Art Center’s annual Halloween Parade

Emmy Philbrook, 5, of Marion stops to grab some candy along the Marion Art Center Halloween Parade route while dressed as a princess. Photos by Grace Ann Natanawan

MARION — The Marion Art Center kicked off an eerie-sistible evening of Halloween hijinks with its annual parade, gathering ghouls and goblins of all ages on Friday, Oct. 31. Dressed as M&M’s, video game characters, horror movie villains and more,...

Jeepers creepers! Mattapoisett swarmed with Hallo-queens and creepy kings

A Ghostbuster smiles with her ghostly-dressed dog. Photos by Mari Huglin

MATTAPOISETT — Ghouls, goblins and gremlins haunted the streets of Mattapoisett, parading through the town ending with a costume contest next to the harbor. On Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31, kids and residents of all ages dressed up to take part in...

Blinding lights no more: Marion Maritime Center lights finally dimmed

The Harbormaster's Office and the Maritime Center are located at 1 Wharf Island Road.

MARION — After months of complaints from Marion residents, the lights on the Maritime Center and Harbormaster’s office have been dimmed. At a Marion Select Board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 29, Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman presented the dimmed...

Hurry up and wait: Mattapoisett Board of Health member yet to be elected

The Mattapoisett Board of Health and Select Board met Thursday, Oct. 30 to elect a new Board of Health member. From left to right: Carmelo Nicolosi, Tyler Macallister, Jodi Bauer and Michael Lorenco.

MATTAPOISETT — Postponed for two months already, the Mattapoisett Select Board has yet to elect a new member of the Board of Health. The Select Board held a meeting Thursday, Oct. 30 to discuss and vote in a new member of the Board of Health for a...

Every dog has its day: Marion dog deemed not dangerous at public hearing

The Marion Select Board begins the public hearing of Enzo the dog. From left to right: Vice Chair John Hoagland, Chair Randy Parker and Clerk Norman Hills. Photo by Mari Huglin

MARION — The Marion Select Board let sleeping dogs lie at a “dangerous dog” public hearing — declaring that Enzo, a three-year-old border collie and labrador mix who supposedly bit a walker, is not a threat to the town. At a Tuesday, Oct. 28 Select...

Mattapoisett Police continues investigation into ‘violent’ sign at No Kings protest

A protestor at the Mattapoisett "No Kings" rally holds a violent sign, leading to a police investigation.

MATTAPOISETT — A photograph of a bearded man supposedly participating in the Oct. 18 Mattapoisett No Kings protest while holding a handmade sign with the message: “WANTED better snipers,” has prompted a police investigation, local social media...