News

News

Local businesses beat the heat with summer kick off

ROCHESTER — Just one day after the summer Solstice, Friends’ Marketplace welcomed in the summer with its first ever summer kickoff celebration. Vendors selling ice cream, pizza, steak tips, linguica, burke beverages and more lined the parking lot...

And they're off! Marion to Bermuda Race sets sail

MARION — With three foot waves and strong winds, sailors participating in the Marion to Bermuda race were in for a rough start on Buzzards Bay. Even before the race began, the 21 competitors struggled in the intense winds to reach the start line in...

‘Important now more than ever’: Tri-town celebrates Juneteenth

MATTAPOISETT — A group of tri-town residents came together at Ned’s Point Lighthouse on Thursday, June 19 not to swim or relax on the beach but to celebrate Juneteenth. Marcus Coward, a human rights commissioner and host of Wake Up New Bedford, was...

Rochester COA Community Fair features festive family fun

ROCHESTER — Rochester families flocked to the third annual Council on Aging Community Fair for an afternoon of “intergenerational” fun under the sun. “We wanted to have an event [...] for all ages, so grandparents can bring their grandkids, and...

Mattapoisett Museum opens for the season with new artifacts and exhibits

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Museum is now open for the 2025 summer season and will be open on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments to visit can also be made by contacting info@mattapoisettmuseum.org between now and...

Things to do: Week of June 19

Thursday, June 19 Community Fair ROCHESTER — Have a thrilling Thursday at the Rochester Council on Aging’s Community Fair on Thursday, June 19 from 2 to 6 p.m. All ages are welcome. The event will take place on the grounds of the...

Creek Road water main project to begin June 23

MARION — Construction of the Creek Road Water Main project will begin on Monday, June 23 and will last approximately four weeks. Construction will not take place the week of June 30 through July 4. The extent of the project spans the length of Creek...

Marion seeks solutions for crowded parking at Island Wharf

MARION — Marion officials and concerned residents shared their thoughts on the ongoing issue of overcrowded parking at Island Wharf at a Select Board meeting on Tuesday, June 17. Located on the inner shores of Sippican Harbor, Island Wharf provides...

Mattapoisett Select Board member criticized for alleged personal use of fire truck

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett Select Board member Tyler Macallister received criticism on social media after posting a video on his Facebook page which supposedly showed the use of a fire department ladder truck for his personal bee-keeping project...

A seaside celebration to honor Nolan Gibbons

MARION — To celebrate the life of departed young musician Nolan Gibbons, the Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund is hosting its 5th Annual NolanFest on Saturday, June 28 at Silvershell Beach from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Attendees can enjoy live performances, food...

Multi-generational fun coming to the Rochester Council on Aging

ROCHESTER — For the third year in a row, the Rochester Council on Aging is hosting a community fair. The OxCart food truck will be at the community fair, which will also be the only food truck at the event. At the fair, boy scouts will have some...

Boy howdy! New England Rodeo opens in Rochester

ROCHESTER — Giddy up! The New England Rodeo took Rochester residents on a wild ride when they opened their doors for the first time on Saturday, June 14 at the former Country Fair grounds. The opening night persisted through light rain, as...

Elizabeth Taber Library starts a new chapter of summer reading

MARION — Elizabeth Taber Library is leveling up their summer reading program, kicking off the season with a “larger than life” carnival event. Inflatable Hungry-Hungry Hippos, skeeball, face painting and stacks of books filled the inside of the...

Buzzards Bay Coalition purchases 33-acre farm

ROCHESTER — In late May, the Buzzards Bay Coalition purchased a 33-acre farm in Rochester, which helped secure a $350,000 state grant to the town of Marion to purchase a conservation restriction on the farm, the Coalition announced on Monday, June 9...

Marion water restriction to go into effect Sunday, June 15

MARION — Between Sunday, June 15 and Monday, Sept. 15, a mandatory water restriction will be in effect in the town of Marion. The use of any outside watering will be prohibited except between the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on...

‘I am an advocate for others’: YMCA Southcoast welcomes new CEO

MATTAPOISETT — Lucria Ortiz, the new CEO and president of YMCA Southcoast, sees herself in the communities she serves each day at the YMCA. “I was a kid very similar to our kids who walk the New Bedford Y and the Fall River Y,” she said at the YMCA...

Nate Reece remains Park Commission winner after recount

ROCHESTER — Nate Reece remains the winner of the Park Commission race in the Rochester Town Election after incumbent David Hughes challenged the initial results and requested a recount. After recounting the votes on Thursday, June 12, officials...

Things to do June 14-June 17

Saturday, June 14 Summer Reading Kickoff MARION — School’s out! Enjoy Elizabeth Taber Library’s free Summer Reading Kickoff event on Saturday, June 14 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Lawn and inflatable games, carnival food, live music from...

Mattapoisett Select Board expansion moves ahead

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Select Board is now one step closer to expanding from three to five members. On Tuesday, June 10, the Mattapoisett Select Board voted to move along the expansion request to state officials — continuing the process...

New director selected for Mattapoisett Council on Aging

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Council on Aging may soon have a new director. At a Select Board meeting on Tuesday, June 10, Board members voted to extend an offer to Sarah Lake Landry, who is currently the administrative coordinator at the...

Railroad Avenue parking limited following safety concerns

MATTAPOISETT — Parking on the west side of Railroad Avenue near the beginning of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail will now be restricted, following safety and privacy concerns voiced by residents of the street. The vote comes after Charlene Dextraze, who...

The end of the road: Mattapoisett 7-Eleven closes permanently

MATTAPOISETT — All good things must come to an end: the Mattapoisett 7-Eleven located at 51 County Street is now closed indefinitely. Among the cleared shelves and empty aisles, signs are now posted around the entrance and interior stating that “7-...

Governor candidate Brian Shortsleeve engages with Marion residents

MARION — Candidate for Governor and venture capitalist Brian Shortsleeve believes that the residents of Massachusetts are looking for change. “Across this state, people are really going to be looking for new approaches,” he said at a Marion...

Mattapoisett Select Board member announces congressional campaign

MARION — Mattapoisett Select Board member Tyler Macallister is looking to bring a more conservative perspective from Massachusetts’ 9th congressional district to the House of Representatives as he announced his campaign for a congressional seat. “...

Rochester rodeo to debut June 14

ROCHESTER — Saddle up for a summer of rodeos. On Saturday, June 14, the New England Rodeo is opening its gates in Rochester for the first time. The event, which begins at 5 p.m. at the Rochester Fairgrounds at 65 Pine Street, is the first of the...

Marion church takes spirit from medieval traditions

MARION — Scattered across the lawn of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion, vendors sold handcrafted items while medieval music played in the background in celebration of Pentecost. A table displaying Pater Noster cords, an old precursor to the...

Spraying now available for mosquito control

MARION — The Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project began its truck based adulticide applications on June 2, which will continue through October. Spraying is conducted between 2 a.m. and sunrise, Monday through Friday. Plymouth County residents...

David Hughes requests recount for Park Commission position

ROCHESTER — David Hughes, who ran for reelection to the Rochester Park Commission in the Rochester Town Election, submitted paperwork for a recount on Monday, June 2. Hughes, who had 10 days after the election to submit the paperwork, said he wanted...

Things to do: Week of June 5

Friday, June 6 Unplug at the Marion Art Center MARION — Musicians Matt Richard and Dino Govoni will hit all the right notes at their upcoming performances at the Marion Art Center on Friday, June 6 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 8:30 p...

Marion Firefighters Association looks for permanent home for ‘37 fire engine

MARION — The Marion Firefighters Association is looking for a permanent home for the association’s antique 1937 Ford fire engine, and it has its sights on the now vacant Department of Public Works garage building at 630 Mill Street. Steve Rodriguez...

Dog that bit another dog will be muzzled through Labor Day

MARION — On March 28, 2024, the Marion Select Board held a public hearing regarding a dangerous dog incident that resulted in a then three-year-old St. Bernard being required to wear a muzzle and be leashed when off her owner’s property. Between...

Cyclists enjoy the sweet life at the Tour de Crème

MATTAPOISETT — Rallying together with battle cries of chocolate or vanilla, cyclists at the seventh annual Tour de Crème pedaled down Water Street to embark on the sweetest expedition across the South Coast. “I like throwing a party, and this is a...

Kirstin Jimenez, Nate Reece win contested races in Rochester election

ROCHESTER — Rochester voters narrowly favored Kirstin Jimenez for the Rochester School Committee and Nate Reece for a seat on the Park Commission in the Wednesday, May 28 election. The ballot question, which asked voters to approve of having the...

Kids lift off with the Marion Natural History Museum

MARION — Mike Cronin recently shared his rocketry expertise with the Marion Natural History Museum’s afterschool group. Kids learned about what’s needed for lift-off and propulsion, and how to add the “recovery wadding” and parachute to ensure the...

Mattapoisett Council on Aging looks to fill director position

MATTAPOISETT — As the Mattapoisett Council on Aging looks to fill the director position, two candidates are now in the running. At their Tuesday, May 27 meeting, the Select Board interviewed the prospective directors. Joann Avila has been in long...

Mattapoisett Select Board tables member expansion vote

MATTAPOISETT — After Town Meeting approved a citizens petition to expand the Mattapoisett Select Board from three to five members, Select Board members met on Tuesday, May 27 to discuss the next steps. To increase the size of the Board, Select Board...

Old Rochester promenaders strike a pose

MATTAPOISETT — Dazzling divas and dashing dates stepped into the limelight at Old Rochester Regional High School’s promenade on Tuesday, May 27. Couples, friends and triumphant trios strutted across the auditorium stage in their finest attire,...

Washburn Farmer’s Market features cream of the crop vendors

MARION — The Charles R. Washburn Memorial Trust ventured into un-chard-ed territory, opening a brand-new outdoor farmer’s market on Tuesday, May 27. Fresh produce and meat, artisan crafts and savory spice rubs took center stage at the market with...

All hands on deck at the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race

ROCHESTER — The pop of the starting pistol rang out across Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir at 8:30 a.m. sharp, launching the first boat of the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race into action and signifying the beginning of a cherished 91-year-old tradition...

Remembering the fallen: Rochester honors Memorial Day with expanded program

ROCHESTER — During opening speeches for Rochester’s Memorial Day Procession, State Senator Michael Rodrigues honored the sacrifice of fallen WWII soldiers who never came home: “They gave up their chances to be husbands, fathers and grandfathers...

Two students awarded Mattapoisett Woman’s Club scholarship

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett residents Caitlin O’Donnell and Meredith Cameron have been awarded the 2025 Mattapoisett Woman’s Club scholarship. O’Donnell, a senior at Old Rochester Regional High School, plans to major in psychology at the University...

Betsy Stewart, Michele Bernier win contested races in Mattaposiett Town Election

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett voters favored Betsy Stewart for the Old Rochester Regional School Committee and incumbent Michele Bernier for the Board of Health in the Tuesday, May 20 election. The two ballot questions also passed, both of which asked...

Marion select board considers moving Town Meeting to Saturdays

MARION - In his first motion since returning to the Select Board after an over 30 year absence, John Hoagland proposed moving Town Meetings to Saturdays. This proposal would better accommodate the schedules of senior citizens and parents of young...

Two candidates run for one seat on the Rochester Park Commission

ROCHESTER — Two candidates are vying for one three-year term on the Rochester Park Commission in the upcoming election on Wednesday, May 28. Incumbent David Hughes has nine years of experience serving on the commission, while newcomer Nate Reece...

Town Meeting approves expansion of Rochester Crossroads project

ROCHESTER — Rochester Town Meeting approved the 1.39 acre expansion of the proposed Rochester Crossroads development on Monday, May 19. Development plans from 2022 stated that the lot would host 208 units. With the proposed expansion passed at Town...

Scientist dives into the ocean trenches

MARION — During the Marion Natural History Museum’s annual meeting on Friday, May 16, scientist Chris German of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discussed deep ocean trenches. He covered topics including studying the chemical composition of...

Two vie for one seat on the Rochester School Committee

ROCHESTER — Two names will appear on the ballot for one Rochester School Committee seat in the upcoming Rochester Town Election, which will be held on Wednesday, May 28. Kristin Jimenez, who is currently the parent president of the Parent-Teacher...

John Hoagland wins Marion Select Board seat

MARION — Marion voters elected John Hoagland for one open seat on the Select Board, beating out opponents Cynthia Callow and Sean Sweeney with over 50% of the vote on Friday, May 16. Additionally, two ballot questions regarding proposals for Marion...

Meet Rochester School Committee candidate Kirstin Jimenez

ROCHESTER — For six years, Kirstin Jimenez has served on the Parent-Teacher Organization at Rochester Memorial School, but with her daughter set to enter Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, she is now looking for a new way to be involved...

Meet Rochester School Committee candidate Barbara Lee

ROCHESTER — For two years Barbara Lee has volunteered on the Rochester Memorial School school council, and after the urging of some friends and residents, is now running for a seat on the Rochester School Committee. With a long background in finance...

Pages