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News

Who’s that bulldog? Navy father surprises daughter after 14 months overseas

When a group of Old Rochester Regional Junior High School students were brought outside Friday afternoon, there was some idle chatter, questioning what brought them outside. Some questioned why there were cameras present, and teachers assured that...

Seven speak at Rochester Candidates Night

ROCHESTER — Candidates for the Board of Health, Planning Board, ORR School Committee, Water Commission and Board of Assessors came out to Candidates Night on May 6. Moderated by Selectman Woody Hartley, the event at the Rochester Council on Aging...

Free legal help for those fighting covid evictions

South Coastal Counties Legal Services, which provides free civil legal aid to low-income people across the south coast, Cape and Islands, will continue to offer its Covid Eviction Legal Help Project through the end of 2021. The project was funded by...

Candidate profile: Tucker Burr for Marion Planning Board

MARION — Tucker Burr has lived in town nearly his whole life, and says he isn’t going anywhere else anytime soon. He says that’s an advantage he has running for the Planning Board, which has a vacancy left by Kristen St. Don-Campbell’s resignation...

Candidate profile: Jon Henry for Marion Planning Board

MARION — Former Selectman Jon Henry is looking to return to public service with a campaign for the town’s Planning Board. “Well, no one was running,” Henry said. Henry was the first candidate, other than incumbent Andrew Daniel, to take out...

Candidate profile: Andrew Daniel for Marion Planning Board

MARION — Planning Board incumbent Andrew Daniel says it doesn’t matter what kind of business comes to the board — he tries to treat all of them equally. “It could be a big institution or a small coffee shop,” Daniel said, adding that his job is to “...

Candidate profile: Tom Friedman for Marion Planning Board

MARION — Tom Friedman is thinking green with his campaign for Planning Board. Friedman, a 25-year resident, is currently on the Energy Management Committee, which focused on issues that are “very close” to his heart. “It seemed that we had a lot of...

Candidate profile: Alanna Nelson for Marion Planning Board

MARION — Planning Board candidate Alanna Nelson moved to Marion in 2019, and says she’s ready to start giving back to the town. “I’m sort of a community-minded person,” she said. “I like it here, and I wanted to give back.” Nelson, who says she...

See ‘secret’ gardens in Marion

Marion — The Marion Garden Group will host “Secret Gardens Of Marion” on Friday, June 25, 2021. This event will support the group’s efforts to beautify the town gardens, entrances, and window boxes during the coming year. Secret Gardens of Marion is...

Learn about family events by text

Tri-Town families can now get notified of family-friendly events and programs in their area through a text to their phones. The United Way of Greater New Bedford recently announced it has partnered with Bright by Text, a program providing parents,...

Rochester Women’s Club scholarship winners

ROCHESTER — The scholarship committee of the Rochester Women's Club has announced winners for its three scholarships. From Old Rochester Regional High School , Carly Drew and Paige Sommers will each receive the Raymond C. Hartley $1,000 Scholarships...

Doggett Brook Farm open house

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Land Trust is partnering with the Buzzards Bay Coalition to buy and protect the Doggett Brook Farm. The property was previously a hotpoint of contention between owner Craig Canning and neighbors. Canning had intended to set...

Elizabeth Taber Library survey

MARION — A committee of Elizabeth Taber Library trustees and librarians have created three surveys to gain information to shape the library's new five-year strategic plan. There are surveys for elementary students and middle and high school students...

Liquor license approved for Stone Rooster

MARION — Selectmen approved a liquor license for 27 Wareham Road, the site of Gilda’s Stone Rooster, so long as the bar receives an occupancy permit from the building commissioner. Selectmen approved the license at a May 4 meeting, following a...

What you need to know for Marion Town Election

MARION — Town Election is on May 14, and voters will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center. Early voting by mail is currently available to anyone who wishes to cast their ballot ahead of the...

Rochester yellow, other towns green

Rochester shifted to a “yellow” designation after recording 18 new cases last week, while Mattapoisett and Marion were both designated as “green” in the state’s color-coded covid risk designation system. In data released April 22, Rochester recorded...

Here’s what residents will vote on at Mattapoisett Town Meeting

MATTAPOISETT — Voters at the May 10 Town Meeting will be asked to approve a temporary tax hike to fund road repair and change the name of the town’s governing board to the gender-neutral Select Board. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday,...

Here’s what residents will vote on at Marion Town Meeting

MARION — Voters at May 10 Town Meeting will be asked to further fund the town’s wastewater treatment lagoon-lining project, change a bylaw for high-density housing and cast votes on 49 other issues. The meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, May...

Mattapoisett raises flag for Arbor Day

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Tree Committee raised a flag in recognition of Arbor Day on Friday, May 30. The flag commemorates 10 years of Mattapoisett being a Tree City USA town, so designated by Tree City USA, a foundation that helps towns and...

Covid vaccines available with no appointment through Southcoast Health

Southcoast Health will be offering walk-in vaccines without appointments at various locations this week, with more walk-in clinics to come. Anyone can go get vaccinated at the following locations and times: -April 30, until 3pm, Moderna, Vanity Fair...

Selectman John DeCosta dead at 58

MATTAPOISETT — Selectman John DeCosta died on April 28, two weeks after sharing his cancer diagnosis at an April 13 Selectmen’s meeting. Born in New Bedford, DeCosta lived in Mattapoisett his whole life. DeCosta worked as a Park Supervisor for the...

Old Rochester's older students return to school fully

On April 27, students came back to Old Rochester Regional to learn in person for the first time since schools closed in March 2020. The district had been teaching kids under a hybrid learning model since September, with two different cohorts of...

Selectman Silva says goodbye

MATTAPOISETT — Paul Silva gave his thanks to Mattapoisett on April 27, as he prepares to retire from his position as Selectman after more than a decade. “After 12 years, I would at least like to thank the colleagues I’ve had in that time,” he said...

Road renovation plans could remove Mattapoisett trees, parking

MATTAPOISETT — Plans to improve Main Street, Water Street, Beacon Street and Marion Road which would see the removal of eight trees and a net reduction of on-street parking prompted concern from Selectmen on Tuesday. Jamie Pisano of The Vanasse...

South Coast cellist to play at Marion church

MARION — Join the First Congregational Church of Marion for worship on May 2 at 10 a.m. Vi Taylor, principal cellist for the Fall River Symphony Orchestra, will be presenting special music for the service.

What to do in May at the Marion COA

MARION — In addition to regular programming, the Marion Council on Aging will have a few special events throughout the month of May. On May 13, the Council on Aging will host a tea party with seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The event will...

Vote early in Marion’s Town Election

MARION — Early Voting by Mail is now available to anyone who wishes to cast their ballot ahead of the May 18 Town Election. Residents may request a ballot by printing the application found on marionma.gov, or by a signed, handwritten request. Either...

The story of North Rochester Congregational Church

The writer of this piece, Connie Eshbach, is the vice president of the Rochester Historical Society. This is part of a series of Rochester history briefs. ROCHESTER — The church in North Rochester that sits on North Avenue is the third...

Register for Marion Town Meeting

MARION — The town requests that anyone interested in attending the May 10 Town Meeting contact Town Clerk Lissa Magauran to make a reservation. Town Meeting will begin at 6:45 p.m. and be held at Sippican School. There will be three feet of social...

Ideas, opinions heard on new designs for $2.5 million harbor project

MARION — Town officials presented redesigned plans for a $2.5 million harbor facility on Island Wharf to residents at a special virtual meeting on April 26. Dozens of residents attended the meeting, voicing ideas and opinions on the revised design...

Mattapoisett goes ‘gray,’ Rochester joins Marion in the ‘green’

New covid cases in Mattapoisett and Rochester remained steady this week, as Marion saw a nearly 50% reduction in new cases, keeping the community firmly in the “green.” Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester all have populations under 10,000, and the...

Trash panda alert: Safety tips for raccoon encounters

MARION — Marion Police, Animal Control, and the Board of Health are sharing safety tips and guidelines for residents encountering raccoons after an uptick of sightings in recent weeks. According to an April 23 press release, police and Animal...

History book celebrates 150 years for St. Gabriel’s church

MARION — When Rear Admiral Andrew Harwood found himself in a fierce storm at sea, he prayed to the Archangel Gabriel to spare him, vowing to start a church in the angel’s name if he lived. He did — and when he got back to shore he bought a church...

Buzzards Bay Coalition to receive over $45,000 to monitor water quality

The Buzzards Bay Coalition will receive a grant of more than $45,000 to monitor water quality in the bay, state Senator Marc Pacheco announced on April 21. The nonprofit coalition will be awarded a $45,474 Water Quality Monitoring Grant, which...

Mill Street repaving begins this week

MARION — The town of Marion has advised residents that the final site clean-up and pavement restoration for the water main improvement project on Mill Street (Route 6) will begin the week of April 20. The project goes from just north of the...

Hiller Street to get ‘no parking’ signs

MARION — Following a public hearing in February, ‘No parking’ signs will be placed at the 90-degree curve on Hiller Street. Town Administrator Jay McGrail announced that planned changes to the street had been finalized at an April 20 Selectmen’s...

ORR district agreement changes to miss Marion, Rochester Town Meeting

Marion and Rochester residents won’t find recent changes approved by the Old Rochester Regional School Committee on the warrants for the upcoming May Town Meetings this year. A string of amendments to the agreement governing school district...

Proposed Marion propane storage draws concern from neighbors

MARION — Abutters to a proposed propane storage area for two 30,000 gallon tanks expressed concern Tuesday night about the site at a Selectmen’s public hearing. Sean Brice griped that using the area on Luce Avenue near the Marion Indoor Tennis Club...

Tri-Town picks new Veterans Agent

The Tri-Town Veterans Council has chosen Christopher Gerrior of Rochester as its new Veterans Agent for Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. Gerrior is a retired U.S. Naval officer, and is replacing Barry Denham, who is retiring from his position as...

Stone Rooster, no Gilda

MARION — South Coast restaurateurs John Mello and Joe Sauro are looking to reopen the Stone Rooster, without Gilda. Gilda Downey opened Gilda’s Stone Rooster on Route 6 near the Wareham line in 1979 with her late husband Paul. The bar was known as a...

Mattapoisett Land Trust annual meeting set for April 29

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Land Trust will conduct its 2021 Annual Meeting using on Zoom, April 25th at 4 p.m. The meeting will feature updates on MLT activities, recognition of volunteers, and election of Board members for the coming year...

Tri-Town students make Falmouth Academy Head of School list

MARION — Sixteen students from the Tri-Town made the Head of School list for the winter trimester at Falmouth Academy. From Rochester, Howard Keeler, Aubryn Dubois, Camden Jeppson and Eva Muldoon made the list. Benjamin Giumetti, Athena Kettner and...

Learn the Marion Golf Club’s history

MARION — Join Jeremiah Daly and the Sippican Historical Society on April 29 at 7 p.m. for a history presentation on the Marion Golf Club. The presentation will illustrate the history and biography of George C. Thomas, Jr. who designed the club. The...

Mattapoisett to recognize Arbor Day

MATTAPOISETT — Join the Tree Warden and the Tree Committee on April 30 at 10 a.m. as the town raises the Arbor Day flag at Mattapoisett Town Hall. The town observes Arbor Day annually to qualify for Tree City USA recognition. In addition, the Tree...

Shellfish farmers weigh in on Marion aquaculture bylaws

MARION — Shellfish company co-owner Chris Bryant expressed concern at Monday’s Marine Resources Commission meeting that regulations under review by the town could put aquaculture ventures “out of business.’’ Bryant, an owner of Bryant Brothers...

Rochester residents turn out for community cleanup

ROCHESTER — Earth Day came a few days early this year. On April 17 and 18, community members from all over Rochester took time out of their weekends to help clean the town’s streets. The community cleanup event was put on by the Rochester Women’s...

Marion librarian retires after 15 years

MARION — After 15 years of sing-songs, finger puppet shows and storytimes, the Elizabeth Taber Library’s children’s librarian, Rosemary Grey, has retired. At the library, Grey worked on programming for kids of all ages, as well as book curation for...

New marine facility plans ‘a good compromise,’ Harbormaster says

MARION — The town’s new Harbormaster Building could be a lot smaller than originally proposed, after new plans were released Tuesday. Harbormaster Isaac Perry said the new plans were a “good compromise” that would help break the project into smaller...

Marion goes ‘green,’ Rochester, Mattapoisett ‘yellow’

New covid cases in Mattapoisett and Rochester lowered last week, as Marion shifted back to “green” after spending a week as a “yellow” community. Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester all have populations under 10,000, and the state determines the...

Candidates night in Rochester

ROCHESTER — The Rochester Council on Aging will host a candidates night for the upcoming May 26 Town Election on May 6 at 6 p.m. Both candidates and residents will be allowed to attend either in person or over Zoom. Zoom details will be posted on...

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