News

News

Marion appoints four police officers full-time 

MARION – The Select Board appointed four members of the Marion Police Departments to full-time, permanent positions, after probationary periods. Police Chief Richard Nighelli appeared before the Select Board on Jan. 18 to ask that two sergeants, a...

Marion looks to make pumping station improvements by June

MARION – The Department of Public works will look to quickly make improvements to the Front Street pumping station, to take advantage of grant funding that expires at the end of the fiscal year. The town received a grant from the Massachusetts...

Smoke alarms credited with keeping house fire contained

MATTAPOISETT _ Working smoke alarms were credited with alerting residents to a fire on Hitching Post Road Monday morning, Jan. 17, before the blaze could spread, Mattapoisett Fire Department reported on social media. Homeowners were awakened by the...

Breakfast special named for special regular at Mattapoisett Diner

As sure as eggs would sizzle on the grill and java would percolate in the coffee pot, Elaine Vandament would visit the Mattapoisett Diner. Every morning, she would sit on her favorite bar stool near the front door and order breakfast. Then, after...

Select Board revives renovation plans for Mattapoisett Highway Department barn

MATTAPOISETT – The Select Board, Town Administrator and Highway Department will resume efforts to renovate the aging town highway barn. The building was constructed in 1950 and needs updates, officials stated, for fire safety, to help with the work...

Macrame, fiddling on schedule at Mattapoisett Museum

MATTAPOISETT _ Mattapoisett Museum, 5 Church St., is hosting a series of upcoming events. The traditional third Friday open mic will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 21, co-hosted with Southcoast Lessons. All attendees to this free event are asked to wear a...

Tri-Town fire departments receive state grants

Tri-town fire departments have received more than $47,000 in funds through the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program. Marion received $17,500; Mattapoisett was granted $15,500 and Rochester was granted $14,200. Under the Firefighter Safety...

A tip of the hat to North Rochester factories of the 1800s

(In the most recent installment of From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society, Connie Eshbach reflects on a time when hats were tiptop fashion accessories, with many of them made at North Rochester factories.) As I mentioned in an earlier...

Bikes for All seeks gently used bicycles

MATTAPOISETT _ Supply chain issues and completing the bike path delays haven’t stopped the volunteers of “Bikes for All” from collecting and more than 100 donated bicycles of all sizes. More than 50 children and adults have been able to enjoy their...

Reading programs set for all ages at Mattapoisett Library

Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow St., is offering a series of events in January. The library is participating in Food for Fines for the month of January. Patrons can support at-risk community members and clear up old fines by donating...

Do these items speak to you? Personal responses sought for exhibit

MARION _ Sippican Historical Society executive director and archivist Leslie Thayer Piper hopes items selected for the winter exhibit will make people sing. Or dance. Or write a poem. Or otherwise elicit a creative response. “We Gather Together,’’...

Play mini-golf at Tabor Library

MARION _ Children can decorate a golf ball and then play indoor mini golf at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28 at the Elizabeth Taber Library, 8 Spring St. The library also hosts several weekly drop-in children’s activities. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon:...

Mattapoisett Lions Club offers two scholarships

The Mattapoisett Lions Club will be offering two $2,500 scholarships this year to a graduating high school senior or home-schooled student living in Marion, Mattapoisett or Rochester. Funds for the Peter Hodges Memorial Scholarship are raised...

Birds, butterflies subject of upcoming programs

MARION _ Birds and butterflies will be the topics of two upcoming programs at Marion Natural History Museum, 8 Spring St. The year’s first after-school program will be The Great Backyard Bird Count, to be presented 3:30 to 4:30 p.m....

Rochester Town Clerk office closed Jan. 18-21

The Rochester Town Clerk's Office will be closed Jan. 18-21. Phone messages may be left at 508-763-3871, extension 117 or emails may be sent to pdawson@townofrochester.com . Town Clerk Paul Dawson will be out on a personal matter and will respond as...

Hovan hearing will remain closed, justice rules

The hearing for Southcoast President and CEO Keith Hovan on a potential felony charge of possessing illegal firearm magazines will remain closed to the public, a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court justice has ruled. As a result of this ruling,...

Tri-Town tallies record covid cases for third-straight week

For the third week in a row, the Tri-Town recorded the most new covid cases it’s ever had in the week leading up to Jan. 13, according to state covid data. Among the towns, Marion had 112 new cases, Mattapoisett had 94 and Rochester had 96. In total...

Marion Institute receives support through Shaw’s program

MARION _ Marion Institute’s Grow Education Program has been selected as a beneficiary of the Shaw's Give Back Where It Counts program for February at the Shaw’s at 127 Marion Road, Wareham. The Shaw’s Give Back Where It Counts program, which...

Organization determined to rebuild destroyed Diverse Little Library

The vandalism that demolished the Diverse Little Library at Neds Point in Mattapoisett did not destroy the enthusiasm of the Tri-Town Against Racism organization and their plans to move forward. “We were very devastated about the vandalism,’’...

Rochester fire vehicle arrives as gift to storm-torn Cayce, Ky.

A Rochester Fire Department vehicle has arrived safely to its most recent call, a new home more than 1,200 miles away. The vehicle has completed its journey to Cayce, Ky., which was devastated by a tornado in December that destroyed the fire station...

Rochester Senior Center closing date extended to February

The Rochester Senior Center will now be closed through the month of January because of Covid concerns, senior center director Eric Poulin has announced. The center will not reopen until Tuesday, Feb. 1 at the earliest. The Council on Aging Board...

Noise complaints at American Legion Hall addressed

MATTAPOISETT – Faced with noise complaints from neighbors about the hall, a representative from the American Legion appeared before the Select Board Jan. 11 to explain the measures the organization is taking to limit the noise. Select Board member...

Sippican Historical Society sets winter hours

Sippican Historical Society, 141 Front St., Marion, has announced its winter hours. The society will be open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Due to the rise in Covid cases locally, visitors are asked to wear a mask,...

Grab and go serves up supper and support for fire victim

The community broke bread and then dipped it into pasta at an Italian feast that served as a fundraiser for John Menezes, whose business, Mattapoisett Power Equipment, was badly damaged by fire last month. The Italian dinner, held Sunday, Jan. 9,...

What happened to Bonney Hill? A history mystery solved

(Connie Esbach of the Rochester Historical Society turns detective as she ponders the fate of a once popular sledding spot in town.) At one time, my husband's favorite TV show was “History Detectives.’’ Viewers sent in questions and the...

Food pantry opens in Marion to address unrecognized need

Marion may be perceived as a financially comfortable community, but poverty is no stranger to some residents, said Karen Gregory, director of the Marion Council on Aging. Six percent of the overall population falls under the federal poverty...

Marion Fire battles commercial structure fire

Marion Fire battled smoke and a snowstorm to knock down a structure fire Friday, Jan. 7 at 265 Wareham Road, the department reported on its Facebook page. When crews arrived, they encountered heavy smoke from the rear of the building, the department...

Hovan hearing on hold as judge considers public access

WAREHAM — A justice on the state’s highest appellate court will halt the show cause hearing for Southcoast Health CEO Keith A. Hovan, originally scheduled for today, in response to The New Bedford Light’s motion for a stay in the proceedings. The...

Rochester Historical Society pauses meetings, open exhibit hours til spring

The Rochester Historical Society is taking a break this winter, with meetings on hold until April 20. The current exhibit will be open by appointment only. Call 508-295-8908. The exhibit will be on display through the spring. Connie Eshbach thanked...

Snow day snow problem as area sparkles like snow globe

Sure, storms can cause headaches but they can also produce stunning images. The six inches or so that fell on the region Friday, Jan. 7 prompted our readers to share some striking scenes. Some people built snowmen, others chilled out by the fire and...

Covid cases skyrocket in the Tri-Town amid post-holiday surge

For the second week in a row, the Tri-Town recorded the most new covid cases it’s ever had, this time doubling last week’s record, according to state covid data for the week leading up to Jan. 6. Among the towns, Marion had 81 new cases,...

Judge rules Inn at Shipyard Park work can move forward

MATTAPOISETT _ The Inn at Shipyard Park should be allowed to repair and expand its front porch, a Plymouth Superior Court judge has ruled, six years after the Zoning Board of Appeals approved the work. The Dec. 31 decision by Plymouth County...

No horsing around: This equine rescue took a team effort

MATTAPOISETT - The call was a first for Mattapoisett Fire Lt. Ross Macedo. A horse was stuck in a barn on Acushnet Road Wednesday morning Jan. 5 and was unable to stand. But thanks to efforts by the Mattapoisett Fire Department and support from The...

Art history programs planned at Mattapoisett Council on Aging

MATTAPOISETT _ The Mattapoisett Council on Aging, 17 Barstow St., is hosting two upcoming art history programs by local art historian Jill Sanford. These art observation experiences are designed to broaden the minds of its participants, both artists...

Residents advised to take steps in advance of storm

Mattapoisett officials are asking residents to be aware of a possible storm Thursday evening into Friday. A National Weather Service winter storm warning will be in effect in southern Bristol County from 7 p.m. Thursday until 7 p.m. Friday, with an...

Hazard mitigation plan approved in Marion

MARION – The Select Board heard two major pieces of building-related news at a Jan. 4 meeting, approving a Hazard Mitigation plan and learning that the town’s Building Commissioner will be leaving in mid January. The Select Board gave the final...

Homeowners dispute ownership of road

MARION – Residents of Sippican Woods development told the select board Tuesday that the town should be responsible for maintaining Field Stone Road, which is now under the oversight of a newly formed homeowners association. As of Jan. 1 Steen Realty...

Christmas tree disposal scheduled

The holidays are over and towns have made plans for residents to dispose of their Christmas trees. Marion will offer curbside Christmas tree collection during the week of Jan. 10 through Jan. 14. All trees must be curbside by 7 a.m. on the day of...

Runner’s on the cross-country road to recovery

Many people aim to make tracks and explore unfamiliar roads when the calendar turns to a new year and a fresh start. But Graham Correia of Rochester is taking the idea of rejuvenation miles beyond the everyday Jan. 1 goals. Starting on New Year’s...

Reading groups among events at Plumb Library

ROCHESTER _ Plumb Memorial Library, 17 Constitution Way, is sponsoring a series of events throughout January. Each Monday, children can visit the library to find a snowperson hiding in the library. The snowperson will stay in this spot until...

Sippican Land Trust to host right whale talk

The Sippican Lands Trust will be hosting a virtual talk on the North Atlantic Right Whales with Dr. Michael Moore from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20. Moore will discuss the status and trends of the North...

Mattapoisett Council on Aging events

MATTAPOISETT _ Mattapoisett Council on Aging, 17 Barstow St., has scheduled several upcoming programs. Effective Communication, Talking About Dementia will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18. More than just talking and listening, effective...

Tri-Town Against Racism to host virtual community meeting Jan. 11

As a new year begins and in the wake of the vandalism of the Little Free Diverse Library on Ned’s Point in Mattapoisett, Tri-Town Against Racism is hosting a virtual town hall at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 to discuss local efforts and how to get the community...

Covid numbers highest yet in Tri-Town

Tri-Town reported its highest number of covid cases ever during the week leading up to Dec. 23, according to state covid data. Among the towns, Marion had 32 new cases, Mattapoisett had 59 and Rochester had 50. In total, the Tri-Town had 141 new...

Looking for pieces of today’s pandemic history

Looking through the memoirs of Abraham Holmes, born in 1754, he mentions various relatives and other Rochester residents who lived into their 80s and 90s, but they are greatly outnumbered by the many who “died young,’’ " often in early childhood. He...

Rochester Senior Center closed until Jan. 18

The Rochester Senior Center will be closed through Tuesday, Jan. 18 as a precaution in the wake of increasing numbers of Covid cases in the area, senior center director Eric Poulin said. He said the center will be closed in anticipation of “higher...

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