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Rochester honors firefighters who died during 9/11 with new memorial

The new memorial has a piece of steel from the World Trade Center and a plaque explaining its significance. Photo by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — A rusted piece of steel, once part of the World Trade Center in New York City, now stands atop a block of granite at the Rochester Firefighter's…

Mattapoisett elementary schools start year new principals, staff

Charles West and Amanda Chamerblin gave a report on schools opening at the school committee meeting Sept. 10.

MATTAPOISETT — New leaders have joined Old Hammondtown Elementary School and Center School this year, with one administrator a familiar face in the district…

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SRPEDD seeking applicants for its new bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee

The bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee will help make transportation more accessible.

The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) is seeking applications for membership on a new regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The committee will inform SRPEDD about bicycle and pedestrian planning...

Mattapoisett woman confidently leads next generation

Kim Gioioso leads a session of her confidence class in the First Congregational Church of Marion’s community center on Friday, Sept. 4. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — A group of about 10 girls giggle and chat together inside the First Congregational Church of Marion’s community center, waiting for the beginning of a Friday, Sept. 4 confidence workshop. Kim Gioioso, of Mattapoisett, gathers the sixth...

Cruisin’ on down the wharf

One of the annual summer cruise nights happened at Shipyard Park on Friday, where people came to see vintage cars. Photos by Tanvi Kulkarni

MATTAPOISETT — Car enthusiasts, antique car owners and Mattapoisett residents gathered at Shipyard Park Sept. 4 for one of the last vintage car shows of the summer. Over 50 cars, mostly from the 20th century, were parked on the lawn with hoods up...

Rochester Memorial School Committee chair joins education fellowship

Rochester Memorial School Committee Chair Kate Duggan is participating in this year's Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship, organized by the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy. Photos source: Old Rochester Regional School District

MATTAPOISETT — Kate Duggan, the Rochester Memorial School Committee chair, has joined the Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship. The fellowship helps leaders of educational organizations understand and advance equitable education policy. The...

Community-wide survey enriches Mattapoisett’s history

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Historical Commission is working on a long-term, community-wide survey to add to the town’s historical and cultural archives. The commission reached a milestone in the multi-year project, completed by Preservation...

Mattapoisett partners with residents to strengthen climate resilience

Mattapoisett's climate resilience project will focus on sea level rise and storm surge concerns. Photo by Grace Roche

MATTAPOISETT — To improve its climate change preparedness, town government staff and community members are partnering to plan ahead for the future. Mattapoisett was one of several towns that received a $100,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness...

Sippican School celebrates return to school with open house

Marion's comfort dog, Norman, sits in the hallway of Sippican School during an open house Tuesday, Sept. 1. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — Ahead of school beginning today, students and their families crowded Sippican School to explore new classrooms and meet new teachers. The school held an open house Tuesday, Sept. 1 to welcome kids back to school and help them get ready...

Markey, Keating, Minogue among Tri-Town primary winners

Marion voters cast their ballots at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center during the primary election Tuesday, Sept. 1. Photos by Grace Roche

Tri-Town Democrats largely supported Edward Markey to be the party’s U.S. senator candidate and Bill Keating for the U.S. representative nomination. Incumbent Sen. Markey faced current Rep. Moulton in the state primary elections Tuesday, Sept. 1....

Marion approves water tank donation to Carver

From left: Select Board members Toby Burr, John Hoagland and Randy Parker at the Tuesday, Sept. 1 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche

MARION — An unused water tank has been sitting in storage since 2019, purchased to sit on a brush breaker the town planned to buy. The Select Board approved donating the tank to the Department of Conservation and Recreation District 2 fire warden...

West Nile detected in nearby mosquito population

Avoiding mosquito activity can keep people safe from West Nile virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

West Nile virus has been detected in a mosquito population in a nearby town, state health officials report. The positive results were detected Aug. 18, according to the state. Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester have been placed on emoderate risk...

Tabor Academy to potentially restore and modernize historic Percy Browne House

A historic photo of the Percy Browne House from 1885. Photo source: Sippican Historical Society

MARION — Tabor Academy is exploring the restoration and expansion of the historic Percy Browne House to adapt it for modern use. The Marion Historical Commission completed a study in late August on potential future uses and restoration cost of the...

Marion Institute awarded nearly $1 million grant

MARION — The Marion Institute received nearly $1 million as part of a state-wide grant to support organizations and municipalities helping people lead healthier lives. The funding is designed to support locally-driven efforts to build healthier...

Marion man isn’t on the fence about sharing kindness

Stan Bradford holds his dog Goodness in front of his Kindness Wall at his property at 468 Wareham Road. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — Stan Bradford knows that good fences make good neighbors. That’s why the Marion resident is looking to decorate the fence of his property, at 468 Wareham Road (Route 6), with artwork that spreads kindness and positivity. Bradford began...

Old Rochester names interim assistant superintendent of finance and operations

Michael Perrone has been appointed as interim assistant superintendent of finance and operations for Old Rochester Regional School District. Photo source: Old Rochester Regional School District

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional School District will soon welcome an interim assistant superintendent of finance and operations. Michael Perrone will join the district Sept. 21, bringing over 20 years of school finance and administration...

'Remember her for who she was': Youth soccer organization dedicates memorial to deceased player

The Eitas family, surrounded by Madelyn's friends and soccer community, cut a ribbon to open Maddie's Circle at the Mariner Youth Soccer Complex on Friday, Aug. 28. Photos by Grace Roche

FAIRHAVEN — With sunflowers in hand and tears in their eyes, the Mariner Youth Soccer community gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Maddie’s Circle. Madelyn Eitas’s former teammates, friends and family gathered at 270 Huttleston Ave. to...

How to keep students safe on the road as school year begins

Back-to-school season brings safety precautions for students and drivers. Photo source: ORR School District

MATTAPOISETT — As the new school year begins, the Old Rochester Regional School District shared safety guidelines for students, their families, and drivers. The district asks parents and students to review safety recommendations, and for everyone...

Route 6 bridge construction to fully resume

The bridge repair work on Route 6 is set to fully resume following a pause in July. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni

MARION — Work on the Route 6 bridge over the Weweantic River is set to fully resume in the upcoming weeks, after construction halted work after crews found diamondback terrapin breeding grounds nearby. The bridge was structurally deficient and is...

Bike and pedestrian path closer to completion

MARION — A shared use path that will make Marion more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly is one step closer to completion. The Marion Select Board discussed an update on the progress of the project at a Tuesday, Aug. 25 meeting. MassDOT required...

Mattapoisett considers purchasing beach grooming equipment

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MATTAPOISETT — The town is considering investing in new beach-cleaning equipment to increase efficiency and reduce the cost of labor. The Select Board discussed purchasing a beach groomer to replace the current front end loader and backhoe used to...

Investigation determines administration handled RMS bathroom incident legally

An investigation determined the district acted in accordance with state law and policy after a parent filed a Title IX complain. File photo

ROCHESTER — The Old Rochester Regional School District announced Friday, Aug. 21 that an investigation found the school did not violate a student’s federal Title IX rights in connection with an incident at Rochester Memorial School. In a message...

What to know for Sept. 1 primary election

Election day is Sept. 1. File photo

The state primary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 1. Votes may be cast by mail, early in-person or on election day. There are primary contests on both the Democratic and Republican sides. Voters enrolled in neither party may choose to vote in...

Mattapoisett wave buoy helps researchers study state’s coast

An offshore wave buoy floats off the coast of Mattapoisett in Buzzards Bay. Photo source: Stone Living Lab.

MATTAPOISETT — Off the coast of Mattapoisett floats a yellow buoy, monitoring the height, frequency and direction of the waves that pass under it. It’s part of several new monitoring instruments the Stone Living Lab installed across the coast of...

Plumb Library celebrates its 50th anniversary

Library Director Kristen Cardoso accepts a plaque from the Rochester Historical Commission on Saturday, Aug. 22. Photo by Tanvi Kulkarni

ROCHESTER — Plumb Library opened its doors to Rochester residents and state lawmakers Aug. 22 in celebration of its golden jubilee. The library turned 50 on Aug. 18 , and Library Director Kristen Cardoso and Chairperson of the Rochester Historical...

Old Rochester District receives literacy education grant

MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional School District received a $117,000 grant as part of state-wide funding supporting literacy education. The Partnership for Reading Success–Massachusetts grant programs, is designed to help districts,...

Rochester Historical Commission begins historical house plaque program

ROCHESETER — After the Joseph H. Plumb Library received a plaque during a Saturday, Aug. 22 ceremony, the town now has 11 historic buildings commemorated with plaques. The Rochester Historical Commission hopes to increase the number by adding ones...

Old Rochester granted $30,000 for civics education

MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester Regional High School received a $30,000 state grant to fund its civics education efforts. The school was among 28 districts to receive similar funding to support teachers’ professional development, strengthen civics...

Former Tabor teacher charged with raping student

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MARION -- A former English teacher at Tabor Academy has been arraigned on 12 charges of rape after allegedly abusing a student over a three-year period. Nannie Clough was arraigned Aug. 17 in Brockton Superior Court on the rape charges and one...

Eagle Scout project helps Sippican Lands Trust track environmental changes

Iain McManus stands next to one of his photo posts at Brainard Marsh. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — At three Sippican Lands Trust properties stand a wooden post with an orange octagon affixed to the top. These “photo posts” are the culmination of Iain McManus’s Eagle Scout project, and were designed to encourage people to take a series...

Marion Police Department’s comfort dog to receive body armor donation

Marion Police Department's comfort dog Norman. Photo source: Marion Police

MARION — The Marion Police Department’s top dog will soon receive new protective gear thanks to a donation from a Taunton non-profit. Vested Interest in K9s donated a bullet- and stab-proof vest to Norman, one of the department’s comfort dogs....

Mattapoisett Museum helps kids learn about the community

A group of campers and counselors from Mattapoisett Rec enjoyed a day of activities at Mattapoisett museum. Photos source: Sara Zaiger.

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Museum and young campers from Mattapoisett Recreation left a lasting positive impact on each other through an encounter earlier this month. On Aug. 3, over 60 campers from the Seahorse Summer Explorers Camp visited...

Rochester Select Board considers $1.3 million land purchase

From left: Town Administrator Cameron Durant and Select Board members Paul Ciaburri, Adam Murphy and Bradford Morse at the Monday, Aug. 17 meeting. Photo source: ORCTV

ROCHESTER — Rochester leaders are considering buying a $1.3 million property for conservation from future development. Town Administrator Cameron Durant proposed the purchase of a 29-acre land parcel off of Snows Pond Road on Snipatuit during a...

Proposed higher density housing bylaw draws mixed reaction

From left: Planning Board Chair Thomas Tucker, Town Planner Victoria Alfaro and Planning Board members Nathan Ketchel and Karen Field at the Monday, Aug. 17 meeting. Photo by Grace Roche

MATTAPOISETT — Residents are split on a proposed bylaw aimed at creating lower-cost, high-density housing along Route 6. The Planning Board held a public hearing for a Cottage Community Development bylaw at its Monday, Aug. 17 meeting to gather...

Summer reading program reaches final chapter of the year

MARION — Summer reading has come to a close at the Elizabeth Taber Library, encouraging children up to 12 years old to read during time off from school. Each of the 172 kids who registered for the program received a free book, funded by Taunton...

Drop and Drive: Neighbors helping neighbors through a monthly food drive

MATTAPOISETT — Mattapoisett is having monthly food drives to help community members put food on the table. On the third Thursday of every month from 5-7 p.m., volunteers at Mattapoisett Congregational Church will collect non-perishable food items...

Mattapoisett Museum will temporarily close to construct an accessible entrance

MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Museum will soon be under construction to provide a fully accessible entrance to visitors using wheelchairs, other mobility devices and strollers, as well as visitors who have difficulty climbing stairs. After the...

Marion program helps young explorers discover nature

Coastal explorers take a trip on the Marion Harbormaster boat during the week-long program. Photos source: Marion Natural History Museum

MARION — Young explorers learned about the many habitats and animals in town during a Marion Natural History Museum program. Second- through eighth-grade students spent a week investigating areas along the water, in the forest and on the beach to...

Rochester man accused of attempted murder to be held without bail

Theodore Labelle appeared at Wareham District Court for a dangerousness hearing Friday, Aug. 14. Photo by Grace Roche

WAREHAM — Theodore Labelle, a Rochester man accused of two counts of attempted murder among other charges, will be held without bail after a judge ruled he is too dangerous to release. While Daniel Pond, Labelle’s attorney, requested he be granted...

Rochester man charged with attempted murder after domestic dispute hospitalizes two people

Theodore Labelle was arraigned in Wareham District Court on Monday, Aug. 10. Photo by Abby Van Selous

ROCHESTER — When Rochester Police arrived at 206 Snipatuit Road the evening of Friday, Aug. 7, they found two men fighting on the ground over an axe, both covered in blood. Police arrested Theodore Labelle, 37, of Rochester after reports he...

Violent domestic disturbance leads to one arrest, two hospitalizations

Theodore Labelle was arrested Friday, Aug. 7. Photo source: Rochester Police Department

ROCHESTER — A man was arrested Friday evening after police responded to reports of a physical domestic disturbance that sent two people to the hospital. Theodore Labelle has been charged for two counts each of mayhem, "assault to murder," and...

Rochester Memorial School parent calls for recall of School Committee

Luis Rivera speaks at a June 3 Rochester School Committee meeting. Photo by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — The parent of a Rochester Memorial School student is calling for a recall of the five members of the school committee following his frustration over how the school handled an incident earlier this year. Luis Rivera cites dereliction...

Residents try to beat the heat during searing temperatures

From left: JB Brown, Graham Bader, Dot Brown and Nathan Bader enjoy ice cream from Gone Country Creamery on Saturday, Aug. 8. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — With temperatures reaching nearly 90 degrees and high humidity making it feel even hotter, residents have turned to the water, public spaces and cold refreshments to escape the heat. Dot and JB Brown said they spent most of the day at the...

Speed puzzling event helps competitors find the perfect fit

Competitors raced to complete a 300-piece puzzle at the Marion Music Hall on Saturday, Aug. 8. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — Amid the bustle of the Elizabeth Taber Library’s book sale, people gathered on the Music Hall stage to piece together a competition. Marion resident Emma Williamson led groups of puzzlers in a speed-puzzling challenge Saturday, Aug. 8 to...

Cranberry season is all year long at Hartley Family Farm

By mid-summer, cranberries have begun ripening and turning their recognizable color. Photos by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — While cranberries may be most associated with autumnal celebrations and festive feasts, they’re a year-round matter for Woody Hartley. He and his brother Walter run Hartley Family Farm, at 22 Walnut Plain Road. At this time of year,...

Avian ambassadors visit Marion Natural History Museum

Bethany Boucher holds Jinx, a blue and gold macaw who loves to hang upside down, during a presentation at the Marion Natural History Museum on Monday, Aug. 4. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — Kids and their families flocked to the Marion Natural History Museum on Monday, Aug. 3 to learn about and meet several species of birds. Bethany Boucher brought a red tailed hawk, great horned owl, kookaburra, raven and macaw to the...

Old Rochester to welcome Acushnet students this fall

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MATTAPOISETT — About 30 Acushnet students will join the freshman class of Old Rochester Regional High School thanks to a deal between the two districts reached earlier this year. With a typical class size of about 150 students, these new students...

Presentation explains donated voting devices at Rochester Select Board

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ROCHESTER — Representatives from Meridia, a company that manufactures remote voting devices, met with Rochester leaders to address questions and concerns about their product. An anonymous resident donated 400 remote voting devices to the town this...

Marion’s renovated Town House opens

Marion's Town House re-opened after extensive renovations Monday, Aug. 3. Photos by Grace Roche

MARION — After an 11-month closure for renovations, the Marion Town House is now open for business. The newly-renovated space opened Monday, Aug. 3 with accessibility and safety updates that began in September 2025. Town Administrator Geoffrey...

Marion town clerk brings new tune to Town House

Town Clerk Madie-Lynn Bourgeois poses on her first day of work on Monday, Aug. 3. Photo by Grace Roche

MARION — New Town Clerk Madie-Lynn Bourgeois splits her time behind a desk by day and a microphone by night. Joining the town this week, the former administrative clerk for the Bristol County Registry of Deeds and part-time wedding singer brings...

New assistant principal of Rochester Memorial School appointed

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MATTAPOISETT — Joshua Vanderquist has been appointed Assistant Principal of Rochester Memorial School. Vanderquist officially began his new role on July 1, succeeding Charles West, who was recently named Principal of Center School in Mattapoisett....

Pan-Mass Challenge rolls through Rochester

From left: Barbara Buckley, Aubrianne and Max Feeney, Quinn Buckley, Logan Buckley, Maegan Buckley and Jaimey Buckley cheered on Pan-Mass Challenge riders on Saturday, Aug. 1. Photos by Grace Roche

ROCHESTER — Thousands of cyclists pedaled across Rochester on Saturday en route from Wellesley or Worcester to Bourne as part of the Pan-Mass Challenge, cheered on by residents. The Buckley family was among the onlookers supporting the riders on...