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Operation
Diesel Snags 30 in Taunton
20
More Individuals to be Charged in Multi-Agency Illegal
Drug Investigation |
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Taunton,
MA - District Attorney Sam Sutter announced that a
multi-agency large-scale illegal drug investigation
dubbed "Operation Diesel" resulted in the
arrest of 30 individuals in the City of Taunton over two
days. In total, more than 50 people have been or will be
charged as a result of this joint operation.
The
Massachusetts State Police Unit assigned to District
Attorney Sutter's office led this year-long
investigation into illegal narcotics distribution in the
Fairfax Gardens housing complex on Dewert Avenue in
Taunton. District Attorney Sutter's office was
assisted by numerous local, state and federal partners
including the Taunton Police; The Raynham Police; State
Police Units assigned to the Plymouth County, Suffolk
County, and Cape and Islands District Attorneys'
Offices; the State Police Special Tactical Operations
Unit; the State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension
Squad; various State Police Gang Units; the State Police
D-Troop CAT Team; the State Police Air Wing; the
Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center; the New
England State Police Information Network and a federal
task force known as the HITDA Group. |
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District
Attorney Sam Sutter
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The
investigation was coordinated by District Attorney
Sutter's Chief of Drug Prosecutions, Assistant District
Attorney Stephen Butts.
The
investigation was initiated in 2009 when the State
Police Unit assigned to District Attorney Sam Sutter's
Office investigated a fatal drug overdose of a Taunton
man. That investigation lead to a large-scale narcotics
investigation into the distribution, storage and
trafficking of illegal narcotics within the Fairfax
Gardens Housing Complex. Fairfax Gardens is known
on the street as "Dewert". The main
narcotic being sold within "Dewert" is heroin,
however this investigation did not limit itself to just
the heroin trade. |
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As
the investigation continued, it grew in scale to include
other areas of Taunton, including the Paul Bunker
Housing Complex.
As
a result of this investigation, there have been
approximately 51 defendants charged with offenses
including trafficking in heroin, which ranged in weights
of over 14 grams up to 144 grams. There have also been
numerous crack cocaine distribution charges levied
against defendants targeted in this operation.
There have been 10 individuals charged who were directly
indicted in the Superior Court, along with another 24
persons charged and arrest warrants issued for District
Court. An additional 17 defendants have either
already been arrested or are waiting to be summonsed to
court on various narcotics and motor vehicle charges. In
addition to the numerous arrests, investigators seized
two motor vehicles and a motorcycle, which are believed
to have been used in furtherance of said illegal
activities or purchased with illegal drug proceeds.
Cash believed to be profits from the illegal drug trade
and properties have also been seized as a result of this
operation.
The
success of this operation could not have been achieved
without the assistance and cooperation of numerous law
enforcement groups.
As
the operation remains ongoing, no further information
can be revealed at this time. A list
of the individuals arrested during yesterday's
portion of the operation is attached to this e-mail.
Notable
Quotes
"These
51 arrests and indictments were the result of a
year-long investigation, which involved cooperation and
collaboration between prosecutors from my office, City
of Taunton detectives, and State Police
detectives," said Bristol County District Attorney
Sam Sutter. "Those individuals engaged in
illegal drug dealing in Bristol County should know that
all of us in law enforcement are committed to finding
out whom each and every one of you are, building cases
against you and then getting you arrested and
convicted."
"I
want to applaud the efforts of District Attorney Sam
Sutter, Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh and the
members of the State Police Unit for their extraordinary
efforts in leading the task force to take the drug
dealers off our city streets," said Taunton Mayor
Charles Crowley. "A successful operation like this
requires teamwork and the citizens of my community are
grateful for the team effort displayed during Operation
Diesel."
"This
operation reflects the effectiveness of law enforcement
agencies working in true partnership to address issues
of crime in the community," said Taunton Police
Chief Edward James Walsh. "In a time of
diminishing resources, we were able to leverage assets
from both agencies to achieve a common goal.
Hopefully this will be one of many future successful
collaborations."
"Police-wise
it is extremely important to routinely be breaking up
these criminal networks and conspiracies, of equal
importance is the leadership shown by the District
Attorney's Office in creating a professional
collaborative climate where all of the state, local and
county law enforcement agencies can cooperate and work
together to make our communities a safer and a better
place to live. Every one of our communities pays a price
for these problems, with house break, robberies, thefts,
and prostitution. We all have to work together to keep
it under control," Raynham Police Chief Louis
Pacheco said. "In these tough economic times it is
great seeing law enforcement working together helping
each other." |
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Operation
Diesel Arrests from July 21
Edgard Quinones-Ortiz, age 20, of 20 Meadow Street,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Tomas Ortiz, age 21, of 8 Earl Street, possession of
a Class A drug with will to distribute.
Alexander Torres, age 37, of 403 Washington Street,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Damian Carrasquillo, age 21, of 24 Second Street,
conspiracy to violate drug law.
Michael Almodovar, age 17, of 53 Paul Bunker Drive,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Alonzo Lopes, age 21, of 155 Oak Street, distribution
of a Class B drug.
Darius Jones, age 17, of 1 Kilmer Avenue,
distribution of a counterfeit drug.
Samantha Silva, age 20, of 22 Church Street,
conspiracy to violate drug law.
Adam Johnson, age 25, of 82 Cohannet Street,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Tiffany Collazo, age 21, of 206 School Street,
conspiracy to violate drug law.
Juan Padua Jr., age 18, of 42.5 Cottage Street,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Daryl Perkins, age 32, of 82 Cohannet Street,
conspiracy to violate drug law.
Kristen Burke, age 26, of 48 Dewert Avenue,
trafficking, manufacturing and distributing a Class A
drug.
Tonya Ferguson, age 39, of 7 Atwood Street,
distribution of a Class B drug.
Ralph Brown, age 36, of 89 Ashland Street,
distribution of a Class B drug.
Maynard Davis, age 33, of 208 Bay Street,
distributing cocaine.
Westley Amador-Cintron, age 20, of 50 Dewert Avenue,
trafficking cocaine, conspiracy to violate drug law and
drug violation near a school or park.
Raul J. Padua, age 29, of 128 Dewert Avenue,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Rolando Miranda, age 24, of 126 Dewert Avenue,
malicious destruction of over 250 dollars worth of
property.
16-year-old juvenile male, distribution of a Class A
drug.
Shawn Oller, age 34, of 68 Broadway, operating a
motor vehicle with a suspended license.
Terrence Wrightington, age 21, of 2 Harrison Street,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Deion McCassie, age 20, of 8 Silver Street,
conspiracy to violate drug law.
Xavier Ramos, age 20, of 26 Talbot Avenue,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Peter Hicks, age 21, of 89 Dewert Avenue,
distribution of a Class A drug.
Anthony Rezendes, age 50, of 43 Winthrop Street,
distributing cocaine.
Jeffrey Bird, age 30, of 57 Winthrop Street,
distributing cocaine.
Trevor R. Heggs, age 22, of 30 Newcomb Place,
distributing cocaine.
Jose Avelino, age 18, of 21 Godfrey Street,
conspiracy to violate drug law. |
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Epilepsy
Foundation New England Donation Center |
| The mission of the Epilepsy
Foundation in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire
and Maine is to ensure that people with seizures are
able to participate in all life experiences and to work
toward prevention, control and a cure for epilepsy
through advocacy, education, research and support
services.
As of October 2009, the Epilepsy Foundation New
England Donation Center (EFNEDC) opened in Wilmington,
MA. The Clothing Donation Program helps divert discarded
clothing from landfills, making it convenient for the
community to recycle their used clothing, while at the
same time, providing an additional source of funding for
our programs and services. All proceeds from the
Epilepsy Foundation New England Donation Center go
toward research in finding a cure for epilepsy, new
medications, support groups, an annual camp "Camp
Wee-Kan-Tu" held in Duxbury, MA for kids/teens, job
placement, etc.
On June 12, 2010, the Epilepsy Foundation New England
Donation Center welcomed their newest Attended Donation
Site to Taunton, MA, located at 306 Winthrop St., within
the Winthrop Park Place Plaza. The Donation Site is open
7 days a week, Monday - Friday 7am - 7 pm, Saturday 7am
- 5pm, and Sunday 10am- 3pm. This is our first and only
POD location as of right now. We hope for many more in
the future. |
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(left
to right): Bill Braunlich (President), Ken Newby
(Donor), Angelo Febbo (Director of Operations),
Christina Macia (Marketing and Public Relations
Coordinator), Abigail Hosle (Donation Site Attendant),
Jennifer Andrade (Donation Site Attendant)
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| If there are any small
business owners or organizations that would like to help
our cause in a larger way, we are currently looking for
locations to place clothing bins or other attended
donation sites. Your sponsorship could make a world of
difference. Please contact Christina Macia at
(888)322-8209 for further details.
You can now schedule a pickup right from your
computer. Feel free to schedule online at www.donatenewengland.org. |
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New
Date Set for Women's Golf Outing |
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The
Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce 8th
Annual Women’s Golf Outing has been rescheduled
for Friday, August 13, 2010. It will be held at
The Back Nine Club, 17 Heritage Hill Drive, Lakeville.
Registration
begins at 7:45 a.m. The course will be played in a
scramble format, which begins at 8:30 a.m. The cost is
$100 per player or $360 per foursome and includes green
fees, ½ cart, breakfast, and lunch. You can sign up as
a single, twosome, threesome, or foursome. There will be
prizes on specific holes and also raffle drawings. The
golf outing is a great opportunity to have fun, unwind,
and network.
If
you choose not to golf, you can also contribute by
sponsoring a hole, donating a prize item or gift
certificate, or providing items for the players’ goody
bags. For more information or to register, please
contact the Chamber at 508-824-4068. |
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Eagle
Court of Honor Ceremony |
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Taunton,
MA - State Senator Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton) recently
attended an Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony for two
scouts. Zachary Wirth and Jonathan Souza both from
Taunton received the rank of Eagle Scout today as they
were joined by family and friends at the St. Mary Church
in Norton. |
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Zachary
Wirth, who began his scouting career in 1999, has
received numerous awards and recognition for his hard
work over the last eleven years. He has received the
rank of Tenderfoot, Star and the scout’s highest rank,
the Arrow of Light. Zachary has been active in his
troop, where he has attended many national events and
has served within his community, particularly at the St.
Vincent De Paul food distribution center in Taunton.
For
Zachary’s Eagle project he organized and led a service
project to install a new information board at the Boyden
Wildlife Refuge in Taunton. The project consisted of
dismantling and removing the old information board,
designed and installed the new information board with a
new Plexiglas window to protect the posted notices from
weather. The new board was cemented into the ground and
the area around it was graded and mulched.
Jonathan
Souza, who also began his scouting career in 1999, has
been a model scout throughout his eleven years in the
troop. He has been an Honors student, active volunteer
in his community and a leader in his troop. Jonathan has
received a total of 40 merit badges, the rank of
Tenderfoot, Star and the scout’s highest rank, the
Arrow of Light. He too has attended many national events
and has served within his community, specifically at the
St. Vincent De Paul food distribution center in Taunton.
His Eagle project was an organized effort where he led a
service project that restored the Knapp family burying
ground which dates back to 1779, in Taunton. The project
consisted of removing rotten trees and brush and
allowing access to the headstones and creating a path
inside the burial grounds. In addition, the project
washed headstones and recognized Civil War veteran’s
with a marker and a flag.
“I’m
truly honored to have joined these two outstanding young
men as they received the prestigious rank of Eagle
Scout, Said Senator Pacheco.” “Both of them have
been active in their communities and embody everything
an Eagle Scout should be. Its young people like them
that will continue to change our community for the
better and it was my honor being with them today.” |
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Taunton
Students Receive Scholarships |
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Morton
Federal Credit Union recently awarded three $1,000
scholarships to local high school seniors that will
attend college in the fall. The recipients were
Katherine Hackett, and Katelyn M. Winslow, both from
Taunton High School and Jillian Perry from Apponequet
Regional High School.
For
more than ten years, Morton Federal Credit Union has
awarded over $35,000 in scholarships to Taunton area
students. Scholarships are available to any credit union
member, and any member of their immediate family,
pursuing secondary education.
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(Left
to Right) Katherine Hackett; Credit Union Board member
Denise Turner; Katelyn Winslow
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(Left to Right)
Credit Union Board member Denise Turner; Jillian Perry
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YOUR
MONEY |
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Local Mortgage Rates - up
to $417,000
-
Published 5/11/2010 11:10AM |
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30
Year Fixed - 0 Pts w/Closing Costs |
30
Year Fixed - 1 Pts w/Closing Costs |
30
Year Fixed - 2 Pts w/Closing Costs |
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Institution
Name
|
Rate |
APR |
Payment
Per $1000 |
Rate |
APR |
Payment
Per $1000 |
Rate |
APR |
Payment
Per $1000 |
Notes |
| Crescent
Credit Union |
4.990% |
5.086% |
$5.36 |
4.875% |
5.059% |
$5.29 |
4.625% |
4.895% |
$5.14 |
Rates
Accurate
as of 5/7/10 |
| First
Citizens Fed. CU |
5.125% |
5.168% |
$5.44 |
5.000% |
5.132% |
$5.37 |
4.875% |
5.096% |
$5.29 |
Effective
Date 5/10/10 |
| Sharon
Credit Union |
5.125% |
5.160% |
$5.45 |
4.875% |
4.997% |
$5.30 |
4.625% |
4.832% |
$5.15 |
Rates
as of 5/6/10 |
| Taunton
Federal CU |
5.000% |
5.025% |
$5.37 |
4.750% |
4.951% |
$5.22 |
4.500% |
4.698% |
$5.07 |
Rates
Effective as of 5/7/10 |
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Note:
These rates are compiled directly from each lender's web site
and should be used as a guide only. Rates are current as of time
published and are subject to change without notice. Since there
are many factors that reflect lending rates and rates change
daily, please contact the financial institutions individually
for the most current rates, down payment requirements, service
area, credit qualifications, etc.
Financial Institutions: To list your rates here, email
us at news@townwebs.com |
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Taunton!
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LOCAL NEWS |
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Taunton
City Councilor Arrested In Brockton Sex Sting
WCVB
Channel 5 Cameras Capture Arrest on Video

Taunton
City Councilor Dan Barbour
see
arrest footage here
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LOCAL EVENT |
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TEACHER
RECOGNITION & SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS BREAKFAST |
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Taunton,
MA - The Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce will be
holding its 18th Annual Teacher Recognition
and Scholarship Awards Breakfast on Friday, May 28, 2010
at Benjamin’s Restaurant at 8:00 a.m. The
breakfast is sponsored by The Rotary Club of Taunton and
Farrell Backlund Insurance Agency. The Taunton
Chamber will recognize local educators who have been
nominated for their outstanding performance. We
encourage you to attend this event and show your
appreciation to teachers for all of their hard work in
shaping our children’s future. The 24th
Annual Charles E. Volkmann Scholarship Awards will also
be presented.
The
cost to attend the breakfast is $20 for Chamber Members
and $30 for Non-Members. For more information or to
register, call the Taunton Chamber at 508-824-4068. |
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Disaster
Officials Offer Tips to Speed Assistance |
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BOSTON – Disaster recovery
officials urge residents and businesses dealing with
severe storm damage and loss to adopt a take-charge
action plan to help speed the possibility of obtaining
state and federal disaster aid:
Register
Now:
Don’t
wait. Homeowners, renters and business owners who
suffered disaster-related damage or loss should call
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
registration line at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or
800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech impaired.
Online registration is available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
Multilingual operators are available.
Register,
even if you are insured. Your insurance coverage may
not be adequate and some foundation damage may not
appear until later. Anyone who suffered any damage or
loss should register for assistance.
Disaster
assistance covers a wide range of losses. Structural
damage or repair is covered, as is damage or loss of
essential personal property, such as a major appliance
or medical equipment (wheelchairs, etc).
After Registering:
Keep
critical appointments. A FEMA-contracted inspector
will make an appointment to visit your home, usually
within a week. Make every effort to be at home or you
can authorize an agent to be present. Use the Helpline
option at the FEMA registration toll-free numbers for
contact updates, including your agent’s name, a new
phone number, or to change appointment times.
Return
all forms promptly. After registering, you may receive
a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster
loan application package in the mail. Fill out and
return these forms promptly since they are an
essential part of the disaster-assistance process.
Stay
in touch. Use the Helpline for answers to your
questions about federal assistance, the same number
you called to register for aid.
Have
realistic expectations. You should not expect disaster
assistance to restore you to pre-disaster conditions.
It is intended to help you get safe and sanitary
housing and meet other critical needs so you can begin
your long-term recovery.
Read
all FEMA letters and documents. Applicants deemed
eligible for disaster assistance will receive a letter
from FEMA providing guidance on their disaster relief
grant. It will tell you about ways the money can be
spent in your recovery. Be advised that federal
assistance may have to be repaid if it is duplicated
by insurance or other assistance received.
Talk
to FEMA if you have questions, especially about
insurance. If you receive a FEMA letter saying your
application has been denied, it often means that one
or more aspects of your application require further
information or correction. An “INS-Insured” denial
does not necessarily mean “case closed,” it means
you must first settle with your insurer to prevent any
duplication of payments.
Keep
FEMA in mind after your insurance settlement. You may
have been underinsured and some uncompensated losses
may be eligible for some form of disaster aid. Call
the Helpline if your insurance settlement is delayed,
if it does not cover all of your loss, if you can’t
find rental housing in your area, or if your
additional living expense benefits are exhausted.
Remember, failure to file a claim with your insurer
within 12 months can affect your eligibility for FEMA
assistance.
·
Rebuild with disaster prevention in mind. Before
starting any repairs or reconstruction, check with
local building officials on required permits and
inspections. If you were displaced from your home and
incurred hotel or motel expenses, save your receipts
and check with FEMA on possible reimbursement.
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LOCAL NEWS |
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Massachusetts'
Top Youth Volunteer Selected in 15th Annual National
Awards Program
East
Taunton student earns $1,000 award, engraved medallion,
and a trip to nation’s capital |
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BOSTON, Mass. – Shannon Smith, 16, of East Taunton was
recently named Massachusetts’ top youth volunteer for 2010 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. The awards program, now in its 15th year, is conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals
(NASSP).
Shannon was nominated by Taunton High School in Taunton, MA. As a State Honoree, she will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, D.C., where she will join the top two honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for several days of national recognition events. Ten of them will be named America’s top youth volunteers for 2010 at that time.
Shannon, a junior at Taunton High School, developed and implemented a youth program for the Eastern New England Division of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to help diabetic young people and those around them understand and cope with the disease. Shannon was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2004. "I felt alone and frustrated," she said. But when she went to an ADA walk in Boston a few years later, she realized she was not alone, and resolved to help other young diabetics learn that lesson. "I was tired of sitting back and wanted to make a difference so others like me wouldn’t have to be alone or face the discrimination I have had to face," she said.
Shannon contacted the ADA and proposed a youth program. Officials there agreed and, after securing funding, hired a full-time staff member to work with Shannon. With Shannon serving as Senior Youth Leader, they have organized monthly activities for youth with diabetes, started a mentoring program, established a support group for siblings of diabetics, and conducted numerous education and awareness programs for parents, schools, and business organizations. Shannon also leads a team that has raised more than $20,000 for an annual ADA walk, seeks funding from corporations and small businesses, and recruits other teens to be effective leaders and diabetes spokespeople in their communities. "I did not expect that the relationships and bonds I would form with other youths would impact me the way they have," said Shannon. "It has given me a whole new outlook on life."
"People as caring and committed as these young students are critical to the future of our neighborhoods, our cities and our nation," said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "By recognizing these honorees, we hope to encourage other young people – our future leaders – and all Americans to think more about the value and importance of volunteering in their communities."
"The young people recognized by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards demonstrate an enormous capacity for giving and reaching out to those in need," said Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. "NASSP is proud to honor these student leaders because they are wonderful examples of the high caliber of young people in our nation’s schools today." |
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HOME OF THE WEEK |
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23 Winnecunnet
Drive Unit 23, Norton, MA
Watch
a Slide Show of this Home
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Winnecunnet
Shores
Front
door leads into an open foyer. Lots of windows gives this home a
light & bright atmosphere. Step down living room w/ sliders
looking out to the private wooded back yd. Enjoy this beautiful
setting from the back deck. Newer kitchen has plenty of counter
space & storage is no problem w/great cabinets & pantry.
2 spacious bedrooms, updated baths, 2nd floor laundry & a 1
c garage only proves this is like no other condo. So clean &
tastefully decorated you need to do nothing BUT MOVE IN.
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Details:
Asking Price: $249,500
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1.5
Living Area: 1340 sq ft |
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Taunton!
Send us your news, press releases & events!
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PRESENTATION
ON EARLY PORTUGUESE EXPLORERS AT
OLD COLONY HISTORICAL SOCIETY |
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Taunton,
MA – November 18, 2009 – The November meeting of the
Old Colony Historical Society will explore a local
legend: Dighton Rock. Dr. Manuel Luciano da Silva
will make his presentation at the Society's Historical
Hall, 66 Church Green in Taunton, on Thursday evening,
November 19, at 7:00 p.m. The program is free and
open to the public.
The Dighton Rock, a large glacial boulder from the
Taunton River in Berkley, has numerous carvings in its
sandstone surface that have invited speculation for
ages. There are several theories about the origins
of these petroglyphs and Dr. Manuel Luciano da Silva has
developed one of the strongest arguments that early
Portuguese explorers carved some of the symbols.
Dr. da Silva, a physician, has applied scientific
methods to the study of Dighton Rock. His
illustrated presentation will show his analysis of the
petroglyphs and their similarities to symbols used by
16th century Portuguese navigators. He will
recount the proud history of Portugal as a center of
global exploration dating from 1412 when Prince Henry
the Navigator founded his famous school for mariners in
Sagres, Portugal.
Dr. da Silva's theory of the origins of the Dighton Rock
petroglyphs builds on that of Edmund Burke Delabarre, a
professor of psychology at Brown University.
Through careful study and the use of skillful lighting
and photography in 1918, Professor Delabarre was the
first to see a date, a name and symbols that point to an
early Portuguese explorer leaving his mark.
Professor Delabarre's entire collection of photographs,
notes, and publications is archived at the Old Colony
Historical Society.
Dighton Rock was privately owned for centuries, but was
donated to the Old Colony Historical Society in 1889,
making it the most unusual artifact ever to be part of
the OCHS collections. The Society donated the rock
to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1955. The
boulder was lifted out of the river in the 1960s and
placed in its own museum at Dighton Rock Park in the
1970s, largely through the persistent efforts of Dr. da
Silva, who is President of the Friends of Dighton Rock
Museum, Inc.
Dr. Manuel Luciano da Silva's more recent studies have
focused on the most famous New World explorer,
culminating in a book he wrote with his wife, Silvia
Jorge da Silva, entitled Columbus Was Portuguese!
He will touch on his evidence for this theory, and on
his interpretation of other area landmarks and sources
that point to Portuguese exploration of America even
before Columbus.
The presentation on November 19 at 7 p.m. is free and
open to the public. Visitors will have the
opportunity to view the Society's special exhibit
Soaring to New Heights: Aviation in Taunton, 1919-2009
beginning at 6:30 and following the illustrated talk.
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Music
from Around the World Comes to Taunton |
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Taunton
– Cultural diversity is the theme of this year’s
sixth annual CO-OP production titled
"The Wonderful World of Music." |
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The
music and dance performance will be held on Friday,
November 6, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Friedman Middle
School, 500 Norton Avenue, Taunton.
CO-OP
instructor, Maria Torques is in the director’s seat
and says this is a very different type of production for
the CO-OP Players. "We’re integrating
music and dance with this year’s production and
creating a global experience."
Seats
are limited and will be sold on a first come, first
served basis and will not be sold at the door. Tickets
prices are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children age
10 and under. Tickets can be purchase by calling Ann
Costa at 508.824.1717 or by stopping by CO-OP’s
administrative offices at 455 Somerset Avenue, North
Dighton.
CO-OP
provides a variety of residential, employment and other
services to more than 200 men and women in the
Taunton/Attleboro area with intellectual disabilities.
Now in its 37th year of service, CO-OP’’s
purpose is to assist people with disabilities gain full
presence and participation in the community. |

Ed Pond is one of
the many CO-OP consumers performing in "The
Wonderful World of Music" on Friday, November 6,
2009 at the Friedman Middle School.
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LOCAL NEWS |
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Taunton
Man Charged with Gas Station Homicide |
|
October
27, 2009 - Taunton, MA - District Attorney Sam Sutter
and acting Taunton Police Chief John Reardon announced
that Steven Foster, 37, of 68 Broadway, Taunton, has
been charged with committing Sunday's homicide in
Taunton.
Mr.
Foster was charged after being questioned at the Taunton
Police Department this afternoon. He is charged with
murder, armed robbery, possession of a stolen firearm
and witness intimidation. He may face more charges as
the investigation progresses.
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Steven Foster, 37,
charged with Taunton gas station murder
|
Mr.
Foster will be arraigned today in Taunton District
Court. He will be arraigned by Co-First Assistant
District Attorney William McCauley, who coordinated the
investigation for District Attorney Sutter's office.
Taunton
Police received a 911 call around 10:05 p.m. Sunday
night regarding a man shot inside Planet Petroleum on
Winthrop Street. The 911 caller apparently went
inside the store and found the clerk, identified as
Hegazy Sayed, 45, of Taunton, shot behind the counter.
Preliminary
investigation has revealed Mr. Foster allegedly entered
Planet Petroleum at 10 p.m. Sunday and attempted to rob
Mr. Sayed. At some point, Mr. Foster allegedly shot Mr.
Sayed.
Mr.
Sayed was pronounced dead at the scene once emergency
personnel arrived.
The
investigation is being conducted by Taunton Police and
the district attorney's State Police Detective Unit. |
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Morning Crash on 495 Leaves One Dead, One Seriously Injured
more... |
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LOCAL NEWS |
|
Car Chase
Ends in Crash |
|
October
8, 2009 - Norton, MA - On October 4 at 5:40am, Taunton Police
notified Norton Police that they were pursuing a motor vehicle
northbound on Taunton Avenue (Rt. 140) reported as stolen.
Norton Patrolman David Schepis observed the suspect vehicle and
the Taunton Police approaching the intersection of Taunton
Avenue and East Main Street (Rt. 123). The vehicle attempted to
turn at the intersection, but due to its high rate of speed,
crashed through a steel fence and entered the Norton common,
finally resting approximately 20 yards into the common. |
|
The
operator of the vehicle, Joseph Mohan IV, 18, of 46 Flintlock
Road, Taunton, was placed under arrest by Taunton Police. Mohan
was transported to Sturdy Hospital by the Norton Fire
Department. Damage to the common included the steel fence and
landscaping.
Mohan
is charged by Norton Police with Negligent Operation of a Motor
Vehicle, Speeding, and Wantonly Injuring Real or Personal
Property. |

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HOMES OF THE WEEK |
|
258 S.
Worcester Street, Norton, MA 02766 View
Map

Watch
a Slide Show of this Home
(turn on your
speakers for the full experience) |
Charming
Cape
This Cape home is filled with charm!
From the fireplaced living room with built in shelves &
hardwood floors to the antique candy store bar top in the
basement. The Master Bedroom is spacious & has walk in
closets. With the one car garage, breezeway & finished
basement there is plenty of room for everyone. And when you step
outside, you won't believe it. Sitting on over an acre of land,
the private back yard will amaze you with its above ground pool,
3 sheds, two-tier deck & yes your own fruit trees!
|
Details:
Asking Price: $314,900
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1.5
Living Area: 1758 sq ft |
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2 Maggi Lane
Norton, MA 02766 View
Map
Watch
a Slide Show of this Home
(turn on your
speakers for the full experience)
|
Beautiful
Raised Cape
The brick walkway welcomes you into
this beautiful raised cape located on a cul-de-sac in desirable
Leigh High Estates. With a dining room, family room &
fireplaced living room, you will find this home is great for
family gatherings. The kitchen has plenty of cabinets, hardwood
floors & a door that leads you to an oversized Trex deck.
Enjoy the private back yard surrounded by conservation. The
lower level can easily be finished. This is a home you must
consider as your new address. Call today!
|
Details:
Asking Price: $344,900
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Living Area: 1638 sq ft
Acres: 0.47 |
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LOCAL NEWS |
|
State
Cultural Grants Benefit Local Organizations
$58,320
will go to schools and nonprofit cultural groups |
|
October
8, 2009 - Boston, MA- Senator Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton)
announced today that grants totaling $58,320 have been
awarded to cultural organizations, schools and
communities in the First Plymouth and Bristol Senatorial
District by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC).
Senator Pacheco said that these grants support a variety
of cultural activities that benefit local residents. The
announcement was made as part of a statewide funding
program by the MCC.
Local
recipients awarded Local Cultural Council Program (LCC)
grants include: Berkley, Bridgewater, Carver, Dighton,
Marion, Middleboro, Raynham, Taunton and Wareham. The
LCC Program is the most extensive cultural funding
system of its kind in the nation. This grassroots
network provides to every Massachusetts city and town
through 329 LLC's and 2,500 volunteer members. The
councils support community-based projects that explore
local arts and history, expand education and
accessibility, and celebrate diversity.
Berkley
$4,000
Bridgewater $7,660
Carver
$4,000
Dighton
$4,000
Marion
$4,000
Middleboro $5,870
Raynham $4,000
Taunton
$20,100
Wareham $4,960
"I'm proud to support these cultural organizations
and community groups in their work to enrich our lives
and improve our communities through arts and
culture," said Pacheco.
The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency
that promotes excellence, access, education and
diversity in the arts, humanities and sciences, in order
to improve the quality of life for all Massachusetts
residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our
communities.
The MCC is committed to creating a central place for the
arts, sciences and humanities in the everyday lives of
communities across the Commonwealth. The Council pursues
this mission through a combination of grants, services,
and advocacy for nonprofit cultural organizations,
schools, communities and artists. |
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LOCAL NEWS |
|
MA
Housing Finance Agency Commits $4.6M Loan for Affordable
& Special Needs Housing |
|
October
8, 2009 - Boston, MA - Senator Marc R. Pacheco
(D-Taunton) is pleased to announce that the
Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency has approved a loan
commitment of up to $4,665,000 for the Taunton Green
housing development situated in Taunton.
Taunton
Green is a development that is eligible under
MassHousing's innovative Section 8 Proactive
Preservation Program to receive funding to preserve
affordable housing rates for a minimum 20-year period.
This funding eliminates the risk of a market-rate
conversion that 71 properties, including Taunton Green,
were subject to when mortgage contracts were to mature
during the years of 2009 and 2013. The four-story,
75 unit building is an elderly and handicapped housing
facility with 66 one-bedroom units and 9 two-bedroom
units.
Although
the property has been well maintained, this funding will
address building preservation. Building improvements are
necessary for the complex to retain its fine physical
condition for the next 20 years. Improvements to
the complex include installation of energy efficient
lightening, central fire alarm/detection system
replacement, window replacement, elevator restoration as
well as upgrades to the 504/Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) unit and common area.
"I
am very pleased that MassHousing has approved this loan
commitment for Taunton Green," said Pacheco.
"This approval under the agency's Preservation
Program ensures accessibility to housing that is safe
and affordable for several decades to our district's
most vulnerable citizens." |
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LOCAL EVENT |
|
Morton
Hospital "First Friday" Lecture to Feature
H1N1 Discussion |
|
October
1, 2009 - Taunton, MA – Morton Hospital will host its
next "First Friday" lecture on Friday, October
2, at 8 a.m. in the Silver City Galleria Community Room.
Connie Schmidt, RN, Infection Control Nurse, will host
the lecture and discuss important information about H1N1
and the seasonal flu.
The
Mall Walkers Program is a fun, easy way to stay healthy
and fit, and the Galleria provides a climate-controlled
environment perfect for walking. Morton Hospital
provides breakfast and information on a variety of
health topics on the first Friday of each month. All
mall walkers and visitors are welcome to attend free of
charge.
"First
Friday" lectures are sponsored by the Hospital in
collaboration with the Silver City Galleria and its Mall
Walkers Program. For more information, contact Morton
Hospital’s Public Affairs Office at (508) 828-7015. |
|
LOCAL NEWS |
|
Police
Arrest Subject in Connection with Housebreak |
|
September
24, 2009 - Norton, MA - On September 22, Norton Police
Detectives Stephen Desfosses and Todd Bramwell, assisted by
Taunton, Raynham and State Police, arrested Jeffrey Chapman, age
34 of 43 Porter St., Taunton MA, on a warrant charging him with
Receiving Stolen Property over $250.00. There is a second arrest
warrant pending for a second suspect.
Chapman's
arrest is a result of an investigation by Desfosses and Norton
Police Detective Lt. Thomas Petersen. Norton Detectives
investigated a housebreak that occurred on Monday September 21,
2009 at a residence in Norton. |
|
MA
State Police Trooper John Santos, of the Middleboro Barracks,
stopped a vehicle on Monday in Taunton shortly after the Norton
housebreak. Chapman and the second subject were in this vehicle.
Trooper Santos recovered a large amount of jewelry at that motor
vehicle stop, which was later found to be among items taken at
the Norton housebreak.
The
investigation is on-going, and police are actively searching for
the second suspect. |

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LOCAL EVENT |
|
Planning
for Your Retirement |
| September 24,
2009 - Taunton, MA - The Taunton Area Chamber of
Commerce and Ameriprise Financial invite you
to a special seminar - Take Control of Your
Retirement Income. It is being held
at the Holiday Inn-Taunton on Tuesday,
September 29. Registration will take
place at 8:00 a.m.
This seminar is sponsored by the Holiday
Inn-Taunton.
Whether you are already retired or are close to
retiring, you are probably concerned about having enough
money to maintain your desired lifestyle. At this
educational seminar, the Personal Advisors of Ameriprise
Financial will help you evaluate your sources of
retirement income and provide information to help you
manage taxes, mitigate risks and create a retirement
income strategy for your specific needs.
This seminar is free for Taunton
Chamber Members and $20 for Non-Members. Register
by calling the Chamber at 508-824-4068 or emailing info@tauntonareachamber.org. |
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Taunton!
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LOCAL NEWS |
|
Level
3 Sex Offender Arrested |
|
September
20, 2009 - Norton, MA - Jose Pacheco, 43, of Maple
Street, Norton, a level 3 sex offender, was arrested
last week by Detectives with the Norton Police and
Massachusetts State Police for failing to register as a
sex offender in Norton and for Forgery of a Registry of
Motor Vehicles Document.
The
arrests were a result of an investigation by Trooper
Shawn Campinha of the Massachusetts State Police and
Detective Lieutenant Thomas Petersen of Norton Police.
Pacheco
was located living his girlfriend's apartment in Norton.
Pacheco was living under a false identity that he
created.
Pacheco
had registered as a sex offender in Taunton at a
previous address, but had not notified the Norton Police
Department, prior to moving into Norton as required.
Pacheco
was transported to the Norton Police Station for booking
and then to Attleboro District Court for arraignment. |
|
Mass
House GOP Caucus Announces
New Political Initiative and Website |
|
September
18, 2009 - Massachusetts House Republican Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) is pleased to announce the launching of the House Republican Caucus' political website,
MassHouseGOP.com. The website is aimed to give the caucus a political voice on the web, to help grow the caucus, and inform voters there is hope from one party rule, domination and corruption of our state government.
The site features the Phoenix Initiative which is an effort to help the Mass Republican House PAC and House GOP candidates in the November 2010 election. The symbol was carefully chosen as a sign of a rebirth and hope during these dark and dire times for the Commonwealth and from the abuse of the process by the overwhelming Democratic Majority in the state legislature. More than ever the citizens of Massachusetts need the Republicans to rise up from the ashes and provide a stronger two party system of checks and balances at the State House.
Leader Jones said,
"MassHouseGOP.com and the Phoenix Initiative is an unprecedented move by our caucus. We are in an unprecedented situation in unprecedented times and we need to step up our efforts to make the case to voters in 2010 that positive change will only happen if more Republicans are elected to the House of Representatives. Our backs are against the wall and the abuse and arrogance of one party domination of the state legislature has only brought corruption and abuse to our legislative
process.
Leader Jones along with Representative Paul K. Frost (R-Auburn) worked extensively on the creation of the website and initiative project. "We owe it to the people of this state regardless of their political affiliation to fight as hard as we can to elect more Republicans. The Democrats in the House have continually shown they are not responsible with the overwhelming power they wield. We are the party which offers hope for good government, a strong economic recovery, and fiscal responsibility." said Frost.
Brent Andersen, Republican State Committeeman and Treasurer of the Mass Republican Party along with Rob Eno and Michael Rossettie of the Red Mass Group were given an advanced viewing of the site. "When I saw this new site, I was thrilled by the potential it will have in electing more Republicans to the House," said Andersen.
Eno, owner and operator of
RedMassGroup.com commented, "This is very exciting to see the House Republicans pushing back hard and joining us in full force in this important battle on the internet."
Rossettie, Editor of the Red Mass Group added, "I love the Phoenix Initiative. This is a creative way to rally support for this just cause and the symbolism is right on the money. They did a great job in putting this together."
The site features all 16 House Republican members and will also list House GOP candidates for 2010. There is an online donation feature to help the Mass Republican House PAC and the site will be used to hook up candidates with volunteers. The site will be also used to help inform the general public on the need for Two Party checks and balances. Headlines for the House Republican Blog, the Capitol View Live, will be updated in real time on the site.
The full web address is
www.masshousegop.com. The address for Red Mass Group is
www.redmassgroup.com. |
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LOCAL NEWS |
|
Mechanics
Cooperative Bank is Hoping Taunton High School Football
Has a Great Season |
|
September
16, 2009 - Taunton, MA - Mechanics Cooperative Bank has
committed a donation of $25 for every touchdown scored
during the 2009 Taunton High School Football season. All
donation dollars will be given to the Taunton High
School Football Boosters Club and will directly benefit
the Taunton High School Football Program. |
|
“We
are hoping the Tigers have a great 2009 season and put a
lot of points on the board” said Joseph Baptista, Jr.,
President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank. “The
better their season, the bigger our donation, so we are
wishing them the very best of luck!”
Phil
Johnson, Taunton High School Football Boosters President
said “the generous support of Mechanics Cooperative Bank
will have a huge impact on our 2009 fundraising efforts.
Plus, it’s fun to be a part of – the more success this
year’s team has, the more support we get for the entire
program.” |

|
|
The
Tigers scored two touchdowns in a 22-14 loss against
Wareham on Friday to start the season. Mechanics
Cooperative Bank's donation total after week one stands
at $50. You can track the donation total throughout the
season by clicking
here.
Taunton
(0-1) heads to Brockton (1-0) on Friday. Game time is
6pm. |
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18th
Annual Golf Tournament Raises Nearly $70,000 for Morton
Hospital’s Women’s Diagnostic Imaging Center |
|
September
8, 2009 - Taunton, MA – Morton Hospital’s 18th
Annual Golf Tournament, held on August 17, raised nearly
$70,000 to support equipment needs for the Hospital’s
Women’s Diagnostic Imaging Center.
The
return to Segregansett Country Club attracted a total of
125 golfers to a challenging 18-hole course, as well as
contests, raffles, a silent auction and a catered
reception.
Tournament
winners were as follows: 1st place - Jeff Bliss, Steve
Bliss, Brian Phillips and Scott Pearsons (W.B. Mason
Foursome); 2nd place - Rick Slavick, Everett Rogers, Ted
Almon and Billy McCarthy (Claflin, Co. Foursome); 3rd
place – Clint Hyland, Greg Hyland, Maureen Bryant and
Thomas Porter (MetLife Foursome); Men’s Closest to the
Pin - Scott Pearsons; Ladies Closest to the Pin - Ilene
Scalzi; Men’s Longest Drive - Steve Bliss; Ladies
Longest Drive - Kathy Slavick.
"The
great attendance at today's golf tournament is just one
of the many ways members of the Morton community
demonstrate their support for the Hospital throughout
the year," said Maureen Bryant, Morton Hospital
President. "Hospital employees, volunteers, members
of the Auxiliary, medical staff, business partners and
sponsors all contributed to the success of the 18th
Annual Golf Tournament. We are fortunate to have such
strong supporters of Morton Hospital in our community.
Did I mention my team came in third place!"
Morton
Hospital would like to express its sincere appreciation
to all of the tournament’s in-kind donors, who
contributed a wonderful array of raffle and silent
auction items for the event, as well as the tournament
sponsors: Shields Healthcare Group; Aramark; Sodexo
Health Care; Bristol County Savings Bank; The Center for
Wound Healing, Inc.; Fernandes Electric; Hinckley, Allen
& Tringale, LP; MetLife; Ocean Spray; W.B. Mason;
Altus Dental; Feeley & Driscoll, P.C.; HealthPlans,
Inc.; Bank of America; American Medical Response;
Comprehensive Pharmacy Services; ProMedical, LLC;
ProMutual Group; Provista; Morton Emergency Associates;
Mechanics Cooperative Bank; and, HarborOne Credit Union. |
|

The
1st Place W.B. Mason Foursome: (L-R) Brian
Phillips, Steve Bliss, Scott Pearsons and Jeff Bliss.
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LOCAL
NEWS |
|
Public
Meeting Will Discuss Taunton National Park Service Study |
|
August
31, 2009 - Taunton, MA - A public meeting will be held
regarding the National Park Service Special Resource
Study about creating a national park unit in Taunton on
Thursday, September 10. It will take place at 7:00 PM at
the Old Colony Historical Society, 66 Church Green,
Taunton, MA. National Park Service staff will explain
the criteria for establishing a national park unit and
address questions and receive input from the audience.
The
study is being undertaken in conformance with Public Law
110-229, which calls upon the Department of the
Interior, delegating responsibility to the National Park
Service, to undertake a Taunton, MA, Special Resource
Study.
For
a determination to be made as to whether a resource
should be considered for potential designation as a unit
of the national park system, analyses are conducted
based on the following criteria: 1) possess nationally
significant natural or cultural resources; 2) be a
suitable addition to the system; 3) be a feasible
addition to the system; and 4) require direct NPS
management instead of alternative protection by other
public agencies or the private sector.
For
further information on the study and the public meeting,
contact Jim O’Connell, Project Manager, National Park
Service, 15 State Street, Boston, MA 02109;
617-223-5222; Jim_O’Connell@nps.gov |
|
Generous
Golfers for PRIDE |
|
August
26, 2009 - Rehoboth, MA – The 10th Annual PRIDE,
Inc. Golf Tournament on Monday, July 27, 2009 turned
out 117 golfers at Rehoboth Country Club. The winners of
the tournament, Rick Roblillard of Taunton, Paul
Champagne of Taunton, Armondo Rosa of Taunton and Al
Leal of Taunton donated the prize money of $200.00 from
the tournament back to the non-profit organization. |
|

Rick
Robillard, Paul Champagne, Al Leal and Armando Rosa were
the winners of PRIDE, Inc's 10th Annual Golf Tournament.
The foursome generously donated the $200 cash prize back
to the non-profit organization.
|
"I
never cease to be amazed by the generosity of
people," said Doug Latham, PRIDE’s
Director of Operations and Golf Tournament organizer.
"We are so thankful for their participation in the
event alone, but then to donate their winnings back to
us is just overwhelming."
The
PRIDE, Inc. Golf Tournament has become a summer
tradition for Taunton area golfers not only for the
event itself, but the famous chicken barbeque held at
the P.A.C.C. following the tournament.
Bristol
County Savings Bank was the major sponsor for the golf
tournament with all proceeds going toward funding the
many programs provided by PRIDE to individuals
with disabilities. |
| |
|
LOCAL NEWS |
|
Long-time
President and CEO of Morton Hospital to Retire |
|
August
20, 2009 - Taunton, MA – Edward A. Roster, Chairman of
the Morton Hospital and Medical Center Board of Trustees
recently announced that Thomas C. Porter, long-time
President and CEO will retire his position effective
September 30, 2009. Porter has dedicated more than 30
years of service to the Hospital, the last 22 as
President and Chief Executive Officer. As previously
announced, Maureen Bryant, who has served as Morton’s
Chief Operating Officer for the past decade, has been
appointed by the board as the new President and CEO. |
|

Morton
Hospital President and CEO, Thomas C. Porter
|
Throughout
his tenure, Porter has focused on sustaining the
Hospital’s mission of providing access to quality
health care for all patients. He guided the Hospital
through several significant changes and improvements,
including the addition of the Center for Wound Healing
and a partnership with Shields Healthcare Group and
Sturdy Memorial Hospital to open a Radiation Oncology
Center, bringing state-of-the-art cancer care to
patients close to home.
Mr.
Porter has also served as President of the Morton Health
Foundation, a group dedicated to managing joint ventures
and business relationships, as well as community
relations. He also was elected and served as chairman of
the Massachusetts Hospital Association.
"I
am eternally grateful to the employees, patients and
friends of Morton Hospital and Medical Center,"
said Porter. "They have given me many memories that
I will forever treasure." |
|
"I
will certainly miss my daily interactions with my
colleagues at the Hospital, our volunteers, patients and
community members," Porter said. "But I look
forward to spending more quality time on Cape Cod with
my wife and two children." |
|
LOCAL
EVENT |
|
Aviation
Exhibit at the Old Colony Historical Society |
|
August
12, 2009 - Taunton, MA - Old Colony Historical Society
at 66 Church Green in Taunton is pleased to announce a
new exhibit, "Soaring to New Heights: Aviation in
Taunton, 1919-2009" to mark the 90th anniversary of
the oldest continuously-operating airport in
Massachusetts, Taunton Municipal Airport - King Field.
This exhibit will open to the public on August 21, 2009
and run through January 7, 2010. Modest admission fees
are charged for entrance to the museum ($2 for children
and seniors, $4 for adults, free to OCHS members).
With
the cooperation of many in the area--King family
members, pilots, airport personnel, and historians--the
museum has assembled a remarkable array of aviation
artifacts and stories. The exhibit will show
airships from biplanes through jet planes. It will
depict flying in the age of barnstorming through modern
stunt plane air shows. Many of the fascinating
personalities who dedicated themselves to the art and
science of flight in our community will be included.
To complement the exhibit will be a continuously-running
documentary made by Susan McGrath from numerous King
Family photographs entitled, "Wings to Fly: A
Pictorial History of the King Family and Aviation in
East Taunton."
In
addition to the exhibit, the featured speaker on October
15 at 7 p.m. will be Fred Morin, Vice President of the
Massachusetts Aviation Historical Society. He will
put our city's airport in historical context with the
rest of the Commonwealth and the country using an
illustrated presentation. This event is free and
open to the public, and will include admission to the
exhibit. Pre-registration is not required. |
|

World
War II era De Haviland "Chipmunk" airplane
smiles at everyone from its hangar at the Taunton
Municipal Airport - King Field. Photograph
courtesy of Old Colony Historical Society, Taunton,
Massachusetts.
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LOCAL NEWS |
|
Morton
Receives National Recognition for Quality Heart Disease
and Stroke Care |
|
August
12, 2009 - Taunton, MA - Morton Hospital and Medical
Center has been recognized for a Silver Achievement in
using evidence-based guidelines to provide the best
possible care to patients through The American Heart
Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The
GuidelinesSM program.
Morton
Hospital and 569 other hospitals are featured in an
advertisement in the "America’s Best
Hospitals" August 2009 issue of US News & World
Report to commemorate their receipt of the Get With The
Guidelines Performance Achievement Award. The awards are
given for achievement in coronary artery disease, stroke
and/or heart failure treatment.
"We
are proud that the American Heart Association and
American Stroke Association have chosen the ‘America’s
Best Hospitals’ issue of US News & World Report to
recognize Morton Hospital for our achievements in their
Get With The Guidelines program," said Thomas
Porter, Morton Hospital CEO. "Get With The
Guidelines gives our professionals the tools and reports
they need to effectively treat our coronary artery
disease, heart failure and stroke patients."
Hospitals
are recognized in each category in which they achieve at
least 85 percent compliance to Get With The Guidelines
measures. Those hospitals marking 85 percent compliance
for 24 consecutive months are given the Gold Performance
Achievement Award, with the Silver Performance
Achievement Award going to those with 85 percent
compliance for 12 consecutive months.
Get
With The Guidelines is a hospital-based quality
improvement program designed to ensure that hospitals
consistently care for cardiac and stroke patients
following the most up-to-date guidelines and
recommendations. Currently, more than 1,450 hospitals
participate in the program.
"The
American Heart Association is pleased to recognize its
top Get With The Guidelines participants," said Lee
Schwamm, M.D., national chairman of the Get With The
Guidelines steering committee, associate professor of
neurology at Harvard Medical School and Vice Chairman of
Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital.
"Healthcare providers who use Get With The
Guidelines are armed with the latest evidence-based
guidelines and immediate access to clinical decision
support. The goal of this initiative is to ultimately
improve the quality of life and help reduce deaths among
heart and stroke patients." |
|
LOCAL NEWS |
Taunton
Fugitive Arrested on Plane Moments Before Take-Off
Jose
Torres-Rivera is in custody on a warrant charging him
with kidnapping, assault and battery, and violating an
abuse prevention order
|
|
August
6, 2009 - Massachusetts State Police boarded an airliner
yesterday just moments before it was scheduled to take
off from Logan Airport and arrested a passenger wanted
for assaulting and terrorizing a woman last week in
Taunton.
State
Police assigned to the department’s fugitive unit and
its airport barracks tracked Jose Torres-Rivera, 30, of
Taunton to a Jet Blue Airlines flight that was scheduled
to depart from Logan for Puerto Rico at 2:10 p.m. A
State Police Sergeant and two Troopers boarded the
flight as it was preparing to roll back from the gate
and apprehended Torres-Rivera. Torres-Rivera was
arrested on a warrant charging him with kidnapping,
assault and battery, and violating an abuse prevention
order. |
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Evidence
suggests that Torres-Rivera, armed with a knife, broke
into his victim’s Taunton apartment shortly after
midnight on July 31. He allegedly hit the woman
repeatedly in front of her two children and threatened
to stab her. Torres-Rivera also took the woman’s cell
phone and would not let her or her children leave the
apartment. Later in the day, he allowed her to leave
when she said she needed diapers for her children. When
she left the apartment, she went to a fast food
restaurant in Taunton, where she called police. Taunton
Police were unable to locate Torres-Rivera and obtained
an arrest warrant in Taunton District Court. |

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The
State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section began
searching for Torres-Rivera, and by this afternoon had
tracked his route of flight to the apartment of one of
his relatives in Taunton. Although family members were
initially uncooperative, Troopers interviewed people who
live and work near the apartment and learned that
Torres-Rivera had left the relative’s apartment
carrying a suitcase this morning. Troopers also learned
that Torres-Rivera had made statements that he was going
to Puerto Rico. Further investigation revealed that the
suspect was scheduled to fly out of Logan Airport
yesterday afternoon.
Fugitive
unit Troopers contacted Troop F, the State Police Troop
that has jurisdiction over Logan. Troopers assigned to
the Logan barracks determined that Torres-Rivera was
seated on the Boston-to-Puerto Rico flight, boarded the
plane immediately, and took him into custody.
The suspect was held overnight by Taunton Police and is
expected to be arraigned today in Taunton District
Court. |
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