Congratulations!

[Valid RSS] This is a valid RSS feed.

Recommendations

This feed is valid, but interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendations.

Source: https://newbedfordlight.org/feed/

  1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
  2. xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
  3. xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
  4. xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
  5. xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
  6. xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
  7. xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
  8. >
  9.  
  10. <channel>
  11. <title>The New Bedford Light</title>
  12. <atom:link href="https://newbedfordlight.org/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
  13. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/</link>
  14. <description></description>
  15. <lastBuildDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2025 20:25:16 +0000</lastBuildDate>
  16. <language>en-US</language>
  17. <sy:updatePeriod>
  18. hourly </sy:updatePeriod>
  19. <sy:updateFrequency>
  20. 1 </sy:updateFrequency>
  22.  
  23. <image>
  24. <url>https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cropped-cropped-cropped-new-elliptical-logo-32x32.png</url>
  25. <title>The New Bedford Light</title>
  26. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/</link>
  27. <width>32</width>
  28. <height>32</height>
  29. </image>
  30. <site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">190532686</site> <item>
  31. <title>West Nile virus detected in New Bedford mosquito</title>
  32. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/west-nile-virus-detected-in-new-bedford-mosquito/</link>
  33. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/west-nile-virus-detected-in-new-bedford-mosquito/#respond</comments>
  35. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brooke Kushwaha]]></dc:creator>
  36. <pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2025 19:40:20 +0000</pubDate>
  37. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  38. <category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
  39. <category><![CDATA[linkinbio]]></category>
  40. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172940</guid>
  41.  
  42. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?w=2197&amp;ssl=1 2197w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=1568%2C882&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=2000%2C1125&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=706%2C397&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="138012" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=2197%2C1236&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2197,1236" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Screenshot 2024-09-11 183144" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;West Nile virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Credit: cdc.gov&lt;/p&gt;
  43. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  44. <p>Residents are urged to take precautions since mosquito activity is at its highest level of risk for West Nile virus now until the first frost.</p>
  45. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/west-nile-virus-detected-in-new-bedford-mosquito/">West Nile virus detected in New Bedford mosquito</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  46. ]]></description>
  47. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?w=2197&amp;ssl=1 2197w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=1568%2C882&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=2000%2C1125&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?resize=706%2C397&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="138012" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=2197%2C1236&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2197,1236" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Screenshot 2024-09-11 183144" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;West Nile virus is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito and symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash. Credit: cdc.gov&lt;/p&gt;
  48. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-11-183144-edited.jpg?fit=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  49. <p class="has-drop-cap">City and state health officials recommend that residents take caution outdoors after a second mosquito sample in New Bedford tested positive for West Nile virus this week.</p>
  50.  
  51.  
  52.  
  53. <p>The Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified city officials this week that a mosquito sample taken from the area near Buttonwood Park tested positive for the virus, the second mosquito sample to test positive in New Bedford in the past three weeks. This Saturday, a <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/event/power-to-the-people-rally-at-buttonwood-park/">worker’s rights rally</a> could attract hundreds to the area.</p>
  54.  
  55.  
  56.  
  57. <p>The news comes after state officials detected the first mosquito carrying West Nile virus in Massachusetts this year in June, prompting a <a href="https://www.mass.gov/news/state-health-officials-announce-west-nile-virus-risk-level-changes">new statewide risk assessment</a>. Despite this week’s positive case, the risk level for West Nile virus in New Bedford, Acushnet and Fairhaven remains moderate.</p>
  58.  
  59.  
  60.  
  61. <p>West Nile virus can spread to humans via mosquito bite, causing illness ranging from a mild fever to more serious diseases like encephalitis and meningitis. According to the MassDPH, there were 19 human cases of West Nile virus in Massachusetts reported last year.</p>
  62.  
  63.  
  64.  
  65. <p>The Bristol County Mosquito Control Project continues to spray parks across New Bedford and the surrounding areas, including but not limited to Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, and parts of downtown. Sprayings occur every Thursday between 2 a.m. and sunrise.</p>
  66.  
  67.  
  68.  
  69. <p>The Mosquito Control Project also sprays individual residences upon request, although project Superintendent Priscilla Matton said that the residence program will wind down in the next week or two as temperatures lower.</p>
  70.  
  71.  
  72.  
  73. <p>However, Matton warned that residents should not mistake the recent crisp, fall-like mornings as signs that mosquitoes are no longer a risk.</p>
  74.  
  75.  
  76.  
  77. <p>“Mosquito activity is actually the highest in terms of risk for West Nile virus … now until the first frost, mid-August into September into the beginning of October,” Matton said. “We are in no way out of the woods in terms of mosquitoes.”</p>
  78.  
  79.  
  80.  
  81. <p>Going into the fall, Matton also recommended that residents be aware that shorter daylight hours change the times when mosquitoes are most active.</p>
  82.  
  83.  
  84.  
  85. <p>“In September, now, mosquitoes are going to be active much earlier, which could include those times that people might be getting home from work, and going out and barbecuing or going to a sporting event,” Matton said.</p>
  86.  
  87.  
  88.  
  89. <p>To reduce risk, the New Bedford Health Department recommends that residents take the following precautions:</p>
  90.  
  91.  
  92.  
  93. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  94. <li><strong>Be aware of peak mosquito hours: </strong>Mosquitoes’ peak biting times take place between dusk and dawn, meaning that residents should consider limiting outdoor activities in the evenings or early mornings.</li>
  95.  
  96.  
  97.  
  98. <li><strong>Wear protective clothing: </strong>When summer weather allows, long sleeves, pants, and long socks can reduce risk of mosquito bites.</li>
  99.  
  100.  
  101.  
  102. <li><strong>Apply insect repellent:</strong> Bug sprays with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are most effective, although be sure to follow instructions before applying on young children or infants.</li>
  103.  
  104.  
  105.  
  106. <li><strong>Drain standing water:</strong> Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, so be sure to clear rain gutters, drains, and flower pots and change birdbaths regularly.</li>
  107.  
  108.  
  109.  
  110. <li><strong>Install or fix window screens:</strong> Make sure that windows, if opened, have tight-fitting screens to prevent mosquitoes from coming inside.</li>
  111. </ul>
  112.  
  113.  
  114.  
  115. <p><em>Email Brooke Kushwaha at </em><a href="mailto:bkushwaha@newbedfordlight.org"><em>bkushwaha@newbedfordlight.org</em></a><em>.</em></p>
  116.  
  117.  
  118.  
  119. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  120.  
  121.  
  122.  
  123. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header" id="related-stories" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/brooke-kushwaha"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More stories by Brooke Kushwaha</mark></a></h4>
  124.  
  125.  
  126.  
  127.  
  128.  
  129. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  130. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/west-nile-virus-detected-in-new-bedford-mosquito/">West Nile virus detected in New Bedford mosquito</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  131. ]]></content:encoded>
  133. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/west-nile-virus-detected-in-new-bedford-mosquito/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  134. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  137. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172940</post-id> </item>
  138. <item>
  139. <title>City ordered to turn over withheld public records to The New Bedford Light</title>
  140. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/city-ordered-to-turn-over-withheld-public-records-to-the-new-bedford-light/</link>
  141. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/city-ordered-to-turn-over-withheld-public-records-to-the-new-bedford-light/#comments</comments>
  143. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Colin Hogan]]></dc:creator>
  144. <pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:21:23 +0000</pubDate>
  145. <category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
  146. <category><![CDATA[linkinbio]]></category>
  147. <category><![CDATA[morecoverageex]]></category>
  148. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172860</guid>
  149.  
  150. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="170859" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2228/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754501591&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;233&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;6400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2228" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Superior Court Judge Rafi Yessayan during the hearing on the lawsuit filed by The New Bedford Light against the City of New Bedford for failure to produce public records. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  151. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  152. <p>A judge ordered the city to turn over four public records to The Light. On Wednesday, the city released another document requested in the lawsuit.</p>
  153. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/city-ordered-to-turn-over-withheld-public-records-to-the-new-bedford-light/">City ordered to turn over withheld public records to The New Bedford Light</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  154. ]]></description>
  155. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="170859" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2228/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754501591&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;233&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;6400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2228" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Superior Court Judge Rafi Yessayan during the hearing on the lawsuit filed by The New Bedford Light against the City of New Bedford for failure to produce public records. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  156. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2228.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  157. <p class="has-drop-cap">A Bristol Superior Court judge ordered the City of New Bedford to turn over four public records to The New Bedford Light after the news organization filed a lawsuit seeking their release. The city also released another withheld document sought by The Light on Wednesday, the day before the court hearing.&nbsp;</p>
  158.  
  159.  
  160.  
  161. <p>Although Judge Raffi Yessayan gave the city one week to turn over the public records, the city immediately complied and sent the records via email to The Light’s lawyers. The records include documents related to the city’s risk assessments of organizations receiving ARPA funds —&nbsp;the federal COVID relief package.</p>
  162.  
  163.  
  164.  
  165. <p>On Wednesday, the city also released <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-consultant-report-issues-critical-evaluation-of-police-department/">its contract with 21st Century Policing Solutions</a>, a consultant hired to review the Police Department’s internal accountability systems. The contract was part of The Light’s lawsuit, but was released to the public hours before the judge was scheduled to make his ruling.&nbsp;</p>
  166.  
  167.  
  168.  
  169. <p>“The court’s ruling today is an important victory because it confirms that the public’s interest takes precedence over government secrecy,” said Karen Bordeleau, executive editor of The Light. “Government transparency is a critical element of a functioning democracy. There must always be a presumption of openness in government — but when there isn’t, we must hold officials accountable.”</p>
  170.  
  171.  
  172.  
  173. <p>The City of New Bedford’s lawyers argued for months that the documents sought by The Light should not be made public, including the 21st Century Policing Solutions contract that was sent in a press release on Wednesday afternoon. Lawyers for The Light said that about 20 minutes after the contract was released to the public, they received a reply from city lawyers that argued the same contract was protected under attorney-client privilege and exempt from public records law.&nbsp;</p>
  174.  
  175.  
  176.  
  177. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="170856" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2225/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754501149&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;170&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;5000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2225" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Edward J. Naughton and Benjamin Smith represent The New Bedford Light in the lawsuit against the City of New Bedford for failure to produce public records. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  178. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=780%2C519&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170856" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2225-1024x682.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Edward J. Naughton and Benjamin Smith represent The New Bedford Light in the lawsuit against the City of New Bedford for failure to produce public records. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light </figcaption></figure>
  179.  
  180.  
  181.  
  182. <p>“We’re gratified that the judge took the time to review the withheld memos. After reviewing them, the judge stated quite clearly that they were not privileged communications for purposes of requesting legal advice, but rather were prepared in the course of ordinary city business,” said Edward J. Naughton, partner at Brown Rudnick LLP and lawyer for The Light. “The ruling vindicates the right of the people of New Bedford to know what decisions the city is making and why – and that’s especially important when the decisions are about how to spend public funds.”</p>
  183.  
  184.  
  185.  
  186. <p>After Judge Yessayan announced his decision on Thursday, Peter Winters, the city’s lead attorney in court, responded, “We are going to need time to redact personal information [from the documents] as well as time to determine whether or not to appeal this decision.”&nbsp;However, the documents were delivered within hours of the judge’s decision.</p>
  187.  
  188.  
  189.  
  190. <p>Winters declined to provide further comment on Thursday.</p>
  191.  
  192.  
  193.  
  194. <p>“This was a good faith dispute as to whether six documents were subject to the attorney-client privilege, and therefore not subject to disclosure. Under Massachusetts law, if a party refrains from asserting the privilege, there is a risk that a court may deem the privilege waived as to all communications of the same subject matter. In this instance, the court held that two documents were privileged, and four others were not. The City promptly complied with the Court’s determination and produced the four nonprivileged documents to the New Bedford Light,” said Jonathan Darling, public information officer for the City of New Bedford.</p>
  195.  
  196.  
  197.  
  198. <p>The Light originally sought the release of six documents related to the risk assessments that helped the city determine how to distribute ARPA funds. Judge Yessayan found that two of these documents were exempt from public records law and were not to be released. The two protected documents were authored by third-party attorneys, while the documents he ordered be released were authored by city employees and consultants.&nbsp;</p>
  199.  
  200.  
  201.  
  202. <p>The Light first requested these risk assessments in February, and had appealed the city’s initial denial of records to the Secretary of the Commonwealth in March. The Secretary ordered the city to comply with the public records law, but the city failed to provide the records, leading The Light to file its lawsuit in June.</p>
  203.  
  204.  
  205.  
  206. <p>The contract with 21st Century Policing Solutions was first sought <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/city-names-experts-to-investigate-police-narcotics-and-internal-affairs-units/">in March</a>, and the city for months declined to provide that information, claiming it was privileged. The city now has released <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/21CP-Contract.pdf">the contract</a>.</p>
  207.  
  208.  
  209.  
  210. <p><em>Email Colin Hogan at </em><a href="mailto:chogan@newbedfordlight.org"><em>chogan@newbedfordlight.org</em></a></p>
  211.  
  212.  
  213.  
  214. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  215. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  216.  
  217.  
  218.  
  219. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  220. <h3 class="wp-block-heading section-header" id="related-stories" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/colinhogan/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More stories by Colin Hogan</mark></a></h3>
  221.  
  222.  
  223. </div></div>
  224. </div></div>
  225.  
  226.  
  227.  
  228. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  229. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/city-ordered-to-turn-over-withheld-public-records-to-the-new-bedford-light/">City ordered to turn over withheld public records to The New Bedford Light</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  230. ]]></content:encoded>
  232. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/city-ordered-to-turn-over-withheld-public-records-to-the-new-bedford-light/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  233. <slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
  236. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172860</post-id> </item>
  237. <item>
  238. <title>New consultant report issues critical evaluation of Police Department</title>
  239. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-consultant-report-issues-critical-evaluation-of-police-department/</link>
  240. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-consultant-report-issues-critical-evaluation-of-police-department/#comments</comments>
  242. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anastasia E. Lennon]]></dc:creator>
  243. <pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:04:38 +0000</pubDate>
  244. <category><![CDATA[linkinbio]]></category>
  245. <category><![CDATA[Police and Courts]]></category>
  246. <category><![CDATA[no promo]]></category>
  247. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172786</guid>
  248.  
  249. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=706%2C397&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="172812" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-consultant-report-issues-critical-evaluation-of-police-department/report-cover-with-excerpt2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1920,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="report cover with excerpt2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Inset, from left, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and Police Chief Jason Thody. &lt;/p&gt;
  250. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  251. <p>The 21st Century Policing Solutions report mirrors some criticisms of the 2023 Jensen Hughes report: fix internal affairs, increase transparency, and update policies.</p>
  252. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-consultant-report-issues-critical-evaluation-of-police-department/">New consultant report issues critical evaluation of Police Department</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  253. ]]></description>
  254. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="576" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=800%2C450&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=400%2C225&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?resize=706%2C397&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="172812" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-consultant-report-issues-critical-evaluation-of-police-department/report-cover-with-excerpt2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1920,1080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="report cover with excerpt2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Inset, from left, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell and Police Chief Jason Thody. &lt;/p&gt;
  255. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/report-cover-with-excerpt2.jpg?fit=780%2C439&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  256. <p class="has-drop-cap">NEW BEDFORD — The city’s Police Department is facing a long list of reforms it must adopt to increase accountability in two critical units, and comply with modern police laws and standards.</p>
  257.  
  258.  
  259.  
  260. <p>In a report issued this week, 21st Century Policing Solutions shared some significant criticisms of the department — several of which overlap with those identified by another consulting firm only two years earlier — while also acknowledging areas in which it’s operating well or in the process of improving.</p>
  261.  
  262.  
  263.  
  264. <p>The department must address weaknesses in its internal affairs system; enforce new rules to increase transparency and accountability in its narcotics unit; clear out its evidence room, which is filled with old, seized drugs dating as far back as the 1980s; and update outdated policies to achieve consistency and comport with recent state law.</p>
  265.  
  266.  
  267.  
  268. <div class="wp-block-group alignright has-light-gray-background-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  269. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  270. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background reduce-bottom-margin is-style-wide" style="background-color:#29abe2;color:#29abe2"/>
  271.  
  272.  
  273.  
  274. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-dark-gray-color">Related</mark></h3>
  275. </div></div>
  276.  
  277.  
  278. </div></div>
  279.  
  280.  
  281.  
  282. <p>The <a href="https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/20250827141727/21CP-Solutions_-New-Bedford-Police-Department-Assessment.pdf">71-page report</a> comes five months after Mayor Jon Mitchell <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/city-names-experts-to-investigate-police-narcotics-and-internal-affairs-units/">ordered a review</a> of the narcotics unit and the internal affairs unit, which investigates officers for misconduct. It was a response to The Boston Globe’s<a href="https://apps.bostonglobe.com/metro/investigations/spotlight/2025/03/snitch-city/?p1=Article_Inline_Related_Link"> multi-part series</a>, “Snitch City,” which investigated the New Bedford Police Department and ways police officers — both former and current — abused the confidential informant system.</p>
  283.  
  284.  
  285.  
  286. <p>The report also comes about two years after another consulting firm, Jensen Hughes, <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/report-on-new-bedford-police-cites-5-key-issues-of-concern-and-recommends-reforms/">issued </a>its report containing similar concerns and recommendations, albeit a bit less critical and detailed. (That report was released during a press conference, while this year’s report came through an emailed press release.)&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  287.  
  288.  
  289.  
  290. <p>Many of the recommendations overlap, such as the need to establish fair and consistent discipline for misconduct, <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-police-department-policies/">publish policies online</a> for transparency, update old policies, train supervisors and officers, and prevent corruption through more robust policies on the use of confidential informants. Some of the Jensen Hughes recommendations, such as the disciplinary matrix, have yet to be adopted. </p>
  291.  
  292.  
  293.  
  294. <p>The city has paid 21CP about $124,000 to date, which includes the hourly rates for at least three consultants, as well as any added expenses they incurred in the course of their work, per city public information officer Jonathan Darling. </p>
  295.  
  296.  
  297.  
  298. <p>The city paid Jensen Hughes <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/report-on-new-bedford-police-cites-5-key-issues-of-concern-and-recommends-reforms/">about $120,000</a> for its report in 2023, bringing the total to nearly $250,000 spent on reviewing the Police Department and advising on how it can improve. </p>
  299.  
  300.  
  301.  
  302. <h5 class="wp-block-heading">Similar recommendations found in the two reports:</h5>
  303.  
  304.  
  305.  
  306. <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><thead><tr><th><strong>Jensen Hughes (2023)</strong></th><th><strong>21CP (2025)</strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Adopt a disciplinary matrix to ensure fair and consistent discipline</td><td>Adopt a disciplinary matrix to ensure fair and consistent discipline</td></tr><tr><td>Update outdated policies</td><td>Update outdated policies</td></tr><tr><td>Publish policies online</td><td>Publish policies online</td></tr><tr><td>Audit the confidential informant program more rigorously</td><td>Audit the confidential informant program more rigorously</td></tr><tr><td>Share use of force and complaint data to foster community trust</td><td>Provide the community with “performance metrics” on the narcotics unit’s operations</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
  307.  
  308.  
  309.  
  310. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Narcotics unit</h3>
  311.  
  312.  
  313.  
  314. <p>In total, the firm issued nearly 70 specific recommendations, most of which applied to the narcotics unit.&nbsp;</p>
  315.  
  316.  
  317.  
  318. <p>21CP audited records, interviewed personnel, and rode along with detectives to see how they work. More superficially, the consultants recommended the department change the name of the narcotics unit, also known as Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau, to better reflect its mission.</p>
  319.  
  320.  
  321.  
  322. <p>This is the unit that largely makes drug arrests, and uses information provided by confidential informants to conduct stops and obtain search warrants. Per 21CP, it’s in &#8220;critical need for training,” and unit members expressed a desire for it.&nbsp;</p>
  323.  
  324.  
  325.  
  326. <p>The firm found that neither detectives nor supervisors in the unit receive formal, routine training on narcotics investigations, and determined that there needs to be a higher bar of entry to serve in the division, which is staffed by about eight detectives — with turnover every few years — and a few supervisors.&nbsp;</p>
  327.  
  328.  
  329.  
  330. <p>Detectives have failed to pursue leads on higher-level drug dealers (also known as working up the supply chain), and reported feeling pressured to make arrests, the consultants found.</p>
  331.  
  332.  
  333.  
  334. <p>With regards to technology, narcotics detectives operate “out of sight and out of sync” on an encrypted, non-recorded radio frequency, reducing coordination with patrol officers and limiting supervision over potential misconduct.&nbsp;</p>
  335.  
  336.  
  337.  
  338. <p>This feeds into a lack of communication with the rest of the department on significant matters, such as vehicle or foot pursuits in which assistance is later needed. It has also created a culture of distrust with the patrol staff that undermines the department’s mission, 21CP said.</p>
  339.  
  340.  
  341.  
  342. <div class="wp-block-group alignright has-light-gray-background-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  343. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-wide reduce-bottom-margin" style="background-color:#29abe2;color:#29abe2"/>
  344.  
  345.  
  346.  
  347. <h4 class="wp-block-heading reduce-bottom-margin" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:700">Subscribe to our Weekender newsletter </h4>
  348.  
  349.  
  350.  
  351. <h5 class="wp-block-heading neue-haas-grotesk-roman" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:300">Busy week? Catch up on the most important stories you might have missed with our Weekender newsletter.</h5>
  352.  
  353.  
  354. <script>
  355. var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener("gform/theme/scripts_loaded",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>"function"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn("The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1."),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener("gform_main_scripts_loaded",()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener("gform/theme/scripts_loaded",()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook("action",o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook("filter",o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook("action",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook("filter",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook("action",o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook("filter",o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+"_"+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){"function"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),"action"==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),"filter"==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});
  356. </script>
  357.  
  358.                <div class='gf_browser_unknown gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_19' >
  359.                        <div class='gform_heading'>
  360.                            <p class='gform_description'></p>
  361.                        </div><form method='post' enctype='multipart/form-data'  id='gform_19'  action='/feed/' data-formid='19' novalidate>
  362.                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_19' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'><div id="field_19_1" class="gfield gfield--type-email gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_above hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_19_1'>Email address</label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_email'>
  363.                            <input name='input_1' id='input_19_1' type='email' value='' class='large'   placeholder='Email address'  aria-invalid="false"  />
  364.                        </div></div></div></div>
  365.        <div class='gform-footer gform_footer top_label'> <input type='submit' id='gform_submit_button_19' class='gform_button button gform-button--width-full' onclick='gform.submission.handleButtonClick(this);' data-submission-type='submit' value='Submit'  />
  366.            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submission_method' data-js='gform_submission_method_19' value='postback' />
  367.            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_theme' data-js='gform_theme_19' id='gform_theme_19' value='gravity-theme' />
  368.            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_style_settings' data-js='gform_style_settings_19' id='gform_style_settings_19' value='[]' />
  369.            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='is_submit_19' value='1' />
  370.            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submit' value='19' />
  371.            
  372.            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_unique_id' value='' />
  373.            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='state_19' value='WyJbXSIsImMxY2Q4MTQ3ZmE2OTFmZWNlYmNkOWNhM2NjMWZkNzk0Il0=' />
  374.            <input type='hidden' autocomplete='off' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_target_page_number_19' id='gform_target_page_number_19' value='0' />
  375.            <input type='hidden' autocomplete='off' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_source_page_number_19' id='gform_source_page_number_19' value='1' />
  376.            <input type='hidden' name='gform_field_values' value='' />
  377.            
  378.        </div>
  379.                        <p style="display: none !important;" class="akismet-fields-container" data-prefix="ak_"><label>&#916;<textarea name="ak_hp_textarea" cols="45" rows="8" maxlength="100"></textarea></label><input type="hidden" id="ak_js_1" name="ak_js" value="186"/><script>document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );</script></p></form>
  380.                        </div><script>
  381. gform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 19, 'https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg', true );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_19').on('load',function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_19');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_19').length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf('gformRedirect(){') >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery('html').css('margin-top'), 10) + parseInt(jQuery('body').css('margin-top'), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_19').html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass('gform_validation_error')){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_19').addClass('gform_validation_error');} else {jQuery('#gform_wrapper_19').removeClass('gform_validation_error');}setTimeout( function() { /* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome */  }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_19').val();gformInitSpinner( 19, 'https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg', true );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [19, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_19'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery('#gform_wrapper_19').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [19]);window['gf_submitting_19'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_19').text());}else{jQuery('#gform_19').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger("gform_pre_post_render", [{ formId: "19", currentPage: "current_page", abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]);        if (event && event.defaultPrevented) {                return;        }        const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( "gform_wrapper_19" );        if ( gformWrapperDiv ) {            const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( "span" );            visibilitySpan.id = "gform_visibility_test_19";            gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( "afterend", visibilitySpan );        }        const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( "gform_visibility_test_19" );        let postRenderFired = false;        function triggerPostRender() {            if ( postRenderFired ) {                return;            }            postRenderFired = true;            gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 19, current_page );            if ( visibilityTestDiv ) {                visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv );            }        }        function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) {            var timeout;            return function() {                var context = this, args = arguments;                var later = function() {                    timeout = null;                    if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args );                };                var callNow = immediate && !timeout;                clearTimeout( timeout );                timeout = setTimeout( later, wait );                if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args );            };        }        const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() {            triggerPostRender();        }, 200 );        if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) {            const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => {                mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => {                    if ( mutation.type === 'attributes' && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) {                        debouncedTriggerPostRender();                        observer.disconnect();                    }                });            });            observer.observe( document.body, {                attributes: true,                childList: false,                subtree: true,                attributeFilter: [ 'style', 'class' ],            });        } else {            triggerPostRender();        }    } );} );
  382. </script>
  383.  
  384. </div></div>
  385.  
  386.  
  387.  
  388. <p>“If they’re doing something, like investigating a shooting, they don&#8217;t tell us anything, which is frustrating,” said an officer, who spoke to The Light under the condition of anonymity. Understanding the need to keep some details “close to the chest,” the officer said “it doesn&#8217;t make sense that we don&#8217;t communicate,” especially in terms of officer safety.</p>
  389.  
  390.  
  391.  
  392. <p>Narcotics detectives are also not required to activate body-worn cameras when conducting searches (they may record the general interior, but turn them off when the seizure of drugs or other evidence takes place). Last fall, <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-police-now-equipped-with-body-cameras-what-to-know/">The Light reported on</a> an apparent exclusion of narcotics officers from part of the department’s body-worn camera policy.</p>
  393.  
  394.  
  395.  
  396. <p>“Why would they write the policy that way? Why wouldn’t everyone have the same thing, except this one special unit that’s under criticism,” said the officer. “It never should have been in the policy that way. It was very clear to everyone that knows the workings of the department that that’s exactly what it was.”</p>
  397.  
  398.  
  399.  
  400. <p>21CP said this does not align with best practices: encrypted communications should immediately be recorded, and detectives should generally have their cameras on when conducting searches and seizures.&nbsp;</p>
  401.  
  402.  
  403.  
  404. <p>On drug seizures, the firm said the department’s storage of a “massive quantity” of narcotics in its evidence room has reached a “critical stage,” with drugs dating back to 1989.&nbsp;</p>
  405.  
  406.  
  407.  
  408. <p>“These pose significant risks to the agency, including health hazards and opportunities for theft, both internal and external,” the report states. The department is building a new evidence room.&nbsp;</p>
  409.  
  410.  
  411.  
  412. <p>On confidential informants, 21CP found that the department’s policy was “robust,” but that it must be strengthened in many areas. Additionally, the department should conduct yearly audits of registered informants (similar to what Jensen Hughes recommended in 2023).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  413.  
  414.  
  415.  
  416. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  417. <h4 class="wp-block-heading reduce-bottom-margin has-light-gray-background-color has-background">Confidential informant findings</h4>
  418.  
  419.  
  420.  
  421. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  422. <li class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman">An audit of 10 confidential informants showed seven had criminal charges filed on them after they registered with NBPD, some of which were serious in nature. </li>
  423.  
  424.  
  425.  
  426. <li class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman">NBPD’s current list of informants includes hundreds of individuals, some of whom are dead or inactive. </li>
  427.  
  428.  
  429.  
  430. <li class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman">On average, NBPD has paid its informants about $19,400 altogether per year over the last decade, with most payments to informants less than $100.</li>
  431. </ul>
  432.  
  433.  
  434.  
  435. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  436. </div></div>
  437.  
  438.  
  439.  
  440. <p>The consultants also considered the impact of the “high-risk” narcotics unit, and raised the question of whether it should be disbanded: “Although OCIB’s arrest figures show significant numbers of drug arrests, the overall impact of OCIB’s enforcement efforts on the crime picture in New Bedford is less clear. Assessing this impact is critical to determining and defining OCIB’s mission going forward, including whether such a unit is necessary.”</p>
  441.  
  442.  
  443.  
  444. <p>Other options they suggested were to divide the unit into two sections (with one focusing on longer-term investigations on higher-level drug dealers or networks), or to maintain the unit but refocus its mission.</p>
  445.  
  446.  
  447.  
  448. <iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-3DIKE" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3DIKE/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="358" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
  449. </script>
  450.  
  451.  
  452.  
  453. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Internal affairs&nbsp;</h3>
  454.  
  455.  
  456.  
  457. <p>21CP audited the internal affairs unit, also known as the Professional Standards Division. The consultants found evidence of “weaknesses in the system that could allow misconduct to go undetected or undisciplined,” and issues at all stages in the process, from intake of the complaints to the issuance of discipline.&nbsp;</p>
  458.  
  459.  
  460.  
  461. <p>The firm found a significant disconnect between the division’s investigators, department leadership, the city solicitor’s office and district prosecutors. In some cases, 21CP discussed, a party had knowledge that an officer was the subject of a criminal investigation or had misconduct allegations made about them in court, but did not bring that information to internal affairs investigators. </p>
  462.  
  463.  
  464.  
  465. <p>Another issue is that current policy prohibits investigators from opening another investigation for misconduct they discover while investigating the initial complaint.&nbsp;</p>
  466.  
  467.  
  468.  
  469. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="156690" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/1870/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1743437659&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;116&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;1870" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;New Bedford police cars parked outside the Patrol Station on Brock Avenue. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  470. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=780%2C519&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-156690" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=1568%2C1045&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1870-1024x682.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New Bedford police cars parked outside the Patrol Station on Brock Avenue. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light </figcaption></figure>
  471.  
  472.  
  473.  
  474. <p>“On some occasions, Professional Standards investigators identified new evidence of potential misconduct and new complaints were appropriately added, investigated, and adjudicated,” the report states. “In other cases, however, when new allegations of potential misconduct were identified, investigators took no additional action.”</p>
  475.  
  476.  
  477.  
  478. <p>21CP said the department should also require the unit to formally investigate allegations of potential misconduct that are raised in news stories.</p>
  479.  
  480.  
  481.  
  482. <p>The unit has failed to report sustained complaints to the state’s oversight body, the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, in a timely manner — something <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-police-department-has-yet-to-adopt-transparency-reforms-recommended-in-jensen-hughes-report-one-year-ago/">The Light has previously found</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  483.  
  484.  
  485.  
  486. <p>Further in violation of POST regulations, the department has failed to issue findings in cases where the officer resigns or retires from the department (they must still complete the investigation and notify POST if the allegations are sustained).&nbsp;</p>
  487.  
  488.  
  489.  
  490. <p>On its evaluation of internal investigations, 21CP said it appears that investigators are “automatically giving officers higher creditability” than civilians during interviews to evaluate allegations. </p>
  491.  
  492.  
  493.  
  494. <p>Civilians often comprise a majority of complaints against officers, and these investigations can sometimes conclude as not-sustained, meaning officers could not gather enough evidence to prove or disprove allegations.&nbsp;</p>
  495.  
  496.  
  497.  
  498. <p>Last year, however, the number of internal complaints (those filed by department staff) outnumbered external complaints (those filed by community members), per the report.</p>
  499.  
  500.  
  501.  
  502. <p>Related to removing bias, the firm states the internal affairs unit should require its investigators to sign a form assuring they are free from conflicts of interest, such as a “significant relationship” with the subject of the investigation. The form should be reviewed and approved by a supervisor.</p>
  503.  
  504.  
  505.  
  506. <iframe title="" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-69VWr" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/69VWr/4/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="697" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";r.style.height=d}}})}();
  507. </script>
  508.  
  509.  
  510.  
  511. <p>“Despite these problems, we were encouraged in our review to repeatedly find NBPD officers who were working diligently to investigate and eliminate misconduct,” the consultants said, adding many complaints were being appropriately investigated and documented.&nbsp;</p>
  512.  
  513.  
  514.  
  515. <p>“This report, while critical of current practices in many respects, represents a genuine opportunity for the New Bedford Police Department, city leadership, and the community they serve,” 21CP concluded. For policing to work with the community, “It must be willing to accept criticism and constantly engage in self-examination and, when necessary, self-correction, even if difficult or embarrassing.”</p>
  516.  
  517.  
  518.  
  519. <p>The officer The Light spoke with was skeptical of future reforms: “How many reports are they going to do by different people that say the exact same thing? How many reviews do you want to do of this before something gets changed?”</p>
  520.  
  521.  
  522.  
  523. <p>Mayor Jon Mitchell in a statement called it “an authoritative report” that will allow the department to “build on the significant progress in public safety in recent years, and command the public’s trust in the long run.”</p>
  524.  
  525.  
  526.  
  527. <p>Police Chief Jason Thody, who only <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-hires-new-police-chief/">took the helm last month</a>, said the report will provide a “useful roadmap for continuous improvement.”</p>
  528.  
  529.  
  530.  
  531. <p><em>Email Anastasia E. Lennon at </em><a href="mailto:alennon@newbedfordlight.org"><em>alennon@newbedfordlight.org</em></a><em>.</em></p>
  532.  
  533.  
  534.  
  535. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  536. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  537.  
  538.  
  539.  
  540. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  541. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  542. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header" id="related-stories" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/anastasia-e-lennon/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More stories by Anastasia E. Lennon</mark></a></h4>
  543.  
  544.  
  545. </div></div>
  546. </div></div>
  547. </div></div>
  548.  
  549.  
  550.  
  551. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  552.  
  553.  
  554.  
  555. <div class="wp-block-cover no-vertical-margin" style="padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);min-height:332px;aspect-ratio:unset;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="546" data-attachment-id="159401" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/?attachment_id=159401" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1792&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1792" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C546&amp;ssl=1" class="wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-159401 size-large" alt="" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash.jpg?resize=780%2C546&#038;ssl=1" data-object-fit="cover" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C717&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C538&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1075&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1434&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C840&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1400&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C546&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C560&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C280&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C494&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-1024x717.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#2e6b96"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-1f8016a7 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained">
  556. <p class="has-text-align-center has-large-font-size"></p>
  557.  
  558.  
  559.  
  560. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin has-white-color has-text-color" id="sign-up-for-free" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:600">Keep The Light shining with your donation.</h2>
  561.  
  562.  
  563.  
  564. <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
  565. <div class="wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:33%">
  566. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  567. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-secondary-color has-text-color">As an independent, nonprofit news outlet, we rely on reader support to help fund the kind of in-depth journalism that keeps the public informed and holds the powerful accountable. <strong>Thank you for your support.</strong></p>
  568. </div></div>
  569. </div>
  570.  
  571.  
  572.  
  573. <div class="wp-block-column has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px">
  574. <div
  575. class="tiered wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate wpbnbd wpbnbd--frequency-based wpbnbd--platform-wc is-style-modern wpbnbd-frequencies--3 "
  576. id="68b34b027c80f"
  577. >
  578. <form>
  579. <input type="hidden" name="_wp_http_referer" value="/feed/" /> <input type='hidden' name='newspack_donate' value='1' />
  580. <input type='hidden' name='donation_currency' value='USD' />
  581. <input type='hidden' name='frequency_ids' value='{&quot;year&quot;:123247,&quot;month&quot;:123246,&quot;once&quot;:123245}' />
  582. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_behavior' value='' />
  583. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_button_label' value='Continue' />
  584. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_url' value='' />
  585. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__options'>
  586. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequencies frequencies'>
  587. <div role='tablist' class='tab-container'>
  588. <button
  589. role='tab'
  590. type='button'
  591. aria-controls='tab-panel-once-22570'
  592. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label wpbnbd__button--active"
  593. data-tab-id="once-22570"
  594. id="tab-newspack-donate-once-22570"
  595. aria-selected='true' >
  596. One-time </button>
  597. <button
  598. role='tab'
  599. type='button'
  600. aria-controls='tab-panel-month-22570'
  601. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label"
  602. data-tab-id="month-22570"
  603. id="tab-newspack-donate-month-22570"
  604. aria-selected='false' >
  605. Monthly </button>
  606. <button
  607. role='tab'
  608. type='button'
  609. aria-controls='tab-panel-year-22570'
  610. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label"
  611. data-tab-id="year-22570"
  612. id="tab-newspack-donate-year-22570"
  613. aria-selected='false' >
  614. Annually </button>
  615. </div>
  616. <div
  617. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  618. id='tab-panel-once-22570'
  619. role='tabpanel'
  620. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-once-22570'
  621. >
  622. <input
  623. type='radio'
  624. value='once'
  625. id='newspack-donate-once-22570'
  626. name="donation_frequency"
  627. checked='checked' />
  628. <label for='newspack-donate-once-22570'>
  629. One-time </label>
  630. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  631. <div
  632. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  633. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:9,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  634. >
  635. <input
  636. type='radio'
  637. name='donation_value_once'
  638. value='9'
  639. id='newspack-tier-once-22570-0'
  640. />
  641. <label
  642. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  643. for='newspack-tier-once-22570-0'
  644. >
  645. &#036;9 </label>
  646. </div>
  647. <div
  648. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  649. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:20,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  650. >
  651. <input
  652. type='radio'
  653. name='donation_value_once'
  654. value='20'
  655. id='newspack-tier-once-22570-1'
  656. checked='checked' />
  657. <label
  658. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  659. for='newspack-tier-once-22570-1'
  660. >
  661. &#036;20 </label>
  662. </div>
  663. <div
  664. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  665. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:90,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  666. >
  667. <input
  668. type='radio'
  669. name='donation_value_once'
  670. value='90'
  671. id='newspack-tier-once-22570-2'
  672. />
  673. <label
  674. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  675. for='newspack-tier-once-22570-2'
  676. >
  677. &#036;90 </label>
  678. </div>
  679. <div
  680. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  681. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:20,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  682. >
  683. <input
  684. type='radio'
  685. class='other-input'
  686. name='donation_value_once'
  687. value='other'
  688. id='newspack-tier-once-22570-other'
  689. />
  690. <label
  691. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  692. for='newspack-tier-once-22570-other'
  693. >
  694. Other </label>
  695. <label
  696. class='odl'
  697. for='newspack-tier-once-22570-other-input'
  698. >
  699. Donation amount </label>
  700. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  701. <span class='currency'>
  702. $ </span>
  703. <input
  704. type='number'
  705. min='5'
  706. name='donation_value_once_other'
  707. id='newspack-tier-once-22570-other-input'
  708. step='0.01'
  709. />
  710. </div>
  711. </div>
  712. </div>
  713. </div>
  714.  
  715. <div
  716. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  717. id='tab-panel-month-22570'
  718. role='tabpanel'
  719. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-month-22570'
  720. >
  721. <input
  722. type='radio'
  723. value='month'
  724. id='newspack-donate-month-22570'
  725. name="donation_frequency"
  726. />
  727. <label for='newspack-donate-month-22570'>
  728. Monthly </label>
  729. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  730. <div
  731. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  732. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:7,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  733. >
  734. <input
  735. type='radio'
  736. name='donation_value_month'
  737. value='7'
  738. id='newspack-tier-month-22570-0'
  739. />
  740. <label
  741. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  742. for='newspack-tier-month-22570-0'
  743. >
  744. &#036;7 </label>
  745. </div>
  746. <div
  747. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  748. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:15,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  749. >
  750. <input
  751. type='radio'
  752. name='donation_value_month'
  753. value='15'
  754. id='newspack-tier-month-22570-1'
  755. checked='checked' />
  756. <label
  757. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  758. for='newspack-tier-month-22570-1'
  759. >
  760. &#036;15 </label>
  761. </div>
  762. <div
  763. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  764. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:30,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  765. >
  766. <input
  767. type='radio'
  768. name='donation_value_month'
  769. value='30'
  770. id='newspack-tier-month-22570-2'
  771. />
  772. <label
  773. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  774. for='newspack-tier-month-22570-2'
  775. >
  776. &#036;30 </label>
  777. </div>
  778. <div
  779. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  780. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:15,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  781. >
  782. <input
  783. type='radio'
  784. class='other-input'
  785. name='donation_value_month'
  786. value='other'
  787. id='newspack-tier-month-22570-other'
  788. />
  789. <label
  790. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  791. for='newspack-tier-month-22570-other'
  792. >
  793. Other </label>
  794. <label
  795. class='odl'
  796. for='newspack-tier-month-22570-other-input'
  797. >
  798. Donation amount per month </label>
  799. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  800. <span class='currency'>
  801. $ </span>
  802. <input
  803. type='number'
  804. min='5'
  805. name='donation_value_month_other'
  806. id='newspack-tier-month-22570-other-input'
  807. step='0.01'
  808. />
  809. </div>
  810. </div>
  811. </div>
  812. </div>
  813.  
  814. <div
  815. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  816. id='tab-panel-year-22570'
  817. role='tabpanel'
  818. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-year-22570'
  819. >
  820. <input
  821. type='radio'
  822. value='year'
  823. id='newspack-donate-year-22570'
  824. name="donation_frequency"
  825. />
  826. <label for='newspack-donate-year-22570'>
  827. Annually </label>
  828. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  829. <div
  830. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  831. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:84,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  832. >
  833. <input
  834. type='radio'
  835. name='donation_value_year'
  836. value='84'
  837. id='newspack-tier-year-22570-0'
  838. />
  839. <label
  840. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  841. for='newspack-tier-year-22570-0'
  842. >
  843. &#036;84 </label>
  844. </div>
  845. <div
  846. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  847. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:180,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  848. >
  849. <input
  850. type='radio'
  851. name='donation_value_year'
  852. value='180'
  853. id='newspack-tier-year-22570-1'
  854. checked='checked' />
  855. <label
  856. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  857. for='newspack-tier-year-22570-1'
  858. >
  859. &#036;180 </label>
  860. </div>
  861. <div
  862. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  863. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:360,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  864. >
  865. <input
  866. type='radio'
  867. name='donation_value_year'
  868. value='360'
  869. id='newspack-tier-year-22570-2'
  870. />
  871. <label
  872. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  873. for='newspack-tier-year-22570-2'
  874. >
  875. &#036;360 </label>
  876. </div>
  877. <div
  878. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  879. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:180,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  880. >
  881. <input
  882. type='radio'
  883. class='other-input'
  884. name='donation_value_year'
  885. value='other'
  886. id='newspack-tier-year-22570-other'
  887. />
  888. <label
  889. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  890. for='newspack-tier-year-22570-other'
  891. >
  892. Other </label>
  893. <label
  894. class='odl'
  895. for='newspack-tier-year-22570-other-input'
  896. >
  897. Donation amount per year </label>
  898. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  899. <span class='currency'>
  900. $ </span>
  901. <input
  902. type='number'
  903. min='5'
  904. name='donation_value_year_other'
  905. id='newspack-tier-year-22570-other-input'
  906. step='0.01'
  907. />
  908. </div>
  909. </div>
  910. </div>
  911. </div>
  912.  
  913. </div>
  914. </div>
  915. <p class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__thanks thanks'>
  916. Your contribution is appreciated. </p>
  917.  
  918. <button type='submit' style="border-color: #0071bc; background-color: #0071bc; color: white;">
  919. DONATE NOW </button>
  921. </form>
  922. </div>
  923. </div>
  924. </div>
  925.  
  926.  
  927.  
  928. <div style="height:1px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
  929. </div></div>
  930.  
  931.  
  932.  
  933. <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-secondary-color has-dark-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-0ddba7e44bd7d5eb37a57bc2240ff1df"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/sign-up/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=homepage&amp;utm_campaign=header"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-secondary-color">Sign up for our newsletters </mark><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#29abe2" class="has-inline-color">⇢</mark></a></h3>
  934.  
  935.  
  936.  
  937. <div style="height:1px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
  938. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-consultant-report-issues-critical-evaluation-of-police-department/">New consultant report issues critical evaluation of Police Department</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  939. ]]></content:encoded>
  941. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-consultant-report-issues-critical-evaluation-of-police-department/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  942. <slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
  945. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172786</post-id> </item>
  946. <item>
  947. <title>Hundreds rally against waste transfer station plan during spirited hearing</title>
  948. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/hundreds-rally-against-waste-transfer-station-plan-during-spirited-hearing/</link>
  949. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/hundreds-rally-against-waste-transfer-station-plan-during-spirited-hearing/#comments</comments>
  951. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Brooke Kushwaha]]></dc:creator>
  952. <pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:12:54 +0000</pubDate>
  953. <category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
  954. <category><![CDATA[linkinbio]]></category>
  955. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172749</guid>
  956.  
  957. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="172697" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2287/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756247220&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;77&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;16000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2287" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents react to statements during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  958. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  959. <p>Residents cheer and jeer as experts present traffic, environment and fire mitigation plans for the South Coast Renewables proposed project.</p>
  960. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/hundreds-rally-against-waste-transfer-station-plan-during-spirited-hearing/">Hundreds rally against waste transfer station plan during spirited hearing</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  961. ]]></description>
  962. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="172697" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2287/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756247220&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;77&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;16000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2287" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents react to statements during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  963. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2287.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  964. <p class="has-drop-cap">NEW BEDFORD – Nearly 300 residents gathered Tuesday night for the final in-person Board of Health hearing on a proposed waste transfer station in the city’s North End with most opposing the project over concerns about health and environmental impact.</p>
  965.  
  966.  
  967.  
  968. <p>The fourth and by far the highest-attended hearing at the Casimir Pulaski Elementary School revolved around South Coast Renewables’ traffic mitigation plan as well as some discussions on wildlife impacts and fire safety.</p>
  969.  
  970.  
  971.  
  972. <div class="wp-block-group alignright"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  973. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity reduce-bottom-margin is-style-wide"/>
  974.  
  975.  
  976.  
  977. <h3 class="wp-block-heading section-header has-dark-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3428619241a73f310e167651e4eaac1c"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-dark-gray-color">Related</mark></h3>
  978.  
  979.  
  980.  
  981.  
  982.  
  983. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide reduce-bottom-margin"/>
  984. </div></div>
  985.  
  986.  
  987.  
  988. <p>The waste transfer station, proposed by Parallel Products doing business as South Coast Renewables, would handle an estimated 1,500 tons of solid waste per day from across the region — most of it transferred in and out of the facility by trucks and rail.&nbsp;</p>
  989.  
  990.  
  991.  
  992. <p>Opponents of the project, including many residents living within a half-mile of the proposed site, have said they don’t trust South Coast Renewables to adequately mitigate odors, noise pollution, increased traffic and other hazards and nuisances associated with a waste transfer station. Others worry that a waste facility in the neighborhood would tank property values.</p>
  993.  
  994.  
  995.  
  996. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="172700" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2290/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756249581&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;48&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;12800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2290" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents attend a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  997. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=780%2C519&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-172700" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2290-1024x682.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Residents attend a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light </figcaption></figure>
  998.  
  999.  
  1000.  
  1001. <p>Parallel Products, meanwhile, says that the facility would create 75 jobs and <a href="https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/blog/news/parallel-products-drops-biosolids-project-in-agreement-with-city/">earn the city roughly $800,000</a> in annual fees in its first year of operation, plus $200,000 in new tax revenue.</p>
  1002.  
  1003.  
  1004.  
  1005. <p>In Tuesday’s&nbsp; presentation to the Board of Health, traffic operations engineer and South Coast Renewables witness Philip Viveiros said that the station could expect to see a daily maximum of 368 one-way truck trips per day, or anywhere between 43 and 18 truck trips per hour during peak hours.</p>
  1006.  
  1007.  
  1008.  
  1009. <p>To ease congestion in the already high-traffic neighborhood, Viveiros recommended that the city install a traffic signal at the intersection of Braley Road, Phillips Road and Theodore Rice Boulevard. Viveiros said South Coast Renewables would pay for the signal’s design and construction.</p>
  1010.  
  1011.  
  1012. <div class="wp-block-image">
  1013. <figure class="alignright size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="172695" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2285/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756246647&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;10000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.016666666666667&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2285" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Philip Viveiros, senior project manager for transportation at Bowman, answers questions during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1014. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=780%2C519&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-172695" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2285-1024x682.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Philip Viveiros, senior project manager for transportation at Bowman, answers questions during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light </figcaption></figure></div>
  1015.  
  1016.  
  1017. <p>Viveiros also recommended that the city apply for a heavy commercial vehicle exclusion with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to limit the number of large trucks that can use Phillips Road as a throughway. For that, South Coast Renewables offered up to $5,000 to commission a study on the exclusion. If the city did not apply for an exclusion, South Coast Renewables would look into limiting non-essential trucks on the road, Viveiros said.</p>
  1018.  
  1019.  
  1020.  
  1021. <p>Viveiros could not share exactly how South Coast Renewables planned to effectively prevent trucks from driving down Phillips Road, but confirmed that this system would mean that South Coast Renewables would be monitoring its own operations. Board of Health attorney Adam Brodsky also questioned the company’s ability to monitor third-party vendors that could frequent the site.</p>
  1022.  
  1023.  
  1024.  
  1025. <p>“Does this self monitoring work?” board member Alex Weiner asked.</p>
  1026.  
  1027.  
  1028.  
  1029. <p>“It works,” Viveiros said. “I can tell you that that is what we have been told, that they will commit to it. I can’t rely on any other data for that.”</p>
  1030.  
  1031.  
  1032.  
  1033. <p>Over the course of the night, attendees broke out into cheers, heckles and groans, the majority in dissent of the proposed project. At one point, hearing moderator Arthur Kreiger threatened to expel several attendees for repeated disruption.</p>
  1034.  
  1035.  
  1036.  
  1037. <p>In her closing arguments, hearing participant Wendy Morrill implored the Board of Health to deny the project. Citing New Bedford’s status as an environmental justice community with more stringent regulations around community engagement, Morrill also called out South Coast Renewables for what she saw as a lack of respect and transparency during the planning process.</p>
  1038.  
  1039.  
  1040.  
  1041. <p>“This community has been living fearfully in the shadow of this facility&#8217;s looming threat for six years, and at every public meeting held, while people expressed their deepest fears about the terrifying risks and dangers inherent to this type of business, the project proponents not only smiled the whole time, but often laughed in the faces as they spoke,” Morrill said.</p>
  1042.  
  1043.  
  1044.  
  1045. <p>The public comment portion of the hearings took place on Aug. 7, when 24 residents, many of them sitting City Council members, spoke out against the project.&nbsp;</p>
  1046.  
  1047.  
  1048.  
  1049. <p>Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette, who represents the area of the proposed site, remained concerned about South Coast Renewables’ ability to prevent fires, rodent infestations, and other health and safety hazards. The proposed waste transfer facility would sit within a half-mile of a residential neighborhood and within one mile of protected swampland.</p>
  1050.  
  1051.  
  1052.  
  1053. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  1054. <iframe title="Hundreds rally against waste transfer station plan during spirited hearing" width="780" height="439" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WBPeSiQuoYg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  1055. </div></figure>
  1056.  
  1057.  
  1058.  
  1059. <p>“I’m willing to live with the consequences if we’re wrong, but are you willing to live with the consequences if we’re right?” Choquette told the board during public comment.</p>
  1060.  
  1061.  
  1062.  
  1063. <p>In Tuesday’s hearing, environmental consultant Garrett Tunison, one of South Coast Renewables’ expert witnesses, testified that the facility would not pose a risk to wildlife in the area.</p>
  1064.  
  1065.  
  1066.  
  1067. <p>Plans for a waste transfer station at 100 Duchaine Blvd. have been in the works since 2019, when Parallel Products first proposed that the site accept biosolid waste from sewage<em>.</em> In 2022, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell negotiated a community host agreement between the company and the city to remove biosolids from the proposal, a deal a Mitchell spokesperson called making “the best of this difficult situation.”</p>
  1068.  
  1069.  
  1070.  
  1071. <p>“From the outset, Mayor Mitchell has made it clear that adding another municipal waste facility in the Business Park is not in the City’s best interest. At the same time, the City’s outside legal experts predicted – correctly in retrospect – that the state would inevitably approve the facility,” said public information officer Jonathan Darling. “The City made the best of this difficult situation by agreeing not to oppose the project in exchange for the company removing a biosolids facility from its proposal, paying significant tipping fees to the City that would support infrastructure projects in Ward One, and a guarantee that the City would receive the lowest available price for disposing its trash at the facility.”</p>
  1072.  
  1073.  
  1074.  
  1075. <p>While Mitchell has not publicly opposed the waste transfer station, his colleagues on the City Council recently went so far as to write a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to stop the proposal.</p>
  1076.  
  1077.  
  1078.  
  1079. <div data-carousel-extra='{"blog_id":1,"permalink":"https:\/\/newbedfordlight.org\/hundreds-rally-against-waste-transfer-station-plan-during-spirited-hearing\/"}'  class="wp-block-jetpack-tiled-gallery aligncenter is-style-rectangular"><div class=""><div class="tiled-gallery__gallery"><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:66.79264%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="172702" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2292/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756252461&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;51200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2292" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Robert Michaud during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1080. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" data-attachment-id="172702" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2292/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756252461&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;200&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;51200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2292" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Robert Michaud during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1081. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open image 1 of 6 in full-screen"srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="" data-height="1333" data-id="172702" data-link="https://newbedfordlight.org/2292/" data-url="https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292-1024x682.jpg" data-width="2000" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2292-1024x682.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.20736%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="172701" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2291/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756249731&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;36&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;32000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2291" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents attend a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1082. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" data-attachment-id="172701" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2291/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756249731&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;36&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;32000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.005&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2291" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents attend a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1083. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open image 2 of 6 in full-screen"srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="" data-height="1333" data-id="172701" data-link="https://newbedfordlight.org/2291/" data-url="https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291-1024x682.jpg" data-width="2000" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2291-1024x682.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="172699" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2289/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756249324&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2289" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents attend a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1084. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" data-attachment-id="172699" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2289/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756249324&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;3200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2289" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents attend a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1085. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open image 3 of 6 in full-screen"srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="" data-height="1333" data-id="172699" data-link="https://newbedfordlight.org/2289/" data-url="https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289-1024x682.jpg" data-width="2000" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2289-1024x682.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div></div><div class="tiled-gallery__row"><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.33333%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="172698" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2288/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756248575&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;16000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2288" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents attend a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1086. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" data-attachment-id="172698" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2288/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756248575&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;16000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2288" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents attend a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School in New Bedford. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1087. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open image 4 of 6 in full-screen"srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="" data-height="1333" data-id="172698" data-link="https://newbedfordlight.org/2288/" data-url="https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288-1024x682.jpg" data-width="2000" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2288-1024x682.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.33333%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="172696" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2286/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756247194&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;77&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;16000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2286" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents react to statements during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1088. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" data-attachment-id="172696" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2286/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756247194&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;77&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;16000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2286" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Residents react to statements during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1089. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open image 5 of 6 in full-screen"srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="" data-height="1333" data-id="172696" data-link="https://newbedfordlight.org/2286/" data-url="https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286-1024x682.jpg" data-width="2000" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2286-1024x682.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div><div class="tiled-gallery__col" style="flex-basis:33.33333%"><figure class="tiled-gallery__item"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="172703" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2293/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756252478&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;195&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;51200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2293" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Garrett Tunison of Tunison Environmental Consultants answers questions during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1090. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" data-attachment-id="172703" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2293/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1756252478&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;195&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;51200&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2293" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Garrett Tunison of Tunison Environmental Consultants answers questions during a New Bedford Board of Health public hearing at Pulaski Elementary School. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1091. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" role="button" tabindex="0" aria-label="Open image 6 of 6 in full-screen"srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=600&#038;ssl=1 600w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=900&#038;ssl=1 900w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1200&#038;ssl=1 1200w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1500&#038;ssl=1 1500w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=1800&#038;ssl=1 1800w,https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293-1024x682.jpg?strip=info&#038;w=2000&#038;ssl=1 2000w" alt="" data-height="1333" data-id="172703" data-link="https://newbedfordlight.org/2293/" data-url="https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293-1024x682.jpg" data-width="2000" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2293-1024x682.jpg?ssl=1" data-amp-layout="responsive"/></figure></div></div></div></div></div>
  1092.  
  1093.  
  1094.  
  1095. <p>“We know that once you and your administration look at this incredibly obnoxious proposal, you will no doubt concur that this does not fit the Trump Administration’s goal to Make America Great Again,” the letter, signed by Councilors Brian Gomes and Linda Morad, read.</p>
  1096.  
  1097.  
  1098.  
  1099. <p>The city’s Board of Health will further deliberate in two Zoom meetings open to the public on Sept. 8 and Sept. 16, after which the board will release its decision. September’s Board of Health discussions will not have any opportunity for public comment.</p>
  1100.  
  1101.  
  1102.  
  1103. <p><em>Email Brooke Kushwaha at </em><a href="mailto:bkushwaha@newbedfordlight.org"><em>bkushwaha@newbedfordlight.org</em></a><em>.</em></p>
  1104.  
  1105.  
  1106.  
  1107. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  1108.  
  1109.  
  1110.  
  1111. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header" id="related-stories" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/brooke-kushwaha"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More stories by Brooke Kushwaha</mark></a></h4>
  1112.  
  1113.  
  1114.  
  1115.  
  1116.  
  1117. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  1118. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/hundreds-rally-against-waste-transfer-station-plan-during-spirited-hearing/">Hundreds rally against waste transfer station plan during spirited hearing</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  1119. ]]></content:encoded>
  1121. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/hundreds-rally-against-waste-transfer-station-plan-during-spirited-hearing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  1122. <slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
  1125. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172749</post-id> </item>
  1126. <item>
  1127. <title>Opinion: Special Town Meetings are not for taxpayer-funded stunts</title>
  1128. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/opinion-special-town-meetings-are-not-for-taxpayer-funded-stunts/</link>
  1129. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/opinion-special-town-meetings-are-not-for-taxpayer-funded-stunts/#respond</comments>
  1131. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeanne Hopkins]]></dc:creator>
  1132. <pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:09:30 +0000</pubDate>
  1133. <category><![CDATA[Community Voices]]></category>
  1134. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172718</guid>
  1135.  
  1136. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="538" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=1024%2C538&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=300%2C158&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=1024%2C538&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=768%2C403&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=1200%2C630&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=400%2C210&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=706%2C371&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=1024%2C538&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="93729" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/make-your-voice-heard/your-voice-bendy2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=1500%2C788&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1500,788" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="your voice bendy2" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;your voice&lt;/p&gt;
  1137. " data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=300%2C158&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=780%2C410&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  1138. <p>Even residents who supported this petition to repeal Article 34 should be troubled by the misuse of the process. Spending public money on a non-binding stunt undermines confidence in our town’s responsible stewardship of tax dollars.</p>
  1139. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/opinion-special-town-meetings-are-not-for-taxpayer-funded-stunts/">Opinion: Special Town Meetings are not for taxpayer-funded stunts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  1140. ]]></description>
  1141. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="538" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=1024%2C538&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=300%2C158&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=1024%2C538&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=768%2C403&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=1200%2C630&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=400%2C210&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?resize=706%2C371&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=1024%2C538&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="93729" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/make-your-voice-heard/your-voice-bendy2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=1500%2C788&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1500,788" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="your voice bendy2" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;your voice&lt;/p&gt;
  1142. " data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=300%2C158&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/your-voice-bendy2.png?fit=780%2C410&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  1143. <p class="has-drop-cap">At the recent Mattapoisett Select Board meeting, the Board was forced to schedule a Special Town Meeting because GOP Town Committee Chair Paul Criscuolo filed a petition to “repeal” Article 34. Let’s be clear: Article 34 — which expands the Select Board to five members starting in May 2026 — was passed by voters at Town Meeting in May and signed into law by Governor Healey in August. It is state law. A local vote cannot undo it.</p>
  1144.  
  1145.  
  1146.  
  1147. <p>Do you know what this is really about? A taxpayer-funded stunt.</p>
  1148.  
  1149.  
  1150.  
  1151. <p>Town counsel confirmed that any vote at this Special Town Meeting will be non-binding. Symbolic. A government-sponsored opinion poll with no legal effect. And taxpayers will foot the bill.</p>
  1152.  
  1153.  
  1154.  
  1155. <p>Special Town Meetings are intended to address urgent matters that cannot wait until the annual Town Meeting, such as emergencies, unexpected expenses, or time-sensitive issues. They are not meant to bankroll political stunts because one individual didn’t like the outcome of a lawful vote.</p>
  1156.  
  1157.  
  1158.  
  1159. <p>Every Special Town Meeting comes with costs: legal notices, staff preparation, Clerk’s office logistics, and police details. If it’s held on a Saturday, taxpayers may even pay extra to open ORR’s auditorium. All told, we’re talking thousands of dollars wasted on a meeting that changes absolutely nothing.</p>
  1160.  
  1161.  
  1162.  
  1163. <p>Even residents who supported this petition should be troubled by the misuse of the process. Spending public money on a non-binding stunt undermines confidence in our town’s responsible stewardship of tax dollars.</p>
  1164.  
  1165.  
  1166.  
  1167. <p>This can end in only two ways: the petitioner withdraws, or voters turn out and overwhelmingly reject this wasteful opinion poll.</p>
  1168.  
  1169.  
  1170.  
  1171. <p>Mattapoisett deserves better than a taxpayer-funded stunt.</p>
  1172.  
  1173.  
  1174.  
  1175. <p><em>Jeanne Hopkins is a Mattapoisett resident</em></p>
  1176.  
  1177.  
  1178.  
  1179. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  1180. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  1181.  
  1182.  
  1183.  
  1184. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="http://www.newbedfordlight.org/community-voices"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More Community Voices</mark></a></h4>
  1185.  
  1186.  
  1187. </div></div>
  1188.  
  1189.  
  1190.  
  1191. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  1192. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/opinion-special-town-meetings-are-not-for-taxpayer-funded-stunts/">Opinion: Special Town Meetings are not for taxpayer-funded stunts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  1193. ]]></content:encoded>
  1195. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/opinion-special-town-meetings-are-not-for-taxpayer-funded-stunts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  1196. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  1199. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172718</post-id> </item>
  1200. <item>
  1201. <title>‘It’s hard to explain, but I thought I was going to die’</title>
  1202. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities/</link>
  1203. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities/#comments</comments>
  1205. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin G. Andrade and Eleonora Bianchi]]></dc:creator>
  1206. <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 19:10:22 +0000</pubDate>
  1207. <category><![CDATA[Immigration]]></category>
  1208. <category><![CDATA[linkinbio]]></category>
  1209. <category><![CDATA[no promo]]></category>
  1210. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172586</guid>
  1211.  
  1212. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="171202" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2240/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754919128&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;43&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2240" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The entrance to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Burlington. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1213. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  1214. <p>New Bedford immigrants describe inhumane conditions at detention facilities: lack of basic necessities including limited food, water, medical attention and showers.</p>
  1215. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities/">‘It’s hard to explain, but I thought I was going to die’</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  1216. ]]></description>
  1217. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="682" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="171202" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2240/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754919128&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;43&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.001&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2240" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The entrance to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Burlington. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1218. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2240.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  1219. <p class="has-drop-cap">They drank water from a toilet tank. They begged for food, for medical attention; one pleaded for sanitary pads. Many were transported to facilities far from family and lawyers. They didn’t know what time it was, or what day.&nbsp;</p>
  1220.  
  1221.  
  1222.  
  1223. <p>The Light collected the testimonies of five immigrants from the Greater New Bedford area who spent time in federal detention in recent months, as well as the account of a sixth detainee in New Hampshire, provided by a family member.</p>
  1224.  
  1225.  
  1226.  
  1227. <p>They are <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/judge-orders-the-release-of-new-bedfords-first-confirmed-female-detainee/">Yury Melissa Aguiriano-Romero</a>, a Honduran asylum-seeker recently released on bond after 71 days in detention; Andrés De León Castro, a Guatemalan man recently deported despite being in the asylum process; Jhovani Duvan Leiva Cornejo, a Salvadoran man detained at the Port of New Bedford after returning from work on a commercial fishing vessel; Emerson Garcia DosSantos, a Brazilian man deported and <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/ice-detained-her-husband-now-this-u-s-citizen-is-fighting-brain-cancer-alone/">forced to leave behind a wife battling brain cancer</a>; Juan Francisco Méndez, whose <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/lawyer-federal-agents-detain-guatemalan-man-29-with-no-criminal-record/">arrest went viral </a>when agents smashed his car window; and Marvin Yobani Chitic Us, a <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/two-guatemalan-fisheries-workers-arrested-in-early-morning-operation/">dialysis patient awaiting deportation</a> in prison in Batavia, New York.</p>
  1228.  
  1229.  
  1230.  
  1231. <p>As of Aug. 26, more than 50 Greater New Bedford area immigrants have been confirmed detained by The Light since President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Jan. 20. Of those, seven have been confirmed deported. Five have pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts. At least three have been released from federal detention, often on bond while awaiting further court action. The rest remain scattered in detention facilities across the country.</p>
  1232.  
  1233.  
  1234.  
  1235. <p>The Light’s sources described conditions in Burlington that included being confined to windowless rooms for 24 hours a day, limited food and drink, days without access to water for washing, and pressure to sign deportation papers. County jails in New England, where immigrants were held with the general inmate population, were somewhat more humane than in ICE-run facilities, they said. By contrast, ICE detention centers in the region and in states like Texas and Louisiana were described as harsher, marked by neglect, hunger, and guards unconcerned with detainees’ dignity — at least once even mocking a detainee after a medical episode. Deportation flights added further strain, with detainees spending hours shackled on transport planes with little to eat or drink, forced to use lavatories while chained and escorted by guards.&nbsp;</p>
  1236.  
  1237.  
  1238.  
  1239. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  1240.  
  1241.  
  1242.  
  1243. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  1244. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-06fdedc0310b5ccbe06ca83f80861a49" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:800">“We never saw the sun. Sometimes a ray of light would reflect on the wall, and men would sit in it just to feel the memory of heat on their skin.”</h2>
  1245.  
  1246.  
  1247.  
  1248. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center neue-haas-grotesk-roman" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:300">— <em style="font-weight: bold;">Juan Francisco Méndez</em></h4>
  1249. </div></div>
  1250.  
  1251.  
  1252.  
  1253. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  1254.  
  1255.  
  1256.  
  1257. <p>Officials defend transfers to other detention centers as necessary when local facilities reach capacity, while advocates say the practice sends detainees to places with fewer protections and less oversight.</p>
  1258.  
  1259.  
  1260.  
  1261. <p>“Human rights are human rights, and belong to all human beings,” said Gerald L. Neuman, a professor of international, foreign, and comparative law at Harvard Law School. “There is no difference between citizens and non-citizens in that regard.”</p>
  1262.  
  1263.  
  1264.  
  1265. <p>On paper, the United States has ratified binding international human rights treaties that guarantee safe and dignified conditions in detention, Neuman explained. But when it comes to accountability, the gap between principle and practice widens. Proving violations is difficult. With little to no evidence emerging from inside detention centers, testimonies of those who endured detention are the only window into what actually happens beyond the walls.</p>
  1266.  
  1267.  
  1268.  
  1269. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">‘Burlington was hell’</h3>
  1270.  
  1271.  
  1272.  
  1273. <p>On a recent afternoon in New Bedford, Yury Melissa Aguiriano-Romero sat on her sister’s deck while her youngest child dozed in a hammock nearby. Downstairs, relatives prepared for a church service in her honor — the third in as many days since her release on Aug. 12, after 74 days in ICE custody.&nbsp;</p>
  1274.  
  1275.  
  1276.  
  1277. <p>A 36-year-old asylum seeker from Honduras, Aguiriano-Romero fled in 2021 with her husband, Victor Emilio Murillo-Avila, and two of their children. A political activist back home, she says she endured years of harassment from rival political partisans that included sexual assault, the murder of her brother, and a knife attack on her husband. Neither of the couple has a criminal record in Massachusetts.</p>
  1278.  
  1279.  
  1280.  
  1281. <p>On June 3, <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/honduran-mother-of-three-arrested-during-scheduled-immigration-check-in/">ICE detained Aguiriano-Romero</a> after she appeared for a check-in in Framingham under the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program. She said many of the other women in the cell received the same message she did to come in the same day.</p>
  1282.  
  1283.  
  1284.  
  1285. <p>Yet what awaited her and others at the Burlington ICE field office was a new ordeal.</p>
  1286.  
  1287.  
  1288.  
  1289. <p>“It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to go through,” she said. “Burlington was a nightmare.”</p>
  1290.  
  1291.  
  1292.  
  1293. <p>At the facility, Aguiriano-Romero said, time ceases to exist. There are no windows, no beds, and no way to tell day from night. Whenever detainees asked guards what time it was, “they refused to tell us,” she said.</p>
  1294.  
  1295.  
  1296.  
  1297. <p>Personal hygiene was difficult to maintain. Sanitary pads for menstruation were scarce. With only three available for the 19 women in her cell, they had to divide them, she said. Women often had to wear the same one for days before being allowed a new one.&nbsp;</p>
  1298.  
  1299.  
  1300.  
  1301. <p>The lack of basic necessities —&nbsp;even hand soap — combined with the constant cold, eroded Aguiriano-Romero’s strength.</p>
  1302.  
  1303.  
  1304.  
  1305. <p>“Days without washing ourselves,” she said. “I suffer from migraines and I begged and begged for medicine. Not once did they give me a pill.”</p>
  1306.  
  1307.  
  1308.  
  1309. <p>She said they received three meals a day. In the mornings, guards distributed a cup of oatmeal and a small cup of water to mix it with. Lunch and dinner were pre-packaged microwave meals of chicken and potatoes. But in a sworn affidavit provided to U.S. District Court Massachusetts, she said that at times detainees only received crackers for food.</p>
  1310.  
  1311.  
  1312.  
  1313. <div class="wp-block-group alignright has-light-gray-background-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  1314. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background is-style-wide reduce-bottom-margin" style="background-color:#29abe2;color:#29abe2"/>
  1315.  
  1316.  
  1317.  
  1318. <h3 class="wp-block-heading reduce-bottom-margin"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-secondary-color"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/support-our-publication/">Help keep The Light shining</a></mark> <mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#29abe2" class="has-inline-color">⇢</mark></h3>
  1319.  
  1320.  
  1321.  
  1322. <h5 class="wp-block-heading neue-haas-grotesk-roman" style="font-size:22px;font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-secondary-color"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/support-our-publication/">Your investment allows our newsroom to document facts and reveal hard truths.&nbsp;</a></mark></h5>
  1323. </div></div>
  1324.  
  1325.  
  1326.  
  1327. <p>One Saturday during her time in Burlington, guards distributed cold ham and cheese sandwiches for the detainees, a cherished commodity in the prison, she said.&nbsp;</p>
  1328.  
  1329.  
  1330.  
  1331. <p>“I took one part and ate it for breakfast,” she recalled, the memory bringing on tears. “Another for lunch, one more for dinner. The final piece I saved for the next day.”</p>
  1332.  
  1333.  
  1334.  
  1335. <p>Aguiriano-Romero said most of the food made her gag and she got to a point where she was unable to eat for five days. Other detainees began to worry about her. A Brazilian woman named Erika pleaded with guards for a ham and cheese sandwich just for Aguiriano-Romero.</p>
  1336.  
  1337.  
  1338.  
  1339. <p>“One day, I remember her running toward me holding the sandwich, shouting ‘Yury, I got it!’ and she gave it to me, just for me to eat,” Aguiriano-Romero said.&nbsp;</p>
  1340.  
  1341.  
  1342.  
  1343. <p>The Burlington ICE office, the headquarters for the agency’s Boston Area of Responsibility which includes all six New England states, is one of 25 Enforcement and Removal Operations field offices in the country. It is meant to function primarily as an administrative site for paperwork, immigration check-ins, and a short-term detention site for detainees to stay for hours. In recent months, ICE has been keeping recent detainees there for days at a time, 11 in Aguiriano-Romero’s case.&nbsp;</p>
  1344.  
  1345.  
  1346.  
  1347. <p>Aguiriano-Romero said the space was never cleaned except for one time, just before “two men with suits and ties” inspected the facility. “During our time there,” she recalled, “that was the only time they cleaned the cell.”</p>
  1348.  
  1349.  
  1350.  
  1351. <p>On Aguiriano-Romero’s third day there, June 5, U.S. Reps. Jake Auchincloss and Seth Moulton <a href="https://www.wcvb.com/article/auchincloss-moulton-tour-ice-facility-burlington/64985144">visited the facility</a> and spoke outside it afterward.</p>
  1352.  
  1353.  
  1354.  
  1355. <p>According to <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Burlington-Plans.pdf">publicly available building plans</a> from the Burlington Building Department, there are two large cells on the facility’s first floor segregated by gender, as well as two smaller segregated rooms for juveniles. ICE has not disclosed the Burlington facility’s occupancy capacity, but claims of inhumane conditions from former detainees and lawyers have led advocates to <a href="https://www.burlington.buzz/community/protests-grow-over-ice-facility-in-burlington-as-residents-demand-humane-treatment/">protest outside the building</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  1356.  
  1357.  
  1358.  
  1359. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  1360. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  1361.  
  1362.  
  1363.  
  1364. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fa2de96eb1dd4990c4673525624dd2ed" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:800">“Days without washing ourselves. I suffer from migraines and I begged and begged for medicine. Not once did they give me a pill.”</h2>
  1365.  
  1366.  
  1367.  
  1368. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center neue-haas-grotesk-roman" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:300">— <em style="font-weight: bold;">Yury Melissa Aguiriano-Romero</em></h4>
  1369.  
  1370.  
  1371.  
  1372. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  1373. </div></div>
  1374.  
  1375.  
  1376.  
  1377. <p>Emerson Garcia DosSantos spoke with The Light from his parents’ home in Ipatinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil, about conditions in Burlington and elsewhere in ICE detention. He signed deportation papers in mid-June.</p>
  1378.  
  1379.  
  1380.  
  1381. <p>“Burlington was hell,” Garcia DosSantos said in Portuguese. “Good treatment does not exist there.”</p>
  1382.  
  1383.  
  1384.  
  1385. <p>ICE agents detained Garcia DosSantos in Fall River on June 8, as he was picking up other men for a painting job. At the time, he was the sole earner in the New Bedford home he shared with his wife, Erica Hartman DosSantos, a U.S. citizen who was <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/ice-detained-her-husband-now-this-u-s-citizen-is-fighting-brain-cancer-alone/">diagnosed with brain cancer </a>in November.&nbsp;</p>
  1386.  
  1387.  
  1388.  
  1389. <p>He had previously faced misdemeanor charges in Lynn District Court for operating a vehicle without a license and a headlight violation. Both charges were dismissed in August 2024.</p>
  1390.  
  1391.  
  1392.  
  1393. <p>Garcia DosSantos was held at Burlington for most of one day before a transfer. He recounted being placed in a cell crowded with other detainees, all of them still in handcuffs. He said the guards didn’t remove the handcuffs until they had complained for some time. He said they did not receive food for six or seven hours. And when they did, it was a pre-made microwave dinner with small portions of mac and cheese, potatoes, and stewed meat.</p>
  1394.  
  1395.  
  1396.  
  1397. <p>“They also gave us a thin [Mylar] blanket in case we wanted to sleep,” he said. “I never did.”</p>
  1398.  
  1399.  
  1400.  
  1401. <div class="wp-block-group alignright has-light-gray-background-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  1402. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  1403. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background reduce-bottom-margin is-style-wide" style="background-color:#29abe2;color:#29abe2"/>
  1404.  
  1405.  
  1406.  
  1407. <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-dark-gray-color">Related</mark></h3>
  1408. </div></div>
  1409.  
  1410.  
  1411. </div></div>
  1412.  
  1413.  
  1414.  
  1415. <p>He said detainees had no access to a shower and a total absence of privacy.</p>
  1416.  
  1417.  
  1418.  
  1419. <p>“There was a camera filming us using the toilet,” he said. “The treatment one gets there is only for criminals.&nbsp;</p>
  1420.  
  1421.  
  1422.  
  1423. <p>“There are no criminals there,” he continued. “It was just honest people trying to live their lives they brought in.”</p>
  1424.  
  1425.  
  1426.  
  1427. <p>Marvin Yobani Chitic Us is a dialysis patient awaiting a kidney transplant. He was <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/two-guatemalan-fisheries-workers-arrested-in-early-morning-operation/">arrested on May 12</a>, on his way to an early-morning shift at Oceans Fleet in New Bedford, and brought to the facility.&nbsp;</p>
  1428.  
  1429.  
  1430.  
  1431. <p>Us does not have a criminal record in Massachusetts.</p>
  1432.  
  1433.  
  1434.  
  1435. <p>He told the staff multiple times that he needed treatment, showing his swollen hands as evidence of toxins building up in his body.&nbsp;</p>
  1436.  
  1437.  
  1438.  
  1439. <p>“I had to beg them to take me,” Us said. The following day, he said, they took him to a hospital in Boston for dialysis therapy.</p>
  1440.  
  1441.  
  1442.  
  1443. <p>Andrés De León Castro, a Guatemalan man working at NORPEL, a seafood processing plant on Fish Island in New Bedford, was deported on July 12. His work permit contained the code for individuals in the asylum process who are authorized to work. He had been arrested in Fairhaven in May and spent 36 hours in Burlington.&nbsp;</p>
  1444.  
  1445.  
  1446.  
  1447. <p>Castro does not have a criminal record in Massachusetts.</p>
  1448.  
  1449.  
  1450.  
  1451. <p>“Agents treated me like a dog,” Castro said in K’iche’ through a Spanish interpreter. “They told me I was not allowed to talk or move.”</p>
  1452.  
  1453.  
  1454.  
  1455. <p>He said he and other detainees were left in a freezing room without food or water. “When we complained, they told us that’s what we deserved.”</p>
  1456.  
  1457.  
  1458.  
  1459. <p>Castro said agents pressured him to sign a self-deportation order.&nbsp;</p>
  1460.  
  1461.  
  1462.  
  1463. <p>“I didn’t want to sign, and they yelled at me, telling me I had to,” he said. “It’s hard to explain, but I thought I was going to die.”</p>
  1464.  
  1465.  
  1466.  
  1467. <p>After he signed, Castro said he was shackled at the ankles, torso, and wrists and placed in a van to Plymouth County Correctional Facility. For the nearly two months that followed, as he awaited deportation, he often thought back to that ride and to the driver who spoke to him.&nbsp;</p>
  1468.  
  1469.  
  1470.  
  1471. <p>“He told us, ‘Don’t be sad. We are just here doing our job. It’s the government that makes the decisions.’”</p>
  1472.  
  1473.  
  1474.  
  1475. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="170761" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/1198-3/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754401581&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;149&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.003125&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;1198" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The inmate release area of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility, which also detains non-U.S. citizens on behalf of federal immigration authorities. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  1476. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=780%2C519&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170761" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1198-1024x682.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The inmate release area of the Plymouth County Correctional Facility, which also detains non-U.S. citizens on behalf of federal immigration authorities. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  1477.  
  1478.  
  1479.  
  1480. <p>The conditions inside Burlington first received public attention after the release of Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a Milford High School student arrested by ICE in May and detained there for six days. He described sleeping on a concrete floor and not having access to showers.</p>
  1481.  
  1482.  
  1483.  
  1484. <p>The allegations of harsh conditions prompted the June 5 visit by U.S. Reps. Auchincloss and Moulton.</p>
  1485.  
  1486.  
  1487.  
  1488. <p>“Several people were staying in Burlington much longer than expected, and certainly much longer than they should be,” said Neesha Suarez, deputy chief of staff for Moulton. “We are very concerned about that, obviously, given that it&#8217;s not meant for detention.”</p>
  1489.  
  1490.  
  1491.  
  1492. <p>Suarez said Moulton reported that the cells had no windows or clocks, but each contained a toilet and a sink. He did not see the showers himself, Suarez added. When he and Auchincloss asked about them, agents explained that there was a shower in the employee bathroom, and detainees would be taken there to bathe.</p>
  1493.  
  1494.  
  1495.  
  1496. <p>“They were expecting to see a processing facility meant for short-term use — so they expected to see benches,” said Suarez. “What they weren’t expecting was to see a lot of people in the rooms, seemingly having slept there, as indicated by the Mylar blankets.”</p>
  1497.  
  1498.  
  1499.  
  1500. <div class="wp-block-group alignright"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  1501. <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Detention timeline</h4>
  1502.  
  1503.  
  1504.  
  1505. <figure data-carousel-extra='{"blog_id":1,"permalink":"https:\/\/newbedfordlight.org\/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities\/"}'  class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
  1506. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="891" data-attachment-id="172611" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities/d-maps-2-copy/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?fit=2241%2C2560&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2241,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Detention sites" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?fit=263%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C891&amp;ssl=1" data-id="172611" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy.jpg?resize=780%2C891&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-172611" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=896%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 896w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=263%2C300&amp;ssl=1 263w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C877&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=1345%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1345w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=1793%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1793w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1371&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C2285&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C891&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C914&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C457&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C807&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-scaled.jpg?w=1560&amp;ssl=1 1560w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-copy-896x1024.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /></figure>
  1507. </figure>
  1508.  
  1509.  
  1510.  
  1511. <figure data-carousel-extra='{"blog_id":1,"permalink":"https:\/\/newbedfordlight.org\/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities\/"}'  class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
  1512. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="574" data-attachment-id="172610" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities/d-maps-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1886&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1886" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Detention sites" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C221&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C574&amp;ssl=1" data-id="172610" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2.jpg?resize=780%2C574&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-172610" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C754&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C221&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C566&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1132&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1509&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C884&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1473&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C575&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C589&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C295&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C520&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d-maps-2-1024x754.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /></figure>
  1513. </figure>
  1514.  
  1515.  
  1516.  
  1517. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-small-font-size"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#b33715" class="has-inline-color">◉ </mark><strong>1. Juan Francisco Méndez</strong> — Arrested in New Bedford April 14. Same day transferred to Burlington then Strafford County Department of Corrections in Dover, New Hampshire. May 15 — Moved from Strafford to Burlington and released on bond same day. Currently at home in New Bedford.&nbsp;</p>
  1518.  
  1519.  
  1520.  
  1521. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-small-font-size"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#00b0f0" class="has-inline-color">◉ </mark><strong>2. Marvin Yobani Chitic Us</strong> — Arrested in New Bedford on May 2 and taken to Burlington immediately. Transferred to Buffalo Service Processing Center in Batavia, New York, sometime around May 12. Currently awaiting deportation while in Batavia.</p>
  1522.  
  1523.  
  1524.  
  1525. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-small-font-size"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#895ab8" class="has-inline-color">◉</mark><strong><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#895ab8" class="has-inline-color"> </mark>3. Andrés De León Castro</strong> — Arrested in Fairhaven on May 15\16. Taken to Burlington that day, where he spent 36 hours before being moved to Plymouth County Correctional Facility. There he spent 2 days before being taken to Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Port Isabel, Texas. Spent another month and 12 days there before being deported to Guatemala City on July 12. </p>
  1526.  
  1527.  
  1528.  
  1529. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-small-font-size"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ff7070" class="has-inline-color">◉ </mark><strong>4. Yury Melissa Aguiriano-Romero</strong> — Arrested at Framingham ISAP Office check-in on June 3 and moved to Burlington that same day. Transferred from Burlington to Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington, Vermont, on June 16. Released on bond from Chittenden on Aug. 12. Currently at home in New Bedford. </p>
  1530.  
  1531.  
  1532.  
  1533. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-small-font-size"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ff9100" class="has-inline-color">◉ </mark><strong>5. Emerson Garcia DosSantos</strong> — Arrested in Fall River on June 8. That same day he went to Burlington and then Plymouth County Correctional Facility where he signed papers allowing for his deportation. Spent three weeks in Plymouth before being moved to Alexandria Staging Facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, from which he was deported to Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, where he arrived July 4.</p>
  1534.  
  1535.  
  1536.  
  1537. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-small-font-size"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#008f75" class="has-inline-color">◉</mark> <strong>6. Jhovani Duvan Leiva Cornejo</strong> — Arrested upon returning from a fishing trip in the Port of New Bedford on July 26. According to family member, he was taken to Plymouth County Correctional Facility the same day. They moved him to Federal Correctional Institution, Berlin, in Berlin, New Hampshire, on Aug. 5 where he remains in detention.</p>
  1538. </div></div>
  1539.  
  1540.  
  1541.  
  1542. <p>Suarez said Moulton’s visit in June was a surprise, with ICE notified just 45 minutes in advance. She added that as a congressman, Moulton reserves the right to visit the facility again, but noted that things will be more complicated moving forward.</p>
  1543.  
  1544.  
  1545.  
  1546. <p>“ICE has updated its policy since Seth and Jake went, making it a bit more challenging for members to visit field offices,” Suarez said. “Now they’re supposed to schedule seven days out.”</p>
  1547.  
  1548.  
  1549.  
  1550. <p>Suarez said members of Congress have been in contact with ICE in Burlington and the agency said it stopped holding detainees there for extended periods shortly after the congressmen&#8217;s visit.</p>
  1551.  
  1552.  
  1553.  
  1554. <p>“If people are processed so quickly through Burlington, they&#8217;re probably not going to Plymouth, they&#8217;re probably being sent to like Louisiana, Texas, places that are going to be harder to get back from,” said Suarez. “So it is definitely like a double-edged sword right now.”</p>
  1555.  
  1556.  
  1557.  
  1558. <p>Suarez said the concern is that if ICE carries out another large-scale immigration enforcement operation — like <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/ice-defends-may-arrests-of-nearly-1500-immigrants-statewide/">Operation Patriot in May </a>— the agency could again hold detainees in Burlington for extended periods. “They&#8217;ll have another problem of too many people and nowhere to put them.”</p>
  1559.  
  1560.  
  1561.  
  1562. <p>“The facilities that Congressman Moulton and I saw are not facilities that anybody should be spending six days in,&#8221; Auchincloss said in a statement to The Light. &#8220;We know that these officers are trying to uphold federal law and operate professionally, but they&#8217;re not being supported properly by this administration.&#8221;</p>
  1563.  
  1564.  
  1565.  
  1566. <p>He added that President Trump has chosen to politicize immigration rather than work with Congress on bipartisan immigration reform and providing resources for processing, detention, deportation, and naturalization. “He&#8217;s trying to sow fear amongst Americans to turn Americans against each other, to distract from a series of disastrous economic policies,” he said.</p>
  1567.  
  1568.  
  1569.  
  1570. <p>On Aug. 20, The Light emailed ICE detailed questions about cleanliness, health care, hygiene, food quality, and detainee treatment at Burlington and other facilities, but the agency did not respond.</p>
  1571.  
  1572.  
  1573.  
  1574. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rights on paper, abuses in practice</h3>
  1575.  
  1576.  
  1577.  
  1578. <p>Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by the United States in 1992, anyone under arrest is guaranteed humane treatment, the right to challenge detention before a court, and the presumption against pretrial custody.&nbsp;</p>
  1579.  
  1580.  
  1581.  
  1582. <p>The Covenant, one of two treaties created to give the aspirational Universal Declaration of Human Rights legal force, grants these protections on paper, explained Neuman, the Harvard law professor. In practice, enforcement is elusive.</p>
  1583.  
  1584.  
  1585.  
  1586. <p>“The United States, in various ways, stays away from having binding international resolutions of its human rights violations,” Neuman said. “There is no direct way of bringing into court the claim that the United States is violating this treaty, and the reason for that is that the treaty was ratified as what’s called a non-self-executing treaty in the United States.”</p>
  1587.  
  1588.  
  1589.  
  1590. <p>In international law, that means the treaty does not automatically apply in U.S. courts. Congress must pass legislation to make it enforceable. Without that step, individuals cannot rely on it, even though it binds the country under international law.</p>
  1591.  
  1592.  
  1593.  
  1594. <p>Even more “domestic” systems have considerable limitations. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, based in Washington, D.C., is charged with promoting and protecting human rights across the Americas and can receive petitions alleging U.S. violations.</p>
  1595.  
  1596.  
  1597.  
  1598. <p>On July 24, the commission held a hearing on what it described as widespread and escalating abuses under the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Representatives of the U.S. government were present, as were groups that work with migrants, asylum seekers, and immigrants. The advocates detailed mistreatment in detention centers and other violations on U.S. soil.</p>
  1599.  
  1600.  
  1601.  
  1602. <p>“We are exhausting our domestic legal remedies, but the rule of law itself is under attack,” said Erik Crew, staff attorney at the Haitian Bridge Alliance, urging the commission to use every mechanism at its disposal to demand transparency. “The U.S. continues to refuse to align its domestic law with international human rights laws, and it avoids compliance with treaties and courts that demand accountability.”</p>
  1603.  
  1604.  
  1605.  
  1606. <p>Government representatives responded to questions by pointing to “robust protections” for detainees under the agency’s National Detention Standards, which they said are “periodically updated and available online,” along with DHS data on detainees.</p>
  1607.  
  1608.  
  1609.  
  1610. <p>The <a href="https://www.ice.gov/doclib/detention-standards/2025/nds2025.pdf">latest revision</a> of the National Detention Standards requires facilities to maintain proper temperature, air and water quality, and cleanliness, and to ensure detainees receive nutritious meals and access to recreation.</p>
  1611.  
  1612.  
  1613.  
  1614. <p>In a press release after the hearing, participating advocacy groups described these representatives’ responses as evasive. “The comments by the government representatives failed to fully address or adequately respond to any of the significant instances of severe human rights abuses that were outlined by our organizations and supported by lengthy evidence.”</p>
  1615.  
  1616.  
  1617.  
  1618. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beyond Burlington: the Northeast</h3>
  1619.  
  1620.  
  1621.  
  1622. <p>After Burlington, detainees are often transported to detention centers across the country, each transfer a kind of roulette, with conditions varying between county jails, ICE facilities in New England, and in southern states.</p>
  1623.  
  1624.  
  1625.  
  1626. <p>Juan Francisco Méndez spent 31 days in the Strafford County House of Corrections in Dover, New Hampshire, after his arrest.&nbsp;</p>
  1627.  
  1628.  
  1629.  
  1630. <p>Nearly three months after an immigration judge ordered his release, Méndez and his wife, Marilú Domingo Ortiz, sat in their darkened living room, as pink-tinged sunlight filtered through heavy curtains. The light evoked memories for Méndez.</p>
  1631.  
  1632.  
  1633.  
  1634. <p>“We never saw the sun,” he said in Spanish. “Sometimes a ray of light would reflect on the wall, and men would sit in it just to feel the memory of heat on their skin.”</p>
  1635.  
  1636.  
  1637.  
  1638. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="163110" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2056/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1747423897&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;70&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.008&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2056" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Juan Francisco Méndez and his wife, Marilú Domingo Ortiz, answer reporters’ questions at a press conference in New Bedford hosted by Méndez’s attorney, Ondine Gálvez Sniffin. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  1639. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=780%2C519&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-163110" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2056-1024x682.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Juan Francisco Méndez and his wife, Marilú Domingo Ortiz, answer reporters’ questions at a press conference in New Bedford hosted by Méndez’s attorney, Ondine Gálvez Sniffin. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  1640.  
  1641.  
  1642.  
  1643. <p>Méndez recalled the moments when it was his turn to sit in that reflection.</p>
  1644.  
  1645.  
  1646.  
  1647. <p>“It felt like your body was finally getting what it needed,” he said. “Your body feels the heat, but it’s only a reflection. It’s not enough.”</p>
  1648.  
  1649.  
  1650.  
  1651. <p>Méndez removed a drawing he made of his cell in Strafford from a yellow paper folder. He shared a block with 40 men, which included two floors of 10 two-bed cells and 15 men sleeping outside the cells. Each was given a mattress about 3 inches thick, three blankets and a heavier cover, but no pillow, he said. The cold still seeped through, especially at night, when guards would switch on the air conditioning.&nbsp;</p>
  1652.  
  1653.  
  1654.  
  1655. <p>“Sometimes we used toilet paper to cover the vents, to let in less cold air,” Méndez said.</p>
  1656.  
  1657.  
  1658.  
  1659. <p>The cold and the lack of sleep made men sick. But Méndez said few reported their symptoms after an Ecuadorean detainee who complained of stomach pains was taken from the unit and held in isolation for three days.</p>
  1660.  
  1661.  
  1662.  
  1663. <p>“When he came back, he said he’d never seen a doctor, and he wasn’t allowed to speak to his family,” Méndez recalled. “After that, we were too scared to ask for anything if we got sick.”</p>
  1664.  
  1665.  
  1666.  
  1667. <p>Jhovani Duvan Leiva Cornejo, a 27-year-old from El Salvador, was arrested off a fishing vessel in New Bedford in July. A family member, who asked for anonymity due to fears around their immigration status, said Cornejo has long suffered from stomach problems that require a strict diet and over-the-counter medication. Neither was provided to him at Plymouth or later at the <a href="https://www.ice.gov/detain/detention-facilities/federal-correctional-institution-berlin-nh">federal prison in Berlin, New Hampshire</a>, the family member said. A statewide search found one misdemeanor motor vehicle violation for Cornejo and a civil motor vehicle infraction in 2020 in Wareham District Court.</p>
  1668.  
  1669.  
  1670.  
  1671. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="170762" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/1196-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;6.3&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754401491&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;321&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0015625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;1196" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The sign outside the Plymouth County Correctional Facility. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light.&lt;/p&gt;
  1672. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=780%2C519&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170762" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1196-1024x682.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The sign outside the Plymouth County Correctional Facility. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light.</figcaption></figure>
  1673.  
  1674.  
  1675.  
  1676. <p>On Aug. 7, Cornejo appeared by video from prison for a bond hearing in Chelmsford Immigration Court.</p>
  1677.  
  1678.  
  1679.  
  1680. <p>“I was talking to him before he went,” the family member said. “He was telling the guards he didn’t feel well because of his stomach but they paid him no mind.”</p>
  1681.  
  1682.  
  1683.  
  1684. <p>The immigration judge denied his bond motion, part of a <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-woman-denied-bond-at-immigration-hearing/">widespread practice</a> following a June memorandum from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons.&nbsp;</p>
  1685.  
  1686.  
  1687.  
  1688. <p>Immediately after, according to the relative, Cornejo fainted and slammed his face on the floor, breaking his jaw. Guards took him to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery and doctors placed five pins in his mandible.&nbsp;</p>
  1689.  
  1690.  
  1691.  
  1692. <p>“What angers me most is that the guards laughed at him,” the relative said. “He was crying from so much pain and he told me on the phone that one of them said: ‘Let him cry. He’s Hispanic. They deserve it.’”</p>
  1693.  
  1694.  
  1695.  
  1696. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="519" data-attachment-id="171206" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/2236/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2000,1333" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;ILCE-7M3&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754922385&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.000625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="&#8211;2236" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The entrance to the Chelmsford Immigration Court. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  1697. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?fit=780%2C519&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=780%2C519&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-171206" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=1024%2C682&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236.jpg?w=2000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2236-1024x682.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The entrance to the Chelmsford Immigration Court. Credit: Eleonora Bianchi / The New Bedford Light </figcaption></figure>
  1698.  
  1699.  
  1700.  
  1701. <p>For three days afterward, Cornejo could not eat due to the pain. His relative said that now he can eat again, but he’s still in pain.</p>
  1702.  
  1703.  
  1704.  
  1705. <p>“All they give him is ibuprofen,” the family member said.</p>
  1706.  
  1707.  
  1708.  
  1709. <p>Since then, the relative said his condition has continued to deteriorate. Dizziness and fainting spells have become more frequent. They relayed that a recent check-up by prison medical staff found Cornejo’s heart rate has slowed and, as of Aug. 26, his lawyer is trying to get staff to take him to a hospital offsite.</p>
  1710.  
  1711.  
  1712.  
  1713. <p>Cornejo’s next immigration court hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Chelmsford.</p>
  1714.  
  1715.  
  1716.  
  1717. <p>On <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/detained-immigrants-use-habeas-corpus-petitions-to-challenge-ice/">June 13</a>, Aguiriano-Romero appeared in U.S. District Court in Boston, hoping she would be released. Judge Brian E. Murphy called her conditions in Burlington “abhorrent” and approved her transfer to the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington, Vermont. She was brought there on June 14.</p>
  1718.  
  1719.  
  1720.  
  1721. <p>She said she experienced one more indignity before the four-hour trip from Burlington to Vermont.</p>
  1722.  
  1723.  
  1724.  
  1725. <p>“They fastened the cuffs around my legs so tight that I couldn’t move, they hurt so much,” she recalled, bursting into tears. “I kept telling them it hurts. I begged them to loosen them, but they just said I was lying.”</p>
  1726.  
  1727.  
  1728.  
  1729. <p>Compared with Burlington, she said, conditions at Chittenden were better. The guards — state employees of Vermont and not ICE — respected her and even allowed her to lead prayer groups.&nbsp;</p>
  1730.  
  1731.  
  1732.  
  1733. <p>After Marvin Yobani Chitic Us received dialysis in Boston, <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/lawyer-immigrant-detained-by-ice-is-undergoing-kidney-dialysis/">ICE moved him to the Buffalo Service Processing Center, an ICE facility in Batavia, New York, </a>where he remains in custody.</p>
  1734.  
  1735.  
  1736.  
  1737. <p>“They say this is the only place they can provide dialysis,” he told The Light in Spanish during a phone call from Batavia. He said he receives his treatments three times a week and guards treat him respectfully. “I don’t really have anything to complain about.”</p>
  1738.  
  1739.  
  1740.  
  1741. <p>On July 9, an immigration judge denied his asylum claim for the second time.&nbsp;</p>
  1742.  
  1743.  
  1744.  
  1745. <p>“I told the judge that in my country, I wouldn’t be able to get the dialysis treatment I need and that I will die,” Us said. “He showed no compassion toward me.”&nbsp;</p>
  1746.  
  1747.  
  1748.  
  1749. <p>Us declined to appeal the decision.&nbsp;</p>
  1750.  
  1751.  
  1752.  
  1753. <p>“They’ve denied my claim twice,” he said. “Why do it a third time with the same results? What am I going to do about it?</p>
  1754.  
  1755.  
  1756.  
  1757. <p>“I prefer to leave,” he added. “I’m not going to get down on my knees and beg. At least there, I’ll be free and at peace. What other option do I have?”</p>
  1758.  
  1759.  
  1760.  
  1761. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beyond Burlington: the South and deportation</h3>
  1762.  
  1763.  
  1764.  
  1765. <p>Castro spent two days in Plymouth County Correctional Facility before being moved again.&nbsp;</p>
  1766.  
  1767.  
  1768.  
  1769. <p>“When I arrived in Plymouth, they gave me a little food and changed our clothes, telling us we had to wear the prison uniform,” he said during a phone call from Guatemala. “In Plymouth, at least they see you.”</p>
  1770.  
  1771.  
  1772.  
  1773. <p>From there, ICE sent him to the Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Texas, where he remained for over a month awaiting deportation. The facility is staffed by ICE agents but <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/24_0930_oido_inspection-report-port-isabel-service-processing-center.pdf">administered by Akima Infrastructure Protection, Inc</a>., a for-profit detention company that has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/20/guantanamo-migrant-jail-akima-revealed">faced allegations of rights abuses</a> in its running of the Guantanamo Bay migrant detention facility earlier this year.</p>
  1774.  
  1775.  
  1776.  
  1777. <p>“They treated me terribly,” at Port Isabel, he said. “The guards don’t even want to talk to you and treat one like a donkey.”</p>
  1778.  
  1779.  
  1780.  
  1781. <p>Officials fed Castro and the other detainees a single bowl of cereal and milk each day, he said. When they were thirsty, they opened the toilet cistern and drank from the tank, he said. Their only choice for potable water was purchasing bottles at the prison commissary: $2.50 for a small bottle, $5 or $6 for a small soda, Castro recalled.</p>
  1782.  
  1783.  
  1784.  
  1785. <p>He said two Salvadorans, whose families deposited money into their commissary accounts, gave Castro extra food and water, using their funds.</p>
  1786.  
  1787.  
  1788.  
  1789. <p>“I felt very weak there,” he continued. “I needed food and [medical treatment] and [the guards] didn&#8217;t even pay me attention. People fainted in front of me.”</p>
  1790.  
  1791.  
  1792.  
  1793. <p>On July 12, Castro said prison staff woke him up around 4 a.m. and took him to the airport.</p>
  1794.  
  1795.  
  1796.  
  1797. <p>Castro recalled boarding a military transport plane with 30 other detainees bound for Guatemala City around 11 a.m. There were no seat supports and they were chained the whole time, he said.</p>
  1798.  
  1799.  
  1800.  
  1801. <p>“I suffered so much,” he said. “There was so much noise in the plane that it hurt my ears. I couldn’t hear anything.”</p>
  1802.  
  1803.  
  1804.  
  1805. <p>Upon landing in Guatemala City around 5:30 p.m. local time, Castro said he was overwhelmed with emotion. He had left behind a child and grandchild in New Bedford, and said he misses them deeply</p>
  1806.  
  1807.  
  1808.  
  1809. <p>“I felt so sad,” he said. “Honestly, I began to cry.”</p>
  1810.  
  1811.  
  1812.  
  1813. <p>Garcia DosSantos said he decided to sign the deportation papers while in custody in Plymouth. He and his wife decided to speed up his deportation so they could more easily plan their future together.</p>
  1814.  
  1815.  
  1816.  
  1817. <p>Authorities transferred him from Plymouth to the Alexandria Staging Facility in Alexandria, Louisiana, managed by the private prison company GEO Group and staffed by employees of GEO Group and ICE. The facility is the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/07/31/us/ice-deportation-hub-alexandria-louisiana.html">busiest hub of deportation flights</a> in the country.&nbsp;</p>
  1818.  
  1819.  
  1820.  
  1821. <p>Garcia DosSantos said the facility kept lights on around the clock, the air conditioner at full blast, and they were given three thin blankets for warmth. Phone calls, which had been free in Plymouth, now required detainees to maintain a $50 balance.</p>
  1822.  
  1823.  
  1824.  
  1825. <p>He recalled falling ill with a fever over 100 degrees at one point, and asking the facility for help.&nbsp;</p>
  1826.  
  1827.  
  1828.  
  1829. <p>“They didn’t even give me medicine for that,” he said.</p>
  1830.  
  1831.  
  1832.  
  1833. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  1834. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  1835.  
  1836.  
  1837.  
  1838. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-medium-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4656a0d347d844921407073a14e89c6d" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:800">“Agents treated me like a dog. They told me I was not allowed to talk or move.”</h2>
  1839.  
  1840.  
  1841.  
  1842. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center neue-haas-grotesk-roman" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:300">— <em style="font-weight: bold;">Andrés De León Castro</em></h4>
  1843.  
  1844.  
  1845.  
  1846. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  1847. </div></div>
  1848.  
  1849.  
  1850.  
  1851. <p>On July 3, authorities loaded Garcia DosSantos and 59 other detainees on a plane headed to Fortaleza, capital of the northeast Brazilian state of Ceará. The flight lasted 10 hours. The detainees wore cuffs for nine of them, he said. Agents removed them when they entered Brazilian airspace in accordance with a <a href="https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/nacional/deportados-brasil-diz-ser-inaceitavel-uso-de-algema-e-que-ato-viola-acordo/#goog_rewarded">2017 agreement</a> with the U.S. on deportations.</p>
  1852.  
  1853.  
  1854.  
  1855. <p>“The guards got to eat before us and the chains made it difficult for us to eat,” he said.&nbsp;</p>
  1856.  
  1857.  
  1858.  
  1859. <p>Only once the plane landed in Fortaleza, he said, did he get Tylenol for his fever.</p>
  1860.  
  1861.  
  1862.  
  1863. <p>“The Brazilian government gave me medicine,” he said. “We spent a day and a half in Fortaleza and then I took a bus for two days home.”<br><br>Garcia DosSantos said he and his wife are currently in the process of obtaining a visa for her to go to Brazil. He said his perspective on the U.S. changed after his time in detention.</p>
  1864.  
  1865.  
  1866.  
  1867. <p>“I experienced such poor treatment there,” he said. “I have no desire to be in the U.S. right now.”</p>
  1868.  
  1869.  
  1870.  
  1871. <p>He said that hopefully, in a post-Trump future, they’d be able to return to the U.S.</p>
  1872.  
  1873.  
  1874.  
  1875. <p>“I just sent her some documents so she could get the appropriate visa for a long-term stay in Brazil,” he said. “She’ll be able to stay here for a while then go back to the U.S. at will.”</p>
  1876.  
  1877.  
  1878.  
  1879. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Back in New Bedford</h3>
  1880.  
  1881.  
  1882.  
  1883. <p>One evening in August, about 50 worshippers gathered in a New Bedford backyard. A video on social media showed the space packed with folding chairs, and the voices of the congregation rising together in “El Himno de Victoria,” the Victory Hymn, sung in Spanish.&nbsp;</p>
  1884.  
  1885.  
  1886.  
  1887. <p><em>Hermano, no tengas temor, si detrás viene Faraón</em>, they sang joyfully and loudly, hands held high. <em>Al otro lado tu pasarás y allí tu vas entonar, el himno de la victoria.</em>&nbsp;</p>
  1888.  
  1889.  
  1890.  
  1891. <p>“Brother, have no fear if Pharaoh follows you. For you will make it to the other side and there you will sing the victory hymn.”</p>
  1892.  
  1893.  
  1894.  
  1895. <p>The caption read: <em>“accíon de gracias de nuestra celula por la liberación de Meli.” “</em>Thanksgivings from our church for Meli’s liberation.”&nbsp;</p>
  1896.  
  1897.  
  1898.  
  1899. <p>Front and center stood Meli — the nickname family and friends use for Aguiriano-Romero — one hand raised as she swayed to the song. Faith and family had carried her through her 10-week detention.</p>
  1900.  
  1901.  
  1902.  
  1903. <p>But trauma remains. Moments after her release on Aug. 12, <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/judge-orders-the-release-of-new-bedfords-first-confirmed-female-detainee/">a day after making bond</a>, she jumped on a video call with her family while in the van on the way home. When her youngest daughter appeared on the screen, she paused.</p>
  1904.  
  1905.  
  1906.  
  1907. <p>“I asked: “Who is that?’” she said, choking back tears. “I couldn’t remember what she looked like. Luckily, I’m able to be with them again.”</p>
  1908.  
  1909.  
  1910.  
  1911. <p>Aguiriano-Romero’s next immigration court date is set for February 2026.&nbsp;</p>
  1912.  
  1913.  
  1914.  
  1915. <p>Méndez’s case is ongoing. On <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/immigrant-arrested-after-ice-window-smash-now-free-of-ankle-bracelet/">June 26</a>, ICE removed his GPS ankle monitor. He has since thrown himself into volunteer work at the Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores, Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts, and other groups in an effort to leverage the notoriety of his case.</p>
  1916.  
  1917.  
  1918.  
  1919. <p>He said he has no intention of returning to Guatemala.&nbsp;</p>
  1920.  
  1921.  
  1922.  
  1923. <p>“I promised my wife and child that I would not leave them,” he said. “There are so many people now living through what I lived through.</p>
  1924.  
  1925.  
  1926.  
  1927. <p>“We do everything possible to make money and put food on the table,” he said. “I don’t want to return to a place where we don&#8217;t have that.”</p>
  1928.  
  1929.  
  1930.  
  1931. <p><em>Contact Kevin G. Andrade at kandrade@newbedfordlight.org. Contact Eleonora Bianchi at ebianchi@newbedfordlight.org.&nbsp;</em></p>
  1932.  
  1933.  
  1934.  
  1935. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  1936. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  1937.  
  1938.  
  1939.  
  1940. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  1941. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  1942. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header" id="related-stories" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/immigration"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More immigration coverage</mark></a></h4>
  1943.  
  1944.  
  1945.  
  1946.  
  1947.  
  1948. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  1949. </div></div>
  1950. </div></div>
  1951. </div></div>
  1952.  
  1953.  
  1954.  
  1955. <div class="wp-block-cover no-vertical-margin" style="padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);min-height:332px;aspect-ratio:unset;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="546" data-attachment-id="159401" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/?attachment_id=159401" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1792&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1792" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C546&amp;ssl=1" class="wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-159401 size-large" alt="" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash.jpg?resize=780%2C546&#038;ssl=1" data-object-fit="cover" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C717&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C538&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1075&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1434&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C840&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1400&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C546&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C560&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C280&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C494&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-1024x717.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#2e6b96"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-1f8016a7 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained">
  1956. <p class="has-text-align-center has-large-font-size"></p>
  1957.  
  1958.  
  1959.  
  1960. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin has-white-color has-text-color" id="sign-up-for-free" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:600">Keep The Light shining with your donation.</h2>
  1961.  
  1962.  
  1963.  
  1964. <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
  1965. <div class="wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:33%">
  1966. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  1967. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-secondary-color has-text-color">As an independent, nonprofit news outlet, we rely on reader support to help fund the kind of in-depth journalism that keeps the public informed and holds the powerful accountable. <strong>Thank you for your support.</strong></p>
  1968. </div></div>
  1969. </div>
  1970.  
  1971.  
  1972.  
  1973. <div class="wp-block-column has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px">
  1974. <div
  1975. class="tiered wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate wpbnbd wpbnbd--frequency-based wpbnbd--platform-wc is-style-modern wpbnbd-frequencies--3 "
  1976. id="68b34b027c80f"
  1977. >
  1978. <form>
  1979. <input type="hidden" name="_wp_http_referer" value="/feed/" /> <input type='hidden' name='newspack_donate' value='1' />
  1980. <input type='hidden' name='donation_currency' value='USD' />
  1981. <input type='hidden' name='frequency_ids' value='{&quot;year&quot;:123247,&quot;month&quot;:123246,&quot;once&quot;:123245}' />
  1982. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_behavior' value='' />
  1983. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_button_label' value='Continue' />
  1984. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_url' value='' />
  1985. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__options'>
  1986. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequencies frequencies'>
  1987. <div role='tablist' class='tab-container'>
  1988. <button
  1989. role='tab'
  1990. type='button'
  1991. aria-controls='tab-panel-once-52178'
  1992. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label wpbnbd__button--active"
  1993. data-tab-id="once-52178"
  1994. id="tab-newspack-donate-once-52178"
  1995. aria-selected='true' >
  1996. One-time </button>
  1997. <button
  1998. role='tab'
  1999. type='button'
  2000. aria-controls='tab-panel-month-52178'
  2001. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label"
  2002. data-tab-id="month-52178"
  2003. id="tab-newspack-donate-month-52178"
  2004. aria-selected='false' >
  2005. Monthly </button>
  2006. <button
  2007. role='tab'
  2008. type='button'
  2009. aria-controls='tab-panel-year-52178'
  2010. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label"
  2011. data-tab-id="year-52178"
  2012. id="tab-newspack-donate-year-52178"
  2013. aria-selected='false' >
  2014. Annually </button>
  2015. </div>
  2016. <div
  2017. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  2018. id='tab-panel-once-52178'
  2019. role='tabpanel'
  2020. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-once-52178'
  2021. >
  2022. <input
  2023. type='radio'
  2024. value='once'
  2025. id='newspack-donate-once-52178'
  2026. name="donation_frequency"
  2027. checked='checked' />
  2028. <label for='newspack-donate-once-52178'>
  2029. One-time </label>
  2030. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  2031. <div
  2032. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  2033. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:9,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2034. >
  2035. <input
  2036. type='radio'
  2037. name='donation_value_once'
  2038. value='9'
  2039. id='newspack-tier-once-52178-0'
  2040. />
  2041. <label
  2042. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2043. for='newspack-tier-once-52178-0'
  2044. >
  2045. &#036;9 </label>
  2046. </div>
  2047. <div
  2048. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  2049. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:20,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2050. >
  2051. <input
  2052. type='radio'
  2053. name='donation_value_once'
  2054. value='20'
  2055. id='newspack-tier-once-52178-1'
  2056. checked='checked' />
  2057. <label
  2058. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2059. for='newspack-tier-once-52178-1'
  2060. >
  2061. &#036;20 </label>
  2062. </div>
  2063. <div
  2064. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  2065. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:90,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2066. >
  2067. <input
  2068. type='radio'
  2069. name='donation_value_once'
  2070. value='90'
  2071. id='newspack-tier-once-52178-2'
  2072. />
  2073. <label
  2074. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2075. for='newspack-tier-once-52178-2'
  2076. >
  2077. &#036;90 </label>
  2078. </div>
  2079. <div
  2080. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  2081. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:20,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2082. >
  2083. <input
  2084. type='radio'
  2085. class='other-input'
  2086. name='donation_value_once'
  2087. value='other'
  2088. id='newspack-tier-once-52178-other'
  2089. />
  2090. <label
  2091. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2092. for='newspack-tier-once-52178-other'
  2093. >
  2094. Other </label>
  2095. <label
  2096. class='odl'
  2097. for='newspack-tier-once-52178-other-input'
  2098. >
  2099. Donation amount </label>
  2100. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  2101. <span class='currency'>
  2102. $ </span>
  2103. <input
  2104. type='number'
  2105. min='5'
  2106. name='donation_value_once_other'
  2107. id='newspack-tier-once-52178-other-input'
  2108. step='0.01'
  2109. />
  2110. </div>
  2111. </div>
  2112. </div>
  2113. </div>
  2114.  
  2115. <div
  2116. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  2117. id='tab-panel-month-52178'
  2118. role='tabpanel'
  2119. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-month-52178'
  2120. >
  2121. <input
  2122. type='radio'
  2123. value='month'
  2124. id='newspack-donate-month-52178'
  2125. name="donation_frequency"
  2126. />
  2127. <label for='newspack-donate-month-52178'>
  2128. Monthly </label>
  2129. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  2130. <div
  2131. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  2132. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:7,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2133. >
  2134. <input
  2135. type='radio'
  2136. name='donation_value_month'
  2137. value='7'
  2138. id='newspack-tier-month-52178-0'
  2139. />
  2140. <label
  2141. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2142. for='newspack-tier-month-52178-0'
  2143. >
  2144. &#036;7 </label>
  2145. </div>
  2146. <div
  2147. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  2148. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:15,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2149. >
  2150. <input
  2151. type='radio'
  2152. name='donation_value_month'
  2153. value='15'
  2154. id='newspack-tier-month-52178-1'
  2155. checked='checked' />
  2156. <label
  2157. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2158. for='newspack-tier-month-52178-1'
  2159. >
  2160. &#036;15 </label>
  2161. </div>
  2162. <div
  2163. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  2164. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:30,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2165. >
  2166. <input
  2167. type='radio'
  2168. name='donation_value_month'
  2169. value='30'
  2170. id='newspack-tier-month-52178-2'
  2171. />
  2172. <label
  2173. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2174. for='newspack-tier-month-52178-2'
  2175. >
  2176. &#036;30 </label>
  2177. </div>
  2178. <div
  2179. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  2180. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:15,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2181. >
  2182. <input
  2183. type='radio'
  2184. class='other-input'
  2185. name='donation_value_month'
  2186. value='other'
  2187. id='newspack-tier-month-52178-other'
  2188. />
  2189. <label
  2190. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2191. for='newspack-tier-month-52178-other'
  2192. >
  2193. Other </label>
  2194. <label
  2195. class='odl'
  2196. for='newspack-tier-month-52178-other-input'
  2197. >
  2198. Donation amount per month </label>
  2199. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  2200. <span class='currency'>
  2201. $ </span>
  2202. <input
  2203. type='number'
  2204. min='5'
  2205. name='donation_value_month_other'
  2206. id='newspack-tier-month-52178-other-input'
  2207. step='0.01'
  2208. />
  2209. </div>
  2210. </div>
  2211. </div>
  2212. </div>
  2213.  
  2214. <div
  2215. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  2216. id='tab-panel-year-52178'
  2217. role='tabpanel'
  2218. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-year-52178'
  2219. >
  2220. <input
  2221. type='radio'
  2222. value='year'
  2223. id='newspack-donate-year-52178'
  2224. name="donation_frequency"
  2225. />
  2226. <label for='newspack-donate-year-52178'>
  2227. Annually </label>
  2228. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  2229. <div
  2230. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  2231. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:84,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2232. >
  2233. <input
  2234. type='radio'
  2235. name='donation_value_year'
  2236. value='84'
  2237. id='newspack-tier-year-52178-0'
  2238. />
  2239. <label
  2240. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2241. for='newspack-tier-year-52178-0'
  2242. >
  2243. &#036;84 </label>
  2244. </div>
  2245. <div
  2246. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  2247. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:180,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2248. >
  2249. <input
  2250. type='radio'
  2251. name='donation_value_year'
  2252. value='180'
  2253. id='newspack-tier-year-52178-1'
  2254. checked='checked' />
  2255. <label
  2256. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2257. for='newspack-tier-year-52178-1'
  2258. >
  2259. &#036;180 </label>
  2260. </div>
  2261. <div
  2262. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  2263. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:360,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2264. >
  2265. <input
  2266. type='radio'
  2267. name='donation_value_year'
  2268. value='360'
  2269. id='newspack-tier-year-52178-2'
  2270. />
  2271. <label
  2272. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2273. for='newspack-tier-year-52178-2'
  2274. >
  2275. &#036;360 </label>
  2276. </div>
  2277. <div
  2278. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  2279. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:180,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  2280. >
  2281. <input
  2282. type='radio'
  2283. class='other-input'
  2284. name='donation_value_year'
  2285. value='other'
  2286. id='newspack-tier-year-52178-other'
  2287. />
  2288. <label
  2289. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  2290. for='newspack-tier-year-52178-other'
  2291. >
  2292. Other </label>
  2293. <label
  2294. class='odl'
  2295. for='newspack-tier-year-52178-other-input'
  2296. >
  2297. Donation amount per year </label>
  2298. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  2299. <span class='currency'>
  2300. $ </span>
  2301. <input
  2302. type='number'
  2303. min='5'
  2304. name='donation_value_year_other'
  2305. id='newspack-tier-year-52178-other-input'
  2306. step='0.01'
  2307. />
  2308. </div>
  2309. </div>
  2310. </div>
  2311. </div>
  2312.  
  2313. </div>
  2314. </div>
  2315. <p class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__thanks thanks'>
  2316. Your contribution is appreciated. </p>
  2317.  
  2318. <button type='submit' style="border-color: #0071bc; background-color: #0071bc; color: white;">
  2319. DONATE NOW </button>
  2321. </form>
  2322. </div>
  2323. </div>
  2324. </div>
  2325.  
  2326.  
  2327.  
  2328. <div style="height:1px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
  2329. </div></div>
  2330.  
  2331.  
  2332.  
  2333. <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-secondary-color has-dark-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-0ddba7e44bd7d5eb37a57bc2240ff1df"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/sign-up/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=homepage&amp;utm_campaign=header"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-secondary-color">Sign up for our newsletters </mark><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#29abe2" class="has-inline-color">⇢</mark></a></h3>
  2334.  
  2335.  
  2336.  
  2337. <div style="height:1px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
  2338. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities/">‘It’s hard to explain, but I thought I was going to die’</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  2339. ]]></content:encoded>
  2341. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-immigrants-describe-inhumane-conditions-at-detention-facilities/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  2342. <slash:comments>36</slash:comments>
  2345. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172586</post-id> </item>
  2346. <item>
  2347. <title>Trump administration halts under-construction Revolution Wind project</title>
  2348. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/trump-administration-halts-under-construction-revolution-wind-project/</link>
  2349. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/trump-administration-halts-under-construction-revolution-wind-project/#comments</comments>
  2351. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anastasia E. Lennon]]></dc:creator>
  2352. <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 20:03:52 +0000</pubDate>
  2353. <category><![CDATA[Offshore Wind]]></category>
  2354. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172491</guid>
  2355.  
  2356. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="568" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=1024%2C568&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?w=1587&amp;ssl=1 1587w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=300%2C166&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=1024%2C568&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=768%2C426&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=1536%2C852&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=1200%2C665&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=780%2C433&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=800%2C444&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=400%2C222&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=706%2C391&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=1024%2C568&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="172494" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/trump-administration-halts-under-construction-revolution-wind-project/kate-1st-turbine-002/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=1587%2C880&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1587,880" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Kate 1st turbine (002)" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Revolution Wind is slated to send power to both Rhode Island and Connecticut with 65 turbines; 45 of those turbines have been installed. Credit: Kate Ciembronowicz / Orsted&lt;/p&gt;
  2357. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=300%2C166&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=780%2C433&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  2358. <p>The project, slated to send power to Rhode Island and Connecticut, is 80 percent completed and has already installed 45 of its 65 turbines.</p>
  2359. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/trump-administration-halts-under-construction-revolution-wind-project/">Trump administration halts under-construction Revolution Wind project</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  2360. ]]></description>
  2361. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="568" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=1024%2C568&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?w=1587&amp;ssl=1 1587w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=300%2C166&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=1024%2C568&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=768%2C426&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=1536%2C852&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=1200%2C665&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=780%2C433&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=800%2C444&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=400%2C222&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?resize=706%2C391&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=1024%2C568&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="172494" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/trump-administration-halts-under-construction-revolution-wind-project/kate-1st-turbine-002/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=1587%2C880&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1587,880" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Kate 1st turbine (002)" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Revolution Wind is slated to send power to both Rhode Island and Connecticut with 65 turbines; 45 of those turbines have been installed. Credit: Kate Ciembronowicz / Orsted&lt;/p&gt;
  2362. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=300%2C166&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kate-1st-turbine-002-e1756152057776.png?fit=780%2C433&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  2363. <p class="has-drop-cap">The Trump administration has taken another big swipe at the offshore wind industry, issuing a stop work order on Friday afternoon on Orsted’s Revolution Wind project, which as of this month was well under construction and 80% complete.&nbsp;</p>
  2364.  
  2365.  
  2366.  
  2367. <p>The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management cited “concerns that have arisen” during the project-wide review ordered by President Donald Trump’s <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/trump-order-targets-offshore-wind-but-stopping-projects-in-progress-wont-be-easy/">Jan. 20 wind memo</a>, as well as national security concerns.</p>
  2368.  
  2369.  
  2370.  
  2371. <p>“In particular, BOEM is seeking to address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States and prevention of interference with reasonable uses of the exclusive economic zone, the high seas, and the territorial seas,” wrote BOEM Acting Director Matthew Giacona in the <a href="https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/Director%26%23039%3BsOrder-20250822.pdf?VersionId=Y674sNo8zi7jLu3VWRvq2hFb_8KtMldc">two-page order</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  2372.  
  2373.  
  2374.  
  2375. <p>Less than one year ago, the agency signed a <a href="https://www.boem.gov/newsroom/press-releases/boem-and-dod-sign-agreement-bolster-interagency-collaboration-offshore-wind">memorandum of understanding</a> with the Defense Department, formalizing collaboration between the agencies to ensure that lease areas and project plans will “strengthen the nation’s energy security in ways that are compatible with military operations.”</p>
  2376.  
  2377.  
  2378.  
  2379. <p>In <a href="https://orsted.com/en/company-announcement-list/2025/08/revolution-wind-receives-offshore-stop-work-order--145387701">a statement</a>, Orsted said it is “evaluating all options to resolve the matter expeditiously. This includes engagement with relevant permitting agencies for any necessary clarification or resolution as well as through potential legal proceedings, with the aim being to proceed with continued project construction towards … the second half of 2026.”</p>
  2380.  
  2381.  
  2382.  
  2383. <div class="wp-block-group alignright"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2384. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-text-color has-dark-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-dark-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide reduce-bottom-margin"/>
  2385.  
  2386.  
  2387.  
  2388. <h3 class="wp-block-heading section-header"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#29abe2" class="has-inline-color">Related</mark></h3>
  2389.  
  2390.  
  2391.  
  2392.  
  2393.  
  2394. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide reduce-bottom-margin"/>
  2395. </div></div>
  2396.  
  2397.  
  2398.  
  2399. <p>Revolution Wind, 12 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard, is slated to send power to both Rhode Island and Connecticut with 65 turbines; 45 of those turbines have been installed.&nbsp;</p>
  2400.  
  2401.  
  2402.  
  2403. <p>Friday’s order is the latest escalation, and follows nearly a dozen federal actions and regulatory changes in the last two months that limit access to tax credits and mandate more and more project reviews by multiple agencies.&nbsp;</p>
  2404.  
  2405.  
  2406.  
  2407. <p>Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association, whose members are wind developers, in a statement said the stop work order is a “broken promise” to communities, employees and businesses working on and to be powered by the project.</p>
  2408.  
  2409.  
  2410.  
  2411. <p>“This is not the first time extreme partisan politics has derailed sound energy policy. The unfortunate message to investors is clear: the U.S. is no longer a reliable place for long-term energy investments,” Grumet said. “Here again, the Trump administration is raising alarms about rising energy prices while blocking new supply from reaching the grid.”</p>
  2412.  
  2413.  
  2414.  
  2415. <p>Green Oceans, a Rhode Island-based group suing the federal government over its approval of the project, applauded BOEM.</p>
  2416.  
  2417.  
  2418.  
  2419. <p>“This decision is a critical step forward in protecting marine life and our coastal communities from environmental harm and skyrocketing electric bills,” the organization said in an email. “This decisive action demonstrates that the federal government finally recognizes the seriously flawed permitting process that allowed this project and others to move forward.”</p>
  2420.  
  2421.  
  2422.  
  2423. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">National security claims&nbsp;</h3>
  2424.  
  2425.  
  2426.  
  2427. <p>Groups opposed to offshore wind development have been highlighting national security as an issue.&nbsp;</p>
  2428.  
  2429.  
  2430.  
  2431. <p>Last month, for example, three Republican congressmen in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi <a href="https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/lawmakers-call-for-national-security-review-of-offshore-wind-projects?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZRbBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF0aFZab2dMaUtRZ0lhYXUxAR4d8eklZEitqkDHm1aFJeopfWq5JIDbEpnTt6T6XW26GBjZobvCLOjDPtwnMg_aem_eZfHM506lCtLi8ESh9qGDA">urged the Department of Justice</a> to conduct a review of offshore wind projects for national security threats.&nbsp;</p>
  2432.  
  2433.  
  2434.  
  2435. <p>Anti-wind Facebook groups in posts have asked followers to write to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum about national security threats, providing his office’s email and phone number.&nbsp;</p>
  2436.  
  2437.  
  2438.  
  2439. <p>And Green Oceans in June announced a report it commissioned that lays out a blueprint for the federal government to <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/656739e403b0d903ed9eefa7/t/683f45c5eb625458243ce1c1/1748977098617/GO+Report+Canceling+OSW+Leases+May+2025.pdf">cancel offshore wind leases</a>. Among several reasons, it lists national security interference as grounds for lease cancellation.&nbsp;</p>
  2440.  
  2441.  
  2442.  
  2443. <p>The report states the Defense Department can provide information to inform decisions “regarding lease cancellation on national security grounds.”&nbsp;</p>
  2444.  
  2445.  
  2446.  
  2447. <p>According to a public relations firm representing Green Oceans, individuals with the organization joined representatives of the fishing industry in a stakeholder meeting with BOEM officials in late May.</p>
  2448.  
  2449.  
  2450.  
  2451. <p>The firm told The Light by email that the meeting was “exclusively about the commercial fishing industry and Tribal concerns,” but that the stakeholders also remain concerned about national security, among other issues.&nbsp;</p>
  2452.  
  2453.  
  2454.  
  2455. <p>In June, the firm declined The Light’s request to interview Green Oceans representatives, stating the organization wanted to give the “Department of Interior the space” to implement Trump’s Jan. 20 wind memo.&nbsp;</p>
  2456.  
  2457.  
  2458.  
  2459. <p>A one-page record provided by BOEM through FOIA identified the May 23, 45-minute meeting as a “Meeting with Commercial Fishing Associations.” BOEM Acting Director Giacona, who signed Friday’s order, was listed as a required attendee.&nbsp;</p>
  2460.  
  2461.  
  2462.  
  2463. <p>The Light asked BOEM and the Interior Department for further details on the cited national security concerns and stop work order. Spokespersons on Monday said the offices had no further comment.&nbsp;</p>
  2464.  
  2465.  
  2466.  
  2467. <p>In the project’s record of decision, BOEM said it consulted with the Defense Department (DOD) to address national security interests.&nbsp;</p>
  2468.  
  2469.  
  2470.  
  2471. <p>“While reviewing the [construction and operations plan], BOEM coordinated with DOD to develop measures necessary to safeguard against potential liabilities and impacts on DOD activities,” the <a href="https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/Revolution-Wind-Record-of-Decision-OCS-A-0486_3.pdf#page=185">document reads</a>.</p>
  2472.  
  2473.  
  2474.  
  2475. <p>In addition to this stop work order, the Commerce Department this month opened a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-opens-national-security-probe-into-imported-wind-turbines-components-2025-08-21/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMZR6ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF0aFZab2dMaUtRZ0lhYXUxAR7OeQkOJY0xGuY0u73oz-c-9mpG7UUkFtnsWsn8aiqaIsHIqF_xl-vxF3zoOA_aem_q3ipv4XO32IoCwIgRA0qyQ">national security investigation</a> into the import of wind turbine components — many of which come from Europe.&nbsp;</p>
  2476.  
  2477.  
  2478.  
  2479. <p>One of Commerce’s <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/25/2025-16191/notice-of-request-for-public-comments-on-section-232-national-security-investigation-of-imports-of">listed concerns</a> is the ability of “foreign persons to weaponize the capabilities or attributes of foreign-built wind turbines and their parts or components.”</p>
  2480.  
  2481.  
  2482.  
  2483. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Targeting offshore wind</h3>
  2484.  
  2485.  
  2486.  
  2487. <p>Friday’s order marks the second time the Trump administration has demanded a halt to an under-construction offshore wind farm. Empire Wind received a similar stop work order in April, which was lifted after a month — and after the administration <a href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook-pm/2025/05/20/offshore-wind-empire-wind-1-pipeline-kathy-hochul-trump-00360247">allegedly secured a deal</a> for a gas pipeline with New York state officials. (New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has <a href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/white-house-claims-hochul-caved-on-gas-pipelines-to-save-empire-wind/">denied a deal</a> was made.)&nbsp;</p>
  2488.  
  2489.  
  2490.  
  2491. <p>In an interview on Fox News to discuss the Revolution Wind order, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said he was just in New England “where they rely on foreign sources of energy, where they can use more natural gas. Well, Williams pipeline wants to build a pipeline called <a href="https://www.williams.com/expansion-project/constitution-pipeline/">Constitution Pipeline </a>delivering natural gas from Pennsylvania into New England.”&nbsp;</p>
  2492.  
  2493.  
  2494.  
  2495. <p>Last month, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said he was <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2025/07/01/ned-lamont-ct-climate-bills-natural-gas/">engaged in talks</a> with the Trump administration to build or expand gas pipelines for the state and New England, CT Mirror reported.&nbsp;</p>
  2496.  
  2497.  
  2498.  
  2499. <p>Meanwhile, in Rhode Island (and elsewhere in New England), environmental groups are <a href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/01/25/project-maple-massachusetts-maura-healey-enbridge-weymouth-compressor-natural-gas">fighting a proposed gas pipeline expansion</a>, called Project Maple.&nbsp;</p>
  2500.  
  2501.  
  2502.  
  2503. <p>Governor Lamont and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in statements said they would <a href="https://x.com/GovDanMcKee/status/1959274791598178748">pursue all avenues</a> to reverse the stop work order.</p>
  2504.  
  2505.  
  2506.  
  2507. <p>News 12 reported Monday that <a href="https://x.com/johncraven1/status/1960004629795623160">Gov. Lamont said</a>, “I think there is a deal to be had. I don’t know what the ask is.”</p>
  2508.  
  2509.  
  2510.  
  2511. <p>Oceantic Network, another wind industry organization, in a statement called BOEM’s order unlawful, and focused on the economic impacts it will have: “halting work on Revolution Wind will… idle Gulf Coast vessel operators that have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in new or retrofitted vessels, and jeopardize the livelihoods of union workers.”</p>
  2512.  
  2513.  
  2514.  
  2515. <p>The president of the Laborers&#8217; International Union of North America <a href="https://x.com/GPBrentBooker/status/1959670457512206587">in a statement said</a> members who had construction jobs would be out of work on Monday: “They promised cheaper energy and jobs. Instead they killed union work, raised bills, and weakened America’s future.”</p>
  2516.  
  2517.  
  2518.  
  2519. <p>The Interior Department said that it based its decision about Empire Wind on a NOAA study that it has yet to release (through FOIA, it shared a <a href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-admin-redacts-entire-empire-wind-study-2/">fully redacted</a> version that has not provided any clarity on what informed the decision). Equinor, the company developing Empire Wind, said the project was losing about<a href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/how-trump-pushed-empire-wind-to-the-brink-of-collapse/"> $50 million per week</a> under the freeze, and threatened cancellation if the ban continued much longer.</p>
  2520.  
  2521.  
  2522.  
  2523. <p>It’s likely Revolution Wind will face significant added costs as a result of delays borne of this stop work order, which has no known end date. There may also be an added cost of potential legal action, which Orsted said it is considering.</p>
  2524.  
  2525.  
  2526.  
  2527. <p>BOEM’s order states that under the law, the project is able to appeal the determination with the agency.&nbsp;</p>
  2528.  
  2529.  
  2530.  
  2531. <p>Revolution Wind is one of several projects in the under-construction category. Others include Empire Wind, where <a href="https://www.newsday.com/business/empire-wind-turbine-foundations-equinor-neldx3go">foundations are being installed</a> south of New York; Vineyard Wind, which has more than 40 of its 62 turbines in the water; Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm, which is about 60% complete; and Sunrise Wind, another Orsted project with turbine <a href="https://www.offshorewind.biz/2025/08/20/first-monopiles-in-at-new-us-offshore-wind-farm-saipem-7000-en-route-to-install-oss/">foundations installed</a> east of New York.&nbsp;</p>
  2532.  
  2533.  
  2534.  
  2535. <p>Revolution Wind is slated to power up to 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Orsted’s other project, South Fork Wind (12 turbines), has been operational since last year.&nbsp;</p>
  2536.  
  2537.  
  2538.  
  2539. <p>The Light <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/how-many-homes-does-an-offshore-wind-farm-actually-power/">independently reviewed</a> federal data to calculate that South Fork Wind has been powering about 53,000 homes on average (and as many as 73,000 in the winter when wind speeds are higher). It has also achieved a capacity factor of over 50%, which approximately equals or exceeds that of natural gas or coal-powered plants.&nbsp;</p>
  2540.  
  2541.  
  2542.  
  2543. <p><em>Email Anastasia E. Lennon at </em><a href="mailto:alennon@newbedfordlight.org"><em>alennon@newbedfordlight.org</em></a><em>.</em></p>
  2544.  
  2545.  
  2546.  
  2547. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  2548. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  2549.  
  2550.  
  2551.  
  2552. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  2553. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  2554. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header" id="related-stories" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/anastasia-e-lennon/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More stories by Anastasia E. Lennon</mark></a></h4>
  2555.  
  2556.  
  2557. </div></div>
  2558. </div></div>
  2559. </div></div>
  2560.  
  2561.  
  2562.  
  2563. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  2564. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/trump-administration-halts-under-construction-revolution-wind-project/">Trump administration halts under-construction Revolution Wind project</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  2565. ]]></content:encoded>
  2567. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/trump-administration-halts-under-construction-revolution-wind-project/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  2568. <slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
  2571. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172491</post-id> </item>
  2572. <item>
  2573. <title>City’s Cabo Verdeans mobilize to help islands devastated by storm</title>
  2574. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/citys-cabo-verdeans-mobilize-to-help-islands-devastated-by-storm/</link>
  2575. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/citys-cabo-verdeans-mobilize-to-help-islands-devastated-by-storm/#comments</comments>
  2577. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Kevin G. Andrade]]></dc:creator>
  2578. <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:08:10 +0000</pubDate>
  2579. <category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
  2580. <category><![CDATA[linkinbio]]></category>
  2581. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172478</guid>
  2582.  
  2583. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C585&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C530&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="172383" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/bd8816a3-618c-4d9a-a7d7-1a1e64116541/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1920" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="São Vicente 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Volunteers help Sara Andrade unload a pickup truck filled with donations to send to the Cabo Verdean Island of São Vicente during a supply drive at the Cape Verdean Veterans Hall on Aug. 23, 2025. The drive was held in reaction to an Aug. 11 storm that devastated the island and left 9 dead in its wake. Credit: Kevin G. Andrade/The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  2584. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C585&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  2585. <p>Boxes and barrels of clothes, food and necessities are being collected by local residents and sent to Cabo Verde to aid storm victims.</p>
  2586. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/citys-cabo-verdeans-mobilize-to-help-islands-devastated-by-storm/">City’s Cabo Verdeans mobilize to help islands devastated by storm</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  2587. ]]></description>
  2588. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="768" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C585&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C530&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="172383" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/bd8816a3-618c-4d9a-a7d7-1a1e64116541/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1920" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="São Vicente 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Volunteers help Sara Andrade unload a pickup truck filled with donations to send to the Cabo Verdean Island of São Vicente during a supply drive at the Cape Verdean Veterans Hall on Aug. 23, 2025. The drive was held in reaction to an Aug. 11 storm that devastated the island and left 9 dead in its wake. Credit: Kevin G. Andrade/The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  2589. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BD8816A3-618C-4D9A-A7D7-1A1E64116541-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C585&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  2590. <p class="has-drop-cap">NEW BEDFORD — Sara Andrade jumped out of a large, brown pickup when she arrived at the Cape Verdean Vets Hall Saturday morning. She was on a mission.</p>
  2591.  
  2592.  
  2593.  
  2594. <p>A native of the Cabo Verdean island of Santo Antão, she immediately opened doors and started to grab boxes as volunteers swarmed the truck,&nbsp; swiftly loading boxes of diapers, antibacterial wipes, food products and clothing onto dollies.&nbsp;</p>
  2595.  
  2596.  
  2597.  
  2598. <p>The items are destined for Cabo Verde where, on Aug. 11, what would develop into Hurricane Erin slammed into the island and its neighbor São Vicente.&nbsp;</p>
  2599.  
  2600.  
  2601.  
  2602. <p>“I was scared when I first heard about it,” Andrade said, taking a break between carrying boxes. “It was a wake-up call that we should probably be more prepared for things like this in the future.”</p>
  2603.  
  2604.  
  2605.  
  2606. <p>Andrade was among the hundreds of people that dropped off supplies to be organized and packed by 40 volunteers, according to event organizer Eydie Matteos. She said the community did it out of solidarity with their brethren abroad.</p>
  2607.  
  2608.  
  2609.  
  2610. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="585" data-attachment-id="172382" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/e95bc49f-aa01-43bf-8a59-42ed371865f0/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1920" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="São Vicente 1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Volunteers collect, organize, and pack supplies to send to the Cabo Verdean island of São Vicente as part of a supply drive held at the Cape Verdean Veterans Hall on Aug. 24, 2025. The drive was held in reaction to an Aug. 11 storm that devastated the island and left 9 dead in its wake. Credit: Kevin G. Andrade/New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  2611. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C585&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0.jpg?resize=780%2C585&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-172382" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1500&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C585&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C530&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/E95BC49F-AA01-43BF-8A59-42ED371865F0-1024x768.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Volunteers collect, organize, and pack supplies to send to the Cabo Verdean island of São Vicente as part of a supply drive held at the Cape Verdean Veterans Hall on Aug. 24, 2025. The drive was held in reaction to an Aug. 11 storm that devastated the island and left 9 dead in its wake. Credit: Kevin G. Andrade/New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  2612.  
  2613.  
  2614.  
  2615. <p>“It&#8217;s a soul contract we made with our ancestors,” the São Vicente native said. ‘It&#8217;s important to give back. And because we made it out, we should help them.”</p>
  2616.  
  2617.  
  2618.  
  2619. <p>By all accounts, São Vicente was the harder hit of the two islands. According to the Portuguese paper <a href="https://www.publico.pt/2025/08/12/azul/noticia/tempestade-cabo-vede-faz-oito-mortos-furacao-formarse-atlantico-2143763">Público</a>, the storm unleashed 7½ inches of rainfall upon the islands in less than five hours, an amount 3 inches higher than the island’s average annual rainfall. The resulting landslides left <a href="https://sicnoticias.pt/mundo/2025-08-14-numero-de-mortos-nas-cheias-em-cabo-verde-sobe-para-nove-43811c49">nine dead</a> and dozens without a home.&nbsp;</p>
  2620.  
  2621.  
  2622.  
  2623. <p>The deaths prompted the government of the island republic to declare a <a href="https://www.governo.cv/governo-de-cabo-verde-declara-dois-dias-de-luto-oficial-nacional/">two-day period of national mourning</a>. The government also distributed €181 in compensation to each of the families of the dead.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  2624.  
  2625.  
  2626.  
  2627. <p>Several Lusophone countries have issued statements of solidarity including Guinea-Bissau, Portugal, São Tomé e Príncipe, and Timor-Leste. The Portuguese Navy has sent a ship to the island as part of the recovery effort.</p>
  2628.  
  2629.  
  2630.  
  2631. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Local CVs organize</h3>
  2632.  
  2633.  
  2634.  
  2635. <p>Matteos, the owner of Healing Villa, a reiki and retail shop in Marion, said she immediately jumped into action when she learned of the storm through news outlets and social media.</p>
  2636.  
  2637.  
  2638.  
  2639. <p>“I came here when I was 9, so I still have family there,” she said. “We have two family members who did lose everything, but thankfully they were able to find a place with friends.”</p>
  2640.  
  2641.  
  2642.  
  2643. <p>She also launched a <a href="https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML8TASR02DE0A/checkout/ODTUK6IRJ4ICTW24L5CEQFYW?fbclid=IwY2xjawMX7xVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHq2d0O7vyILQMVtQlxYU4AMYQ9vcRo400iIl79aoH4M5IinJPcjuN5pVf1Lc_aem_TfZZVQOYGIiRP5Clqv3ugw">fundraiser</a> through her business’ Facebook page that has raised $6,000 to help the island. She added that multiple officials, including Mayor Jonathan Mitchell, City Council President Shane Burgo, and Ward 4 City Councilor Derek Baptiste contributed to the effort.&nbsp;</p>
  2644.  
  2645.  
  2646.  
  2647. <p>All in all, Matteo said the event collected enough supplies to ship 10 barrels to the islands and send dozens of boxes to The Bisca Club, which is also involved in relief efforts.&nbsp;</p>
  2648.  
  2649.  
  2650.  
  2651. <p>“It was a beautiful day!” she said.&nbsp;</p>
  2652.  
  2653.  
  2654.  
  2655. <p>At the International Church of the Nazarene, Fátima Andrade, also a native of São Vicente, challenged the congregation to collect three barrels full of supplies to send to the islands via a Fall River shipping company.&nbsp;</p>
  2656.  
  2657.  
  2658.  
  2659. <p>“São Vicente has always been my life and when the storm happened, it was a kind of shock,” she said in Portuguese, adding that she immediately spoke with the island&#8217;s Nazarene church superintendent to see what they needed. She said the list included items such as adult and baby diapers, food supplies, clothing, and medical kits.&nbsp;</p>
  2660.  
  2661.  
  2662.  
  2663. <p>“On Sunday, I launched this challenge to see how well we could help our people on São Vicente,” Andrade said in Portuguese. “We were able to send out six barrels by the grace of God.”</p>
  2664.  
  2665.  
  2666.  
  2667. <p>The church continues to collect donations at multiple sites throughout the city including: City Hall Room 113; 181 Hillman St., Bldg. 9; and the church itself located at 286 Pleasant St. Drop-off times are: Monday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Thursday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.</p>
  2668.  
  2669.  
  2670.  
  2671. <p>Darlene Spencer, president of the board of directors for the Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford, said the tragedy even prompted her group to switch focus.</p>
  2672.  
  2673.  
  2674.  
  2675. <p>“Our lane is arts and culture,” she said. “Responding to this crisis has been interesting.”</p>
  2676.  
  2677.  
  2678.  
  2679. <p>She said that her organization has taken on a proactive role in helping to plan and sponsor events around the crisis.</p>
  2680.  
  2681.  
  2682.  
  2683. <p>“In order for something to be impactful, it has to be planful,” Spencer said. “We, as a diaspora, have to be very planful in how we support them.”</p>
  2684.  
  2685.  
  2686.  
  2687. <p>Spencer emphasized the importance of the diaspora in Cabo Verde’s economy historically and in the present. According to <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.TRF.PWKR.DT.GD.ZS?locations=CV">data from The World Bank</a>, remittances from abroad made up over 28% of the nation’s gross domestic product in 1980. As of 2024, that number stood at just over 12%. Approximately 10% of New Bedford’s population identifies as Cabo Verdean.</p>
  2688.  
  2689.  
  2690.  
  2691. <p>“I think it’s fantastic that we have such a generous diaspora,” she said.</p>
  2692.  
  2693.  
  2694.  
  2695. <div class="wp-block-columns is-not-stacked-on-mobile is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
  2696. <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
  2697. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" data-attachment-id="172384" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/44e85441-e2b6-40dc-ad59-36fc312af0c9/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?fit=1920%2C2560&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1920,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="São Vicente 3" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Dilva Maocha, a volunteer at a supply drive at the Cape Verdean Veterans Hall on Aug. 23, 2025, jumps on top of a barrel filled with necessities to send to the island of São Vicente. The drive was held in reaction to an Aug. 11 storm that devastated the island and left 9 dead in its wake. Credit: Photo courtesy of Eydie Matteos&lt;/p&gt;
  2698. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?fit=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-172384" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C2667&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C1040&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C1067&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C533&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C941&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/44E85441-E2B6-40DC-AD59-36FC312AF0C9-768x1024.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dilva Maocha, a volunteer at a supply drive at the Cape Verdean Veterans Hall on Aug. 23, 2025, jumps on top of a barrel filled with necessities to send to the island of São Vicente. The drive was held in reaction to an Aug. 11 storm that devastated the island and left 9 dead in its wake. Credit: Photo courtesy of Eydie Matteos</figcaption></figure>
  2699. </div>
  2700.  
  2701.  
  2702.  
  2703. <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
  2704. <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="567" height="756" data-attachment-id="172480" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/f3cb3670-81f1-4eaf-9199-0bba187b6ce1-2/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?fit=567%2C756&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="567,756" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Mayor Jon Mitchell packs boxes as part of a supply drive at the Cape Verdean Vets Hall for the island of São Vicente on Aug. 23, 2025. The island in Cabo Verde was devastated by a tropical wave of Aug. 11. Credit: Photo courtesy of Diane Gomes&lt;/p&gt;
  2705. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?fit=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?fit=567%2C756&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?resize=567%2C756&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-172480" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?w=567&amp;ssl=1 567w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?resize=450%2C600&amp;ssl=1 450w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?resize=300%2C400&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?resize=150%2C200&amp;ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?resize=400%2C533&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F3CB3670-81F1-4EAF-9199-0BBA187B6CE1-edited.jpeg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mayor Jon Mitchell packs boxes as part of a supply drive at the Cape Verdean Vets Hall for the island of São Vicente on Aug. 23, 2025. The island in Cabo Verde was devastated by a tropical wave of Aug. 11. Credit: Photo courtesy of Diane Gomes</figcaption></figure>
  2706. </div>
  2707. </div>
  2708.  
  2709.  
  2710.  
  2711. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">‘Challenges’ to be addressed</h3>
  2712.  
  2713.  
  2714.  
  2715. <p>Spencer also noted the importance of taking account of who was impacted.</p>
  2716.  
  2717.  
  2718.  
  2719. <p>“The folks that were impacted were those that were already fragile,” she said. “These are folks that were living in conditions that were already compromised to a certain degree.”</p>
  2720.  
  2721.  
  2722.  
  2723. <p>She also said that many low-income Cabo Verdeans built homes out of cost effective materials such as metal sheeting in areas prone to mudslides.&nbsp;</p>
  2724.  
  2725.  
  2726.  
  2727. <p>“I think the government has to look at how they are supporting the most vulnerable in their country,” she continued. “This storm and its fatalities have revealed some challenges that need to be addressed.”</p>
  2728.  
  2729.  
  2730.  
  2731. <p>Situated in the path of <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/50-years-later-cabo-verdeans-bask-in-hard-won-independence/">dry Harmattan winds </a>coming in off the Sahel, Cabo Verde is known as an arid land. Indeed, <a href="https://inmg.gov.cv/index.php/servico-educativo/blog/133-previsao-sazonal-2025">a 2025 report</a> from the nation&#8217;s National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics predicted that rainfall this year would be lower than average for the archipelago.&nbsp;</p>
  2732.  
  2733.  
  2734.  
  2735. <p>“That is unnatural. That is not normal,” Matteos said of the low rainfall. “It’s been really catastrophic.”</p>
  2736.  
  2737.  
  2738.  
  2739. <p>It also hammered home the idea that things are changing, something locals said their friends and the family have noticed in recent years.</p>
  2740.  
  2741.  
  2742.  
  2743. <p>“The islands are not prepared for [rains] because historically there has not been much rain,” Andrade said. “But even on the islands, people are noticing that, like everywhere else, weather is changing.”</p>
  2744.  
  2745.  
  2746.  
  2747. <p>But for the organizers, the focus is on the moment and community.</p>
  2748.  
  2749.  
  2750.  
  2751. <p>“There is no ‘I’m from Praia’ or ‘I’m from Brava,’” Spencer said. “This tragedy cuts across islands and everybody recognizes the depth of the tragedy.”</p>
  2752.  
  2753.  
  2754.  
  2755. <p><em>Contact Kevin G. Andrade at </em><a href="mailto:kandrade@newbedfordlight.org"><em>kandrade@newbedfordlight.org</em></a><em>.</em></p>
  2756.  
  2757.  
  2758.  
  2759. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  2760. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  2761.  
  2762.  
  2763.  
  2764. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  2765. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  2766. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header" id="related-stories" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/anastasia-e-lennon/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More stories by Kevin G. Andrade</mark></a></h4>
  2767.  
  2768.  
  2769. </div></div>
  2770. </div></div>
  2771. </div></div>
  2772. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/citys-cabo-verdeans-mobilize-to-help-islands-devastated-by-storm/">City’s Cabo Verdeans mobilize to help islands devastated by storm</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  2773. ]]></content:encoded>
  2775. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/citys-cabo-verdeans-mobilize-to-help-islands-devastated-by-storm/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  2776. <slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
  2779. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172478</post-id> </item>
  2780. <item>
  2781. <title>Our offshore wind tracker: What’s new with wind projects off Massachusetts and beyond?</title>
  2782. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-tracker-whats-happening-to-massachusetts-projects/</link>
  2783. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-tracker-whats-happening-to-massachusetts-projects/#comments</comments>
  2785. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anastasia E. Lennon]]></dc:creator>
  2786. <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:06:00 +0000</pubDate>
  2787. <category><![CDATA[Offshore Wind]]></category>
  2788. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=154354</guid>
  2789.  
  2790. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="774" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=1024%2C774&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?w=1750&amp;ssl=1 1750w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=1024%2C774&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=768%2C580&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=1536%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=1200%2C907&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=780%2C589&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=800%2C604&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=400%2C302&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=706%2C533&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=1024%2C774&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="159600" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-tracker-whats-happening-to-massachusetts-projects/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=1750%2C1322&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1750,1322" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="turbine lease areas darker blue" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=780%2C590&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  2791. <p>Offshore wind is changing fast. Here’s the latest on where the Northeast’s wind projects stand as of Aug. 25, 2025.</p>
  2792. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-tracker-whats-happening-to-massachusetts-projects/">Our offshore wind tracker: What’s new with wind projects off Massachusetts and beyond?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  2793. ]]></description>
  2794. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="774" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=1024%2C774&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?w=1750&amp;ssl=1 1750w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=1024%2C774&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=768%2C580&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=1536%2C1160&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=1200%2C907&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=780%2C589&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=800%2C604&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=400%2C302&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?resize=706%2C533&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=1024%2C774&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="159600" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-tracker-whats-happening-to-massachusetts-projects/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=1750%2C1322&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1750,1322" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="turbine lease areas darker blue" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=300%2C227&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/turbine-lease-areas-darker-blue.png?fit=780%2C590&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  2795. <h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="windtrackertop" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><em><mark style="background-color:#aadbf0" class="has-inline-color"><a href="#mostlypermittedpending">Latest update on Aug. 25, 2025: BOEM orders Revolution Wind to cease construction →</a></mark></em></h4>
  2796.  
  2797.  
  2798.  
  2799. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2800. <h2 class="wp-block-heading section-header reduce-bottom-margin"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-medium-gray-color">Offshore wind lease status</mark></h2>
  2801.  
  2802.  
  2803.  
  2804. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-small-font-size">Interactive map — click on the dots for more information. </p>
  2805.  
  2806.  
  2807.  
  2808. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header reduce-bottom-margin" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-dark-gray-color">South of Martha&#8217;s Vineyard</mark></h4>
  2809.  
  2810.  
  2811.  
  2812. <iframe title="Offshore wind lease areas (copy)" aria-label="Locator map" id="datawrapper-chart-ixRP2" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/ixRP2/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="1024" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
  2813. </script>
  2814.  
  2815.  
  2816.  
  2817. <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
  2818. <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:50%">
  2819. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2820. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header reduce-bottom-margin" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-dark-gray-color">South of Long Island</mark></h4>
  2821.  
  2822.  
  2823.  
  2824. <iframe title="Offshore wind lease areas (Copy 2)" aria-label="Locator map" id="datawrapper-chart-woU7h" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/woU7h/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="836" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
  2825. </script>
  2826. </div></div>
  2827. </div>
  2828.  
  2829.  
  2830.  
  2831. <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:50%">
  2832. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2833. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header reduce-bottom-margin" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-dark-gray-color">Gulf of Maine</mark></h4>
  2834.  
  2835.  
  2836.  
  2837. <iframe title=" (Copy)" aria-label="Locator map" id="datawrapper-chart-PmkCj" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/PmkCj/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="836" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
  2838. </script>
  2839. </div></div>
  2840. </div>
  2841. </div>
  2842.  
  2843.  
  2844.  
  2845. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  2846. </div></div>
  2847.  
  2848.  
  2849.  
  2850. <p class="has-drop-cap">By sight, the offshore wind industry seems to be moving forward on the East Coast. Gargantuan, bright white turbine towers stand tall against New Bedford’s busy waterfront, and poke above I-95 as cars whiz by over the Thames River in New London. But the future of the industry beyond these active projects is uncertain at best under a hostile Trump administration.&nbsp;</p>
  2851.  
  2852.  
  2853.  
  2854. <p>In late March, Massachusetts announced another delay of contracts between state utilities and two projects that together promise to power more than 1.5 million homes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The state said uncertainty about federal policy was a factor.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
  2855.  
  2856.  
  2857.  
  2858. <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
  2859. <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
  2860. <p>The Trump administration, through executive order, effectively froze new permits for offshore wind in January. That has empowered opponents to mount even more legal challenges to projects — including some in March from <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/nantucket-officials-group-challenge-3-offshore-wind-projects/">Nantucket town officials and activists</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  2861. </div>
  2862.  
  2863.  
  2864.  
  2865. <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
  2866. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2867. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2868. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  2869.  
  2870.  
  2871.  
  2872. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header reduce-bottom-margin">Jump to ↓</h4>
  2873.  
  2874.  
  2875.  
  2876. <h5 class="wp-block-heading" style="font-size:21px;font-style:normal;font-weight:300"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">▸</mark> <a href="#finished">Finished</a><br><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">▸</mark> <a href="#underconstruction">Under construction</a><br><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">▸</mark> <a href="#mostlypermittedpending">Mostly or fully permitted or pending</a><br><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">▸</mark> <a href="#notpermitted">Not permitted</a></h5>
  2877.  
  2878.  
  2879.  
  2880. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  2881. </div></div>
  2882. </div></div>
  2883. </div>
  2884. </div>
  2885.  
  2886.  
  2887.  
  2888. <p>The federal government could pause still-pending projects for at least the next four years, eventually leaving New Bedford and New London’s purpose-built marine terminals empty once again. And in an extreme scenario, the administration could even try to stop the projects that are already under construction.&nbsp;</p>
  2889.  
  2890.  
  2891.  
  2892. <p>Yet Massachusetts is counting on offshore wind to meet its climate goals of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and achieving <a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2050">net-zero</a> emissions (meaning the state offsets or removes as much carbon as it emits) by 2050.&nbsp;</p>
  2893.  
  2894.  
  2895.  
  2896. <p>At The Light, we’re closely tracking these large-scale energy projects that stand to impact New Bedford, its workforce, its economy, and its storied fishing industry. Here’s a rundown of New England projects (plus two south of New York) and where they all stand. Many face legal challenges — and are being scrutinized by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who has been tasked with reviewing whether to amend or even terminate approvals to build these projects.&nbsp;</p>
  2897.  
  2898.  
  2899.  
  2900. <div class="wp-block-group is-style-border" style="padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3eb0ea03 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2901. <div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-right:0rem;padding-left:0rem"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-664b22fb wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2902. <div class="wp-block-group alignfull"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2903. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-secondary-color has-dark-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-ba900895a9d385ceb3f9da45dc2b8816" id="finished">Finished</h2>
  2904. </div></div>
  2905.  
  2906.  
  2907.  
  2908. <div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-743c6fa1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2909. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>South Fork Wind</strong></p>
  2910.  
  2911.  
  2912.  
  2913. <p><strong>Size: </strong>12 turbines, 130 megawatts, power for up to 70,000 homes in New York</p>
  2914.  
  2915.  
  2916.  
  2917. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Orsted</p>
  2918.  
  2919.  
  2920.  
  2921. <p><strong>Status</strong>: Completed. The project started sending power to New York in December 2023 and achieved full power by March 2024.&nbsp;</p>
  2922.  
  2923.  
  2924.  
  2925. <p><strong>Litigation</strong>: A Rhode Island group opposed to offshore wind, Green Oceans, <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68164402/green-oceans-v-united-states-department-of-the-interior/">sued the federal government in 2024</a> over its approval of South Fork Wind and another Orsted project, Revolution Wind.</p>
  2926.  
  2927.  
  2928.  
  2929. <p><strong>Lease </strong><strong>OCS-A 0517</strong><strong>: </strong>$3,838,288 (that figure also accounts for Revolution Wind)&nbsp;</p>
  2930.  
  2931.  
  2932.  
  2933. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: East Hampton, New York</p>
  2934.  
  2935.  
  2936.  
  2937. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#windtrackertop"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Back to top ↑</mark></a></h4>
  2938. </div></div>
  2939. </div></div>
  2940. </div></div>
  2941.  
  2942.  
  2943.  
  2944. <div class="wp-block-group is-style-border" style="padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3eb0ea03 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2945. <div class="wp-block-group alignfull"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2946. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-dark-gray-background-color has-background" id="underconstruction"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-secondary-color">Under construction&nbsp;</mark></h2>
  2947. </div></div>
  2948.  
  2949.  
  2950.  
  2951. <div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-743c6fa1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  2952. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Vineyard Wind 1</strong></p>
  2953.  
  2954.  
  2955.  
  2956. <p><strong>Size: </strong>62 turbines, 800 megawatts, power for up to 400,000 homes in Massachusetts</p>
  2957.  
  2958.  
  2959.  
  2960. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Avangrid and Vineyard Offshore</p>
  2961.  
  2962.  
  2963.  
  2964. <p><strong>Status</strong>: Under construction. As of July, the project was nearly at <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/vineyard-wind-nears-30-power-production/">30% operation</a>, sending power from 17 turbines. Altogether, about 40 of the 62 turbines were in the water.&nbsp; Because of the <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/vineyard-wind-turbine-blade-sustains-damage-offshore/">blade failure</a> in summer 2024, the developer is <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/vineyard-wind-suspension-order-lifted-ahead-of-trump-term/">required to remove blades</a> from 22 turbines.</p>
  2965.  
  2966.  
  2967.  
  2968. <p><strong>New Bedford’s involvement:</strong> The project has <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/mixed-jobs-report-from-vineyard-wind-in-year-3/">employed nearly 2,900 people</a> at various lengths of time as of last fall, including union workers operating out of New Bedford, who offload and stage the major turbine components in the port. Vineyard Wind has also paid the state <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/masscec-pays-10m-for-new-bedford-parcels-signs-southcoast-wind-as-tenant/">tens of millions</a> in rent to lease the MassCEC terminal.&nbsp;</p>
  2969.  
  2970.  
  2971.  
  2972. <p><strong>Litigation and other challenges: &nbsp;</strong>The fishing industry and a conservative think tank lost their court cases challenging the federal government's approval of Vineyard Wind. In May, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected their <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/fishing-industry-asks-supreme-court-to-hear-case-against-vineyard-wind/">petitions</a>. Nantucket-based activist group ACK for Whales has <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/nantucket-officials-group-challenge-3-offshore-wind-projects/">filed petitions</a> with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the <a href="https://nantucket-current.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/assets/Discretionary-Petition-to-BOEM-to-rescind-revised-COP-VW1-2-Final.pdf">Interior Department</a>, asking the agencies to revoke project permits and approvals.</p>
  2973.  
  2974.  
  2975.  
  2976. <p><strong>Lease </strong><strong>OCS-A 0501</strong><strong>: </strong>$135,100,000 (includes Vineyard Wind 2 lease)</p>
  2977.  
  2978.  
  2979.  
  2980. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: Barnstable, Massachusetts</p>
  2981.  
  2982.  
  2983.  
  2984. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  2985.  
  2986.  
  2987.  
  2988. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Sunrise Wind</strong></p>
  2989.  
  2990.  
  2991.  
  2992. <p><strong>Size: </strong>84 turbines, 924 megawatts, power for 600,000 homes in New York.&nbsp;</p>
  2993.  
  2994.  
  2995.  
  2996. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Orsted</p>
  2997.  
  2998.  
  2999.  
  3000. <p><strong>Status</strong>: Under construction. The project is fully permitted and is in the early stages of offshore construction after completing much of the onshore infrastructure. In March, Orsted completed subsea “horizontal” drilling in order to lay cable. At this time, there are no turbine components installed.</p>
  3001.  
  3002.  
  3003.  
  3004. <p><strong>Challenges:</strong> Orsted took more than a half-billion dollar impairment on the project due to supply chain issues and delays. The company expects Sunrise Wind to be operational in 2027.</p>
  3005.  
  3006.  
  3007.  
  3008. <p><strong>Lease OCS-A</strong><strong> 0487</strong><strong>: </strong>$3.8 million (that figure also accounts for Revolution Wind)</p>
  3009.  
  3010.  
  3011.  
  3012. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: Long Island, New York</p>
  3013.  
  3014.  
  3015.  
  3016. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  3017.  
  3018.  
  3019.  
  3020. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" id="empirewind1" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Empire Wind 1</strong></p>
  3021.  
  3022.  
  3023.  
  3024. <p><strong>Size: </strong>54 turbines, 810 megawatts, power for 500,000 homes in New York&nbsp;</p>
  3025.  
  3026.  
  3027.  
  3028. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Equinor</p>
  3029.  
  3030.  
  3031.  
  3032. <p><strong>Status</strong>: Under construction. The project resumed construction in late May after the Trump administration <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/equinor-says-us-lifts-stop-work-order-new-york-offshore-wind-farm-2025-05-19/">lifted its stop work order</a>. In April, the developer was moving rocks on the seafloor to create stable bases for the turbine foundations when the Interior Department ordered a pause to construction, vaguely citing a <a href="https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/offshore-wind/empire-equinor-interior-review-halt">NOAA report that it refused to release</a> to the public or the developer. Pile driving of turbine foundations was scheduled to begin in May, before the construction ban was issued. Equinor still expects the project to be operational by 2027; construction at the staging terminal in Brooklyn continues. The second phase, Empire Wind 2, has <a href="https://www.empirewind.com/2024/01/03/empire-wind-2-offshore-wind-project-announces-reset-seeks-new-offtake-opportunities/">been in limbo</a> since early 2024 after developers scrapped the plan.</p>
  3033.  
  3034.  
  3035.  
  3036. <p><strong>Challenges:</strong> Opponents based on Long Island have <a href="https://save-the-east-coast.org/petition-to-reopen-empire-wind-clean-air-permit/">petitioned the U.S. EPA</a> to rescind the project’s Clean Air Permit, as the agency did recently for a New Jersey project. In June, opposition groups <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70447072/protect-our-coast-nj-v-united-states-of-america/">sued the federal government</a> over the project; they are asking the Interior Department to reinstate its stop-work order.</p>
  3037.  
  3038.  
  3039.  
  3040. <p><strong>Impacts under Trump: </strong>Citing Trump’s memorandum freezing offshore wind permitting and ordering a project-wide review, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on April 16 directed BOEM to order that Empire Wind 1 cease all construction activity “until further review of information that suggests the Biden administration rushed through its approval without sufficient analysis.” The move was celebrated by offshore wind opponents and the <a href="https://rodafisheries.org/statement-on-empire-wind/">fishing industry</a>. But on May 19, the administration lifted the ban. Equinor executives said the company was losing about <a href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/how-trump-pushed-empire-wind-to-the-brink-of-collapse/">$50 million per week</a> under the freeze, and threatened project cancellation if the ban continued much longer.</p>
  3041.  
  3042.  
  3043.  
  3044. <p><strong>Lease </strong><strong>OCS-A 0512</strong><strong>: </strong>$42,500,000 (also covered Empire Wind 2, a project developers <a href="https://www.workboat.com/wind/first-power-from-vineyard-wind-as-empire-wind-2-agreement-is-cancelled">canceled</a> in 2024)&nbsp;</p>
  3045.  
  3046.  
  3047.  
  3048. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: Brooklyn, New York</p>
  3049.  
  3050.  
  3051.  
  3052. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#windtrackertop"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Back to top ↑</mark></a></h4>
  3053. </div></div>
  3054. </div></div>
  3055.  
  3056.  
  3057.  
  3058. <div class="wp-block-group is-style-border" style="padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3eb0ea03 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3059. <div class="wp-block-group alignfull has-dark-gray-background-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3060. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="mostlypermittedpending"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-secondary-color">Mostly or fully permitted and pending</mark></h2>
  3061. </div></div>
  3062.  
  3063.  
  3064.  
  3065. <div class="wp-block-group is-style-default" style="padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-743c6fa1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3066. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Revolution Wind</strong></p>
  3067.  
  3068.  
  3069.  
  3070. <p><strong>Size</strong>: 65 turbines, 704 megawatts, power up to 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island&nbsp;</p>
  3071.  
  3072.  
  3073.  
  3074. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Orsted</p>
  3075.  
  3076.  
  3077.  
  3078. <p><strong>Status</strong>: Under construction for more than one year, the work offshore has been halted under a stop work order from BOEM, issued on Aug. 22. As of late August, about 70% of the turbines had been installed.&nbsp;</p>
  3079.  
  3080.  
  3081.  
  3082. <p><strong>Challenges</strong>: BOEM issued a stop work order on the project, citing national security concerns and other “concerns that have arisen” during the project-wide review ordered by Trump’s Jan. 20 wind memo. Delays resulting from this are likely to raise project costs significantly, as happened with Empire Wind, which experienced a monthlong halt.&nbsp;</p>
  3083.  
  3084.  
  3085.  
  3086. <p><strong>Litigation</strong>: A Rhode Island group opposed to offshore wind, Green Oceans, sued the federal government in 2024 over its approval of Revolution Wind and South Fork Wind. The Preservation Society of Newport County, which owns many mansions and properties along Newport’s waterfront, is also suing the federal government over Revolution Wind.</p>
  3087.  
  3088.  
  3089.  
  3090. <p><strong>Lease OCS-A 0486</strong>: $3,838,288 (that figure also accounts for South Fork Wind)</p>
  3091.  
  3092.  
  3093.  
  3094. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: North Kingstown, Rhode Island<br></p>
  3095.  
  3096.  
  3097.  
  3098. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  3099.  
  3100.  
  3101.  
  3102. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>New England Wind 1 and 2</strong></p>
  3103.  
  3104.  
  3105.  
  3106. <p><strong>Size: </strong>Up to 2,600 megawatts, power for 900,000 homes in Massachusetts&nbsp;</p>
  3107.  
  3108.  
  3109.  
  3110. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Avangrid</p>
  3111.  
  3112.  
  3113.  
  3114. <p><strong>Status</strong>: The project is fully permitted at the federal level. It requires a finalized power purchase agreement with Massachusetts utilities, which has been delayed due to uncertainty created by Trump’s wind memo. In June, the state’s deadline to file contracts with the developers was pushed again, this time to <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-power-contracts-delayed-again-to-2026/">February 2026</a>. The deadline to execute the contracts is Dec. 31 of this year.</p>
  3115.  
  3116.  
  3117.  
  3118. <p><strong>New Bedford’s involvement:</strong> The project plans to house its long-term operations and maintenance hub in New Bedford. Contingent on the project moving forward, the Danish company, Liftra, also plans to establish a crane manufacturing facility in the city.&nbsp;</p>
  3119.  
  3120.  
  3121.  
  3122. <p><strong>Challenges:</strong> ACK for Whales filed a petition with the U.S. EPA in March, requesting the agency <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/nantucket-officials-group-challenge-3-offshore-wind-projects/">rescind the Clean Air Act permit</a> it granted to New England Wind to construct and operate its offshore wind farm. In April, Barnstable-based group Save Greater Dowses Beach petitioned the EPA to conduct an additional review for the already approved project, citing concerns an expanded substation on land could <a href="https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/environment/2024/10/27/barnstable-town-council-save-greater-dowses-beach-avangrid-new-england-wind-2-commonwealth-wind/75844469007/">harm the aquifer</a> – the community’s source of drinking water. In May, ACK for Whales, Green Oceans, charter fishing groups and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70378632/ack-for-whales-inc-v-united-states-department-of-commerce/">sued the federal government; they are</a> asking the court to vacate agency approvals for the project.</p>
  3123.  
  3124.  
  3125.  
  3126. <p><strong>Lease OCS-A </strong><strong>0534</strong><strong>, 0561: </strong>$135,100,000 (part of the Vineyard Wind 1 lease purchase)</p>
  3127.  
  3128.  
  3129.  
  3130. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: Barnstable, Massachusetts</p>
  3131.  
  3132.  
  3133.  
  3134. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  3135.  
  3136.  
  3137.  
  3138. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>SouthCoast Wind</strong></p>
  3139.  
  3140.  
  3141.  
  3142. <p><strong>Size: </strong>Up to 141 turbines, up to 2,400 megawatts, power 840,000 homes in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.</p>
  3143.  
  3144.  
  3145.  
  3146. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Ocean Winds</p>
  3147.  
  3148.  
  3149.  
  3150. <p><strong>Status:</strong> The 2029 start date gives the project a few years to obtain requisite approvals. The project received all of its major <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/biden-team-oks-another-wind-project-off-marthas-vineyard/">federal permits on Jan. 17</a>, just before Trump took office. However, it still requires a key permit from NOAA Fisheries to incidentally harm marine mammals. It also requires a finalized power purchase agreement with Massachusetts utilities, which has been delayed due to uncertainty created by Trump’s wind memo. In June, the state’s deadline to file contracts with the developers was pushed again, this time to <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-power-contracts-delayed-again-to-2026/">February 2026</a>. The deadline to execute the contracts is Dec. 31 of this year.&nbsp;</p>
  3151.  
  3152.  
  3153.  
  3154. <p><strong>New Bedford’s involvement:</strong> In 2029, the project plans to begin staging its turbine components for offshore installation out of New Bedford. It also intends to use the city, particularly the Foss terminal, for its operations and maintenance hub.&nbsp;</p>
  3155.  
  3156.  
  3157.  
  3158. <p><strong>Impacts under Trump: </strong>The project’s parent company wrote down the value of its U.S. offshore wind projects by almost $300 million in February, acknowledging SouthCoast Wind could be <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/southcoast-winds-value-declines-due-to-trumps-opposition/">delayed by four years</a> under the Trump administration. The federal government’s project tracker lists June 2025 as an estimated completion date for permitting. However, as long as the memorandum freezing all offshore wind activity continues, the project will be unable to obtain needed approvals, including that NOAA Fisheries permit.</p>
  3159.  
  3160.  
  3161.  
  3162. <p><strong>Litigation:</strong> The <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/nantucket-officials-group-challenge-3-offshore-wind-projects/">Town of Nantucket sued</a> the Department of the Interior and BOEM in late March, requesting that the government “set aside” its record of decision approving SouthCoast Wind. Nantucket officials want the government to restart its environmental review — a process that took more than three years to complete.</p>
  3163.  
  3164.  
  3165.  
  3166. <p><strong>Lease OCS-A 0521: </strong>$135,000,000</p>
  3167.  
  3168.  
  3169.  
  3170. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: Somerset and possibly Falmouth, Massachusetts, for the second stage of project construction.&nbsp;</p>
  3171.  
  3172.  
  3173.  
  3174. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#windtrackertop"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Back to top ↑</mark></a></h4>
  3175. </div></div>
  3176. </div></div>
  3177.  
  3178.  
  3179.  
  3180. <div class="wp-block-group is-style-border" style="padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3eb0ea03 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3181. <div class="wp-block-group alignfull no-vertical-margin has-dark-gray-background-color has-background"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3182. <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="notpermitted"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-secondary-color">Not permitted</mark></h2>
  3183. </div></div>
  3184.  
  3185.  
  3186.  
  3187. <div class="wp-block-group" style="padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-743c6fa1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3188. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Beacon Wind</strong></p>
  3189.  
  3190.  
  3191.  
  3192. <p><strong>Size: </strong>Up to 155 turbines, 2,400 megawatts, power for 850,000 homes in New York</p>
  3193.  
  3194.  
  3195.  
  3196. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>BP</p>
  3197.  
  3198.  
  3199.  
  3200. <p><strong>Status</strong>: Aside from requiring major federal permits, the project also needs a contract with New York to purchase its power.&nbsp;</p>
  3201.  
  3202.  
  3203.  
  3204. <p><strong>Impacts under Trump: </strong>BP withdrew applications for state permits, <a href="https://heatmap.news/energy/trump-offshore-wind">Heatmap News reported</a> in February. The project has zero out of 11 requisite federal permits, per the government’s permit tracker. Permitting has been paused as the company requested more time to submit plans for review.&nbsp;</p>
  3205.  
  3206.  
  3207.  
  3208. <p><strong>Lease</strong><strong> OCS-A 0520</strong><strong>: </strong>$135,000,000&nbsp;</p>
  3209.  
  3210.  
  3211.  
  3212. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: Queens, New York</p>
  3213.  
  3214.  
  3215.  
  3216. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  3217.  
  3218.  
  3219.  
  3220. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Vineyard Wind 2</strong></p>
  3221.  
  3222.  
  3223.  
  3224. <p><strong>Size</strong>: Up to 1,200 megawatts, power for 650,000 homes&nbsp;</p>
  3225.  
  3226.  
  3227.  
  3228. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Vineyard Offshore</p>
  3229.  
  3230.  
  3231.  
  3232. <p><strong>Status</strong>: The project requires several federal approvals, as well as agreements with state(s) to purchase the project’s power. The project is in limbo after Connecticut declined to join Massachusetts in purchasing 400 megawatts of power.</p>
  3233.  
  3234.  
  3235.  
  3236. <p><strong>New Bedford’s involvement:</strong> The project plans to house its long-term operations and maintenance hub in New Bedford.&nbsp;</p>
  3237.  
  3238.  
  3239.  
  3240. <p><strong>Impacts under Trump:</strong> Vineyard Offshore, the project’s parent company, cut 50 positions across three projects in February, citing “recent market uncertainties.”</p>
  3241.  
  3242.  
  3243.  
  3244. <p><strong>Lease OCS-A 0522: </strong>$135,100,000 (part of Vineyard Wind 1 purchase)</p>
  3245.  
  3246.  
  3247.  
  3248. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: Most likely New London, Connecticut. Alternative landing sites include Westport, Massachusetts, but company officials said at a February public meeting in the town that they do not intend to land the cables in Westport.</p>
  3249.  
  3250.  
  3251.  
  3252. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  3253.  
  3254.  
  3255.  
  3256. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Vineyard Mid-Atlantic aka Excelsior Wind</strong></p>
  3257.  
  3258.  
  3259.  
  3260. <p><strong>Size: </strong>undetermined</p>
  3261.  
  3262.  
  3263.  
  3264. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Vineyard Offshore</p>
  3265.  
  3266.  
  3267.  
  3268. <p><strong>Status</strong>: Aside from requiring major federal permits, the project also needs a contract with New York to purchase its power.&nbsp;</p>
  3269.  
  3270.  
  3271.  
  3272. <p><strong>Impacts under Trump: </strong>BOEM canceled a series of public meetings to discuss environmental impact studies for the project. Vineyard Offshore cut 50 positions across three projects in February, citing “recent market uncertainties.”</p>
  3273.  
  3274.  
  3275.  
  3276. <p><strong>Lease OCS-A 0544: </strong>$<a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-harris-administration-sets-offshore-energy-records-437-billion-winning-bids-wind">285,000, 000</a></p>
  3277.  
  3278.  
  3279.  
  3280. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: Long Island, New York (Jones Beach)</p>
  3281.  
  3282.  
  3283.  
  3284. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  3285.  
  3286.  
  3287.  
  3288. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Starboard Wind</strong></p>
  3289.  
  3290.  
  3291.  
  3292. <p><strong>Size: </strong>About 1,200 megawatts, power for up to 600,000 homes</p>
  3293.  
  3294.  
  3295.  
  3296. <p><strong>Owner: </strong>Orsted</p>
  3297.  
  3298.  
  3299.  
  3300. <p><strong>Status</strong>: Aside from requiring major federal permits, the project also needs a contract with New York to purchase its power. It was formerly called Bay State Wind.&nbsp;</p>
  3301.  
  3302.  
  3303.  
  3304. <p><strong>Challenges: </strong>New England states <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2024/09/15/connecticut-misses-offshore-wind-solicitation/">did not bid on the project</a> during the last solicitation round in 2024. An Orsted spokesperson in April said the company will continue to evaluate future opportunities for the project.</p>
  3305.  
  3306.  
  3307.  
  3308. <p><strong>Lease OCS-A 0500</strong>: $281,000</p>
  3309.  
  3310.  
  3311.  
  3312. <p><strong>Cable landing</strong>: unknown</p>
  3313.  
  3314.  
  3315.  
  3316. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>
  3317.  
  3318.  
  3319.  
  3320. <p class="has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin neue-haas-grotesk-light" style="font-size:29px"><strong>Gulf of Maine leases</strong></p>
  3321.  
  3322.  
  3323.  
  3324. <p>Beyond these projects, two developers bid on four lease areas in the Gulf of Maine, east and northeast of Cape Cod, in October 2024. These projects are far off, in large part because they require floating wind turbines, a technology that needs more time to develop.&nbsp;</p>
  3325.  
  3326.  
  3327.  
  3328. <h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="#windtrackertop"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Back to top ↑</mark></a></h4>
  3329. </div></div>
  3330. </div></div>
  3331.  
  3332.  
  3333.  
  3334. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  3335. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  3336. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow">
  3337. <h4 class="wp-block-heading section-header" id="related-stories" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/anastasia-e-lennon/"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">More stories by Anastasia E. Lennon</mark></a></h4>
  3338.  
  3339.  
  3340. </div></div>
  3341. </div></div>
  3342. </div></div>
  3343.  
  3344.  
  3345.  
  3346. <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>
  3347. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-tracker-whats-happening-to-massachusetts-projects/">Our offshore wind tracker: What’s new with wind projects off Massachusetts and beyond?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  3348. ]]></content:encoded>
  3350. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/offshore-wind-tracker-whats-happening-to-massachusetts-projects/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  3351. <slash:comments>14</slash:comments>
  3354. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">154354</post-id> </item>
  3355. <item>
  3356. <title>New Bedford thrift stores offer more than just clothes</title>
  3357. <link>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-thrift-stores-offer-more-than-just-clothes/</link>
  3358. <comments>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-thrift-stores-offer-more-than-just-clothes/#comments</comments>
  3360. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Avary Amaral]]></dc:creator>
  3361. <pubDate>Sun, 24 Aug 2025 23:49:34 +0000</pubDate>
  3362. <category><![CDATA[2025 Summer Interns]]></category>
  3363. <category><![CDATA[Ask The Light]]></category>
  3364. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://newbedfordlight.org/?p=172321</guid>
  3365.  
  3366. <description><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="613" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C613&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C180&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C613&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C460&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C920&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1226&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C719&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1198&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C467&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C479&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C240&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C423&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C613&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="170850" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothingnb-5/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1533&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1533" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1752422849&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;53&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothingNB-5" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;A $5 sale sign on a rack of shirts at Audley Bodden&#8217;s thrift store, GRAB DAT B4 U MISS DAT. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3367. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A $5 sale sign on a rack of shirts at Audley Bodden&#8217;s thrift store, GRAB DAT B4 U MISS DAT. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3368. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C180&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C467&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  3369. <p>The Light visited five local thrift stores to find quality threads for affordable prices — and to understand how their owners and volunteers help stitch the community together.</p>
  3370. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-thrift-stores-offer-more-than-just-clothes/">New Bedford thrift stores offer more than just clothes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  3371. ]]></description>
  3372. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img width="1024" height="613" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C613&amp;ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?w=2560&amp;ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C180&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C613&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C460&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C920&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1226&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C719&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1198&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C467&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C479&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C240&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C423&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C613&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="170850" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothingnb-5/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1533&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1533" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1752422849&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;53&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothingNB-5" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;A $5 sale sign on a rack of shirts at Audley Bodden&#8217;s thrift store, GRAB DAT B4 U MISS DAT. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3373. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A $5 sale sign on a rack of shirts at Audley Bodden&#8217;s thrift store, GRAB DAT B4 U MISS DAT. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3374. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C180&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-5-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C467&amp;ssl=1" /></figure>
  3375. <p class="has-drop-cap">New Bedford’s network of thrift stores offer more than just affordable, stylish clothes: each shop serves a broader mission.</p>
  3376.  
  3377.  
  3378.  
  3379. <p>Clothes as low as $1 offer a cheaper alternative to brand-name shopping. With the cost of clothing anticipated to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025/jun/26/clothing-prices-rise-us-trump-tariffs-h-and-m">increase</a> due to tariffs, and the average cost of apparel for women already more than <a href="https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/apparel-data-in-fashion.htm">$600 a year</a>, these deals help many New Bedford residents.</p>
  3380.  
  3381.  
  3382.  
  3383. <div class="wp-block-group alignright"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3384. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3385. <figure class="wp-block-image alignwide size-large"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/ask-the-light/"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="181" data-attachment-id="136165" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/ask-the-light/ask-the-light-logo-wide/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C592&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,592" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}" data-image-title="Ask the Light logo wide" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C69&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C181&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide.jpg?resize=780%2C181&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-136165" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C237&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C69&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C178&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C355&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C473&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C277&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=1568%2C362&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C462&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C92&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C163&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ask-the-Light-logo-wide-1024x237.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /></a></figure>
  3386. </div></div>
  3387.  
  3388.  
  3389.  
  3390. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-small-font-size"><em>This is the latest installment of a series that answers questions about what’s going on in New Bedford. <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/ask-the-light/">Ask the Light your question here</a> and our reporters will look into it for you.</em></p>
  3391. </div></div>
  3392.  
  3393.  
  3394.  
  3395. <p>The Light visited five local thrift stores to discover where to find quality threads for affordable prices and to better understand how these stores — and the owners and volunteers who run them — stitch the community together.&nbsp;</p>
  3396.  
  3397.  
  3398.  
  3399. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">St. Martin’s Episcopal Church: Clothes for growing families</h3>
  3400.  
  3401.  
  3402.  
  3403. <p>Located at 128 Rivet Street, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church thrift store operates out of a tiny rectangular building staffed by volunteers. Between bright purple walls, the majority of items fall between $1-$3. A range of feminine and masculine clothing, shoes, bags, various fabrics, and house decor items are available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.&nbsp;</p>
  3404.  
  3405.  
  3406.  
  3407. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="511" data-attachment-id="170844" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothing2025-1/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1677&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1677" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;4.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754141954&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.00625&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothing2025-1" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;St. Martin&#8217;s thrift store near Rivet St. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3408. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;St. Martin&#8217;s thrift store near Rivet St. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3409. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C197&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C511&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1.jpg?resize=780%2C511&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170844" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C671&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C197&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C503&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1006&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1341&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C786&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1310&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C511&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C524&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C262&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C462&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-1-1024x671.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">St. Martin&#8217;s thrift store near Rivet St. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  3410.  
  3411.  
  3412.  
  3413. <p>Joan Indio, a volunteer at the thrift store, said that the store attracts many regular shoppers. “We have the same mothers come in and then you’ll see the children [as] they grow up,” Indio said.&nbsp;</p>
  3414.  
  3415.  
  3416.  
  3417. <p>“Not many people know about [our store]. It’s usually by word of mouth,” she added.</p>
  3418.  
  3419.  
  3420.  
  3421. <p>Indio remembered one great deal, where a mother was able to buy a bag of UGG boots valued at around $1,000 for her two daughters. The price? $80.</p>
  3422.  
  3423.  
  3424.  
  3425. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="484" data-attachment-id="170845" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothing2025-3/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1589&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1589" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754142731&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothing2025-3" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The bright purple walls welcome visitors to the St. Martin&#8217;s thrift store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3426. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The bright purple walls welcome visitors to the St. Martin&#8217;s thrift store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3427. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C186&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C484&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3.jpg?resize=780%2C484&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170845" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C636&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C186&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C477&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C954&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1271&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C745&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1242&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C484&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C497&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C248&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C438&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-3-1024x636.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The bright purple walls welcome visitors to the St. Martin&#8217;s thrift store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  3428.  
  3429.  
  3430.  
  3431. <p>Before the store shifts to a different set of clothes for the summer and fall seasons, St. Martin’s does a “fill a bag” sale. Normally at the start of September and April, customers can buy a bag full of clothes for $2.&nbsp;</p>
  3432.  
  3433.  
  3434.  
  3435. <p>All of the money from item sales goes to the church, supporting its food and pet pantry (which also receives support from donors, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and local volunteers). “The philosophy of the church is to serve the community, not to make money,” Indio said. The food and pet pantry is open on the third Saturday of every month from 10 to 11 a.m., and on the last Tuesday of every month from 5 to 6 p.m.&nbsp;</p>
  3436.  
  3437.  
  3438.  
  3439. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sam’s Sanctuary: A former counselor empowers women</h3>
  3440.  
  3441.  
  3442.  
  3443. <p>Johan Santiago stands behind a desk in the corner of Sam’s Sanctuary, her thrift store on the first floor of the Kilburn Mill. Racks of clothing fill up most of the room and are primarily feminine, varying from basics like tank tops and blouses to business clothing, blazers, and dress shirts. Her highest priced item is about $10.&nbsp;</p>
  3444.  
  3445.  
  3446.  
  3447. <p>A massage table hidden behind room dividers hints at the mission that started Santiago’s thrift and retail store: healing.&nbsp;</p>
  3448.  
  3449.  
  3450.  
  3451. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" data-attachment-id="170848" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothingnb-6/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1753633148&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;6400&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothingNB-6" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Johan Santiago sits in a lounge chair next to her coffee making station. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3452. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Johan Santiago sits in a lounge chair next to her coffee making station. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3453. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6.jpg?resize=780%2C520&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170848" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-6-1024x683.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Johan Santiago sits in a lounge chair next to her coffee making station. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  3454.  
  3455.  
  3456.  
  3457. <p>Santiago opened Sam’s Sanctuary to provide a safe space for women to shop, talk, and engage in self-care. With a background in social work, Santiago wanted to infuse her business with the same approach she learned working at the Women’s Center in downtown New Bedford for 12 years as a counselor for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.&nbsp;</p>
  3458.  
  3459.  
  3460.  
  3461. <p>“I saw what people go through and sometimes there’s just the littlest things that can brighten people’s day. Who doesn’t like to shop, right? It’s like retail therapy,” she said.&nbsp;</p>
  3462.  
  3463.  
  3464.  
  3465. <p>During the week, Santiago keeps her store open exclusively for referrals from programs for women in recovery.&nbsp;</p>
  3466.  
  3467.  
  3468.  
  3469. <p>“Their counselors, clinicians, and recovery coaches send me referrals and they get to shop here for free,” she said. “Instead of getting a bag of donations or rummaging through what’s left over, they can come here and it’s more empowering.”&nbsp;</p>
  3470.  
  3471.  
  3472.  
  3473. <p>She has also started to offer massages on her website for a reasonable fee. For the general public, her shop is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.&nbsp;</p>
  3474.  
  3475.  
  3476.  
  3477. <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
  3478. <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
  3479. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" data-attachment-id="170852" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothingnb-1/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1707,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;5.6&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1752421847&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;4000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.025&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothingNB-1" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Mannequin at Sam&#8217;s Sanctuary sports a summer dress. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3480. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Mannequin at Sam&#8217;s Sanctuary sports a summer dress. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3481. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?fit=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170852" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C3000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C1170&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C1059&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-scaled.jpg?w=1560&amp;ssl=1 1560w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-1-683x1024.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mannequin at Sam&#8217;s Sanctuary sports a summer dress. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  3482. </div>
  3483.  
  3484.  
  3485.  
  3486. <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
  3487. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" data-attachment-id="170854" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothingnb-3/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="1707,2560" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1752421915&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;2500&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothingNB-3" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Sam&#8217;s Sanctuary is on the first floor of Kilburn Mill. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3488. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Sam&#8217;s Sanctuary is on the first floor of Kilburn Mill. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light &lt;/p&gt;
  3489. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?fit=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170854" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1365w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C3000&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C1170&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C600&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C1059&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-scaled.jpg?w=1560&amp;ssl=1 1560w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-3-683x1024.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sam&#8217;s Sanctuary is on the first floor of Kilburn Mill. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light </figcaption></figure>
  3490. </div>
  3491. </div>
  3492.  
  3493.  
  3494.  
  3495. <p>Community is a founding pillar for Sam’s Sanctuary, Santiago said. The title of the store is made of the first letters of the names of her children: Sky, Antonio, and Marcel. The racks that hold all of her clothes were donated by small business owners. One volunteer from another thrift store in the Kilburn Mill, GRAB DAT B4 U MISS DAT, even stops by Sam’s Sanctuary before her shift to shop and chat.</p>
  3496.  
  3497.  
  3498.  
  3499. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">GRAB DAT B4 U MISS DAT: Wiser, more fun, and more affordable</h3>
  3500.  
  3501.  
  3502.  
  3503. <p>Audley Bodden owns <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grabdat.b4umissdat.preowned.co/?hl=en">GRAB DAT B4 U MISS DAT</a>, a secondhand clothing shop, and Green Miles Properties LLC, a local affordable housing development company. Through these businesses, Bodden focuses on providing affordability for New Bedford on two fronts, clothing and housing.&nbsp;</p>
  3504.  
  3505.  
  3506.  
  3507. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="563" data-attachment-id="170849" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothingnb-7/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1847&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1847" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1753633776&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.01&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothingNB-7" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;Audley Bodden poses next to the swimsuit and dress section towards the back of his store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3508. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Audley Bodden poses next to the swimsuit and dress section towards the back of his store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3509. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C216&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C563&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7.jpg?resize=780%2C563&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170849" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C739&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C216&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C554&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1108&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1478&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C866&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1443&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C563&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C577&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C289&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C509&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-7-1024x739.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Audley Bodden poses next to the swimsuit and dress section towards the back of his store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  3510.  
  3511.  
  3512.  
  3513. <p>GRAB DAT B4 U MISS DAT is a large space on the Kilburn Mill’s first floor, housing both feminine and masculine clothing. By the entrance, a small area displays a few pieces of house decor and a bookshelf filled with novels for sale. There are sections in the back of the shop for shoes, bags, and children’s clothes. Bodden’s items range from $3 to $20.&nbsp;</p>
  3514.  
  3515.  
  3516.  
  3517. <p>His motivation to start a thrift store came from helping a friend discard unwanted items. During the move, Bodden considered where the bags upon bags of clothing, some brand-new with tags, would end up. To prevent the clothes from going to waste, he decided to resell them.&nbsp; “As a young person I couldn’t afford certain things. And I was like, you know what, this is a great opportunity to help someone save money,” he said.</p>
  3518.  
  3519.  
  3520.  
  3521. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="476" data-attachment-id="170851" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothingnb-4/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1564&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1564" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1752422827&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;33&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;1000&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.033333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothingNB-4" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;T-shirts fill up the center of Bodden&#8217;s store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3522. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;T-shirts fill up the center of Bodden&#8217;s store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3523. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C183&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C476&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4.jpg?resize=780%2C476&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170851" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C625&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C183&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C469&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C938&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1251&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C733&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1222&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C476&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C489&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C244&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C431&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-4-1024x625.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">T-shirts fill up the center of Bodden&#8217;s store. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  3524.  
  3525.  
  3526.  
  3527. <p>Bodden finds fulfillment in his shop, Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., witnessing the customers’ excitement when they come across a good find. “A lot of individuals come in here and find an outfit for under 20 bucks. I hear people scream, ‘Ah yes! My mom used to have that!’”&nbsp;</p>
  3528.  
  3529.  
  3530.  
  3531. <p>He wears a light grin and talks about how he would like to start a podcast. He shared that he would use the format to have conversations about navigating life with the young adults who visit his shop.&nbsp; “We should be excited and happy about growing and seeing all the beautiful changes that’s taken place — and the bad ones too! I love the idea of growing old and becoming wiser. It’s fun for me,” he said.</p>
  3532.  
  3533.  
  3534.  
  3535. <p>Recently, Bodden’s housing development company received the okay to convert an old sweets shop on Ashley Boulevard into affordable apartment units.</p>
  3536.  
  3537.  
  3538.  
  3539. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Gates of Hope/Blue Anchor Provisions: Clothes that support hunger-relief</h3>
  3540.  
  3541.  
  3542.  
  3543. <p>Close by, <a href="https://www.gatesofhopeinc.org/">Gates of Hope</a>, a faith-based and hunger-relief organization, offers affordable clothing at its Blue Anchor Provisions thrift store, located in the basement of the Kilburn Mill.&nbsp;</p>
  3544.  
  3545.  
  3546.  
  3547. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="520" data-attachment-id="170862" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothingnb-8/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1753634194&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;800&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.05&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothingNB-8" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The Blue Anchor Provisions thrift store hangs signs throughout the mill directing visitors how to reach them, naming themselves the &#8220;home of the dollar deals.&#8221; Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3548. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Blue Anchor Provisions thrift store hangs signs throughout the mill directing visitors how to reach them, naming themselves the &#8220;home of the dollar deals.&#8221; Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3549. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8.jpg?resize=780%2C520&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170862" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothingNB-8-1024x683.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Blue Anchor Provisions thrift store hangs signs throughout the mill directing visitors how to reach them, naming themselves the &#8220;home of the dollar deals.&#8221; Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  3550.  
  3551.  
  3552.  
  3553. <p>Clothing items are $1, shoes are $3, and the knick-knacks, which overtake multiple display tables, are 50 cents. The thrift store also offers belts, purses, jewelry, home decor, and other funky odds and ends, all at comparable prices. Sequin-covered dresses hang from racks in the back and a hodgepodge of various clothing items overflow from baskets.&nbsp;</p>
  3554.  
  3555.  
  3556.  
  3557. <p>Faith Bonjovi, the president of the Fall River-based Gates of Hope, said that when the organization moved in, it found itself with a bunch of clothing filling up the space but no funds to pay the rent. “We figured, we have all these clothes that were intended for a thrift store anyway. Why not start our own?”</p>
  3558.  
  3559.  
  3560.  
  3561. <p>The thrift store works as a fundraiser for the services that Gates of Hope provides, not just for paying the rent. “The food pantry in Fall River is open to anyone. We also run a pet food pantry out of Fall River and a small pantry in New Bedford with items we have to move quickly, like produce,” Bonjovi said.&nbsp;</p>
  3562.  
  3563.  
  3564.  
  3565. <p>The thrift store is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.&nbsp;</p>
  3566.  
  3567.  
  3568.  
  3569. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">First Unitarian Church Thrift Stores: Clothes for a cause</h3>
  3570.  
  3571.  
  3572.  
  3573. <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="488" data-attachment-id="170846" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/affordableclothing2025-4/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1602&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1602" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;3.5&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;Canon EOS 250D&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1754143276&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;28&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;250&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.002&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="AffordableClothing2025-4" data-image-description="&lt;p&gt;The first Unitarian Church&#8217;s thrift store is accessed down the stairs on the back side of the building. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3574. " data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The first Unitarian Church&#8217;s thrift store is accessed down the stairs on the back side of the building. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light&lt;/p&gt;
  3575. " data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C188&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C488&amp;ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4.jpg?resize=780%2C488&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-170846" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C641&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C188&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C481&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C961&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1281&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C751&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1251&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C488&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C501&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C250&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C442&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AffordableClothing2025-4-1024x641.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The first Unitarian Church&#8217;s thrift store is accessed down the stairs on the back side of the building. Credit: Avary Amaral for The New Bedford Light</figcaption></figure>
  3576.  
  3577.  
  3578.  
  3579. <p>The First Unitarian Church thrift store is a social place for its frequent visitors, said Pam Sherman, the store’s coordinator. “We know them by name,” Sherman said.</p>
  3580.  
  3581.  
  3582.  
  3583. <p>Located at 71 8th street, the store is open on Saturdays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s in the basement of the church; customers enter the side of the building and walk through a hallway. Multiple rooms offer feminine and masculine clothing, books, picture frames, plates, cups, and other household items.&nbsp;</p>
  3584.  
  3585.  
  3586.  
  3587. <p>Sherman said that the store was started by a woman who would pick up discarded items around the city to sell.</p>
  3588.  
  3589.  
  3590.  
  3591. <p>The items in the store range from $3-$5, but once in a while Sherman and volunteers will stumble upon antique items. One time they came across an old woven basket from Nantucket made in the 1800s, which they transferred to Marion Antiques, where it sold for $1,000.</p>
  3592.  
  3593.  
  3594.  
  3595. <p>Both the First Unitarian Church and St. Martin’s thrift stores say they often have too many clothes. When clothing is switched out or rotated, both donate the leftover clothing to the Epilepsy Foundation.</p>
  3596.  
  3597.  
  3598.  
  3599. <p><em>Avary Amaral is a summer intern with The New Bedford Light, as part of the South Coast Internship program, designed for local students.</em></p>
  3600.  
  3601.  
  3602.  
  3603. <div class="wp-block-cover no-vertical-margin" style="padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);min-height:332px;aspect-ratio:unset;"><img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="546" data-attachment-id="159401" data-permalink="https://newbedfordlight.org/?attachment_id=159401" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1792&amp;ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1792" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C546&amp;ssl=1" class="wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-159401 size-large" alt="" src="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash.jpg?resize=780%2C546&#038;ssl=1" data-object-fit="cover" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C717&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C210&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C538&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1075&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1434&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C840&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1400&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C546&amp;ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C560&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C280&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C494&amp;ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-scaled.jpg?w=2340&amp;ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/newbedfordlight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/luke-chesser-pJadQetzTkI-unsplash-1024x717.jpg?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim" style="background-color:#2e6b96"></span><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-1f8016a7 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained">
  3604. <p class="has-text-align-center has-large-font-size"></p>
  3605.  
  3606.  
  3607.  
  3608. <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-left reduce-bottom-margin has-white-color has-text-color" id="sign-up-for-free" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:600">Keep The Light shining with your donation.</h2>
  3609.  
  3610.  
  3611.  
  3612. <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
  3613. <div class="wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:33%">
  3614. <div class="wp-block-group"><div class="wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
  3615. <p class="neue-haas-grotesk-roman has-secondary-color has-text-color">As an independent, nonprofit news outlet, we rely on reader support to help fund the kind of in-depth journalism that keeps the public informed and holds the powerful accountable. <strong>Thank you for your support.</strong></p>
  3616. </div></div>
  3617. </div>
  3618.  
  3619.  
  3620.  
  3621. <div class="wp-block-column has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="padding-top:10px;padding-right:10px;padding-bottom:10px;padding-left:10px">
  3622. <div
  3623. class="tiered wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate wpbnbd wpbnbd--frequency-based wpbnbd--platform-wc is-style-modern wpbnbd-frequencies--3 "
  3624. id="68b34b027c80f"
  3625. >
  3626. <form>
  3627. <input type="hidden" name="_wp_http_referer" value="/feed/" /> <input type='hidden' name='newspack_donate' value='1' />
  3628. <input type='hidden' name='donation_currency' value='USD' />
  3629. <input type='hidden' name='frequency_ids' value='{&quot;year&quot;:123247,&quot;month&quot;:123246,&quot;once&quot;:123245}' />
  3630. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_behavior' value='' />
  3631. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_button_label' value='Continue' />
  3632. <input type='hidden' name='after_success_url' value='' />
  3633. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__options'>
  3634. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequencies frequencies'>
  3635. <div role='tablist' class='tab-container'>
  3636. <button
  3637. role='tab'
  3638. type='button'
  3639. aria-controls='tab-panel-once-83703'
  3640. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label wpbnbd__button--active"
  3641. data-tab-id="once-83703"
  3642. id="tab-newspack-donate-once-83703"
  3643. aria-selected='true' >
  3644. One-time </button>
  3645. <button
  3646. role='tab'
  3647. type='button'
  3648. aria-controls='tab-panel-month-83703'
  3649. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label"
  3650. data-tab-id="month-83703"
  3651. id="tab-newspack-donate-month-83703"
  3652. aria-selected='false' >
  3653. Monthly </button>
  3654. <button
  3655. role='tab'
  3656. type='button'
  3657. aria-controls='tab-panel-year-83703'
  3658. class="wpbnbd__button freq-label"
  3659. data-tab-id="year-83703"
  3660. id="tab-newspack-donate-year-83703"
  3661. aria-selected='false' >
  3662. Annually </button>
  3663. </div>
  3664. <div
  3665. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  3666. id='tab-panel-once-83703'
  3667. role='tabpanel'
  3668. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-once-83703'
  3669. >
  3670. <input
  3671. type='radio'
  3672. value='once'
  3673. id='newspack-donate-once-83703'
  3674. name="donation_frequency"
  3675. checked='checked' />
  3676. <label for='newspack-donate-once-83703'>
  3677. One-time </label>
  3678. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  3679. <div
  3680. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  3681. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:9,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3682. >
  3683. <input
  3684. type='radio'
  3685. name='donation_value_once'
  3686. value='9'
  3687. id='newspack-tier-once-83703-0'
  3688. />
  3689. <label
  3690. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3691. for='newspack-tier-once-83703-0'
  3692. >
  3693. &#036;9 </label>
  3694. </div>
  3695. <div
  3696. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  3697. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:20,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3698. >
  3699. <input
  3700. type='radio'
  3701. name='donation_value_once'
  3702. value='20'
  3703. id='newspack-tier-once-83703-1'
  3704. checked='checked' />
  3705. <label
  3706. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3707. for='newspack-tier-once-83703-1'
  3708. >
  3709. &#036;20 </label>
  3710. </div>
  3711. <div
  3712. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  3713. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:90,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3714. >
  3715. <input
  3716. type='radio'
  3717. name='donation_value_once'
  3718. value='90'
  3719. id='newspack-tier-once-83703-2'
  3720. />
  3721. <label
  3722. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3723. for='newspack-tier-once-83703-2'
  3724. >
  3725. &#036;90 </label>
  3726. </div>
  3727. <div
  3728. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__once'
  3729. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:20,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123245&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;5.00&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;once&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3730. >
  3731. <input
  3732. type='radio'
  3733. class='other-input'
  3734. name='donation_value_once'
  3735. value='other'
  3736. id='newspack-tier-once-83703-other'
  3737. />
  3738. <label
  3739. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3740. for='newspack-tier-once-83703-other'
  3741. >
  3742. Other </label>
  3743. <label
  3744. class='odl'
  3745. for='newspack-tier-once-83703-other-input'
  3746. >
  3747. Donation amount </label>
  3748. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  3749. <span class='currency'>
  3750. $ </span>
  3751. <input
  3752. type='number'
  3753. min='5'
  3754. name='donation_value_once_other'
  3755. id='newspack-tier-once-83703-other-input'
  3756. step='0.01'
  3757. />
  3758. </div>
  3759. </div>
  3760. </div>
  3761. </div>
  3762.  
  3763. <div
  3764. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  3765. id='tab-panel-month-83703'
  3766. role='tabpanel'
  3767. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-month-83703'
  3768. >
  3769. <input
  3770. type='radio'
  3771. value='month'
  3772. id='newspack-donate-month-83703'
  3773. name="donation_frequency"
  3774. />
  3775. <label for='newspack-donate-month-83703'>
  3776. Monthly </label>
  3777. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  3778. <div
  3779. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  3780. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:7,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3781. >
  3782. <input
  3783. type='radio'
  3784. name='donation_value_month'
  3785. value='7'
  3786. id='newspack-tier-month-83703-0'
  3787. />
  3788. <label
  3789. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3790. for='newspack-tier-month-83703-0'
  3791. >
  3792. &#036;7 </label>
  3793. </div>
  3794. <div
  3795. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  3796. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:15,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3797. >
  3798. <input
  3799. type='radio'
  3800. name='donation_value_month'
  3801. value='15'
  3802. id='newspack-tier-month-83703-1'
  3803. checked='checked' />
  3804. <label
  3805. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3806. for='newspack-tier-month-83703-1'
  3807. >
  3808. &#036;15 </label>
  3809. </div>
  3810. <div
  3811. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  3812. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:30,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3813. >
  3814. <input
  3815. type='radio'
  3816. name='donation_value_month'
  3817. value='30'
  3818. id='newspack-tier-month-83703-2'
  3819. />
  3820. <label
  3821. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3822. for='newspack-tier-month-83703-2'
  3823. >
  3824. &#036;30 </label>
  3825. </div>
  3826. <div
  3827. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__month'
  3828. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:15,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123246&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ month&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ month&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;month&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3829. >
  3830. <input
  3831. type='radio'
  3832. class='other-input'
  3833. name='donation_value_month'
  3834. value='other'
  3835. id='newspack-tier-month-83703-other'
  3836. />
  3837. <label
  3838. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3839. for='newspack-tier-month-83703-other'
  3840. >
  3841. Other </label>
  3842. <label
  3843. class='odl'
  3844. for='newspack-tier-month-83703-other-input'
  3845. >
  3846. Donation amount per month </label>
  3847. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  3848. <span class='currency'>
  3849. $ </span>
  3850. <input
  3851. type='number'
  3852. min='5'
  3853. name='donation_value_month_other'
  3854. id='newspack-tier-month-83703-other-input'
  3855. step='0.01'
  3856. />
  3857. </div>
  3858. </div>
  3859. </div>
  3860. </div>
  3861.  
  3862. <div
  3863. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__frequency frequency'
  3864. id='tab-panel-year-83703'
  3865. role='tabpanel'
  3866. aria-labelledby='tab-newspack-donate-year-83703'
  3867. >
  3868. <input
  3869. type='radio'
  3870. value='year'
  3871. id='newspack-donate-year-83703'
  3872. name="donation_frequency"
  3873. />
  3874. <label for='newspack-donate-year-83703'>
  3875. Annually </label>
  3876. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tiers tiers'>
  3877. <div
  3878. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  3879. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:84,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3880. >
  3881. <input
  3882. type='radio'
  3883. name='donation_value_year'
  3884. value='84'
  3885. id='newspack-tier-year-83703-0'
  3886. />
  3887. <label
  3888. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3889. for='newspack-tier-year-83703-0'
  3890. >
  3891. &#036;84 </label>
  3892. </div>
  3893. <div
  3894. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  3895. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:180,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3896. >
  3897. <input
  3898. type='radio'
  3899. name='donation_value_year'
  3900. value='180'
  3901. id='newspack-tier-year-83703-1'
  3902. checked='checked' />
  3903. <label
  3904. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3905. for='newspack-tier-year-83703-1'
  3906. >
  3907. &#036;180 </label>
  3908. </div>
  3909. <div
  3910. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  3911. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:360,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3912. >
  3913. <input
  3914. type='radio'
  3915. name='donation_value_year'
  3916. value='360'
  3917. id='newspack-tier-year-83703-2'
  3918. />
  3919. <label
  3920. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3921. for='newspack-tier-year-83703-2'
  3922. >
  3923. &#036;360 </label>
  3924. </div>
  3925. <div
  3926. class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__tier donation-tier__year'
  3927. data-checkout='{&quot;amount&quot;:180,&quot;action_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;currency&quot;:&quot;USD&quot;,&quot;product_id&quot;:&quot;123247&quot;,&quot;product_type&quot;:&quot;donation&quot;,&quot;price_summary&quot;:&quot;Donate: &#036;0.00 \/ year&quot;,&quot;summary_template&quot;:&quot;Donate: {{PRICE}} \/ year&quot;,&quot;referrer&quot;:&quot;feed&quot;,&quot;recurrence&quot;:&quot;year&quot;,&quot;variation_id&quot;:&quot;&quot;}'
  3928. >
  3929. <input
  3930. type='radio'
  3931. class='other-input'
  3932. name='donation_value_year'
  3933. value='other'
  3934. id='newspack-tier-year-83703-other'
  3935. />
  3936. <label
  3937. class='tier-select-label tier-label'
  3938. for='newspack-tier-year-83703-other'
  3939. >
  3940. Other </label>
  3941. <label
  3942. class='odl'
  3943. for='newspack-tier-year-83703-other-input'
  3944. >
  3945. Donation amount per year </label>
  3946. <div class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__money-input money-input'>
  3947. <span class='currency'>
  3948. $ </span>
  3949. <input
  3950. type='number'
  3951. min='5'
  3952. name='donation_value_year_other'
  3953. id='newspack-tier-year-83703-other-input'
  3954. step='0.01'
  3955. />
  3956. </div>
  3957. </div>
  3958. </div>
  3959. </div>
  3960.  
  3961. </div>
  3962. </div>
  3963. <p class='wp-block-newspack-blocks-donate__thanks thanks'>
  3964. Your contribution is appreciated. </p>
  3965.  
  3966. <button type='submit' style="border-color: #0071bc; background-color: #0071bc; color: white;">
  3967. DONATE NOW </button>
  3969. </form>
  3970. </div>
  3971. </div>
  3972. </div>
  3973.  
  3974.  
  3975.  
  3976. <div style="height:1px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
  3977. </div></div>
  3978.  
  3979.  
  3980.  
  3981. <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-secondary-color has-dark-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-0ddba7e44bd7d5eb37a57bc2240ff1df"><a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/sign-up/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=homepage&amp;utm_campaign=header"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-secondary-color">Sign up for our newsletters </mark><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#29abe2" class="has-inline-color">⇢</mark></a></h3>
  3982.  
  3983.  
  3984.  
  3985. <div style="height:1px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
  3986. <p>The post <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-thrift-stores-offer-more-than-just-clothes/">New Bedford thrift stores offer more than just clothes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://newbedfordlight.org">The New Bedford Light</a>.</p>
  3987. ]]></content:encoded>
  3989. <wfw:commentRss>https://newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-thrift-stores-offer-more-than-just-clothes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  3990. <slash:comments>12</slash:comments>
  3993. <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">172321</post-id> </item>
  3994. </channel>
  3995. </rss>

If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:

  1. Download the "valid RSS" banner.

  2. Upload the image to your own server. (This step is important. Please do not link directly to the image on this server.)

  3. Add this HTML to your page (change the image src attribute if necessary):

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//newbedfordlight.org/feed/

Home · About · News · Docs · Terms

 
Copyright © 2002-9 Sam Ruby, Mark Pilgrim, Joseph Walton, and Phil Ringnalda