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🌱 What would closing New Bedford’s Ash Street Jail mean for the city?

Hello again New Bedford! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What would closing New Bedford’s Ash Street Jail mean for the city?
  • What police say they found inside a New Bedford apartment safe
  • How could fewer parking spaces actually lower New Bedford property taxes?

Also on today's calendar: Annual Christmas Dinner and Concert and 6 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around New Bedford? Post it to New Bedford photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Windy and not as cold, with a high of 48 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 49, low: 44.
  • Friday: Very windy; rain, with a high of 55 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Sheriff renews plea to close New Bedford's Ash Street Jail (capeandislands.org) — Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux is again pushing to close New Bedford’s aging Ash Street Jail and move about 100 inmates to the main Dartmouth facility, arguing the shift would quickly save taxpayers millions. Mayor Jon Mitchell doesn’t oppose closure but says city budget priorities lie with schools, public safety, and port projects, leaving the jail’s future and potential reuse of the site still uncertain.
   

2. New Bedford Man Arrested After Gun, Drugs Found in Apartment Safe (wbsm.com) — New Bedford police recently searched an apartment on State Street and say they found a handgun, ammunition, and multiple types of narcotics secured in a safe. Officers arrested a 32-year-old city resident at the scene. No injuries were reported, but the case highlights ongoing local enforcement around illegal firearms and drugs.
   

3. Less parking, lower taxes: Council committee advances zoning proposal (newbedfordlight.org) — New Bedford’s ordinance committee has advanced a major zoning change that would cut required parking for new housing and businesses, with supporters arguing it will ease the housing crunch and lower property taxes by boosting development. Councilors also moved forward rules for accessory dwelling units and solar installations, all headed to the full City Council for decisions that could reshape neighborhoods and future construction.
   

4. State awards $1.2M in grants to support fishing industry (southcoasttoday.com) — New Bedford’s fishing industry is getting a major boost, with the New Bedford Port Authority receiving a $250,000 state grant to strengthen the visibility and resilience of local fisheries near offshore wind farms. Part of a $1.2 million statewide package, the funding also supports UMass Dartmouth research and other projects testing new gear and marketing local, sustainable seafood, aiming to keep New Bedford’s fleet competitive for decades.
   

5. Diocese of Fall River fills over 200 'Blessing Bags' for those in need (southcoasttoday.com) — Hundreds of “Blessing Bags” filled with warm clothing, hygiene items, snacks and gift cards are headed to Catholic Charities shelters, including Sr. Rose, Grace House and the Winter Overflow program in New Bedford. Organized by the Diocese of Fall River and local volunteers, the effort aims to bring comfort and a sense of being remembered to shelter guests during the Christmas season.
   

📸 Around New Bedford

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in New Bedford

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📣 New Bedford Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday December 17
  • Pre-K Storytime
    Rita E. Steele Auditorium Millicent Library , 45 Center St , Fairhaven
    10:30 am
  • Open Play Volleyball
    Fairhaven Recreation Department , 227 Huttleston Ave , Fairhaven
    6:00 pm
  • GRIOT’s CORNER for writers
    Underground Railroad Cafe & Gallery , 213 Acushnet Ave , New Bedford
    7:00 pm
    • Thursday December 18
  • Helfand Farm Work Party
    DNRT Main Office (Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust) , 318 Chase Rd , Dartmouth
    9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making New Bedford PatchAM possible:

  • armus mechanical — (508) 521-9477
    Trusted HVAC & Heat Pump Upgrades with Mass Save Rebates

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Does anyone know of a free or low cost veterinary service that can treat my diabetic cat?
    My poor baby is costing me a fortune. $300 - $400 per visit and he needs to be monitored regularly. (Nextdoor Coggshall)
  • I'm looking for an electrician who is highly recommended on here.
    I thought his name was Jason. The switch on my kitchen ceiling fan just broke and needs replacing, just the fan switch. Everything else works fine… (Nextdoor Ruth/Butler)
  • Walgreens posted a job opening for Pharmacy Cashier in New Bedford. Apply here.
  • Southcoast Health System, Inc. posted a job opening for Chief of Police in New Bedford. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near New Bedford here.

Ok New Bedford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in New Bedford

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in New Bedford

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.