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The Independent

partner publisher · 2.6M followers
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Sheriffs across Massachusetts have requested $241 million to repair and renovate their jails

Jail Funding Massachusetts ASSOCIATED PRESS Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux is seeking $27 million in state funding to renovate the Dartmouth House of Correction, so he can close the 148-year-old Ash Street Jail. But Heroux is facing competition from sheriffs across Massachusetts . They’re all seeking a share of limited state funding for major repairs and renovations at their facilities. Among the contenders is a jail even older than Ash Street: the Dukes County jail on Martha’s Vineyard, built in 1873, which needs structural and fire-safety repairs and more space. Essex County seeks to overhaul Middleton jail’s kitchen and dining area, while Worcester County wants to renovate deteriorating jail housing units and demolish a former hospital nurses’ home. Heroux shared his funding proposal with The Light for the first time, providing new details about the work needed to close Ash Street and its estimated cost. Five of the state’s 13 other sheriffs who run jails — Franklin, Berkshire , Dukes, Essex and Worcester — also shared their applications with The Light. Together, the sheriffs have requested about $241 million, far more than the $125 million to $150 million the state expects to allocate through the program. Franklin, Dukes and Essex

Bristol County, MA · 6h

capeandislands.org

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For buyers who stay 15 years, Cape Cod nonprofit condo lottery offers extra boost in home value

A homeownership lottery now open on Cape Cod could give owners an extraordinary boost in their home equity if they stay in the home at least 15 years. The Cape-based nonprofit group Housing Assistance has built 50 condominiums in Hyannis, of which 46 will be sold below market value to middle-income buyers.

Cape Cod And Islands, MA · 12h
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newbedfordguide.com

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New Bedford Fire Watch: “City Budgeted $800K to Pay Firefighters Not to Work While Claiming No Money to Keep Engine 9 Open”

NEW BEDFORD — A local advocacy page is drawing attention to a large increase in the city’s budgeted unemployment compensation costs in the FY2027 budget, arguing the figures show officials planned for firefighter layoffs tied to the proposed closure of Engine Company 9. According to a post from...

New Bedford, MA · 1d
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fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com

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Acushnet’s St. Gelais flips seat from Dem to Rep

Last week’s election results took a little bit longer to count than usual. The Neighb News had to go to print with some races and ballot questions still not decided. Now, 99% of the votes are in. Domestic mailed-in ballots postmarked by 11/3 had to be in by 11/6. Ballots mailed from outside the US have until 11/13 to arrive and still be counted. So counting cannot be finished until after then. The results need to be certified by 11/18.

Acushnet, MA · 2d
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barnstableenews.com

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Mary Dunn Road Line Striping Tentatively Scheduled for Tuesday November 18, 2026

Mary Dunn Road Line Striping Tentatively Scheduled for Tuesday. A contractor working for the Town of Barnstable is anticipated to complete line-striping along the newly paved portion of Mary Dunn Road, specifically south of Independence Drive, Hyannis. Work is anticipated to take one day to complete. Here’s What Residents and...

Barnstable, MA · 23h

Cape Cod Chronicle

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Our View: Move Forward With Sea Camps

The more than $1.7 million that Brewster voters will be asked to spend on capital improvements to the Sea Camps bay property at Monday’s special town meeting is an investment worth making. The defeat of master plan funding for the property was a setback; on Nov. 16 voters have an opportunity to put rehabilitation of the property back on track. The money, which comes from community preservation funds and free cash, will rehabilitate tennis courts, allow demolition of up to 21 buildings, replace a water main in an environmentally sensitive area and develop landscaping and trail plans. The property holds the potential for being a real centerpiece for the town, and these steps will continue movement in that direction.

Brewster, MA · 2d

The Herald News

partner publisher · 9.3K followers

Lawsuit says Gabriel House owner sold condo with termites | Exclusive

FALL RIVER – A homeowner on Brightman Street has filed a lawsuit against former Gabriel House assisted living facility owner Dennis Etzkorn, claiming he sold her a condominium that leaks and is infested with mold and termites. According to filings in Bristol County Superior Court, Francia Toussaint of 160 Brightman St. has sued Etzkorn and one of his corporations, Detyga LLC, alleging the condo she bought from him turned out to be a lemon. Toussaint claims Etzkorn and Detyga “used cosmetic wall-to-wall carpeting and toxic waterproofing ‘Drylock’ masonry paint to intentionally conceal massive, pre-existing structural envelope failures, rotted bedroom subfloors, and active foundation cracking” from her, home inspectors and the mortgage company. She also claims the building has a “dangerous, unpermitted wiring shell” that could cost more than $17,400 to fix. Laying blame: Company accused of giving oxygen to known smoker in Gabriel House fire Demand letters sent to an attorney for Etzkorn and Detyga in 2025 and 2026 request $125,000 to settle all claims due to repairs she’s had to make, breach of contract, negligence, property damage and more. Responses from Etzkorn’s attorney included in the filing defended the company against the claims and said Toussaint is not entitled

Fall River, MA · 19h

plymouthindependent.org

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YOUR VIEW: Canty speech ‘disrespectful, demeaning and judgmental’

Along with other residents of West Plymouth, I attended the Select Board meeting on November 10, 2026. I live very close to the huge 392-apartment, 40B proposal by developer Rick Vayo, which the Select Board summarily voted to approve on a fast track, and to send a prepared Memorandum of Agreement and Support letter to the state housing agency, with no residents of the area present at the meeting.

Plymouth, MA · 2d

vineyardgazette.com

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Edgartown Adopts Residential Tax Exemption

The Edgartown select board this week approved a residential tax exemption that will shift some of the property tax burden from year-round residents to seasonal homeowners. The board voted unanimously Monday in favor of enacting a 5 per cent residential tax rate exemption after holding hearings earlier this year. This is the first time that Edgartown has enacted the residential exemption, which has been employed by several other municipalities on the Island.

Edgartown, MA · 1d

Turnto10.com

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Veterans' Kitchen in Fall River serves up meals, community and comfort

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WJAR) — The Veterans' Kitchen in Fall River makes sure no veteran goes hungry or eats alone. It opened in 2019 and they feed more than the stomach. They feed the soul. Although years ago, and sometimes thousands of miles away, war is still fresh in...

Fall River, MA · 2d

fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com

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Special TM facing nine articles, including Flock ban bylaw

Fairhaven Town Meeting members will vote on nine articles at the special TM on Tuesday. Most articles are spending articles, carried over from FY 26. There are also two bylaws articles. Article one would allow $168,628.08 in insurance proceeds to be used to repair damages to an elementary school caused...

Fairhaven, MA · 2d

Cape Cod Chronicle

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Zoning Board More Receptive To Proposed Apartment Building

CHATHAM – Plans for a proposed apartment building on Route 28 have been revised, reducing the total number of units and changing the traffic flow on the property at 1134 and 1142 Main Street. At an informal discussion Nov. 5, zoning board of appeals members appeared more receptive to...

Chatham, MA · 1d

The Herald News

partner publisher · 9.3K followers

New historic calendar captures Fall River memories

Fall River residents can revisit nearly a century of local memories in the Fall River Scholarship Foundation’s 2027 historic calendar, featuring scenes from Sandy Beach, Main Street, the Braga Bridge and other familiar city locations. The $5 calendar is now on sale at several area businesses, according to a community announcement. Proceeds from calendar sales will fund a scholarship for deserving students next year. James Rogers, editor of the annual calendar, said its 12 photographs highlight Fall River’s history and enduring character over the past 100 years. The cover captures a summer day at Sandy Beach, where hundreds of people are shown swimming and enjoying activities along the waterfront. Another photograph looks back at the huge roller coaster that once stood at Sandy Beach. The calendar also captures two dramatically different winters. One photograph shows cars creeping along Main Street during a raging 1967 snowstorm. Another, from December 1968, shows snow-covered Main Street decorations during the Christmas season. Historic Fall River moments fill the calendar Other photographs capture an April walk over the Braga Bridge, old typewriters once used in classrooms, a smiling young girl strolling a baby carriage and two seniors laughingly “hitchhiking” in front of the downtown senior

Fall River, MA · 19h

plymouthindependent.org

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Plymouth North custodian offers inspiration to students

Hundreds of students at Plymouth North High School got to know a different side of a familiar face when a school custodian shared his story of serving in the Navy at the school’s annual Veterans Day assembly on Tuesday. Marcus Williams, a maintenance worker at the school since 2022,...

Plymouth, MA · 2d

fairhavenneighborhoodnews.com

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Fairhaven Residents say Building Insp. has too much discretion

The Fairhaven Select Board heard from several residents at its meeting on 11/9/26 during the public comment session regarding building projects on West Island that neighbors say violate either bylaws or state law. Bob Pink told the board that the situation is creating a cloud on some titles/deeds. At present,...

Fairhaven, MA · 2d

Taunton Daily Gazette

partner publisher · 6.7K followers

'Despicable.' Taunton City Council OKs budget after heated lawyer fight

After a heated debate, Taunton city councilors voted 7-1 to approve the supplemental budget they rejected two weeks ago, without any changes and without a budget line item specifically for an attorney for the City Council. Previously, the Council voted 5-4 to reject the supplemental budget because it did not contain funding for an attorney specifically for the City Council . The supplemental budget contains funding for firefighters, funds the pension of a city employee serving in the military, and also adds $481,000 to the city's reserve account where it can be used in the event of an economic downturn or other financial challenge. At the most recent Tuesday, Nov. 10, council meeting, Chief Financial Officer Patrick Dello Russo said that hypothetically, money was available for the council to hire their own attorney. But he said that he would not make the money available until the Council came to an agreement with City Solicitor Matt Costa about the role of such an attorney. Costa, for his part, said that he had "legal concerns" but that he was "open to having the discussion." Ultimately, City Councilor Debra Botellio said that "we need to pass this for the sake of the people

Taunton, MA · 2d

theweektoday.com

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Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce Happenings

There is plenty happening with the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce this November! Members and community residents are invited to take part in upcoming networking opportunities, celebrate a new local business, and get a head start on holiday shopping. Evening Business Connections – November 18. Join the...

Cape Cod And Islands, MA · 23h

newbedfordguide.com

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All Aboard: UMass Dartmouth Adds Shuttle Links to New Bedford & Fall River Rail

UMass Dartmouth is expanding its shuttle service with new routes connecting campus to the MBTA South Coast Rail stations in New Bedford and Fall River, supported by $100,000 in state funding secured by State Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral ’78. The investment will strengthen the university’s intercampus and off-campus shuttle...

New Bedford, MA · 6h

theweektoday.com

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Lakeville Finance Director has contract extension through 2030

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville’s Finance Director/Town Accountant Michael Ellis is staying in town through the start of the next decade. Select Board members have approved a new contract for Ellis that would begin July 1, 2027 and run through June 30, 2030. His current contract ends June 30, 2027.

Lakeville, MA · 1d