Police, Fire & Courts

Middleboro woman charged with shoplifting from Wareham store

WAREHAM — A Middleboro woman was arrested Thursday, Dec. 19 after she allegedly shoplifted from the Target store on Cranberry Highway in Wareham, according to Wareham Police. Wareham Police were dispatched to the store at about 2:45 p.m. for a...

Lakeville barn destroyed by fire

LAKEVILLE — A barn at 36 Staples Shore Road home was deemed a total loss after a fire Monday, Dec. 16, Fire Chief Michael O’Brien reported. The call came in at about 12:11 p.m. No injuries were reported. The cause has not been determined, but the...
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Fired up Santa greets crowd on engine in Lakeville

LAKEVILLE — The approaching cacophony of sirens and horns initially signaled an oncoming emergency, a warning that first responders were en route to a serious call and needed room to maneuver. But as the vehicles approached, a careful ear could...

Request for veterinary records granted in animal cruelty case

WAREHAM — Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz’s office was granted a motion to obtain veterinary records in the case of Kimberly Savino, the Middleboro woman facing 20 counts of animal cruelty for allegedly keeping animals without food or...

Contract approved for new Middleboro chief

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro Select Board members at their Dec. 9 meeting approved a contract for Police Chief Robert Ferreira that would cover both an interim status and a potential permanent post. Ferreira was officially sworn in Oct. 21 as Interim...

Man injured when car strikes tree in Lakeville

LAKEVILLE — A man was injured early Sunday. Dec. 8 when his car left the road and struck a tree, the Lakeville Fire Department reports. The crash occurred near 140 Howland Road just after 1:30 a.m. The man was extricated from the vehicle and...

Three injured in Lakeville car crash at Bedford, Main streets

Two adults and a child received injuries not believed to be serious following an accident at about 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at the intersection of Bedford and Main streets, the Lakeville Fire Department reported. Two cars collided in the intersection,...

Firefighter to read book on holiday safety Dec. 12 at library

MIDDLEBORO — Local author and Maynard firefighter Michael Parr will lead an interactive reading of his book, “A Firehouse’s Night Before Christmas’’ at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Middleboro Public Library. In the story, firefighters respond to...

Update: Fire victim has died from injuries in Middleboro blaze

MIDDLEBORO – The victim who was rescued from a house fire at 6 Locust St. with severe burns has died, officials said Wednesday. Nathaniel Williams, 67, died Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Rhode Island Hospital, Fire Chief Owen Thompson said. Fire officials...

Middleboro firefighter graduates from academy

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro Firefighter Kyle Ohrenberger was one of 21 graduates of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, the state fire marshal’s office announced Monday, Dec. 2. “Massachusetts...

Man receives serious burns after cooking incident in Lakeville

LAKEVILLE — Two people were injured, including one who was transported by helicopter with significant burns, after a cooking incident led to a flash fire Friday, Nov, 29, the Lakeville Fire Department reported. Firefighters and EMS personnel...

Former Lakeville police officer honored with medal for bravery

LAKEVILLE — Former Lakeville Police Department Officer Dakota J. Jones, who is now a Massachusetts State Police Trooper, received a Medal of Valor during the Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 26 at the State...

All’s well after dog rescued after falling into deep well

MIDDLEBORO — With dogged determination, first responders rescued a year-old blue heeler named Bandit Sunday, Nov. 24 after the canine became trapped in a 25-foot well on Bishop Avenue. Fire and police departments from Middleboro and surrounding...

Deer strike leads to car fire in Middleboro amid increased animal activity

MIDDLEBORO — A deer strike resulted in a serious car fire on Route 495 overnight Friday, prompting a warning from the Middleboro Fire Department about increased animal activity this time of year. “This is a very active time for wildlife as they...

Officials remind residents of outdoor burning danger in dry conditions

Middleboro and Lakeville fire officials are reminding the public to be aware of outdoor fire regulations as the area continues to experience low rainfall amounts in recent months. Both departments have responded to brush fires in recent days. ​​...

Truck rollover closes two lanes of Route 495 for hours

MIDDLEBORO — A dump truck rollover that resulted in a fuel spill early Friday, Nov. 22 caused two lanes of Route 495 South near exit 12 to be closed for several hours, Fire Chief Owen Thompson said. The department was called to the scene at about 5:...

Questions raised on wording of debt exclusion for fire station

LAKEVILLE — Concerns were raised at the Nov. 18 Lakeville Select Board meeting about the wording of the January ballot vote that would decide the future of a new fire station. Lakeville voters will go to the polls Jan. 28 to decide whether to...

Attorneys general from 18 states ask Supreme Court to hear ‘Two Genders’ case

MIDDLEBORO – Eighteen states and several organizations have filed “friend of the court’’ briefs asking the Supreme Court to review the case of a Middleboro student who was forbidden to wear a T-shirt to school with the words “There are only two...

Special Town Meeting voters support $21.5 million new fire station

LAKEVILLE — A new $21.5 million fire station was approved by Lakeville Special Town Meeting voters Nov. 12 with no public discussion and little dissent. Voters agreed by a 141-28 margin to borrow $21,409,960 to design construct, equip and furnish a...

Woman charged with animal cruelty after neglected, dead animals found on property arraigned on animal cruelty charges

WAREHAM — A Middleboro woman faced charges of 20 counts of animal cruelty, subsequent offense, in Wareham District Court Thursday, Nov. 7 after officials said they found 17 dogs, two cats and one guinea pig neglected and lacking water and food at...

Lakeville residents targeted in elder abuse scheme, officials say

LAKEVILLE — Two men were arrested for their alleged roles as couriers in a multi-state “grandparent scam’’ whose victims included Lakeville residents, United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha has announced. Roberto Munoz, 29, of Hialeah, Fla. and...

Three injured in Lakeville crash that temporarily closes Route 18

LAKEVILLE — Three people were transported to St. Luke’s Hospital after an accident that closed a portion of Route 18 just south of Lakeville Town Hall for about an hour Tuesday afternoon, Lakeville Police Chief Matthew Perkins reported. The accident...

Lakeville resident thanks firefighters every year for saving his life

LAKEVILLE — One hot day in August of 2020 very easily could have been his last. In the midst of changing a tire in his driveway, Lakeville resident Charles Chaffalo collapsed and went unconscious. His heart stopped beating. If it weren’t for...

Help needed for dogs removed from Precinct Street, back in Middleboro

MIDDLEBORO — Most of the 17 dogs removed from a 53 Precinct St. home last week will be back in town Friday, Oct. 25 and donations are being sought for their care. The dogs, which were removed as part of an animal welfare investigation, spent the...

Hail to the chief: Middleboro has new top cop

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro has a new police chief. With unanimous approval from the select board and to the cheers of his fellow department members literally standing behind him, Robert Ferreira was named interim police chief at the Oct. 21 Select...

Animals from Precinct Street now in care of MSPCA

MIDDLEBORO – The 17 dogs, six horses, two cats, guinea pig and turtle removed from 53 Precinct St. in Middleboro are now being cared for by MSPCA-Angell in Boston, according to the MSPCA. The dogs were found living in unsanitary conditions in the...

Update: Dogs likely went without food for days before Precinct Street warrant

MIDDLEBORO — The 17 dogs located at 53 Precinct St. had likely gone without food since Tuesday, Oct. 15, Animal Control Officer Kevin Racicot said. That was three days before they were found when Middleboro Animal Control executed a warrant on the...

17 dogs with no food or water among animals removed from Middleboro home

MIDDLEBORO — Seventeen dogs needing medical care will be removed from a home at 53 Precinct St. in Middleboro that has been condemned as a health and fire hazard, Middleboro Town Manager Jay McGrail and Health Agent Kayla Smith have reported. The...

Route 140 crash injures one

LAKEVILLE — A crash on Route 140 Wednesday, Oct. 16 briefly closed down the highway, the Lakeville Fire Department reported. Crews responded to a report of an accident at about 8 a.m. on Route 140 south, just south of the County Road on-ramp. One...

U.S. Supreme Court asked to review case of ‘Two Genders’ shirt

MIDDLEBORO — The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to review and rule on the case of a Middleboro middle school student who was asked to remove a T-shirt bearing the words “There Are Only Two Genders.’’ In reaching out to the nation’s top court,...

Lakeville Fire open house aims to build warm connections

LAKEVILLE — The Lakeville Fire Department rolled its doors open and its equipment out to welcome the community as its annual open house Saturday, Oct. 5. The event featured a dunk tank, fire engines to kids to climb on, face painting, hot dogs and...

France Street home heavily damaged in fire, no injuries reported

MIDDLEBORO — Two adults and a child escaped without injury after a raging fire early Monday, Oct. 7 devastated their home at 52 France St. The three occupants had already escaped the blaze when firefighters arrived, Fire Chief Owen Thompson said. He...

Police Chief Perkins retires, Deputy Chief now acting department head

MIDDLEBORO — Deputy Chief Robert Ferreira is serving as acting police chief following the retirement Saturday, Sept. 28 of long-time Police Chief Joseph Perkins. Perkins began his career as a provisional police officer in Middleboro in 1999. He...

Theft of dirt bikes in Lakeville leads to arrest

LAKEVILLE — A New Bedford man was arrested and charged with breaking and entering and larceny over $2,000 after he allegedly broke into a Lakeville garage and stole two motorized dirt bikes, Lakeville Police Chief Matthew Perkins said. Aidan Amaral...

Lakeville educator nominated for fire safety award

LAKEVILLE — Becky Saucier of Mullein Hill Christian Academy, 25 Staples Shore Road in Lakeville was one of eight nominees for the Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award. She was nominated for her work at the academy teaching the students...

Grant awards funds for six new firefighters in Middleboro

MIDDLEBORO — Six new firefighters will be hired in Middleboro, thanks to a federal grant award of more than $2 million. This represents the largest mass hiring of firefighters in recent town history, Fire Chief Owen Thompson said at the Sept. 16...

Middleboro police chief to retire

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro Police Chief Joseph Perkins will retire within the next 30 to 60 days, he announced in a letter read at the Sept. 9 Select Board meeting. He made the announcement, the letter stated, with “bittersweet sorrow and joy.’’ An...

Lakeville to add civilian traffic employees

LAKEVILLE — Lakeville has agreed to hire six civilians to assist with traffic control during road construction and events. The hires would offset the loss of six part-time and reserve officers, who didn’t meet minimum training requirements required...

Man arrested for trafficking fentanyl after rollover crash in Middleboro

MIDDLEBORO — A Boston man was arrested and charged for trafficking and possession of what police believe to be fentanyl and Cocaine after he and another person were involved in a rollover car crash on 495 southbound in Middleboro the morning of...

Middleboro man faces multiple assault charges after stabbing officer

MIDDLEBORO — A Middleboro man who already had several warrants out for his arrest faces additional felony charges after he stabbed a police officer twice with a steak knife during an incident the morning of Wednesday, Aug. 14, according to...

Former Wareham Sewer Commissioner killed in Middleboro crash

MIDDLEBORO — Former Wareham Sewer Commissioner Malcolm White, 71, has been identified as the victim of a multi-vehicle crash on I-495 north in Middleboro on the morning of Friday, Aug. 2. The news of White’s death was confirmed by current Chair of...

Firefighters tackle stinky situation when septic truck catches fire

LAKEVILLE — New firefighters saw a textbook example of fire science when part of a commercial septic truck went up in flames on Bedford Street in Lakeville on Wednesday, July 24. A toolbox attached to the side of the truck collapsed and was rubbing...

Camper catches fire in Lakeville

LAKEVILLE —The driver of a recently purchased motorhome didn’t get the chance to enjoy his new buy after the camper caught fire on Monday, July 22 in Lakeville. The driver, whose identity is not known at this time, noticed the vehicle started...

Firefighters able to extinguish house fire quickly with increased staffing

MIDDLEBORO — No one was injured in a Purchase Street house fire on Tuesday, July 2 that was extinguished “within 15 minutes,” according to the Middleboro Fire Department. Middleboro Fire Chief Owen Thompson attributes this quick success, in part, to...

Driver rescued with Jaws of Life after crash in Lakeville

LAKEVILLE – Firefighters armed with chainsaws and the Jaws of Life cut through brush and vegetation to rescue the driver of a heavily damaged car that crashed off Route 140 north in Lakeville on Tuesday, July 2. The driver, the car’s only occupant,...

Two people sent to hospital after car strikes tree

LAKEVILLE — Two people have been transported to the hospital after the electric vehicle they were in struck a tree. The crash occurred on Myricks Street in Lakeville. Responders were dispatched for the single motor vehicle accident just before 3:30...