As Fall River family remain jailed, elder woman they allegedly neglected dies

The woman who prosecutors say was neglected by her family and left to sit in her own urine and feces for at least a month, without grooming or cleaning, died on Thursday.
The Bristol County district attorney’s office, which announced her death, said an investigation into the alleged abuse will continue, though the office isn’t ready [...]

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Report: Eight city intersections run a higher risk for accidents

A report from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District says the city has eight of the 23 intersections in southeastern Massachusetts where accidents are most likely to occur as a result of drivers running red lights.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” said Fall River Director of Community Maintenance Kenneth Pacheco Thursday. “We’ve always had some [...]

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Patrick offers compromise on casino bill

Gov. Deval Patrick offered Massachusetts lawmakers an ultimatum Thursday: Pass a series of stalled bills and he would consider signing a casino bill that includes a single slots parlor.
Patrick has opposed allowing slots at the state’s racetracks but now says he could accept a gambling bill with both casinos and one competitively bid slot parlor [...]

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Westport takes inventory of handicapped-accessible spots

An inventory has begun on the handicapped accessibility of town properties, including beaches and schools, in order to compile a report making the town eligible for grants to improve access.
The report, called an Americans with Disabilities Act transition plan, should be completed by the end of the year, said Elaine Ostroff of the town Commission [...]

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Fall River Fire Department promotes two firefighters

Two firefighters were promoted to the rank of lieutenant at a meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners Thursday night.
Paul Machado Jr. and Chad Landry had their new badges pinned on by family members.
Machado was joined in the ceremony by his wife, Kelly, two daughters, Meaghan and Kaitllan, and his younger brothers, Christopher and Patrick, [...]

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Fall River’s backlog of abatement checks draws criticism

Ruth Steger, one of 260 property owners the Board of Assessor’s awarded abatements this year, said she’s waited three months to receive her $310.07 refund check.
While officials said Thursday an “emergency check” would be processed early next week through the tax collector’s office, Steger said she’s received “a complete runaround” amid conflicting reports about the [...]

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Seniors in the market for fresh fruits and veggies

The line stretched past three storefronts Thursday morning.
“We’ve been getting calls all morning,” said Pauline Gousie, assistant director of the Council on Aging. “People want to know what’s going on.”
What was going on at the senior center, 114 S. Main St., was a distribution of farmers market coupons, a distribution held only once a year. [...]

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Diman teacher charged with embezzlement

A Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School teacher is facing charges of defrauding the school’s teachers union during a 16-month period.
Police spokesman Sgt. Paul Gauvin said Liam Murphy, 28, of 14 Statler Ave., Somerset, has been charged with 280 counts each of forgery and uttering a false check. He also faces a single count of [...]

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House history expert offering tips on tracing your abode

An expert on house history will give tips at an event next month on how homeowners can find background on the places they call home.
Marian Pierre-Louis, who also specializes in southern New England research, will show how to find deeds and trace them back in time, U.S. Census records and other resources for determining the [...]

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Fall River agencies plan Project Homeless Connect Day

In an effort to provide homeless individuals in the city with essential goods and services, the Fall River Homelessness Service Providers Coalition will hold Fall River’s first Project Homeless Connect Day on Friday, Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree St.
The event will connect homeless individuals with providers [...]

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