The proposed offshore wind farm would erect up to 100 turbines between Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard, generating enough electricity to power about 300,000 homes. The recent completion of a federal environmental review was the last major regulatory step before the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issues a final decision on whether to approve the project this summer.
Ben Berke
Based in New Bedford, Ben staffs our South Coast Bureau desk. He covers anything that happens in Fall River, New Bedford, and the surrounding towns, as long as it's a good story. His assignments have taken him to jails, factories, city halls, fishing vessels, bakeries, environmental cleanup sites and the homes of hundreds of interview subjects. Ben joined the bureau in February 2021 after three years in Brockton reporting for The Enterprise. His freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe and The Providence Journal. When he's not working, Ben can often be found near the beach hiking, surfing and collecting the strange things that wash ashore.
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau
Ex-Fall River cop sentenced to prison in police brutality case
Michael Pessoa will serve at least a year and a half in state prison after a jury convicted him of using excessive force and covering it up in false reports.
Posted inArticle, South Coast Bureau
Work resumes on Vineyard Wind after union protest causes six-day delay
A picket by the International Longshoremen’s Association halted construction on America’s first major offshore wind farm for nearly a week. The union accused the project’s developer, Vineyard Wind, of falling short of promises to build a diverse, local workforce.
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau
Former Fall River cop convicted of covering up excessive force with false reports
On Wednesday, a Bristol County jury found Michael Pessoa, a former patrolman who spent 19 years on the Fall River Police Department, guilty of assault and battery and three other criminal charges.
Posted inArticle, Business, Environment, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford longshoremen’s union extends protest against offshore wind developer
The protest has already stalled construction for five days on the nation’s first major offshore wind farm.
Posted inArticle, Business, Environment, South Coast Bureau
Construction halts on Vineyard Wind as longshoremen protest lack of local workers on jobsite
Assembly work for the nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm shut down today in New Bedford because of a protest over diversity and local hiring on the job site.
Posted inArticle, South Coast Bureau
A decade in the making, parts for America’s first major offshore wind farm arrive in New Bedford
A barge carrying massive turbine components for Vineyard Wind One arrived in New Bedford’s harbor Wednesday afternoon. It was a symbolic step forward for a historic seaport where leaders have spent more than a decade fighting for an early role in America’s emerging offshore wind industry.
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice, Local, South Coast Bureau
Excessive force trial begins for Fall River cop with long rap sheet
Opening arguments are scheduled to begin Monday in the trial of Michael Pessoa, a police officer accused of beating a man and arresting him on false charges four years ago. Prosecutors said Pessoa has a history of “utilizing his authority as a police officer to engage in violent behavior towards individuals engaging in lawful behavior and lying about it to cover up his illegal actions.”
Posted inArticle, Business, South Coast Bureau
Immigrants fired for protesting win big settlement from New Bedford tire recycler
The nearly $1 million concession by Bob’s Tire could have ripple effects in other workplaces where undocumented immigrants quietly endure harsh conditions.
Posted inArticle, Housing, Local, Politics, South Coast Bureau
New Bedford city council reverses course on rent control ballot question
A non-binding referendum approved by the city council last month would have polled voters on whether they support limiting rent increases. But several councilors flipped their votes Thursday night and supported Mayor Jon Mitchell’s veto of the ballot measure.
