Every day, The Herald News will be bringing you the top news you need to start your day. Here are our top five stories for Wednesday, May 8, 2019:
EIGHT IS ENOUGH
Eight -- that’s the maximum number of marijuana facilities City Councilor Leo Pelletier wants to see allowed in Fall River. Mayor Jasiel Correia has handed out 11 letters of non-opposition and host agreements to marijuana companies that want to sell medical marijuana, recreational marijuana or both. But Pelletier said that’s too many for the city to host, saying simply, “that’s BS.”
TRANSPORTATION COSTS
City and school officials are still searching for ways to reduce the cost of student transportation for Fall River Public Schools after the mayor indicated Wednesday he may cut the school department budget to meet the expense. The fiscal year 2020 transportation budget was projected to increase up to 35 percent next year.
DINING AL FRESCO
It’s about to get a little easier to find a place to sit. Several downtown restaurants are planning to extend their dining rooms outside, bringing café-style seating to the sidewalks of Fall River. Tequila Lime Cantina was approved by the city’s Licensing Board last month to put six tables outside on Purchase Street. Troy City Brewing is awaiting approval to put seats outside its Anawan Street storefront. 19 Prime Tapas will feature seating for up to 36 people on the edge of Jeremiah Sullivan Drive.
WIND POWER TRAINING
Vineyard Wind and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Council announced six recipients of offshore wind workplace training grants, including Bristol Community College. BCC was awarded $200,000 to establish basic safety training and basic technical training to Global Wind Organization standards at its campus in New Bedford.
BOY MAULED TO DEATH
And the 14-year-old Rehoboth boy who was mauled to death by four dogs in Dighton was identified as Ryan Hazel. The dogs, three Dutch shepherds and one Belgian Malinois shepherd, were among a total of 11 dogs that property owner Scott R. Dunmore kept on his property. Hazel had been hired by Dunmore to perform chores and check in on the dogs. Hazel had a reputation for being “very dog-savvy” and was familiar with the 11 dogs, all of which are now in quarantine.