FALL RIVER Play ball!
That’s what Fall River City Council President Cliff Ponte said, in a manner speaking, when asked if social distancing restrictions will be lifted for council meetings starting June 8.
“With Fenway Park opening on May 29 for 40,000 people, I don’t see why the City Council would put additional restrictions in place,” Ponte said.
The first Fall River City Council meeting scheduled to be held after that date will be June 8.
Baker also announced that the state of emergency in Massachusetts, which took effect in March 2020, will end on June 15.
The governor in April had announced that restrictions would be lifted on Aug. 1, but improving coronavirus health statistics convinced him to push the date up by two months.
While some pandemic-related restrictions are lifting, local high schools have still had to find creative ways to continue important traditions for this year’s graduates, like prom and graduation.
“The seniors deserve that. The kids have really been amazing and resilient,” said Susan Brelsford, principal at Somerset Berkley Regional High School.
The state released guidelines this spring discouraging schools from holding typical proms and encouraging them to hold events where social distancing is more feasible instead. If they do hold them, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is advising they wait until after the school year has ended, when more people will have had a chance to be vaccinated.
Incumbent Dean Larabee will be facing off against challenger Michael Kalif in the May 8 election.
Michael Kalif, a teacher, believes in conservative ideas
Kalif, 64, said he s the candidate for new ideas. I m running for change, he said. I don t like the way things are going in this country or this town. I believe in conservative ideas, and I don t want to be a part of the way the town is run now. Things aren t getting done. I ll get things done.
The retired engineer and Somerset Berkley Regional High School computer teacher has been a Berkley resident since 2002.
He said the only reason there have been no yard signs around town with his name on them is that he s running a low budget campaign.
Ken Matias
Special to the Taunton Gazette
SOMERSET The Old Rochester football team never forgot its 42-15 opening-day loss to Dighton-Rehoboth five weeks ago.
In Saturday’s South Coast Conference semifinal game, the Bulldogs picked the perfect time to get their revenge.
“It was a battle … Old Rochester is much more improved,” Dighton-Rehoboth head coach Dave Moura said. “They have some great athletes over there. Basically, [it] came down to drive-for-drive and [we] just ran out of time.”
The Bulldogs advance to the SCC Blue Division championship game after beating the Falcons, 36-35, in an exciting semifinal game at Somerset Berkley Regional High School.
TAUNTON A new Taunton regional vaccine clinic will be up and running at the Holiday Inn on May 1, according to Mayor Shaunna O Connell s office.
“It has taken many months of work to bring these vaccines to our city. Our goal has been to ensure access to all of our residents. It is gratifying to know that our residents can now be vaccinated easily and conveniently close to home,” O’Connell said in a statement.
Tauntonians can schedule appointments online via a link that is posted on the city s website and Facebook page and through the state’s preregistration system on Mass.gov.