In Other News

GATRA Free

[UPDATE: GATRA contacted us and clarified...The service GATRA offers in Franklin is our GATRA GO microtransit service which is not a fixed route service and is not part of the Try Transit program and therefore NOT free. ]Yes, you heard that right, all Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) bus rides are free through December 31. The GATRA service area consists of 29 communities, including of the cities of Attleboro and Taunton and the towns of Bellingham, Berkley, Carver, Dighton, Duxbury, Foxborough, Franklin, Hanover, Kingston, Lakeville, Mansfield, Marshfield, Medway, Middleborough, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Norton, Pembroke, Plainville, Plymouth, Plympton, Raynham, Rehoboth, Scituate, Seekonk, Wareham, and Wrentham. Contact GATARA at 800-483-2500 TTY: 711 or visit their website.

Food Pantry Profiled by Greater Boston Food Bank

An article published in late summer on the Greater Boston Food Bank web site recaps the Pantry’s recent history, grants, and growing programs. It can be found here

Norfolk County Sheriff Appointed to Key Association Committees

Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott was recently appointed by the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) to serve on the organization’s Government Affairs Committee and Youth Programs and Juvenile Justice Committee through 2024. The committees play a vital role in shaping policies and initiatives that have a profound impact on public safety, juvenile justice, and the relationships between law enforcement agencies and local, state, and federal governments.

"I am deeply honored to have been appointed to these significant committees by the National Sheriffs’ Association, said McDermott. “Serving on the Governmental Affairs and Youth Programs and Juvenile Justice Committees provides a unique opportunity to advance effective law enforcement policies and initiatives at national, state and local levels. I look forward to working alongside my esteemed colleagues to address critical issues facing our communities, especially those involving our youth."

Audit-The-Legislature Campaign Claims Signature Success

Auditor Diana DiZoglio and her hodgepodge of political allies took a major step toward asking voters for the authority to probe the Legislature, announcing last week that they gathered enough signatures to remain on track for a 2024 ballot question.

HCART Debuts

A new State Police unit will work with other law enforcement agencies and community partners as Gov. Maura Healey's administration looks to bolster strategies for addressing hate-based incidents tied to race, ethnicity and religion, among other biases. The Hate Crimes Awareness and Response Team (HCART) will be tasked with improving statewide data collection efforts to identify patterns and trends, developing "advanced training" with the Municipal Police Training Committee, and improving law enforcement coordination at the federal, state and local levels, Healey announced last week.

Parmenter Elementary’s Winter Shop is Coming Up and More Vendors are Welcome

A Facebook poster reminds us that Parmenter Elementary School is looking for vendors for their Holiday Shop! The event is open to friends and family of Parmenter.

You can learn more at this
Facebook page.

Police Reports Nov 14-20

Here.