As we head into a new week, let's take a look at the news from this past week.
A 42-year-old former medical doctor at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford was convicted Oct. 22 on child rape and related charges following a jury trial in Fall River Superior Court and was sentenced to 12 years in state prison. Sujan Kayastha, of Dartmouth, was immediately sent to a state prison for his 12-year sentence followed by five years of supervised probation upon release from custody.
When the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism took over the Whaling Museum and Dartmouth Orchards to shoot a commercial highlighting attractions in the state , actor Kevin Lasit appeared in a scene. Lasit's scene was shot in the museum lobby, where he said they filming the hanging whales, and the whale heart where kids can crawl inside.
Keep up with high school sports with scores, game highlights, and Player of the Week voting at https://www.southcoasttoday.com/sports.
Here are some of the most-read stories of the week on https://www.southcoasttoday.com :
A new gun law banning untraceable "ghost guns" and enhancing the "Red Flag Law" went into effect earlier this month when Gov. Maura Healey signed an "emergency preamble" enacting it immediately, instead of its original start date of Oct. 23.
Opponents of the new law, concerned that it could infringe on Second Amendment rights, have been gathering signatures to put a veto ballot before voters in 2026.
In effect: Massachusetts has new gun law. What does it do, and how do you get a firearm?
Foodies have been hit hard in the last five months, as numerous Greater New Bedford eateries have closed their doors.
Inflation is heavily impacting the industry, as every aspect of running a restaurant is rising in cost. The National Restaurant Association shows a 29% increase in food costs, labor costs increasing by 31%, and a 32% increase in swipe fees in just the last four years.
Location, competition, experience, and management can all play a pivotal role in whether a restaurant will succeed or have to close its doors.
What's to blame? These 6 Greater New Bedford restaurants closed in recent months.
Ruth, one of Buttonwood Park Zoo’s two beloved Asian elephants , is nearing the end of her long life. The zoo announced on Oct. 22 that Ruth has entered hospice care, citing her advanced age and chronic medical conditions .
Ruth is 66 years old, making her one of the oldest elephants in professional care. According to BPZoo, the median life expectancy for female Asian elephants is 47.
Gary Lunsford, director of zoological services, called Ruth “a true icon in New Bedford.”
Hospice care: Ruth, 66, beloved Buttonwood Park Zoo elephant
New Bedford’s Samantha Irvin, the voice of “WWE Raw” on USA Network, announced on Oct. 21 on the social media network X that she will no longer be the pro wrestling show’s ring announcer. Irvin did not say why she was leaving the program.
Irvin, whose real name is Samantha Johnson, was born in Dennis but grew up in New Bedford. She began her rise to fame with her exceptional vocal chords, performing locally and making it as a semi-finalist on Season 10 of the TV show "America's Got Talent."
What's next? New Bedford's Samantha Irvin is leaving WWE Raw as ring announcer.
A big change is coming to the neighborhood on Coffin Avenue where the long-closed Sunbeam Bread bakery building stands.
With new ownership comes new uses for the former bakery building. In the works is a storage warehouse for building contractors, with three bays on the first floor, indoor batting cages, and a small retail space.
Tim Cusson, vice president of Parallel Products, affiliated with owner Parallel 1260 Shawmut Ave LLC, said the building would have to have been torn down if the weather was still allowed to get at it, and said his company is providing an alternative that will benefit the neighborhood.
From bread to batting cages: Old Sunbeam bakery building could have a bright future
All of these stories can be read in their entirety at www.southcoasttoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Mass gun law, BPZoo's Ruth in hospice care, Samantha Irvin: Standard-Times top stories
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