Mayor Mitchell Endorses Rep. Ed Markey for Senate

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- Mayor Jon Mitchell endorsed U.S. Rep. Ed Markey for U.S. Senate at a small rally at his Pleasant Street campaign office Sunday afternoon, The Standard-Times reports.

Markey was not present for the endorsement, as he had other campaign commitments that prevented him from making it, but Mayor Mitchell spoke highly of him in front of 20 or so Markey supporters.

"I am supporting him because I think he's the best candidate for the city. We need someone who can go to bat for us and work both sides of the aisle," Mitchell said.

The mayor said that Markey would continue to stand up for South Coast and that he understood the needs of the fishing industry.

Mayor Mitchell said that his endorsement came so close to the June 25 election because of scheduling conflicts.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

New Bedford Native Honored as Massachusetts Teacher of the Year

(BOSTON) -- A New Bedford native was honored by the state on Thursday for her contributions in the classroom.

Anne Marie Bettencourt was feted by Gov. Deval Patrick and other state officials in a ceremony held at the Museum of Science in honor of Bettencourt being named the 2014 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.

Bettencourt is a ninth grade English Language Arts teacher at Springfield Central High School.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Shoplifter Carjacks Man, Escapes Officers

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass) -- A man who attempted to shoplift from a supermarket escaped security officers by carjacking a Fairhaven man in the parking lot, The Standard-Times reports.

Police say the suspect tried to steal six containers of Tide detergent from Market Basket, located at 122 Sawyer Street at 1 p.m. Tuesday. He was spotted in the act by loss prevention officers who chased him into the parking lot.

The suspect ditched the detergent and hopped into a 31-year-old Fairhaven man’s truck, and told him to drive him away from the scene, threatening to harm the man if he didn’t do as he was asked.

As the truck drove around the back of the store, the suspect jumped out and started running toward Belleville Avenue. The driver returned to the store and waited for police.

The suspect, who is still at large, is described as a muscular white male around 30 years old. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and a Red Sox baseball cap.

Police are asking anyone with information about the suspects’ whereabouts to contact Detective Steven Wadman at 508-991-6300, ext. 132.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Many New Bedford Students Attend Low-Ranking Schools

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- Almost three-quarters of students in New Bedford attend schools that rank in the bottom fifth of schools in the state, according to The Standard-Times.

Thirteen schools in New Bedford are in the lowest performing 20 percent of schools in the state, a classification known as “Level 3.” All three city middle schools, New Bedford High School, and several large elementary schools are level three.

According to the state Department of Education website, 71 percent of New Bedford students attend one of those 13 schools, or about 8,900 out of 12,600 total students.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Woman Burned During Morning Grooming

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- A woman was burned when she lit a cigarette during her morning grooming routine.

According to the Standard Times, the woman, 49, has a skin condition that is treated with rubbing alcohol. After she applied the rubbing alcohol on Monday morning, the woman reportedly lit a cigarette, causing her to catch fire.

She immediately jumped into the shower while her boyfriend called 911. Firefighters responded to the call shortly before 7 a.m, says the Standard Times.

The woman was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital with second-degree burns on 30 percent of her body. Her injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio