City Turned Down $32M of $34M Sewer Improvement Loan

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- The city of New Bedford will accept $2 million out of a possible $34 million loan from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

The city will use the $2 million to conduct a study, mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency, of all of New Bedford's capital projects, specifically those related to sewage, storm water and highways, according to the Standard-Times. The study is expected to prioritize the potential projects.

The additional $32 million would be earmarked specifically for fixing the city's sewage system. New Bedford Public Infrastructure Commissioner, Ron Labelle, told the Standard-Times that he felt it imperative to complete the study portion before taking on additional debt.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Student Charged with Making Bomb Threats

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- A student at Whaling City Alternative School was arrested on Wednesday and charged with making bomb threats.

According to the Standard-Times, the student, 14, used his teacher's laptop to look up bomb-making websites and send threats to Whaling City Alternative School and New Bedford High School via his Yahoo email account to the police department's tip line.

The threats were reportedly received just after 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Authorities searched the buildings and did not find any suspicious items.

The student was charged with disturbing a school assembly and making a bomb threat. He was held overnight before his arraignment on Thursday.

According to the Standard-Times, the student was previous arrested in January for trespassing at New Bedford High School and carrying a knife on school grounds.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Police Searching for Man Who Acted Inappropriately Toward Clerk

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- New Bedford police are searching for a man accused of acting inappropriately towards a clerk at a local market on Tuesday.

According to the Standard-Times, the man allegedly entered the store just before 6 a.m. while the female clerk was mopping the floor. The suspect attempted to hold the clerk's hand, but she pulled away.

The suspect then reportedly placed a sandwich on the counter and said he had no money and wanted the sandwich for free. According to the Standard-Times, he returned the sandwich when the clerk refused.

The suspect then walked around the counter and tried to hug the clerk before she pushed him away.

The suspect left on foot.

He is described as a black male, standing about 5 feet 7 inches tall and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call (508) 991-6300.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Man Charged with Fifth OUI After Hitting 10 Parked Cars

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- Bedford police arrested a man and charged him with an OUI for the fifth time after he hit 10 parked vehicles on Sunday, The Standard-Times reports.

Joseph Counsell, 46, was driving home on Sunday around 2 a.m. when he hit 10 parked vehicles near Arnold and James streets in the process.

According to Detective Capt. Steven Vicente, head of the Major Crimes Unit, police were able to track Counsell by following his trail of destruction and a leaked fluid from his car to his home. He had also knocked off the front bumper of his car, so officers had his license plate as well.

At his home, Counsell had hit the picket fence around his yard while trying to pull into the driveway. At one point during his drive, the cars' airbags deployed. Still, Counsell, who according to Vicente had airbag residue on his face, denied having driven the car.

Counsell was reportedly stumbling, slurring and smelled of alcohol. A witness later identified him.

He was charged with his fifth count of operating under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene after causing property damage, and a number of traffic violations. His last OUI conviction was in 1990.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Volunteers Plant Fruit Trees at Victory Park

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- Several New Bedford families came out to Victory Park on Sunday to plant several fruit trees in the park, The Standard-Times reports.

Over 50 people joined in the effort to plant the trees. The families planted 13 fruit trees; seven apple trees, three plum trees and two cherry trees.

The planting was part of an effort to teach children about agriculture and food production. The lessons learned will be repeated year after year when the trees start to bear fruit.

The trees were donated by RainforestMaker and Connecting for Change: A Bioneers by the Bay Conference.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio