New Bedford Prepares for Walk and Bike to School Day

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- On Wednesday, New Bedford will celebrate Walk and Bike to School Day, intended to promote safe commuting, environmentalism and increased physical activities among Massachusetts’ youth.

More than 300 elementary and middle schools across the state will be taking part in the event, organized by Massachusetts’s Safe Routes to School program.

“We hope to see all our schools participating in the ‘Walk and Bike to School Day’” said Dr. Pauline Hamel, project coordinator of New Bedford Mass in Motion Kids. “However, walking activities must go far beyond single events in our schools and should continue throughout the year.”

Mayor Jon Mitchel plans to join students from Elizabeth Carter Brooks Elementary School at 7:45 a.m. for a special walk and bike event.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Memorial Ceremony Honors Victims of WWII’s Exercise Tiger

(NEW BEDFORD) -- An annual memorial service for the victims and veterans of World War II’s Exercise Tiger, the second deadliest day for American troops after Pearl Harbor, was held Sunday.

Exercise Tiger was a D-Day dry run that was ambushed by a German E-boat flotilla on April 28, 1944. The surprise attack caught the American soldiers completely off-guard, resulting in 749 American deaths. Two ships were sunk in the attack, and a third was damaged.

The ceremony on Sunday at the Fort Taber-Fort Rodman Park was attended by veterans and members of the community who wanted to show their respects the victims of this often overlooked tragedy.

The event is an annual tradition in New Bedford, where a permanent memorial to Exercise Tiger’s fallen resides.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Paul Revere Sign Removed, Needs Major Repairs

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- City officials announced Thursday that a neon sign depicting Paul Revere on horseback will be removed in the interest of public safety.

The sign, which is visible from I-195,  is considered unstable and is difficult to repair and maintain due to its current location, according to Mayor Jonathan Mitchell.

The 60-foot sign formerly adorned the Revere Copper and Brass factory on North Front Street. Upon its removal from the factory, a number of area organizations worked together to restore the sign.

The sign will be stored while town officials consider restoration or relocation of the sign. According to the mayor's office, estimates to fully restore the sign range between $250,000 and $300,000.

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Bristol County Gets Failing Grade for Smog Levels

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- The American Lung Association gave Bristol County a failing grade for smog levels in its State of the Air 2013 report.

The Standard-Times reports that while the ALA found that Bristol County averaged 10 "high-smog" days per year between 2009 and 2011, they did give the county an A grade for minimizing short-term particle pollution, which includes soot from car exhaust.

Despite the failing grade, smog is down significantly in Bristol County since the ALA started keeping statistics in 1996, according to the Standard-Times.

According to the ALA, 14,269 children and 45,633 in Bristol County suffer from asthma, a condition negatively impacted by high smog days.

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UMass Dartmouth Sets Restrictions to Media Access

(NEW BEDFORD, Mass.) -- In the wake of massive media interest, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth limited media access to the campus on Tuesday.

According to a statement posted on the university's Facebook page, reporters will have access to just one parking lot on campus. The media will also be allowed access to Ring Road.

The statement referenced students, faculty and staff who "desire to return to their teaching, learning and research."

The university also said that it will "continue to make willing members of the University community available to media for interviews."

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