Fall River cop breaks police academy running record: Top stories

As we kick off a new week, let's take a look back at the week that was.

Top stories this past week included:

Third Street keeping its name, at least for now. The Planning Board has tabled a petition forwarded from the City Council to rename Third Street from Bedford to Borden streets after Jean Baptiste LePage, the first Fall River native to be killed in World War I. Here's what you need to know about what happened.

The latest Greater Fall River real estate report, featuring a ranch in Somerset that sold for $600,000. The New Hampshire Avenue home features a contemporary eat-in kitchen, a large living room, and a cozy den, plus a primary suite with a jacuzzi. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.

These were the most read stories of the week on HeraldNews.com:

Fast enough for a speeding ticket? A Fall River cop broke a police academy running record

Patrolman Daryan Rogers is one of the Fall River Police Department's newest recruits, having graduated from Plymouth Police Academy in July.

While there, be broke an academy record, running 300 meters in 37.1 seconds.

Fall River Patrolman Daryan Rogers
Fall River Patrolman Daryan Rogers

Put another way, that's running at a speed of a little over 18 mph.

Fast enough for a speeding ticket?: A Fall River cop broke a police academy running record

AG: Fall River pair caught on camera stealing catalytic converters from RI business complex

A Fall River couple, arrested by the Rhode Island State Police in November 2022 for allegedly stealing multiple catalytic converters, has been charged in Providence County Superior Court.

According to the office of R.I. Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, 41-year-old Jason Gagnon and 42-year-old Faith Pineault, formally charged June 29, each face four counts of larceny over $1,500, four counts of tampering with a vehicle, and one count of conspiracy to commit larceny.

A release from the AG's office states that on Oct. 17, 2022, Bristol Police responded to a report that catalytic converters had been stolen from multiple vehicles in Shannon Court, a commercial property in Bristol, R.I., that houses several small businesses.

Fall River couple charged: AG: Fall River pair caught on camera stealing catalytic converters from RI business complex

Former Massachusetts media personality guilty of indecent assault on child

Former local talk show host and journalist Richard "Ric" Oliveira was found guilty this past week of felony indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and a misdemeanor count of assault and battery, then sentenced to two years in prison with one year to serve.

Oliveira, 53, showed no emotion when Fall River District Court Judge Cynthia Brackett ruled on his sentencing and when court officers took him into custody. The former Swansea resident was equally stoic when the female accuser, who was a child at the time of the indecent assault, gave a victim impact statement to the court.

Richard Oliveira is seen in Fall River District Court on Wednesday, Aug. 9, after his sentencing on indecent assault and battery charges.
Richard Oliveira is seen in Fall River District Court on Wednesday, Aug. 9, after his sentencing on indecent assault and battery charges.

Herald News Reporter Jo C. Goode has the story.

'Despicable': Former Massachusetts media personality guilty of indecent assault on child

The state's new DCR chief gave Fall River the secret to waterfront development

Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo took a day-trip to the SouthCoast on Tuesday to check out some of DCR’s assets like Horseneck Beach State Reservation in Westport, and Heritage State Park and Battleship Cove in Fall River.

The tour was hosted by state Sen. Michael Rodrigues and attended by some of the area's Statehouse delegation.

New Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo gets a tour of Battleship Cove in Fall River from local legislators on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.
New Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo gets a tour of Battleship Cove in Fall River from local legislators on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023.

As a former mayor of a Gateway City like Fall River with a burgeoning waterfront of its own, Arrigo was asked if he had any advice for a city bent on successful redevelopment, and this is what he had to say.

Fall River's waterfront: The state's new DCR chief gave Fall River the secret to waterfront development: Here it is

Lizzie cafe, summer festivals, Eat Local challenge: Fall River Eats

Every week, Fall River Eats takes a look at what's being served up locally, from meal deals to special events.

This week features some bloody good options for local foodies, including a new city spot that dubs itself "the most haunted coffee shop in the world."

Visit HeraldNews.com every Thursday for the latest Fall River Eats.

Fall River Eats: Lizzie cafe, summer festivals, Eat Local challenge

Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at kfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Herald News Top 5: Fall River cop breaks police academy running record