Top stories: Beach closure, Fall River soccer legacy, restaurant draws heat, police station update and more

The Herald News
·3 min read
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As we prepare to kick off a new week, let's take a look back at the week that was.

For farmers, inflation is making a tough job even tougher, with the cost of everything from fuel to tractor parts to hay bales at a peak. We spoke to local farmers about their struggles.

The old Herald News building in Fall River being decorated with vibrant Portuguese tiles and splashes of color as artists create new murals throughout downtown.

In other news, Madeira Feast makes its long-awaited return to New Bedford after a two-year COVID hiatus.

Also, 16 former immigrant detainees have filed suit against Sheriff Thomas Hodgson and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office, alleging cruel treatment and conditions of confinement.

But the most read stories of the week on heraldnews.com were the following:

The Portuguese man o’ war is recognized by its balloon-like float, which may be blue, violet, or pink and rises up to six inches above the water line.
The Portuguese man o’ war is recognized by its balloon-like float, which may be blue, violet, or pink and rises up to six inches above the water line.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water

For the second time in a span of two weeks, the waters at Horseneck Beach in Westport closed for safety reasons.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation prohibited access to the water Monday due to a Portuguese man o' war sighting, as well as dangerous ocean conditions, including hazardous rip currents.

Earlier this month, the beach was also closed after a lifeguard sighted a shark swimming near land.

First sharks, now this: Horseneck Beach closed again for the day after Portuguese man o' war sighting

Atlantic Sports Bar & Restaurant in Tiverton.
Atlantic Sports Bar & Restaurant in Tiverton.

Apology not accepted

Less than a week after posting an anti-Semitic meme to its Facebook page, the Atlantic Sports Bar & Restaurant in Tiverton has retreated from social media — but that hasn’t stopped a wave of public condemnation from amateur restaurant critics to leaders in the local Jewish community.

The restaurant initially defended the image as an attempt at humor. Later, it deleted the image, and posted "our deepest apology to those who were rightfully hurt by our actions."

Users from as far away as Vancouver, Canada, and across the country have review-bombed the eatery's Yelp page with one-star reviews and the story has gone viral. Many have called for a boycott of the restaurant.

Tiverton restaurant slammed: Critics and Jewish leaders decry Atlantic Sports Pub's racist meme

Work is being done on the former Fall River Police Station on Bedford Street.
Work is being done on the former Fall River Police Station on Bedford Street.

Old police station plans move ahead

New life might finally be coming to the old police station in the near future.

With the support of the city and the Fall River Preservation Society, the owner of the old Bedford Street police station was granted a special permit regarding parking from the Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals last week.

Plans are to redevelop the more than 100-year-old structure, which has been one of the downtown area’s most blighted properties, into 30 to 35 units of “workforce-rate” apartments.

Old police station: Plans for new apartment complex clear another hurdle

The 1930 team photo of the Fall River Marksmen. This year's team won three national titles in the same year, and sent players Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude, third and fourth from left, seated, to the World Cup.
The 1930 team photo of the Fall River Marksmen. This year's team won three national titles in the same year, and sent players Billy Gonsalves and Bert Patenaude, third and fourth from left, seated, to the World Cup.

City's forgotten soccer legacy

A century ago, the Fall River Marksmen were one of the country’s most dominant soccer teams – so dominant that they’re still one of the strongest professional soccer teams to ever play on American soil.

Their stadium held 15,000 people and outdrew even the Boston Red Sox. But despite their strength, they faded into obscurity and their stadium was torn down. How did that happen? The answer is more complicated than you might think.

Check out this fascinating piece of forgotten Fall River history, and meet the people who working hard to keep it alive.

Fall River Marksmen: 100 years ago, a city soccer legend was born

Karl Pelletier, left, who owns Tipsy Toboggan in Fall River and manages Old Grist Mill, and Greg Esmay, of Somerset, the current owner of Old Grist Mill, stand in front of the historic Seekonk restaurant.
Karl Pelletier, left, who owns Tipsy Toboggan in Fall River and manages Old Grist Mill, and Greg Esmay, of Somerset, the current owner of Old Grist Mill, stand in front of the historic Seekonk restaurant.

Old Grist Mill - where it's been and where it's going

The wheels are turning at the iconic Old Grist Mill Tavern.

No, we're not talking about the old water wheel, which was once a unique feature of the instantly recognizable, centuries-old Seekonk building on the banks of the Runnins River.

There's a gradual shift happening behind the scenes at the landmark SouthCoast eatery that's played host to many a milestone moment and family gathering over the decades. Find out what’s in store for the restaurant.

Landmark eatery: Fall River restaurateur wants to take over Old Grist Mill Tavern

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Top stories in Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, Westport, Tiverton