Top stories: Pickleball in Dartmouth, Pink House for sale, and Fairhaven school news

Faith Harrington, The Standard-Times
·4 min read

As we head into the week, let's take a look at the news from this past week.

Mattapoisett native Erin Miranda began her new role as executive director of the Waterfront Historic Action LeaguE, better known as WHALE, in New Bedford. Miranda says her love of all things historic started as a child growing up on the SouthCoast, going on family trips to historic sites and museums, and hearing stories of the area's compelling past. She's ready to start this next chapter with WHALE and see what the future holds for the organization.

Arya Witner is the city's first openly transgender candidate to seek election to the New Bedford City Council. Witner states that transgender people are like everybody else, with their own strengths, and weaknesses. Also noting that a candidate who is qualified and transgender can bring added insight on issues that other officials may not have.

Keep up with high school sports with scores, game highlights, and player of the week voting at www.southcoasttoday.com/sports.

And now here are the most-read stories of the week on www.southcoasttoday.com:

Dartmouth is getting indoor pickleball courts in September

Pickleball & More's features a state of the art facility with over 30,000 square feet of spaceabd nine cushioned courts designed to mitigate fatigue on muscles and joints.
Pickleball & More's features a state of the art facility with over 30,000 square feet of spaceabd nine cushioned courts designed to mitigate fatigue on muscles and joints.

Another indoor pickleball court is heading for the SouthCoast with an opening planned for late September in the Planet Fitness plaza on Dartmouth Street.

Pickleball & More is on a mission to provide a premier indoor pickleball experience with a state-of-the-art facility with over 30,000 square feet of space and featuring nine cushioned courts designed to mitigate fatigue on muscles and joints,

Located at 718 Dartmouth Street, the facility will offer soft drinks and healthy snacks with a beer and wine license coming in the near future.

Here's what we know: Dartmouth is getting indoor pickleball courts in September.

 A historic pink house in New Bedford is for sale.

In all its pink glory the Gilbert Russell/Russell-Rotch Abbe House has officially hit the market.
In all its pink glory the Gilbert Russell/Russell-Rotch Abbe House has officially hit the market.

In all its pink glory the Gilbert Russell/Russell-Rotch Abbe House has officially hit the market. Lovingly known around New Bedford as “The Pink House,” this historic gem at 405 County St. has been listed for sale by The Mathew J. Arruda Group.

The Federal-style mansion that commands the whole block of Walnut Street was built as a single-family residence for Gilbert Russell, a whaling merchant. According to the home’s listing, Russell is a descendant of Joseph Russell, Duke of Bedford, the namesake of the City of New Bedford.

Barbie's dream: A historic pink house in New Bedford is for sale. Here's what it costs.

Westport school district postpones first day of school

As Westport students settled into bed Monday night on the eve of the first day of school, families received a late-night call notifying them that it had been canceled.

Westport Community Schools Superintendent Thomas Aubin said Tuesday morning that notifications of cancellations went out around 9:15 p.m. Monday night. The water system issues started becoming apparent about two hours after a 4:20 p.m. fire suppression systems check.

School resumed as normal on Tuesday.

Water issues: Westport school district postpones first day of school

Star Store closing? Artists protest. UMass Dartmouth readies Bed Bath & Beyond

A man rides his bicycle up Union Street in New Bedford past the Star Store building downtown.
A man rides his bicycle up Union Street in New Bedford past the Star Store building downtown.

A petition to Save the Star Store is just shy of 5,000 signatures, as the fate of the building is still unknown and local artists are still reeling about the Aug. 14 announcement.

In the meantime, clean-up personnel at the former Bed Bath & Beyond retail location in Dartmouth confirmed Tuesday that the space is being prepped to become a new home for UMass Dartmouth art programming.

For more than 20 years, the Star Store has provided not only workspace for CVPA students and faculty but also a connection to the New Bedford community through transformative events like poetry and music nights, art shows and educational seminars.

More: Star Store closing? Artists protest. UMass Dartmouth readies Bed Bath & Beyond

There's some new faces coming to Fairhaven Public Schools

Donnie Joseph, left, and John Ricciardi have been named co-athletic directors at Fairhaven High for the 2023-24 school year.
Donnie Joseph, left, and John Ricciardi have been named co-athletic directors at Fairhaven High for the 2023-24 school year.

Students and families of Fairhaven Public Schools will have new faces to get acquainted with this year, with four new administrators coming onboard, and two teachers expanding their roles to include athletic director.

Elizabeth Hastings Middle School welcomes new Hastings Principal Kyle Alves and new Assistant Principal Jeremy Kennefick. Andrew Davey is the new assistant principal at Fairhaven High School and Nicole McNeil became Fairhaven Public Schools' new assistant director of student services.

Lastly, Fairhaven High teachers John Ricciardi and Donald Joseph will be taking on additional responsibilities as co-athletic directors.

Get to know them: There's some new faces coming to Fairhaven Public Schools

All these stories can be read in their entirety at https://www.southcoasttoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Dartmouth pickleball, Barbie house, Star Store closing: top stories