NEW BEDFORD — The past week was a roller-coaster ride for local politics.
On Tuesday, the preliminary election saw Ward 5 City Councilor Scott Lima and candidate Zach Boyer advance to the general election in November.
(FYI, the last day to register to vote in the general election is Oct. 13. For more information, visit newbedford-ma.gov/election-commission/)
Then on Wednesday, New Bedford City Councilor Hugh Dunn was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of property damage and operating a motor vehicle negligently following a car crash on May 1.
Fall River clerk magistrate John O’Neil found probable cause for all offenses the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office applied for in June. The criminal complaint was issued on Wednesday and Dunn will next be arraigned in New Bedford District Court.
Of course, politics wasn’t the only topic on readers’ minds. Here are the most read stories on southcoasttoday.com this week.
Actor Kevin James visits Whaling City Diner
“The King of Queens” actor Kevin James was in New Bedford last weekend.
“I don’t know what brought him to the diner. He was here with the friends,” said Elsa Defaria, co-owner of The Whaling City Diner on Purchase Street.
James is best known for his Emmy-nominated role as Doug in the CBS sitcom, “The King of Queens.” He is also known for the films, “Grown Ups,” “Paul Blart: Mall Cop,” “Here Comes the Boom” and “Zookeeper.” He recently starred in the Netflix series, “The Crew.”
“It was very exciting,” Defaria said. “I watched King of Queens, a lot. And I liked Mall Cop.”
Learn more about his visit:‘King of Queens’ actor Kevin James enjoys breakfast at this New Bedford diner
TikTok star shows off his SouthCoast roots
Like many viral TikTok stars, Zachariah Porter grew his audience the most during the pandemic. He first downloaded the app in January 2019 when he was home sick with strep throat. At the time, he said the app was targeted more toward the costume play “cosplay” audience. After making his first video and receiving a meager 20 likes, he said, “Oh my God, I’m hooked.” While working at a nonprofit in Fall River, he would make videos every night and post online in his spare time.
In the year leading up to COVID-19, he was working at Joe’s on Route 6, having left the nonprofit to focus on what he wanted to do in life. At that time, he had 75,000 followers and his co-workers brought up a good point.
“This is the point where I either take it as a joke or throw my all into it,” Porter recalled.
Funny stuff:How this TikTok star with 3 million followers is bringing attention to the New Bedford area
Top 10 home sales
A 5,000-square-foot Georgian revival. Two large homes on Hawthorn Street built in the 19th century. A completely redone home on “The Peninsula” in the South End.
It’s been a red-hot market in 2021 for single-family homes, and in New Bedford some stunning, historic and large (22 rooms! 8 bedrooms!) homes have sold at prices that are moving the needle in the local market.
Top real estate transactions:These are the top 10 home sales so far in 2021 in New Bedford
City wins lawsuit against trash hauler
A jury ruled in favor of the city of New Bedford last week in the city’s three-year lawsuit against ABC Disposal over a contract dispute regarding recycling fees.
The city sued the disposal, hauling and recycling company in Bristol County Superior Court in May of 2018 to block the company from charging additional fees for recycling, which the city argued was in violation of its contract.
City claims legal victory:New Bedford wins three-year lawsuit against ABC Disposal over recycling fees
More celebs with local ties
A young guitar prodigy, the first female African American doctor, a former NHL player, a ghost hunter, a Grammy-Award winning rapper and a seventh-degree black belt — there are so many accomplished people out there, but only these overachievers call New Bedford their home.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve introduced you to Tony- and Oscar- Award winners, an NFL player, an America’s Got Talent contestant, the one-time richest woman in America. But that’s not all.
From WWE to the NHL to ghost hunting:12 more famous people from the New Bedford area
