December draws to a close, ending another bizarre year in New Bedford history. It was a time of political and social struggle, a time of tragedy and possibility, of ends and new beginnings. It was the second year of the COVID pandemic who still has the world at hand, casting a specter over all aspects of life in the city. And yet, there have also been positive developments.

We looked at the last 12 months of Normal hours stories and made a list of 10 of the most important issues and stories that affect us all. Let’s take a quick look at them all – and we’d love for you to pick out which are the top three stories of 2021. Vote via our form at the bottom of the story.

Cisco Brewers Entertainment Complex opens

After construction and delays due to the COVID pandemic, the Cisco Brewers complex on Rodney French Boulevard has finally opened. the three acre entertainment center includes a brewery, a distillery, a cellar, a 300-seat restaurant, an outdoor barbecue, a raw bar, a clam hut, an outdoor children’s area, a fire pit, five bars by the harbor, moorings, a dock for guests arriving by boat and an outdoor stage with live music. And despite challenges, including the pandemic, owners say it’s a success.

“He met all of our wildest imaginations”:New Bedford restaurant mogul reflects on 2021 successes

Lieutenant Governor Polito buys beach house for $ 1.8 million – CommonWealth Magazine

The real estate boom is coming to Greater New Bedford

The past year has been marked by big changes in the real estate world, with a vibrant seller’s market driving prices higher. All of from historic homes to country estates to condos have been for a lot of money. Among Southcoast’s buyers and new neighbors: Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, who paid $ 1.8 million for a large house near a private beach in the Padanaram neighborhood of Dartmouth.

Ownership transfers:Historic New Bedford Home (and Carriage House) on Hawthorn St. Sold

COVID vaccines arrive in the New Bedford area

The biggest weapon in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic emerged last year, as not one but three vaccines were developed. the New Bedford area has been one of the first places statewide to get mass vaccination clinics, stepping up to provide injections in line with the state’s phased vaccine rollout plan. Today the mass vaccination clinics closed while public and private clinics still offer the vaccines, but there is still a lot of work to be done before people achieve herd immunity: only 54% of the population of New Bedford has been fully vaccinated.

Preparation of the shot:‘Not enough to put the brakes on the challenge’ as New Bedford vaccination site ready

Big changes in transportation are underway

Two major projects on the horizon promise to change the transportation scene in the New Bedford area for years to come. A MassDOT plan showed an almost unrecognizable route 18 from Coggeshall Streets to Elm, transformed from a three-lane highway to a boulevard. And the South Coast Railway Project, connecting New Bedford to Boston via commuter train, remained on track with rail improvements and station construction underway, which is expected to be completed by 2023.

The new face of New Bedford? Major changes are planned for Route 18 in New Bedford. Here’s what it might look like.

Closure of two Catholic churches in New Bedford

Two churches in the north of the city officially closed in October, with Catholic parishioners now worshiping at St. Mary’s Church on Tarkiln Hill Road. The parishioners of Our Lady of Fatima and of St. Joseph-St. The churches in Therese have been attending services at St. Mary’s since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when church officials linked the three parishes.

Times are changing for Catholics:Fall River Diocese is closing two churches in New Bedford. Here is what will change.

“Codfather” gets out of prison and returns to the business world

Carlos Rafael, who managed much of the New Bedford fishing fleet and went to federal prison in November 2017 after pleading guilty to more than 20 offenses, including conspiracy, false labeling of fish, smuggling money into bulk, tax evasion and falsification of federal records, became a free man in early 2021. The man known as “Codfather” quickly made a comeback in the business world, with his company coming up with proposals for a housing complex in Dartmouth and buy the former property of the Banque Nationale des Marchands.

On the market:Codfather Carlos Rafael purchased this New Bedford property. Here’s what he can do with it.

Two from New Bedfords go viral stars on TikTok

The past year has been an important year for local celebrities on social media. Originally from Freetown and the New Bedford area, Mikayla Nogueira shares her in-depth makeup knowledge with her 5.7 million subscribers on TikTok. During this time, Zachariah Porter from New Bedford entertains over 3.1 million people on the app with its sketches and comedic characters.

To log in:How this TikTok star with 3 million followers is drawing attention to the New Bedford area

Former Mayor Kalisz dies of COVID at 63

Hundreds of people locally have died in the COVID pandemic, perhaps none greater than Fred Kalisz, longtime former mayor of New Bedford. During his tenure from 1998 to 2006, Kalisz helped establish the New Bedford Economic Development Council, saw the construction of three colleges and the renovation of the Buttonwood Park Zoo, and created a permanent home for SeaLab.

“The real son of New Bedford”:Former mayor Fred Kalisz dies of COVID at 63

Fairhaven elects first openly transgender public agent

The visibility of transgender people was taken to a new level at the local level when Ronnie Manzone made history in the Fairhaven municipal elections in becoming the city’s first openly transgender elected official. She has served for decades in varying degrees in law enforcement, most notably with the Fairhaven Police Department since 1983 and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office since 2008. She has also served as a Call Firefighter for the Department of Fairhaven Fire for five years.

“All we want is to be accepted”:Fairhaven elects first openly transgender public servant

Councilor Hugh Dunn in OUI crash, investigators punished

Ward 3 Councilor Hugh Dunn landed in hot water this year when on May 1 he was apparently involved in an early morning incident that allegedly saw him crash his car into several vehicles and leave the scene. Dunn was subsequently charged with operating under the influence, and the agents who initially dealt with the complaint were sanctioned for not having followed the basic procedure. Dunn, who ran unopposed, was re-elected in November and awaits his day in court.

Costs incurred:New Bedford City Councilor Hugh Dunn has been arraigned on charges related to the May crash

What is the biggest story of the year?

Use this form below to vote for first, second and third place.

You can reach Dan Medeiros at dmedeiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.