By: Bill Cushing It’s that time of year again. That time when all TV people start thinking about the best shows that they watched over the past year. As usual, it was tough to leave some shows off the list, but here are my picks for the best TV had to offer in 2020. High […]
Kane turned off the news the other day after watching conflicting information on the Coronavirus that made his jaw feel tense and his mind feel foggy. He was tired from overthinking. Wow we have been doing this stay in your doghouse thing for a long time. What is a dog to do with this information? […]
BOSTON – A Dominican national previously living in Lawrence was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in connection with fentanyl possession. Anyelo Aybar-Franco, 25, was indicted on one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl. Aybar-Franco was previously charged by criminal complaint. According to the charging documents, on […]
Senate President Mitch McConnell and some of his Republican colleagues in Washington, D.C. are a disgrace to our country. Since March of last year, millions of Americans have been out of work because of government imposed shut-downs. In the first nine months of the COVID crisis the best our Congress could do for the American […]
By: Brian Genest It’s a Happy New Year at the Massachusetts State House. State legislators are kicking off 2021 with another pay hike. Talk about a kick in the teeth for taxpayers! Apparently, our state representatives and senators have done such an incredible job, they’re getting a 6.46% raise during the worldwide pandemic. Meanwhile, the state’s […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell The State Legislature extended its two-year session past the usual July 31st end date in order to continue legislating during the pandemic. While we have accomplished a great deal, so much remains to be done to continue state funding of critical services related to the pandemic, pass important legislation, support cities […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, 2020 was a challenging year to say the least, with our communities facing hardships that COVID-19 brought to our economy, families, health care system and many other facets of our lives. At the same time, it was amazing to see the people of the Merrimack Valley come together during an unprecedented […]
METHUEN REPORT CARDS With a new mayor and city council in Methuen taking the reins of power in January, The Valley Patriot has been keeping track of who is serving the people of Methuen and who is there to serve themselves. Below is our objective evaluation of each councilors for 2020. Our editors, staff and […]
The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. is now accepting students for enrollment in its Head Start programs. All of GLCAC’s centers in Lawrence and Methuen are open for in-person and virtual education. The centers serve families in Lawrence, Methuen, Andover and North Andover. “Research shows children who receive early learning do better in school,’’ […]
Methuen Mayor Neil Perry is pleased to announce that the City has received state funding to further enhance the economic development of the downtown area by improving the transportation and parking infrastructure on Charles and Lawrence Streets. Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Secretary Mike Kenneally of the Executive Office of Housing and […]
Good News for NECC Health Care Programs Northern Essex Community College is expanding its health care programs, thanks to a $400,000 grant which the college recently received from the Massachusetts Skills Capital Program. The grant was part of $11.7 million awarded by the Baker-Polito Administration this year to help high schools, colleges, and […]
BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for heroin trafficking. Angel Martinez-Peguero, 30, who previously resided in Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 10 years in prison and four years of supervised release. In November 2020, Martinez-Peguero pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute […]
BOSTON – A Methuen man was indicted on Monday, Jan. 11 by a federal grand jury on charges of armed bank robbery. Caio Costa, 25, was indicted on one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. According to charging documents, […]
1/11/21 Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon has notified Mayor Perry this morning that he has put in for his retirement papers after 35 years on the police department, and 18 years as police chief. Sources close to Solomon said that he made the decision after watching Mayor Perry on the Paying Attention! Podcast last Thursday. […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence woman was indicted today by a federal grand jury in connection with her role in a scheme to cash checks obtained through filed fraudulent tax returns. Luz Paulino, 38, was indicted on one count of bank fraud conspiracy, three counts of bank fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Paulino […]