PDF of the January, 2021 Edition of The Valley Patriot ~ Lawrence Hits the Lottery
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Methuen Resident Randy Carter Honored as Volunteer of the Month at Clear Path for Veterans New England
Clear Path for Veterans New England would like to congratulate our Volunteer of the Month for November 2020, Randy Carter. Thank you to WPKZ Radio for hosting our Volunteer of the Month Awards, along with the following sponsors: Olympic Trophy (Worcester) and Harvard Outdoor Power Equipment. Randy will receive a gift and a plaque for […]
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ ~ TV TALK with BILL CUSHING
By: Bill Cushing – Dec. 2020 You don’t have to know the game of chess to enjoy Netflix’s superb binge-worthy new series. ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is a seven part limited series about a female chess prodigy coming of age during the Cold War. It begins in a Kentucky orphanage in the late 1950s. A young […]
John Ratomski World War II US Navy Seabee and New York City Cop ~ HEROES IN OUR MIDST, VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH
By: John Cuddy – Dec. 2020 Retired New York City Police Officer, John Joseph Ratomski, tried to enlist in the Marine Corps the year after Pearl Harbor, in December of 1942. Joe, as he was known to his friends, was found to be color blind, and the Marines rejected him for this reason. The US […]
2020 Was A Year of Change in Dracut
By: Brian Genest – Dec, 2020 What a difference a year makes. Unlike 2019, which was filled with controversy and a management shakeup at town hall, 2020 was a time of positive change for Dracut. This year, Dracut got strong new leaders in the town manager’s office, at the police department and on the board […]
Zoom Call with the Homeless Dogs at The Humane Society ~ Coffee with Kane
Kane visited the Lowell Humane Society to learn about the dog adoption program. Since he was a rescue himself, he wanted to understand how other dogs became homeless, how they prepared for adoption, and how could he support the resident dogs in finding a forever home. Kane decided the best way to go about this […]
A Year in Review ~ METHUEN MAYOR NEIL PERRY’s MONTHLY VALLEY PATRIOT REPORT
December – Year in Review As I write this article, it is hard to believe that more than a year has passed since I was elected Mayor. As end of 2020 approaches, it’s a good time to take a look in the rearview mirror and highlight some of our accomplishments together over a very difficult […]
Fighting to Bring Your Tax Money Back to The Valley ~ IN YOUR CORNER with SENATOR DIANA DIZOGLIO
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, The Legislature recently passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2021. The package includes important investments in sectors impacted by COVID-19, including public health, education and childcare, food security and housing supports. Locally, the budget includes $200,000 toward the establishment of a first-ever Methuen Youth and Community Center, bringing us one step […]
House Passes Balanced Budget: State Grants Coming to Merrimack Valley
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, there remains a tremendous need for food assistance in Massachusetts, as our economy has been particularly hard hit and unemployment numbers are through the roof. If you are in need of food assistance, the Project Bread Hotline can connect you to […]
Mitchell Fired from Veteran’s Northeast Outreach After Months of Chaos
UPDATED 12-31-20 Sources at Veterans North East Outreach Center, (VNEOC) – a nonprofit in Haverhill – say that Executive Director Ed Mitchell, was fired this morning after months of turmoil at the organization. Mitchell is the former Veterans’ Services Officer in North Andover and was brought in to VNOEC after the passing of founder John […]
Mayor Puts Police Chief, Captain on Leave After Inspector General Report Cites “Failure at Every Level” on Police Superior Officers’ Contract
12/23/20 Methuen Mayor Neil Perry has put Police Chief Joe Solmon and Captain Greg Gallant on leave after a scathing report was released today by the The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding the passing of the controversial 2017 Police Superior Officers’ Contract. In the 153 page report the Inspector General cites a “a […]
Merrimack Valley Chamber Recognizes Holy Family Hospital Award
Today the Merrimack Valley Chamber recognized Holy Family Hospital for its 2020 “Top General Hospital” with a special citation. Chamber President & CEO Joe Bevilacqua and Vice President Michael A. Bevilacqua said they were “very proud of the work the hospital is doing and the excellent staff that helps to achieve such high levels of excellence.” HFH […]
MA Lottery Moving North Shore Operations, Prize Center to Lawrence
The Massachusetts State Lottery’s North Shore Operations Center and Retail Prize Claim Center will be moving into adjoining spaces at the Stadium Plaza shopping center in Lawrence in 2021. The Mass Lottery has agreed to 10-year leases for each of the two spaces with ACS Development Corporation, owner of the Stadium Plaza property located at […]
Nicholas O’Neil (37) of Tewksbury, Indicted on Bank Robbery Charge
BOSTON – A Tewksbury man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a Sept. 22, 2020 bank robbery. Nicholas O’Neil, 37, has been indicted on one count of bank robbery after being arrested in Tewksbury on Sept. 22, 2020. He was previously charged by federal criminal complaint. According to […]
MA Congressman Moulton: “VA Secretary Wilkie must resign”
Representative Seth Moulton released the following statement regarding the findings by the Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General that VA Secretary Robert Wilkie mishandled reports of sexual assault at an agency hospital. “Late yesterday, the VA Inspector General released a scathing report that showed VA Secretary Robert Wilkie sought to discredit a Navy veteran who reported she was assaulted at […]