We must Remove the Most Vulnerable Children in Danger

We must Remove the Most Vulnerable Children in Danger

By: Joe D’Amore – April, 2014 There are heroes who work with foster families and children in Massachusetts and are on the front line of caring for children at risk and I met one of them recently. She related her daily experiences of witnessing deplorable conditions in most foster homes where the standard of protection […]

House, Senate Pass VALOR Act II

(BOSTON) – Representative Frank A. Moran (D-Lawrence) joined his colleagues in the Legislature to pass the VALOR Act II which builds upon existing legislation to expand opportunities and services for military personnel, veterans and their families. The legislation provides increased property tax relief and enhances employment, educational and healthcare support services. It creates a home […]

Valley Patriot of the Month – Hero in Our Midst: Amesbury Police Officer Jason Kooken

Valley Patriot of the Month – Hero in Our Midst: Amesbury Police Officer Jason Kooken

By: Justess Jacobson – April, 2014 Last month The Valley Patriot awarded Amesbury Police Officer Jason Kooken with The Valley Patriot, Officer Tom Duggan Sr. Law Enforcement Award. Officer Duggan’s granddaughter did the presentation to Officer Kooken. Every year, Jason Kooken bicycle rides his way down to Washington, DC to the National Law Enforcement Memorial […]

Lou Pelletier, Father of Justina on Paying Attention with Tom Duggan (980WCAP) 4-19-14

Lou Pelletier, Father of Justina on Paying Attention with Tom Duggan (980WCAP) 4-19-14

Podcast of Paying Attention with Tom Duggan, April 19, 2014. Paying Attention is produced by Chris Poublon and airs on 980WCAP in Lowell CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HOUR 1 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HOUR 2 Today Lou Pelletier, father of Justina Pelleteir joined us by phone to talk about his harrowing ordeal of his family at the […]

MA Communities Unite to Combat Heroin Epidemic

MA Communities Unite to Combat Heroin Epidemic

By: Christine Morabito – March 2014 Because of its proximity to Interstates 495, 95 and 93, the Merrimack Valley has been uniquely impacted by a shocking increase in heroin and prescription drug abuse. The drugs are reportedly entering Massachusetts by way of New York City and the Texas border. Making matters worse, the now inexpensive heroin […]

Haverhill Narcotics Team Make Several Drug Arrests in Bradford – Money, Drugs Seized

Haverhill Narcotics Team Make Several Drug Arrests in Bradford – Money, Drugs Seized

HAVERHILL – APRIL 18, 2014 Alert residents of the South Pleasant St. section of Bradford reported they observed unusual activity consistent with drug sales and usage in their neighborhood. Haverhill Narcotic Detectives conducted a four day surveillance resulting in the arrest of 11 people. The arrests included 3 men who pulled into a business parking […]

Jerry Robito to Challenge Frank Cousins for Sheriff in 2016

Jerry Robito to Challenge Frank Cousins for Sheriff in 2016

By: Jerry Robito – April, 2014 The position of Sheriff should not be held by a career politician. Instead, it should be held by a law enforcement professional who has worked in corrections. The Sheriff of Essex County has been an elected position since 1856, and there has never been an elected Sheriff that has […]

With Lenny Degnan Convicted We Urge More Indictments ~ Valley Patriot Editorial (April, 2014)

With Lenny Degnan Convicted We Urge More Indictments ~  Valley Patriot Editorial (April, 2014)

VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL For years we have called for investigations into what State Rep. Jim Lyons called the “criminal enterprise” of the Lantigua Administration in Lawrence. For years we have detailed in this newspaper the myriad of questionable and sometimes blatant criminal actions of those on the taxpayers dime at Lawrence City Hall. Now, Lantigua’s […]

Valley Patriot Doggie Columnist Tracey Zysk Receives National Award from Pet Sitters International (PSI) 2013 Platinum PAW Award

  Valley Patriot doggie columnist Tracey Zysk o North Andover, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care in North Andover, Mass., has won a national award by Pet Sitter’s International for promoting quality pet care through community events. Zysk,  owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care in North Andover, Mass., has been named the recipient of Pet […]

Bettencourt’s Retirement Marks the End of an Era on the Field and in The Classroom

Bettencourt’s Retirement Marks the End  of an Era on the Field and in The Classroom

D.J. Bettencourt While this special 10th Anniversary edition of The Valley Patriot represents a wonderful accomplishment for this publication, it also represents a personal milestone for the Bettencourt family. This month, the career of a man who is both very special to me and the Merrimack Valley region came to a close. After 37 years […]

A Timely Collection of Beauty Captured in Photography at Sweethaven Studio in Newburyport

A Timely Collection of Beauty Captured in Photography at Sweethaven Studio in Newburyport

  By: Rebeccah Pearson – April, 2014 Sweethaven Studio is the dream of Greg Nikas, and specializes in portraits of families, children, and high school senior portraits located in downtown Newburyport. At Sweethaven Studio, their goal is to deliver the highest quality photographic portraits available. Your portrait session may be photographed in our studio, your […]

Retired Lawrence Officer Dies Two Days After Warrant Issued for His Arrest

Retired Lawrence Officer Dies Two Days After Warrant Issued for His Arrest

BREAKING…. LAWRENCE… By: Tom Duggan UPDATED 4/16/14 The Valley Patriot has learned Wednesday afternoon that Former Officer William Hale passed away Wednesday.  Story Posted on 4/15/14 below An arrest warrant has been issued for former Lawrence Police Officer Billy Hale after he failed to appear in court today on the matter of his refusal to […]