EXCLUSIVE TO THE VALLEY PATRIOT 6-23 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Recently, I had the honor of delivering the commencement address to the Class of 2023 at my alma mater, Middlesex Community College. It was a beautiful day celebrating all of the hard work, tireless efforts and sacrifices made by the graduates, their families, and friends. […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes 6-26-23 I want the Valley Patriot readers to know this month, that having the opportunity to write this column has been really helpful in serving the taxpayers of Methuen and Lawrence. This column helps me relay important information to the public about what is going on in the state legislature […]
Access Point 8 Reopened 6/26/23 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo and Sen. Bruce Tarr, Chair of the Merrimack River Beach Alliance, today released the below statements on the reopening of Access Point 8 at Salisbury Beach. “We are thrilled to be reopening the access point 8 at Salisbury Beach today ahead […]
BOSTON: Among the bills sponsored this session by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio is legislation to reform the Commonwealth’s payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program for state-owned land (SOL). PILOT programs help municipal governments replace some or all revenue lost from certain state property tax exemptions, including those associated with nonprofit organizations, recreational areas, and certain properties owned by […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 6/23 On Thursday, May 25th, the Massachusetts Senate approved a comprehensive budget of $55.9 billion for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), signaling the Commonwealth’s commitment to fiscal discipline and the long-term economic well-being of the state. With a focus on equity and opportunity, the Senate’s budget delivers historic levels of […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton (Methuen) 6-23 As we look back on the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to highlight one of my legislative priorities for this session – youth mental health. Our young people are facing staggering rates of poor mental health, made only worse by the isolating effects […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes – 5-23 As the state representative for Methuen and Lawrence I have been focused on how the state’s budget can benefit my constituents in both communities. When putting the state budget together, legislators are allowed to request “earmarks” for our districts. An earmark is when the legislature votes to allocate […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino As a state representative, I am proud to announce that we have secured significant funding for both Lawrence and Methuen in this year’s budget. Lawrence Chapter 70 will receive $266,144,831, an increase of $25,438,040 from FY23, while Methuen will receive $64,681,414, an increase of $8,080,389. Chapter 70 is the state […]
EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE VALLEY PATRIOT By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio – (05-23) Being a senior citizen in Massachusetts should be especially fulfilling, as our Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) operates with a core mission to “develop, implement, and evaluate innovative programs to promote the independence, empowerment, and well-being of older adults, individuals with disabilities, […]
State Senator Pavel Payano (5-23) As your State Senator, I am committed to ensuring that every resident in our state has access to the quality mental health care they need and deserve. Mental health challenges can impact anyone, regardless of age, background, or socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, there are significant barriers to accessing mental health care, […]
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, alongside other elected officials, welcomed Congresswoman Lori Trahan to Lawrence City Hall, for a very productive meeting to discuss Lawrence’s infrastructure priorities and projects, in particular the bridges in Lawrence that are in serious disrepair. Consequently, Congresswoman Trahan says she is committed to ensuring these projects in Lawrence receive funding support. […]
During the last week of April, the House of Representatives, at its budget week, I am proud to report that the Methuen delegation, comprised of myself, Representative Estela Reyes and Representative Francisco Paulino secured $175,000 in local earmarks. I secured $50,000 for mental health resources in Methuen Public Schools, $25,000 for the Cogswell art centre […]
MIDDLETON, Mass. — Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger has released the 2022 Annual Report for the Essex County Sheriff’s Department highlighting its “Partnering to Serve.” The report takes an in-depth look at each of the Sheriff’s Department’s facilities, its programs, and it spending to provide Essex County residents a data-driven accounting of the agency’s […]
5-17-23 A grand jury sitting Wednesday in Salem Superior Court returned the indictment against Lee Harvey, 30, of Roslindale for allegedly shooting and killing 32-year-old Jose Delacruz. Delacruz was fatally wounded early on March 27, 2022, outside a Bank of America ATM near 257 Essex St., Lawrence. Harvey also was indicted for carrying a firearm, carrying […]
6-`6-23 BANNING PLASTIC BAGS Voters at the Annual Town Meeting in North Andover voted overwhelmingly to ban plastic bags in food businesses with more than 3,000 square feet. This will effect Market Basket and other grocery stores and restaurants in town. To the surprise of many Town Meeting voters, the North Andover Board of Health […]