Another One Bites the Dust … Breaking News From the World of Infectious Diseases

By: Dr. Frank MacMillan “Another one bites the dust” was a catchy tune in the 80’s popularized by the British band Queen, whose band leader Freddie Mercury ultimately succumbed to complications of AIDS, caused by the HIV virus. Basic research, clinical research and drug development in the mid 1990s turned an infectious disease from a […]

NH State Senators Should Strengthen NH Domestic Violence Laws and Further Protect our Beloved Four-Legged Friends

By D.J. Bettencourt – April, 2014 State Senators should strengthen New Hampshire’s domestic violence laws and further protect our beloved four-legged friends. This month, the New Hampshire State Senate has the opportunity to strengthen New Hampshire’s domestic violence laws and further protect our beloved four-legged friends. House Bill 1410 provides our judges with flexibility in […]

Governor Patrick Confronted by Protester, Says Justina Should be “Home in Connecticut”

Governor Patrick Confronted by Protester, Says Justina Should be “Home in Connecticut”

 “I know what I can do and I’ve been doing a lot, probably more than you know, and more than the public is entitled to know under the law.” ~ Governor Deval Patrick By: Tom Duggan, 4/24/14 Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick was confronted today on his way into an event at University of Massachusetts in […]

Protecting Kids – In Your Corner with Katy Ives

Protecting Kids  – In Your Corner with Katy Ives

By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives April, 2014 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. I’m glad to report two recent developments that will strengthen safety for our children in the Commonwealth. There have been significant discrepencies in child services this past year; one being the serious challenges at the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) […]

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 […]

This Time it Really is for the Children

This Time it Really is for the Children

By: Jeff Katz – April, 2014 According to a recent poll, more than seventy percent of us believe that that DCF is broken. I’m assuming that the other thirty percent work for DCF. Politicians routinely hoot and holler that something is “for the children.” They usually invoke that phrase when there is a piece of […]

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 […]

Coakley To Pay Fine for Campaign Finance Violations on Her Federal Committee Expenditures

Coakley To Pay Fine for Campaign Finance Violations on Her Federal Committee Expenditures

The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) has concluded that State Attorney General Martha Coakley’s state campaign committee was not in compliance with the campaign finance laws when her U.S. Senate committee paid for campaign services that should have been paid by the state committee. Under Massachusetts law, federal committees are prohibited from providing […]