(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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
By: Pennie Hale – February, 2014 Have you ever taken a food addiction quiz? Are you concerned enough about your eating habits and/or weight that you spent time searching for information regarding eating disorders, food or carb addiction and weight loss? Have you wondered why you struggle with your weight or why obesity is common […]
By: John Lenotte – March, 2014 As we start to turn the corner to Spring (I HOPE!!) members of the American Legion and other veterans service organizations look to arrive in Washington, D.C. to discuss legislative issues with members of Congress. I will report more on this in next month’s issue. I am often asked […]
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 […]
By: Phi Lahey – March, 2014 For those of you who don’t know what that stands for, it means “Not in My Backyard”. Lately there has been much media attention on heroin and addiction in general. I think people are starting to realize we are facing an epidemic that touches every city and town in […]
Dr. Bharani Padmanabhan – March, 2014 Every year on Women’s Day (March 8th) we remember the women who inspired us with their innate decency and courage. This year I give thanks that Violet Amirault enriched our Commonwealth with her life, a good person and self-made entrepreneur who really should’ve moved to California, a battered wife […]