Crime Plummets in the Valley ~ Lawrence, Haverhill See Major Reduction In Crime

Crime Plummets in the Valley ~ Lawrence, Haverhill See Major Reduction In Crime

  By: Eric Spagnoli LAWRENCE While it has long had the reputation as a crime plagued city, Lawrence Police say crime in Lawrence has decreased 32% overall in 2020. This included a fairly sharp decline in all major crime categories except for murder, which rose from four cases in 2019 to five cases in 2020. […]

KANE’S CORNER – Bullied Breed Rescue

KANE’S CORNER – Bullied Breed Rescue

  Kane put on his thinking cap so he could pay special attention to what president Kelly Burns and Tommy the Pitt Bull Terrier had to say about their nonprofit organization Bullied Breed Rescue. Kane also a rescue felt he would learn how Bullied Breed gives dogs like Tommy a chance to find a loving […]

Rep. Tram Nguyen (D) Andover, Files 27 Bills

Rep. Tram Nguyen (D) Andover, Files 27 Bills

Representative Tram T. Nguyen (D-Andover) met the February 19th filing deadline with 27 bills filed. Her proposed legislation ranges from support for working families to enhanced protections for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other crimes; consumer protection; criminal justice; climate change; animal welfare; addressing discrimination; combatting hate crimes; and increasing racial […]

Commonwealth Responds to Methuen’s Request for Increase in Federal Aid

Commonwealth Responds to Methuen’s Request for Increase in Federal Aid

3-26-21 Methuen Mayor Neil  Perry said on Friday that he is grateful for the broad support Methuen has received from congress and the local delegation that resulted in Governor Charlie Baker’s announcement this morning that an additional 100 million dollars in aid will be distributed between Methuen, Everett, Chelsea, and Randolph. While these four cities were […]

Adrian Urena, (40) of Lawrence Pleads Guilty to Defense Contracting Fraud

Adrian Urena, (40) of Lawrence Pleads Guilty to Defense Contracting Fraud

 A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today to a scheme to defraud the U.S. Navy relating to glove liners purchased for use on nuclear submarines. Adrian Urena, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing false papers to defraud the United States and one count of making false statements. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns […]

Parole Board Gave Inadequate Reentry Information, Delayed Risk and Needs Assessments to Parolees, Audit Shows

Parole Board Gave Inadequate Reentry Information, Delayed Risk and Needs Assessments to Parolees, Audit Shows

BOSTON– An audit released today by State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump revealed the Massachusetts Parole Board could not show that all parolees received necessary documents related to their reentry, including information about the terms and conditions of parole, and information about where the individual will be living upon release. Bump’s audit also found the Board […]

CENTURY 21 McLennan & Company Agent Receives 2020 President’s Producer Award for Commitment to Quality Service and Productivity

CENTURY 21 McLennan & Company Agent Receives 2020 President’s Producer Award for Commitment to Quality Service and Productivity

METHUEN – (Grassroots Newswire) – Janet McLennan, broker/owner of CENTURY 21 McLennan & Company is pleased to announce that in recognition of outstanding sales production and commitment to quality service, Century 21 Real Estate LLC recently honored Trevor Gearin, sales associate with CENTURY 21 McLennan & Company with the 2020 CENTURY 21(r) President’s Producer Award. The […]

Gr. Lawrence Tech School Approves Plan for Partial, In-Person Learning for Career and Technical Education

Gr. Lawrence Tech School Approves Plan for Partial, In-Person Learning for Career and Technical Education

ANDOVER — Superintendent John Lavoie reports the Greater Lawrence Tech School Committee has approved plans for a phased return to facilitate more in-person learning for career and technical education classes.   The transition falls in line with guidance from the Department and Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that a return to fully in-person learning, with […]

Northern Essex Plans for a “Socially-Distanced” Graduation

Northern Essex Plans for a “Socially-Distanced” Graduation

NECC Announces Graduation Plans For the Class of 2021 The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on just about everything, including the way colleges celebrate their graduates. Last year, Northern Essex Community College’s traditional graduation ceremony—typically held in May under a 3,000-person tent on the Haverhill Campus quad—was cancelled and replaced with a virtual ceremony […]

Valley Patriot Celebrating 17 Years – and Counting ~ Valley Patriot Editorial (03/21) –

Valley Patriot Celebrating 17 Years – and Counting ~ Valley Patriot Editorial (03/21) –

March, 2021 Seventeen years ago, this month, the very first Valley Patriot rolled off the printing press at Graphic Development in Hanover, Massachusetts. We remember the predictions of local politicians who said we would be out of business in 3 months, laughing at the idea that anyone would take this monthly publication seriously. We also […]

Tewksbury Rep. David A. Robertson Fined $2K for Using His Own Money to Finance His Campaign

Tewksbury Rep. David A. Robertson Fined $2K for Using His Own Money to Finance His Campaign

State Rep. David A. Robertson of Tewksbury agreed to a total civil forfeiture payment of $2,000 to resolve issues of non-disclosure in his 2020 reelection campaign, according to a disposition agreement between the candidate and OCPF. Robertson acknowledged that during the 2020 primary and general elections, he personally spent $15,399 without utilizing his campaign bank […]

Illegal Alien, Jonathan Mejia of Lawrence Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking

Illegal Alien, Jonathan Mejia of Lawrence Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking

BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced yesterday in connection with drug trafficking activities involving fentanyl. Jonathan Mejia, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release. In November 2020, Mejia pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of and possession with […]

Illegal Alien, Carlos Soto-Villar of Lawrence Sentenced to More than 15 Yrs in Prison for Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking

Illegal Alien, Carlos Soto-Villar of Lawrence Sentenced to More than 15 Yrs in Prison for Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking

BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced yesterday in relation to the seizure of over 10 kilograms of fentanyl and heroin in December 2018. Carlos Soto-Villar, 34, a Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 188 months in prison and five years of supervised release. […]