Critical Role of Peer Support For First Responders ~ KANE’S KORNER

Critical Role of Peer Support For First Responders ~ KANE’S KORNER

Joe Rizzuti, an active member of the Certified Peer Support Specialist Team serving police officers and first responders in Massachusetts, took the time to sit down with Kane to provide information on the history and development of the rise of peer support networks throughout the Commonwealth. Support comes in many forms, including critical incident support, […]

US Navy Seabee Veteran Robert “Bob” Brown of Andover ~ VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH, HERO IN OUR MIDST

US Navy Seabee Veteran Robert “Bob” Brown of Andover ~ VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH, HERO IN OUR MIDST

  By: John Cuddy – 02-23 US Navy Seabee Veteran and Andover resident Robert “Bob” Brown is the son of a US Military Veteran and Massachusetts firefighter. The Valley Patriot first met up with Bob Brown last year at a Chamber of Commerce function at Salvatore’s in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Bob and his staff helped write […]

Breaking a Bad Habit

Breaking a Bad Habit

By: Philippe Thibault Did you ever take a Myers Briggs Personality Test? I have been intrigued by the sixteen personality types and the associations of one type working with another. It would be amusing to have the Dracut Board of Selectmen fill out the survey and see what dynamics are at work between the members. […]

Massachusetts Democrats Steal House Seat

Massachusetts Democrats Steal House Seat

A close race, a recount, a court challenge and legislative action, resulted in the 1st Essex District State Rep. Lenny Mirra winning his reelection by 100 votes then losing by one vote. Mirra appeared on the Paying Attention! Podcast last week (iTunes, iHeartRadio, YouTube, PodBean) to give us the exclusive on how the entire apparatus […]

Essex Sheriff Lowers Hiring Age for Correctional Officers from 21 Years Old to 19

Essex Sheriff Lowers Hiring Age for Correctional Officers from 21 Years Old to 19

Sheriff Coppinger cites critical staffing challenges as reason for new policy MIDDLETON — The Essex County Sheriff’s Department is lowering its minimum age for correctional officers from 21 years old to 19 years old to help address a critical shortage of officers. With staffing shortages being what they are, the Essex County Sheriff’s Department is […]

Seven Critical Bills Filed to Help The Valley

Seven Critical Bills Filed to Help The Valley

By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton ~ 02-23 It has been a busy month in the 15 Essex District. My office officially submitted seven bills for this legislative session. These bills address issues such as veteran and active-duty military benefits—mental health resources for those in our schools, and electrifying the Haverhill Commuter Rail line by the […]

Essex County D.A. Tucker Releases Investigation Details on Deaths of Robinson Family in Andover  

Essex County D.A. Tucker Releases Investigation Details on Deaths of Robinson Family in Andover  

The following is a summary of findings from the investigation conducted by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, detectives from the Andover Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. About 3:09 a.m. on Feb. 9, 2023, the Andover Police Department received a 911 call from 48 […]

Vilma Martinez-Dominguez to Lead Community Action Council

Vilma Martinez-Dominguez to Lead Community Action Council

  The long-time Executive Director & CEO of the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc., plans to retire and will be succeeded by Lawrence’s Vilma Martinez-Dominguez. Evelyn Friedman, Executive Director & CEO, has announced plans to retire in July, and the GLCAC Board of Directors has selected Martinez-Dominguez, the current Chief Operating Officer (COO), to […]

What We Need is Real Equity in Our Schools

What We Need is Real Equity in Our Schools

By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino As a state representative, I am deeply dedicated to fighting for equity in my community. Equity is not just about treating everyone the same, but it is about addressing the systemic barriers and inequalities that prevent certain groups from having the same opportunities for success. The difference between equality and […]

A Look Into the First Few Weeks as State Auditor ~ IN YOUR CORNER with STATE AUDITOR DIZOGLIO

A Look Into the First Few Weeks as State Auditor ~ IN YOUR CORNER with STATE AUDITOR DIZOGLIO

  Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Last Wednesday, surrounded by family and friends, I was sworn in as your State Auditor at Methuen High School, my alma mater, where I had the opportunity to share my audit plan. As Auditor, I am excited to collaborate with communities and stakeholders to increase access, accountability, and equity for […]

Fighting for Working Class Families in Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill

Fighting for Working Class Families in Lawrence, Methuen, and Haverhill

By: State Senator Pavel Payano ~ 02-23 My first month as a state Senator has been eventful both in the district and on Beacon Hill. I have been joined by an amazing team who work diligently to help me serve the First Essex District. They assist me with everything from policy research to responding to […]