By: Katie Cook – 6/24 Service clubs truly are the heart of the Merrimack Valley! Typically, these clubs are professional men & women coming together to provide service to our communities, in line with their national organizations mission. They are neighbors, friends, and leaders volunteering their skills and resources to solve issues and address […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton – 6/24 Last week, I proudly voted to pass a comprehensive Bill to enhance veterans’ benefits. The Massachusetts Legislature has gone forward with Bill H.4661, comprehensive legislation aimed at bolstering benefits and support for veterans across the state. This bill encompasses many changes, from increasing tax credits for businesses hiring […]
6-24 A 26-page racism lawsuit filed against the Methuen Police Department by Methuen Police Sgt. Charles DeJesus reads like a 1970’s undercover Ku Klux Klan exposé. detective dejesus lawsuit (2) Accusations within the lawsuit seem so outrageous that it’s almost impossible to believe police officers and police superior officers would dare think – much less […]
By: Peter Larocque – 5/24 Greetings and God Bless every one of you in Jesus Mighty Name! Let us get right into it! There are many voices on Television, Radio, and The Internet, Social Media, and Streaming Platforms like YouTube, Blogs, and Podcast! All having someone expressing, I have got a word from the Lord […]
By: Ken Willette – 5/24 It costs $360,000 to educate and house the average undergraduate over 4 years at Columbia University. The current endowment fund at Harvard University is estimated at a whopping $53 billion. Imagine the radioactivity of soon-to-be graduates of both institutions attempting to obtain jobs at law firms, investment houses, government […]
A mysterious private detective struggles with personal demons as he investigates the disappearance of a Hollywood producer’s beloved granddaughter. That is the story behind ‘Sugar,’ a stylish throwback to the film noir detectives of the past with a terrific lead performance by Colin Farrell and my recommendation for this month. John Sugar lives in […]
By: Philippe Thibault – 5/24 The populace in Dracut is fiercely proud of its agrarian ancestry. The wilderness north of the river, known to the native peoples as Augumtoocooke, was incorporated into the Town of Dracut in 1701. The earliest “European “settlers with names of Varnum, Richardson, Fox, and others took to the soil to […]
By: Lenny Mirra – 5/24 Sometimes the system works! Voters soundly rejected a plan for a new Whittier Vocational Tech building at a cost of $444.6 million, and when I say soundly, I mean angrily too. Comments I heard in person and on social media showed voters were turned off not only by the price […]
Knox’s Artillery Regiment Group Creates Live Reenactment of the American Revolutionary War Sean O’Brien resident of Tewksbury, MA certainly lives a life of service. Professionally Sean serves as a North Reading Fire- Fighter and also served in the Massachusetts National Guard. Much of his service time was dedicated to mortars. Kane learned since a […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Recently, our office released an analysis illustrating how Transportation Network Companies’ (TNCs’) classification of drivers as independent contractors or employees significantly impacts TNCs’ contribution obligations to Massachusetts employee protection programs such as workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance (UI), and paid family and medical leave (PFML). What’s a TNC? Think Uber or […]
By: John Cuddy – 5/24 The 2024 John Ratka Hero Veteran Award recipient, Haverhill’s Eric Ryan graduated from Haverhill High School in 1988. While growing up in the city with his brother, he was greatly influenced by his two grandfathers, both World War II Veterans. One, left Norwich University during his sophomore year, after the […]
By Maureen Rooseboom People love to come to the SeVmar Mediterranean Bistro at the corner of Main Street and Shannon Road in Salem, N.H. because it’s a cozy fun place to eat. Jocelyn Maroun says she worked in this Salem restaurant (formerly called the Salem Kabob) her parents owned when she was in high school […]
By: Brian Genest – 5/24 It’s the end of an era in Dracut—and congratulations are in order. Joe DiRocco has retired after serving on the Board of Selectmen for 20 years. As a town firefighter, fire chief and selectman, DiRocco has served Dracut for nearly 50 years. He’s provided a lifetime of commitment to our […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes – 5/24 April is always a special month. First, there’s Earth Day, which reminds us to appreciate the trees that are beginning to bloom, and we get a taste of the warmer weather to come. In the Massachusetts House of Representatives, April is a notable month as well, as it […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton 5-24 I’m happy to report that the House Budget has been passed and that Methuen and Haverhill did well in this year’s house budget. In Chapter 70, Methuen received 68.62 million, while Haverhill received 87.97 million. In Unrestricted local aid, Methuen received 6.56 million, and Haverhill received 11.87 million. For […]