By: DJ Deeb – April, 2016 After several years of asking for an updated Capital Improvement Plan for Methuen Public Schools, Facilities Director Bruce Stella presented a comprehensive 5-year plan for Facilities and Maintenance to members of the School Committee to review at our March 28th Workshop Meeting. Currently, the Methuen School Committee is working […]
By: Jennifer Jones – 4-12-18 On a brisk Saturday morning March 26, 2016, the troops rallied for a special event at Endicott Park in Danvers, Massachusetts from 11-2p. For people who are interested in history, we really are fortunate to live in a great part of the country, as so much American history was formed […]
(FROM TIM COCO) HAVERHILL – Replacement batting cages and dugouts are coming to the West Newbury Youth League and supporters of the town’s Council on Aging will receive a boost as a result of two Haverhill Bank contributions totaling $17,500. The West Newbury Youth League was recently given $15,000 by the bank to back their […]
By: Joe D’Amore-4-12-16 When the sun goes down and the amber street lights flicker on, the arches under the bridge where a large population of homeless people live take on a surreal, nocturnal ambiance. The muted voices of people huddled in tents and makeshift lean-tos contrast the ceaseless din of cars overhead. In the distance […]
By: Rick Bellanti – Feb, 2016 I received a great question this week: Rick, I go to the gym five times a week I do plenty of cardio and work out all the time and yet I can’t seem to lose weight, what gives? First, you have to take a look at what you’re eating, […]
Over coffee and pastry, fifty people attended the first legislative open house at Daybreak Shelter in Lawrence, MA. In tight quarters, Carina Pappalardo, Chief Executive Officer, discussed the agency’s partnership with the Coalition for Homeless Individuals. The homeless make up a third of the state’s homeless population in Massachusetts. A population that is on the rise […]
By: Anna DeBernardo – March, 2016 With Super Tuesday just around the corner, talk of politics can be heard from every direction one turns. Some of the candidates participating in this year’s election, however, seem to be the protagonists of a bad comedy rather than potential nominees for the presidency. Between Trump’s brash comments, Hillary’s […]
By: Amy Berard – March, 2016 According to the most recent data available from the Massachusetts Department of Education, teacher retention rates vary from one Merrimack Valley district to the next. Methuen boasts a teacher retention rate of 93.3%. However, their principal retention rate is 50%. 96.6% of educators and 97.7% of administrators in Methuen […]
By: Dr. Bharani Padmanabhan – March, 2016 Healthcare costs are a huge percentage of the Commonwealth’s annual expense and a significant burden on both public and private employers’ budgets. Eventually all the spending gets reflected in the insurance premiums we all must pay. It naturally follows that huge attention must be paid to ensure that […]
By: Rick Bellanti – March, 2016 This week’s question came at the perfect time for me, as my plane just landed and I just returned from taking my daughter to Orlando, FL for her school vacation and visited all those amazing theme parks and tourist attractions, better known as the city of delicious but horrible food […]
By: Bill Cushing – March, 2016 Do you remember where you were when you first heard of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman on June 13, 1994? How about on June 17, 1994 when OJ Simpson, accused of the aforementioned murders, fled from justice in a white Ford Bronco while being pursued […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell 2.5.16 I am pleased that the House of Representatives is currently closely reviewing legislation filed by Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante from Gloucester that will allow those suffering from addiction to go to their local police station for help without fear of being charged with drug possession. There may be […]
By: DJ Deeb – March. 2016 The Methuen High School Graduation will not be held at the Tsongas Arena after all. After much lobbying by members of the senior class and their parents, the Methuen High School Graduation ceremonies will be held at the new renovated Nicholson Stadium in Methuen. The month of February witnessed […]
By: DJ Bettencourt – March. 2016 At the time of this writing, it marks the eighth anniversary of the passing of the father of modern American conservatism, William F. Buckley. As the Republican Party seems ready to imperil its chances of winning the 2016 election by nominating Donald Trump, this edited tribute to Buckley at […]
By: Al Kaprielian This winter continues to differ greatly from last winter with warmer temperatures and less snow. This winter is an El Nino winter where the cold artic air has a difficult time staying for a long period of time. El Nino occurs when the South Pacific Ocean is warmer than normal. El Nino […]