Advocating for the Disabled Community ~IN YOUR CORNER WITH KATY IVES

Advocating for the Disabled Community ~IN YOUR CORNER WITH KATY IVES

By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives September, 2014 There are several pieces of legislation I supported and co-sponsored, which have been signed into law by the Governor and will assist the disabled community and their families in Massachusetts. These measures will expand employment opportunities, health care coverage and ensure these residents are being cared for in […]

Methuen High Students Find Success Through LARE Institute Program

Methuen High Students Find Success Through LARE Institute Program

Good grades were something Valeryn Polanco, 18, had always worked hard to earn. So when those grades started sliding her senior year at Methuen High School, leaving her in danger of not graduating on time, Valeryn sought out an opportunity to turn things around. She, along with nine of her classmates, enrolled in the Senior […]

Methuen Chief on Drug Epidemic in The Valley

Methuen Chief on Drug Epidemic in The Valley

This is part III of our series on Law Enforcement in Massachusetts from our interview with Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon. Solomon appeared on Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan’s radio program (Paying Attention!) last month to talk about the city’s new “shooter detection system” being used in the Methuen Schools as well as the “militarization of […]

L’Italien Blames Republicans for her Non Payment of Taxes, Erroneously Claims her Opponent had Liens as Well

L’Italien Blames Republicans for her Non Payment of Taxes, Erroneously Claims her Opponent had Liens as Well

By: Tom Duggan 9/23/14 Senate Candidate Barbara L’Italien issues a statement today in response to The Valley Patriot’s news story that she owes more than $7,000 in back taxes while loaning more than $13,000 to her senate campaign. (STORY HERE) In her statement L’Italien blamed the issue on her opponent Alex Vispoli and the Republicans but does not […]

Barbara L’Italien, Candidate for State Senate Has Tax Lien $7,618 in Taxes, Lent Campaign $13K

Barbara L’Italien, Candidate for State Senate Has Tax Lien $7,618 in Taxes, Lent Campaign $13K

By: Tom Duggan – 9/23/14 (Follow up story HERE) The Massachusetts Department of Revenue has placed a tax lien on former State Representative Barbara L’Italien, who is a member of the Andover School Committee and a candidate for State Senate in Massachusetts. According to the tax lien L’Italien refused to pay $7,618.58 in taxes in 2011 […]

Interview with Superintendent-Receiver, Jeff Riley, PT I

Interview with Superintendent-Receiver, Jeff Riley, PT I

Last Year, Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan sat down with Jeff Riley, the man tapped by the Massachusetts Department of Education to run the Lawrence Schools after putting the city schools into receivership. This year we did a follow up interview to see what has changed for the good and bad. Here is Part I […]

TITLE Boxing Club Celebrates Their 1 Year Anniversary

TITLE Boxing Club Celebrates Their 1 Year Anniversary

TITLE Boxing Club has quickly become the go-to fitness club for workout enthusiasts and beginners alike in the Merrimack Valley. Appropriate for all ages and fitness levels, members range in age from 8-87, and the largest demographic is women, ages 26-54. Last month, Title Boxing Club of North Andover donated 10 punching bags to the […]

Positive Changes Taking Place in Methuen Schools

Positive Changes Taking  Place in Methuen Schools

By: DJ Deeb – September, 2014 As the 2014-2015 school year approaches, exciting changes are taking place in Methuen Public Schools. Members of the Methuen School Committee have been working hard over the summer with Superintendent Judy Scannell and Mayor Steve Zanni to ensure that our schools are prepared to service Methuen students and provide […]

Podcast of Paying Attention: Guests Mark Roberge of Prospect Hill and Alex Vispoli (September 13, 2014)

Podcast of Paying Attention: Guests Mark Roberge of Prospect Hill and Alex Vispoli (September 13, 2014)

  CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OR  LISTEN TO HOUR 1 CLICK TO DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN TO HOUR 2 Tom and Paul spoke with Prospect Hill founder and drummer Mark Roberge about the band’s parting with lead singer dam Fithian. Alex Vispoli candidate for State Senate also came in to the studio in the second hour to […]

VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL (9-14) – Who Were the Real Racists in Ferguson?

VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL (9-14) – Who Were the Real Racists in Ferguson?

September, 2104 In Ferguson, MO a white police officer shot a black man named Michael Brown six times, killing him after a confrontation that resulted from Brown’s strong arm robbery of a cigar store. With no other evidence available, many among the black population of Ferguson took to the streets to loot, riot and commit […]

Prospect Hill Frontman Adam Fithian Out as Band Elevates Edgar Trancoso as New Lead Singer

Prospect Hill Frontman Adam Fithian Out as Band Elevates Edgar Trancoso as New Lead Singer

By: Tom Duggan – September 11, 2014 Home grown Lawrence, Massachusetts rock sensation “Prospect Hill” has let their lead singer Adam Fithian go and elevated bassist Edgar Trancoso to front-man Thursday after the band held a meeting to notify the signature voice of the band that they were moving on without him.  Prospect Hill hit it […]

Primary State Rep Debate Between Diana DiZoglio, Oscar Camargo and Phil DeCologero

Primary State Rep Debate Between Diana DiZoglio, Oscar Camargo and Phil DeCologero

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN TO HOUR 1 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR LISTEN TO HOUR 2 Paying Attention is hosted by Valley Patriot Publisher Tom Duggan. Tom’s, Co-host is Paul Murano was off today. Paying Attention with Tom Duggan is produced by Chris Poublon of Dracut. Paying Attention airs on 980WCAP in Lowell,Massachusetts on Saturday’s from 10am to […]