PDF of the FEBRUARY, 2024 Valley Patriot Newspaper
PDF of the FEBRUARY, 2024 Valley Patriot Newspaper
TOM DUGGAN’S NOTEBOOK: Lawrence Police Chief, Schools, Haverhill City Council
Jan, 20204 WILL CASTRO BE PERMANENT? Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena is expected to send down William Castro’s name to the city council for approval to be the permanent Lawrence Police Chief. Castro is currently the Acting Police Chief after former Chief Roy Vasque was pushed out over politics. Castro was appointed as DePena’s Chief of […]
My First Year Protecting State Taxpayers ~ IN YOUR CORNER with STATE AUDITOR DIANA DIZOGLIO
By: Auditor DiZoglio – (01/24) Happy 2024! It’s hard to believe it’s been just about a year since I was sworn in as Massachusetts’ Chief Accountability Officer – State Auditor. I spent 2023 working toward fulfilling my commitments to you. This especially includes making sure Massachusetts delivers on the services and programs our residents rely […]
‘My Best TV Shows of 2023’ ~ TV TALK with BILL CUSHING
By: Bill Cushing – Jan. 2024 It’s that time of year again. That time when all TV people start thinking about the best shows that they watched over the past year. As usual, it was tough to leave some shows off the list, but here are my picks for the best TV had to offer […]
Methuen Village Honored With Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ Accreditation
METHUEN – Methuen Village, an assisted living and memory support community, held a flag-raising ceremony today to celebrate receiving the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ accreditation. Methuen Village is just the fifth community in the state to become Purple Flag accredited. Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ is a collaboration between the Institute for Senior […]
Charlie The Homeless Veteran ~ VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH – HERO IN OUR MIDST
By: John Cuddy – Jan. 2024 His name is Charlie. Recently, a fellow Veteran, a US Army Ranger, Jack, who currently works as a policeman, told me the story of Charlie. Charlie is also a US Army Veteran, and he is currently homeless. As Jack told a small group of men and women, mostly Veterans […]
REYES: Looking Back on My First Year
By: Estela Reyes – Jan. 2024 A year goes by fast when each day brings something new, and new it was. It has been an honor to serve as the 4th Essex District elected State Representative this year. 2023 marks my First Legislative Session. I am so proud of the work accomplished at the […]
The Senior Circuit Breaker State Tax Credit
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino Jan. 2024 The Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit is an essential element of Massachusetts’ support for its senior residents, particularly in the communities of Lawrence and Methuen. As the State Representative for the 16th Essex District and a member of the Massachusetts House Revenue Committee, I am committed to ensuring […]
What We Do When Legislature is Not in Session
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton One question I have received while out working during the month of December is: What do elected officials do when they are not in formal session? Throughout the past few weeks, the house has been out of formal session. Often, when not in a formal session, the media portrays Reps […]
After 31 Years, Salisbury’s Shenanigans Unraveled!
Jan. 2024 Last November the Town of Salisbury finally responded to multiple public records requests showing that the town misled several courts when their lawyers claimed that the town was court ordered to abate water pollution, (mandated to construct the U.S. EPA/State sewer project) and that this “one project” included contracts one to five as […]
MeVa Transit Offers Free Veteran Transportation to Bedford V.A.
11-29-24 Haverhill, MA — Local veterans seeking care at the VA Bedford Healthcare System will soon have access to a free door to door ride service with the launch of the new MeVa Transit VA Bedford mediMeVa. Last Thursday, the MeVa Transit Advisory Board unanimously approved the new mediMeVa service to the VA Bedford Healthcare […]
Lawrence Mayor DePeña Welcomes Dr. Agrawal as New President/CEO of Lawrence General
1-25-24 Mayor Brian A. DePeña was honored to host and once again welcome Dr. Abha Agrawal, MD, FACP, FACHE, the new President and CEO of Lawrence General Hospital. Mayor DePeña alongside Dr. Abha Agrawal and Ellen Murphy Meehan who is a health system consultant, spoke topics of discussion included how to improve patient care in […]
Joshua Cruz of Lawrence Gets 2 Year Sentence for Conspiracy to Use Stolen ID’s to Fraudulently Purchase Vehicles
1-22-24 BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today for his role in a scheme to use the stolen identities of United States citizens from Puerto Rico to fraudulently purchase vehicles and other merchandise and apply for, and utilize bank accounts and credit cards. Joshua Cruz, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti […]
Melvin Antonio Perez Medina of Lawrence Sentenced to 5+ Years in Prison For Concealing More Than 2 Kilos of Fentanyl Inside Cereal Box
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Melvin Antonio Perez Medina, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 64 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2023, Perez Medina […]
PAYANO: State Senate Advances Consumer Rights, Fentanyl Tests
State Senator Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence) Reveals Senate Priorities State Senator Pavel Payano – Jan 2024 On January 4th, 2024, the Massachusetts Senate made significant strides by unanimously passing three key pieces of legislation aimed at addressing public health concerns and enhancing consumer rights. The bills cover a range of critical issues, including harm reduction in […]