State Senator Pavel Payano – 4-24 Amidst a flurry of legislative activity, myself and my colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate have been hard at work this month, addressing a myriad of pressing issues impacting residents across the Commonwealth. From passing significant laws to gearing up for this year’s budget discussions, engaging with constituent cases, to […]
Tom Duggan (04-24) There’s a new worker at the Daybreak Homeless shelter in Lawrence and while his surname is quite familiar to those who have been there a while, his youth and enthusiasm make him a valuable member of the team at the Daybreak homeless shelter on Winter Street in Lawrence. Meet Mike Pappalardo, […]
The credit union’s donation will support the SOS Urgent Response initiative. Haverhill – Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) has donated $10,000 to Catie’s Closet, a nonprofit organization in Dracut Mass., to support their SOS Urgent Response program. Founded in 2009, Catie’s Closet provides clothes, toiletries and other essentials to students who cannot afford them by setting up secure stores […]
By: Philippe Thibault – 3/24 Massachusetts House Bill 4138 goes by the moniker “the Affordable Homes Act.” This is being layered on top of the recent MBTA Communities bills passed by the legislature in 2020. The MBTA Communities, now law, requires those communities served by or adjacent to communities served by the Massachusetts Bay Transit […]
By: Former State Rep. Lenny Mirra – 3/24 Back in 1927 U.S. Rep. Robert Bacon of New York secured funding for a new Veterans Bureau hospital on Long Island and was horrified when a contractor from Alabama won the bid and came to New York with a crew of Black construction workers. This led to […]
By: Brian Genest – 03/24 Dracut voters, beware. Josh Taylor, a bitter and angry second-time candidate for Selectman, is spreading lies about the town’s financial situation—and officials are calling him out. Here’s some irony that can’t be overlooked and shouldn’t be forgotten at the ballot box: As The Valley Patriot celebrates two decades of vigorously […]
HAVERHILL – Audits are a process typically thought of as painful inconveniences to businesses and organizations. Recently, however, several Merrimack Valley mayors joined with State Auditor Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) to highlight the positive experience that went along with a routine audit of MeVa. “While audits can be daunting, Auditor DiZoglio and her office understood […]
By: Tom Duggan – 03/24 Once considered the best Roast Beef on the North Shore, Harrison’s Roast Beef in North Andover has been purchased by Dean Chongris of Peabody who promises to restore the original recipe. Chongris appeared on the Paying Attention! Podcast last month with Tom Duggan, revealing for the first time that […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino -Feb, 2024 In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a troubling disparity exists that undercuts the very principles of fairness and equality we hold dear. As it stands, women earn only 82 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts for the same work. This harsh inequality not only undermines the […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton ~ 12-23 First, I’d like to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all those who celebrate. Let us all enjoy a time to get together and enjoy quality time with family and friends. I look forward to 2024 and building on all that was accomplished in 2023! In […]
Will House Largest Solid-State Battery Line in the US Factorial Inc. (Factorial), an industry leader in the development of solid-state battery technology for electric vehicle (EV) applications, today announced the opening of its new battery manufacturing facility in the Boston suburb of Methuen. The state-of-the-art facility represents a significant step in scaling up the […]
Nov. 2023 Described as the “Creative Soul of Lowell” houses more than 350 artists under its roof (westernavenuestudios.com). Kane was very intrigued to learn more about the space because not only can you rent a working space as an artist, but you could also live in an artist loft within a community of fellow creative […]
By: Philippe Thibault 10-23 All communities serviced by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and those communities adjacent to this public transit provider will be required to create zoning supporting the production of housing. A total of one hundred and seventy-seven communities in eastern Massachusetts are required to comply. Boston is exempt from the regulation. […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino 9-23 Dear friends and neighbors of Lawrence and Methuen, When I think of the Merrimack Valley, I envision a lively mosaic of history, culture, and innovation. At its heart lie two cities — Lawrence and Methuen — that embody resilience, community spirit, and potential. As your state representative, every decision […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 6/23 On Thursday, May 25th, the Massachusetts Senate approved a comprehensive budget of $55.9 billion for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), signaling the Commonwealth’s commitment to fiscal discipline and the long-term economic well-being of the state. With a focus on equity and opportunity, the Senate’s budget delivers historic levels of […]