Residents of Methuen Village since February, Larry and Ann DeAngelis, were recently celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Raised in Stoneham, Ann worked at Grants Department Store during high school and enjoyed going to dances. In fact, it was at a dance at the Greenwood School in Wakefield that Ann met Larry! Larry was […]
The Crucial Need to Increase the Dropout Age State Senator Pavel Payano – Nov. 2023 As a State Senator, my commitment to improving education in Massachusetts is unwavering. Senate bill 341, “An Act Relative to Dropout Prevention and Student Recovery,” a pivotal piece of legislation, which I sponsored, aims at reshaping the educational landscape for […]
LAWRENCE — Last month, the Greater Lawrence Psychological Center, Inc., hosted approximately 200 people at their 5th-annual Overcoming Obstacles Gala at Salvatore’s Italian Restaurant in Lawrence. I first want to thank Michael Agricola and Phillip Wood, (owners of Salvatore’s) for donating their food and space for this event. The gala raised approximately $50,000 to […]
State Rep. Ryan Hamilton 10-23 I am proud to come from the Merrimack Valley, where we cherish and uplift our veterans and their families. I am also proud to come from a family who understands the sacrifice our veterans have made. My grandfather was a Korean War veteran and two of my uncles served in […]
By: Michael Gorman 9-23 The following eulogy was delivered last month at the funeral of local philanthropist Frank Cann by TMF founder Michael Gorman. TMF is a group of local volunteers who feeds the homeless in Lawrence. My Name is Michael Gorman and I am the Founder of the non-profit organization – The Movement Family, […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano 9-23 In our modern, interconnected world, the internet has become a fundamental necessity, impacting every facet of our lives, from education and healthcare to employment and communication. However, for numerous families and individuals, a formidable obstacle remains – the digital divide. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) emerges as a pioneering […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton The Merrimack Valley is home to some of our Commonwealth’s finest arts and culture organizations. As the State Representative for Methuen and Haverhill, I can tour many of these historic landmarks and cultural attractions. This month, I want to highlight some of the significant events and projects underway in our […]
Affordable Homeownership in Lawrence, Haverhill, and North Andover By: Kane Kane knows it is a dream of many families in the Merrimack Valley to own a home. There are so many hard-working people that work full time that are priced out of homeownership due to the astronomical price of real estate. The Executive Director of […]
By: Sam Concemi, Paul Concemi & Paul Salafia 7/23 World War II was the greatest tragedy in the history of mankind. Violence spread over all the inhabited continents, nearly every nation was involved, either as a combatant or as a victim. It is estimated that at least 35 million people perished, the exact number may […]
Housing, Independent Living Skills for Homeless Young Adults 7-23 Kane didn’t know which way to look first when he entered the Project Kompass Home in North Chelmsford. Should he look around the beautiful, tidy, and cheerful home or look at the inviting and confident face of Founder, Executive Director Ronnie Hoey? Kane learned that word […]
EXCLUSIVE TO THE VALLEY PATRIOT 6-23 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Recently, I had the honor of delivering the commencement address to the Class of 2023 at my alma mater, Middlesex Community College. It was a beautiful day celebrating all of the hard work, tireless efforts and sacrifices made by the graduates, their families, and friends. […]
Dear Constituents, As your State Representative, I am privileged to play an active role in our community’s vibrant life. Today, I want to share with you some pivotal moments that have recently underscored our shared commitment to hope, safety, and honor – the graduation ceremonies at Methuen and Lawrence High, the Massachusetts Nurses Association’s protest […]
6-23 Last month, attendees at North Andover Town Meeting overwhelmingly voted to ban the use of plastic bags for all businesses in town over 3,000 sq. feet. When we say it was overwhelming, we mean the measure won by more than 90%. Citizen after citizen (many still wearing masks three years after COVID) took to […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes – 5-23 As the state representative for Methuen and Lawrence I have been focused on how the state’s budget can benefit my constituents in both communities. When putting the state budget together, legislators are allowed to request “earmarks” for our districts. An earmark is when the legislature votes to allocate […]
EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE VALLEY PATRIOT By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio – (05-23) Being a senior citizen in Massachusetts should be especially fulfilling, as our Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) operates with a core mission to “develop, implement, and evaluate innovative programs to promote the independence, empowerment, and well-being of older adults, individuals with disabilities, […]