By: Dj Deeb – January , 2019 At its December Business Meeting, members of the Methuen School Committee voted unanimously to adopt a $100 student parking fee effective during the 2019-2020 school year. Unfortunately, I was one of those votes and after analyzing the issue further I regret my decision. I have placed a Motion […]
By DJ Deeb – Dec. 2018 Earlier this year (in the February, March, and April 2018 Valley Patriot editions) I outlined many suggestions for cuts in spending for the City of Methuen. Last year, the City filled 13 non-civil service municipal positions, hired 10 new firefighters and 3 reserve firefighters, hired 3 new police officers […]
By: Abby Junkvorian – Dec. 2018 Six months. That is how long the residents of the City of Methuen have been subjected to the ongoing struggles of the Police salaries. The discourse seemingly appears to be endless as the year comes to a close; with no solution in sight. Methuen residents, like myself, are becoming […]
If there is one thing that Michael Gorman and his volunteers at TMF (The Movement Family) have proved over the last six months, it’s that helping the homeless and making people’s lives better only takes one thing: effort. For six months TMF offered food, clothing, detox services, transitional housing, and other counseling services to the […]
The Henry David Thoreau Foundation awards collegiate scholarships of up to $20K to eight to ten students graduating from public or private high schools in Massachusetts. The Henry David Thoreau Scholarships are up to $20,000 four-year scholarships awarded to eight students graduating from public or private high schools in Massachusetts. High school seniors awarded the […]
METHUEN — The Methuen Police Department arrested three juveniles and seized a handgun and ammunition after officers responded Tuesday to a citizen report of suspicious activity. The suspects were found in possession of credit cards and identification cards reported stolen from a inside a Haverhill resident’s motor vehicle. As a result of the […]
By: Casey Pratt – Oct. 2018 According to the Pew Research Center, since 1948 voter turnout during presidential elections has been around 10% higher than the turnout at midterm elections. But why? In the end, the answer is publicity. The presidential election is currently televised in a way similar to a sporting event; it’s a […]
By: Abigail Juknavorian – Sept. 2018 Two hundred dollars; that’s the average price for the newest back to school accessory. What kind of accessory could be that expensive? Bulletproof backpacks. Following the deadly shooting at a high school in Parkland Florida, the demand to keep children safe and protected in school is higher than ever. According […]
School Committee Member Calls Mayors Behavior a “Disgrace” and a “Circus” VIDEO OF MEETING DISCUSSION AND SHOUTING MATCH 9-11-18 Methuen Mayor Jim Jajuga has violated the state’s open meeting law by sending out emails to the entire school committee telling them how they should vote on an upcoming matter before the committee. As mayor, Jajuga sits as chairman […]
By: DJ Deeb – August, 2018 As of the deadline for this article the City/School budgets have not been fully resolved or finalized, but I hope to provide more information in a future article. In the meantime members of the City of Methuen Charter Review Commission recently discussed the possibility of recommending the elimination of […]
By: Abby Juknavorian – July, 2018 The presence of social media is daunting. It can be used to communicate both good and bad opinions on many current situations and experiences. Social media also plays a large role in influencing the minds and culture of young people in the world; especially young women. With the recent […]
Delphi Technology Solutions, Inc. of Lawrence, sponsored the North Andover Middle School (NAMS) singing the National Anthem at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox game against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, June 28th. The NAMS Parent Teacher Advisory Council raises funds for the school in many creative ways. Through a special sale of […]
By: State Senator Ives – July, 2018 One of my budgetary priorities this year was to increase funding for the Foster Care Parent Campaign line item in the Fiscal Year 2019 State Budget. The House Budget maintained the funding levels at $250,000. The Senate version of the budget allocated $750,000 to expand the Foster Parent […]
Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School Ranked Against 32 Fully Enrolled High Schools (11,522 Students) Across the United States (Lawrence, MA) – Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School students have ranked #1 out of 32 fully enrolled Cristo Rey Network high schools (11,522 students) in this year’s performance evaluation of the network’s Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), […]
By: Robin Desmet – June, 2018 Despite their popularity as pets and their ubiquitous presence in the media, cats are probably one of the most misunderstood breed of animals. Myths surrounding these creatures abound, especially among those who are unfortunate enough to have never owned one. One common misconception that seems to pervade is that […]