By: Lenny Mirra – 8-26 Our state budget includes a $200,000 earmark from State Senator Liz Miranda to a company called Bold Skin Babe Cosmetology Institute, Inc. for “scholarships for low-income students” in the beauty and wellness industry. Sounds like a noble goal, and not a big deal in a $63 billion budget. The […]
By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio As my office continues to fight for the 72% of Massachusetts voters who overwhelmingly voted the legislative audit into law, my State Representative Ryan Hamilton recently defended his vote in favor of the House’s so-called transparency bill. I was deeply disappointed to read my own Methuen state representative defend […]
Less than 24 hours after being arrested on wire tapping and money laundering charges by the feds, Methuen State Rep. Francisco Paulino made a surprise appearance on the Paying Attention! Podcast with Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan to declare his innocence, and then announced he is not dropping out of his race for reelection. Voters […]
EXACTLY WHAT DO THE FEDERAL DOCUMENTS ALLEGE AGAINST STATE REP. FRANCISCO PAULINO? A federal grand jury has indicted Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino (D-Methuen) on eleven felony counts: Eight counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting. Three counts of unlawful monetary transactions, commonly described as money laundering. The indictment alleges that Paulino used false […]
8-27-16 On August 14th Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena was arrested for fraudulent use of COVID money. Initially the federal government charged Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena with two counts of: Wire Fraud Aiding and Abetting (count 1) Unlawful Monetary Transactions Aiding and Abetting (Count 2). Yesterday the federal government added 9 more charges to DePena’s indictment. […]
A Valley Landmark, The Olympia represents 75 Years of the American Dream *** A BIT OF GREEK HISTORY For nearly 75 years, the Olympia Restaurant stood at 453 Market Street as the heartbeat of Lowell’s historic Acre neighborhood — the same enclave that drew waves of Greek immigrants seeking a new life around Holy Trinity […]
Defendant allegedly impersonated another Chinese national and voted in the 2024 presidential election under victim’s name sun_-_complaint.pdf BOSTON – A Chinese national residing in Andover, MA., was arrested yesterday for submitting a fraudulent voter registration and ballot in the 2024 presidential election in the name of another Chinese national. The defendant also allegedly submitted two […]
Defendant fled on the eve of trial and was returned to the U.S. by Dominican authorities BOSTON – A Lawrence, Mass., man was sentenced yesterday for operating a clandestine drug laboratory that manufactured thousands of fentanyl and methamphetamine pills and for possessing firearms that furthered his drug trafficking operation. The defendant fled the United States […]
IT’S NOT REALLY ABOUT TRASH! Last month, our publisher had Methuen City Councilor Ryan DiZoglio on his podcast, (VIDEO) and when the seemingly boring subject of trash fees came up, he nearly lost his mind over what he learned. First, Methuen residents get one “free” trash barrel from the city. But if you need a […]
By: Ken Willette Methuen School Committee I am seriously mounting a write-in campaign to serve as your next State Representative for the 4th Essex District. Having worked 24 years at the Massachusetts State House, I possess the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to best serve the deserving constituents of the District. I will be waging […]
The Valley Patriot has come into possession of an official complaint and request for the MA Attorney General to investigate the possible illegal appointment of a permeant city assessor in Methuen regardless of the fact that the Methuen City Council voted 6-3 against the appointment. The unsigned complaint alleges that after the council rejected […]
7-29-26 ICE Boston agents reported the arrest of Yobany Francisco Echavarria, a citizen of the Dominican Republic who, according to the agency, was in the country illegally. The arrest was made in Lawrence. According to ICE, Echavarria has criminal records in Massachusetts that include four court appearances (arraignments) for charges related to distribution of heroin, […]
PDF of the July 2026 Valley Patriot Newspaper
METHUEN’S HEATHER PLUNKETT’S CONFLICTS OF INTEREST At the recent public meeting in Methuen, transgender activist and political hack Heather L. Plunkett got up and spoke as if she was genuinely concerned about the City of Methuen maintaining ownership of the Searles Estate. What Heather did not disclosed is that while she serves on the Community […]
CITY OF METHUEN 2025 MUNICIPAL PAYROLL TOP 50 EARNERS ** Editors note: These numbers reflect the employees total pay. Sheehy, John T – $413,597 – Fire Chief. Haggar, Randy $376,710 – Dpty Chief McCarthy, Kris. $351,291 – Cpt (PD) McMenamon Jr., Thomas $339,205 (PD) Rynne Jr., Joseph L $312,456 (Lt. PD) Torrisi, Jeffrey J. $301,488 – […]