03-24 Kane Peaslee could not believe how energetic and motivated his new friend Commander Eileen Suarez is. Kane says,” It’s impressive how many purposeful tasks Eileen squeezes in each day.” Every morning Kane gets up at 6:00AM but really it’s just to eat, then he goes back to bed. Eileen does not go back […]
By: NH State Rep. DJ Bettencourt – 3-24 While 2023 marked several positive insurance achievements in New Hampshire, including a record recovery for consumers of $6.1 million by the New Hampshire Insurance Department, it also represented a grim milestone for insurance fraud. Our department’s Fraud Unit is tasked with investigating suspected insurance fraud and preparing […]
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 […]
1-12-24 NEWBURY — Police Chief Patricia Fisher reports that the Byfield man identified Friday as the person who drowned in the Parker River, David Harwood, had been the subject of an active arrest warrant but that Newbury police officials had had no contact with Harwood and were not actively pursuing him, nor were police aware […]
Blanchette used Fire Department position to secure business for his private detector company 1-11-24 Former Lawrence Fire Department Fire Prevention Inspector David Blanchette will pay a $65,000 civil penalty for violating the conflict of interest law multiple times by using his official position to secure business for his private smoke and carbon monoxide detector maintenance […]
Threats caused evacuation at Harvard and the controlled detonation of a hoax device BOSTON – A Manchester, N.H., man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston for a series of extortionate bomb threats against Harvard University. The extortionate threats caused the evacuation of Harvard’s Science Center Plaza and surrounding academic buildings, and the controlled […]
Updated 12-20-23 Lawrence District A Councilor-Elect, Fidelina Santiago was indicted on the charges of Illegal Voting or Attempt to Vote (4 counts), Conspiracy to Vote or Attempt to Vote Illegally (4 counts), Unlawful Interference with Voter (4 counts), and Obstruction of Voting (4 counts). Indictments were also returned for Jennifer Lopez on the charges of […]
METHUEN — CEO Matthew Page-Shelton and Police Chief Scott McNamara are pleased to announce that Front Line and the Methuen Police Department will receive a two-year, $400,000 grant to fund the addition of a clinical co-response clinician with the Methuen Police Department, as well as the creation of a civilian Community Response Team. The addition […]
BOSTON – A Methuen woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to stealing Social Security benefits intended for her child. Karen Silva-Brown, 57 pleaded guilty to one count of theft of public funds before U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs, who scheduled sentencing for March 7, 2024. Silva-Brown was arrested and […]
Dec. 5, 2023 Yesterday afternoon members of the Lawrence Police School Resource Officer Unit and the Patrol Division responded to Sullivan Park, which is located adjacent to the Lawrence High School Campus, for a report of a male being assaulted. Upon arrival they encountered a juvenile male laying on the basketball court located in the […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino Dear Residents of Methuen and Lawrence, It is with a heart full of pride that I recount a recent moment of honor and duty. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Methuen’s finest—Ryan Campbell, Adam Marino, Kyle Sheehy, and Liam Sheehy—at their graduation in Stow, Massachusetts, I witnessed the embodiment of courage […]
By: Massachusetts State Auditor Diana DiZoglio – Nov. 2023 Hello Valley Patriot readers, Serving as Massachusetts State Auditor doesn’t just mean reviewing finances. A big part of my role, as I often speak about with folks across the state, is reviewing the performance and efficacy of the Commonwealth’s agencies and entities. A great example of […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Melvin Antonio Perez Medina, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain over $450,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds. Darwyn Joseph, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years […]
10/20/23 Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña has appointed his Chief of Staff William Castro be to be the acting Police Chief in the wake of the retirement of Chief Roy Vasque. The mayor sent the following press release late Friday. Effective immediately, the Chief of Staff, William Castro, will be assigned as Acting Chief of Police […]