Solomon allegedly caused changes to CBA that would increase his salary and provided unwarranted benefits to five intermittent police officers, including one who was a City Councilor 7-6-23 The State Ethics Commission’s Enforcement Division has issued an Order to Show Cause alleging former City of Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon violated the conflict of interest […]
6-30-23 Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque has signed an agreement with the City of Lawrence to not return to duty and retire from the City of Lawrence after being put on leave by Mayor Brian DePena. According to sources, Vasque will be paid approximately $780,000 which includes about $300,000 in accrued sick and vacation time […]
May 31, 2023 A Lawrence man pleaded guilty to manslaughter Wednesday for a 2020 shooting on Newton St. that left one man dead and two others wounded, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announced. Hector Baez, 25, was sentenced to 22-to-26 years in prison, 18-to-20 years on the manslaughter charge followed by another four-to-six […]
MIDDLETON, Mass. — Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger has released the 2022 Annual Report for the Essex County Sheriff’s Department highlighting its “Partnering to Serve.” The report takes an in-depth look at each of the Sheriff’s Department’s facilities, its programs, and it spending to provide Essex County residents a data-driven accounting of the agency’s […]
5-17-23 A grand jury sitting Wednesday in Salem Superior Court returned the indictment against Lee Harvey, 30, of Roslindale for allegedly shooting and killing 32-year-old Jose Delacruz. Delacruz was fatally wounded early on March 27, 2022, outside a Bank of America ATM near 257 Essex St., Lawrence. Harvey also was indicted for carrying a firearm, carrying […]
Each year the Valley Patriot gives out an Officer Tom Duggan, Sr. Hero Police Officer Award in honor of the former Lawrence Police Officer who was murdered in the line of duty in 1990. This year Methuen Sgt. Eric Deleon nominated Officers Schiavone and Keating to be recognized for their bravery, courage, and ability to […]
Retired Lawrence Firefighter Mike Delaney Sr. thought he was coming to the Valley Patriot’s BASH to surprise his son with an Officer Tom Duggan Hero Public Safety Award. But the surprise was on him when it was announced that he had been tricked. “I know you think you are here to surprise your son with […]
Leading Community Development and Small Businesses By: MA State Senator Pavel Payano 3-23 This month, I would like to draw attention to a pressing issue regarding over-the-counter medication and introduce a bill that was filed this session to address it: S.1106, An Act specifying an electronic system to ensure that sales of certain products containing […]
5-1-23 A Lawrence man was arrested Friday after authorities executed a search warrant and found drugs and ammunition in a city apartment, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. Samuel Guzman Jr., 23, was charged with one count of trafficking fentanyl (100+ grams) and possession of ammunition without a Firearms Identification Card. He […]
Critical Incident Stress Management grants support 11 police departments BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced that 11 police departments from across Massachusetts have been awarded funds through the first state grant program supporting Critical Incident Stress Management services for emergency responders, including $95,210 for the City of Lawrence. The Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) […]
Sheriff Tompkins created paid state job for his niece and had subordinate employees run personal errands for him during their paid public work hours Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins has paid a $12,300 civil penalty for violating the conflict of interest law by creating a paid position in the Sheriff’s Department for his niece and […]
Joe Rizzuti, an active member of the Certified Peer Support Specialist Team serving police officers and first responders in Massachusetts, took the time to sit down with Kane to provide information on the history and development of the rise of peer support networks throughout the Commonwealth. Support comes in many forms, including critical incident support, […]
The following is a summary of findings from the investigation conducted by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, detectives from the Andover Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. About 3:09 a.m. on Feb. 9, 2023, the Andover Police Department received a 911 call from 48 […]
My Priorities are YOUR Priorities! Before I begin, I want to thank the readers of The Valley Patriot. I met so many of you throughout the campaign in Methuen and Lawrence, and your support for me and this newspaper is very much appreciated. You were all a big part of the reason I am now […]
1-26-23 FULL REPORT The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has issued a scathing report on the hiring of former Methun City Councilor Sean Fountain as a permanent intermittent police officer without the proper certification. Fountain, while chairman of the Methuen City Council, was hired as an interim police officer due to a special piece of legislation […]