SALEM, Mass. – Gym and health teacher Darren Benedick, 42, of Salem was arraigned in Newburyport District Court on Wednesday afternoon following a sting operation in which he allegedly made plans to meet an underaged girl for a sexual encounter, apparently unaware that the person he was communicating with online was not a 14-year-old […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 6/24 In a landmark decision, the Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed a budget totaling $57.999 billion for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). This significant decision followed three days of robust and bipartisan debate, resulting in the adoption of over 400 amendments and 43 roll call votes. The Senate added […]
By: Katie Cook – 6/24 Service clubs truly are the heart of the Merrimack Valley! Typically, these clubs are professional men & women coming together to provide service to our communities, in line with their national organizations mission. They are neighbors, friends, and leaders volunteering their skills and resources to solve issues and address […]
By: Ken Willette – 5/24 It costs $360,000 to educate and house the average undergraduate over 4 years at Columbia University. The current endowment fund at Harvard University is estimated at a whopping $53 billion. Imagine the radioactivity of soon-to-be graduates of both institutions attempting to obtain jobs at law firms, investment houses, government […]
By: Lenny Mirra – 5/24 Sometimes the system works! Voters soundly rejected a plan for a new Whittier Vocational Tech building at a cost of $444.6 million, and when I say soundly, I mean angrily too. Comments I heard in person and on social media showed voters were turned off not only by the price […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes – 5/24 April is always a special month. First, there’s Earth Day, which reminds us to appreciate the trees that are beginning to bloom, and we get a taste of the warmer weather to come. In the Massachusetts House of Representatives, April is a notable month as well, as it […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton – 4/24 After the ballot question to build a new Whittier Technical High School was soundly defeated a few months ago, the school’s future was uncertain. As somebody who has toured the campus multiple times, we need a new school or a total renovation. The current status quo at Whittier […]
State Senator Pavel Payano – 4-24 Amidst a flurry of legislative activity, myself and my colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate have been hard at work this month, addressing a myriad of pressing issues impacting residents across the Commonwealth. From passing significant laws to gearing up for this year’s budget discussions, engaging with constituent cases, to […]
Tom Duggan (04-24) There’s a new worker at the Daybreak Homeless shelter in Lawrence and while his surname is quite familiar to those who have been there a while, his youth and enthusiasm make him a valuable member of the team at the Daybreak homeless shelter on Winter Street in Lawrence. Meet Mike Pappalardo, […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton – 3/24 Congratulations to the Valley Patriot on their 20th anniversary. I appreciate the opportunity they give me every month to inform the residents of Haverhill and Methuen about what is happening on Beacon Hill. As we enter the month of March, I’d like to wish everyone a happy St. […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 03/24 As the warmth of spring approaches, my dedicated team and I are working tirelessly to strengthen community bonds and advance key legislative initiatives. A recent and pivotal highlight was the historic unveiling of Frederick Douglass’s bust in the Massachusetts Senate, symbolizing not only our commitment to justice and equality […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes 3/24 Before I begin, I want to congratulate Tom Duggan and everyone at The Valley Patriot on your impressive achievement of celebrating your 20th Anniversary publishing news for the Merrimack Valley. I’m so excited to have attended the the 20th Anniversary Charity BASH on March 22nd at The Relief’s In […]
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 […]
2024 Every year The Valley Patriot newspaper hold an annual Charity BASH where we raise money for local students going to college. This year is our 20th Anniversary and we are raising funds for eight high school students in the Merrimack Valley going to college in the fall. The BASH is being held this year […]
2024 Every year The Valley Patriot newspaper hold an annual Charity BASH where we raise money for local students going to college. This year is our 20th Anniversary and we are raising funds for eight high school students in the Merrimack Valley going to college in the fall. The BASH is being held this year […]