With exorbitant costs of living, increased grocery prices and the end of pandemic-era supports in 2023, 1 in 3 Massachusetts adults reported household food insecurity, according to the latest annual statewide study from The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), with the overall number increasing to nearly two million food insecure adults in the Commonwealth. […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino 6-24 Dear Constituents, I am writing to share a significant update on our efforts to transform healthcare in Massachusetts. As your State Representative, I have been working tirelessly to ensure that our healthcare system is equitable, efficient, and effective. Recently, I addressed the House of Representatives, advocating for […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes 6-24 “Another Spring month has gone by in a flash. The Massachusetts House of Representatives met several times this month to work through the remaining bills before the end of the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. The process to pass a bill into law requires negotiation and a final agreement from the […]
BOSTON – A Guatemalan man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to unlawful reentry. Wilson Hernandez-Bautista, 34, plead guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 3, 2024. Hernandez-Bautista was indicted by a federal grand jury December 2023. Hernandez-Bautista […]
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 […]
Owner of Tax Preparation Company fled the United States after being indicted and remained a fugitive for 19 months BOSTON – A Lawrence woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to separate fraudulent schemes that targeted banks and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Luz Paulino, 42, pleaded guilty to one count of bank […]
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 […]
Defendant previously convicted of domestic assault and restraining order violations BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after being deported. Brayan Zepeda, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Julia E. Kobick to eight months in prison, to be followed by one year […]
6-14-24 The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to boost support for hundreds of thousands of individuals across the state who have served in the United States military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans. Because the bill differs from the House Bill passed last month, both chambers will now move to reconcile the differences before sending the […]
In a forward-thinking move toward sustainability and enhanced public safety, Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña and DPW Director Jorge Jaime are spearheading a transformative project to illuminate Cronin and Howard Park using solar-powered lighting systems. This initiative marks a significant leap forward for the city, not only in terms of energy efficiency but also in creating […]
By: John Cuddy – 5/24 The 2024 John Ratka Hero Veteran Award recipient, Haverhill’s Eric Ryan graduated from Haverhill High School in 1988. While growing up in the city with his brother, he was greatly influenced by his two grandfathers, both World War II Veterans. One, left Norwich University during his sophomore year, after the […]
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 […]
State Senator Pavel Payano 05/24 This month, the Massachusetts Senate passed three important consumer protection bills aimed at safeguarding our community members from unfair practices across several sectors. The passage of S.2738 is a milestone in curbing the deceptive practices of third-party electric suppliers. This legislation prevents these entities from enrolling new residential customers, protecting […]
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena has hired former City Councilor Carlos Matos’s as the new Director of the Office of Planning & Development. Matos was most known as a District “B” City Councilor who went up against the developers of Lawrence High School to stop them from taking land from the Veterans Memorial Stadium and […]
Last month, at The Valley Patriot’s 20th Anniversary BASH, not only did the newspaper give out $58,000 in scholarship money to local students but several people were honored for their work in the community with recognitions and awards. THE JOHN RATKA HERO VETERANS AWARD Because honoring Veterans is so much a part of what we […]