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 […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Melvin Antonio Perez Medina, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 64 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2023, Perez Medina […]
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 […]
1-6-24 With a major snow storm predicted to hit the Merrimack Valley this weekend, Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena has established warming centers this weekend. In case of fire or flood the City of Lawrence will have two (2) warming centers for the residents only: • South Lawrence East School 165 Crawford St. […]
By: John Cuddy – 12-23 Born and raised in South Lawrence, Joseph Cuddy attended St. Patrick’s Grammar School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in the Class of 1952. Joe played basketball, hockey and football and ran track. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army. As the middle of 5 brothers, Joe’s brother, […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino ~ 12-23 Whether you grew up in Lawrence, Methuen, Revere, Winthrop, Brighton, or Boston, every community in the Commonwealth values kitchen-table issues; an honest day’s work, safe streets, affordable homes, good schools, access to quality and affordable healthcare, and the ability to earn a good living and save for the […]
Massachusetts State Senator Pavel Payano December, 2023 In a historic move, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed the Act Relative to Pharmaceutical Access, Costs, and Transparency, commonly known as the PACT Act 3.0, on November 15, 2023. This bipartisan legislation is a crucial step in urgently needed reforms to address the rising costs of prescription […]
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 […]
12-23 Right now, there are tens of thousands of American citizens in Massachusetts who are homeless, jobless, hungry, and in desperate need of help. This is a human tragedy, and it is 100% the fault of the Massachusetts Democrat Party. Why blame democrats? Well, democrats control every single constitutional office from governor to state treasurer. […]
PDF of the December, 2023 Valley Patriot
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 […]
PODCAST INTERVIEW HERE Nov. 2023 Last month, Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena appointed former law enforcement officer William Castro to be the acting police chief. Castro was DePena’s chief of staff and immediately came under fire from city councilors and city council candidates for being a “political appointment”. One candidate even posted on Facebook that […]
By: Santiago Reyes Cruz, Jr. Fresh out of the hospital from a life-threatening illness, Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan was presented with one of the most prestigious awards in the Merrimack Valley last month, the Greater Lawrence Psychological Center’s Overcoming Obstacles Award Most people may know that Tom is a homeless advocate; he feeds them, […]
For the second year in a row, Mayor Brian A. DePeña and City Councilors chose not to increase property taxes by the allowable Proposition 2.5 limitation, therefore, assuring the lowest split tax rates since 2007 and the third lowest in over two decades. The proposed FY2024 Residential Tax Rate is $9.28; this is a decrease […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes – Nov. 2023 First, I want to congratulate Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan who received an “Overcoming Obstacles” award from the Greater Lawrence Psychological Center last month. Given what Tom has been through, just in the last year alone, he has certainly earned this award. I also want to […]