9-22-21 BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for fentanyl trafficking in connection with the seizure of approximately 20 kilograms of heroin and 10 kilos of fentanyl. A firearm and $20,000 were also recovered. Joel Cortorreal, a/k/a Angel Javier Morell-Oneill, 33, a Dominican national previously residing in Methuen, was […]
8-31-21 After a highly competitive selection process, Mayor Perry has announced he has selected Lawrence Police Captain Scott McNamara to be the city’s next Police Chief. McNamara brings over 25 years of law enforcement experience with the City of Lawrence. “This was an extremely difficult decision as both candidates did a fantastic job in all three of […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell – Aug. 2021 In May, a special committee formed by the Massachusetts Legislature released the report on its investigation of the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home that resulted in 77 deaths. The report by the Special Joint Oversight Committee, which we chair, is most notable for taking the opposite […]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRpoMpiLgOc&w=380&h=280] Methuen City Councilor Steve Saba (who is Chairman of the city council) says that he would rather Methuen residents go hungry than to receive food donations delivered by a company he is upset with. The revelation came during a city council meeting last month when it was revealed that a minority (Latino) owned taxi […]
Aug. 17, 2021 The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has ruled that a Subcommittee of the Methuen City Council has violated the open meeting law. In a letter sent to councilors, the AG’s office said that they will impose no penalty on the council members involved because Councilor DiZoglio – the head of the IT (internet and […]
Aug. 2021 For years we have called the public’s attention to the way Methuen elections are structured to subvert democracy and keep political insiders in power. This year’s upcoming municipal elections are a perfect example of how this system discourages voter participation in elections and needs to change. First, Methuen has a deadline for potential […]
PDF of the August, 2021 Valley Patriot
By: State Rep. Linda Campbell We are very fortunate to have a strong and experienced team of legislators in the Merrimack Valley House delegation. With the support of my colleagues, I was proud to secure state funding in the House budget for several specific needs in the Merrimack Valley, including: • $50,000 for addiction recovery […]
METHUEN – Methuen Village at Riverwalk Park has unveiled all-new renovations to their community rooms. The Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support community, nestled on the Spicket River, has been a leader in assisted living in Methuen for more than ten years. The project, which took six months, saw a complete renovation of the community’s […]
By: Eric Spagnoli – July, 2021 In April 2020, the Methuen High School Varsity Football Team closed out their season with an overall record of 5-2. Despite a shortened season and a delayed start to the year, the team was able to attain a considerable level of success, which is a testament to the culture […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Massachusetts people have too often been left in the dark due to the secretive and inaccessible culture of centralized power on Beacon Hill. Recently, I announced my candidacy for Massachusetts State Auditor to bring greater transparency and accountability to our government. As State Auditor, I will begin by auditing the Administration’s […]
July, 2021 The Valley Patriot has put yet another libel lawsuit behind us. The most recent suit, brought by a former Methuen Mayor alleging defamation and libel, never made it to trial. Last month, it was settled out of court to the satisfaction of both parties. We tend to get sued a lot here at […]
By: Eric Spagnoli- June, 2021 While crime has increased across the country in the last year – particularly violent crime – The Valley Patriot has found that almost all categories of crime have decreased in the Merrimack Valley over the last two years. Last month we reported that almost all categories of crime decreased […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – June, 2021 The Special Joint Oversight Committee charged with investigating the COVID-19 related deaths of veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home released a comprehensive report in late May outlining both the immediate and underlying causes of this tragedy. The committee, which I co-chaired with a fellow veteran, Senator […]
To the Editor: I recently purchased ads for the Valley Patriot and Paying attention podcast, not because we need the business but because we want to support both mediums. In my opinion the Valley Patriot and Paying Attention Podcast provide a valuable service to the citizens of the Merrimack Valley. That said I and many […]