By: Tom Duggan – September, 2013 Jay Landry is an adult student at Springfield College who is taking human service courses at the school. Born and raised in Amesbury, the Methuen resident had no idea when he enrolled in Springfield College to get his bachelors of science degree in human services, that he would be […]
By: Tracey Zysk – September, 2013 September is National Guide Dog Month which is an honorary way to celebrate the work of guide dogs in the United States. This includes a way to raise awareness, appreciation and support for guide dogs, the function they perform, and the training schools they attend across the United States. […]
By: State Representative Lenny Mirra – September, 2013 Conversations with our fearless editor Tom Duggan typically turn into loud and contentious affairs. It was no exception at our latest discussion while at a fundraiser for our good friend Shiela Mullins who we both hope will be Newburyport’s newest City Councilor At-Large. Tom came in guns […]
Transcribed by Kathleen Laplante Lawrence Catholic Academy is located on Parker and Salem Streets in Lawrence and was once Saint Patrick’s Grammar School, run by Saint Patrick’s Church. Jorge Hernandez was hired earlier this year as the first lay person to be the principal of the School. Valley Patriot publisher, Tom Duggan, sat down with […]
Boston, MA: As taxpayers across the Commonwealth begin to feel the effects of new and higher taxes today, public records show that many of the legislators who voted to implement these higher taxes, such as the one on gasoline, are also benefiting from taxpayer funded reimbursements for when they travel to the Statehouse. Per diems […]
By: State Senator Kathleen Ives – August, 2013 There has been some misinformation in the press about the Legislature’s recent vote to override Governor Deval Patrick’s veto of the Transportation Finance Bill. Some outlets are reporting that by fighting against the Governor on this veto, the legislature chose to raise the gas tax by 3 […]
By: State Rep. Diana Dizoglio If there is one thing that I have learned during my first term representing you on Beacon Hill, it’s that things don’t always appear as they seem and that the legislative process can be a real head scratcher. Witness recently when Governor Deval Patrick vetoed a transportation bill that significantly […]
Babies and Briefcases By: Cheryl Hajjar – August, 2013 Unless you have been living in a landfill or still have an analog TV in your home, you have heard of the term “crowdfunding” or stories of people raising thousands of dollars for their businesses or projects online. So what is this new rage and how […]
LISTEN TO HOUR ONE (RIGHT CLICK TO DOWNLOAD) Russia takes a hard line on gays and the gay community is outraged…. but are we supposed to respect other people’s cultures? Who are WE to say that their culture is wrong and OUR culture is right? I mean that is what we have been told by […]
July 26, 2013 BREAKING… According to Lt. Charles Grey of the North Andover Police at 5:14 this morning a caller from Heritage Green Condo Complex observed two males taking tires off of an Accura. Officers Reardon Whittaker and Gilligan responded and found them in a minivan with two stolen tires. Officer Whittaker canvased the area […]
By: Tom Duggan – July 26, 2013 Billerica DPW director Abdul Alkhatib says there are no shenanigans going on with his town’s public bid to purchase fire hydrants. He told the Valley Patriot that the public bids requests by the town were not tailored to favor (a) certain large American company, but a Valley Patriot […]
By: Tracey Zysk – July, 2013 Holy Hot! As my Boston Terrier, Lani, was panting while trying to cool down after our walk, I gave her fresh water with ice cubes. As she was drinking from the bowl and playing with her ice cubes, I decided to look for some recipes that could make this […]
Expansion Opens Information on Level 2 Offenders to the Public Under current Massachusetts law, the public only has access to information on Level 3 sex offenders. Such limited resources inspired State Representative James Arciero (D-Westford) to sponsor legislation, endorsed by the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, geared to reforming the Commonwealth’s registry board. Arciero […]
Representative Jim Lyons (R-Andover) reports that Andover, Tewksbury, Boxford, and North Andover will receive an increase in Local Aid in Fiscal Year 2014. “When I was first elected State Representative in 2010, I promised that Local Aid would be my top priority,” said Lyons. “I have fought tirelessly for more equitable funding for our […]
Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives reports to the Valley Patriot that she has voted on the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget today in a 36-3 vote. The budget included numerous items that she advocated for, such as: $300,000 for Salisbury Beach Replenishment Salisbury beach is one of the Commonwealth’s most popular beaches and contributes greatly to our […]