Hillbilly

Hillbilly

By: John Macdonald – Jan. 2016 It’s an odd thing when the American entertainment industry blends popular couples by binding their names together. An example would be Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie that got the name “Bradgelina” or when Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez cursed tabloid covers with the name “Bennifer”. However, let’s not forget […]

Hollywood Star Steve Blackwood Coaches Local Actors at the Act Theater Company in North Andover

Hollywood Star Steve Blackwood Coaches Local Actors at the Act Theater Company in North Andover

  By: Tom Duggan – Jan. 2016 He’s a Hollywood actor, an author, a musician and a singer, but Steve Blackwood says his latest passion is teaching and he has started up his own actors studio in North Andover to teach local talent what it takes to make it in show business. “It’s funny,” he […]

Powerball’s Historic Jackpot and What it Means to the Local Economy

Powerball’s Historic Jackpot and What it Means to the Local Economy

By: Tom Duggan, 1-12-15 Massachusetts State Lottery Director Michael Sweeney told the Valley Patriot Tuesday morning that the Powerball jackpot has been adjusted to $1.5B, the largest lottery payout in world history. “It’s really a big win for the state,” Sweeney  said. The Powerball jackpot hasn’t been hit in 19 successive drawings. The last time someone […]

Rep. Lyons Supports Repeal of 1989 License Suspension Law

Rep. Lyons Supports Repeal of 1989 License Suspension Law

State Representative Jim Lyons (R-Andover) today supported the repeal of a 1989 law requiring individuals to forfeit their driver’s license for five years for certain drug-related offenses.  The current law is seen as a deterrent to individuals convicted of minor drug crimes who try to secure employment or treatment following their release from prison. The […]

The Genie is Out of the Bottle on Prescription Drug Prices ~ THE DR. IS IN!

The Genie is Out of the Bottle on Prescription Drug Prices ~ THE DR. IS IN!

By: Dr. Frank MacMillan – December, 2015 As a college student in the mid 1980s, I studied and received my bachelor degree in economics prior to attending medical school. Also In the mid 1980s, I took note that one component of the new wave in health care was insurance paid prescription drug coverage. As a […]

The 22nd Annual Festival of Trees 2015 – Another Methuen Success Story!

The 22nd Annual Festival of Trees 2015 – Another Methuen Success Story!

  By: Jen Jones – December, 2015 The Festival of Trees does it again! Year after year, hundreds of uniquely decorated festive holiday trees and wreaths are on display, as well as many wonderful auction items; each one better than the last. If you have not been to the Festival of Trees, you should rethink […]

Will Salisbury’s Attorneys Finally Tell the Truth In Time to Save the Tomaselli Sisters’ Home

Will Salisbury’s Attorneys Finally Tell the Truth In Time to Save the Tomaselli Sisters’ Home

JUST ONE MAN’S OPINION On September 14, 2015 the Tomasellis went before the Salisbury Board of Selectmen/Sewer Commissioners and asked them to instruct attorneys for the town to tell the courts, that the Tomasellis were not responsible to pay for this sewer betterment. They did not own the property in 1982 when the assessment was […]

Continuing our Focus on Veterans and the Opioid Epidemic ~ IN YOUR CORNER with SENATOR IVES

Continuing our Focus on Veterans and the Opioid Epidemic  ~ IN YOUR CORNER with SENATOR IVES

By: Senator Kathleen Ives Dec. 2015 The Massachusetts Senate recently completed the first year of a two-year legislative session by sending to the governor’s desk legislation for increased penalties for trafficking fentanyl, and five bills related to veterans. To further address the health crisis of opiate abuse in the Commonwealth, the legislature passed House Bill […]

Will Trump Prevail?

Will Trump Prevail?

By: John MacDonald – Dec. 2015 The question of whether or not Donald Trump will prevail as the Republican nominee for president or has a chance to run for president and win is extremely disturbing to the establishment in both parties. Trump has been bombastic, controversial, knee jerk, overly sensitive and unscripted. Everything a traditional […]

House Passes Public Records and Solar Legislation – Both Need Changes in Senate

House Passes Public Records and Solar Legislation – Both Need Changes in Senate

By: Linda Dean Campbell – Dec. 2015 Before Thanksgiving, the Massachusetts House passed two important pieces of legislation. One of these bills will make significant changes to our antiquated public records law. The other will lift the cap on solar energy production to take advantage of existing solar projects and expiring federal tax credits. Both […]

American Training Guests Now Certified

American Training Guests Now Certified

The confidence that comes with knowing that you have the knowledge to save a life can be quite empowering. American Training just helped a group of Guests, the adults with disabilities whom they serve, find that confidence by holding their first ever CPR & First Aid class for Guests. “Our Guests showed an interest in […]