New School Math: Spend $4M to Save $40k? Article 19 North Andover Town Meeting Vote Expected May 21

By: Clare Donegan NORTH ANDOVER: Town Meeting voters are considering a $4M expenditure involving 16 municipal buildings, including 8 schools. If the contract is awarded to AMERESCO the $40k study will be “free.”  Forty percent is allocated for “new energy management systems” that communicate using wireless microwave radiation. Why install expensive infrastructure, which increases security […]

GLCAC’s Head Start Wins Award for STEM Curriculum

The GLCAC’s Head Start program recently won recognition for its innovation and leadership in teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics to preschoolers. In a ceremony attended by Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua, Lawrence Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Riley, parents and GLCAC staff, three prize-winning teachers were honored for using bridges and statues to help preschoolers learn […]

EDITORIAL: The Fleecing of Taxpayers – Ultimate Power, No Transparency, No Outrage in Lawrence

EDITORIAL: The Fleecing of Taxpayers – Ultimate Power, No Transparency, No Outrage in Lawrence

VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL MAY, 2013   The corruption and the fleecing of the state taxpayers by Lawrence officials is staggering, and we believe the biggest scandal going on in the state. Yet the media and elected “leaders” on Beacon Hill continually look the other way. At issue: Jeff Riley is the state appointed receiver in […]

Lawrence Man Charged with Extortion and Illegal Firearm Possession

Lawrence Man Charged with Extortion and Illegal Firearm Possession

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office BOSTON—Felix Paulino, 35, of Lawrence was indicted on charges of interstate extortionate threats and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. On April 2, 2013, Paulino was arrested on a criminal complaint. He is currently in federal custody.  The indictment alleges that, beginning in October 2012 and […]

McVeigh and Tildsley retire; Dunham leads Striders

McVeigh and Tildsley retire; Dunham leads Striders

By: Mark Behan – May 2013 After a combined 70 years of coaching and 875 wins between them, two Lions of the Winter have retired. Longtime Andover High School girls’ basketball head coach Jim Tildsley has stepped down.  Tildsley coached for 39 years, including the last 18 at Andover, where he shepherded the Golden Warriors […]

Methuen Police Arrest High School Student on Terrorism Charges

Methuen Police Arrest High School Student on Terrorism Charges

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wbJTHkdBMc&list=UUHvNZOou9CK-SsTZ_B3BjMg&index=220&h=320] One of Cameron D’Ambrosio’ s Youtube videos   By: Tom Duggan – May 1, 2013 Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon told The Valley Patriot this afternoon that Carmen D’Ambrosio sent a text message and posted terrorist threats on social media. “We took this very seriously,” Chief Solomon said. “He posted a threat in the […]

Godsmack’s Sully Erna Opens the Doors at Hampton Casino Ballroom for 2013

Godsmack’s Sully Erna Opens the Doors at Hampton Casino Ballroom for 2013

By: Ron Mushow – April 2013 Performing at The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Godsmack drummer, lead singer and Lawrence native Sully Erna took the stage with a full house of fans eager to hear his acoustic solo show. Sully played for well over two hours with his acoustic unplugged show. The spirit Sully Erna has […]

Lowell City Councilor Rita Mercier Offers a Lesson About Civility and Democracy

Lowell City Councilor Rita Mercier Offers a Lesson About Civility and Democracy

By: George Deluca – (Lowell2020.com) April 2013 On Tuesday night, about 100 people crammed into the Lowell City Council Chambers to participate in a discussion about a motion to clear the air on Mayor Murphy’s erratic behavior and actions over the past 15 months. The motion was prepared by City Councilor Rita Mercier. Mayor Murphy […]

Methuen Police Officer Dan O’Connell Valley Patriot, Officer Tom Duggan Sr. Law Enforcement Award Recipient

Methuen Police Officer Dan O’Connell Valley Patriot, Officer Tom Duggan Sr.  Law Enforcement Award Recipient

  By: Justess Jacobson – April 2013 The Valley Patriot bestowed the Officer Tom Duggan, Sr., Law Enforcement Award at the newspaper’s annual Anniversary BASH, held in March each year.  This award will go to one civilian and one police officer or firefighter every year. My grandfather, Officer Tom Duggan believed that it was the […]

Community Action Council Welcomes New COO and Development Director Rosa Talero

LAWRENCE – Executive Director Evelyn Friedman has appointed Rosa Talero as Chief Operating Officer and Tracey Chalifour as the new Director of Development and Planning for the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Inc. The two new members of senior management add a combined three decades of professional experience in operations and fundraising for non-profit organizations. […]

Lyons Demands Governor Patrick Lift “Veil Of Secrecy” Protecting Terrorists “Privacy Rights”

Lyons Demands Governor Patrick Lift “Veil Of Secrecy” Protecting Terrorists “Privacy Rights”

  BOSTON, MA – “In Deval Patrick’s Massachusetts,” observed Representative Jim Lyons, “terrorists are granted more privacy protection than the police, fire, and first responders who risk their lives for us. “If this were not such sad and tragic moment in our state history,” Lyons continued, “this action by Governor Patrick would almost be considered […]

Jeff Katz, Radio Legend and Valley Patriot Columnist to Join 980WCAP

Jeff Katz, Radio Legend and Valley Patriot Columnist to Join 980WCAP

Veteran talk radio personality Jeff Katz will return to the airwaves on a regular basis starting on Monday April 29. Katz, a three time Associated Press award winning broadcaster will contribute a daily commentary for the legendary New England station WCAP-AM 980 which is licensed to the Boston suburb of Lowell. The Katz Commentary will […]