Police Investigate Middle School Death Threats

By: Tom Duggan – April 2008 NORTH ANDOVER – Several North Andover Middle School students are being investigated by the North Andover police for personal profiles posted on the America On Line Internet service threatening to harm fellow students and naming at least one teacher and a classmate the student pledges to “kill.”  These threats […]

State meets obligation on SPED mandate

  By: State Senator Steve Panagiotakos – April, 2008 Chairman Senate Ways & Means Committee  The following information is intended to address the issue of local mandates and explains how the state complies with the applicable laws. I would also like to explain how the state assists municipalities in the funding of certain education categories. […]

Methuen Police did the Work

Valley Patriot Editorial  March, 2008 What started off as a paperwork dispute between the Department of Justice and Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon has resulted in (among other things), other officers accused of being paid for work they did not do. The fact is, the U.S. Department of Justice has never questioned whether or not […]

Methuen Police Chief Solomon alleges federal corruption probe of Mayor Manzi

Claims Mayor’s actions against him are retaliatory and invokes protections under federal and state whistleblower laws   Supporters of Methuen Police Chief Joe Solmon – February 18, 2008  METHUEN, MA – Whistleblower (noun): An employee, former employee, or member of an organization, especially a business or government agency, who reports misconduct to people or entities […]

Hero In Our Midst – Christoper Fantasia, Salem NH – Valley Patriot of the Month

By: Tech Sgt. James Moore, USAF – February, 2008 SALEM, NH – Airman First Class Christopher Fantasia, home on Recruiting Assistance Duty at the Air Force Recruiting Office in Lawrence, Ma., is making a difference in the world. He is a patriot and has a genuine enthusiasm for his work. Airman First Class Fantasia joined […]

The Real Disgrace in the Jennifer Padellaro Lawsuit

The Real Disgrace in the Jennifer Padellaro Lawsuit

PAYING ATTENTION! with TOM DUGGAN By: Tom Duggan – February, 2008 LAWRENCE, MA – Last month I wrote about the $610,000 lawsuit settled by the City of Lawrence with former Assistant City Clerk Jenniffer Padellaro. (Blanchette was Absolutely Right on Padellaro Lawsuit) Padellaro had been on worker’s compensation after leaving the position because she was exposed […]

Real Heroes in the Valley Truly Deserve Our Support

VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL February,2008  Last month the Exchange Club of Lawrence honored police officers, firefighters and an EMT workers for their service to the communities of Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover. Among those honored were Lawrence Police Officer Michael Magnan who received one of the Exchange Club’s “Police Officer of the Year Awards” for saving […]

Sex assault lawsuit filed against local hospital

  By: Tom Duggan – February 2, 2008 Imagine that you have been voluntarily admitted to the hospital to recover from an illness or injury and another patient sexually attacks you while you are trying to recover.  According to a patient’s complaint (name withheld), that is exactly what happened to her after being admitted to […]

Former North Andover’s Acting Superintendent Gave Himself Illegal Raise of $4,484 Raise

VALLEY PATRIOT EXCLUSIVE!   By: Tom Duggan – January, 2008   The North Andover School Committee is suing their former acting Superintendent Richard Bergeron for illegally giving himself a $4,484.34 raise without school committee approval.  A complaint filed in Lawrence District Court claims that Bergeron ordered a payroll clerk to put the additional money in […]

Lawrence Mayor, Superintendent to Protest Stokes at Tonight’s School Committee Meeting

Lawrence Mayor, Superintendent to Protest Stokes at Tonight’s School Committee Meeting

Asks Community to stand with our Veterans   by Wilfredo Laboy, posted 1/10/08   During a period in which the City of Lawrence and the Lawrence Public Schools have made significant steps towards ongoing improvement, we are saddened and outraged by such morally and ethically unacceptable conduct by James Stokes.  In November’s School Committee elections, […]

Stokes Arraigned in US District Court in Boston Charged with forging Military Discharge Papers

Says he will not resign from Lawrence School Committee     by Tom Duggan, posted 1/9/08 BOSTON, – January 9, 2008 – Elected Lawrence School Committeeman James Stokes was arraigned in Federal Court in Boston today after being arrested at Top Donut on Winthrop Avenue by Lawrence Police and Federal Agents.  Lawrence Police took Stokes […]

City settles lawsuit for $610,000 over computer porn

City settles lawsuit for $610,000 over computer porn

City Clerk’s Internet Porn, Harassment Cost City Thousands By: Tom Duggan – January, 2008 Lawrence’s former assistant city clerk, Jennifer Padellaro, settled her workers’ compensation claims as well as her federal lawsuit against the City of Lawrence last month for $610,000. A settlement conference (called a lump sum conference) took place at the Industrial Accident […]

Haverhill Mayor Hires New DPW Director North Attleboro DPW Chief, Michael Stankovich Coming to Haverhill

Mayor Promotes Robert Ward to Deputy DPW Director WEB EXTRA!     January 5, 2008  HAVERHILL – Mayor James J. Fiorentini today named Michael K. Stankovich as the City’s new Director of the Department of Public Works. Stankovich comes to Haverhill from North Attleboro, where he has served as DPW Director for over nine (9) […]

Lawrence Fire Department receives grant to network emergency communications throughout state

Lawrence Fire Department receives grant to network  emergency communications throughout state

  Tom Duggan – December, 2007   In 1995, a devastating fire ripped through the Malden Mills factory on Broadway in Methuen. Firefighters and police officers responded to the emergency from allover the Commonwealth.  As the out-of-town public safety officials began to arrive at the scene, chaos ensued as it became nearly impossible to coordinate […]