After the release of the U.S. Decennial Census, Massachusetts is mandated by the United States Constitution and Federal Voting Rights Act to change its House, Senate, Governor’s Council and Congressional district boundaries to accommodate shifts in population and provide equal representation to its citizens. Census data show that Massachusetts’ population growth over the last decade […]
By: Senator Diana DiZoglio – Nov. 2021 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, While we have made important strides in recent years to help Massachusetts veterans – such as exempting members of the military in active duty from the automobile excise tax and expanding services and opportunities for veterans and their families through the Valor Act – […]
By: Brian Genest – Nov. 2021 Leadership and change begin at the top. In Dracut, you don’t have to look any further than the town manager for proof. In just 18 months, Ann Vandal has made a tremendous difference for our town. As reflected in the strong scores she was given by a majority of […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Nov. 2021 It is time to get serious about mental health services for our students. Even for years before the pandemic, we saw a concerning rise in stress, anxiety, and depression among young people. COVID-19 only made things worse. Last year, many Massachusetts emergency rooms saw 4 times […]
Convicted felon sold at least nine guns, ammunition, bulletproof vest and drugs to a cooperating witness BOSTON – A member of the Trinitarios street gang pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with trafficking firearms, ammunition, cocaine and crack cocaine in the Greater Lawrence area. Jose Omar Hernandez-Aragones, 24, a Dominican national […]
In a spirited back and forth with Valley Patriot publisher, Tom Duggan, on the Paying Attention! Podcast, Methuen Mayor Neil Perry said, unequivocally, that Critical Race Theory is not being taught in the Methuen Schools. The topic came up after a Methuen third grade teacher was called out on social media for signing a […]
11/20/21 Educators in Lawrence were encouraged to attend a race-based, segregated “Auditing” session being conducted by a radical left-wing, racist group called BlackPrint. According to their website, BlackPrint teaches and encourages the teaching of “White Privilege” (that White people are inherently racist and enjoy privileges in society other races don’t enjoy). BlackPrint first conducts an “audit” […]
EMAIL TO ALL EDUCATORS From: Christopher Markuns <Christopher.Markuns@lawrence.k12.ma.us> Sent: Friday, October 22, 2021 3:50:19 PM Subject: LPS Equity Audit Town Hall Dear Lawrence Public Schools educators, In the spring of 2020, LPS committed to a process of creating an actively anti-racist school system. The country’s struggle to respond coherently to equity issues paired with the […]
11/19/21 The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission blasted City of Methuen officials for the handling of promotions in the fire department and passing over female Firefighter Tracy Blanchette, for a captain’s promotion calling the city’s actions “intolerable” and “extraordinary”. SEE FULL DECISION HERE Civil Service Commissioner Cynthia A. Ittleman admonished every level of Methuen city government in the “flawed […]
PDF of the November, 2021 Valley Patriot
BOSTON – A Dominican national recently residing in Lawrence was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Michael Saredi-Munoz Morta, 21, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. According to charging documents, in or […]
By: John Cuddy – Oct. 2o21 Lawrence native Arthur Goulet attended St Anne’s Grammar School and graduated from Lawrence High School with the Class of 1955. Shortly after finishing high school, he joined the US Navy. He completed Military Basic Training at the U.S. Navy Training Center at Port Deposit, Maryland, more commonly known in […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was arrested today and charged with firearms and drug offenses. Miguel Mejia, 35, was indicted on one count of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 40 grams more of fentanyl. Following an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence woman was sentenced today in connection with her involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19-related unemployment assistance. Raquel Pena, 40, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to three years in prison and one year of supervised release. Pena was also ordered to pay restitution for […]
The Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. is now accepting applications for food and rental assistance programs and is enrolling parents in two support groups. In addition, GLCAC will launch a new monthly show on Facebook Live to feature the services it offers and to answer viewer questions. Sign Up for SNAP at GLCAC The […]