10-23 At the end of September, my office released an audit of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), diving into a commission that has the responsibility to build up oversight over a nascent industry. As this industry has evolved, so too has the CCC. This most recent audit specifically honed in on whether the CCC is […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain over $450,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds. Darwyn Joseph, 26, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to two years […]
10/20/23 Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña has appointed his Chief of Staff William Castro be to be the acting Police Chief in the wake of the retirement of Chief Roy Vasque. The mayor sent the following press release late Friday. Effective immediately, the Chief of Staff, William Castro, will be assigned as Acting Chief of Police […]
PDF of the October, 2023 Valley Patriot
By: Philippe Thibault 9-23 I occasionally like to say, tongue in cheek, that the Constitution of the United States was never ratified in Dracut. All the rights and privileges afforded by that document cease to have validity and relevance within the town borders. I find it humorous and laugh, until it is true. There is […]
By: Michael Gorman 9-23 The following eulogy was delivered last month at the funeral of local philanthropist Frank Cann by TMF founder Michael Gorman. TMF is a group of local volunteers who feeds the homeless in Lawrence. My Name is Michael Gorman and I am the Founder of the non-profit organization – The Movement Family, […]
By: Brian Genest 9-23 If you think Dracut’s most rejected perennial candidate—nine-time loser Phil Thibault—couldn’t be any more bitter than he already is about being the town’s monumental loser, think again. This time, Dracut’s self-proclaimed perpetual victim Phil Thibault and his fruit loop friends are lamenting because he wasn’t appointed to a town board, again. […]
Haverhill native Chris Manning is the current Commander of American Legion Post 4 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Chris grew up in Haverhill, one of twelve children, his three brothers all served in the US Military. His dad served in the South Pacific during World War II, as a Machinist Mate First Class. His older brother […]
THE ADVENTURES OF KANE THE VALLEY PATRIOT’S OFFICIAL MASCOT 9-23 Kane has felt stressed out lately! He finds himself running to food to feel better! He has been sneaking food when nobody is around, hiding the wrappers in his house, and plotting and planning how to get more! Yesterday he almost stole his human’s whole […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino 9-23 Dear friends and neighbors of Lawrence and Methuen, When I think of the Merrimack Valley, I envision a lively mosaic of history, culture, and innovation. At its heart lie two cities — Lawrence and Methuen — that embody resilience, community spirit, and potential. As your state representative, every decision […]
By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio 9-23 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Within the Office of the State Auditor is the Division of Local Mandates (DLM), a critical resource for our cities and towns. DLM was established in 1980 under the property tax limit initiative known as Proposition 2 ½. The DLM team assists in determining whether […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano 9-23 In our modern, interconnected world, the internet has become a fundamental necessity, impacting every facet of our lives, from education and healthcare to employment and communication. However, for numerous families and individuals, a formidable obstacle remains – the digital divide. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) emerges as a pioneering […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton The Merrimack Valley is home to some of our Commonwealth’s finest arts and culture organizations. As the State Representative for Methuen and Haverhill, I can tour many of these historic landmarks and cultural attractions. This month, I want to highlight some of the significant events and projects underway in our […]
Willette Announces Write-In Campaign for Methuen School Committee Kenneth Willette (10 Burnham Road, Apt. 506A) officially announced his campaign today as a write-in candidate for the Methuen School Committee. Willette previously served six years on the Methuen School Committee and six years as a Methuen City Councilor at Large. Willette stated: “Based upon positive feedback […]
LAWRENCE – This is to notify businesses and landlords that they have the opportunity to receive assistance from the small business administration due to the floods on August 8th, 2023. Mima will be having a resource week at the Center located at 155 Haverhill St. for business owners and landlords to speak with a representative of the […]