Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Today in Massachusetts, there are more than 3,000 children in foster care with a goal of adoption. With waitlists booming, countless children are waiting three or more years to be adopted. Playing a truly invaluable role in this process are foster parents, providing a safe and stable environment for children who, […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Right now, it is illegal to engage in sports betting in Massachusetts. The reality, however, is countless residents already engage in sports wagering, especially in a region like ours in the Merrimack Valley, as a short drive or walk will take you across the border to New Hampshire, where sports betting […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Four years ago, in April 2018, when residents across Massachusetts mourned the tragic loss of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, who was killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant, Gannon’s K9, Nero, was also shot and suffered life-threatening injuries. Under state law at the time, first responders could […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, During the COVID-19 pandemic, 77 residents of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragically died of the virus – the deadliest outbreak at a long-term care facility in the United States over the course of the pandemic. In late March 2020, there had been 230 residents at the home. By the end of […]
By: Senator DiZoglio Hello Valley Patriot Readers, The prevalence of life-threatening allergies among children is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that food allergies in children increased by 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. It is estimated that currently 1 in 13 children has a food allergy, and more […]
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 – […]
Oct. 2021 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, The state Division of Professional Licensure (DPL) licenses and regulates more than 580,000 individuals, businesses, and schools to engage in over 150 trades and professions in Massachusetts, from plumbers and electricians to psychologists and optometrists. Its mission is supposed to be to protect the public through the establishment of […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, This past February, the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. settled a lawsuit brought by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and 46 other state Attorneys General after admitting to their role in helping pharmaceutical companies, including Purdue Pharma, bolster the sale of opioids like Oxycontin to increase profits. The settlement, which saw […]
Aug, 2021 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, As a member of the Legislature’s Elder Affairs Committee, one of my top focuses this session is assessing bills filed that impact our older adults. Among these pieces of legislation is an important bill I have co-sponsored, Senate Bill 1823, An Act relative to property tax deferral for estates. […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Massachusetts people have too often been left in the dark due to the secretive and inaccessible culture of centralized power on Beacon Hill. Recently, I announced my candidacy for Massachusetts State Auditor to bring greater transparency and accountability to our government. As State Auditor, I will begin by auditing the Administration’s […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, In late March, we were all devastated to learn of the tragedy involving David Almond, the 14-year-old autistic boy who died last October after being found living in abhorrent conditions. Fall River police went to the Almond house after receiving a report of an unresponsive person. There, officers found David, bruised, […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, We have been under an indefinite state of emergency, declared by the Governor, for one year now – a challenging period in which we have witnessed countless small businesses close their doors for good and all too many individuals scramble and struggle to obtain a vaccine appointment. More now than ever, […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, 2020 was a challenging year to say the least, with our communities facing hardships that COVID-19 brought to our economy, families, health care system and many other facets of our lives. At the same time, it was amazing to see the people of the Merrimack Valley come together during an unprecedented […]
Hello Valley Patriot Readers, The Legislature recently passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2021. The package includes important investments in sectors impacted by COVID-19, including public health, education and childcare, food security and housing supports. Locally, the budget includes $200,000 toward the establishment of a first-ever Methuen Youth and Community Center, bringing us one step […]
Help The Valley Patriot Stay in Business Your Donation of ANY Amount helps Hello Valley Patriot Readers, In Massachusetts, we have seen many of our local restaurants adversely impacted by COVID-19, with mom and pop establishments fearful that lost revenue from reduced capacity requirements and lingering hesitation by the public to dine out will prevent […]