By: Kathy Runge – June, 2015 Let me start with a shout out to State Rep. Marcos Devers, who had the courage to vote against the “bathroom bill,” which I’m sure wasn’t easy for a Democrat. Thank you Rep. Devers! I was at Lawrence’s Memorial Day commemoration and only three councilors attended. None of the […]
By: State Senator Katy Ives – June, 2016 In May, the Massachusetts Legislature approved legislation that seeks to enhance government transparency and accountability by providing residents with greater access to public records and imposing penalties for non-compliance with public records requests. I re-filed a piece of legislation this session, co-sponsored by Representative Diana DiZoglio, in […]
By: Jeff Katz – June, 2016 I was asked recently why I hate animals and I must confess I was stunned. I could not understand how anyone could even imagine that I hated animals. I am a passionate supporter of conservation programs to help safeguard wildlife. I am both a dog and a cat person […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL: JUNE-2016 In 1961, Democratic President John F. Kennedy inspired us all by saying this country would put a man on the moon. He then went to Congress to fund the exploration into space. Soon afterwards, we saw men on the moon. Today, Democratic President Barack Obama’s inspiration is to put men into […]
By: Al Kaprielian – June, 2016 After some cool days in May we saw a return to true summertime heat on Saturday, May 28. Boston reached 92 degrees on that day, which tied the record of 92 degrees set back in 1931. Fitchburg reached 97 degrees on that day. Many areas reached into the 90’s […]
By: D.J. Deeb – June, 2016 May has proven to be a very busy month for the Methuen School Committee as it almost always is. There have been several workshops on the budget (which is still a work in progress), awards ceremonies, teacher recognition, and pro-active planning for the year ahead. First off, Congratulations to […]
By: Sandra Stotsky – June, 2016 There has been a long, slow decline in the reading level of American high school graduates. Our kids are not reading much at the secondary level, and what they do read may not develop college-level reading and vocabulary skills. Perhaps Bay State English teachers should consider research evidence as […]
June 3, 2016 Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a public records reform bill Friday, after a joint conference committee of the Massachusetts legislature negotiated and reached a final deal on final language of the bill. For the first time in the state’s history, members of the public and the press will be able to hold […]
THE CARPENTERS A beautiful woman with an angelic voice lost her life at the young age of thirty-two when her life had only just begun. The Carpenters were a brother, sister group from Connecticut. Richard Lynn Carpenter is the big brother of the duo. He was born on October 15, 1946. By age twelve, he […]
By: Dr. Frank MacMillan – May, 2016 I’m like many of you. I never liked to do my homework as a kid. When my mother asked my elementary school teacher why my younger brother had so much more homework than I did, the teacher answered that I rarely did it, and when I did, it […]
By: Dr. Padmanabhan – May, 2016 Progressives, such as Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s “Doctors for Obama” outfit, now called Center for American Progress dba Doctors for America, complain loudly about Florida’s gun gag law that prevents doctors from asking patients if they have a gun at home. It is terrible when a politician comes between […]
By: Bill Cushing – May, 2016 Bosch premiered in 2015 as one of Amazon’s new streaming series. While it had a very good first season that established characters and laid some good groundwork, season 2 of Bosch kicked it up a notch. Based on Michael Connelly’s series of novels, Amazon’s solid, gritty cop drama […]
By: Dr. Rami Rustum – May, 2016 Pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work, and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Most people have back pain at least once. Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve most back pain episodes. If prevention fails, simple […]
By: Paul Murano – May, 2016 There has been a lot written about what the potential presidential nominations of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton might mean to America. I can think of several things, and will reflect on one: Politics reflects culture. Who we are is reflected in who we elect. When I was a […]
By: Justess Jacobson – May, 2016 Summer is approaching, and with the quick arrival of warm weather and beautiful sunshine, you’ll want to spend your time with those you love! Whether it’s a family date, or a romantic one, here are some great ideas that will get you outside and in the heart of the […]