By: Joe D’Amore Mayor Brian DePeña of Lawrence was recently arrested and charged by the U.S. Justice Department for serious missteps well documented by the publisher of this paper and numerous news outlets. Suffice it to say, the mayor is presumed innocent and is entitled to his day in court. In a series of public […]
More than 53 grams of cocaine base found hidden in defendants underwear BOSTON – A Lowell man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl and cocaine base (crack cocaine). Gino Hem, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 66 months in prison, to be followed […]
FULL VIDEO OF INTERVIEW BELOW FLOCK CAMERAS AI SURVEILLANCE U.S. Senate Candidate John Deaton appeared on the Paying Attention! Podcast with Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan last month where he revealed for the first time that he is opposed to flock cameras (among many other things) after being asked about their use violating the […]
By: Tom Duggan LAWRENCE – State Rep. Francisco Paulino says the Lawrence Public Schools are failing to provide some special education students with services required under their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and says he is working on a program that would provide free legal representation to parents fighting for those services. Paulino made the comments […]
Retired Methuen Police Joe Solomon has pleaded guilty today to: 2 counts — Perjury by Written Affidavit 7 counts — Obtaining Unwarranted Privileges in Violation of the Civil Service Laws 6 counts — Civil Service Law Violations 1 count — Uttering a Forged Document 1 count — Procurement Fraud The charges stem from the illegal […]
Methuen Mayor Dave Beauregard has announced that despite his previous support for FLOCK Cameras with AI, facial recognition and license plate readers, he has “halted the installation of all remaining Flock automated license plate reader cameras and initiated a comprehensive audit of Methuen’s use of the technology.” The mayor’s change of position comes less than […]
State Finally Honors Families Who Also Sacrificed Sometimes government gets something exactly right. In Massachusetts last month Governor Healey signed legislation creating Massachusetts’ new “Blue Star Family” license plate, giving the spouses, parents, children, siblings, and grandchildren of police officers killed in the line of duty a permanent way to honor their loved ones. The […]
By: Lenny Mirra – 8-26 Our state budget includes a $200,000 earmark from State Senator Liz Miranda to a company called Bold Skin Babe Cosmetology Institute, Inc. for “scholarships for low-income students” in the beauty and wellness industry. Sounds like a noble goal, and not a big deal in a $63 billion budget. The […]
By John Cuddy – 8-26 This morning the Valley Patriot had coffee and donuts with Vietnam Veteran, Lawrence resident, and current Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) “Queen City” Chapter 2, Dan Tirone. We met at the DAV Chapter 2 Headquarters on 112A East Haverhill Street in Lawrence, Massachusetts joined by key members […]
By: Essex County Sheriff Coppinger – 8-26 Have you tried finding a plumber lately? If you’ve had a leaking pipe, a broken water heater, or a plumbing emergency, you already know the answer. It can take days or even weeks to get someone to your house. The reality is that Massachusetts has a serious […]
By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio As my office continues to fight for the 72% of Massachusetts voters who overwhelmingly voted the legislative audit into law, my State Representative Ryan Hamilton recently defended his vote in favor of the House’s so-called transparency bill. I was deeply disappointed to read my own Methuen state representative defend […]
By: Elizabeth Dionne – 8-26 I am Elizabeth Dionne, and I am running for Massachusetts State Treasurer on this November’s statewide ballot. I am a mother, attorney, and educator. As a 10-year local elected official, I earned a reputation as a relentless reformer, laser-focused on common-sense government that is transparent and fiscally responsible. State […]
EXACTLY WHAT DO THE FEDERAL DOCUMENTS ALLEGE AGAINST STATE REP. FRANCISCO PAULINO? A federal grand jury has indicted Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino (D-Methuen) on eleven felony counts: Eight counts of wire fraud and aiding and abetting. Three counts of unlawful monetary transactions, commonly described as money laundering. The indictment alleges that Paulino used false […]
8-27-16 On August 14th Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena was arrested for fraudulent use of COVID money. Initially the federal government charged Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena with two counts of: Wire Fraud Aiding and Abetting (count 1) Unlawful Monetary Transactions Aiding and Abetting (Count 2). Yesterday the federal government added 9 more charges to DePena’s indictment. […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino – 8-26 I have always believed government has one core responsibility: to open doors for people willing to work hard. Not handouts. Not empty promises. Real opportunity. A chance to learn a skill. A chance to earn a steady paycheck. A chance to build a life and stay in the […]