NECC TO START 2 FREE SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMS Two, free, grant-funded educational programs designed to train unemployed and under-employed individuals in high-demand manufacturing positions, will be offered through Northern Essex Community College’s Center for Corporate and Community Education beginning in May. Individuals who have graduated from high school or have a high school equivalency, are […]
By: State Senator Katy Ives – April, 2017 Early Voting passed into law in 2014 and this past presidential election was the first in which residents were allowed to vote before Election Day. This is an advantageous concept for many people that want to vote but can’t get to the ballot box on one given […]
Illegal Gaming Company Allegedly Laundered More than $1 Million in Proceeds SALEM – Four individuals have been charged in connection with operating an illegal gaming and money laundering scheme through a North Andover company, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. The company, Four Star Vending, Inc., and its owners, William Morley, age 62, and his […]
By: DJ Deeb – April, 2017 There have been many noteworthy stories about the City of Methuen this past month. New contracts have been approved by city officials, the Marijuana dispensaries are on hold, a 40-B housing project is being discussed, preliminary budget planning is taking place, and the school committee voted against televising workshop […]
LAWRENCE UNDER SIEGE By: Tom Duggan – 4-30-17 HERE COME THE FEDS After a significant spike in violent crimes over the last six months, Lawrence Police Chief James Fitzpatrick has called in some heavy reinforcements to take back the streets and protect the nearly 90,000 people living in his city. Lawrence is the poorest community […]
Defendants in Discrimination Case Say They May Be Filing a Defamation Suit Against Fellow Officer By: Tom Duggan – 4-26-17 The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) has ruled in favor of Lawrence Police in a discrimination suit filed by embattled Lawrence Police Officer William Green. Green accused the Lawrence Police Department, and in particular Superior […]
VALLLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL April 2017 A few months ago The Valley Patriot began to investigate the goings on at the Boxford police station. Rumors about a department out of control because of a police chief who is “mailing it in” motivated us to start requesting documents. Instead of cooperating with the press and being […]
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE APRIL 2017 EDITION
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan appeared on WMEX with State Rep. Geoff Diehl who recently attended The Valley Patriot’s 13th Anniversary BASH and wanted to talk about the event as well as the Valley Patriot’s new book Heroes in Our Midst. Tom and Geoff also discussed media bias and pathetic nature […]
By: State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – Feb. 2017 Last session, as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses, I was tasked with reviewing proposals for a major overhaul of the state’s zoning laws which have become strained under modern housing pressures. The goal of the comprehensive bill passed by the […]
By: Dr. Bahrani Padmanabhan – Feb. 17 Recently in response to an Executive Order from President Trump which sought to delay by 3 months the entry of citizens from 7 countries singled out by President Obama, the Massachusetts Medical Society issued an opposing press release and all but joined with Mass. Attorney General Maura Healey […]
By: Linda Dean Campbell – Feb. 2017 Methuen has made some significant strides in recent years leveraging State investment in projects to renovate the High School, build the Methuen Rail Trail, and improve infrastructure as with the replacement project for the Rotary. It is very gratifying and exciting to be working with our city leaders […]
Deficiencies Similar to Previous MassHealth Audit Findings BOSTON, MA — State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump today issued an audit of the behavioral health program at MassHealth, which found that MassHealth paid doctors directly for providing mental health services that should have been paid for by the Massachusetts Behavior Health Partnership (MBHP). MBHP is paid by […]
By: Tom Duggan – 3/30/17 Former Lawrence Mayor Willie Lantigua’s Chief of Staff Lenny Degnan, was denied an appeal of his conviction for his role in soliciting a bribe from Allied Waste, the company that contracts with the City of Lawrence for trash removal. Degnan was sentenced to pay a fine of $10,000 and serve 18 months in […]
Last month, the Methuen School Committee went into executive session (a private meeting excluding the public) for the purpose of ambushing School Committee Member Jana DiNatale. Her offense? She dared to ask for public input on an internet survey about Methuen residency, and she did so without their permission or input. (SEE STORY HERE) First, […]