Boston– The Massachusetts state Senate today advanced a bill intended to provide family caregivers with critically needed information and guidance to effectively care for a patient once released from a hospital. The bi-partisan backed legislation was co-sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R – Gloucester) who called the bill “a big boost for the […]
The Baker-Polito Administration has appointed Lawrence City Councilor Marc Laplante to the state Housing Appeals Committee where he will address (Chapter 40B) appeals in an impartial forum to resolve conflicts arising from the siting of new affordable housing. He serves as the city council representative on the Committee. “Marc has been an important partner in […]
For the third time in in the last two weeks, an inmate at the Lawrence jail has escaped. Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins Jr. reported this morning that his office is seeking to capture an inmate who walked away from the minimum security Lawrence Correctional Alternative Center Tuesday ROBERT P. REIDY, AGE 24, OF NASHUA, N.H., […]
Massachusetts corporations make $10,000 payment to resolve campaign finance issue Corporations owned by two Allston-based businessmen have made a $10,000 civil forfeiture payment to the state’s general fund to resolve a complaint regarding the true source of campaign contributions, according to a disposition agreement between the businessmen and OCPF. Alex Matov and Adrian Shapiro are […]
LAWRENCE — Chief Brian Moriarty and the Lawrence Fire Department ask that as residents move their clocks back an hour during daylight saving in less than two weeks, they also remember to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Daylight saving begins Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 a.m. “Just like setting your […]
By: Dr. Bharani Padmanabhan So, here are the actors in this sordid little drama. Charlie Baker opposes the legalization of marijuana. He supports prohibition. Dr. Candace Sloane is the Chair of the State Medical Board. She absolutely relishes being the Chair and wants to be reappointed by Charlie even though she was appointed by Deval […]
The President of Americans for Peace and Tolerance, Dr. Charles Jacobs, has expressed concern with plans by radical Islamist activists to lead a demonstration outside a Jewish synagogue tonight, to protest a panel discussion on radical Islam. “The organizations behind this demonstration,” said Dr. Jacobs, “are notorious promoters of extremism. We and our moderate Muslim partners […]
By: DJ Deeb – Oct. 2016 Methuen Schools are on the move and many great things are happening with the start of the 2016-2017 school year. At our September 12th meeting, I led the charge to have the Methuen School Committee go on record as opposing Question 2 in November, which if passed, would expand […]
VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH This month, The Valley Patriot honors and recognizes Lowell resident John MacDonald not just for his service to the country as a military veteran, but also because of his tremendous work helping our veterans here at home. John MacDonald enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1989 and was […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL OCTOBER 2016 There are four ballot questions Massachusetts voters will be asked to decide on Election Day. Here are our recommendations. VOTE YES ON QUESTION #1: Voters are asked in question #1 whether or not to expand the amount of slot gambling parlors in Massachusetts from one to two. We believe in […]
By: Tom Duggan – 10-27-16|7:21pm Previous Story: Merrimack Street Business Owners Give Mayor an Earful Over Proposed Changes to Street, Parking Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera has ordered a halt of all construction on the Merrimack St. project, sending workers and police details home on Wednesday. Rivera also called for a work stoppage by Columbia Gas […]
By: Kathy Runge – Oct. 2016 It’s been a year since Lawrence became a sanctuary city. Have you ever wondered how it’s working out? The answer is that we don’t know. The ordinance states starting on September 1, 2015 and on every other month thereafter, the Lawrence Police Chief shall submit a report to the […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Oct, 2016 Bridgewater State Hospital is the center of attention for a number of high profile incidents stemming from the use of excessive force. These include the recent suicide of Leo Marino this April and the death of Joshua Messier from the excessive use of restraints in 2014. […]
METHUEN — The Methuen Police Department has arrested a man over the weekend for an armed robbery that occurred at a local bank last week. On Thursday, Oct. 20, just before 2:30 p.m., Methuen Police responded to Methuen Cooperative Bank, 243 Broadway, for reports of an armed robbery. While in route, officers were advised that […]
By: Joe D’Amore – October, 2016 The city of Lawrence and several Cape Ann communities have an almost intractable homelessness problem not unlike other urban centers in the United States. The twin primary drivers are lack of affordable housing and an economy that does not produce sufficient jobs for people looking for them throughout the […]