By: State Senator Pavel Payano 10-23 In a landmark achievement of bipartisan cooperation, the Massachusetts Legislature has reached a historic compromise on a comprehensive tax relief package, and I am proud to have cast my vote in favor of it. This extraordinary effort was a true compromise between Democrats and Republicans and between the Senate and […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino 10-23 Dear Friends and Neighbors of Methuen and Lawrence, a few years back, when the halls of Suffolk University Law School were my daily walk, a fervent dream took root. I envisioned a community where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, was afforded the same opportunities and treated with […]
State Rep. Estela Reyes 10-23 First, I want to say how happy I am that my good friend, Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan is recovering from a near death experience that kept him in the hospital for over a month. I truly appreciate his friendship and the fact that he gives members of the community […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. Melvin Antonio Perez Medina, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 100 grams or more of a […]
State Rep. Ryan Hamilton 10-23 I am proud to come from the Merrimack Valley, where we cherish and uplift our veterans and their families. I am also proud to come from a family who understands the sacrifice our veterans have made. My grandfather was a Korean War veteran and two of my uncles served in […]
10-23 At the end of September, my office released an audit of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), diving into a commission that has the responsibility to build up oversight over a nascent industry. As this industry has evolved, so too has the CCC. This most recent audit specifically honed in on whether the CCC is […]
Haverhill native Chris Manning is the current Commander of American Legion Post 4 in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Chris grew up in Haverhill, one of twelve children, his three brothers all served in the US Military. His dad served in the South Pacific during World War II, as a Machinist Mate First Class. His older brother […]
By: State Rep. Francisco Paulino 9-23 Dear friends and neighbors of Lawrence and Methuen, When I think of the Merrimack Valley, I envision a lively mosaic of history, culture, and innovation. At its heart lie two cities — Lawrence and Methuen — that embody resilience, community spirit, and potential. As your state representative, every decision […]
By: State Auditor Diana DiZoglio 9-23 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Within the Office of the State Auditor is the Division of Local Mandates (DLM), a critical resource for our cities and towns. DLM was established in 1980 under the property tax limit initiative known as Proposition 2 ½. The DLM team assists in determining whether […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano 9-23 In our modern, interconnected world, the internet has become a fundamental necessity, impacting every facet of our lives, from education and healthcare to employment and communication. However, for numerous families and individuals, a formidable obstacle remains – the digital divide. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) emerges as a pioneering […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton The Merrimack Valley is home to some of our Commonwealth’s finest arts and culture organizations. As the State Representative for Methuen and Haverhill, I can tour many of these historic landmarks and cultural attractions. This month, I want to highlight some of the significant events and projects underway in our […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today to his role in a scheme to use the stolen identities of United States citizens from Puerto Rico to fraudulently purchase vehicles and other merchandise and apply for and utilize bank accounts and credit cards. Joshua Cruz, 35, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire […]
Also Illegally using Sewer Funds for Construction On November 2, 2022, the Newburyport Daily News reported that the new Lafayette Road Sewer Project had an initial estimated cost of $18.5 million and quoted Town Manager Neil Harrington as saying: “The project is completely funded through the town’s sewer enterprise fund and that following the project’s […]
08/23 Just minutes after posting the story on-line about Methuen Police Captain Greg Gallant (story here) winning his Civil Service case against the City of Methuen for wrongful termination, the hate mail started pouring in. People were outraged, they were confused, and they were hostile. How could this be, many asked. How did Gallant get […]
On June 17th, the Haverhill City Council violated the state’s open meeting law by secretly discussing, drafting, finalizing, signing, and circulating a letter declaring that racism is BAD – as if we are all so stupid that we really needed them to tell us that. What this was really about, was the city council capitalizing […]