Convicted felon sold at least 16 guns, ammunition, a laser sight and drugs to a cooperating witness BOSTON – A member of the Trinitarios street gang was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with trafficking firearms, ammunition, cocaine and fentanyl in the Greater Lawrence area. Arismendy Gil-Padilla, a/k/a “Flow”, 32, of Methuen, […]
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was arrested yesterday on fentanyl distribution charges. Rafael Sierra-Baez, 42, was charged with five counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Following an initial appearance yesterday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler, Sierra-Baez was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 25, 2022. […]
The Valley Patriot BASH Scholarship and Award night supporters donated $3,775 to Briana Tratchenberg of Methuen. Flanked by her family, Methuen School Committee member Jana Zanni Pesce and Methuen City Councilor Eunice Zeigler, and former councilor Ryan Hamilton, Tratchenberg was presented a check by Valley Patriot publisher, Tom Duggan. The scholarship was started this year […]
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Wall and Mobile Education Center spreads healing legacy of The Wall and educates about the impact of the Vietnam War The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center, is coming to Methuen, MA on September 27 – October 2, 2022, […]
BOSTON – A Methuen woman was arrested yesterday in connection with stealing Social Security benefits intended for her child. Karen Silva-Brown, 56, was indicted on one count of theft of public funds. Silva-Brown was released on conditions following an initial appearance yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein. According to the […]
By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell Governor Baker has signed the $4 billion funding plan sent to him by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate. The Legislature conducted extensive hearings before finalizing the legislation in order to hear the needs of communities across the state. The bill calls for $2.55 billion in federal ARPA (American […]
Defendant sold drugs to undercover agent on five separate occasions BOSTON – A Methuen man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to selling a fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl mixture to an undercover agent on five occasions. Andi Guerrero-Lara, a/k/a “Manny Sierra,” 24, pleaded guilty to a seven count superseding indictment charging him with […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Dec. 2021 After months of public input, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a major $3.82 billion funding bill to address the most pressing challenges of our COVID-19 recovery. This bill prioritizes individuals and businesses that were most impacted by the pandemic and invests in areas of immediate […]
In a spirited back and forth with Valley Patriot publisher, Tom Duggan, on the Paying Attention! Podcast, Methuen Mayor Neil Perry said, unequivocally, that Critical Race Theory is not being taught in the Methuen Schools. The topic came up after a Methuen third grade teacher was called out on social media for signing a […]
11/19/21 The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission blasted City of Methuen officials for the handling of promotions in the fire department and passing over female Firefighter Tracy Blanchette, for a captain’s promotion calling the city’s actions “intolerable” and “extraordinary”. SEE FULL DECISION HERE Civil Service Commissioner Cynthia A. Ittleman admonished every level of Methuen city government in the “flawed […]
11/2/21 The question of whether or not Methuen should allow marijuana growing facilities to locate within the city was rejected by voters 2,266 to 1,681. Every single incumbent official was reelected. Only two races were challenged. Mayor Perry ran unopposed, as did East District Councilors Steve Saba and Eunice Zeigler. Central District Councilors Joel Faretra […]
Hero veteran Michael Downs has thrown his hat into the race for city council in Methuen’s West End. With both incumbents seeking reelection for a second term, Downs would have to unseat one of them on November 2nd to take a seat on the Methuen City Council. Downs is a former principal in the […]
9-24-21 BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 in federal court in Boston for conspiring to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and misusing a Social Security number. Bladimir Sanchez Soto, 29, formerly of Methuen, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 30 months in […]
9-22-21 BOSTON – A Dominican national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for fentanyl trafficking in connection with the seizure of approximately 20 kilograms of heroin and 10 kilos of fentanyl. A firearm and $20,000 were also recovered. Joel Cortorreal, a/k/a Angel Javier Morell-Oneill, 33, a Dominican national previously residing in Methuen, was […]
8-31-21 After a highly competitive selection process, Mayor Perry has announced he has selected Lawrence Police Captain Scott McNamara to be the city’s next Police Chief. McNamara brings over 25 years of law enforcement experience with the City of Lawrence. “This was an extremely difficult decision as both candidates did a fantastic job in all three of […]