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 […]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRpoMpiLgOc&w=380&h=280] Methuen City Councilor Steve Saba (who is Chairman of the city council) says that he would rather Methuen residents go hungry than to receive food donations delivered by a company he is upset with. The revelation came during a city council meeting last month when it was revealed that a minority (Latino) owned taxi […]
Aug. 17, 2021 The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office has ruled that a Subcommittee of the Methuen City Council has violated the open meeting law. In a letter sent to councilors, the AG’s office said that they will impose no penalty on the council members involved because Councilor DiZoglio – the head of the IT (internet and […]
Aug. 2021 For years we have called the public’s attention to the way Methuen elections are structured to subvert democracy and keep political insiders in power. This year’s upcoming municipal elections are a perfect example of how this system discourages voter participation in elections and needs to change. First, Methuen has a deadline for potential […]
METHUEN – Methuen Village at Riverwalk Park has unveiled all-new renovations to their community rooms. The Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support community, nestled on the Spicket River, has been a leader in assisted living in Methuen for more than ten years. The project, which took six months, saw a complete renovation of the community’s […]
By: Eric Spagnoli – July, 2021 In April 2020, the Methuen High School Varsity Football Team closed out their season with an overall record of 5-2. Despite a shortened season and a delayed start to the year, the team was able to attain a considerable level of success, which is a testament to the culture […]
July, 2021 The Valley Patriot has put yet another libel lawsuit behind us. The most recent suit, brought by a former Methuen Mayor alleging defamation and libel, never made it to trial. Last month, it was settled out of court to the satisfaction of both parties. We tend to get sued a lot here at […]
By: Eric Spagnoli- June, 2021 While crime has increased across the country in the last year – particularly violent crime – The Valley Patriot has found that almost all categories of crime have decreased in the Merrimack Valley over the last two years. Last month we reported that almost all categories of crime decreased […]
By: Eric Spagnoli Methuen Mayor Neil Perry had an uphill battle recently getting his pick for Veteran’s Services Officer approved by the city council. A majority of the council was initially against the appointment of Paul Jensen after veteran groups in the city spoke out against his nomination. During the meeting however, Perry was able […]
BOSTON – A Methuen man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to fentanyl distribution charges. Anthony Holloway, 39, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for April 26, 2022, when Holloway is set to complete the Court-run RISE […]
The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF), the charitable arm of the non-profit School Nutrition Association (SNA), has named Robert Frati, food service director of Methuen Public Schools in Methuen, MA, as the recipient of the SNF Winston Equipment Grant for school meal program equipment. Facing continued challenges stemming from the pandemic, school nutrition professionals around the […]
When faced with a growing homeless population, officials in the City of Lawrence, Massachusetts have literally done nothing in the last 8 years to help feed, clothe, house, or assist the homeless in any way. Instead, Lawrence has been bulldozing tents, taking what few possessions the homeless have, throwing a non-profit out of the […]