Paying Attention is hosted by Tom Duggan, Co-host Paul Murano and is produced by Chris Poublon. Paying Attention and airs on 980WCAP in Lowell on Saturday’s from 10am to noon. 1st Essex Senate Debate CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DEBATE SEGMENT 1 Senator Katheen O’Connor Ives and Jessica Finocchiaro begin their debate talking about what it means to […]
The Massachusetts State Senate debated the Fiscal Year 2015 state budget last month where I advocated for key provisions that will be beneficial to the constituents of my district. Below are some of the notable district specific priorities that were included in the final budget: • $300,000 for the Methuen Stadium This funding is vital […]
Methuen Democrat Says Working Families Need a Strong Advocate on their Side METHUEN—Methuen Democrat Jessica Finocchiaro officially qualified for the ballot for the First Essex State Senate seat with 591 certified signatures, almost double the number of signatures required. “The strength and prosperity of our community means a great deal to me. I’ve been fortunate […]
By Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives The Massachusetts State Senate has formed a special committee to study drug addiction and treatment options in Massachusetts and aims to address an epidemic of opiate addiction in the state. In response to rising levels of drug addiction, the committee plans to review current treatment options and will make recommendations […]
By: Tom Duggan – May 15, 2014 PHOTO GALLERY| VIDEO OF EVENT VIDEO OF MAYOR’S SPEECH Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, a 1989 graduate of Lawrence High School gave the keynote speech at the Lawrence High School Alumni Scholarship Dinner Thursday evening. Rivera revealed what he learned playing football, why he didn’t go to college after graduating […]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR4PzEKaC0M &w=380&h=320] State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives (D-Newburyport) has received the first ever Valley Patriot 1st Amendment Award at the newspaper’s tenth anniversary BASH last month. The 1st Amendment award is given to individuals who show with their actions that they value the 1st Amendment to the Constitution and are willing to fight for it. […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives April, 2014 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. I’m glad to report two recent developments that will strengthen safety for our children in the Commonwealth. There have been significant discrepencies in child services this past year; one being the serious challenges at the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) […]
Valley Patriot doggie columnist Tracey Zysk o North Andover, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care in North Andover, Mass., has won a national award by Pet Sitter’s International for promoting quality pet care through community events. Zysk, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care in North Andover, Mass., has been named the recipient of Pet […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – February, 2014 Senators Barry Finegold, (D-Andover), Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Richard Moore (D-Uxbridge), Eileen Donoghue (D-Lowell), James Timilty (D-Walpole), Joan Lovely (D-Salem), Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), and Don Humason (R-Westfield), recently filed legislation to require juveniles convicted of first-degree murder to serve a minimum of 35 years before becoming eligible for […]
Valley Patriot Doggie Columnist Tracey Zysk of North Andover, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care has won a national award by Pet Sitter’s International for promoting quality pet care through community events. Zysk has been named the recipient of the 2013 Platinum PAW Award. This prestigious award is presented to one individual pet sitter or pet-sitter […]
By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – January, 2014 Last year was a very productive year for our Legislature and 2014 will bring forth necessary and spirited debate on some key issues to include ballot initiatives. In 2013, the focus of the Legislature was upon the economy, transportation, welfare reform, regulating compounding pharmacies, election laws, […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – January, 204 A year ago I was sworn in as the State Senator of the First Essex District, representing the communities of Amesbury, Haverhill, Merrimac, Methuen, Newburyport, North Andover and Salisbury. It has been a very busy and productive year, during which I have advocated for initiatives that have […]
By: Dani Langevin – January, 2013 Last month Valley Patriot publisher Tom Duggan posted an article on Facebook about a gay teacher who had been fired from his position at a Catholic school. Just as Tom hoped, the comments came flooding in fast and furious and with a great deal of misplaced passion. The perspective […]
By: Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives – December, 2013 At the end of this year’s legislative session, the Senate took up a bill to increase Massachusetts’ minimum wage rate from the current $8.00/hr. to $9.00 in 2014, with automatic increases to $10 in 2015 and $11 in 2016. These increases would also be tied to the […]
By: Senator Ives – November, 2013 In the latest effort to support veterans, military members and their families in Massachusetts, the Senate unanimously passed legislation in October to expand benefits, increase access to services, and strengthen the recognition and honor given to our service men and women. Senate Bill 1876, “An Act Relative to Veterans’ […]