Matthew O’Beirne walks into work each day with a big smile on his face, not only because he loves his job at the North Reading Stop and Shop, but because he loves the independence it gives him. O’Beirne, 24, of Methuen, has Pervasive Developmental Disorder, or PDD, a diagnosis that places him on the autism […]
Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera has come into office with a great deal of good will from the public and the media. He has made some critical moves in his first few months to make Lawrence’s city government more efficient. We applaud that. But, Rivera recently cut fire protection in Lawrence, temporarily closing stations and shutting […]
By: D.J. Deeb – April, 2014 METHUEN– Members of the Methuen School Committee have been working very hard along with Superintendent Judy Scannell and her Administrative Team to make positive changes for Methuen’s Schools. Team work, open communication, and dedication have made it possible to benefit Methuen’s students. Since honestly taking office as a member […]
By: Bharani Padmanabhan – April, 2014 We know about the Washington bubble. Inside the bubble, party affiliations and personal views do not matter, the members protect each other from the world outside the bubble. This Commonwealth’s bubble is no different. When one member of the bubble is stung by a real push for accountability, it is […]
By; Rebeccah Pearson – April, 2014 NEWBURYPORT – The word is out that Yankee Homecoming is here again and with early returns coming back, it looks to be bigger and better than ever. This July, Newburyport will again be hosting its annual eight-day celebration that has so many fun filled family events for its residents […]
By: Tom Duggan – April, 27, 2014 NORTH ANDOVER – Town Moderator Mark DiSalvo says that he is trying something revolutionary this year at Annual Town Meeting. DiSalvo will allow town voters to ask questions of Town Meeting participants via the internet and have their concerns addressed during the meeting. “I have always been concerned about […]
By: Cheryl Hajjar – April 26, 2014 As some of you know my company, Indigo Magic was a recent Merrimack Valley Sandbox Winter Accelerator winner in February. Here ,17 finalists gathered for 3 months in a grant program that helped us all accelerate our businesses. At the first class, I sat down next to Mickey […]
By: Tracey Zysk – April, 2014 Your VOICE does MATTER! As many of you know I pride myself on being a voice for the animals and this month I plan on speaking louder. Why? Well education is key, acknowledgment is powerful and one human voice can save the life of one animal or the lives […]
By: Dr. Frank MacMillan “Another one bites the dust” was a catchy tune in the 80’s popularized by the British band Queen, whose band leader Freddie Mercury ultimately succumbed to complications of AIDS, caused by the HIV virus. Basic research, clinical research and drug development in the mid 1990s turned an infectious disease from a […]
By D.J. Bettencourt – April, 2014 State Senators should strengthen New Hampshire’s domestic violence laws and further protect our beloved four-legged friends. This month, the New Hampshire State Senate has the opportunity to strengthen New Hampshire’s domestic violence laws and further protect our beloved four-legged friends. House Bill 1410 provides our judges with flexibility in […]
By: Paul Murano – April, 2014 This is a very important column if you happen to be a fan of clarity. It is about an issue that has been purposefully obscured by those pushing an agenda to justify a lifestyle. The confusion has become so pervasive and widespread, even to the point of being dispersed […]
By: Justess Jacobson – April, 2014 Last month The Valley Patriot awarded Amesbury Police Officer Jason Kooken with The Valley Patriot, Officer Tom Duggan Sr. Law Enforcement Award. Officer Duggan’s granddaughter did the presentation to Officer Kooken. Every year, Jason Kooken bicycle rides his way down to Washington, DC to the National Law Enforcement Memorial […]
By: Jeff Katz – April, 2014 According to a recent poll, more than seventy percent of us believe that that DCF is broken. I’m assuming that the other thirty percent work for DCF. Politicians routinely hoot and holler that something is “for the children.” They usually invoke that phrase when there is a piece of […]
By: Christine Morabito – March 2014 Because of its proximity to Interstates 495, 95 and 93, the Merrimack Valley has been uniquely impacted by a shocking increase in heroin and prescription drug abuse. The drugs are reportedly entering Massachusetts by way of New York City and the Texas border. Making matters worse, the now inexpensive heroin […]
HAVERHILL – APRIL 18, 2014 Alert residents of the South Pleasant St. section of Bradford reported they observed unusual activity consistent with drug sales and usage in their neighborhood. Haverhill Narcotic Detectives conducted a four day surveillance resulting in the arrest of 11 people. The arrests included 3 men who pulled into a business parking […]