Two Years of Chaos and Controversy in Methuen Are Almost Over ~ VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL Nov. 2019

Two Years of Chaos and Controversy in Methuen Are Almost Over ~ VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL Nov. 2019

The election of a new mayor and city council in Methuen, and the impending departure of Mayor James Jajuga will mark the end of conflict, chaos, and controversy that has divided the city and left Methuen’s reputation as a national disgrace. Over the last two years of the Jajuga administration the mayor refused to fulfill […]

Methuen Police Arrest and Charge Man with Kidnapping Attempt in Grocery Store Parking Lot

Methuen Police Arrest and Charge Man with Kidnapping Attempt in Grocery Store Parking Lot

The Methuen Police Department has arrested and charged a man after he attempted to force his way into a woman’s car and kidnap her Friday night. RAFAEL ROSARIO, AGE 53, OF LAWRENCE was charged with: • Strangulation • Attempted Kidnapping • Attempted Carjacking • Assault and Battery At approximately 7:50 p.m. Friday, Methuen Police were […]

Blistering Report Details Methuen Corruption

Blistering Report Details Methuen Corruption

REPORT: Four Councilors Benefited from Police Contract Vote The state Inspector General’s Office (IG) is an independent state agency that conducts investigations of government agencies and makes recommendations when wrongdoing is found. The IG investigated the process of the City of Methuen’s superior officer’s contract approval that has long been the subject of dispute. The […]

Staff Sergeant Robert Belleau ~ HERO IN OUR MIDST, VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH

Staff Sergeant Robert Belleau ~ HERO IN OUR MIDST, VALLEY PATRIOT OF THE MONTH

By: John Cuddy – Jan. 2019 Dracut’s Robert Belleau is one of the many US Military Veterans in the Merrimack Valley of French Canadian heritage. He joined the new US Air Force, (formed out of the US Army Air Corps shortly after World War II) partly out of patriotism, and partly, (his words) to avoid […]

Christmas Wishes for Better Days in Dracut

Christmas Wishes for Better Days in Dracut

    By: Brian Denest – Dec. 2018 What a year it’s been in Dracut! Here’s a look back at 2018 with some heart-felt holiday wishes for the coming year… For Dracut voters, I wish town elections would focus on the important issues. Our town keeps living up to its naughty reputation for the putrid […]

Governor Baker Signs Civics Education Bill

Governor Baker Signs Civics Education Bill

By: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – Dec. 2018 Governor Baker recently signed into law a bill filed by Senator Harriette Chandler and myself that will enhance non-partisan civics education in our public schools. This legislation exposes students to the founding documents of our country, the fundamentals of our legal system, the roles and responsibilities of […]

Lawrence Rep. Moran Secures $750K for Lawrence Police

Lawrence Rep. Moran Secures $750K for Lawrence Police

  State Representative Frank A. Moran (D—Lawrence, Andover, Methuen) today announced that a state grant program the representative filed in this year’s state budget has resulted in over three quarters of a million dollars in increased funding to hire more police officers in the City of Lawrence. This year was the sixth  that Representative Moran has filed this […]

VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL (July, 2018) ~ “Rule of Corruption” Proves That Rules Don’t Matter

VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL (July, 2018) ~  “Rule of Corruption” Proves That Rules Don’t Matter

July, 2018 While voting on last year’s Methuen city budget and union contracts there were at least five (of nine) members of the city council who had a conflict of interest because they had immediate family members working for the city. The state’s conflict of interest laws say that elected officials with family members on […]

Prop 2 1/2 Override Not an Option for Methuen

Prop 2 1/2 Override Not an Option for Methuen

By: DJ Deeb – June, 2018 The Methuen School Committee held a budget workshop meeting on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 to discuss the upcoming Fiscal Year 2019 budget. In April, the School Committee voted to request that the Mayor and School Committee approve a budget of $82.5 million, a nearly 14% increase over last year’s […]

Methuen Police Department Announces Promotions

Methuen Police Department Announces Promotions

METHUEN – Chief Joseph Solomon and the Methuen City Council are pleased to announce that the Methuen Police Department promoted seven of its officers this week. On Wednesday, July 12, seven officers were sworn into their new ranks surrounded by family, friends, fellow officers and city officials during a ceremony at Sanborn Hall. “I would like […]

Republicans Spar Over Building New Facility, Bed Space

Republicans Spar Over Building New Facility, Bed Space

“This is not a time to build new prisons unless they are completely dilapidated and inhumane, then absolutely, but we don’t build new prisons because we are not managing our population.” ~ Anne Manning Martin “I think we manage our population just fine.” ~ Corrections Lt. & candidate for Sheriff Jeff Gallo   Candidates for […]