April 9, 2024 - Marblehead Current

09 Apr

OBITUARY: Whitney W. Shattuck, 92

Will Dowd1 CommentObituaries

Whitney W. Shattuck passed away peacefully on April 1 after a year-long battle with cancer. Whitney was 92 years young. To say that Whitney loved life would be an understatement. He greeted each day with a smile that lit up the room. Whitney had a knack for telling stories which he readily admitted to embellishing. He used to say that his father once told him, "If you're going to tell a story, make sure it's a good one!" He had that technique perfected! Whitney loved…

09 Apr

OBITUARY: Michael Brings, 66

Will Dowd0 CommentsObituaries

Michael Brings was born and raised in Marblehead. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. Michael is survived by his wife, Cathy, along with three children; Samantha Brings, Heather Gerrard, and Heidi B. of Salem; and five siblings and their spouses; Donald Brings and Kathy of Haymarket, Virginia; Cheryl O'Brien and Kevin of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Kathy Wolniewicz and Richard of Magnolia; Mark Brings and Janet of Marblehead; and Lisa Martin of Marblehead; as well as several nieces and nephews. Michael was a…

09 Apr

LETTER: Zoning debate sparks call for respectful engagement

Leigh Blander0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: Two letters to the Current addressing the MBTA zoning legislation, published on April 4 and April 8, besmirch the authors and the town with their personal attacks against town officials and journalists trying to cover important issues. One letter refers to farts, the other to the Founding Fathers. I believe that when John and Samuel Adams, Elbridge Gerry, John Hancock and Robert Paine signed the Declaration of Independence, they had something better than toilet humor in mind. The letter writers' central grievance…

09 Apr

MHS track athletes enter spring season with no fear

Will Dowd0 CommentsSports

The Marblehead High boys and girls spring track teams are just coming off their most successful indoor seasons in recent memory after winning the aggregate NEC championship, where both squads combined to beat their conference foes. The Marblehead girls did win the NEC regular season crown outright. Marblehead girls spring track junior Charlotte Roszell, junior captain Ava Machado, sophomore Sadie Halpern and senior captain LeDaisha Williams, from left, show off their individual and 4x200 medals at the NEC championship indoor meet in February. The girls…

09 Apr

Mother Nature slows down the lacrosse teams in the early going

Will Dowd0 CommentsSports

Early-season spring high school games are always subjected to the whims of Mother Nature, and this year she seems to be more fickle than usual. Lacrosse usually plays in all sorts of weather, but even this sport has postponements when just plain rain is mixed in with a snowy forecast creating nasty sleet in the atmosphere. While the Marblehead High boys lacrosse team saw their non-league game against Newburyport canceled, because of the elements, the girls squad had the good fortune to get in its…

09 Apr

Two dozen ‘Headers set to compete in Boston Marathon on Monday

Will Dowd0 CommentsLocal News, Sports

The 128th edition of the world-renowned Boston Marathon has arrived. Thousands of runners are taking their last few practice runs around their neighborhoods or favorite running venues to make sure they are completely prepped for Monday’s race that begins in Hopkinton and ends on Boylston Street in Boston. John Prindiville is running the Boston Marathon in honor of neighbor Caroline Noonan, who is in cancer treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital. COURTESY PHOTO The following is the list of Marblehead runners already signed up to participate…

09 Apr

Planning Board member clarifies details of proposed MBTA zoning overlay districts

Will Dowd0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: As a member of the Planning Board, I must point out errors in the April 3 article "Petition opposing MBTA zoning plan surfaces" which includes misinformation about the overlay district. The maximum building height in Marblehead is 35 feet, not 45 feet, even for multi-family buildings. Furthermore, Marblehead's site plan review process reviews a project's compatibility with its surroundings and may require a reduction in building height where appropriate as a condition for approval. The minimum lot area per dwelling unit is…

09 Apr

LETTER: Former school official’s lawsuit could impact possible override, insurance premiums

Will Dowd0 CommentsLETTERS, Opinion

To the editor: It's time to buckle up boys and girls. I had mentioned on a few occasions that we had a few lawsuits coming down the road and here we go again. Ann Haskell, the former student service chair that was recently fired, has attained Attorney Neil Rossman. Ann Haskell, you chose very well. Neil is one heck of a lawyer. To the School Committee, you lost your chance for an override. Yes, yes, I know it was the superintendent’s job to do the…

09 Apr

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh Blander0 CommentsAbbot Public Library, Art, Community Resources, Culture, Education, Environment, Local News, Nonprofit corner, Recreation

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming days. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email Current Editor Leigh Blander at lblander@marbleheadnews.org. Taste of the North ShoreWednesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m. After nearly a decade, Taste of the North Shore is back at Temple Emanu-El, 393 Atlantic Ave. Come sample tastings from 18 North Shore caterers and restaurants. Marblehead establishments include: Sea Salt, Maria’s Gourmet, Amores Mexican Kitchen, Soall Viet Kitchen, Elia Taverna and Three Hundred Fifty Bakery. $80 per ticket. For more info,…

09 Apr

NEW: School Committee approves $46.7m budget that saves jobs, programs

Leigh Blander0 CommentsEducation, Local News, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

After months of budget discussions that at one point included drastic staff and program cuts, the School Committee on April 8 approved a $46,759,110 budget for fiscal 2025 that restores many of those reductions. The Finance Committee voted to recommend the budget at Town Meeting on May 6. The schools’ spending plan represents a $1 million, or 2.2%, increase over last year’s budget. After initially projecting 36 staff eliminations, along with program and supply cuts, the district did what the School Committee called a “deep…