William J. Dowd - Marblehead Current

2Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Obituaries

OBITUARY: Audrey April Allen, 95

Audrey April Allen passed away Sept. 30 at age 95. April, as she was known to all, was born April 26, 1928 in Fristan, England, to Jessie Dale and Herbert George Allen. She had five half-siblings from her father’s first marriage and five siblings from his marriage to her mother: Monica, Myrtle, Clifford, Colin and Iris. April grew up in the midst of World War II and told many stories of life at that time, including one where she and a friend were fired on by Nazi planes on their way to school and then scolded for arriving late by the headmaster. April studied and became a professional nanny in England for several years but decided to move to the United States in the late 1950s. Her first job was at the New England Home for Little Wanderers in Boston where she was admired for...

2Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News

18th ANNUAL: Breast Friends Walk set for Oct. 8

Marblehead is gearing up for the 18th annual Breast Friends Walk on Oct. 8 at Devereux Beach. This 2-mile loop event around Marblehead Neck will see supporters from various backgrounds come together to raise funds. The proceeds will aid the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center in its mission to support breast cancer patients. The funds will enhance essential services like transportation, childcare, appointment scheduling and translation — crucial for facilitating early cancer screenings. The Breast Friends Walk shares a deep-rooted connection with Marblehead. Founded in 2006 by Sara Bryant, after her breast cancer diagnosis, the initiative grew under the stewardship of her family and later local champions like Grace Elmer and Emily Lucien. With over $464,848 raised to date, the even...

2Oct

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Police Log, Public safety

POLICE LOG: MPD responds to fraudulent checks, speeding car, debit account hack

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Sept. 18-25. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Sept. 20 1:32 p.m. — Officer Nicholas Michaud was dispatched to the station lobby concerning a fraud report. Upon arrival, the reporting party, a male, informed the officer that he is the owner of a Salem business. The individual reported that his bookkeeper discovered an unauthorized check written for $23,44.40 and a subsequent review revealed an earlier check written for $36,226. Both checks, which did not originate from his standard checkbook, were cashed on August 24. The reporting party communicated with his distrib...

27Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters

Marblehead Water Dept. to conduct hydrant flushing, flow testing on Sept. 27-28

The Marblehead Water Department will conduct its annual water main flushing program starting at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. Flushing will take place from midnight to 7 a.m. Thursday on Green Street, Fox Run Lane, Pleasant Street (Spring Street to Washington Street), Roosevelt Avenue, Washington Street (Atlantic Avenue to Rockaway Street), Curtis Street, Prospect Street, Mystic Road, Central Street, West Street and Maverick Street. The department said some properties may experience discolored water early Thursday morning and advised residents to run cold water for about 20 minutes until it clears. It said to avoid using hot water or doing laundry until the discoloration is gone. Residents can contact the water department at 781-631-0102 if the problem persists. The flushing is done t...

27Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Local News, Municipal Matters, Public safety, Top Stories

More than a dozen capital projects underway or completed across Marblehead

The Select Board has approved several maintenance and improvement projects for town buildings and infrastructure in recent months — some of which have reached completion. A collage of the town's planned and completed infrastructure projects, funded by a $24.3 million debt-exclusion, capital improvement plans and COVID-19 relief dollars. CURRENT ILLUSTRATION / WILLIAM J. DOWD The projects are funded through a combination of sources, including Town Meeting appropriations, capital improvement budgets and federal COVID-19 relief dollars. However, many of the projects are funded by the $24.3 million debt-exclusion override voters passed in 2022. About half of that override — $12.5 million — is going toward repairing deteriorating roads and crumbling sidewalks. The town also allocated ...

27Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Beacon Hill, Local News, Municipal Matters, Politics, Top Stories

Rep. Armini, Zisson advocate for three-year Select Board terms

State Rep. Jenny Armini told colleagues on Beacon Hill that the time has come for Marblehead to transition to three-year terms for its Select Board. At a Sept. 26 hearing, she emphasized that the constant campaigning required by one-year terms is detrimental. State Rep. Jenny Armini spoke in support of three-year Marblehead Select Board terms on Tuesday, Sept. 26. COURTESY PHOTO Town Meeting last May approved the change, but it needs to be approved by the Legislature to take effect. Testifying before the Legislature's Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, Armini pointed out that Marblehead is the only Massachusetts town that still elects its Select Board members to one-year terms. This annual election cycle, she said, hampers long-term planning. "Expertise...

27Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Police Log, Public safety, Uncategorized

POLICE LOG: A literal run-in with police in the MHS parking lot, plus a possible bike thief

Excerpts from the Marblehead police log Sept. 12-17. Consistent with state law, Marblehead Police have adopted a policy of not providing media outlets reports related to incidents involving domestic violence, juveniles and matters that remain under investigation. Sept. 12 6:15 p.m. — Officer Michael Farewell was dispatched to the station to meet with an individual regarding fraudulent work purportedly done on their garage door. The person reported hiring a company to install a new garage door motor valued at approximately $900. After the installation, the company allegedly advised the person that new "door springs" were needed, estimated at $550. An appointment was scheduled, and a technician allegedly replaced the door springs. The person wrote a check to an individual named Ne...

25Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Culture, Local News, Nonprofit corner

Wreaths Across America fundraiser at Marblehead VFW on Oct. 7

The Marblehead chapter of Wreaths Across America will hold a fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 7, at the VFW at 321 West Shore Dr. from 6-11 p.m. Tickets, available only at the door, are $20 and include sponsorship of a wreath, 10 raffle tickets and a wristband. The Melody Makers will perform and food has been donated from Mino’s, Gerry 5, Whole Foods and Tony’s. Raffle prizes were donated by local businesses, including Patriot Seafoods, Davio’s, Carmen’s Jewelry, Shubies, Gilbert and Cole and Beacon Hill Imports. Additional tickets can also be purchased at the event. Wreaths Across America aims to place wreaths on veterans’ graves during the holidays. Last year, Teresa Collins began mapping veterans’ graves in Waterside, Star of the Sea and other Marblehead cemeteries. Air Force ...

25Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Life Style, Local News, Religion

Old North Festival Chorus rehearsal set for Sept. 27

Maria van Kalken, director of the Old North Festival Chorus and Orchestra and minister of music at Old North Church, has announced registration and rehearsal details for the 43rd Annual Festival Chorus holiday concerts. All are welcome to join. Rehearsals will begin Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Old North Church. Registration starts at 7 p.m., followed by rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. Subsequent rehearsals will be from 7:30-9 p.m. on Wednesdays, extending to 9:30 p.m. as the concert dates near. Two performances are scheduled: Saturday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. In her 35th season as director, van Kalken has planned a program featuring works including "Magnificat in D" and "Christus, Part 1" by Felix Mendelssohn, "Fantasia on Christmas Carols" by Ralph Vaugha...

25Sep

By William J. DowdNo Comments

Life Style, Local News, Press releases, Recreation

Marblehead Road Race Series resumes in Oct. 1

The town's Road Race Series is set to restart on Oct. 1, featuring four running and walking events slated to run through Nov. 5. The series, reintroduced this year by a coalition of race organizers, seeks to cultivate community among the local running and walking enthusiasts. Participants who finish four of the six series races will earn a hooded sweatshirt. For those who have already completed the first two races, taking part in just two of the next four will make them eligible. Though there's no series fee, individual races may have their own registration costs. Here's the upcoming race lineup: — Oct. 1: Run for the Fund 5K — Sponsored by Marblehead Dollars for Scholars, the event raises funds for need-based college scholarships for local students. Register at: http://bi...