Will Dowd - Marblehead Current

13 Aug

Dentist finds meaning in daily deep dives

Will DowdEnvironment, Top Stories

Ryan Park slips beneath the surface of Fort Sewall’s waters at dawn, holding his breath for up to four minutes as he descends 30 feet into an underwater world most people never see. Armed with a 6-foot Hawaiian sling spear, the 32-year-old dentist has made these cold New England waters his second home. “Every time I’m in the water, it’s like, it’s extreme, it’s so divine, it’s so pure,” said Park sitting outside Mookie’s, struggling to find words adequate to his experience. “It’s almost like…

11 Aug

News in Brief

Leigh Blander and Will DowdLocal News

Bocce celebration Celebrate the Council on Aging’s new bocce court as a dedication on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Judy and Gene Jacobi Community Center, 10 Humphrey St. There will be refreshments served. Transportation is available. RSVP at 781-631-6225. Rail trail site walk, listening session set for Aug. 13 The Marblehead Department of Community Development & Planning is inviting the public to join a site walk and listening session to discuss proposed improvements along the Marblehead Rail Trail on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at…

10 Aug

Neck homeowner blocks access to popular beach path

Will DowdTop Stories

A longstanding footpath to the ocean on Marblehead Neck is now the subject of a legal review after a neighboring homeowner moved to restrict public access, raising broader questions about the status of so-called “paper streets” across town. The path, known as Cove Lane, runs between private homes off Kimball Street and leads to a small beach overlooking Chandler Hovey Park. Though narrow and grassy, Cove Lane has been used informally for decades by residents walking to the shore — and it appears on town…

06 Aug

Traffic committee grapples with e-bike safety as teen ridership surges

Will DowdLocal News

As electric bicycles surge in popularity among Marblehead teens, town officials are wrestling with how to balance the technology’s benefits against mounting safety concerns, particularly for young riders navigating powerful adult-sized models on local streets. The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee devoted significant time during its recent meeting to discussing e-bike regulation, with members expressing concern about enforcement challenges and the possible need for clearer municipal guidelines as state law struggles to keep pace to regulate them. Dan Shuman, owner of Marblehead Cycle, shows an electric…

06 Aug

19th-century wall gives way at Salem-Marblehead line

Will DowdTop Stories

A 150-year-old granite retaining wall at the historic Lead Mills Conservation Area partially collapsed into the Forest River, prompting Salem officials to hire an engineering firm to assess the damage and develop repair plans. Granite blocks lie at the base of a partially collapsed 19th-century retaining wall at the Lead Mills Conservation Area, where Salem meets Marblehead. The failure, visible at low tide, has prompted the city of Salem to hire an engineering firm to assess the damage and recommend repairs. The structure, originally built…

04 Aug

NEWS IN BRIEF: Week of Monday, Aug. 4, 2025

Will DowdLocal News

Marblehead observes Purple Heart Day Purple Heart Day, observed annually on Aug. 7, honors and recognizes the sacrifices of service members who have been wounded or killed in action while serving in the U.S. military, according to Roseann Trionfi-Mazzuchelli, Marblehead’s veteran service officer. Trionfi-Mazzuchelli noted the day serves as a time to remember their bravery and the profound impact of their service on themselves, their families and the nation. Marblehead was designated a Purple Heart town in 2024, recognizing the community’s commitment to honoring veterans…

04 Aug

OBITUARY: David George Santry, 80

Will DowdObituaries

Forever the gentleman, David Santry radiated with wit, kindness and a twinkle in his eye. He died on July 18 in New York City, following a valiant fight with heart disease. Born in Salem on June 21, 1945, and raised in Marblehead, where five generations of his family have lived, he graduated from Marblehead High School in 1963, from Brown University in 1967 and from the Wharton School of Finance in 1969. Following two years in the US Army, he started his career in finance…

04 Aug

Marblehead’s new town website launches … again

Will DowdLocal News, Municipal Matters

Marblehead announced Monday the official debut of its redesigned website on July 29, marking a relaunch after technical problems forced officials to take the platform offline in February. Finance Director Aleesha Nunley Benjamin sent an email Monday morning promoting the new site, highlighting features designed to improve community engagement and accessibility. The announcement came months after functionality issues emerged with the Feb. 20 launch of the $13,750 redesign. "We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the Town of Marblehead's newly redesigned website on…

30 Jul

Local lawmakers: Changes to MBTA zoning law unlikely to pass

Will DowdTop Stories

Dozens of bills filed on Beacon Hill this session seek to modify or repeal the MBTA Communities Act, though Marblehead state legislators say the measures face long odds as the vast majority of communities have achieved compliance with the housing law. State Sen. Brendan Crighton and State Rep. Jenny Armini say proposed changes to the MBTA Communities Act are unlikely to pass, citing widespread compliance across Massachusetts and strong legislative support for the housing law. The proposed legislation comes as Marblehead grapples with the loss…

30 Jul

Teen photographer to debut solo show at Marblehead Arts Association

Will DowdTop Stories

Grey Collins was just 14 when he captured his first great photograph — two mule deer gazing at each other on a ridge in Yosemite National Park. Now 17, the Marblehead High School senior will showcase that image alongside dozens of others in his first solo exhibition at the Marblehead Arts Association in August. A marmot perches on a rock in Mount Rainier National Park. “This marmot just posed for me,” said teen photographer Grey Collins, who captured the moment during a family hike. The…