Leigh Blander - Marblehead Current

13 Oct

Marblehead considers ban on data centers

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories

Marblehead could move to ban data centers under a new zoning bylaw, following a discussion at the Planning Board's Oct. 13 meeting. Planning Board Chair Marc Liebman raised the possibility of prohibiting data centers in town, citing concerns about their impact on communities and pointing to similar efforts underway in Salem. "There's all kinds of reasons why data centers create a strain on the communities they're in," Liebman said. Data centers are facilities that house computer servers and other equipment used to store, process and…

13 Oct

Police warn of email scam targeting Marblehead planning, zoning applicants

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

Marblehead Police issued a fraud alert after residents were targeted by a nationwide phishing and impersonation scam involving people with active applications before local planning and zoning boards. Marblehead Planning Board Chair Marc Liebman shared with the Current one fraudulent email sent to a local resident. The sender purported to be Liebman and instructed the applicant to settle an attached invoice, return proof of payment and submit a signed copy of the invoice. Notably, the message stated that checks were no longer being accepted because…

13 Oct

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Entertainment, Top Stories

Current Events spotlights exciting happenings in the coming week. If you’d like to contribute a listing, please email the Current at info@marbleheadnews.org. Harmonies at Me&TheeFriday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m. Get ready for some serious harmonizing. Windborne brings its distinctive blend of traditional folk music and vocal harmony to Me&Thee Music. The acclaimed ensemble digs deep into musical traditions while giving old songs a fresh, contemporary sound. For information and tickets, visit meandthee.org. Fall fun by the beachSaturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-noon Pumpkins, paint and a…

13 Oct

Light Department offers behind-the-scenes look at how Marblehead gets its power

Leigh BlanderEducation, Environment, Top Stories

From a coal-fired generating plant on Marblehead Harbor in the 1890s to today's network of smart meters, substations and renewable-energy sources, the Marblehead Municipal Light Department has spent more than 130 years keeping the town's lights on. Last week, residents got a rare look behind the scenes. As part of Public Power Week, the MMLD opened its headquarters on Commercial Street for public tours, giving residents an opportunity to learn how the town-owned utility operates, where its electricity comes from, what goes into restoring power…

12 Oct

NEWS IN BRIEF: No Kings rally coming up, addiction series and Veterans Town Hall return

Leigh BlanderArt, Education, Local News, News in brief, Politics, Theater

The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews.org. No Kings, GOTV rally Marblehead’s weekly pro-democracy rally will be part of a national No Kings Day on Oct. 17. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER On Sat. Oct. 17, Marblehead's weekly pro-democracy rally will be a national No Kings Day to urge passersby to vote. This nonpartisan No Kings event is intended to get citizens to vote in the upcoming mid-term elections. Participants will meet at the intersection of Lafayette and Maple streets…

11 Oct

Roadway improvement update: Milling continues Tuesday

Leigh BlanderLocal News

The Department of Public Works has alerted residents that milling (grinding) of streets will begin on or after Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 a.m. on the following roads: Pleasant Street at Ocean Avenue.Pleasant Street (Spring to Watson streets).Evans Road (West Shore Drive to Elm Street). There will be no parking on those roads, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Also expected: temporary lane narrowing, traffic delays and possible detours.

10 Oct

Former Warwick Theater manager alleges owners owe more than $150K to employees, vendors

Leigh BlanderBusiness, Entertainment, Top Stories

The former general manager of Marblehead’s Warwick Theater is publicly accusing the movie house’s ownership group of failing to pay employees, movie studios and vendors despite bringing in more than $500,000 in ticket and concession revenue during the first eight months of 2026. Former GM Tim Nasson shared with the Current a performance report supporting that $500K figure. (See the document at the bottom of this article.) Nasson, who says he left his position Sept. 1 after repeated disputes over unpaid bills and wages, alleges…

10 Oct

Magicians honor Owen Coyne; fall to St. Mary’s

Leigh BlanderSports

The Marblehead Magicians returned to the gridiron Friday night for the first time since the passing of captain Owen Coyne on Oct. 1 for a contest with the St. Mary's Spartans at Manning Field in Lynn. The game was surrounded by tributes to Coyne, including the entire team wearing No. 18 on the side of their helmets, captains Tim Wales and Pete Rhodes bringing Coyne’s jersey to the coin toss, and a moment of silence before the national anthem. Marblehead took the lead late in…

09 Oct

First financial review since $15M override set for later this month

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories

Marblehead officials will hold their first formal joint financial review later this month, fulfilling a requirement of a memorandum of understanding signed by town and school leaders last spring. The agreement was reached as officials urged residents to support a three-year, $15 million Proposition 2½ override, which voters approved in May. Select Board Chair Dan Fox said the review will take place the week of Oct. 19. "As per the MOU, Joint Financial Review section, the town administrator and superintendent will be reporting to the…

09 Oct

Marblehead lands $718K Rail Trail grant as new volunteer group launches

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Top Stories

Marblehead has been awarded a $718,444 state grant to advance design, engineering, permitting and community engagement for the town's 4.5-mile Rail Trail, as a new volunteer group launches to help maintain and improve the popular pathway. The funding will bring the project closer to construction readiness, according to Brendan Callahan, the town's director of community development and planning. The grant will support final design and permitting for the Swampscott, Salem and Wye Junction branches of the trail. Marblehead has received a $718,000 state grant to…