Health - Marblehead Current

25 Jun

SUSTAINABLE MARBLEHEAD: How to stay hydrated this July 4

Submitted ContentColumns, Environment, Health, Opinion

By Jessica Valatka If you have visited the Marblehead Festival of Arts the past several years, you may have stopped by one of two stations perfect for filling reusable water bottles or compostable cups provided by Sustainable Marblehead. One is the 300-gallon “Quench Buggy” from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority with power donated by the Arnould Gallery and Framery, and the other is the 125-gallon “Water Monster” with water donated by Whitmore Brothers Construction. Complete with compostable cups and Black Earth Compost bins, these stations…

23 Jun

Town to residents: Don’t bring your new barrels to the Assessor’s Office

Leigh BlanderHealth, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

The town of Marblehead has put out a notice telling residents not to bring their new trash and recycling bins to the Assessor's Office. "No abatements, credits or refunds will be issued for returned bins. Questions about trash bins or collection services should be directed to the Board of Health at Health2@MarbleheadMA.gov or 781-631-0212," the notice reads. Property owners who opt out of the town's collection program will still have to pay increased property taxes due to a $2.3 million trash override passed on June…

22 Jun

MHS survey shows declines in anxiety, depression, substance use

Leigh BlanderHealth, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

The results of Marblehead High School's latest Substance Use and Risk Factors, or SURF, survey show several encouraging trends, including declines in anxiety, depression and substance use among students. However, anxiety and depression levels remain "above the risk threshold," according to MHS counselor Gina Hart. "What’s good is we’re trending downward," she added. Asked what might be contributing to those trends, Hart answered, "It’s a generational response to substance use right now. Kids are not as interested in it. That has to do with the…

17 Jun

June is Men’s Health — and Mental Health — month

Submitted ContentCommunity Resources, Education, Health, Local News

June is Men’s Health Month, and by association, Men’s Mental Health Month. It’s a great time for men to prioritize healthy habits, increase exercise, get check-ups and reduce stress. It’s also a critical time to think about mental well-being — something that men are often reluctant to discuss. Yet, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, trauma, substance misuse and suicidal thoughts affect millions of men each year. Data shows that men are significantly less likely than women to seek…

16 Jun

Residents press Health Board on large trash bins as business pickup moves ahead

Leigh BlanderHealth, Top Stories

Residents came out to Tuesday night's Board of Health meeting voicing frustrations over Marblehead's new automated trash and recycling program, with many arguing that the standard 65-gallon trash carts and 95-gallon recycling carts are too big for the town's historic neighborhoods, elderly residents and homes with limited storage space. The meeting largely focused on the practical challenges residents say they face ahead of the July 1 launch of automated curbside collection. Health Director Andrew Petty shows off new trash and recycling barrels at a meeting…

16 Jun

Volunteers give hundreds of Marblehead trash barrels a second life

Leigh BlanderHealth, Top Stories

As Marblehead residents prepare for the town's new automated trash collection system, a citizen-led effort is underway to answer a question many have been asking: What happens to all the old barrels? At the center of that effort is resident Barbara Roy, who has spent recent days at the Transfer Station helping coordinate the redistribution of discarded plastic trash barrels to communities and organizations that can still use them. Barbara Roy at the Transfer Station where she is working to repurpose hundreds of discarded trash…

08 Jun

Old trash barrels pile up as town prepares for automated collection

Leigh BlanderHealth, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

As Marblehead prepares to transition to a new trash and recycling contract July 1 featuring automated collection, residents are searching for ways to dispose of — or repurpose — their old trash and recycling barrels, which will no longer be compatible with the new system. Over the past several weeks, the town has delivered 16,000 new trash and recycling carts to homes and businesses. Discarded trash and recycling barrels are already piling up at the Transfer Station. COURTESY PHOTO Residents with Transfer Station access stickers…

01 Jun

Preschoolers plant garden to feed families in need

Grey CollinsCommunity Resources, Community Service, Education, Environment, Health, Nonprofit corner, Religion, Top Stories

On Wednesday morning, May 20, the raised gardens on Community Road were buzzing with activity, as preschool students spent the morning digging in the earth, planting vegetables and learning about gardening from their teachers. Soon, the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor will be delivered to the Marblehead Food Pantry by the Manna Project to provide those struggling with food insecurity with fresh produce. JCC preschoolers plant vegetables and fruits, which will be harvested for the Marblehead Food Pantry. It's part of the Manna Project.…

29 May

Marblehead Senior Project showcase reveals talents, interests of Class of 2026

Leigh BlanderArt, Business, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Fashion, Health, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

Marblehead High School seniors shared everything from dog-training techniques to motorcycle repair, kayak building and social media marketing during the school’s annual Senior Project Gallery Walk on Friday, May 29, where nearly 170 students presented months of independent work to parents, teachers, School Committee members and Superintendent John Robidoux. Held inside the high school field house, the event highlighted the wide range of interests pursued by the Class of 2026 through internships, creative projects, research and hands-on learning experiences. For senior Callie Curtis, the project…

27 May

Marblehead to roll out 16,000 new trash, recycling carts next week ahead of automated pickup

Leigh BlanderHealth, Top Stories

Sixteen thousand new trash and recycling carts will begin arriving at homes and businesses across Marblehead next week as the town transitions to an automated collection system. “Trash and recycling will only be collected from town-issued barrels/carts beginning July 1,” Health Director Andrew Petty wrote in an email to the Current. “Items outside of barrels will not be collected. A copy of the curbside collection regulations are posted online and a copy will be delivered to you with your new barrels along with other directions…