Public safety

Today, Gov. Maura Healey signed an act formally establishing increased fines for violators of Marblehead’s snow emergency parking ban. The act, approved at Town Meeting last May, increases fines from $50 to no more than $100 if paid within 21 days and no more than $105 if paid thereafter. A snowy day in Marblehead last winter. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER According to the act, the new fines take effect immediately. Police Chief Dennis King told the Current Wednesday afternoon, “We are in communication with town…

With Massachusetts considering new rules for cryptocurrency ATMs, Marblehead officials are taking a closer look at whether to regulate the machines locally as police statewide report a rise in scams tied to digital-currency kiosks. The state’s Joint Committee on Financial Services heard hours of testimony last week on a proposal that would, for the first time, require cryptocurrency kiosk operators to register with the state, post fraud warnings and set daily transaction limits. It would also require kiosk operators to refund victims of fraudulent transactions.…

Marblehead Police and Fire departments just announced that they have identified a 12-year-old suspect in two church fires at Star of the Sea during Mass the last two Sundays. Investigators say the juvenile is the sole suspect. Marblehead Police and Fire investigated a second church fire on Sunday, Sept. 29. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER “We take all fire incidents seriously, no matter how small, and are grateful for the teamwork that helped us bring this case to a swift resolution,” said Fire Chief Jason…

The state Fire Marshall's Office tells the Current it is joining the investigation into a fire in a bathroom at Star of the Sea Church during Mass this morning. A fire was reported in the same bathroom last Sunday, Sept. 21, according to a social media post by EMT Tyler Merullo. Marblehead police and fire officials on the scene at Star of the Sea Church Sunday morning. CURRENT PHOTO / LEIGH BLANDER Someone attending today's mass, who asked not to be identified, said the sacristy,…

Marblehead’s Traffic Safety Advisory Committee continued last week to grapple with how to respond to a surge in e-bike and e-scooter use, particularly among younger riders. The panel stopped short of recommending new regulations but signaled strong support for public education, trail etiquette guidelines and signage aimed at balancing safety for riders and pedestrians. Committee Chair Gary Hebert opened the discussion with an updated presentation on crash data and state rules for e-bikes. He clarified, following a presentation at the previous meeting, that Massachusetts legally…