Public safety - Marblehead Current

14 Aug

Beauport is on the scene

The town’s new ambulance service, Beauport, officially started today, Aug. 15, but you may have seen them around town the last few weeks. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland said Beauport jumped into action early, assisting with a nursing home transport and even helping an elderly woman get down 30-40 steps in her home to attend a wedding in her backyard. Beauport paramedic Ali Benson sits in the back of Marblehead’s new ambulance. Swampscott Fire Chief Graham Archer (left to right), Marblehead Chief Jason Gilliland and Beauport…

23 Jul

BLISTERING SUMMER: Town’s outside workers power through as heat index hits 107 degrees

Will DowdPublic safety, Top Stories

The cramp hit landscaper Stephen Martin’s leg like a vice grip, a sharp reminder that after 47 summers in landscaping, his body still demands respect. Sgt. Timothy Morley directs traffic along Pleasant Street on July 15, as road crews work under intense heat. The day’s high reached 90 degrees, with a heat index near 100. CURRENT PHOTOS / GREY COLLINS “You’ll get some muscle aches, almost like a charley horse,” Martin said, describing the warning signs when he doesn’t drink enough water during Marblehead’s increasingly…

30 Jun

Holiday weekend road announcements from MPD

Leigh BlanderLocal News, Public safety

Marblehead Police have released a list of road closures and other announcements related to the Festival of Arts and July Fourth festivities. They include: Horribles Parade, July 4 (Rain date Sunday, July 6) Beginning at 9 a.m., Pleasant Street will be closed between Spring Street and Washington Street (South), and Spring Street will become one-way from Pleasant Street to Sewall Street. Essex Street will be closed in its entirety during the staging and movement of the parade. Fireworks Display, July 4 (Rain date Saturday, July 5) Beginning at…

26 Jun

Local business steps up as new state boating regs approach

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

With boating season well underway in Marblehead, some people are looking ahead to next spring when new safety and licensing rules take effect across the state. The Hanson Milone Act kicks in April 1, 2026, and requires all motorboat operators born after Jan. 1, 1989, to complete a boating safety course to operate motorized vessels or personal watercraft (like jet skis). Anyone born before Jan. 1, 1989, will have until April 1, 2028, to get certified. “This provides an amazing level of safety to all…

24 Jun

NEW: Marblehead Light crews respond to multiple outages amid scorching heat

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

****UPDATE June 24, 6:26 p.m. Marblehead Light Department General Manager Joe Kowalik tells the Current that his crews have been responding to "multiple outages due to overloaded transformers on residential streets. We've had crews out since early afternoon replacing blown fuses on those transformers and in several cases we've needed to replace the transformer itself." Kowalik says the 80 or so outages, spread around town, are heat related. "People are running AC units and heat pumps to stay cool. That is clearly driving the demand…

11 Jun

Local teen saves elderly woman from apparent Bitcoin scam

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Eighteen-year-old Addy Mooney of Marblehead knew something wasn’t right with the older woman at Richdale on Smith Street. She was asking the cashier for help with the Bitcoin machine. Addy Mooney shows off her junior officer badge sticker. COURTESY PHOTO “She was in her 70s or 80s, and she was holding her phone like she was talking to someone while this interaction was happening,” Mooney said. “It seemed kind of scammy.” Mooney walked home, but, she said, “I felt deep down there was something up.…

14 Feb

UPDATE: Town extends snow emergency until Sunday 1 p.m.

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

Sunday 9:50 a.m. update The town has extended the snow emergency through Sunday at 1 p.m. The town has declared a snow emergency starting Saturday, Feb. 15, at 11 p.m., through Sunday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. According to the National Weather Service, it is expected to start snowing in Marblehead late Saturday and dump 3-7 inches overnight. On Sunday, there will be a mix of snow, sleet and rain. Sunday night, snow may return. The town will be following the newly approved parking ban…

28 Jan

Marblehead HVAC company named in wrongful death suit

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

The relatives of three people killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in Nahant last year have filed a wrongful death suit against Marblehead plumbing and heating company Bartlett & Steadman. The complaint, which calls the deaths a “devastating and entirely preventable tragedy,” also names Bartlett & Steadman owner, Michael Steadman, and U.S. Boiler Company. John Benson, 77, his sister-in law, Youngae Benson, 74, and his nephew, Andrew Carruth, 45, were found dead in their home on Cottage Street on Jan. 8, 2024. The three “lost their…

19 Jan

Marblehead under winter storm warning, snow emergency

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

Marblehead is under a winter storm warning beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. through Monday at 7 a.m. The National Weather Service says heavy snow is expected with accumulations between four and eight inches. The town of Marblehead has declared a snow emergency for Monday, 12-7 a.m., and Tuesday, 12-7 a.m. when all vehicles must be removed from the streets. During snow emergencies, it is illegal to park any vehicle, including boats and trailers, on any public way. Any vehicle in violation will be subjected to…

17 Jan

Town declares snow emergency starting Monday, 12 a.m.

Leigh BlanderPublic safety, Top Stories

The town has declared a snow emergency has been declared for Monday, 12-7 a.m., and Tuesday, 12-7 a.m. During these times all vehicles must be removed from the streets. "A winter storm mix of snow, ice and freezing rain has been forecasted, which could result in snow accumulation and icy roads. Marblehead DPW requires the roads to be cleared of vehicle to safely conduct snow operations," reads an email from the town. The message continues: "It will be illegal to park any vehicle, including boats and trailers on…