Top Stories - Marblehead Current

12 Jun

‘She’s here in spirit’: Memorial bench honors Savanah Gatchell

Leigh BlanderMarblehead Public Schools, Public safety, Top Stories

A small crowd of students, families and educators gathered outside Veterans Middle School Friday afternoon to dedicate a bench in memory of Savanah Gatchell, the 13-year-old killed in an alleged drunk-driving crash last August. Savanah Gatchell's mother, Christine, and sister, Alysa Otero, at the bench dedicated Friday in Savanah's memory. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER The bench honoring Savanah Gatchell's memory was wrapped in a pink ribbon. Her schoolwork was displayed there, too. Savanah Gatchell's family and friends embrace at an emotional ceremony dedicating a…

12 Jun

MLT to stage angsty Broadway hit, ‘Jagged Little Pill’

Marielle SabbagArt, Entertainment, Theater, Top Stories

Starting June 19, Marblehead Little Theatre will present “Jagged Little Pill,” the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical featuring songs of Alanis Morissette. It premiered on Broadway in 2019. The story follows the Healy family in their suburban Connecticut home as they confront issues including addiction, sexuality and trauma. Steve Black, a Beverly resident, directs this jukebox production. Cole Hastings as Phoenix, Sarah Koury as Jo and Elainy Mata as Frankie rehearse for MLT’s production of “Jagged Little Pill.” COURTESY PHOTO “I enjoy working on shows…

12 Jun

NEW: Family says submerged SUV is theirs, stolen from outside Raynham hotel

Leigh BlanderTop Stories

UPDATE June 12 12:45 p.m. A father-and-son from upstate New York told Boston TV station WCVB that the red SUV found submerged in the water off Grace Oliver's Beach is theirs — and was stolen from outside their hotel in Raynham. Sam Auletta, 14, told WCVB that he and his dad were in Raynham for a hockey tournament. They discovered their car was missing Saturday morning. All of Auletta's hockey gear was in the SUV. "It was crazy because you know I feel like this…

11 Jun

Marblehead leaders promise accountability after historic $15M override vote

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories

One day after voters approved a $15 million, three-year general override, town leaders pledged to spend the money responsibly and keep residents informed about how it is used. According to the town, the property tax bills for a $1 million property will increase over the next three years by the following cumulative amounts: 'It's your town and your money," said Select Board member Jim Zisson. The board met June 10 promising to honor voters' decision to approve a $15M override with transparency and accountability. •…

11 Jun

Nauticals of Marblehead — a second Life

Laurie FullertonArt, Business, Sailing, Top Stories

Taking a tour of the Marblehead Sign Museum in the basement of Abbot Hall is always a reminder of how many beloved small businesses and artisans have lived and worked among us. When a cherished, long-time small business closes in Marblehead, it always feels like the end of an era. Nauticals of Marblehead was once located above the Muffin Shop on Washington Street and was a successful business that offered tables and other creative objects crafted from the hulls of old wooden boats. One of…

10 Jun

PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY: Car linked to MHS vandalism pulled from ocean

Leigh BlanderMarblehead Public Schools, Public safety, Top Stories

For several hours on Wednesday, a lot of Marblehead was captivated by a rescue mission about 100 feet off Grace Oliver's Beach, where a stolen, red SUV with New York plates was discovered submerged in the water. Marblehead Police — working with Salem Police divers — were able to get the vehicle back on land and lifted onto a tow truck. Police say the car is linked to overnight vandalism at Marblehead High's Piper Field where two cars smashed through an access gate and drove…

10 Jun

‘Egregious act of vandalism’ at Piper Field; police investigating car on field

Leigh BlanderSports, Top Stories

Marblehead Police are investigating an incident overnight of a car smashing through gates at Marblehead High School's Piper Field and driving onto the field itself, leaving tire marks. Wednesday morning, Superintendent John Robidoux called it "a very unfortunate, egregious act of vandalism." "The incident is still under investigation and the extent of the damage to the field will be determined once the inspection of the field has been completed," Robidoux wrote in an email to the Current. "We are hopeful that the investigation will come…

09 Jun

BREAKING NEWS: Marblehead approves $15 million override, plus $2.3 trash tax hike

Leigh Blander Kris OlsonLocal News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Marblehead voters came out in record numbers this Election Day approving a $15 million, three-year override that permanently raises property taxes and reshapes the town's fiscal future. Check out the Current's vote tracker for all the results. The override will restore deep program and staffing cuts in the fiscal 2027 budget. It also builds programs and invests in future capital projects. Tier/Question 3 was the highest passing tier, with 54% of people supporting it. After the vote, Select Board Chair Dan Fox addressed people who…

09 Jun

Marblehead polls close at 8 p.m.; With a few hours to go about 33% of voters had shown up

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

At about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, approximately 5,700 Marblehead residents had cast votes in today's election that will decide an historic, three-tiered property tax override, as well as races for School Committee, Select Board and more. Compare that to the total turnout in last year's municipal election — 6,621. In other words, with three hours left to vote, Marblehead had already approached the total turnout seen in the entire 2025 election. The Current checked with wardens in each district, tallying the number of votes so far…

09 Jun

This Election Day, Marblehead voters deciding override, races

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories, Town Election Guide

Turnout appears brisk at Abbot Hall and the MHS field house this Election Day. Here's a sampling of supporters outside both polling places. CURRENT PHOTOS / LEIGH BLANDER Voters are deciding one of the town's most consequential financial decisions in decades: whether to approve a three-tiered tax override that would permanently increase property taxes and reshape the town's fiscal future. In addition to the override question — presented in $9 million, $12 million and $15 million options — voters will weigh in on several local…