Top Stories - Marblehead Current

18 Jul

MISSING PERSON: Marblehead Police seeking public’s help locating missing man

Marblehead Current staffTop Stories

The Marblehead Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing 53-year-old man. Bartos "Bart" Modrzynski, 53, was last seen on Friday, July 17, at approximately 6:30 p.m., leaving his Marblehead residence on a bicycle. He was reportedly on his way to the gym. Bartos "Bart" Modrzynski, 53, was last seen at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 17 leaving his residence on his bicycle. COURTESY PHOTO / MARBLEHEAD POLICE DEPARTMENT According to the All Marblehead Facebook page, Modrzynski was last seen on Lorraine…

18 Jul

Teen charged in fatal crash returns to court

Aleka KroitzshTop Stories

Marblehead teen Oscar Galante appeared in Lynn Juvenile Court July 17 for a compliance and election hearing connected to the August 2025 crash that killed 13-year-old Savanah Gatchell. At the hearing, the prosecution informed the court that they were still gathering evidence. Assistant District Attorney Kaitlyn Bastarache said she had requested an entire lab file and a partial download of Galante’s mobile phone. She also informed the court that the outstanding collision analysis and reconstruction of the crash would be completed soon. Christine Gatchell, Savanah’s…

17 Jul

Crocker Park dock repairs still weeks away

Leigh BlanderRecreation, Top Stories

Swimmers and waterfront visitors hoping for a quick return of the Crocker Park dock may have to wait. The dock, a popular fixture along Marblehead Harbor, was damaged during a heavy rainstorm on July 6. Harbormaster Mark Souza said a permanent flotation log beneath the dock broke free. The town has issued a request for proposals for repairs, with bids due Aug. 13. After a contractor is selected, work can begin on restoring the structure. A flotation log broke free from the Crocker Park dock…

16 Jul

‘Nothing between you and the wind’: Race Week 2026 preview

Grey CollinsSailing, Sports, Top Stories

For more than a century, Marblehead Harbor has transformed into one of New England's premier sailing venues. This July, that tradition continues as sailors of all ages prepare for the 137th annual Race Week, with hundreds of competitors from Marblehead and across New England set to fill the waters off the town's coast for its signature sailing event. First established in 1889, Marblehead Race Week has long served as the centerpiece of the local sailing calendar and has been part of Marblehead's sailing community for…

15 Jul

Local attorney, Governor’s Council candidate appears in Apple TV series

Grey CollinsAbout Us, Top Stories

Most days, Diann Slavit Baylis can be found practicing immigration law or speaking with voters on the campaign trail during her run for Governor's Council. But every so often, she trades the courtroom for a movie set. In June 2025, that took the longtime Marblehead resident to Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, where she spent the day watching actor Matthew Rhys fend off an attack from a terrifying sea hag in an episode of the Apple TV series "Widow's Bay." Slavit Baylis appears as an…

15 Jul

Air quality alert in effect through midnight Thursday due to Canadian wildfires

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Top Stories

The state has issued an "air quality alert for fine particles" in Marblehead and across the state, saying the air is "unhealthy for sensitive groups." The particles are in the haze from Canadian wildfires. People in sensitive groups include those with lung or heart disease, older adults and children. The alert is through midnight tonight. "Especially with the heat warning, stay inside as much as possible," advises Dr. Tom Massaro, chair of the Marblehead Board of Health. For more information, visit https://mass.gov/dep/massair/forecast. The Current's Grey…

15 Jul

Town works through confusion over new ADU bylaw

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories

Less than three months after Town Meeting approved changes to Marblehead’s accessory dwelling unit bylaw to comply with a new state law, town officials are still working to determine exactly how the regulations should be implemented. Learning the process The Affordable Homes Act, signed into law in 2024, allows one accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, by right on most residential lots across Massachusetts. While municipalities may adopt reasonable regulations, they cannot require a special permit for qualifying ADUs. From left, attorney Matthew Wolverton and architect…

14 Jul

Marblehead Board of Health urges precautions amid national cyclosporiasis outbreak

Leigh BlanderHealth, Top Stories

UPDATE July 17 The CDC said it has narrowed down the source of the cyclospora outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The Marblehead Board of Health is encouraging residents to take precautions against cyclosporiasis, the foodborne parasitic infection linked to contaminated produce, as health officials continue investigating cases reported across the country. In a statement released Wednesday, the board said cyclosporiasis is caused by consuming food — most commonly fresh produce — contaminated…

14 Jul

Heat advisory in effect until 8 p.m.; town prepares cooling center

Leigh BlanderEnvironment, Public safety, Top Stories

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Marblehead from Tuesday at 11 a.m. through Wednesday at 8 p.m. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland tells the Current he has prepared a cooling center at the Brown School for people looking to escape the high temps. If you're interested in using the cooling center, Gilliland asks you to first call 781-631-1212.

14 Jul

CURRENT EVENTS: Marblehead’s best bets coming up

Leigh BlanderArt, Community Resources, Culture, Health, Recreation, 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. Singer Donna Byrne at the MAAThursday, July 16, (doors open 6:30 p.m.) 7-9 p.m. Listen to live music by Donna Byrne at the Marblehead Arts Association as part of its Jazz and the Arts concert series. The cost is $35. Register at marbleheadarts.org. Rock out with Code Blue Friday, July 17, 9 p.m. Start your weekend with live music from Code Blue at The Beacon Restaurant.…