Top Stories - Marblehead Current

13 Jul

With new heat advisory posted, Marblehead Light says system is strong

Leigh BlanderCommunity Resources, Environment, Top Stories

The National Weather Service has announced a heat advisory for Marblehead Tuesday, 11 a.m., through Wednesday, 8 p.m. That means many residents may be cranking up their air conditioning. Earlier this month, a record-breaking heatwave knocked out power to about 1,000 Marblehead customers. However, the leader of the town's electric utility says the outage exposed a single weak point — not a failing grid — and accelerated work already underway to strengthen the system. During a tour of the Marblehead Municipal Light Department’s Village 13…

13 Jul

Standing tall: Marblehead sailor/photographer shares Tall Ships photos

Leigh BlanderSailing, Top Stories

Marblehead sailor, photographer and Current contributor Bruce Durkee snapped these shots of the Tall Ships visit to Boston on July 11.

13 Jul

Town to relive Revolutionary role with encampment, special visitor

Leigh BlanderLocal History, Top Stories

The sights and sounds of the American Revolution will return to Marblehead this weekend as soldiers march through Fort Sewall, muskets fire across the harbor and one of the nation's leading Revolutionary War historians visits town to tell the story of Marblehead's outsized role in America's founding. Glover's Regiment will hold its annual summer encampment at Fort Sewall on Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., transforming the historic fort into an 18th-century military camp. Visitors can watch battle demonstrations between Continental soldiers…

12 Jul

Film created by Marblehead students premiers at Warwick

Grey CollinsArt, Entertainment, Marblehead Public Schools, Top Stories

On the evening of July 6, a crowd gathered on the sidewalk outside of the Warwick Theater, buzzing with excitement and anticipation before the premier of the student-made feature film “Gilded Lily.” Then, more than two dozen teens who helped make the movie walked down a red carpet to cheers, camera flashes and clapping from the crowd. The premier of the 90-minute film attracted dozens of families and friends of the cast and crew who came to see the students’ work on the big screen.…

11 Jul

Town starts week with two big holes to fill; top budget officials leaving

Leigh BlanderLocal News, Municipal Matters, Top Stories

The announcement Friday that Marblehead Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin is leaving means the town's top two budget officials will depart within four months of each other — not long after June’s vote to approve a $17.3 million tax override package to fund school and municipal operations. Benjamin, who came to Marblehead in 2023, will leave in August after accepting a position as chief financial officer for the town of Nantucket. Her departure comes just weeks after Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer announced he will retire at…

10 Jul

BREAKING NEWS: Marblehead’s finance director leaving

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories

Marblehead Chief Financial Officer Aleesha Benjamin is leaving in August after accepting the position of CFO for the town of Nantucket. "Since joining Marblehead, Benjamin has played a pivotal role in modernizing the town's financial operations and strengthening its long-term financial planning," according to a statement from Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer Friday afternoon. "Her leadership has helped position the town with stronger financial management tools, greater transparency and improved organizational effectiveness while helping the town successfully navigate a period of significant fiscal challenges." Kezer announced…

10 Jul

At 100, Ned Bullis says the secret is simple: ‘Just get up and out of bed’

Leigh BlanderTop Stories

When Edmund "Ned" Bullis was asked Thursday his secret to living to 100, he didn't point to a special diet, exercise routine or miracle cure. Instead, he smiled and offered a bit of understated wisdom. "Just get up and out of bed in the morning." Bullis celebrated his 100th birthday at The Mariner July 9, surrounded by family and friends. Select Board member Moses Grader was there, too, delivering a proclamation honoring Bullis as an “honorable centenarian of the town of Marblehead” and celebrating a…

09 Jul

Update: Marblehead reopens two beaches

Leigh BlanderHealth, Public safety, Top Stories

***The Marblehead Health Department posted an update on July 10 that both beaches had reopened. The Marblehead Health Department has shut down Grace Oliver and Gas House beaches to swimming due to high bacteria levels. The health department has taken new water samples and results will come back Friday afternoon. Stay with the Current for the updated results. Grace Oliver's was closed earlier this month for high bacteria counts.

08 Jul

Housing density, open space debated for Coffin School reuse

Leigh BlanderMunicipal Matters, Top Stories

After nearly a year of studying redevelopment possibilities for the former Coffin School property, the Select Board on Wednesday began shaping the request for proposals that will determine the site's future. The board did not issue an RFP Wednesday but instead directed Brendan Callahan, who leads the town’s Community Development and Planning Department, to prepare a draft for review at its first meeting in August after members debated how much guidance developers should receive on housing, open space and other community priorities. The former Coffin…

08 Jul

Moulton, Markey spar in first Democratic Senate primary debate

Leigh BlanderPolitics, Top Stories

Marblehead native Rep. Seth Moulton faced U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in their debate for the Democratic nomination for Markey's U.S. Senate seat. The debate, hosted by WWLP in Chicopee on July 8, largely centered on Moulton's argument that Democrats need a new generation of leadership and Markey's defense of his decades-long record in Congress. Moulton argued repeatedly that Democrats need "a new playbook" after recent electoral setbacks and should invest in younger leaders. "We need someone who is going to change the playbook, invest in…