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Marblehead psychologist Dr. Melissa Kaplowitch says the new 9-8-8 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will save lives. “When you’re feeling suicidal, if you can get someone on the other end of the phone who is trained in de-escalation and coping strategies, it can buy even 10 minutes,” Kaplowitch said. “Then, you’re saving a life.” The 9-8-8 number, which launched July 16, is the brainchild of 6th District Congressman Seth Moulton, who represents Marblehead and surrounding communities.    Congressman Seth Moulton at a mental health event at…

Watch out, Cory Schneider! There’s a new goalie in Marblehead. When new Marblehead Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer is not working or spending time with his family and their two Siberian huskies, you might just find him between the pipes at a local ice rink, a position he jokes is not as unlike his municipal leadership positions as it might seem. Town AdministratorThatcher Kezer Kezer chatted with Marblehead News about two weeks into his new job in the first installment of what will be a regular…

Citing ongoing health issues, Karl A. Johnson resigned his seat on the Light Commission "immediately," in a letter to Town Clerk Robin Michaud dated July 13. Johnson had been reelected to a three-year term on the Light Commission in 2021. Under the town's process for filling such vacancies, the remaining four members of the Light Commission will meet in joint session with the members of the Select Board to appoint a commissioner to serve in the seat until next June's annual town election, and then…

Marblehead School Superintendent John Buckey has been elected president of the North Shore Superintendents Roundtable. Buckey succeeds Carol Jacobs, superintendent of schools in Georgetown, who held the position for the past 12 years. The election was held last week at the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents 28th annual Summer Executive Institute held at Mashpee High School. School Superintendent John Buckey The Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents originated in 1973 and is the only statewide organization dedicated to the professional and advocacy concerns of school superintendents and…

Our coverage of the town is free, and we’d like to keep it that way. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Marblehead News Group, Inc. by visiting https://bit.ly/3NxZ0yJ. The winning margin of new Marblehead Light Commissioner Jean-Jacques Yarmoff only expanded in a recount held July 11 at Marblehead High School. Initially declared the winner of one of two seats in the June 21 annual election by a 19-vote margin in the June 21 election over incumbent commissioner Walter Homan, Yarmoff added nine votes in…

As the dust settles (sort of) on the 2022 town election, Marblehead finds itself with a new town moderator, Jack Attridge. The Marblehead native's election embodies a rare changing of the guard in this particular elected office. Attridge's predecessor, Gary Spiess, held the post for 16 years, and before Spiess, Steve Howe carried out moderator duties for a whopping 43 years. Next May, Spiess can partake in something he had given up while presiding over the town’s most significant civic meeting of the year: contributing…