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15th Annual Marianne Kennedy Memorial Hike
On, Sunday, October 17, I joined with 19 family members and friends for the 15th Annual Marianne Kennedy Memorial Hike to the summit of Mount Major near Alton Bay in New Hampshire. The weather was perfect for hiking and the summit provides a panoramic view of Lake Winnipesaukee.. Every year we do a different hike…
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COVID-19 Cultural Impact Report Released
The COVID-19 Cultural Impact Commission released its final report on June 30, concluding in a series of recommendations to the Legislature that include the utilization of $575 million of the $5.3 billion in federal funding received by the state through the American Rescue Plan to address the recovery of the creative and cultural sector over…
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Sober Community Housing in the Acre Moves Forward
Coalition for a Better Acre’s plan to develop a sober living community at 555 Merrimack Street in Lowell was given a boost by the Commonwealth on Thursday morning. Sen. Kennedy joined Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox, as well as…
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Bridging the SNAP Gap
According to data released by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts last December, there are 700,000 people statewide who are likely eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits but have not applied. That figure is known as the “SNAP Gap,” the difference between the number of low-income Massachusetts residents receiving MassHealth who are likely SNAP eligible…
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Giving Back to a T (Shirt)
As the reality and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic began to set in; as schools, restaurants, and office buildings closed, Dave Quigley realized he would need to be creative to keep his business alive. Quigley, of Lowell, has owned and operated Noreast Custom Apparel, a design, screen printing and embroidery shop, since 2003. The small…
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Flu Vaccine FAQS
The following FAQs have been put together by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regarding the mandate that all children 6 months old and older attending childcare or enrolled in school, including college students under 30-years-old must receive a flu vaccine by December 31. They are broken into 3 categories: Young Children in Childcare, School-Aged…
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Remote Learning Resources
As school districts across the Commonwealth make difficult decisions regarding what school and learning will look like this fall, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has released a guidance document for school districts regarding remote learning, as well as a resource guide for districts to purchase courses through the state’s two Commonwealth…
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A Bridge (Not) Too Far
State Senate Includes $100 Million for New Rourke Bridge in Bond Bill BOSTON – The Transportation Bond Bill passed by the Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday includes $100 million for the construction of a new four-lane permanent Rourke Bridge in Lowell. “By providing bond authorization to construct the four-lane permanent bridge at an estimated cost…
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Zoe Arthur Dzineku Named Constituent Services Director
Sen. Ed Kennedy is proud to announce he has named Zoe Arthur Dzineku, of Lowell, his new Constituent Services Director. “I am excited to have Zoe on the team,” said Sen. Kennedy. “She has been a leader in the community for many years, where she has formed countless beneficial relationships and a deep knowledge of…
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Chewing on The Issues
Steve Coravos, who has owned and operated Mama’s Italian Restaurant in Dracut with his cousin Charlie for 31 years, says the minimum wage increase to $15 an hour by 2023 will be “devastating” to his restaurant and many others, increasing his labor cost to 40 percent. While he knows the wage is not going to…
