State Higher Education Financial Aid Road Show Feb. 10 Promotes College Aid Application

What’s being billed as a “Higher Education Financial Aid Road Show” comes to the area Monday. Officials are stopping at high schools across the state to encourage students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and apply for nearly $200 million available in state financial aid. Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega and other state and local education leaders will meet with students Monday, Feb. 10, from 1:30-2:15 p.m., at Lawrence High School. “We want to spread the word and let students know there’s a historic level of financial aid available right now in Massachusetts,” said Tutwiler.

Lawrence Man Faces Gun, Fentanyl and Cocaine Charges After Methuen and Fed Investigation

A Lawrence man was arraigned Wednesday on drug and gun charges following an investigation by the Methuen Police Street Crimes Unit and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office said 36-year-old Kelvin Alvarez-Pimentel was arraigned in Essex County Superior Court in Salem on drug trafficking and firearms violation charges. Alvarez-Pimentel, who pled not guilty to all charges, is charged with trafficking in more than 36 grams of fentanyl, two counts of trafficking in cocaine—more than 18 grams in powdered form and more than 36 grams in crack form, and possession of a firearm without a firearm identification card. He was arrested Oct. 31 at his Lawrence home following an investigation.

Tarr and Jones Push State Migrant Shelter Changes in Filing and Letter to Healey

Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr, of Gloucester, and House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr., of North Reading, said Tuesday they are following through on two promises made last month to address safety and sustainability of the state’s migrant shelter system. They sent a letter to Gov. Maura T. Healey and filed legislation on behalf of the House and Senate Republican Caucus. “House and Senate Republicans are advocating for a multi-faceted approach to address the many problems plaguing the state’s emergency shelter system,” said Jones. “The reforms we are calling for are long overdue, and will help to enhance transparency, accountability, public safety and fiscal responsibility within the program.”

An Act relative to public safety, fiscal responsibility and emergency assistance was filed Jan. 17 in the Senate.

Lawrence Man Faces Fentanyl Drug Dealing Charges After ‘Operation Tie Dye’ Raid

A 48-year-old Lawrence man faces drug charges after a narcotics raid uncovered 4.4 million milligrams of fentanyl—said to be enough to potentially cause 2.2 million overdose deaths. Alonzo Del Carmen Soto Soto was recently charged with trafficking fentanyl over 100 grams and trafficking fentanyl over 200 grams. He was arraigned in Lawrence District Court and is being held on $100,000 bail. The Massachusetts attorney general’s office said this week “Operation Tie Dye,” described as “major narcotics takedown operation,” began last October. “Throughout the months-long investigation, (State Police) troopers conducted a series of nine controlled fentanyl purchases from Soto Soto. Extensive surveillance and review of cell phone data revealed that Soto Soto lived on Arlington Street in Lawrence, and investigators subsequently applied for and obtained search warrants for Soto Soto and his residence,” a release reported.

Lawrence Police to Use Grant to Prevent Firearm Injuries and Deaths

The Lawrence Police Department was recently awarded $150,000 to help prevent firearm deaths and injuries. Lawrence Police shared in more than $2 million from the federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program distributed by the state for the first time. “Responding to the complex issue of gun violence requires both public safety and public health interventions. These grants support evidence-based efforts to prevent firearm injuries and deaths, increase crisis intervention training for law enforcement and improve the safety of Massachusetts communities. The funds complement our administration’s commitment to holistic approaches to public safety and reducing gun deaths,” said Gov. Maura T. Healey.

Bullet Shell Casing at Pentucket Regional Prompts Search; Now Believed to Have Been Dropped

Police and school officials now believe a bullet shell casing found Monday on the grounds of Pentucket Regional Middle High School was dropped accidentally and there is no danger. The discovery of the shell first prompted concern about 1:30, Monday afternoon when a student reported finding a handgun caliber shell casing in the parking lot near the football field. Following established procedures, school administrators said, they called West Newbury Police Department. Chief Michael Dwyer and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew said in a joint statement the shell was found several hundred yards from the Pentucket Regional Middle High School building school and the incident did not require school dismissal. Dwyer and Bartholomew said a school family reported early Monday night they recently parked in the area and the casing likely fell from their vehicle or pocket.

Methuen Police, City Council Chairman, Others Take Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

Methuen Police and others taking part in Methuen’s Polar Plunge recently raised $26,892 for Special Olympics of Massachusetts. Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara said a total of 15 Methuen Police officers took part in the plunge, in which participants leaped into a pool of water even though the temperature at the time was just 19 degrees. A number of community groups took part and the Methuen Police Department was the top team fundraiser, collecting $5,437 for Special Olympics of Massachusetts. “I’m proud of our officers for braving the frigid cold,” said McNamara. He also thanked Recreation Director Steve Angelo, who prepared the location; Methuen Fire Department, which provided standby emergency support and a diver; Clearwater Transport, Aroma Joe’s at Holy Family Hospital; Heavenly Donuts Pelham Street; DJ Mike Phillips; City Council Chairman Ronald Marsan, who took the plunge while dressed in a suit; Methuen Recreation Department employees; and other volunteers.

Area Mayors, Anti-Poverty Heads and Health Leaders Condemn Federal Threats to Aid

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The mere threat of losing federal aid has already caused casualties say the mayors of Haverhill and Methuen, the leader of a community health center serving three cities and the heads of two regional Community Action agencies. Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, Methuen Mayor David P. “D.J.” Beauregard Jr., Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Executive Director and CEO Vilma Martinez-Dominguez, Community Action CEO Kerri Perry and Greater Lawrence Family Health Center Interim President and CEO Steven Paris joined Congresswoman Lori Trahan Thursday at Greater Lawrence Community Action Council. Barrett noted there was an immediate loss caused just by the notice of a federal freeze. “Given the instability caused this week, we paused putting out a bid for a CDBG project to add an emergency electrical generator at the Sacred Hearts Food Pantry, which would provide resiliency for power outages and natural disasters and preserve thousands of dollars’ worth of food,” she explained. The Haverhill mayor said she was “stunned” to receive word of the federal aid freeze, noting Haverhill annually receives around $1 million in federal Community Development Block Grants, which help pay for housing the homeless, stocking food pantries and providing heating assistance, elder programs, meals, clothing, home rehabilitation and first-time homebuyer programs. She also pointed to $4.1 million to hire 16 additional firefighters, $2.4 million for de-leading homes, $1 million for urban forestry, $1 million for safe streets, millions in low-income and special education money for schools.