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The Old Home Day Committee of Plaistow, N.H., is meeting Tuesday night and calling for volunteers to attend. Residents are asked to attend Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m., at the Historical Society Museum, 127 Main St. The Committee warns, “Without the help of volunteers, there will not be a 2025 Old Home Day.”
A 40-year-old Lawrence man was arrested Friday after police said they “found a variety of suspected drugs in a registered daycare center” where two young children were present. Antonio “Tony” Solano was charged with distribution of a Class B substance, distribution of methamphetamine, two counts of trafficking 10 or more grams of a Class A substance and two counts of trafficking 36 or more grams of a Class A substance, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office. The drugs were found at Sixta Child Daycare on Ames Street in Lawrence. The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Tucker’s office, Massachusetts State Police Northshore Gang Unit and detectives from Lawrence Police Department’s Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit used a search warrant to find “numerous plastic bags of suspected drugs including fentanyl and methamphetamine.” Two young children were present at the daycare at the time that the search warrant was served. Solano is expected to be arraigned Monday in Lawrence District Court.
Congresswoman Lori Trahan said Saturday she and her family were the targets of a bomb threat. Trahan issued a statement after Westford Police responded to a bomb threat targeting her home. “This morning, I was made aware of a bomb threat targeting my family and me. I am grateful to the excellent officers at the Westford Police Department who responded swiftly to make sure we were safe and who are now working with the United States Capitol Police and Massachusetts State Police regarding this incident.”
She added, “It’s a good time to say the obvious: threats of violence and intimidation have no place in our country.”
It’s shaping up as a busy, seasonal weekend with a wide array of activities from Buttonwood Museum’s Festival of Trees to various gift fairs and even a hike. Here’s your guide to events. Buttonwoods Festival of Trees
Buttonwoods Festival of Trees is open until 8 p.m., tonight, with $1 off admission for seniors, at 240 Water St., Haverhill. Events include a senior tea party featuring the Comedy Masque Review, old-time radio shows from holidays past and a Candlelight Tour of the John Ward House from 6-7:30 p.m. On Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., the Festival of Trees offers Family Day with coloring and crafts for the kids and a visit from Santa between 1 and 3 p.m. and music by Currier Square with a buffet for $15. Sunday activities, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., include Greater Haverhill Art Association art demonstrations and a holiday concert by Currier Square with light refreshments.
The Merrimack Valley YMCA opened a new child care center Tuesday in collaboration with the Town of Andover and South Church, expanding to offer infant care for the first time. The YMCA partnered with the South Church to use the church’s renovated spaces for multiple child care rooms and can serve up to 36 children there. The Merrimack Valley YMCA altogether serves 900 children from infants through school age at five locations in the region. “Families in the Merrimack Valley need and deserve high-quality, safe child care,” said Merrimack Valley YMCA President and CEO Francis J. Kenneally. “We’re so excited to open this new center today, expanding our capacity in Andover, adding infant care, and giving parents the peace of mind that our talented staff provide.
The West Newbury Police Department is participating in this year’s Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. West Newbury Police Chief Michael Dwyer said the department will be collecting new, unwrapped and unopened toys for children of all ages through Dec. 12 at a collection box in the department’s lobby, 401 Main St., West Newbury. Toys can be dropped off at the station any time of the day on any day of the week. Those with questions may call the non-emergency line at 978-363-1213 or e-mail [email protected].
A former Lawrence man was charged Wednesday with first degree murder in connection with the 2017 shooting death of an 18-year-old high school student. Twenty-four-year-old Robert Severino was indicted Wednesday by an Essex County grand jury for the murder of Juan Espinal of Lawrence, said Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. Severino was arrested in Worcester and arraigned in Lawrence District Court Oct. 24. At the arraignment, Severino pled not guilty before Judge Jason Chan, who ordered him held without bail.
The Salem Animal Rescue League’s Winter Carnivale, featuring an artisan chocolate tasting, live and silent auctions, carnival games, dancing and more, is set for Friday night. There will be food and drinks, a selfie station, contests and a $2,500 Holiday Shopping Spree Raffle. Raffle tickets are $20 each, with a total of 500 tickets available. The winner will be drawn during the Winter Carnivale, but does not need to be present to win. Proceeds from the event and raffle benefit the animals in Salem Animal Rescue League’s care.
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll will be the featured speaker when area mayors and town managers discuss the year ahead during a Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast next month. Confirmed participants, to date, are Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, Andover Town Manager Andrew Flanagan, Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and North Andover Town Manager Melissa Rodrigues. Others on the invitation list are Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña, Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon. The winner of Methuen’s special mayoral election, Tuesday, Dec. 10—either Acting Mayor David P. “D.J.” Beauregard or James Sarcione—will be invited.