The federal government gave Leominster and other communities a reprieve in their efforts to receive funding to help them recover from last September’s devastating rains, and now it’s time for individuals and businesses to take advantage of that opportunity. In February, federal officials rejected Gov. Maura Healey’s request for disaster relief for Bristol, Hampden, and […]
Editorials
Editorial: In praise of nursing grads embarking on a challenging career
Yes, the path you have chosen is a difficult one. Those words, spoken by Kim Shea, dean of Nursing and Health Sciences, went out to the 94 graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College’s Associate Degree in Nursing program earlier this month. They occurred during the traditional pinning ceremony at the Mount Fitness facility in front […]
Editorial: Leominster’s flood aid a testament to its dogged efforts
It pays to not take no for an answer. Just ask Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella. Back in February, after months of filling out damage forms and applications, collecting data, and consulting with outside experts as a result of the damages incurred during September’s devastating rains, Leominster expected better news from the federal government than what […]
Editorial: Guard’s assault grim reminder of dangers inherent in this duty
It’s no surprise that corrections officers exhibit the worst health of any U.S. occupational group, with high rates of on-the-job injuries, suicide, obesity, hypertension and sleep disruption. Their life expectancy averages more than a decade less than those in other professions, according to research in multiple states. Mazen El Ghaziri, the assistant chair and associate […]
Editorial: Landmark’s face lift making Leominster a more livable city
Earlier this week the newspaper gave a written and visual update on the status of the Monument Square improvement project in downtown Leominster. It’s encouraging to see that upgrades to that city landmark remain on track to be completed by the end of June. Funding for its renovation came courtesy of a $400,000 state Parkland […]
Editorial: Benefits of police body cameras well worth the expense
In the nationwide atmosphere of heightened scrutiny on the performance of police officers, the Lowell Police Department launched a body-camera pilot program last April that equipped 30 officers – 10 on each shift – with those devices. As part of this initial introduction, then-interim Police Superintendent Barry Golner said the plan was to rotate the […]