Georgetown — Martha A. (O’Neill) Lombard, 76, of Georgetown, passed away on Sunday, April 24, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Lynn to the late Peter and Elizabeth (Cosgrove) O’Neill, she lived in Danvers for the majority of her life with her late husband Christopher M. Lombard Jr. Martha graduated from Boston College with both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in nursing, and received a second master’s degree in education from Salem State College. She worked at Salem State College for many years as a professor of nursing.

Martha is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Lombard of Danvers, her son, Mark Lombard and his wife, Ann, of Aurora, Ohio, grandchildren Matthew, Nathan and Ella Lombard of Aurora, Ohio, and her beloved Simon. She also is survived by her sister and brother- in-laws, Maureen Balsom, Peter and Eileen Lombard, Richard and Bonnie Lombard, John and Mary Anne Lombard, nieces and nephews, Kristen Taylor, Meghan Balsom, Paige Lombard, Sean Lombard, Suzanne Rau, Carolyn Kopchains, Brandon Lombard, Matthew Lombard, Britte Roossien, many colleagues at Salem State and many lifelong friends. She is predeceased by her siblings-in-law, Roy Balsom, Matthew and Virginia Lombard and Eileen Lombard.

Service information: Martha’s funeral will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at 9 a.m., from the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 67 Ocean St., (Route 1A) Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m., at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Nahant. Burial will be private. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Those who prefer may make a donation in Martha’s name to Caring for a Cure, 55 Fruit St., Lunder 10, Boston, MA 02114. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.

LYNN — William R. Jenkins, 63, of Lynn, passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 24, 2016.

Bill was born in Lynn on Aug. 15, 1952, the oldest son of the late William F. Jenkins and Dorothy (Brennan) Jenkins of Lynnfield. Bill attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Saint Mary’s High School of Lynn, Class of 1970, received an accountant degree from Salem Commercial School (1973). He was employed as a Business Account Manager at Essex County Bank in Peabody, Sousa Oil Company in Peabody, and Logica in Waltham, where he worked as a software developer and account manager.

Bill retired from Logica and moved to Lowell, where he supported Christian charities and worked at The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell as an organizational assistant.

Bill is survived by his mother, Dorothy Jenkins of Lynnfield, his brother, Bob of Wakefield, his brother, David of Bloomington, Ind., his nieces and nephews, including Anthony Jenkins of Wakefield, Jocelyn Nixon of Fitchburg, Jillian Jenkins of Fitchburg, his stepchildren, Britney Falite of Dedham, and Justin Falite of Gardner and his dear friend, Mitzie Falite of Alabama.

Service information: Visiting hours will be Thursday, April 28, from 4-8 p.m., at Solimine Funeral home, 426 Broadway (Route 129) in Lynn. Funeral service will be held on Friday, April 29, beginning at 10 a.m., at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 134 Broadway, Lynn. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to A Place of Promise, PO Box 1132, Lowell, MA 01853. His family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and condolences. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.

LYNN — David J. Reagan Jr., son of the late David J. Reagan Sr., and Daisy “Grant” Reagan passed away on April 20, 2016, at Kindred Hospital in Peabody.

David was a longtime resident of the North Shore. He was a veteran who served his country during war time and was honorably discharged while holding the rank of Sergeant. David later became a fire engineer for Union Hospital in Lynn. David was an avid model airplane enthusiast and loved photography. He was a lover of animals and often visited his many pets that passed before him at Angel View Pet Cemetery. David was also an active and proud member of the Trinity Evangelical Church.

David is survived by his son, David J. Reagan Jr., and his significant other, Lynn Lewis, of Peabody, his uncle, Ronald Reagan of Beverly, his nephews, Chris and Dana Reagan and his niece, Michelle Reagan, as well as several great nieces and nephews.

Service information: Visiting hours for David will take place at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (Corner of North Street) Salem, on Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 12-2 p.m., with a funeral service immediately following, also at the Murphy Funeral Home, family and friends are warmly invited to attend. In Lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Northeast Animal Shelter 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970. For additional information or online guest book please visit MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.

All address information, particularly arrests, reflect police records. In the event of a perceived inaccuracy, it is the sole responsibility of the concerned party to contact the relevant police department and have the department issue a notice of correction to the Daily Item. Corrections or clarifications will not be made without express notice of change from the arresting police department.

LYNN

Arrests

James Adams, 34, of 7 Dooling Circle, Peabody, was arrested and charged with disrupting court proceedings, possession of a Class B drug, disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a public employee and on a warrant charge of unarmed robbery at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Allie Cavanaugh, 18, of 46 Newhall St., was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault with a dangerous weapon at 11:33 p.m. Monday.

Jonathan Merino, of 559 Western Ave., was arrested on warrant charges of unarmed robbery, no inspection/sticker, unregistered motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, number plate violation to conceal and uninsured motor vehicle/trailer at 12:43 p.m. Tuesday.

Angel Perez, 25, of 180 Essex St., was arrested and charged with possession of a Class B drug subsequent offense and trespassing at 5:54 p.m. Monday.

Lillian Riggs, 30, was arrested and charged with trespassing at 5:51 p.m. Monday.

Kenneth Vasquez, 50, of 13 Jackson St., was arrested on warrant charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, number plate violation and malicious damage to a motor vehicle at 9:13 a.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:47 p.m. Monday at Ashland and Boston streets; at 4:09 p.m. Monday at 43 Sagamore St.; at 4:19 p.m. Monday at 26 Joyce St.; at 4:25 p.m. Monday at 14 Elm St.; at 6:36 a.m. Tuesday at 119 Lewis St.; at 10:35 a.m. Tuesday at Eastern Avenue and Gilbert Street; at 11:33 a.m. Tuesday at Burchstead Place and Union Street; at 11:38 a.m. Tuesday at 36 Western Ave.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 7:40 p.m. Monday at Kiley Playground at 61 Burrill Ave.; at 8:22 p.m. Monday at Chatham Street and Western Avenue; at 10:43 p.m. Monday at 70 Broadway.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery at 4:57 p.m. Monday on Broad Street.

A report of a sexual assault at 11:41 a.m. Tuesday on Magnolia Avenue.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 3:51 p.m. Monday at 92 Market St.; at 5:50 p.m. Monday at Liberty and Willow streets; at 5:56 p.m. Monday at Stop & Shop at 35 Washington St.; at 6:19 p.m. Monday at 473 Essex St.; at 7:50 p.m. Monday at 38 Estes St.; at 9:04 p.m. Monday at Commercial and S Common streets; at 10:03 p.m. Monday at 77 Green St.; at 10:19 p.m. Monday at 119 Lewis St.; at 11:10 p.m. Monday at 42 Newhall St.; at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday at 56 Lowell St.; at 11:52 a.m. Tuesday at 29 Rogers Ave.

A report of a juvenile problem at 5:33 p.m. Monday at 62 Linwood Road.

A report of a fight at 6:41 p.m. Monday at Express Checkout at 340 Washington St.

A report of an uninvited guest at 7:44 p.m. Monday at 498 Essex St.

A report of a missing person at 11:30 p.m. Monday at 50 Newhall St.; at 11:33 p.m. Monday at 12 Park St.

A report of a gunshot at 12:32 a.m. Tuesday at Dungeon and Parkland avenues.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 3:39 p.m. Monday at Game Stop at 39 State St.; at 3:49 p.m. Monday at 11 Parrott St.; at 6:20 p.m. Monday at 180 Commercial St.; at 7:38 p.m. Monday at 395 Essex St.; at 8:11 p.m. Monday at Lynn Liquor Mart at 825 Boston St.; at 9:09 p.m. Monday at 39 State St.; at 9:42 p.m. Monday at Walgreens at 21 Joyce St.

A report of motor vehicle theft at 5:13 p.m. Monday at 33 Dearborn Ave.

A report of a robbery at 12:02 a.m. Tuesday at 183 Chestnut St.

MARBLEHEAD

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 6:40 p.m. Monday on Lee Street.

Complaints

A report of a missing person at 2:17 p.m. Monday on Washington Street. A woman reported she had not seen her tenant since March 30.

A report of paint running into the street at Beacon Street and Crowninshield Road. A caller reported there are painters working in the area and their paint is running into the street from their job site. An officer reported no indication of paint spillage.

A report of a loud humming noise at 2:59 a.m. Tuesday on Cliff Street. A caller reported a loud humming noise coming from the area of the Marblehead Yacht Club. An officer reported the noise appears to be coming from a mast when the wind blows. He also said it was very gusty in the boat yard at this time.

PEABODY

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 6:17 p.m. Monday at Route 128 South and 2 Newbury St. Atlantic Ambulance reported that one of their vehicles was involved in an accident; at 8:35 p.m. Monday at 2 Pulaski St. and 2 North Central St.; at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday on Route 128 North; at 9 a.m. Tuesday at 90 Forest St. and 76 Summit St.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 10:23 a.m. Tuesday at Higgins Middle School at 1 King St.

Complaints

A report of an unwanted person at 4:05 p.m. Monday at Extended Stay America at 200 Jubilee Drive. An employee reported that there is a guest who they want removed. The caller stated that the guest may be intoxicated and is known to carry a tomahawk.

A report of a neighborhood dispute at 4:07 p.m. Monday at 15 Tara Road. A caller reported an ongoing neighbor dispute and that the neighbor stole some items. An officer reported the recycling bin was accidentally placed back in front of a neighbor’s door.

A report of a biohazard pick-up/disposal at 7:15 p.m. Monday at 11 Elm St. A caller reported she found a needle on the street. An officer would dispose of the needle.

A report of a disturbance at 8:13 p.m. Monday at 56 Fulton St.; at 12:38 a.m. Tuesday at 15D Eastman Park.

A report of a gas odor at 8:37 a.m. Tuesday at 2 Chestnut St. and 20 Lowell St. A detail officer reported the construction crew struck a gas line. An officer reported it was possibly an inactive gas line. National Grid Gas was on scene to follow up.

A report of suspicious activity at 10:41 a.m. Tuesday at Cedar Grove Cemetery at 70 Cedar Grove Ave. A caller reported a man shooting a firearm in the cemetery. Officers spoke with the man, who is part of the Honor Guard and was shooting empty bullets for the ceremony.

Theft

A report of a stolen motor vehicle at 8:59 a.m. Tuesday at 84 Margin St. A caller reported her daughter stole her motor vehicle.

A report of a larceny at 10:14 a.m. Tuesday at Speedway at 545 Lowell St. A contractor reported a drill bit and a charger missing, worth over $250. Surveillance footage showed an overnight employee taking the equipment.

Overdose

A report of an overdose at 6:59 p.m. Monday on Dalton Court. The person was transported to Salem Hospital.

REVERE

Arrests

Michael A. Dicato, 22, of 239 Oakwood Ave., was arrested and charged with assault and battery and intimidating a witness at 1:07 a.m. Monday.

Jalen G. Ferola, 23, of 250 Broadway, Apt. 505, was arrested and charged on protective custody at 4:06 a.m. Friday.

Richard A. Gordon, 25, of 83 Tuscano Ave., Revere, was arrested and charged with larceny over $250 at 7:52 p.m. Saturday.

Walter T. Lippincott, 57, of 1710 Norfolk Ave., Schenectady, N.Y., was arrested and charged with OUI liquor third offense and reckless operation of a motor vehicle at 5:45 p.m. Monday.

Michael Sarro, 26, of 7 Golden Drive, Apt. 8, Winthrop, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by asportation and on a warrant at 5:17 p.m. Saturday.

Tommy Lee Sor, 21, of 121 High Rock St., Apt. 2, Lynn, was arrested and charged with trespassing and possession of a Class E drug at 5:38 p.m. Sunday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:05 a.m. Friday at Squire Road and Washington Avenue; at 6:51 a.m. Friday on Mahoney Circle; at 11:44 a.m. Friday at Wendy’s on Squire Road; at 6:08 p.m. Friday on Lynnway; at 7:56 p.m. Friday at Furlong Drive and Revere Beach Parkway; at 3:23 a.m. Saturday at Speedway on Lee Burbank Highway; at 7 a.m. Saturday at Land of Liquor on North Shore Road; at 10:44 a.m. Saturday at Planet Fitness on Charger Street; at 11:04 a.m. Saturday at Ray’s Sunoco Service on Broadway; at 12:35 p.m. Saturday at Gage Avenue and Hutchinson Street; at 2:53 p.m. Saturday on Kimball Avenue; at 4:04 p.m. Saturday on Fenno Street; at 8:09 p.m. Saturday on Shirley Avenue; at 8:42 p.m. Saturday at Price Rite on Squire  Road; at 12:35 a.m. Sunday on Augustus Street; at 11:37 a.m. Sunday at Banana Boat on Beach Street; at 11:52 a.m. Sunday at Broadway and Revere Beach Parkway; at 12:52 p.m. Sunday on North Shore Road; at 4:37 p.m. Sunday at Atlas Automotive on North Shore Road; at 5:14 p.m. Monday at Squire Road and Charger Street; at 5:27 p.m. Monday at Squire Road and Charger Street.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 1:05 p.m. Friday on Lee Burbank Highway; at 1:35 p.m. Monday on Sprague Street.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 2:14 p.m. Friday on Brown Circle; at 2:25 a.m. Saturday on Central Avenue; at 10:15 p.m. Saturday on S Genesee Street; at 10:09 a.m. Sunday at Allstate Air Cargo on Lee Burbank Highway; at 4:17 p.m. Sunday on Winthrop Avenue; at 4:34 p.m. Sunday on Mahoney Circle.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 10:41 a.m. on Blake Street; at 10:08 p.m. Sunday on Emanuel Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 7:13 a.m. Friday on Haith Street; at 10:36 p.m. Saturday on Beach Street; at 9:57 a.m. Monday at Liston Towers on Dolphin Avenue.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 2:04 a.m. Friday on Brown Circle; at 2:20 a.m. Friday on Beach Street; at 3:50 a.m. Friday at Broadway Towers on Broadway; at 4:06 a.m. Friday at People’s United Savings Bank on Broadway; at 10:15 a.m. Friday on Thornton Street; at 1:29 p.m. Friday at State Road and Revere Beach Parkway; at 8:01 p.m. Friday at Shirley and Walnut avenues; at 8:29 p.m. Friday on Blaney Court; at 10:38 p.m. Friday on Malden Street; at 11:18 p.m. Friday on Hichborn Street; at 1:14 a.m. Saturday on Janvrin Avenue; at 1:59 a.m. Saturday at Wonderland Entertainment on North Shore Road; at 2:53 a.m. Saturday on Lantern Road; at 3:54 a.m. Saturday on Revere Beach Parkway; at 4:07 a.m. Saturday at Revere Housing Authority on Broadway; at 4:22 a.m. Saturday on Revere Beach Parkway; at 5:41 a.m. Saturday at IHOP on Squire Road; at 8:09 a.m. Saturday on Jarvis Street; at 2:42 p.m. Saturday at Marshalls on VFW Parkway; at 5:24 p.m. Saturday on Festa Road; at 6:17 p.m. Saturday on Winthrop Parkway; at 11:57 p.m. Saturday on Reservoir Avenue; at 1:24 a.m. Sunday at Ocean Village Tower on Ocean Avenue; at 1:59 a.m. Sunday at Wendy’s on Squire Road; at 3:08 a.m. Sunday at Figaros on Revere Beach Boulevard; at 3:47 a.m. Sunday at Linehurst Auto Salvage on Linehurst Road; at 10:14 a.m. Sunday on Ridge Road; at 10:52 a.m. Sunday on Agawam Street; at 1:14 p.m. Sunday on Shirley Avenue; at 8:37 p.m. Sunday on Washington Avenue; at 9:18 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Church on Washington Avenue; at 9:32 p.m. Sunday on Beach Street; at 10:09 p.m. Sunday on Hall Street; at 11:53 p.m. Sunday at State Police on Revere Beach Boulevard; at 12:14 a.m. Monday on Ocean Avenue; at 12:58 a.m. Monday at Ocean Shores Tower on Ocean Avenue; at 1:07 a.m. Monday at Vinny’s Food Market on Malden Street; at 1:20 a.m. Monday on Madison Street; at 6:52 a.m. Monday on Fenno Street; at 7:09 a.m. Monday at Beach Street and Winthrop Avenue; at 5:28 p.m. Monday on True Street; at 7:05 p.m. Monday on Patriot Parkway.

A report of an unwanted person at 6:31 p.m. Friday on Winthrop Avenue; at 6:17 p.m. Saturday on Hyde Street; at 5:23 p.m. Sunday on Beach Street; at 5:38 p.m. Sunday at Ocean Shores Tower on Ocean Avenue.

A report of threats to kill at 12:26 a.m. Saturday at Joe’s Market on Squire Road; at 11:42 a.m. Monday on Winthrop Avenue.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 12:49 p.m. Saturday on North Avenue; at 5:20 p.m. Saturday on Washington Avenue; at 5:29 p.m. Sunday on Green Street.

A report of larceny from a motor vehicle at 10:43 a.m. Sunday on Revere Beach Parkway; at 9:32 p.m. Monday on Dolphin Avenue.

A report of auto theft at 5:51 p.m. Sunday on Fenno Street.

A report of a larceny at 3:18 p.m. Monday at Stop & Shop on Squire Road; at 3:25 p.m. Monday on Lynnway.

Overdose

A report of a possible overdose at 7:30 a.m. Friday on Thornton Street; at 2:52 p.m. Monday on Squire Road.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 10:42 a.m. Friday on Dehon Street; at 12:29 p.m. Saturday on Cleveland Street; at 9 a.m. Sunday on Malden Street; at 5:20 p.m. Monday at Safy Market on Broadway; at 7:06 p.m. Monday on Pleasant Street.

SAUGUS

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:25 p.m. Monday at Broadway and Main Street; at 10:51 p.m. Friday on Denver Street; at 3:27 p.m. Saturday at Dollar Tree at 635 Broadway.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 8:13 a.m. Saturday on Essex Street; at 9:34 a.m. Sunday at Salem Turnpike and Ballard Street. The fire captain reported a motorcycle down. Upon firefighter arrival, the captain said they were unable to locate any motorcycle down; at 7:25 a.m. Monday at 424 Main St. The fire captain reported a multi-vehicle car crash and one vehicle hit the house of 424 Main St. Minor impact with interior and exterior intact. Two people were transported to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. Four vehicles were towed.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 1:12 p.m. at Kowloon Restaurant at 948 Broadway; at 9:23 a.m. Sunday at 5 Fairview Ave.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 10:50 a.m. Friday on Farrington Avenue; at 1:09 a.m. Saturday at IHOP at 114 Broadway.

A report of property damage at 11:10 a.m. Friday at 8 Overlea Ave. A man reported past damage to his concrete wall. An officer reported the damage was caused by a truck; at 12:23 p.m. Friday with no address listed. A man came into the station to report his vehicle was struck with several eggs while it was parked in front of his home; at 6:25 a.m. Saturday at 11 Fernwood Road. A caller reported damage to her mailbox and those of several neighbors.

A report of graffiti at 6:23 a.m. Saturday at Castle Rock and Summit roads. A caller from Summit reported vulgar graffiti written on the street overnight. DPW was notified.

A report of a fight at 12:35 a.m. Sunday at Colonial Traveler at 1753 Broadway. A caller reported six to seven women fighting in the parking lot.

A report of 10 ducks trying to cross Route One Northbound at 7:53 a.m. Sunday at Boston Market at 168 Broadway. An officer reported the call was unfounded.

Fire

A report of an outside fire at 3:55 p.m. Friday at Hamilton Door & Cab at 6 Belair St. A caller reported a brush fire about 20 feet from the building.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 8:33 a.m. Sunday on Richard Street; at 10:15 a.m. Sunday at 11 Whitney St.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4:09 p.m. Monday at Atlantic Avenue and Humphrey Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 7:18 a.m. Monday at 5 Pierro Terrace. A caller reported tools stolen from his motor vehicle.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 2:03 p.m. Monday at 33 Doherty Circle. A caller reported a volunteer from the senior services stole her wallet.

LYNN ­— Local businesses and organizations sponsor City Hall forums today and Thursday at 9 a.m. focused on spotting and ending child abuse.

The forums will be held in the City Council Chamber on City Hall’s top floor with Kate B. MacDougall, Chief of the Family Crimes and Sexual Assault Unit of the Essex District Attorney’s Office since June 2006, speaking at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

MacDougall oversees the investigation and prosecution of all cases involving child abuse and exploitation, sexual assault and domestic violence. In 2011, she was named a Top Women of the Law by Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly.

Forum sponsors include The Daily Item, Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development and the law office of James Carrigan.

Photo by Bob Roche
Lynn DPW mechanic Ernie Murphy, left, shows Lionu Kou of Lynn Tech how to fit a piston into the engine.

BY THOR JOURGENSEN

LYNN — Precious Parker plans to attend a Texas university next year, but the charter school senior paid close attention Tuesday as a city mechanic assembled a piston.

Parker was one of 45 local high school students who participated in student government day events giving students a close-up look at how city government works and a chance to debate city council and school committee proposals.

Parker, a student at KIPP; English High School senior Jacob DeFilippo and four other students spent the morning at the Lynn Public Works Department on Commercial Street. They caught a glimpse at how city workers maintain parks and playgrounds and keep 300 city vehicles running.

City mechanic Ernie Murphy specializes in maintaining city fire engines. He took a break from working on Engine 7 to praise student government day activities.

“It’s good they do this for the kids,” he said.

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy kicked off the day with a quick speech at City Hall and state Rep. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and City Council President Dan Cahill explained why government is important.

“Think about the things you can do to impact people’s lives,” Cahill said. “It is exciting work.”

The Public Works’ scope of operation caught DeFilippo by surprise.

Public Works Commissioner Andrew Hall let him climb into a six-wheel, $144,000 International Truck capable of tackling winter storms and park cleanup projects.

“It’s unbelievable the work that gets done here,” said DeFilippo.  “I only had a small understanding.”

English High, Classical High School, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, Fecteau-Leary High School and St. Mary’s High School students also participated in government day with half of the students taking on the roles of councilors and committee members.

English High senior Blertushe Xhemajli and a dozen other students framed topics for debate by student school committee members with guidance from Committee Secretary Thomas Iarrobino.

The students warmed to the topics of mobile device restrictions and a discipline suspension standard. Xhemajli suggested students should be talking with each other in person and not on a phone during lunch periods.

“You’re taking away the opportunity to get to know someone,” she said.

Fecteau-Leary student Angel Acevedo and Tech student Nico Ortiz discussed the merits of at-home versus in-school disciplinary suspensions. Ortiz suggested educators must find more ways to keep students in class and out of trouble.

Before saying goodbye to Parker, Murphy urged her to stay in school, study and succeed academically.

“If I had to do it all over again, I would be a dentist,” he said.

Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com.

Item file photo 
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy

BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE

LYNN — Despite the controversies associated with medical marijuana dispensaries, the mayor and city councilors launched a discussion on a possible medical marijuana overlay district in the city.

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy said the proposed overlay district gives the city control over where a medical marijuana dispensary would be located. It would allow officials to work with police on the best site.

She has met with representatives for three or four dispensaries during the last six months and said she was impressed by their presentations.

“Most, if not all, are being run by very competent individuals,” she said. “All the proposals are very thought out.”

The mayor plans to work with councilors to determine if the city will submit a letter of support or so-called “letter of non- opposition” for a specific clinic.

The mayor said she is closely examining security proposals submitted by dispensaries.

“These are very often all-cash businesses,” she said.

Before a city council meeting Tuesday night, the Ordinance and Rules Committee discussed a potential amendment to the city’s zone ordinance that would create the district. It could include 453-543 Lynnway, two sites on Commercial Street and along Route 107 from the Belden Bly Bridge to the intersection of Western and Murphy avenues.

“I know this is a hot topic,” said Councilor Darren Cyr. “I’m opposed to pot dispensaries opening up in any part of the city. But, I’m also a realist. I think it’s important that we come up with some sort of plan.”

James Lamanna, a city attorney, said without declaring a district, there is the potential for a dispensary to be opened anywhere.

“If no place is designated, they can go anywhere after a court hearing,” he said. “I’m very confident we would not be able to defend those orders.”

Councilor Peter Capano expressed concerns about the locations and questioned whether alternative sites might be better suited for a dispensary.

“I’m not sure it would be good for residential neighborhoods or not,” Capano said. “I’ve heard that people don’t want them near residential neighborhoods. These are all near residential neighborhoods.”

Dan Cahill, city council president, said there would be an opportunity to make amendments throughout the public hearing process, which will begin May 3 at City Hall. At that time, councilors will hear from the public safety, economic development and several departments.

City councilors also discussed a change to polling places for the November presidential election, in anticipation of record voter turnout.

There are many voters who come out on presidential election years to cast votes, City Clerk Mary Audley said.

The polling places for Wards 3 and 4 are at Lynn English High School and the Lynn Museum. But councilors fear both locations might lack adequate parking.

Ward 4 voters living in the neighborhoods near Union, Essex, and Ocean Streets voted at North Shore Community College until construction began at the college. The Ward 4 polling place was moved to the Lynn Museum.

City councilors voted to change the polling place for Ward 3 from Lynn English High School to the new Marshall Middle School on Brookline Street, which opened this past Monday.

Audley said she will gather information about the other polling places for the council to review and vote on any additional changes in the coming weeks. Locations for Wards 1, 2 and 4 are currently in question.

“Its very difficult to please everybody,” Audley said. “I’ll do some research and (come up with) a breakdown of what is feasible to do.”

Bridget Turcotte can be reached at bturcotte@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.

BY THOR JOURGENSEN

LYNN — Peter Gori works in world class cities like Washington, D.C. and New York, but he came to Lynn on Tuesday because retailers like what they hear about the city.

Gori assists the International Council of Shopping Centers retail program and he helped host a morning forum at the Lynn Museum focused on ways to launch public-private development partnerships in Lynn.

He said Lynn is attractive to retail developers for several reasons. Prospective state environmental regulation changes offer the potential of providing more flexibility to retail developers and Lynn is served by mass transit and close to Logan Airport.

“There is untapped potential with the waterfront,” Gori said.

Lynn has come to his attention since last November when state, federal and local officials formed the Lynn Economic Advancement and Development team with the goal of bringing developers to the city.

State Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash is involved in LEAD. He pointed to Swampscott resident Charles Patsios on Tuesday as an example of a developer bringing retail projects to Lynn.

Patsios owns Federal Street land where a former General Electric plant was recently demolished to make way for a Market Basket store slated to open next year. A $2 million state grant will pay for road improvements and other work around the site.

“We believe the most important thing we can do is to help attract private investment through public infrastructure improvement,” Ash told 30 people attending Tuesday’s meeting.

Ash said retail-driven development opportunities helped transform Chelsea, where he formerly worked as city manager. A third hotel is being built in the city along with high-income housing. Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce President Leslie Gould said similar opportunities are possible in Lynn.

She said increased regulatory flexibility will be a welcome change for local developers.

“For example, the former policy was that all commercial space on ground floors had to be open to the public. The changes allow for daycares and appointment-only type businesses to be added to that mix, creating a mini-community,” Gould said.   

Erin Calvo-Bacci opened CB Stuffers, a Swampscott chocolate specialty business, and said Lynn’s waterfront is a good location for a shopping complex similar to MarketStreet in Lynnfield. Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy agreed.

“If there were a developer with a proposal like MarketStreet, I think that would be a very good fit and dovetail with our vision for the waterfront,” she said.

Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com.

Item Photo by Owen O’Rourke
Franklin, the cat that lived at Pet Express in Lynn, was stolen from outside the store.

BY GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Pet Express is coping with a catnapping.

Rob Mellace, owner of Pet Express, said their black cat, Franklin, who lives at the store, was snatched by two men on Friday.

Franklin was stolen when he was sitting outside the front door of the store at about 7 p.m., a timeframe that was established by surveillance cameras.

At about closing time, Mellace noticed that the cat disappeared, which he said was not unusual since the feline has a tendency to wander the parking lot.

But when Mellace and other store employees came to work on Saturday, Franklin was still gone. They examined the surveillance footage that showed the men putting the cat in their car. The cameras also identified the license plate of the car, which Mellace and other store owners were able to relay to police.

“This is devastating for our employees and devastating for us,” he said.

Lynn Police Lt. Rick Donnelly said police ran the license plate of the vehicle and one person, a 28-year-old man from Danvers, admitted he snatched the cat. He said the man told police that the cat scratched him on the way home, so he let Franklin go out of his car, abandoning him.

“He came to the station, told the truth and wants to avoid criminal charges,” Donnelly said.

The Danvers man told police he is trying to find the cat and return him to his owners.

Mellace said Franklin was a stray cat that came into his life about a year ago. He said he and other store employees have been trying to rehabilitate the former dumpster cat.

Franklin is black, about five years old, and has an ear chopped, a distinguishing feature, because of a catch and release feral cat program, where the animals are neutered and their ears are tagged so they won’t be captured again, according to Mellace.

Franklin initially started hanging around the store’s previous location on the Lynnway and followed store owners to its current location about 1,000 feet away on Commercial Street. Since then, he’s become a permanent fixture of the store, where his pictures are displayed and he often entertains visitors. He even has his own Facebook page: Franklin Pet Express Boston.

“Franklin chose us,” he said.

Mellace said he hasn’t met the man who admitted to taking his cat, but was told by police that Franklin was abandoned on Alley Street.

But he is not sure the story is true, saying that Franklin would have been able to find his way back to the store. He believes the cat may have not been abandoned in Lynn at all.

“This is a very street smart cat,” he said. “He’s lived outside the majority of his life. He’s very savvy and very loud. If he said they got scratched, that sounds just like Franklin. He’s still in the rehabilitation phase and not very trusting of people.”

Mellace was told by police that the Danvers man, who police did not identify, couldn’t provide a reason why he took the cat. Police gave the man an opportunity to return the cat by Monday to avoid charges.

But Mellace said there is still no sign of Franklin and he met with Lynn officers on Tuesday about pressing charges.

He said a reward is being offered for Franklin’s safe return, but would not disclose the amount for fear of other black cats being stolen.

If found, Franklin might be shy and tough to approach.

“We just don’t understand what would give anyone the right to take him,” Mellace said.

Gayla Cawley can be reached at gcawley@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.

Leocadia A. “Lea” (Baranski) Daigle passed away peacefully on Friday, April 22, 2016 in the NSMC-Salem Hospital.

Born in Lynn on Feb. 22, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Bronislaw and Czeslawa (Rahcon) Baranski.  Lea was the former wife of Donald E. Daigle.

Lea worked for seven years as an administrative assistant to Attorney John Leonard before continuing her career as a procurement clerk for the Department of Defense. She ended her career with GE in Lynn after 13 years of service.

In her spare time, Lea loved to travel. She also was an avid BINGO player and made the rounds to all the area games, including some casinos. Lea was also a member of St. Michael’s P.N.A. of Lynn as well as the Polish Legion of American Veterans Ladies Auxiliary, Gen. Sikorski Post #56. She was also a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Assoc.

Lea leaves behind three children, Julie Daigle of Lynn, Janet Mabee of Revere and Paul Daigle and his wife Laura of Hawaii; five grandchildren, Christopher, Jessica, Caitlyn, Madison and Logan, one great-granddaughter, Audrey Jade; and her sister, Helen Malecki. In addition to her parents, Lea was preceded in death by her sister, Sophie Wilson.

Service information: Funeral services will be held privately. Arrangements under the care of the CUFFE-MCGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn. Cuffemcginn.com.

LYNN — Irene E. (Gautreau) Rice, age 98, of Lynn, died Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. She was the wife of the late John H. Rice.

Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Nelson and Eva (Babineau) Gautreau. A lifelong Lynn resident, she was a graduate of Lynn English High School, Class of 1935.

Irene was a member of the Goldenaires singing group at the Lynn Senior Center, as well as the St. Stephen’s Tenants Association, and the Tabernacle Society at St. Joseph’s Church in Lynn. Her hobbies included bowling, making crafts, especially plastic canvas needlework, going to casinos, playing Pokeno and 15-card Rummy, playing the piano, harmonica and ukulele. She was also a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Lynn.

She is survived by her two children, Lawrence Rice Sr. of Lynn and Patricia Lothrop and her husband Robert of Kennebunk, Maine; three grandchildren, Lawrence Rice Jr., Steven Rice and Alison Rice; six great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews and many friends. She was the sister-in-law of  Aileen Wall. She was the sister of the late M. Helen Hodgdon and Ernest and Norman Gautreau,

Service information: Her funeral will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours will be Friday from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Care Dimensions (formerly Hospice of the North Shore), 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.

All address information, particularly arrests, reflect police records. In the event of a perceived inaccuracy, it is the sole responsibility of the concerned party to contact the relevant police department and have the department issue a notice of correction to the Daily Item. Corrections or clarifications will not be made without express notice of change from the arresting police department.

LYNN

Arrests

Jason Dulcetta, of 4 Jordan St., Revere, was arrested on a warrant charge of Operating Under the Influence of drugs at 10:11 a.m. Wednesday.

Christopher Maniscalco, of 60 Gardiner St., was arrested on a warrant charge of possession of a Class C drug at 9:39 p.m. Tuesday.

Jose Ramos, 46, of 25 Hazel St., Salem, was arrested on warrant charges of drug violation near a school and cocaine possession to distribute at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday.

Ryan Sartell, of 22 Warren St., was arrested on warrant charges of two counts of drug possession to distribute, failure to signal and marked lanes violation at 10:13 a.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:35 p.m. at YMCA at 20 Neptune Blvd.; at 2:44 p.m. Tuesday at Lynnfield Street and Sutcliffe Road; at 4:10 p.m. Tuesday at 103 Essex St.; at 7:51 a.m. Wednesday at 11 Western Ave.; at 8:06 a.m. Wednesday at 895 Western Ave.; at 10:16 a.m. Wednesday at 300 Broad St.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 9:49 a.m. Wednesday on Johnson Street; at 9:59 a.m. Wednesday at Lynn City Hall at 3 City Hall Square.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 10:18 p.m. Tuesday at 185 N Common St.

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday at 122 Curwin Circle.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 1:09 p.m. Tuesday at 33 N Common St.; at 6:42 p.m. Tuesday at Lynn City Hall at 3 City Hall Square; at 7:25 p.m. Tuesday at 132 S Common St.; at 8:03 p.m. Tuesday at 825 Boston St.; at 10:37 p.m. Tuesday at 263 Chatham St.; at 4:31 a.m. Wednesday at 44 Allerton St.; at 11:10 a.m. Wednesday at 205 Essex St.

A report of a juvenile problem at 5:37 p.m. Tuesday at KIPP at 90 High Rock St.; at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday at 7 Chase St.; at 1:55 a.m. Wednesday at 30 Williams Ave.

A report of a missing person at 8:38 p.m. Tuesday at 47 Jackson St.; at 6:05 a.m. Wednesday at 44 Newhall St.

A report of an uninvited guest at 8:58 p.m. Tuesday at 100 Willow St.; at 7:13 a.m. Wednesday at 100 Willow St.

A report of a fight at 9:05 p.m. Tuesday at Harmon and Walnut streets; at 11:37 p.m. Tuesday at 240 Broadway.

Overdose

A report of an overdose at 5:44 p.m. Tuesday on Laurel Street.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 1:48 p.m. Tuesday at 1 Betty Terrace; at 2:14 p.m. Tuesday at 103 Memorial Park Ave.; at 10:38 a.m. Wednesday at 330 Lynnway.

Vandalism

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday at 24 Arlington St.

MARBLEHEAD

Arrests

Lindsay Ellis, 27, of 619 Plymouth St., Whitman, was arrested and charged with sexual conduct for a fee at 9:24 p.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a car hitting a hydrant at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on Jersey Street. A caller reported a car backed out of the driveway onto the street and hit the hydrant. An officer reported no damage to the hydrant.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:23 p.m. Tuesday at Lafayette Street and Everett Paine Boulevard.

Complaints

A report of a parked motorcycle at 12:37 p.m. Tuesday on Park Lane. A caller reported a motorcycle had been parked in the street for some time and was concerned that it may be stolen.

A report of a concerned neighbor at 2:01 p.m. Tuesday on West Shore Drive. A caller reported that her neighbor said the back door of the house is open and should not be. An officer reported a search was conducted and all appeared OK. The door was locked and secured.

A report of two dogs in the area acting aggressively at 7:24 p.m. Tuesday on Ocean Avenue. An animal control officer was at training.

A report of prostitution at 9:24 p.m. Tuesday on Intrepid Circle. An officer reported a prostition sting. Lindsay Ellis was arrested.

A report of a loud noise in the area at 1:43 a.m. Wednesday on Rose Avenue. A caller reported that after coming back in from letting the dogs out and getting into bed, she heard a loud thud downstairs. She said the dogs began barking. Since the initial thud, she heard nothing. The caller has not been in the house for three months and is packing things up. She feels it could have been a picture but can’t be sure. An officer checked inside and found nothing.

A report of a man with a flashlight at 3:05 a.m. Wednesday on Edgemere Road. A caller reported that five minutes ago, a white van pulled up to the neighbors’ house and a man got out with a flashlight and walked around. The man and van have since left. The neighbor called and said his neighbor called and alerted him about the incident. He related that it was a meat delivery from “Walden Local Meat” in Carlisle. They deliver for free from midnight to 7 a.m. This is the first delivery he has had. On their website, there is a picture of the delivery van which is white with black letters and pictures of farm animals.

PEABODY

Arrests

Giacomo Neto, 35, of 78 Shore Drive, was arrested and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle and revoked registration at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 3:47 p.m. Tuesday at 320 Lowell St.; at 4:16 p.m. Tuesday at 96 Washington St. and 2 Clement Ave.; at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday at Northshore Mall at 210N Andover St.

Complaints

A report of an unwanted person at 12:16 a.m. Wednesday at 41 Washington St.

A report of a disturbance at 1:27 a.m. Wednesday at 37 Harris St.

A report of suspicious activity at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday at 50 Coolidge Ave. An employee stated there are people in a vehicle smoking marijuana.

A report of an injured seagull at 8:59 a.m. Wednesday at 10 Hardy St. A caller reported a large bird that got hit was bleeding from the mouth, has a broken wing and cannot move. Animal Control transported the animal to Borash. A seagull was severe trauma was transported to Borash, put to sleep and disposed of.

A report of a traffic complaint at 9:23 a.m. Wednesday at Peabody Bike Path at Independence Green Way Trail. A caller reported a motor vehicle drove down the bike path twice, almost hitting her and her kids both times. She said the driver yelled at her before driving off.

A report of a dead cat at 10:04 a.m. Wednesday at 3 Anthony Road. A caller reported a dead cat in front of 68 Forest St. and believes it belongs to her neighbor at 3 Anthony Road. The woman from Anthony Road was notified about the possibility of the dead cat being hers. She called and confirmed the cat was hers.

REVERE

Arrests

Erik A. Yandle, 43 of 210 Endicott Ave., Apt. 2B, was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 10:08 a.m. Tuesday on Elm Street; at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Wendy’s on Squire Road; at 9:16 p.m. Tuesday at Dairy Mart on Squire Road.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:22 p.m. Tuesday on Revere Beach Parkway; at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday at Wendy’s on Furlong Drive; at 3:25 p.m. Tuesday at Stevens and Malden streets.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday on Cooledge Street.

Complaints

A report of an unwanted person at 11:28 a.m. Tuesday on Eliot Road; at 6:47 p.m. Tuesday at Wonderland Dog Track on VFW Parkway; at 8:56 p.m. Tuesday at Wreck A Mended Auto Body on Kimball Avenue.

A report of a disturbance at 7:38 p.m. Tuesday at Rumney Road and Patriot Parkway; at 7:38 p.m. Tuesday at St. Anthony’s Church on Revere Street; at 7:55 p.m. Tuesday on Steeple Street; at 10:49 p.m. Tuesday on Fenno Street; at 11:36 p.m. Tuesday at Ocean Shores Tower on Ocean Avenue.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 9:57 a.m. Tuesday at Metro PCS on Everett Street; at 5:55 p.m. Tuesday on Ford Street; at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday at Bank of America on American Legion Highway.

A report of a larceny at 10:21 a.m. Tuesday on Revere Beach Parkway.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 2:54 p.m. Tuesday on Sumner Street.

SAUGUS

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 11:37 a.m. Tuesday at Route 1 South and 1449 Broadway. The fire department reported a motor vehicle accident in the left lane. Upon arrival, the vehicles were found pulled off the highway and into the Avalon Motel parking lot. Both operators were out of their vehicles and ambulatory. Both vehicles had minor damages and both drivers reported they were not injured.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday at Burger King at 720 Broadway; at 3:52 p.m. Tuesday on Cogliano Plaza.

Complaints

A report of a chicken at 11:12 a.m. Tuesday at 197 Lynn Fells Parkway. A caller reported a chicken in his backyard that may belong to someone on the street.

A report of a gas problem in the house at 11:48 a.m. Tuesday at 11 Atlantic Ave. A caller reported her fire place is leaking gas.

A report of an electrical hazard at 12:31 p.m. Tuesday at 12 St. James Road. A caller reported she was walking her dog and observed the pole split at the base, believing it to be hazard. Engine 3 reported the pole was unstable, but there are no safety issues at this time as this has been an ongoing issue.

Fire

A report of a fire at 2:46 a.m. Tuesday at Lincoln House/Bridgewell at 47 Lincoln Ave. The fire captain reported a cooking fire contained to a pot on the stovetop created a heavy smoke condition on the first floor, which activated the alarm system. The pot was then placed by an occupant in the adjoining room, burning a hole through the carpet to the floor. The pot and affected carpet area were removed to the exterior of the house. All clients and staff members were evacuated upon arrival. The smoke condition was ventilated using a negative pressure van.

Theft

A report of a larceny of a motor vehicle at 9:49 a.m. Tuesday at 11 Dudley St.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 4:09 p.m. Tuesday at 990 Paradise Road The property manager reported damage to the sign where someone backed into it.

Complaints

A report of a loose dog running in traffic at 3:56 p.m. Tuesday at Humphrey Street and Ingalls Terrace.

A report of a dog hit by a motor vehicle at 4:53 p.m. Tuesday at Humphrey Street and Humphrey Terrace. The vehicle took off towards Fisherman Beach.

ITEM FILE PHOTO
Gloucester Police Chief and former Saugus officer Leonard Campanello will be honored at the Anti-Defamation League’s May 5 breakfast in Salem.

BY THOR JOURGENSEN

LYNN — An English High School peer mediator and a former Saugus police officer who fought opiate addiction will be honored at the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) May 5 breakfast in Salem.

Sponsored under the theme of “Creating a more inclusive Commonwealth,” the 7:30 a.m. event at Kernwood Country Club features keynote speaker and Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim.

Gov. Charlie Baker was invited to be the main speaker. But he declined due to what ADL New England director Robert Trestan called a scheduling conflict.

“We hope he will join us for another event,” Trestan said.

In a statement, a spokeswoman said Baker regrets he cannot attend the breakfast and added, “he appreciates the group’s years of work combating hate and intolerance here in the commonwealth.”

English’ Ginny Keenan and Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello will receive community service awards. Trestan said helping immigrant students is Keenan’s “life’s work” and said that he brings English students to the ADL’s Annual Youth Congress.

“With her as an advisor, English has done a tremendous job,” Trestan said.

Campanello has been named a “champion of change” by President Obama for launching a Gloucester initiative aimed at helping opiate addicts. He became Gloucester chief in 2012 and worked for more than two decades as a Saugus police officer.

“He used his position as chief to save many lives at great personal risk. We are honoring him because he took that chance,” Trestan said.

Although he will not be speaking to breakfast attendees on the event’s theme, Baker, in a statement provided by Guyton, addressed the transgender rights bill tentatively slated to be debated by the state Senate on May 12. Baker has not committed to signing the bill should it reach his desk.

“Governor Baker believes no one should be discriminated against based on their gender identity and has encouraged the transgender community to continue advocating for their beliefs. The governor, who supports the 2011 transgender protections, will carefully review a bill should the legislature act and is pleased that Massachusetts public schools adhere to policies that accommodate transgender students’ needs and believes employers should also accommodate transgender individuals’ needs.”

Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com.

PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger declares his candidacy for sheriff of Essex County on Wednesday as his brother, retired Postmaster Richard Coppinger, looks on.

BY MICHELE DURGIN

LYNN — Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy summed up the feeling in the crowded Knights of Columbus Hall on Wednesday night packed with supporters of Police Chief Kevin Coppinger, who declared his candidacy for Essex County Sheriff.

“I am so very proud that one of Lynn’s very own wonderful people is running for this position,” she said. “Kevin has been a terrific, hardworking police chief and I am sure he’ll do just as great a job as sheriff. I am happy to support him.”

Fellow Democrat and Lynn resident Michael Marks is also in the race. Voters in 34 North Shore communities will go to the polls in September to choose a Democrat and a Republican to run in the November final election.

Coppinger has been thrilled with the positive response he has been getting from friends, family and supporters since his campaign has kicked off, he said.

“I am honored that people are so supportive and it gives me the drive to work harder and harder to win this,” he said. “My phone hasn’t stopped ringing and so many terrific people are asking for bumper stickers and lawn signs. So many Essex county police chiefs are here tonight to offer their support and last week I got an official endorsement from The Massachusetts Major Cities Chiefs of Police. I am grateful and humbled.”

Coppinger added that his goal is to take what he has learned in his position as police chief to the sheriff’s office.

“I will take my administrative skills, along with my public safety and law enforcement skills up to the sheriff’s office and expand and tweak the existing programs,” he said. “I consider myself a problem solver and I look forward to the opportunity to helping people feel safe in the community. I will work very hard to serve the citizens in the best way possible.”

Coppinger and his wife, Beth, are the parents of two sons, who were at the event to support their dad in his quest for the seat.

“Sean is 23 and Kevin is 20,” he said. “Both have been incredibly supportive and they have truly stepped up to help with the campaign.”

Kevin Burke, former district attorney of Essex County, Massachusetts secretary of public safety and current chairman of the Criminal Justice Department at Endicott College, was also in attendance and endorsed Coppinger.

“I have known Kevin for his entire professional career,” Burke said. “He understands the criminal justice system and works hard everyday. He’s a very easy person to support.”

Beth Coppinger said she was overwhelmed with the turnout and added, “How blessed we are to have such a wonderful group of family and friends come out tonight and stand united with us as we begin the journey. It is truly overwhelming.”

Supporter Caroline LaPierre, who was enjoying the evening with her husband, Peter, and grandson, Owen, spoke the words that were on the lips of most of the supporters in the hall when she said, “I am here to support the best candidate for the job. Kevin is a hardworking, good man who listens with his head and his heart. And, boy, we really need that today.”

PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
Alicia Wiegman hopes to fight her cancer with the love of her 4-month-old son, her husband, David, and kisses from her dog Amos.

BY MICHELE DURGIN

LYNN — Alicia Wiegman got some bad news from her doctor earlier this year when she was diagnosed with advanced cancer.

The married 26-year-old mother of a four-month-old boy is facing Stage 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It’s a form of the disease that is found in two or more lymph nodes on the diaphragm.

“It is very overwhelming and I am learning to take it one day at a time,” she said. “I want my focus to be on my baby and I can’t let cancer interfere with my son’s life.”

Wiegman’s doctors have told her that she needs six rounds of chemotherapy, which began last week. As a result, she’s feeling better than she did after the first treatment.

“I felt like a truck had hit me a couple of days ago, but I feel a little better each day,” she said.

Her doctor said there’s a 90 percent cure rate with her form of cancer.

“The doctors have said that age is on my side,” she said. “I have so many people supporting me and that makes me feel so loved and happy. There are a lot of people saying prayers, and I am hopeful.”  

Unfortunately, Wiegman is unable to work while she undergoes chemotherapy, and this has created a financial challenge for her young family. Generous friends and family are preparing what they hope will be both a successful and fun event to help Wiegman raise money.

An afternoon celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, May 28 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, 50 Grove St., in Salem.

There will be a disc jockey and dancing, lots of food, a variety of raffles and face painting for kids.

The committee is asking for a donation of $10 for adults and children over 12. A GoFundMe account has also been set up to raise money for Wiegman. For more information, go to gofundme.com/v4wnpxcs.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
The most expensive Lynn home on the market is at 206 Judge Road and is listed at $699,000.

BY THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — First quarter homes sales in Lynn surged by more than a third as an early spring attracted buyers and pushed prices up, according to The Warren Group.

The number of single-family homes sold from January through March in the city swelled to 121, up from 90 for the same period a year ago, a 34 percent hike.

As sales rose, so did prices. The median price for a single-family dwelling climbed by 7 percent to $260,000 in the first quarter. One year ago, the median was $244,000.

“There’s clearly a lack of inventory, a demand that’s not being met and people are fighting over the few existing homes on the market,” said Stephen Martel, broker-owner of Stephen Martel Real Estate in Lynn. “I’m seeing bidding wars.”

As of Wednesday, there were just 38 single-family homes listed for sale in Lynn from $159,000 to $699,000 on the MLS Property Information Network.

Among North Shore communities, only Revere and Saugus did better. In Saugus, 60 homes sold in the first quarter. That’s up from 42 from January through March of last year, a 43 percent increase. Saugus prices also rose. The median reached $353,750 in 2016, up from $323,339, a 9 percent hike.

Revere home sales increased 37 percent to 41 in the first quarter, up from 30 a year ago. Prices also jumped. Single-family median prices escalated to $350,000 from $266,500 for the same period in 2015, a 31 percent rise.  

Peabody home sales and prices also saw increases. There were 62 single-family homes sold in the first quarter compared to 55 last year, a 13 percent increase. Prices were up by 10 percent to $379,950 from $345,000 a year ago.

In Marblehead, there was a modest, 5 percent increase in home sales to 39, up from 37 last year. But median prices soared by 17 percent to $637,500 in the first quarter from $545,000 one year ago.

But not all North Shore towns did well for sellers.

In Swampscott, sales fell by 15 percent and median prices were down by 10 percent. Nahant single-family sales dipped by 25 percent and prices were off by 20 percent.

In Lynnfield, sales were off by nearly 30 percent, but prices continued to rise as the median price for a single-family home swelled to $541,050, a 12 percent hike.

Thomas Grillo can be reached at tgrillo@itemlive.com.

NORTH CONWAY, N.H. — Herbert Sumner Sears died peacefully on April 26, 2016. He was 89. He was a resident of the Merriman House. His last days were spent surrounded by his family reminiscing about his adventures in skiing, running road races, hiking, drumming, cheering on his grandchildren in all of their activities and listening to his beloved jazz music.

He was born Sept. 27, 1926, in Lynn to Herbert V. and Bertha M. Sears and was raised in Saugus. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Richard, and his wife, Anna Josephine (Ouellette) Sears, also a resident of the Merriman House, who died on July 11, 2015.

Sumner loved jazz music from his early high school days, playing the drums in bands for school dances and throughout the community.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in December 1943 and began his service in 1944. After training in several disciplines in Massachusetts, Mississippi and Texas, his talent with the drums landed him in the 724th Army Air Force Band in Greensboro, N.C., where he played until it was disbanded in 1946. He ended his military career playing in bands at air force bases in Louisiana, California and Arizona.

In 1947, Sumner met his future wife, Jo, while skiing. They were married at St. Pius V Church in Lynn on May 6, 1951. They honeymooned at Perry’s Rest Motel, Intervale, and New Hampshire. They raised their family in Lynn.

In 1948, Jo and Sumner and friends built their log cabin on Town Hall Road in Bartlett. They spent weekends and vacations skiing, hiking and enjoying the White Mountains with their three daughters and many friends, with their beloved cabin always the home base.

As they raised their family, Sumner worked as a quality control engineer at Sylvania in Salem, Clevite Electronics in Waltham, and retired from Raytheon in Quincy. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management from Northeastern University in 1971.

He was a member of the Boston Musician’s Union for many years, playing the drums with jazz and swing bands nights and weekends, earning money for family season ski passes.

Sumner and Jo were very active in the Lynn Snow Chasers. Sumner was a president and coordinator of its youth racing program. He also competed in races, winning many trophies.

Sumner was an avid runner, and belonged to the Lynn Athletic Club. He ran races throughout the Boston and North Conway area and competed three times in the Boston Marathon with a personal best finish in the top 50.

He enjoyed climbing throughout the White Mountains. Sumner also led his daughters’ junior high school class hikes up Mount Washington’s Fire Trail.

Upon retirement to his beloved cabin in 1987, Sumner skied every day possible. Jo and Sumner skied with their friends in Mount Washington Valley, Colorado, Alaska and Europe.

He and Jo were members of the Attitash Senior Skiers club. Later, he participated in NASTAR ski races in New Hampshire and Maine with the Mountain Meisters, winning several races in his age category.

Following Jo’s move to the Merriman House in 2000, Sumner visited Jo daily and was active in the Alzheimer’s Support Group for many years, while continuing to run, ski, and hike into his 80s.

Survivors include daughters, Patricia Sears Doherty (Joseph) of Albany, N.Y., Mary Jane Pierce (Michael) of Tigard, Ore., and Judith Sears Houston of Contoocook, N.H., nine grandchildren, Meaghan and Caitlin Doherty, Matthieu, Zachary (Melinda), Nathan (fiancée Rebecca), Diana and Antonia Pierce, Abigail and Madelyn Houston, and two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Aurora Pierce, and a nephew, Dr. R. Scott Sears (Jennifer) and their five children of Norfolk, Va.

Sumner’s family deeply appreciates the wonderfully compassionate and attentive caregivers, nurses, staff and volunteers at the Merriman House. They also thank the Hospice volunteers for their exceptional assistance during his final journey.

Service information: A wake will be held Friday, April 29, 2016 from 6-9 p.m., at FURBER AND WHITE Funeral Home, White Mountain Highway, North Conway.

A funeral service will be celebrated Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, Pine Street, North Conway. Burial will be in Garland Ridge Cemetery in Bartlett.

Memorial contributions may be made in Sumner’s name to the Merriman House or to Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice of Carroll County and Western Maine.

To send a message of condolence, or for more information visit www.furberandwhite.com?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

LYNNFIELD — Peter Bedrosian Jr., 65, of Lynnfield passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers after a year-long battle with glioblastoma.

Born in Lynn on Feb. 20, 1951, he was the son of the late Peter and Vergie (Manoogian) Bedrosian.

Peter was a graduate of Lynn English High School, Class of 1969, and East Coast Aero Technical School. He worked as a customer service representative for Delta Airlines for 35 years. After retiring in 2005, he became a licensed independent contractor and started Peter’s Home Repair servicing Lynnfield and the surrounding areas. Peter was an avid boater and fisherman and would share his love of the sport with anyone who’d listen. He also loved taking annual vacations with his family, his favorite place being Disneyland.

He is survived by his wife, Anita M. (Szczerbinski) Bedrosian, his daughter, Jessica A. Bedrosian of Lynnfield, his son, Matthew P. Bedrosian of Lynnfield, and his two sisters, Patricia Karagezian of Chelmsford, and Ginny Kleimola and her husband, of Rockport. Peter is also survived by his nieces, nephews, cousins, mother and father-in-law, sisters and brothers-in-law, and other extended family and friends.

Service information: Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDONALD Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield, on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Peter’s name to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114.

LYNN — Judith E. (Reed) Marshall, age 68, of Lynn, passed away Tuesday, April 26, 2016. She was the wife of the late Gerald K. Marshall.

Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Gilbert and Thelma Mae (Dexter) Reed. Prior to her retirement, she worked in housekeeping at the Harbor House and was a cashier at Family Dollar. She enjoyed cross words and her cat Key Key.

Judith is survived by her nephews, Robert, Bruce, Scott, William and Kevin Thibodeau, several great-nieces and nephews and her companion, Harvey Keene. She was the mother of the late Timothy Kingston Marshall, sister of the late Barbara Thibodeau, Dick, Robert and Lewis Reed, and aunt of the late Darlene Haskell.

Service information: Visitation will be held in the GOODRICH Funeral Home, 128 Washington St., Lynn, on Monday, 4-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

LYNN — Mrs. Kathleen M. (Mullen) (Reardon) O’Connell, 64 years, of Lynn, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her friends and family on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. She was the wife of Dennis O’Connell for 21 years, the mother of Erin Denise Reardon of Lynn and the late Jamie Ann Reardon and the grandmother of Cassidy Rose Fiander of Duxbury.

She was born and raised in Lynn, the daughter of the late Charles A. Mullen and the late Margery G. (Patterson) (Mullen) Reynolds and the niece of Barbara A. Mullen of Lynn. She was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School, Class of 1969. She lived in Lynn all of her life.

She was a 31-year-long employee of Verizon, and contracted for the MBTA, for the last 10 years. She enjoyed family cookouts, time by the pool and camping. She also enjoyed time in her garden and making family collages.

She also leaves three brothers, Charles A. Mullen and his wife, Paula, of Amesbury, Brian W. Mullen of Lynn, Sean C. Mullen of Lynn, seven sisters, Melody O’Hare of Lynn, Carol A. Maguire of West Roxbury, Leslie J. Zayac and her husband, Paul, of Billerica, Maureen D. Duncan and her husband, James, of Melrose, Eileen Kelly of West Roxbury, Stephanie Mullen of Peabody and Heidi Kluge and her husband, Scott, of Swampscott as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition, she leaves two step-daughters, Shannon Harris and Kerry O’Connell. A sister-in-Law, Donna and her husband, “Gus” Carbo, and brother-in-Laws, “Bob” O’Connell, “Dan” O’Connell, “Tom” O’Connell and “Ron” O’Connell.

Service information: Her funeral will be held on Tuesday May 3, 2016, at 11 a.m., in the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129) Lynn. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Donations may be made to Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923. Directions and guest book at www.solimine.com.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss