PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Michael Marks announces his run for Essex County Sheriff. In background, Dr. Michael Frost, Essex County Correctional Facility and Sheriff’s Department, looks on after introducing Marks to the audience.

By MICHELE DURGIN

LYNN — Mike Marks, a candidate for Essex County Sheriff, greeted supporters at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Tuesday.

“We are so fortunate to have so many terrific people in our lives and it’s moments like this that bring it all home,” Marks said.

Marks serves as the superintendent of the Essex County Correctional Facility in Middleton. The 28-year veteran of the department said he was happy to share his reasons running for sheriff.

“This is a moment where I can put all of it together and hopefully make a positive difference in the world,” he said.

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.

Frank Cousins, a Newburyport Republican will not seek re-election this fall for the $151,709 a year for job.

The field of candidates also vying for the position include Lynn Police Chief Kevin Coppinger and Gloucester attorney Ed O’Reilly, both Democrats.  

Peabody City Council member Anne Manning-Martin, a deputy superintendent at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Correctional Unit, is also in the race.  

Supporters at the event were happy to speak about Marks and why they supported him.

“Mike is the most qualified person for this job,” said Jack Hollow. “He has served in the department for almost 30 years and knows it inside and out. He is committed and dedicated ,day in and day out ,and cares deeply about helping others.”

Christine Lander of Lynn attended the event and spoke highly of Marks’ hopes and goals.

“Mike has worked so hard for this  and he’s ready for it,” said Lander. “He will do a wonderful job and everyone will benefit from his experience and dedication.”

Marks’  9-year-old-son, Chris, greeted guests as they arrived and told them his dad has a video on YouTube.

“I just hope everyone votes for my dad because he will be the best sheriff ever,” he said.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
From left, NSCC art professor Jim Chisholm and members of his drawing class Tim Stigers, Brooke Colella, Drew Lauria, Nora Barry and Antwanette Johnson complete the mural that will hang in the college’s library.

By DILLON DURST

LYNN — James Chisholm’s art class has given several North Shore Community College (NSCC) students a new appreciation of art.

While many of Chisholm’s students major in other fields, the art class has inspired some to pursue an art degree.

Henry Lara is a 26-year-old business major from Lynn who said he’s always been interested in art. But he never considered studying it until taking Chisholm’s basic drawing classes.

Lara said the class, which isn’t a required course, allowed him to relax and brought out his creative side. He said the class convinced him to switch his major to art.

Several students said working on the mural brought the class together.

The mural depicts the scene of Chelsea, Massachusetts morphing into Chelsea, N.Y., a neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side. The project took students four weeks to complete.

Lara said at first, everyone in the 14-person class kept to themselves. It wasn’t until the class began working on the mural that students started talking to each other.

Antwanette Johnson agreed that the mural project brought the class together. She described the class as “awesome,” and said Chisholm is a passionate and wonderful teacher.

Johnson, who also took basic drawing, said she signed up for the class “for the hell of it,” but grew to love it. While she’s an accounting major, she wishes there were more art classes available at NSCC.

Andrew Gladstone, a liberal arts major from Swampscott, said he’s always been interested in art, and loved the class and working on the mural.

“Everyone was able to put a piece of themselves into the painting,” he said.

Yesterday, the class completed the urban mural project, which will hang in NSCC’s Lynn campus library.

Chisholm, the school’s only fine arts professor, plans to retire in December, but hopes to continue showing students that art can be a great career to pursue.

“I love these kids,” Chisholm said. “I really do.”

Dillon Durst can be reached at ddurst@itemlive.com.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
KIPP administrator Hugo Carbajal in the school’s gym, which could be one of the polling places in the school.

By BRIDGET TURCOTTE

LYNN — Residents in two Ward 4 precincts will cast votes at KIPP Academy during the November presidential election.

In anticipation of record voter turnout, City Clerk Mary Audley and the Lynn City Council are examining the city’s polling places.

City councilors are looking at moving the voting place for Ward 4 precincts 1 and 2 to KIPP Academy at 90 High Rock St., in the Highlands neighborhood. Ward 4 precincts 3 and 4 will cast votes at the Lynn Museum & Historical Society.

Ward 4 voters living in neighborhoods near Union, Essex, and Ocean streets voted at North Shore Community College until construction began at the college and parking became an issue, said Councilor Hong Net.

Last year, the residents voted at the Lynn Museum, he said.

The changes will require a full council vote, said Dan Cahill, city council president.

Throughout the process, Audley visited locations citywide to determine which are most suitable. She said the charter school has the perfect setup for a polling location in its gymnasium.

“The reason I like the gym is there’s an entryway in the back of the building,” Audley said. “Voters could park and go right into the gym and wouldn’t have to go through the school at all. It’s very accessible to voters, handicapped and otherwise.”

There should be plenty of parking in the back of the building, Audley added.

KIPP administrator Hugo Carvajal said he’s pleased with the decision.

After regular school hours, the building is used as a community learning center and hosts English as a second language, computer literacy and Zumba Fitness classes. Hundreds of people in the neighborhood are already familiar with the building, he said.

“The location would be a lot closer for them,” Carvajal said. “The majority of our families come from Ward 4.”

The surrounding neighborhood is very diverse, Carvajal said. He expects there will be new citizens who will vote for the first time at KIPP.

“It would be great to have our kids do community service and help out that day,” he said.

Audley agreed, saying anytime children are exposed to voting, it’s a good thing. Students over the age of 17, who are Lynn residents, can help with various jobs.

Last week, the council voted to change the polling place for Ward 3 from Lynn English High School to the new Marshall Middle School on Brookline Street.

Audley said the changes are not limited to Wards 3 and 4. The Council will look at what changes should be made throughout the entire city and make a decision with enough time to inform residents before voting.

Additional changes will be discussed at the next City Council meeting May 24.

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

PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
From left, Callahan School kindergarten teachers Jaime Paragios and Leslie Cole hold signs for the walk for education.

By THOR JOURGENSEN

LYNN — Diana Luciano was not alone when she spoke of why she loves teaching and some of its biggest challenges.

The Aborn Elementary School fourth grade teacher was among 40,000 educators and parents who participated in rallies nationwide focused on appreciating teachers and highlight hardships involved in achievement testing aimed at the youngest students.

“I see the anxiety in children,” said the 26-year educator.  “It’s not right.”

City Councilor-at-large and American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts organizer Brian LaPierre called the rally an opportunity to vote no on a November ballot question asking to expand the number of charter schools in Massachusetts.

LaPierre, like many public school educators, criticizes charter schools for syphoning state tax dollars from municipally-controlled schools. He said charters “need local control and local approval.”

About two dozen Lynn teachers and parents gathered across from Callahan Elementary School Wednesday before walking to the school carrying signs that read, “Our kids can’t afford broken promises of charter schools” and “less testing more learning.”

In an interview following the rally, Knowledge Is Power Program director Caleb Dolan described the expansion proposed in the ballot question “very modest.” He said KIPP received 1,000 applications for seats in its Lynn kindergarten and 5th grade classes.

“There’s a tremendous demand for choice among families in our community,” Dolan said.

He quoted a Mass Insight Education survey concluding a large majority of Boston minority parents favor lifting the charter cap.

While the rally focused on achievement testing and the charter ballot question, Callahan kindergarten teacher Leslie Cole saw it as an opportunity to celebrate teaching.

“I love being with children and seeing the progress they are making,” said the 21-year veteran of the Lynn’s public schools.

Luciano agreed.

“For children to come back and say, ‘I am in college because of you, it’s just great to know they made it,” she said.

Thor Jourgensen can be reached at tjourgensen@itemlive.com

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
From left, Barbara Mann, President of Mass Senior Action, KiKi Chaiton, Anne Goldstein and Rosa Bentley protested in efforts to convince Governor Charlie Baker not to cut their insurance benefits.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Seniors are urging Gov. Charlie Baker to keep their butts covered and stop planned cuts to the Health Safety Program.

More than 60 members of Massachusetts Senior Action Council rallied in front of State House and the governor’s office Wednesday wearing hospital gowns with plastic exposed bottoms to call for expanding state access to federal assistance programs that will help keep seniors covered.

“If this goes through, it would be a hardship,” said Margaret Murphy, 82. “The poorest of the poor seniors would be affected.”

Pam Edwards, community organizer for the advocacy group, said seniors are worried about cuts to the Health Safety Net, which pays hospitals and health centers for services provided to uninsured and underinsured Bay State residents.

The program assists low-income seniors who already pay thousands of dollars in Medicare premiums and co-payments. It is a secondary insurance payer for low-income seniors on Medicare. Cuts would be carried out by a regulatory change, would not require legislative approval and would go into effect on June 1.

Proposed changes to the program would lower eligibility levels and reduce the coverage period for low-income individuals. Today, partial eligibility applies to people making $46,000 or less but would be lowered to $35,000 and under.  

Cuts would also decrease full benefit eligibility from $25,000 to a maximum income of $16,000.  In addition, for those accepted into the program, and receiving full coverage with incomes between $16,000 and $25,000, there would be a $516 deductible. Today, there is no deductible.

“As a retired nurse, I have seen what can happen when people avoid healthcare because they are afraid of the big bills that come after the procedure or test,” said Karen Lynch, a member of the senior-run organization, in a statement. “I understand that the governor is trying to tighten the budget, but I feel we should set up a practical enrollment period for an affordable plan before we make drastic cuts.”

Another change would reduce the time a person could ask for help with coverage from the health fund after having a procedure. Today, people have six months to seek help with their bill. With the change, patients would only have 10 days after a procedure to ask for assistance. Often, she said a patient doesn’t see their hospital bill for at least 30 days.

Edwards said a majority of people don’t even realize they’re on the health program, as they might have been signed up by a doctor. She said seniors just know they aren’t paying co-payments for their prescriptions and procedures.

“It would be quite a shock on June 1 when they get a huge bill in the mail after a procedure,” she said.

Edwards said Massachusetts Senior Action did not hear about the proposed cuts until last month. But before that, the group had a proposal before the Legislature that would expand eligibility for seniors to Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). The MSPs are federal programs that Massachusetts can use to help lower-income seniors on Medicare pay for their healthcare costs. The programs helps pay for premiums and in some instances, deductibles and co-payments.

The nonprofit is proposing raising the income eligibility for more Medicare assistance to people making $35,000 or less. Current eligibility is at a maximum of $15,889.

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

Middleton — Aaron D. Vlahos, age 34, of Middleton, formerly of Swampscott, died suddenly on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, after losing his battle with heroin addiction. He was the son of Rochelle M. LeBlanc of Salem and Noah Vlahos of Swampscott.

Aaron was born in Lynn on Oct. 8, 1981. He was raised in Lynn and Swampscott and also lived in Salem in later years. He was a graduate of Swampscott High School and worked at Londi’s of Salem. Aaron was a sports fan, especially enjoying football and soccer. He loved to spend time with his family, with a special fondness for time with his nephew, Daniel Jr. He was also proficient in languages including Greek, Albanian, French and Spanish. He was fun to be around and had a heart of gold.

Besides his mother, Rochelle and her partner, Robert Tondreau, of Salem, and his father, Noah Vlahos of Swampscott, he is survived by his brother, Daniel Vlahos and his wife, Roselda, of Salem, his nephew, Daniel Vlahos Jr., affectionately called “DJ,” his niece, Katherine Morona, his sister, Raven Vlahos, and his aunts and uncles, Vicky Lundrigan and her husband, Larry, Scott LeBlanc, Tom LeBlanc and his wife, Karen, David LeBlanc and his wife, Charlene, Robert LeBlanc and his wife, Donna, Anthony Vlahos and his wife, Karen, Alec Vlahos and his wife, Dawna, and Faith McRobbie. He also leaves a dear friend, Patricia Jimenez and many cousins. He was the nephew of the late Johnny Vlahos, and the grandson of the late Joseph and Phyllis (Gagne) LeBlanc and Alec and Valerie Vlahos.

Service information: Memorial visiting hours with the family will be on Saturday from 1-3 p.m., in the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 426 Broadway (Route 129) Lynn, In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parri Program, c/o the Gloucester Police Department, 197 Main St., Gloucester, MA 01930. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.

SAUGUS — Mrs. Marie “Terry” (Valliere) Monte, age 92, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May 4, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late George W. Monte.

Born in Fitchburg and raised in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Arzelie (Leger) Valliere. She worked in production control at General Electric in Wilmington, where she retired with over 30 years of service. A devoted homemaker, Marie was also an avid square dancer for over 55 years. She had been a resident of Saugus since the late 1970’s.

Marie leaves two daughters, Cynthia Hamill, Cheryl LaPointe and her husband, Andrew J., six grandchildren, Jason, Aimee and Andrew Lapointe, Kimberly Beckett, Jessica Szczechowicz, Christopher Hamill, five great-grandchildren, one sister, Yvonne Belliveau. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by one sister, Rita Pelletier and two brothers, Roland and Raymond Valliere.

Service information: Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours in the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, 549 Lincoln Ave., Saugus, on Monday 4-8 p.m. Funeral from the funeral home on Tuesday at 11 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in Blessed Sacrament Church, 14 Summer St., Saugus, at Noon. Interment St. Jean’s Cemetery in Lynn. For directions and condolences BisbeePorcella.com.

LYNN — Last year, one person was killed and 604 injured in Lynn motor vehicle crashes. Many of the victims were not wearing seatbelts.

Lynn Police stress the importance of buckling up for every trip to prevent being ejected from or thrown around inside the vehicle after a crash.

From May 9 to May 13, the department will join the Massachusetts Highway Safety Division, state police and law enforcement officials nationwide in the “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

Locally, the initiative is focused on seatbelt use among the group least likely to wear one, men aged 18 to 34. Police say this group mistakenly believes that large vehicles such as pick-up trucks and SUVs offer protection during a crash.

Sixty-one percent of pick-up truck occupants killed in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Police remind motorists that wearing a seatbelt increases the chance of surviving a serious crash or avoiding significant injury.

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

Raymond Blinn, 44, of 368 Chestnut St., was arrested on warrant charges of malicious damage to a motor vehicle, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license, alcohol from an open container in a motor vehicle, failure to wear a seatbelt and OUI liquor third offense at 10:44 a.m. Thursday.

Mallori Collins, of 224A Washington St., was arrested on a warrant charge of possession of a Class A drug at 8:43 a.m. Thursday.

Kiana Johnston, 20, of 880 Washington St., was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest at 12:58 a.m. Wednesday.

Andy Roldan, 29, of 359 Crescent Ave., Chelsea, was arrested and charged with interfering with a police officer at 1:28 a.m. Thursday.

Matthew Roldan, 25, of 359 Crescent Ave., Chelsea, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest at 1:26 a.m. Thursday.

Jose Sanchez was arrested on a warrant charge of distribution of a Class A drug at 11:24 a.m. Thursday.

Mia Shindell, 44, of 9 Wirthmore Lane, Lynnfield, was arrested on a warrant charge of operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license at 12:56 a.m. Thursday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday at Boston and Federal streets; at 6:49 p.m. Wednesday at 330 Lynnway; at 10:29 p.m. Wednesday at Broad and Newhall streets; at 12:23 a.m. Thursday at Essex and Rockaway streets; at 6:40 a.m. Thursday on N Franklin Street; at 7:24 a.m. Thursday at Boston Street and Keslar Avenue; at 11:29 a.m. Thursday at 61 Fays Ave.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 9:43 a.m. Thursday at 158 Chestnut St.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 4:19 p.m. Wednesday on Essex Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 3:57 p.m. Wednesday at 56 Fayette St.; at 2:41 a.m. Thursday at 60 Atlantic St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 3:42 p.m. Wednesday at 21 State St.; at 3:44 p.m. Wednesday at 495 Eastern Ave.; at 8:34 p.m. Wednesday at 60 Atlantic St.; at 12:01 a.m. Thursday at 30 Howard St.; at 12:19 a.m. Thursday at 2 Forest Hill Ave.; at 2:35 a.m. Thursday at Essex and Washington streets.

A report of an uninvited guest at 1:09 p.m. Wednesday at Christopher’s Market at 234 Washington St.

A report of a missing person at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday at 50 Newhall St.; at 5:10 p.m. Wednesday at 126 S Common St.; at 9:28 p.m. Wednesday at 43 Kirtland St.

A report of a juvenile problem at 6:06 p.m. Wednesday at 3 Linwood St.; at 7:46 a.m. Thursday at 154 Market St.

A report of a fight at 12:58 a.m. Thursday on Olney Place.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 2:57 p.m. Wednesday at Family Dollar at 50 Central Ave.; at 10:46 a.m. Thursday at 202 Maple St.

A report of a robbery at 4:02 p.m. Wednesday at 10 Collins St. Court; at 4:39 p.m. Wednesday on High Street.

LYNNFIELD

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 9:23 a.m. Sunday on Walnut Street; at 10:24 p.m. Tuesday at 36 Locksley Road.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 9:35 a.m. Sunday at Starbucks at 420 Market St.; at 6:22 p.m. Monday at 12 Hunting Lane; at 11:48 a.m. Tuesday on Condon Circle; at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Lynnfield Street and Lookout Terrace.

A report of a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle at 12:10 p.m. Sunday at 754 Main St. and 1 Priscilla Road. A person was transported to Union Hospital.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 2:21 p.m. Sunday at 1100 Main St. and 228 Lowell St.; at 9:24 a.m. Thursday on Route 128 Northbound Exit 44A.

Complaints

A report of a missing person at 11:24 a.m. Sunday at 36 Pillings Pond Road.

A report of an officer wanted at 5:20 p.m. Sunday at Forest Hill Cemetery on Essex Street. A caller reported a woman filling buckets with loom and putting them in her car; at 9:03 p.m. Sunday at 43 Apple Hill Lane. A caller reported she heard someone “shaking doorknob” and said the person fled after hearing the dog barking; at 10:54 p.m. Sunday at 8 Newhall Road. A caller reported his garage door went up and no one in the family opened it.

A report of a deer in the roadway at 8:03 p.m. Monday at 683 Walnut St. and 9 Bluejay Road. The deer took off into the woods.

A report of an unwanted person at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday at 1 Cider Mill Road.

A report of a sick fox walking around the school yard at 8 a.m. Thursday at Huckleberry Hill School at 5 Knoll Road.

MARBLEHEAD

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 4:08 p.m. Wednesday on Washington Street.

Complaints

A report of an egged house at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday on Ocean Avenue.

A report of a fight at 4:52 p.m. Wednesday on Washington Street. A caller reported a fight and that someone has a stick or bat. It was a carry over from an incident involving a dog bite. An officer reported a construction worker took a swing at the owners of the dog.

PEABODY

Arrests

Ashley Maureen Agabides, 25, of 1650 Dorchester Ave., Apt. 3, Dorchester, was arrested on a warrant at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Kyle D. Liford, 28, of 187 Lowell St., Apt. 1, was arrested on a warrant at 9:32 a.m. Thursday.

Michael Vitale, 41, of 24 Mcclure St., Revere, was arrested and charged with OUI drugs at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday at 174 Andover St. and 2 Cross St. One person was transported to Salem Hospital; at 8 p.m. Wednesday at 207 Lynn St. A car into a parked car was reported. One person was transported to Salem Hospital and two vehicles were towed.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 11:58 a.m. Thursday at 4 Perkins St. and 62 Franklin St. An involved child was brought to McCarthy School by a family member and was checked out by the nurse. The child checked out fine. Julessia Alves-Sabino, 34, of 154 Lowell St., was summoned for unlicensed operation.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 6:12 p.m. Wednesday at 14C Rockdale Terrace. An officer reported no forced entry and a couple of items missing.

Complaints

A report of a missing person at 5 p.m. Wednesday at 33 Holten St.

A report of a disturbance at 10:13 p.m. Wednesday at Legal Seafoods at 210L Andover St.; at 12:23 a.m. Thursday at 39 Shore Drive; at 7:38 a.m. Thursday at McDonalds at 133 Main St.

A report of a neighborhood dispute at 10:36 p.m. Wednesday at 3 Lowe St. A caller reported his downstairs neighbor refuses to stop smoking marijuana in the house. An officer reported speaking to both people and the landlord is aware of the situation.

A report of an unwanted person at 11:27 p.m. Wednesday at Peabody Mobile Park at 252 Newbury St. A caller reported a person vandalizing his vehicle. The two men are related and the caller did not want to press charges.

A report of gunshots at 12:19 a.m. Thursday at Mobile Estates at 286 Newbury St. A caller reported someone shot a bullet through her mobile home. An officer spoke to people sitting around the corner and they stated they saw a silver four door car occupied by two people who were wearing hoodies. The round was recovered.

A report of two mallard ducks in a pool at 8:44 a.m. Thursday at 3 Chase Circle. The caller was advised to shoo them away or let them leave on their own.

REVERE

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 11:05 a.m. Wednesday at Stop & Shop on Squire Road; at 3:13 p.m. Wednesday at Blanchard Avenue and North Shore Road; at 8:58 p.m. Wednesday at Sleepy’s on Squire Road; at 9:03 p.m. Wednesday on Brown Circle.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday on Orr Square; at 8:29 p.m. Wednesday at Master Auto on Lynn Marsh Road.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident with personal injury at 6:32 p.m. Wednesday at Hutchinson and Revere streets.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 3:14 p.m. Wednesday on Roland Road.

Complaints

A report of an unwanted person at 3:42 a.m. Wednesday at Vanguard at Water Front Square on Ocean Avenue; at 6:55 p.m. Wednesday on Steeple Street.

A report of a disturbance at 1:28 p.m. Wednesday on Hyde Street; at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Revere Fire Department on Broadway; at 5:23 p.m. Wednesday at Atlantic Asphalt on Railroad Street; at 6:23 p.m. Wednesday on Constitution Avenue; at 8:04 p.m. Wednesday at Ninety Nine Restaurant on VFW Parkway.

Overdose

A report of a possible overdose at 8:24 p.m. Wednesday on Dolphin Avenue.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday on Beach Street; at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday on Eastern Avenue.

A report of a robbery at 11:59 a.m. Wednesday at East Boston Savings Bank on Squire Road.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 3:24 p.m. Wednesday on Revere Street.

SAUGUS

Arrests

Danielle M. Centorino, of 70 Auburn St., was arrested and charged with shoplifting by asportation more than $100 and on warrants at 10:17 a.m. Wednesday.

Craig Mitchell, of 75 Geneva St., Apt. 1, Revere, was arrested on warrants at 11:55 a.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday at Bob’s Discount Furniture at 263 Broadway.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 11:59 a.m. Wednesday at 15 East Denver St. A man reported a past breaking and entering to his garage. An officer reported tools were missing but there was no sign of forced entry.

Complaints

A report of a boat complaint at 12:28 p.m. Wednesday at Floyd Street and Morris Place. A caller reported a small boat that appeared abandoned on the grass bank. The caller was concerned for the kayakers if the boat floats off into the water. An officer located the owner of the boat.

A report of a disturbance at 1:37 p.m. Wednesday at Santander Bank at 323 Broadway.

A report of drug activity in the building at 11:28 p.m. Wednesday at Laurel Gardens at 2 Rice St. An officer reported no answer at the door and no apparent drug activity.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at 68 Lewis Road.

Complaints

A report of a juvenile problem at 1:44 p.m. Wednesday at 200 Essex St. A female senior left school without permission. She was located.

A report of a dead cat in the roadway at 6:25 a.m. Wednesday at 18 Maple Ave. Animal Control was notified.

ITEM FILE PHOTO
City Council President Dan Cahill says that Lynn is way overdue to benefit from the Blue Line rapid transit extension.

City Council President and soon-to-be state Rep. Dan Cahill didn’t need to say the words, “Hey, what about us?” during a Wednesday state transportation spending discussion. He made his point much more forcefully by telling a state transportation planner that Lynn is way overdue to benefit from the Blue Line rapid transit extension.

Cahill joined state Rep. Brendan Crighton and state Sen. Thomas M. McGee in pointing out the obvious during the North Shore Community College hearing: “I feel very bad for the folks in Somerville who won’t get a third subway line. We want just one.”

Cahill’s sarcasm is well founded. State transportation officials seem to be wearing blinders when it comes to improving transit service to Lynn and the North Shore. They talk about South Coast Rail and Green Line extension as if everything north of Boston did not exist.

McGee, Crighton, Cahill and Lynn Business Partnership representatives made it clear why the Blue Line matters.

The extension in one form or another has been discussed for 70 years and the reports and news stories written about it could fill a freight train with useless paper. Wonderland Station in Revere is the end of the line for Blue Line trains. Allowing the cars to roll down commuter rail tracks to Lynn would forge, McGee said, an ironclad bond with Boston spelling economic opportunity for Lynn.

“That project is imperative,” he said, summing up a point that Cahill expanded on when he pointed out how he drives to Revere to take a train to Boston when he could easily join other commuters in riding a train from Lynn to Boston.

Commuter rail, as the mega winter of 2015 proved, is great for casual “Geez, I think I’ll take the train to town today” commuters. But someone who has to get to work on time, every day, is ill served by it.

Now could not be a better time to prioritize the Blue Line and find the money to translate the plan McGee touted into an extension.

Gov. Charlie Baker and his top economic lieutenant Jay Ash came to Lynn last November with U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton and vowed to help spur Lynn’s economic resurgence from the drawing board into reality.

The three men can appreciate the importance of hitching the Blue Line extension to a full-court economic push on Lynn’s behalf. Baker commutes from his Swampscott home through Lynn daily to work. Ash in his previous job presided over urban Chelsea’s economic renaissance and Moulton has worked on high-speed rail projects.

The trio have sat in a room with McGee and listened to the veteran senator warn about the economic and safety implications of continually underfunding transportation in Massachusetts. McGee said $20 billion, not the $14.4 billion outlined by state planners, needs to be spent over by 2020 with the Blue Line ranked as a priority.

In describing his work commute, Cahill offered the most convincing reason on Wednesday why the Blue Line makes sense from an economic, environmental and life quality point of view: “I would love to not have to drive to Revere,” he said.

PHOTO BY SPENSER HASAK
From left, Marianne Conlon Duncan, Kay Rowe, the co-chair of Relay for Life, and Diane Conlon, co-chair of Relay for Life at their fundraiser for Team Hope.

BY GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Cancer will be the common denominator for the participants in the 14th annual Relay for Life.

The charity event will take place on Saturday, June 11 from 4 to 10 p.m. at Red Rock Park on Lynn Beach.

City Clerk Mary Audley, Assistant City Clerk Janet Rowe and a group of residents launched the event in 2003 at the former Manning Bowl, said Kay Rowe, a relay organizer.

After the football stadium was demolished, the relay moved to Breed Middle School and eventually to the park.

Rowe said the benefit has raised more than $1 million for the American Cancer Society. Squads have come from City Hall, the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development and Lynn Police, as well as family teams.

Diane Conlon, another organizer, walks with “Team Hope,” one of the bigger groups with more than 100 members. Her daughter, Michelle Conlon, started the team six years ago after she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She died from the disease less than a year later at 38.

“There aren’t many families who have not had some contact with cancer,” said Conlon.

Her team usually raises more than $10,000, she said.

Rowe said her grandfather, Bruce Coughlin, died from lung cancer three weeks after being diagnosed, shocking her family. They do the relay annually in honor of him.

“It was just a really nice way to remember him and honor him,” she said. “Every year, we come together.”

Later, her aunt, Helen Mahoney, succumbed to breast cancer, after the disease spread to her brain. Now, the family combines the event for both of them. The team usually raises about $2,000 for cancer research.

“I would say it’s just a wonderful way to remember someone that you lost from cancer,” she said.

One of the defining parts of the contest is the “Survivor Ceremony,” where lost friends and family are celebrated with a “survivor lap.” Another big event is the “Luminaria Ceremony,” where people purchase bags and decorate them in honor of people who have been cancer victims. The bags line the track at Red Rock Park and are lit at 9 p.m., while everyone participates in the Luminary Lap.

“It’s very special and sometimes quite emotional,” Rowe said. “It really is a beautiful sight to walk along the water’s edge with the only light coming from the luminary bags all decorated for the ones we are all there to honor.”

The relay is not all sadness. There’s face painting, food and raffles, a scavenger hunt and music by DJ Bobby Conlon.

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

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Cisco coordinator Kevin Geaney talks about the program, which is expanding to the former electronics room at Lynn Tech.

BY DILLON DURST

LYNN — For years, the city’s high school graduates could count on a well-paying job at General Electric Co. and a comfortable life.

But times have changed.

Lynn English’s Cisco Networking Academy, an information technology (IT) program that has been taught at the school for nearly a decade, has provided students with skills required for a technology career.

Lynn Tech is transforming its former electronics room into a tech lab for Cisco. While the program has been taught as an introductory course for two years, advisor Kevin Geaney and Lynn Tech Principal Robert Buontempo Jr. said it will flourish in the new space.

The renovation is expected to cost up to $275,000 and the lab installation could take six weeks, pending enough startup money, according to Geaney. Once implemented, the program would cost about $75,000 annually.

Geaney said there’s a skills gap between the number of technology jobs and the available qualified candidates to fill them.

Through Cisco courses, students can take the technology industry’s recognized exam that, if passed, provides proof of IT skills.

“When they pass, they get a certification that they’ve proven they have the skills worthy of an interview,” Geaney said.

He compared the certificate students receive upon completion to a driver’s license, to prove they have the ability to operate a vehicle.

Lynn is the only place where students have access to Cisco courses.

Geaney also said Lynn Tech is the best location for the program because it fits perfectly with tech school scheduling. Buontempo said the school’s juniors and seniors spend up to about six hours on the program every other week while a Cisco student at English or Classical wouldn’t get nearly the same amount of time through public school scheduling.

There’s never been a better time for IT training. In the 1980s, General Electric Co. had 13,000 factory workers in Lynn. Today, there are about 3,000. The future is in technology jobs, not manufacturing.

Buontempo and Geaney agreed that there’s a high demand for technology jobs that isn’t going away anytime soon.

“Everybody needs IT people,” Buontempo said.

While he had hoped to implement Cisco last September, Buontempo said funding has proved elusive. However, he’s confident the school can secure enough funds through grants to launch the program.

“This could be a great economic resource,” Buontempo said.

Dillon Durst can be reached at ddurst@itemlive.com.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Travis Roy speaks to the senior class at St. Mary’s High School in Lynn on Thursday.

BY GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — A paralyzed former hockey player told St. Mary’s High School seniors that they could get through any of life’s challenges.

“I knew my hockey career was over,” said Travis Roy. “I said to my dad, ‘I made it.’ ”

The 41-year-old Maine native said he was playing in his first game as a freshman for the Boston University hockey team in 1995, when he sustained a life-changing injury seconds after getting onto the ice.

When he lowered his head to check a North Dakota player, he missed and went head-first into the boards.

Instantly, Roy became a quadriplegic at 20, putting an end to his other goals of making it to the National Hockey League and playing for the U.S. Olympic team.

As he laid on the ice, Roy couldn’t feel his neck and knew he was in trouble.

Roy, a Boston resident, went back to BU one year after his injury, and graduated with a degree in communications. He has since co-authored an autobiography, “Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage & Triumph,” and works as a motivational speaker. He has spoken to the St. Mary’s senior class 10 times.

Megan Geaney, 18, said she knew Roy’s story, but never heard the details. She’ll remember him speaking about cherishing the little things in life.

“You never know just when they’re going to be gone, like what happened to him,” she said.

Roy told seniors that he has always focused on setting goals for himself. Dyslexia presented a challenge for him getting into college. But he focused on maintaining a “B” average and breaking 1000 on his SATs, adding that he had to take the tests five times. He also wanted to play for a division one hockey team, which he achieved at BU.

Roy said to achieve your goals, students must have a desire to see how good they could be at whatever they choose. They must also have pride and a belief in themselves to achieve their dreams.

Rebecca Kirby, 17, said she never really thought about setting goals, but was inspired to write hers down.

After his injury, Roy said his goals had to change, adding that the challenge had chosen him. At times, as he was in a hospital bed for months, there were points that he didn’t think he could go on.

“We all have this inner spirit and it’s capable of doing things we could never imagine,” he said.

Roy said he has three important values that have motivated him: respect for others, avoiding peer pressure and love. He feels fortunate for family and friends who have supported him. He is also grateful for more than $9 million donated to the Travis Roy Foundation, which goes towards spinal cord research and assistance for spinal cord injury sufferers.

But he still thinks about what might have been.

“I’ll never accept this injury,” he said. “This is not OK. With that said, I will make the best of it.”

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

PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
Lynn English High peer mediator Ginny Keenan was awarded the Anti-Defamation League’s Community Service Award on Thursday.

BY THOR JOURGENSEN

SALEM — Maria Arias choked back tears as she described why peer mediator Ginny Keenan deserved to be honored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Thursday.

“Before I knew you, I didn’t have a place where I thought I belong,” the English High School senior said. “You helped me find myself,”

As a 350-person Kernwood Country Club audience applauded Thursday, the ADL awarded Keenan and Gloucester police chief and former Saugus police officer Leonard Campanello the organization’s Community Service Award.

An ADL statement said the awards salute Keenan’s and Campanello’s “leadership in combating hate and bigotry in their communities.”

Founded in 1913, the ADL’s mission is to fight anti-Semitism and hate through programs and services.

Keenan, of Swampscott, has been a peer mediation coordinator for Solutions for Living, a nonprofit organization serving English for the past decade. She got her start in mediation at a Lynn organization resolving neighborhood disputes. With 1,700 students from 40 nations attending English, Lynn educators brought in Solutions for Living to work on teaching students, in School Superintendent Catherine Latham’s words, “acceptance and responsibility.”

Keenan’s peer mediation work at English branched off into formation of Friends of Rachel, a student club named for one of the Columbine mass shooting victims, and Living in Two Worlds. After moving to Lynn from the Dominican Republic and finding herself “not in a good place,” Arias joined Two Worlds and met Keenan.

“Ginny is the first person I really opened up to,” Arias said.

Keenan said peer mediation helps students sort through seemingly unsolvable differences to settle conflicts. Sitting in the crowd filling Kernwood’s function room, Latham said Keenan is available around the clock to mediate student differences.

“We’re so fortunate to have her at English High School,” Latham said.

The ADL saluted Campanello for working with police colleagues to launch a program that has steered 430 opiate addicts to treatment over the last 11 months. The program allows addicts to surrender drugs without arrest and pairs them with volunteers who guide them to recovery programs.

In introducing Campanello, who was recently celebrated at a White House gathering, ADL regional board member Bonnie Shelkrot read a statement from U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton praising Campanello “for helping us open our minds and rethink previously-held opinions.”

Campanello said the addict outreach program is trying to reduce a world of hate, a world of rejection and a world of judgment.

“You have a certain amount of time to do some good,” he said. “That is the responsibility of all of us.”  

Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim delivered Thursday’s keynote speech and urged Gov. Charlie Baker to sign transgender anti-discrimination legislation.  

Marblehead High School students Averi Kaplowitch and Olivia Schauer were applauded for identifying online anti-Semitism posted by students and working with the support of town educators to launch an ADL “world of difference” education program.

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

MAINE — Robert William Beyer, age 77, of Harrison, Maine, formerly of Lynn, passed away peacefully at his home surrounding by his family on April 28, 2016 after a lung illness.

Robert was the son of William and Marian (Thompson) Beyer, he leaves two sisters, Carol Lausier of Oxford, Maine, and Jean Cutler of Lynn, he also leaves many nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Lynn English High School and worked for many years at the telephone company. He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Service information: At Robert’s request there will be no service.

LYNN — Attorney Paul M. Troy,  born and raised in Everett and longtime resident of Lynn and Saugus, passed away suddenly on May 4, 2016. He was 72 years old. He was the beloved husband of Joanne Graham-Troy, with whom he shared 14 years of marriage.

Loving son of the late John Troy and the late Anna Marie (Connolly) Troy of Everett. He was the proud and devoted father to his surviving children, son Robert M. Troy and his wife Heather of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., son Patrick M. Troy of Quincy and daughter Carolyn M. Troy of Lynn. He is also survived by his former wife Ruthie Troy of Lynn, with whom he raised three children. Loving brother of Maureen Troy of Everett, Judith A. Murphy of Everett, Anne Marie Melisi and her husband Michael of Danvers, John F. Troy Jr. and his wife Theresa of Everett, and the late Richard Troy and his wife Dorothy of Everett. Also survived by his wife Joanne’s son Michael Holbrook and his wife Kimberly of Georgetown, daughter Janice and her husband David Cronin of Lynn, and sister-in-law Linda LaCava of Lynn. The proudest grandfather imaginable to Ryan, Kate, Jack, Ella, Austin, Kevin, Katelyn, Emily, Sarah and Julia.  Waldo will be missed. He was loved by his aunts and uncles and many cousins. Paul was the best uncle ever to his cherished nieces and nephews. Paul was loyal to his friends and to his family.

After graduating from Everett High School, Paul earned degrees from Salem State College and later earned his Juris Doctorate from New England School of Law all the while working numerous jobs to pay his way through school and provide for his family. Although he had many interests and associations, most of all, his family meant the world to Paul, a proud Irish Catholic. A lifelong employee of the City of Lynn School Dept. and Business Department head, Paul was a teacher of Business Law and mentor to countless students. Paul was also an attorney in private practice for decades in both Everett and Melrose. Paul was an avid walker and was known by everyone who saw him, especially on the streets of Melrose, the town where he maintained his law office for over 16 years.

He was a kind, generous, giving man who would stop to help anyone in need. He was not one to take credit for all that he did for family and friends.

Service information: Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the JF WARD Funeral Home, 772 Broadway, Everett, on Monday, May 9 from 4-7 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to American Cancer Association @cancer.org or Alzheimer’s Foundation @ www.Alz.org,?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss both of which he supported through numerous fundraising walks. For online guestbook please visit JFWardFuneralHome.com

LYNN — Robert L. Comeau, age 75, of Lynn, died, peacefully, Wednesday, May 4, 2016. He was the husband of the late Sandra L. (Wilson) Comeau, with whom he shared 47 years of marriage until her unexpected death in 2013.

Born in Lynn, he was the son of the late Herbert and Ida (Elwell) Comeau. A lifelong Lynn resident, he was a graduate of Lynn Trade School and had served in the United States Navy.

Robert worked as a welder for General Electric, Riverworks in Lynn for 30 years until his retirement in 1996. He also worked for Solimine Funeral Home and Nadworny Funeral Home in Lynn for many years.

He was a member of Bethany Congregational Church in Lynn and attended the church’s Tuesday coffee hour. Bob was involved with the Boy Scouts and had been a Babe Ruth Softball coach. He enjoyed motorcycles and antique cars, and his greatest joy came from spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his son, Robert L. Comeau Jr. and his wife Kimber of California; two daughters, Amy Sawyer and her husband David of Lynn and Jennie Hennessey and her husband Shawn of Lynn; seven grandchildren, Jason and Joseph Comeau, David, Jessica and Caitlyn Sawyer, and Meaghan and Lauren Hennessey; his brother, Herbert Comeau and his wife Ann of Lynn; his sister-in-law, Mary Comeau of Peabody, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his grandson and special angel, Grifyn Sawyer, his twin brother Richard Comeau, his brother Gerald Comeau and his sister Diane Teal.

Service information: His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. in Bethany Congregational Church, 410 Eastern Ave., Lynn. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Monday from 4-8 p.m. Those who prefer may make donations to Bethany Congregational Church, 410 Eastern Ave., Lynn, MA 01902. Directions and guestbook 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

Arrest

Kathleen Flaherty, 32, no address listed, was arrested and charged with trespassing at 5:40  p.m. Thursday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:50 p.m. Thursday on North Federal Street; at 4:03 p.m. Thursday on Boston Street; at 4:39 p.m. Thursday on Park Street; at 4:42 p.m. Thursday on Broadway; at 8:42 p.m. Thursday on Laurel Street; at 9:19 p.m. Thursday on Broadway; at 10:30 p.m. Thursday on Franklin Street; at 10:46 p.m. Thursday on Western Avenue; at 12:28 a.m. Friday on Lynnfield Street.

Complaints

A report of a lost article at 2:21 p.m. Thursday on the Lynnway; at 2:24 p.m. Thursday on Michigan Avenue.

A report of a disturbance at 2:22 p.m. Thursday on Stephens Street; at 4:50 p.m. Thursday on State Street; at 6:27 p.m. Thursday on Franklin Street; at 9:19 p.m. Thursday on Eutaw Avenue; at 2:47 a.m. Friday on Gardiner Street; at 2:53 a.m. Friday on Baltimore Street; at 5:25 a.m. Friday on Eutaw Avenue.

A report of noise at 3:14 p.m. Thursday on Riley Way; at 7:53 p.m. Thursday on Franklin Street; at 9:58 p.m. Thursday on Western Avenue; at 10:43 p.m. Thursday on South Common Street

A report of larceny at 3:27 p.m. Thursday on Curwin Circle; at 6:58 p.m. Thursday on Neptune Boulevard.

A report of a con/scam at 3:47 p.m. Thursday on Commonwealth Road.

A report of an uninvited guest at 5:19 p.m. Thursday on Washington Street; at 5:55 p.m. Thursday on Eastern Avenue; at 2:22 a.m. Friday on Pinkham Street; at 2:28 a.m. Friday on Summer Street.

A report of a juvenile problem at 6:29 p.m. Thursday on Lawton Avenue; at 7:58 a.m. Friday on Blossom Street.

A report of suspicious activity at 8:48 p.m. Thursday on Springvale Avenue.

A report of a missing person at 1:10 a.m. Friday on Newhall Street.

LYNNFIELD

Complaints

A report of a citizen in need of assistance at 8:01 a.m. Wednesday on Lowell Street.

A report of a civil complaint at 12:19 p.m. Thursday on North Broadway. Landlord locked tenant out of apartment.

MARBLEHEAD

Complaints

A report of a missing car at 7:52 a.m. Thursday on Barnard Hawkes Court. Follow up report, daughter had sold it.

A report of a disturbance at 8:46 a.m. Thursday on Lafayette Street; at 2:53 p.m. Thursday on Commercial Street.

A report of a scam phone call at 2:44 p.m. Thursday on Stramski Way.

A report of a stolen scooter at 3:32 p.m. Thursday on Creesy Street.

REVERE

Complaints

A report of vandalism at 9:34 a.m. Thursday on Bennington Street; at 8:38 p.m. Thursday on Winthrop Avenue.

A report of a disturbance at 9:38 a.m. Thursday on Ward Street; at 12:45 p.m. Thursday on Kingman Avenue; at 2:05 p.m. Thursday on Broadway; at 2:34 p.m. Thursday on Newhall Street; at 5:49 p.m. Thursday on Central Avenue; at 10:09 p.m. Thursday on Ambrose Street.

A report of larceny at 9:50 a.m. Thursday on School Street.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run at 9:54 a.m. Thursday on Prospect Avenue.

A report of an IRS scam at 10:29 a.m. Thursday on Park Avenue.

A report of trespassing at 12:46 p.m. Thursday on Overlook Ridge Terrace.

A report of threats at 2:34 p.m. Thursday on Campbell Avenue.

A report of an abandoned vehicle at 4:18 p.m. Thursday on Park Avenue.

A report of a of a lost animal at 4:24 p.m. Thursday on Standish Road.

A report of suspicious activity at 5:18 p.m. Thursday on Broadway.

A report of shoplifting at 7:26 p.m. Thursday on Furlong Drive.

A report of a suspicious vehicle at 10:07 p.m. Thursday on Sherman Street.

A report of a possible overdose at 11:28 p.m. Thursday on Malden Street.

SAUGUS

Complaints

A report of trespassing at 9:13 a.m. Thursday on Broadway.

A report of a suspicious motor vehicle at 10:15 a.m. Thursday on Felton Street; at 12:35 p.m. Thursday on Scotts Mill Court.

A report of a medical emergency at 4:11 p.m. Thursday on Broadway.

A report of a 911 hangup at 5:47 p.m. Thursday on Hammersmith Drive.

A report of a disturbance at 7:19 p.m. Thursday on Broadway.

A report of larceny at 10:05 p.m. Thursday on Broadway.

A report of suspicious activity at 10:46 p.m. Thursday on Founders Way.

LYNN — Lynn Police responded to a shooting at 147 Washington St. at about 3:18 p.m. Friday afternoon. A Lynn officer was working a detail, heard shots fired and radioed it in, said Lt. Rick Donnelly.

Lynn Police responded to the scene, but found no victims or suspects. At this time, there remain to be no suspects, nobody is under arrest and there are no victims, he said.

“Police determined that at least two parties were involved,” Donnelly said.

Shots were likely fired from in front of the Del Patio Barber Shop on Washington Street. Police suspect shots were then returned from the area of Hanover Street, he said.

Several shell casings were found on Hanover and Washington Streets, Donnelly said.

“There’s a bullet hole in the front of the barber shop that we believe is from this incident,” he said.

A hole can be seen in the front window of the shop.

The shooting remains under investigation.

PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
Jamiselle Contreras takes her turn singing at Visionspace Gallery on Friday.

BY JESSIE NOCELLA

LYNN — Positivity and soulful tunes floated from the stage and onto the street Friday night as passers-by stopped to check out the commotion at Visionspace Gallery in City Hall Square.

From dancing to singing, laughing and rapping, there was something for everyone at the city’s first Youth Open Mic night.

Nonprofits, including When Raw Elements Combine Kinetically Start Helping Other People (WRECKSHOP) and Centerboard Inc., teamed up to give kids 18 and under a chance to express themselves in a supportive environment of about three dozen family and friends.

Centerboard’s mission is to support struggling families through housing, employment, education and youth programs. Wreck Shop plans free open mic events to encourage people to express themselves, practice their talents and give back to the community through creativity and youth involvement.

The night commenced with poetry from Michele, 16, who declined to give her last name. She nervously spoke about the hardships and inequality between men and women and how females should be respected.

The crowd reacted wildly, clapping until she got off stage.

Many of the youngsters who performed are involved in Centerboard’s programs to support families and empower young people.

Keyanni Chalmus, 11, who is enrolled in Centerboard’s singing classes, belted out English recording artist Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite” that was a show stopper.

“I would like to come to this again because I enjoyed it and I thought it was creative, there were a lot of families there,” Chalmus said after the show.

She said there was lots of support, and she loved getting high-fives from the crowd after she was done.

Her sister Zarriah Chalmus, who performed “Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys, was very enthusiastic about her performance.

“I wanted to tell everyone I had something in me and that maybe I could be something,” she said.

The crowd made her feel special and was inspired to come because of her sister and Centerboard, she said.

“I got to share my expressions with everybody in there,” Chalmus said. “I could feel like a part of something when I’m singing.”

Dressed in a bright blue sequin dress Jamiselle Contreras, 10, wowed the crowd of about three dozen with her range and confidence as she performed “Conquer” from the TV show “Empire.”

“I felt so good about myself, I messed up a couple of times and was about to stop singing, but I got my courage back because everyone was cheering and now,” Contreras said. “I just want to sing again.”