ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
New paving will be installed on Humphrey Street in Swampscott beginning June 13 through June 30.

It will get worse before it gets better but there are several reasons to think Humphrey Street paving work slated to start on Monday will yield improvements for drivers, business owners and merchants and property owners along the busy street.

There is no question traffic lane and parking restrictions necessitated by the work will be a pain in the posterior through the end of June as reconstruction work takes place. Reconstructing a small side street is an inconvenient but tolerable experience. But repaving a major thoroughfare like Humphrey that serves as a commuter artery is going to be an experience demanding patience and positive attitudes from all concerned.

Humphrey sees steady small town foot traffic that intensifies in the summer months when walkers, joggers and restaurant-goers clog the sidewalks. Even moderate traffic can slow to a crawl as drivers turn off Humphrey or stop and parallel park.

Humphrey has seen its share of new building construction in recent years and it makes sense to match property improvements with an upgraded roadway. New street features will include sidewalk curb extensions designed to slow traffic.

At first glance, the sidewalk work seems to not make sense on a street already experiencing heavy traffic. But the extensions along with repainted crosswalks will enhance pedestrian safety once the road work is done.

With the Hadley School located a short distance off Humphrey, it makes sense to include pedestrian safety as one of the project’s intended improvements.

The Humphrey Street road project underscores the glaring need for more state money to be spent on Lynn area roads. Humphrey is the perfect example of a busy road doing triple duty as a commuter route, access road transitioning into a scenic parkway (Lynn Shore Drive) and as a neighborhood street that is home to local residents.

Other roads across Lynn, Revere, Saugus and other communities play similar multi-purpose transportation roles. But state commitments to spend money and map out project schedules for local roadways are maddeningly slow.

Building a new bridge across the Saugus River between Lynn and Saugus took years. Planning and construction on the Broadway-Wyoma Square-Lynnfield Street reconstruction is also stretching over a several-year time period.

It’s worth noting that Western Avenue in Lynn and Lynnfield Street are state-designated (routes 107 and 129) roadways that deserve elevated state attention and spending and completion commitments.

Repaving work on the Lynnway and Lynn’s inclusion in the North Shore scenic byway road network are positive improvements, but the region needs to see more projects like Humphrey Street get off the ground.

SPONSORED BY BENNETT STREET TIRE AND GLASS.

60 Bennett Street, Lynn.   Phone number:  (781) 598-1613

Bennett Street Tire and Glass was opened in 1979.  The owner, Gary Janice and his staff specialize in replacement tires, wheel alignments, tire balancing and auto glass repair.  Bennett Street Tire and Glass is known to help customers keep their cars running for many years with their affordable auto repair.   Conveniently located at     60 Bennett St., in Lynn, Bennett Street Tire and Glass serves the surrounding communities of Revere, Swampscott, Salem, Marblehead and Lynnfield, as well.   Bennett Street Tire and Glass carries products from top national brands such as MICHELIN®, BFGoodrich® and Uniroyal® tires, Interstate Batteries® and Pittsburgh Glass Works® that keep your vehicle running smoothly and looking good.  Stop in anytime during the shop’s hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or contact them online.  

Turtles like this 45-pounder relocated by city Animal Control Officer Keith Sheppard have been encroaching on gardens and catching the eye of local residents.

BY MICHELE DURGIN

LYNN — A charter member of the Goldfish Pond Association, John Baker just can’t get respect when it comes to garden-loving turtles.

For the past four years, a two-foot Common Snapping Turtle has made a late spring trek from the pond to Baker and his wife, Carol’s, Bloomfield Street home. The pesky terrapin proceeds to rip up Baker’s garden filled with beautiful blooming impatiens to create a comfortable space to lay her eggs.

Baker got fed up with nuisance this year and decided to take action.

“I deserve more respect, and I had to do something drastic, once and for all,” he said.

A call to City Hall sent Animal Control Officer Keith Sheppard to the Baker home. Sheppard located the turtle and returned her to the pond.

But that’s not the end of the story. By Wednesday, “Miss Turtle” had returned to Baker’s garden and a second call brought Sheppard to Bloomfield Street.

”There she was, once again,” Baker said. “She was having a grand time digging away at my beautiful freshly-planted flowers. I know she’s digging to create a place to lay her eggs and I would never hurt her. But, I’ve simply had it.”

Sheppard relocated Miss Turtle to a local pond that is more secluded from the public. He didn’t want to disclose the exact location and is confident the mother turtle will feel comfortable in her new surroundings very soon.

He said turtle invasions are on the rise locally with a 45-pound Common Snapping Turtle requiring relocation from a Parkland Avenue yard to a more remote location. Sheppard said the turtle in Baker’s yard weighed 30-pounds and is in good health.

“I estimate her to be about twenty years old, which means she  has a long life ahead,” he said. “They can live up to one hundred years. I wish her the best and I am confident she will settle into her new home soon. And something tells me that Mr. Baker might just miss her.”

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Sen. Thomas M. McGee and Economic Development and Industrial Corporation Director James M. Cowdell talk about the loss of ferry service in Lynn.

BY THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — Sen. Thomas M. McGee and EDIC/Lynn Executive Director James M. Cowdell fired back Wednesday at a Baker administration official who said a city request for $700,000 to operate a commuter ferry this summer came too late.

The money would have paid for a ferry to run from the Blossom Street extension dock for a third summer season..

Cowdell said the funding request was submitted on March 16 and placed on the state Seaport Economic Council’s June agenda for certain approval. A week later, EDIC received an email from the council requesting a sustainability study to explain how the operating expenses would be paid for going forward. But the city was given six months to complete it, he added.

Of Seaport Economic Council member Carolyn Kirk, Cowdell said, “For Ms. Kirk to say that we didn’t get the application in on time is a blatant falsehood. The rejection letter said the project cannot be funded, but never mentioned that we missed any deadline. For whatever reason somebody made a determination that it shouldn’t be funded.”

Kirk’s claim is one of several examples Cowdell and McGee underscored to amplify their objections to the Baker administration’s response to city efforts to sustain the popular ferry.

McGee said now the state is asking the city to come up with the cash to support the ferry’s operation. But he insists Lynn should not be required to make such a payment, emphasizing that about 80 percent of the riders come from Swampscott, Marblehead and Nahant.

The MBTA subsidizes three ferry services that serve Hingham-Boston, Hingham-Hull-Logan and the Charlestown Navy Yard-Long Wharf. For fiscal year 2015 the subsidy totaled about $3.7 million, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

“It’s unfair to say the city somehow dropped the ball on this,” McGee said. “The reality is, MassDOT could be finding an opportunity to pay for the service out of dollars available within the agency. The state can’t say to Lynn: ‘If you want a ferry, then you have to pay for it.’ We are not at fault, this is a transportation issue. This is not an amenity, this about us having transportation access in this region.”

Under former Gov. Deval Patrick, the Seaport Economic Council, provided $8.5 million to build the Blossom Street extension pier, where passengers board the boat, and operating expenses for the ferry for two years.

It’s clear that there are people at the MBTA who don’t want to be in the ferry business and don’t want to expand it because they don’t see it as a core business, McGee said.

“Are we supposed to lay off teachers, police officers, firefighters to fund a ferry?” Cowdell asked.

The pair noted how in March MassDOT suggested the city apply for $769,000 operating funds from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Committee, a federal program that provided $30 billion to fund more than 30,000 transportation related environmental projects.

The money was approved unanimously, but the grant was later withdrawn because it did not meet environmental requirements.

“The people involved in this were running us around for a year until the clock ran out,” said a frustrated McGee.

McGee and Cowdell stressed the Lynn ferry’s value as a component in a water transportation network that could ring Boston and help handle future regional transportation challenges.

Barry Bluestone, professor of public policy at Northeastern University, said his research shows that if nothing changes, the state’s highways will be clogged so badly by 2030 to be unpassable with 117,000 more commuters.

“We have to figure out how to get people into alternative transportation,” he said. “Other communities have very active water transportation that works and we need to add more ferries to our transportation matrix. The state picks up the tab for much of our transportation costs already. What’s the difference between the highway and ferry if it reduces the pressure on the highway?”

A spokesman for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development declined comment and no one was made available from MassDOT.

In a statement, Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack said “MassDOT supports the city of Lynn’s efforts to establish regular ferry service to Boston.  But the Lynn Ferry is not an MBTA service.  To be fiscally responsible to the entire MBTA system, we must be cautious when expanding MBTA services.  However, MassDOT has offered to pay for the development of a sustainable business plan which would allow this ferry to run in the future.”

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

LYNN — Mary Frances (Garofalo) Fratangelo, 92, of Swampscott, formerly of Lynn, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2016.

Born in Lynn, Mary was the daughter of the late Isadore, Antonette (Durso) and Lucy (Lonero – Vitale) Garofalo. She was the beloved wife of the late Ernest D. Fratangelo Sr. Mary was the loving mother of Ernest D. Fratangelo Jr., and his wife, Ellie, of Peabody and Joseph J. Fratangelo and his wife, Anne Marie of Salem, the cherished grandmother of Amy Houlihan and her husband, John, and Lisa Flecca and her husband, Andy, and Jill Fratangelo-Sherman, the great-grandmother of Brandon Flecca, Jack and Declan Houlihan and Justin and Callie Sherman, the dear sister of Salvatore and Fred Garofalo, Josephine Mahoney and the late Angelo and John Garofalo, Vincent Vitale, Sam Vitali and Lena Nasuti. Mary is also survived by a close cousin, Rose Gegnose and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Mary graduated from Lynn public schools. She worked as a bookkeeper for Northeast Airlines and later for her family’s business at Ernie’s Harvest Time since 1982. She enjoyed reading, cooking and sewing, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Service information: Mary’s funeral will be held Monday, June 13, at 9 a.m., from the CUFFE-MCGINN FUNERAL HOME, 157 Maple St., Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Church, 198 Humphrey St., Swampscott. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 1-4 p.m., in the funeral home. Contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston, c/o Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston, 51 Sleeper St., Boston, MA 02210, or via www.ccab.org?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss or Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA 01923 or via www.caredimensions.org,?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss or to a charity of one’s choice. For the online guest book please visit Cuffemcginn.com.

WINTHROP — William T. “Bill” Corcoran, of Winthrop, passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

Beloved husband of Kathleen A. (Coleman) Corcoran. Devoted father of Molly A. Corcoran Barboza and her husband, David, of Winthrop and Matt W. Corcoran and his girlfriend, Dianna Lui, of Melrose. Adored grandfather of ZsaZsa Corcoran Barboza. Cherished son of the late Michael B. and Dorothy M. (Kane) Corcoran. Dear brother of Priscilla Corcoran-Oates of Lynn, Michael B. Corcoran Jr., of Lynn, Lawrence E. Corcoran of Lynn, Margaret J. Wilson of Franklin, N.H., and the late Richard J. Corcoran. Brother-in-law of Carolyn Corcoran of Rowley, Mary A. Coleman of Winthrop, Diane F. and William Fitzpatrick of Lynnfield, Michael F. and Jacqueline Coleman of N. Andover. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and aunts.

Prior to his recent retirement, Bill was an employee for General Electric of Lynn and Everett, where he worked as a machinist for 41 years. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the General Electric Golf League.

Service information: Visiting hours will be held in the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral home, 210 Winthrop St., Winthrop, on Sunday, June 12, from 4-8 p.m. Funeral at the Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home on Monday, at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church-Winthrop at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Cremation to follow will be private, for guest book and directions, please visit Mauricekirbyfh.com.

LYNN

Dismissal

Paperwork filed in Lynn District Court confirms Judge Ellen Flatley on April 24, 2014 dismissed a carrying a dangerous weapon charge filed against Samir Yadallah of Salem on Sept. 24, 2013.

Arrests

James Belmer, 21, of 20 South St., was arrested and charged with assault and battery at 9:19 p.m. Wednesday.

Jamie Croft was arrested on warrant charges of two counts of sexual conduct for a fee at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Wilfredo Delacruz, 19, of 134 Allen Ave., was arrested on a warrant at 5:26 a.m. Thursday.

James Douglas, 21, of 95 Cottage St., was arrested and charged with violation of the city knife ordinance at 10:58 p.m. Wednesday.

Thomas Hobbs, 35, was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A drug and possession of a Class B drug at 12:29 a.m. Thursday.

Antoine Kelley, 37, of 12 First St., Salem, was arrested on a warrant charge of distribution of a Class B drug at 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Nathan Phillips, 36, of 16 Greenland Ave., Salem, was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A drug at 12:09 p.m. Thursday.

Mayya Shoykhet, of 1 Chase St., was arrested on warrant charges of two counts of sexual conduct for a fee and possession of a Class B drug at 11:49 a.m. Thursday.

Jelani Tinnis-Edwards, 18, of 70 Granite St., was arrested on a warrant at 8:57 a.m. Thursday.

Valeria Wilder, 50, of 22 Parkland Ave., was arrested on warrant charges of OUI liquor, marked lanes violation, motor vehicle lights violation, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and alcohol from an open container in a motor vehicle at 3:07 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 3:51 p.m. Wednesday at Eastern Avenue and New Ocean Street; at 5:54 a.m. Thursday at Ford and Locust streets; at 10:24 a.m. Thursday at Henry and Lawton avenues; at 12:46 p.m. Thursday at Market and Tremont streets.

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 6:47 p.m. Wednesday at 105 Essex St.; at 7:07 p.m. Wednesday at Walgreens at 21 Joyce St.; at 10:09 p.m. Wednesday at Joyce and Union streets; at 11:08 a.m. Thursday on Silsbee Street; at 11:25 a.m. Thursday at 51 Memorial Park Ave.; at 11:32 a.m. Thursday at 134 Munroe St.; at 12:42 p.m. Thursday at Keslar and Purdon avenues.

Assaults

A report of an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon at 12:40 a.m. Thursday on Laurel Street.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday at 29 Clairmont Terrace; at 1:01 a.m. Thursday on Hutchinsons Court.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 4:54 p.m. Wednesday at 9 Cottage St.; at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday ast 118 S Common St.; at 6:09 p.m. Wednesday at 30 High St.; at 9:52 p.m. Wednesday at 41 Light St.; at 10:06 p.m. Wednesday at 12 E Highland St.; at 10:33 p.m. Wednesday at 2 Brightwood Terrace; at 2:02 a.m. Thursday at Eastern Avenue and Pacific Street; at 2:03 a.m. Thursday at 7 Wilson St.; at 10:35 a.m. Thursday at 44 Story Ave.; at 11:45 a.m. Thursday at 13 Tacoma St.; at 12:38 p.m. Thursday at 47 Alley St.

Overdose

A report of an overdose at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday on Market Street.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 9:02 a.m. Thursday at Tracy School at 35 Walnut St.; at 2:49 p.m. Thursday at Walmart at 780 Lynnway.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 6:56 a.m. Thursday at 58 Atkins Ave.

LYNNFIELD

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 7:45 a.m. Monday at 981 Main St. and 5 Strout Ave.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 2:13 p.m. Monday at Wahlburgers at 930 Market St. One person was transported to Melrose Wakefield Hospital; at 7:45 p.m. Monday at 462 S Broadway and 771 Salem St.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 6:20 p.m. Sunday on Essex Street; at 2:35 p.m. Monday on Essex Street. A 15-year-old juvenile was arrested and charged with assault and battery, threat to commit crime and disorderly conduct.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 8:22 p.m. Monday at 26 Temple Road; at 9:50 a.m. Thursday at 500 Ross Drive.

Theft

A report of a larceny of a motor vehicle at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Kelly Nissan at 275 N Broadway.

MARBLEHEAD

Arrests

Judith Carpenter, 37, homeless in Salem, was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property more than $250 at 11:25 a.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 8:18 p.m. Wednesday on Ocean Avenue.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 11:25 a.m. Wednesday on Pleasant Street. A caller reported he is in Boston and got a message from a friend that the woman named Judy who had been staying with him for awhile was at his home, kicking in the door and drinking. He said she is an unwanted guest and that she has his phone and keys to the residence. An offer reported the screen ripped open and food from the freezer tossed in the back yard with someone inside the apartment. Entry was gained by the fire department. Judith Carpenter, 37, homeless in Salem, was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property more than $250.

Complaints

A report of a woman on a bicycle at 8:46 a.m. Wednesday. A caller was concerned that there was a woman on a bike with a brown basket type of attachment. In the basket were two children without helmets and the woman didn’t have a helmet either. The caller said the basket was draped with an American flag bunting and was concerned for the safety of the children. An officer spoke with the woman.

Fire

A report of a brush fire at 6:57 p.m. Wednesday on Rowland Street. A person walking by saw a bush smoking. It was an outside chimney with the occupants putting it out.

PEABODY

Arrests

Angel M. Callazo Jr., 19, of 23 Harris St., Apt. 3FL, was arrested on a warrant at 9:34 a.m. Thursday.

Timothy M. Grasso, 33, of 1 River Court, Apt. 112, Amesbury, was arrested on a warrant at 10:59 p.m. Wednesday.

Philip R. Hunt, 36, of 15 Swampscott Ave., Apt. 2, was arrested on warrants at 10:59 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:08 p.m. Wednesday at Direct Tire at 231 Andover St.; at 4:34 p.m. Wednesday at 23 Lynnfield St. Two vehicles were towed and two people were transported to the hospital; at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday at Hampton Inn at 59 Newbury St.; at 11:19 p.m. Wednesday at Sullivan Tire & Auto Service at 175 Washington St. Vehicle into a tree. Driver was transported to Salem Hospital. Brian Richardson, 47, of 20 Planters St., Salem, was cited for operating after a revoked license and negligent operation of a motor vehicle; at 9 a.m. Thursday at Peabody Glass & Mirror at 29 Howley St.; at 12:53 p.m. Thursday at 96 Washington St. and 2 Clement Ave. One person was transported to Salem Hospital.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 3:54 p.m. Wednesday at Holden Oil at 91 Lynnfield St.

A report of a pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle at 9:16 a.m. Thursday at Carroll School at 60 Northend St. Child on a bike hit by a car. The vehicle was last seen going towards Salem. Possible male teen driver. The mother came and took the child to the hospital.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Pierpont Park on Pierpont Street; at 6:47 p.m. Wednesday on Chestnut Street. A caller reported being bothered by the homeless; at 4:25 a.m. Thursday at Burlington Coat Factory at 310 Andover St.

Fire

A report of a brush fire at 12:56 p.m. Wednesday at Vortex Company at 4 Dearborn Road. An officer reported the fire started from a transfusion box.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 3:32 p.m. Wednesday at Zales at 210 Andover St. An officer reports an employee was assisting a customer on Sunday and a four carat ring valued at $8,000 went missing. The incident was caught on camera; at 4:59 p.m. Wednesday at Nordstrom at 210N Andover St. Internal investigation of an employee theft valued at $631.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 8:40 p.m. Wednesday at Brooksby Village at 100 Brooksby Village Drive.

REVERE

Arrests

Justin F. Holder, 23, of 126 Fremont Ave., Apt. 2, Everett, was arrested and charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle at 12:16 p.m. Wednesday.

Holly A. Parkins-Altri, 44, of 309 Crescent Ave., was arrested and charged with operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked license, possession of a Class B drug and on warrants at 8:36 p.m. Wednesday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 5:58 a.m. Wednesday at Wonderland Ballroom on North Shore Road; at 10:59 a.m. Wednesday on Mahoney Circle; at 1:40 p.m. Wednesday on Campbell Avenue; at 3:39 p.m. Wednesday on Shirley Avenue; at 5:23 p.m. Wednesday on North Shore Road; at 6:53 p.m. Wednesday on Calumet Street; at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday on Copeland Circle.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 12:52 p.m. Wednesday on Shirley Avenue; at 4:25 p.m. Wednesday at Stop & Shop on Furlong Drive; at 8:21 p.m. Wednesday on Beach Street.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 6:04 p.m. Wednesday on North Shore Road.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 1:47 a.m. Wednesday on Washington Street.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 7:17 a.m. Wednesday at Revere Housing Authority on Constitution Avenue; at 8:58 a.m. Wednesday at Rumney Marsh Middle School on American Legion Highway.

A report of shots fired at 1:01 p.m. Wednesday on Beach Street; at 4:27 p.m. Wednesday on Keayne Street; at 5:23 p.m. Wednesday at Thornton Street and Shirley Avenue; at 6:51 p.m. Wednesday at Short Beach on Winthrop Avenue; at 9:56 p.m. Wednesday on Janvrin Avenue.

Theft

A report of a larceny/forgery/fraud at 9 p.m. Wednesday at Revere Housing Authority on Constitution Avenue.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:44 p.m. Wednesday at Eastman Avenue and Essex Street. Motorcycle accident reported.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 4:49 p.m. Wednesday at 19 Laurel Road.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 2:46 p.m. Wednesday at High School on Essex Street.

Fire

A report of a fire at 7:02 p.m. Wednesday at 248 Atlantic Ave.

Staff Report

Three Lynn residents and a Revere man have been charged with being part of a gang that is allegedly responsible for fueling a gun and drug pipeline in eastern Massachusetts, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Wilfredo Delacruz, 19, Jose Perez, 19, Robert Lewis, 30, all from Lynn, and Jamir Hernandez, 22, of Revere are among 66 alleged gang members from Greater Boston that have been charged with federal and state firearm and drug charges, including federal RICO conspiracy charges related to an attempted murder.

During the course of the investigation, more than 70 firearms were seized. On Thursday, about 400 law enforcement officers carried out the arrests of numerous members of the 18th Street Gang, the East Side Money Gang and the Boylston Gang. These individuals operated primarily in East Boston, Chelsea, Brockton, Malden, Revere and Everett.

Additional individuals were taken into custody on federal immigration violations.

In 2014, a federal investigation identified a network of street gangs which had created alliances resulting in the trafficking of weapons and drugs throughout the state, and generated violence against rival gang members. The investigation also revealed significant cocaine, crack, and heroin dealing committed by gang members, many of which were supplied through a Brockton-based drug network. Court documents said the 18th Street Gang is a multi-national gang that operates throughout the U.S. and Central America, and whose members in the Boston area have had significant access to firearms in Boston and Chelsea. Over a one year period, investigators seized 37 firearms from 18th Street Gang members alone, including 29 handguns, three assault rifles, and five sawed-off shotguns, many of which had the serial numbers obliterated.

In total, 53 defendants have been charged in federal court, three of whom were previously arrested. Thirteen defendants have been charged by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in state court. More than two dozen individuals have been detained for administrative deportations. The charge of RICO conspiracy provides a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Depending on the drug quantity, the drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution charges provide a sentence of 20 years, 40 years or a lifetime in prison; a minimum of three, four or five years of supervised release; and a fine of $1 million, $5 million or $10 million. The charge of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license provides a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm or an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Christine Diarbakerly stands on the steps of her building at 38 Exchange St.

BY THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — Frustrated that she has been unable to lease office space at 38 Exchange St. at a bargain basement price, a Winchester-based developer has a deal to flip The Item’s former headquarters.

The landmark five-story building in Central Square was purchased last year by US-1 Ventures at auction for $880,000 with plans for offices on the ground floor and apartments above.

But after months of seeking an office tenant, US-1 was unable to secure anyone for the 5,000-square-foot space.

“I put up a massive sign that offered three months free rent and $10 a square foot and didn’t get a single call,” said Christine Diarbakerly, the company’s 28-year-old founder. “When I bought the property, I didn’t understand how dead the Lynn office market was. In addition to being very aggressive with the rent, I cleaned out the building, installed new carpet and new paint and that didn’t help. ”

Diarbakerly won’t identify the potential buyer and said the closing is expected to take place in the next 45 days.

Originally, she planned to invest $12 million to transform the flatiron property into two dozen upscale apartments.

“There’s a lot of buzz about Lynn,” she said weeks before her decision to sell. “It’s the next up-and-coming place. My goal is to transform the district and bring more life to the downtown.”

Her plan for the 35,000-square-foot building included apartments on the second through fifth floors. The ground-floor was to feature shared-offices, modeled after the Cambridge Innovation Center, where more than 900 startups, share working areas instead of leasing traditional office space.

But as she considered the project, Diarbakerly said the building needed to be gutted and rebuilt.

“That’s not really what I’m good at,” she said. “It will be a little out of my league and I don’t have the skills to build it for as cheap as possible. There are others who were at the auction who would do a better job at cost control and building it for less.”

Built in 1900 and anchoring Central Square, the property could become a catalyst for the downtown’s rejuvenation.

While some real estate experts said Diarbakerly overpaid for the shuttered property, she rejected the suggestion.

“Did I overpay?” she said. “Not at all. The building is beautiful, its structure is sound and everything was in great condition. It’s assessed at more than $1 million and we paid less than that.”

She praised city and state officials who have rolled out the red carpet.

“They have been very encouraging and welcoming to new investors,” she said. “They’ve opened up the doors and made me feel wanted. They do not want Section 8 or affordable housing, they want a really nice product to add to downtown Lynn.”

Diarbakerly is not the only developer who has a vision for the downtown. Quincy-based MG2, formerly the Mayo Group, is converting a former downtown office building into 49 apartments. That project is expected to be completed by year’s end.

Last month, the Economic Development and Industrial Corp. (Lynn/EDIC) touted the transformation of the former Arnold Stationery Building at 33 Central Square into eight condominiums for artists. The 10,896-square-foot building had been vacant for years until the nonprofit redevelopment agency and the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development turned the five-story building into loft-style condos.

“We want people living in the downtown who have disposable income,” said James Cowdell, executive director of Lynn/EDIC. “The effects of that new people moving into the downtown is in direct correlation to the launching of new businesses like Rossetti Restaurant, the Blue Ox Restaurant & Bar and R.F. O’Sullivan & Son.”  

Still, Diana Goldberg, an agent at Sagan Agency Realtors in Swampscott who leases apartments in Lynn, said while the location of apartments across from the MBTA and near the beaches is a plus, attracting tenants to the city’s downtown willing to pay premium prices will be a challenge.

“There could be a market for these new units,” she said. “But when you put an oasis in the middle of a problem area that takes a little while for it to take off. Lynn’s reputation will be the biggest challenge.”

John Veneziano, broker-owner of Re/Max Andrew Realty Services, the listing agent for the former St. Michael’s Church, school and rectory on Summer Street, said Lynn investors are betting that tenants priced-out of Boston will come to Lynn. But he said developers offering luxury units in Lynn’s downtown will be competing with places like East Boston, Chelsea and Revere.

“By the time the smoke settles, there will be as many as 400 units available,” he said. “Right now, landlords have the upper hand, but when all those units are built, tenants will be in the driver’s seat.”

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

SPONSORED BY BENNETT STREET TIRE AND GLASS.

60 Bennett Street, Lynn.   Phone number:  (781) 598-1613

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PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
The caps of KIPP students at their graduation ceremony on Thursday.

BY JESSIE NOCELLA

LYNN — On Thursday night, KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate’s (KALC) Class of 2016 was commenced at Lynn City Hall.

Salutatorian Enorenegbe Idahor reminisced about her school years and how important the experience will be in the future.

“As we leave KIPP, we are going to enter a new journey in our lives,” she said. “But it is important to take what we learned here with us.”

Drea DeAngelo, head of KALC, encouraged parents to stand, bringing about half of the audience to their feet in applause.

She highlighted the outstanding student achievements including the fact that more than 1,000 college applications were submitted by the graduating class and 480 acceptances.

“No matter what comes your way,” she said. “Whether it’s academic, or social or emotional, or just plain unexpected, you have it and need to approach it with courage and come out on the other side a better, stronger person.”

Valedictorian Jefferson Prakob explained how his class overcame success and failures.

“Class of 2016,” he said. “You aren’t labeled by what you fail to do, but what you strive to do and eventually what you actually do.”

Prakob talked about the struggles of people doubting KALC. But said students reached beyond expectations.

“You are someone who can grow out of the crack of concrete of a city that is looked down upon and survive,” he said.

Class Elected Speaker Keyla Betances said the school provided guidance to all of its students.

“KIPP is a school where if a student needs help there is always a hand there,” she said. “Whether it’s a staff or a student, they will stay with you until you have achieved and succeeded your goals.”

Michael Brown, keynote speaker, is an education reform leader from Memphis. He applauded them for all the overtime they worked to provide for their kids, the time they took to help with homework and the mornings they made sure their child was on time to school.

“We are just pulling out they greatness that you, since birth, have put into your kids,” he said.

Brown told the 68 students how they are making history because they contributed to the all-time low rating of Black and Latino drop-outs. Brown told a story about how this group of students had been videotaped as fifth graders as an example for other charter schools.

“You created a blueprint that people around the country are trying to follow,” he said.

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
The environmental day event in Central Square in Lynn had a windy start that blew over tents and this paper elephant being picked up by Jose Alvarez. Activities included education on recycling and illegal wildlife trade.

BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE

LYNN — Environmental activists descended on Central Square Thursday to advocate for the planet’s protection.

Advocates from the local chapter of Global Embassy of Activists for Peace, the international, non-profit organization that promotes worldwide peace, set up tables in the downtown providing information about recycling, according to Dulce Gonzalez, project coordinator.

“A common misconception is that all cardboard can be recycled,” Gonzalez said. “If it’s contaminated with food, it can’t be recycled.”

People are often surprised to hear that glass should not be recycled, she said.

The group distributed reusable shopping bags to raise awareness and reduce the three trillion bags that are used once and tossed annually. Each bag takes at least 20 years to decompose.

Gonzalez said she hopes reusable bags are required in the city.

“We’re hopeful, but right now we’re just trying to educate the public,” she said.

This year’s Environment Day also focused on wildlife protection.

“The monarch butterfly is becoming endangered,” Gonzalez said. “The Obama administration recently put out an alert for monarch butterflies. Something like 970 million butterflies have been disappearing since 1996. That’s a huge number for just the past two decades.”

Joselyne Reynoso, an activist, said it’s important to tell people about how the earth deserves to be treated.

“Mother earth provides for us,” Reynoso said. “We should treat our earth as a human, and treat it with love and respect.”

Participants could sign a petition given by William Soto, executive president of the organization, that focuses on the protection and recognition of the rights of earth as a living being, and argues that ecocide, the destruction of the natural environment, should be recognized as an international crime.

The group will travel to Central Falls, Rhode Island today to repeat their message to more than 400 students, said Juan Gonzalez, regional coordinator for New England.

“This is about how important it is to recycle and reuse,” he said.  “We are bringing this message and a message on the protection of wildlife to citizens of Lynn because, just like we take care of our mother, that is how we should take care of our mother Earth.”

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

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Liono Kou, the valedictorian at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, reacts to a standing ovation he got from his classmates after delivering a rap song he wrote about his class.

BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE

LYNN — The Lynn Vocational Technical Institute class of 2016 graduated Thursday and celebrated with a song about Lynn.

Liono Kou, the class valedictorian, captured the crowd when he rapped his lyrics to the tune of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song. The lyrics described his high school experience and  accomplishments.

Kou, who finished the year with a 4.34 GPA, will attend the University of Massachusetts Lowell next year. His sister, Christine, was Tech’s valedictorian in 2013.

Superintendent Catherine Latham reminded students that they have completed the first leg of their education, which is the most important step.

“For you, it’s not only about the academics,” Latham said. “By simply living in Lynn and going to school in our diverse neighborhood, you’ve learned to get along with everybody. You’ve learned everybody is different.”

Nicholas Westin, the class salutatorian, praised the class for its success in athletics, community service, and participation in SkillsUSA, a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.

“When you visit someplace, you should always leave it better than when you came,” he said.

Principal Robert Buontempo gave the graduates three pieces of advice: treat others with respect and kindness, maintain a positive self image, and be willing to step out of their comfort zones.

“I hope you use lessons learned at Lynn Tech to fulfill your dreams,” he said.

Ben Therrien, a 1995 Lynn Tech graduate, was the commencement speaker. Therrien studied electricity in high school, but switched to work in public relations and marketing. He’s the creative director at Ketchum, a New-York based communications agency. Therrien has led creative planning for Amazon.com, Bounty Paper Towels, Charmin, Crest and Netflix.

Therrien explained to the class that he did not feel successful after graduation and chose not to pursue a career in his trade. He went on to work in public relations, which he hated. He then painted houses, which he loved, but was terrible at, he said.

“Real success is about the journey and what you learn along the way,” Therrien said. “As long as you keep moving forward, at some point, without realizing it you’ll find your own success.”

He concluded his speech by quoting his “Jerry Maguire,” his favorite movie: “Hey, I don’t have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I failed as much as I have succeeded. But I love my wife. I love my life. And I wish you my kind of success.”

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

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
George Gallup on his 52-foot boat called the Resolute, at the Lynn Yacht Club. 

BY DILLON DURST

LYNN — Lower gas prices and good weather are expected to draw more boaters to local waters this summer.

Captain James Perry, Lynn’s harbormaster, said he’s anticipating more vessels will hit the water starting in June thanks to lower fuel prices.

The price of regular gasoline per gallon was $2.36 on Monday, down from $2.72 for the same time last year, a 13 percent drop , according to AAA.

Lynn Yacht Club Commodore Paul Petrowski said more people are discovering boating as a hobby.

Recent weather hasn’t been favorable for preparing vessels, said Ken Bornstein, an instructor for Lynn’s U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. But he said he thinks lots of boaters are excited to hit the water after months of preparation.

De-winterizing, engine maintenance, sanding, polishing and waxing are all time-consuming parts of getting a craft ready to go for the season, he added, and most people only have time to prep on weekends.

“There’s some boats that haven’t even been uncovered yet,” Bornstein said. “It’s a very involved process.”

George Gallup, a marine surveyor, launched his boat, “Resolute,” a 41-foot Island Trader, on Tuesday at the Lynn Yacht Club, where he’s a member. The 67-year-old Lynn resident and former Swampscott Yacht Club commodore said spring weather hindered his preparation, but added that his craft is almost ready to take out on the water. He and his wife, Maureen, bought the vessel eight years ago and have invested nearly $175,000 to rebuild it. Gallup said they did 90 percent of the repair work themselves, while other areas were left up to professionals. He said every year the wood on his boat is sanded bare, re-painted, re-polished and waxed.

“There’s thousands and thousands of hours of work put in there,” he said, pointing to the boat. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s well worth it.”

Gallup said higher prices last year, “boats became condos on the water,” he said, because owners wanted to enjoy the luxury of their vessels, but didn’t want to spend the money to operate them.

He loves when families buy boats and take their children out to sea, he added.

“It teaches the kids respect for the water and it’s a great family atmosphere,” he said. “That’s how I grew up.”

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

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ITEM FILE PHOTO
Lynn Classical’s Matt Lauria was named the Moynihan Lumber Student-Athlete of the Month award for May on Friday.

For their exploits both in the classroom and in their respective athletic endeavors, softball star Carly Swartz of North Reading High School and baseball standout Matt Lauria of Lynn Classical High School have been chosen as the Moynihan Lumber Student-Athletes of the Month for May.

Swartz, a three-sport captain, has a grade point average of 3.88 (weighted GPA: 6.12) and is ranked 13th out of 186 students in her senior class. She has taken all honor and AP classes (AP Biology, AP English Literature, AP Physics, AP Calculus, AP US Government) in her four years of high school and served as both the Vice President of National Honor Society and Secretary of American Red Cross Club.

An MIAA Student Ambassador, she is also involved in a student leadership and mentoring program and captured the Benjamin Franklin Physics Award this May. On the softball diamond, Carly hit .459 in May with 18 runs scored, 11 stolen bases and a .523 on-base percentage while leading the Hornets to a 16-3 record and the Cape Ann League title. North Reading made the MIAA Division 2 North quarterfinals this spring.

The second baseman had 100 hits and 100 runs scored in her career, and will continue her softball career at Colby College, majoring in pre-med/biology. She received the Lester E. Levey Scholar-Athlete award, given to the top male and female three-sport athlete in her senior class, at the school’s Sports Awards Banquet while also being awarded the Coaches Award for softball. Carly was also voted North Reading Prom Queen.

Lauria, a junior, had 22 hits for the Classical baseball team, hitting .448 with 15 runs scored and 21 RBI. He then helped the Rams, who were the No. 15 seed, to a first round upset of second seeded Wakefield in the first round of the Division 2 North state baseball tournament, 5-4. He was also the starting varsity quarterback for Classical’s football team last fall and should be one of the top all-around players in the Northeastern Conference this coming season. In the classroom, Lauria has a 3.7 grade point average. He is enrolled in all Honors and Advanced Placement courses and is ranked 74th out of 344 students in his class.

The North Shore Student Athlete Award is sponsored by Moynihan Lumber in conjunction with media partners: The Salem News, The Gloucester Times, The Newburyport Daily News, (Lynn) Daily Item, MSOnewsports.com and North Shore 104.9 FM. One male and one female monthly winner will be selected as Student Athlete of the Year and be honored at a luncheon in June. The yearly winners will also receive a scholarship.

SWAMPSCOTT — Diane A. Salvucci, age 83, of Swampscott, died Tuesday at the Bertram House of Swampscott after a brief illness. Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of the late Nunziato “Frank” and Sylvia (Gannino) Salvucci. She was raised in Lynn, a graduate of Lynn English High School, class of 1950. She also attended the Massachusetts School of Physical Therapy in Boston and studied to be an X-ray Tech. She had lived in Swampscott since 1996.

Diane had worked as an X-Ray Tech in Lynn, and as a medical assistant for Dr. Francis Pirone. She later worked as a secretary at General Electric for 30 years until her retirement. She enjoyed ceramics, traveling and playing the piano. She loved to cook and taught her family to cook as well. Known as “Auntie” to everyone, she was devoted to her family, especially her nieces. She took great joy in being involved in their lives, and was always there for them.

She is survived by her sisters-in-law; Margaret “Marnee” Salvucci of Swampscott and Lenora Salvucci, of Salisbury; her nieces; Maura Laudano and her husband Andy of Swampscott, Diana Salvucci and her partner Amy Sandlin of Fort Worth, TX, Sharon Crowell and her husband Doug of Lynn, and Lisa Shaffaval and her husband Peter of Salisbury; 9 great nieces and nephews; 1 great-great nephew, several cousins; as well as her childhood best friends; Wardi Rizk and Marilyn Morgan. She was the sister of the late Arnold and Robert Salvucci. The family would like to acknowledge the residents an staff of the Bertram House of Swampscott for the care and friendship given to Diane over the years.

Service Information: Her funeral will be held on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. from the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 67 Ocean St. (Rt 1A), Lynn, followed by a Funeral Mass in Holy Family Church, Lynn at 10AM. Burial will be in Swampscott Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Monday from 4-7PM. Those who prefer may make donations to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B102, Danvers, MA 01923. Directions and guestbook at solimine.com.

FRAMINGHAM — Attorney Irving Marmer, 89, of Framingham, formerly of Lynn, entered into rest on June 9, 2016, in Framingham. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII.

Service information: Friends are invited to his Graveside Service on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Anshai Sfard Cemetery, Buxton Road, Danvers. Please omit flowers.
Shiva to follow at the home of Jimmy Georges, in Framingham, from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of Morse-Bayliss Funeral Home, 122 Princeton Blvd., Lowell. Funeral Directors, Frederick W. Healy and Walter F. Bayliss Jr. Please visit Attorney Marmer’s memorial tribute at morsebaylissfuneralhome.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

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 2:58 p.m. Thursday on Holyoke Street; at 3:52 p.m. Thursday on Henry Ave.; at 6:21 p.m. Thursday at 80 Neptune Blvd.; at 7:12 a.m. Friday at 15 Warwick Street; at 8:09 a.m. Friday on Lynnfield Street.

Arrests

Michael Castaldo, 25, of 39 Rainbow Terrace, Salem, was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon at 9:05 p.m. Thursday.

William Leger, 30, of 64 Walnut Street, Everett, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, trespassing, and possession of a Class E drug at 12:32 a.m. Friday.

Carlos Ortiz, 55, of 206 Western Ave., Lynn, was arrested and charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and obstructing justice with a disguise at 7:10 p.m. Thursday.

Complaints

A report of a fight at 12:59 a.m. Thursday at 61 Laighton St.; at 10:45 a.m. Thursday on Chatham Street; at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at 8 Wilfred St.; at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at 87 Fayette St.; at 11:08 p.m. Thursday at 16 Flint St.

A report of shoplifting at 1:09 a.m. Thursday at 65 Boston St.

A report of suspicious activity at 1:54 a.m. Thursday on Andrew Street; at 7:12 a.m. Thursday on Boston Street; at 12:35 p.m. Thursday at Morrill Place; at 2:15 p.m. Thursday at 55 Thorpe Road; at 3:44 p.m. Thursday on Buffum Street; at 9:14 p.m. Thursday at 330 Lynnway.

A report of noise at 8:09 a.m. Thursday at 381 Summer St.

A report of an uninvited guest at 1:41 p.m. Thursday at 170 South Common St. (front lobby)

A report of larceny at 2:49 p.m. Thursday at 780 Lynnway; at 5:16 p.m. Thursday at 86 Alley St.; at 7:54 p.m. Thursday at 171 Lewis St.; at 8:12 p.m. Thursday at 406 Broadway

A report of neighbor problems at 2:52 p.m. Thursday on Western Ave.

A report of a missing person at 3:52 p.m. Thursday at 42 Newhall St.

A report of an assault at 4:42 p.m. Thursday on Blossom Street; at 4:45 p.m. Thursday on Stewart Street.

A report of a robbery at 5:07 p.m. Thursday at 31 Rock Ave.; at 10:32 p.m. Thursday at 88 West Neptune St.

A report of a con/scam at 5:22 p.m. Thursday on Cedar Brook Road.

A report of threats at 6:20 p.m. Thursday on Breed Street.

A report of a disturbance at 7:26 p.m. Thursday on Brookline Street; at 7:36 p.m. Thursday on Goldfish Pond; at 8:37 p.m. Thursday on North Franklin Street; at 9:26 p.m. Thursday at 42 Vine St.; at 9:39 p.m. Thursday on Astor Street; at 9:55 p.m. Thursday on Addison Ave.; at 10:10 p.m. Thursday at 14 Cobb Lane; at 10:23 p.m. Thursday at 841 Western Ave.; at 1:14 a.m. Friday at 52 Rogers Ave.; at 2:38 a.m. Friday at 47 Wilfred St.; at 6:16 a.m. Friday at 3 Market Square.

A report of a missing person at 11:15 p.m. Thursday at 38 Hanover St.; at 12:16 a.m. Friday at 44 Newhall Street.

MARBLEHEAD

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle rollover at 12:00 a.m. Friday on Tedesco Street.

Complaints

A report of a blocked sidewalk at 10:15 a.m. Thursday on Village Street.

A report of a light wire down at 10:56 a.m. Thursday on Glendale Road; at 5:57 p.m. Thursday on Atlantic Ave.

A report of an IRS phone scam at 2:25 p.m. Thursday. Report made at station.

A report of larceny at 4:48 p.m. Thursday on Rowland Street.

A report of a loud lawn mower at 8:52 p.m. Thursday on Lafayette Street.

A report of a man asleep in a vehicle at 10:53 p.m. Thursday on Pleasant Street.

A report of a disturbance at 2:17 a.m. Friday on Washington Street.

PEABODY

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 12:53 p.m. Thursday at 96 Washington St.;at 2:25 p.m. Thursday on Lowell Street; at 4:23p.m. Thursday at 2 Newcastle Rd.;at 6:44 p.m. Thursday at 6:44 p.m. at Route 128 North; at 7:58 p.m. Thursday at 19 Howley St.; at 7:00a.m. Friday on Route 128 South.

Complaints

A report of a follow up visit regarding a cat in need of services at 9:12 a.m. Thursday at Procter Circle. No further action required.

A report of an aggressive dog at 12:07 p.m. Thursday on Tremont Street. Officer reports dog is friendly.

REVERE

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident 6:49 a.m. Thursday at Brown Circle; at 7:44 a.m. Thursday on Copeland Circle; at 8:36 a.m. Thursday at Brown Circle; at 4:09 p.m. Thursday on Lee Burbank Highway; at 6:31 p.m. Thursday at Brown Circle; at 10:13 p.m. Thursday on Squire Road; at 10:45 p.m. Thursday on Park Ave.

Complaints

A report of an unwanted person at 2:46 a.m. Thursday on North Shore Road; at 1:14 p.m. Thursday on the VFW Parkway.

A report of suspicious activity at 8:17 a.m. Thursday on Argyle Street; at 9:34 a.m. Thursday on Furlong Drive; at 11:53 a.m. Thursday on Hall Street; at 1:17 p.m. Thursday on Beach Street; at 3:32 p.m. Thursday on Broadway; at 4:09 p.m. Thursday on Furlong Drive; at 5:28 p.m. Thursday on Yeamans Street.

A report of larceny at 11:28 a.m. Thursday on Constitution Ave.

A report of harassing phone calls at 12:11 p.m. Thursday on Bennington Street.

A report of fraud at 12:35 p.m. Thursday on Webster Street.

A report of a disturbance at 2:24 p.m. Thursday on Newhall Street ; at 2:26 p.m. Thursday on Ambrose Street; at 3:40 p.m. Thursday on Campbell Ave.; at 6:10 p.m. Thursday on Broadway; at 9:45 p.m. Thursday on Fenno Street; at 11:54 p.m. Thursday on Kingman Ave.

SAUGUS

Complaints

A report of a neighborhood dispute at 10:07 a.m. Thursday on Harvard Ave.

A report of a 911 hang up at 11:38 a.m. Thursday on Cleveland Ave. Call was accidental.

A report of a suspicious motor vehicle at 2:40 p.m. Thursday on Lincoln Ave. Caller reports a truck appears to have its roof torn off. Operator stated he hit a low bridge in Lynn.

A report of larceny at 3:15 p.m. Thursday at 29 Dow Street. Party reports phone was stolen.

A report of larceny by check at 3:41 p.m. Thursday at 1481 Broadway.

A report of a disturbance at 7:28 p.m. Thursday on Fairmount Ave.; at 1:37 p.m. Thursday at 7 Jasper Street.

A report of shoplifting at 8:41 p.m. Thursday at 1325 Broadway. Caller reports two females stole several items from Sears.

A report of suspicious activity at 8:17 p.m. Thursday on Summer Drive.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 1:04 p.m. Thursday at 2 Humphrey St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 9:29 a.m. Thursday at 10 Whitman Road; at 4:18 p.m. Thursday on Paradise Road. Caller reports a man carrying a stick walking down the street; at 7:08 p.m. Thursday on Essex Ave. Antique car was backfiring.

A report of a tree in the road at 2:22 p.m. Thursday on Bellevue Road.

A report of a sick raccoon at 2:31 p.m. Thursday at 101 Forest Ave.Animal Control was notified.

A report of hazardous conditions at 5:11 p.m. Thursday on Atlantic Ave. Needle was secured.

ITEM PHOTO BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
From left, Jordena Reyes Nunez, Wendy Perez and Ashley Hughes learn how to use food to power a battery from Katelyn Ranni, an intern at Keurig.

BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE

LYNN — The ladies of Girls Inc. could be future scientists.

Girls Inc. of Lynn, a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold, hosted its annual Smart Girls Summit Friday.

During the event, 130 middle school girls participated in three, 40-minute hands-on workshops taught by women working in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

“I think the girls that are a part of this program take away learning new things,” said Alyx Nelson, 13. “I want to be a doctor. I’ve always been interested in science.”

Still, she was surprised by parts of the workshops.

“When we made the bouncy balls, I thought it would stay a liquid,” Nelson said.

Giuliana Gasca, 12, said she lacked the knack for science, but found herself interested in all of the activities.

“I learned about density with the water bottles,” Gasca said. “Usually girls aren’t allowed to do as much in science and I think they should.”

Each workshop was designed to show the girls that STEM can be fun. The women told the girls about how they became interested in their career, and the challenges they overcame.

Representatives from Cell Signaling Technology, Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory, the New England Veterinary Oncology Group, Salem State University, Keurig Green Mountain Inc., General Electric Co., Deloitte LLP and Warner Babcock Institute volunteered their time.

Jennifer Bailey, research engineer for Keurig, said the best part of participating in the activity is watching the girls interact with materials and explore.

“It’s great to see them interested in the same things I was interested in at that age,” said Cecily Allen, design engineer at Keurig.

The program has grown substantially since it first began 14 years ago.

“Last year, we had 10 workshops,” said Ann Ayala-Macey, STEM coordinator. “This year we have 13 workshops.”

The number of participating students grew from 100 girls last year, according to Ann Ayala-Macey, STEM coordinator. In the past, each child was offered a pair of 60-minute sessions, but the girls wanted more.

“They heard their friends talking about how much fun they had in other workshops,” she said. “Fifteen or so organizations are represented, which is a nice diverse group of volunteers.”

Maisha Bellah, Amia Reynoso, Jazzmine Sanderson, and Virginia Christian were recognized for participating in science and math in and out of school.

“There’s a couple of things going on with girls at this age,” said Lena Crowley, director of middle school programs. “They tend to start to turn away from STEM. We’re exposing them to these women, who have really interesting careers, and they can see that they are very fulfilling careers.”

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