ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Pictured are Lynn rappers Thomas Rosirus, stage name Tommy Choppa, left, and James Bazile, stage name Jimmy Zoe.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — If the misogyny and homophobia in rap music bother you, check out the Premiere Rap Battle League.

This 10-member troupe, whose mission is to provide a platform for hip-hop artists to showcase their talent, are kinder, gentler rappers.

“Music is a way to express yourself and every artist has their own opinion,” said co-founder and Lynn resident Daniel Hawkins. “But our view is if you have nothing nice to say, keep it to yourself. We don’t have any of that type of stuff in our battles.”  

To see and hear for yourself, the league will perform on Saturday, Jan. 28 at VFW Post 1011 in Peabody. Admission is $10.

“We have a strong supporting cast right now,” he said. “Lots of young kids putting more into music and making time to create songs.”

The competition features one-on-one battles as rappers face off for about three minutes. A panel of judges and the audience decide the winners. Many of the performances wind up on YouTube, where rappers track the number of page views.

The league was organized six months ago for young people to avoid violence and do something positive in the community, according to Hawkins.

“Bad things are easy to do, but doing something positive can change your life for the better and that’s what makes rap worthwhile,” he said.

Freshmen rappers Tommy Choppa, 21, whose real name is Thomas Rosirus, a native of Haiti who lives in Lynn, and Jimmy Zoe, given name James Dazile, 25, who grew up in Lynn, will be there.

Times have changed for rappers and the time for dissing women and the gay, lesbian and transgender community is over, they said.

“It’s like me telling you black lives matter, but I don’t like gay people; it doesn’t make sense,” Jimmy Zoe said. “Music brings people together and that’s what we’re about.”

Still, these rap competitions are not exactly G-rated. Both men acknowledge there’s lots of swearing and four-letter words fly around the stage.

There’s a lot to rap about when it comes to living in Lynn, they said, When they tell people they’re from Lynn, they get curious looks.

“We have more of a story to tell because we have more nonsense on our plate than most other people,” Jimmy Zoe said. “If you grew up here, you deal with crime, drugs. There’s a lot of pain. It’s Christmas, but not everyone will get a present. We know how you feel and it’s reflected in the music.”

Tommy Chappa describes his sound as Lynn-based, which he calls a tough place to live. His influences are rhythm & blues, rock and roll and reggae.

“We are trying to pick everyone up,” he said. “We’re all in the same boat.”

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

LYNN — Howard “Howie Zowie” Elwin Colclough Sr., of Peabody, formerly of Lynn, passed away Wednesday,  Dec. 21, 2016 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House surrounded by his family.

Born in Lynn, Howard graduated from Swampscott High School with the Class of 1970.  He was the son of the late Wilfred and Marcia (Bonner) Colclough.

He was the loving father of Howard E. Colclough Jr. and his wife Rachel of Lynn, the cherished grandfather of Jeremy and Amanda Vousboukis and Stephanie and Alyssa Colclough, all of Lynn; the dear brother of Gary Colclough and his wife Julie of Lynn, Kerry Colclough and his girlfriend Beverly of Revere, Ted Colclough and his girlfriend Mary of North Carolina and the late Scott Colclough; the former husband of Gingie Howard of Saugus and the uncle of several nieces and nephews.

Howard worked as a printer at Courier Digital Solutions. He was a musician and played with many Rock and Roll bands including Lapwing, Revolver, Nasty Rumor and most recently Plan B. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.       

Service information: Arrangements are under the care of the CUFFE-McGINN Funeral Home, 157 Maple St., Lynn. Burial of ashes in Swampscott Cemetery will be private. A memorial Celebration of Life is planned for the New Year’s weekend 2017. Please contact a family member for details. For more information and  the online guestbook please visit www.cuffemcginn.com.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

ILLUSTRATION BY PETER SOFRONAS
The Santa Parade begins on Boston Street and will continue for several hours through Lynn.

Lynn’s 30th annual Santa Parade will get underway on Christmas Eve and wind its way for 22 miles from Boston to Avon streets.

More than 100 floats will gather at 5 p.m. on Summer Street in Austin Square.

At 5:15 p.m. it converges on Boston, Myrtle and Holyoke streets and O’Callaghan Way.

At 5:30 p.m. it will reach Walnut Street, Linwood Road and North Franklin Street and take a right onto Boston and Cottage streets at McDonough Square at 5:45 p.m.

At 6 p.m. it makes an appearance on Western Avenue in Market Square at South Common, Pleasant and State streets.

At 6:30 p.m. it can be seen at Broad and Lewis streets at Lafayette Park.

At 6:45 p.m. it will be at Fayette, Essex and Chestnut streets.

At 7:15 p.m. join the parade at Western Avenue, Chatham and Lewis streets, then left onto Eastern Avenue at 7:45 p.m. to Western Avenue.

At 8 p.m. they will be at Stanwood Road, Fernwood Avenue, Chase Road and Euclid Avenue to Broadway.

At 8:30 p.m., the parade is at Jenness Street, Den Quarry and Cedar Brook roads.

At 9 p.m. they meet at York and Casco roads.

At 9:15 p.m., the parade is at Lynnfield Street in Wyoma Square.

At 9:30 p.m., they are at Broadway on Boston Street and the Lynngate Plaza.

The parade ends at 15 Avon Street where refreshments will be served.

Santa set to parade around Lynn

PHOTOS BY SCOTT EISEN
Daniel McNulty surprises Marissa Sciarafta with a marriage proposal on Christmas Eve during the 30th annual Santa Parade on Holyoke Street in Lynn.

Scott Eisen

Preparations were underway Christmas Eve for the 30th annual Santa Parade on Summer Street in Lynn.

Scott Eisen

One of more than 100 floats are seen Christmas Eve for the 30th annual Santa Parade on Summer Street in Lynn.

Scott Eisen

Charlene Connelly sets up lights on her truck Christmas Eve for the 30th annual Santa Parade in Lynn. 

Scott Eisen

The 30th annual Santa Parade winds its way through Lynn on Christmas Eve for 22 miles.

SPRING HILL, Fla. — Claire (Martel) McDonough, 91, passed away Dec. 15, 2016, in Spring Hill, Fla., after a brief illness, predeceased by her husband, Edward William McDonough of Lynn. She was born in Lynn, daughter of William and Bina (Cordeau) Martel. She was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Lynn, graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1943, and married at St. Mary’s Church, June, 1947. She was the co-owner / business manager of McDonough’s Wrought Iron & Fence in Salem. She moved to Florida with her husband in 1981. Claire is survived by seven children: Joyce M. McDonough, Rochester of N.Y.; Jeffrey McDonough of Beverly; Julie A. McDonough of Salem; Janice R. McDonough of Dartmouth; Jody B. McDonough (Robert Rosata) of Scituate; Jacquie Coté (Todd Burton) of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Jennifer McDonough (David Barnaby) of Albuquerque, N.M. She leaves six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and two brothers, Richard Martel of Temecula, Calif., and Robert Martel of Bullhead, Ariz.

Service information: Services will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Spring Hill at 10 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2016. (http://hosting-24664.tributes.com/obituary/show/Claire-Martel-McDonough-104255927?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss). A memorial service will be held in Lynn in the spring.

EXETER, N.H. — Mr. Ralph L. Brown, age 81, of Exeter, N.H., formerly of Lynn, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday Dec. 18, 2016. He was the husband of the late Camille (Orlandella) Brown.

Born in Marlborough and raised in Lynn, he was the son of the late Ralph L. and Evelyn M. (Tibbets) Brown. He attended Lynn schools and was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School. Prior to moving to Exeter in 2001 he had lived in Florida for 18 years.

Ralph was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1954-1960.

Ralph was the former owner of Leslie Cleaning. He enjoyed cooking and was a chef by trade. He was the former owner of two restaurants, The Early Bird on Rte. 1 in Saugus, and Ralph’s Sub Shop in Peabody, he had also worked on the boat Paddlewheel Queen as a chef in Florida for many years.

He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly M. Casey, of Oregon, two step-daughters, Renee Masiello and her husband Lou of Marlborough, and Christine Robins and her husband Andrew of Kansas, a sister, Virginia Richards of Lynn, five grandchildren, Kayleen Casey, Brian Casey, Louis A. Masiello, Steven Robins and William Masiello, and nieces and nephews including Evie Richards-Cashman.

Service information: A graveside service will be held on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visitation prior to the service in The SOLIMINE Funeral Home 426 Broadway (Rt. 129), Lynn, from 11 a.m. -12:15 p.m. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.

LYNN — Donald B. Chouinard, 77, of Lynn, died Thursday at Massachusetts General Hospital after a brief illness. He was the husband of Maria E. (Ball) Chouinard, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.

Born in Swampscott, Donnie was the son of the late Charles J. and Dorothy E. (Carpenter) Chouinard. He attended Lynn schools and graduated from Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, Class of 1956. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Northeastern University, Class of 1972, he was employed at General Electric as a mechanical engineer for 25 years until he retired in 1999. He also worked at Northern Research and Essex Turbine. An avid woodworker, he enjoyed making toys and furniture for his grandchildren. Also an outdoorsman, he enjoyed hiking, frequently visiting the Appalachian Trail, and traveling, his favorite destination being Hawaii. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and was always present at their sporting events.

In addition to his wife he is survived by one daughter Dawn M. and her husband Mark Barber of Guilford, Conn., three sons Donald G. and his wife Cathy Chouinard of Westfield, Ind., Bruce A. Chouinard of Lynn, Brian D. Chouinard of Peabody, two brothers Roger Chouinard of Peabody, Alan Chouinard of Salem, N.H., eight grandchildren Nick, Emily and Chris Barber, Andy and Rachel Chouinard, Bianca, Maria, and Carly Chouinard, and many nieces and nephews. He was also brother of the late Charles Chouinard.

Service information: Funeral services will be held at the PARKER Funeral Home, 35 Franklin St. Lynn, on Thursday at 11 a.m. to which relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours are on Wednesday from 3–7 p.m. In memory of Donald, the family requests that a donation be made to the 2016 Trails Fund at the Appalachian Mountain Club, 5 Joy St., Boston, MA 02108 or via their website www.outdoors.org/tribute.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss Guest book at Parkermemorialfuneralhome.com.

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

LYNN

Arrests

Isaiah Gonzalez, 20, no address listed, was arrested and charged with shoplifting at 10:41 p.m. Friday.

Robert Knapp, 31, of 77 Green St., was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a knife at 8:23 a.m Friday.

Wesley Lantigua,18, of 123 Tracy Ave., was arrested and charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle at 5:34 a.m. Saturday.

Christina Littlefield, 41, no address listed, was arrested and charged with possession of a Class A drug at 2:56 p.m. Friday.

Anthony Martinez, 41, of 39 Boylston St.,Boston, was arrested and charged with assault and battery, disorderly conduct, and trespassing at 4:02 p.m. Saturday.

Kenneth Powers, no age listed, of 27 School St., Saugus, was arrested and charged with drug possession, failure to signal, and possession of a knife at 7:09 p.m. Friday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 11:20 a.m. Friday at 11 Shepard St.; at 12:20 p.m. at 825 Boston St.; at 4:48 p.m. at 30 Boston St.;at 5:53 p.m. on New Ocean Street; at 7:05 p.m. at 780 Lynnway; at 11:01 p.m. at 288 Western Ave.; at 12:55 a.m. Saturday on Maple Street; at 2:19 a.m. at 38 Wyman St.; at 6:49 a.m. on North Common Street; at 8:00 a.m. at 231 Boston St.; at 9:45 a.m. at 759 Lynnway; at 9:51 a.m. on Holyoke Street; at 10:15 a.m. at 170 Union St.; at 12:01 p.m. at 119 Lewis St.; at 12:27 p.m. at 825 Boston St.; at 1:58 p.m. at 510 Western Ave.; at 3:47 p.m. on Lynn Shore Drive; at 6:02 p.m. on Eastern Ave.; at 7:26 p.m. at 40 Collins St.; at 9:48 p.m. on Brooklawn Terr.; at 9:59 p.m. at 100 Judge Rd.; at 12:57 a.m. Sunday at 14 Violet St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 12:25 a.m. Friday at 170 Union St.; 2:47 a.m. at 20 Ashton Terr.; at 1:37 p.m. at 108 Nahant St.; at 9:52 p.m. at 45 Marianna St.; at 4:21 a.m. Saturday at 25 Hamilton Ave.; at 9:14 a.m. Saturday on Essex Street; at 1:14 p.m. on Boston Street; at 1:51 p.m. on the Lynnway; at 3:44 p.m. Saturday at 96 Lockwood Rd.; at 12:25 a.m. Sunday at 105 Rockaway St.; at 1:12 a.m. Sunday at 11 Arbor Ct.;at 2:25 a.m. at 190 Washington St.

A report of a breaking and entering at 6:58 a.m. Friday at 74 Cottage St.

A report of an assault at 7:58 a.m. Friday at 77 Green St.; at10:35 a.m. on Shepard Street; at 2:02 p.m. at 182 Chestnut St.; at4:50 a.m. Saturday at 81 Whiting St.

A report of larceny at 9:45 a.m. Friday at 30 Neptune St.; at 11:47 a.m. on the Lynnway; at 12:10 p.m. at 184 Washington St.; at 3:40 p.m. at 32 Barrett St.; at 5:52 p.m. at 64 Franklin St.; at 7:58 p.m. at 500 Lynnfield St.; at 2:59 a.m. Saturday at 124 Green St.

A report of shoplifting at 3:19 p.m. Friday at 21 Joyce St.; at 8:40 p.m.at Walgreens; at 6:13 p.m. Saturday at 50 Central Ave.

A report of a gunshot at 4:36 p.m. Friday on Boston Street.

A report of an uninvited guest at 11:15 p.m. Friday at 119 Lewis St.;at 4:36 p.m. Saturday at 408 Summer St.

A report of a fight at 11:38 p.m. Friday on Birch Street; at 12:11 a.m. Saturday on Commercial Street; at 12:59 a.m. on Essex Street; at 3:32 p.m. Saturday on Broad Street; at 3:59 p.m. at 23 W Green St.; at 10:04 p.m. at 21 Beach Rd.

A report of a motor vehicle theft at 10:44 a.m. Saturday in Curwin Circle.

A report of trespassing at 1:10 p.m. Saturday at 501 Washington St.; at 1:11 p.m at 223 Curwin Cir.

PEABODY

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 12:33 p.m. Friday at 85 Lynnfield St.; at 1:00 p.m. Friday at 2903 Postgate Ln.; at 1:54 p.m. Friday at 210 Andover St.; at 2:09 p.m. Friday at 6 Clement Ave.; at 2:54 p.m. Friday at 13 Pulaski St.; at 4:31 p.m. Friday on Andover Street; at 436 p.m. Friday at 357 Lowell St.; at 10:20 p.m. Friday at 210 Andover St.

Complaints

A report of shoplifting at 1:50 p.m. Friday at 210 Andover St.; at 216 p.m. Friday at 210 Andover St.; at 4:35 p.m. at 210 Andover St.; at 7:30 p.m. at 210 Andover St.; at .8:04 p.m. Friday at 300 Andover St.

A report of a disturbance at 2:28 p.m. Friday at 210 Andover St.; at 7:11p.m. Friday at 31 Nickerson Rd.; at 8:16 p.m. Friday at 1 Newbury St.; at 2:05 a.m. Sunday at 145 Lynn St.

A report of fraud at 2:42 p.m. Friday at 1 Antrim Rd.

A report of an unwanted guest at 4:58 p.m. Friday on Newcastle Road; at 2:51 a.m. Saturday at 210 Andover St.; at 6:07 a.m. Saturday at 210 Andover St.; at 1:39 a.m. Sunday on Washington Street.

A report of an accidental 911 call at 11:03 a.m. Saturday on Lincoln Road.

A report of a stolen motor vehicle at 8:23 p.m. Saturday at 57 Walnut St.

A report of a car blocking a driveway at 10:58 p.m. Saturday on Union Street.

A report of a loud party at 11:55 p.m. Saturday on Essex Lane.

A report of loud music at 1:20 a.m. Sunday at 42 Harris St.

SAUGUS

Complaints

A report of 911 call at 3:18 a.m. Saturday at 9 Broadway.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 3:37 p.m. Friday at 319 Paradise Rd.; at 5:09 p.m. At 413 Paradise Rd.; at 3:32 p.m. Saturday on Columbia Street; at 9:32 p.m. Saturday on Brown Road.

Complaints

A report of larceny at 10:57 a.m. Friday at 51 Thomas Rd.

A report of a disturbance at 1:34 p.m. Friday at 25 Magnolia Rd.

A report of a 911 hang up at 8:18 p.m. Saturday on New Ocean Street.

A report of a fight at 3:12 a.m. Sunday at 10 Huron St.

By LINDSEY RYAN

LYNN — Students and faculty from Lynn Vocational Technical Institute raised more than $7,000 for My Brother’s Table.

The school-wide walk held Thursday raised money for the Lynn-based soup kitchen, one of the largest on the North Shore. Students also donated money, as well as care packages. The donations will help those in need and provide a holiday meal.

Students erupted in cheers as each donation amount was read, spreading school spirit and holiday excitement.

“It seems like every year the amount of money that we raise gets higher,” said junior student Emily Blaney. The fundraiser exceeded its goal by $2,000.

“I think it’s really important because it gives us a really good outlook of the school, and it shows that we care about the community and give to the community,” said senior Emi Ling Morales.

“For me it’s important because it shows that we care about homeless people, letting them know that we can help them no matter what,” said freshman Roxane Gomez.

“Lynn’s a wonderful community you know, and (students) see that they have the power to make things happen in their own communities. I am so proud to be their principal,” said Principal Director Robert Buontempo Jr.

My Brother’s Table relies solely on donations to operate. It has been operating on the North Shore since 1982, serving some 2.9 million meals last year. More than 60 percent of guests come to MBT daily, and approximately 20 percent of Lynn residents are living below the poverty level.

ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
St. Mary’s forward Aylah Cioffi skates ahead of Medway defenders in the Spartans’ home opener this season.

By KATIE MORRISON

LYNN — For most middle school athletes, playing on a high school varsity team is a goal that seems far away.

For St. Mary’s Aylah Cioffi, it’s a dream she realized last year, as a sixth-grader, playing for the Spartans girls hockey team.

Cioffi, a 13-year-old from Revere, is now in seventh grade, and has been playing hockey since she was three years old. She’s worked hard at her sport, and it paid off last season, as she scored five goals and logged four assists for St. Mary’s as a middle-schooler.

“Our thing here is that whether you’re in sixth grade or you’re a senior, we have to put the girls out there that give us the best opportunities to succeed,” said Spartans coach Frank Pagliuca.

Ever since joining the varsity squad, Cioffi’s been one of those girls.

In order to play at a high level at such a young age, Cioffi has had plenty of role models who have helped guide her.

She credits her father, Gerard Cioffi, with coaching her and supporting her wherever she’s played. She also looks up to her oldest brother, Gerard Cioffi Jr., who played hockey at Revere High.

And at St. Mary’s she plays with couple of teammates who can relate to where she is in her varsity hockey career.

Nahant’s Sarah Ryan and Lynn’s Ashley Wojewodzic, both senior captains on this year’s squad, know first hand the challenges of being a middle-schooler playing with girls four or five years their elder.

Both Ryan and Wojewodzic were eighth-graders on the Spartans’ last state championship team in the 2012-13 season. Ryan saw regular shifts and played significant minutes in the Spartans’ playoff run, and Wojewodzic, who didn’t see much regular game action that season, scored the winning goal in the state semifinal matchup against Woburn in the 10th round of a shootout, propelling St. Mary’s to the state final.

Pagliuca says that Ryan was a big part of the state championship team.

“She was thrown in there right away as a middle-school kid,” he said. “(Her success) says a lot about her mental approach to the game, since it’s all about controlling nerves and emotions, and she did that.”

“It was kind of intimidating,” Ryan said about her time on varsity as a middle schooler. “You’re scared to speak up to the older girls, scared to try too hard at practice. But I thought it was a good thing for me because it made me want to skate harder and be like them. It pushed me to be a better player.”

Wojewodzic, now 18, shared a similar sentiment. She said in the state semifinal game in 2013, she didn’t expect to be thrown into such a high-pressure situation.

“(Coach Pagliuca) looks at me and says you’re up. I didn’t move. I was freaking out.”

But both agree  their experiences from five years ago make them much more aware of what Cioffi is going through as a seventh-grader.

“I remember (Aylah’s) first shift last year, she didn’t show how nervous she was, but I thought about my first shift halfway through seventh grade, and I was like a deer in the headlights,” Wojewodzic said. “She acts so calm, and now she’s comfortable on the ice, and I was so nervous, and it’s kind of crazy that she’s as young as I was then.”

“They’ve been through the experience of the highs and lows, and learned to control their emotions,” Pagliuca said about Ryan and Wojewodzic. “It’s a tough transition, when you’re 13 playing against 17 and 18-year-olds, it’s a tough, unique experience.”

And to achieve success in that situation, it takes a tough and unique player. Cioffi is remarkably calm and collected for a 13-year-old, and has a quiet confidence that shows on the ice.

“I never really felt uncomfortable last year,” Cioffi said. “I’ve put in a lot of hard work and sacrifice, and it’s helped me to feel comfortable on the ice. “

Cioffi also said that she’s always felt like part of the team.

“St. Mary’s feels like a second home to me,” she said. “When I’m with the girls on the ice, we’re all trying to work to achieve our goals.”

Having been through adjusting to a team of high schoolers as 12- and 13-year-olds, Ryan and Wojewodzic actively try and make the locker room and the ice a more welcoming place for girls of all ages.

“You don’t notice she’s a sixth grader, we try to be just one team,” Ryan said. “We all get along really well.”

Wojewodzic said that when she was in seventh grade, she felt like she barely knew her teammates.

“It was really hard,” she said. “I wouldn’t talk to anyone, I didn’t really feel like part of the team.”

But her parents stayed involved, “to make sure everything was OK, and that I wasn’t hearing things I shouldn’t be at that age.”

Now, Wojewodzic says her parents are still on her.

“Now they ask things like ‘are you including (the middle-schoolers)?’ We want them to feel included in a way that we didn’t feel when we were that age,” Wojewodzic said.

On her end, Cioffi is taking in all she can from the older girls.

“They’re great role models,” she said. “Both on and off the ice, they try to fit everyone in and they always make me feel comfortable, and I’ve learned to listen more and say less.”

But making sure Cioffi and all of the younger girls feel included is paying dividends, because Cioffi isn’t afraid to let her natural talent take over on the ice. Cioffi already has seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) through two games this season.

“Aylah’s blessed with a lot of natural ability, and she doesn’t play like a seventh grader, she plays a lot older,” said Pagliuca. “She’s growing as a player and a person, and learning new things every day. She just keeps getting better.”

With the right people by her side and a good work ethic, Cioffi has the potential to flourish.

“She works really hard at her game, and you can tell,” Pagliuca added. “The sky’s the limit for her if she keeps working hard. She’s a pleasure to coach.”

But even at her young age, Cioffi’s staying grounded.

“I’m just trying to work hard and be the best I can,” she said, “on and off the ice.”

ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
State Rep. Brendan P. Crighton, state Sen. Thomas M. McGee and, state Rep. Daniel F. Cahill, left to right, during an interview at The Item last week.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — The city’s Beacon Hill delegation are celebrating their legislative accomplishments in the 2016 session and looking ahead to next year.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Item, Lynn Democrats Sen. Thomas M. McGee, Rep. Daniel  F. Cahill, and Rep. Brendan Crighton noted a list of laws they supported that passed the Legislature.

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Earned Income Tax Credit for income-eligible families was increased to a maximum of $1,459, up from $951, a 50 percent hike. The measure  supports more than 400,000 working individuals and families in the Bay State.

In this year’s budget, the Legislature overrode Gov. Charlie Baker’s veto to guarantee $12 million for families on the waiting  list for early childhood education services.

An initiative to improve job prospects for the unemployed and low-wage workers won approval which helps employers train workers.

They won approval for the Training Resource and Internship Networks which partners with community colleges to provide training and internships for the long-term unemployed.

“We had pretty good success on these important items,” said McGee.

The Legislature also passed landmark legislation to address the deadly opioid and heroin epidemic plaguing the state.

The bill includes multiple provisions including a new program that allows the state to bulk purchase the anti-overdose drug Narcan. It allows communities to buy the antidote at a much lower cost and save lives. Last year 44 Lynn residents suffered fatal overdoses, double the number reported in 2012, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The rainy day was increased by $120 million.

While the delegation was unable to win Massachusetts Department of Transportation support to operate the ferry last summer, the Water Transportation Advisory Council was created over the governor’s veto. The panel plans to devise a regional water transportation system. While they lack budgetary powers, they can recommend steps to the Legislature.

“We missed the boat on the ferry,” McGee said. “Lynn is a key piece of a regional water transportation system that benefits Boston’s Seaport District, UMass Boston and the Convention Center.”  

Crighton said helping to combat the opioid crisis was one of his best votes of the year.

“Even if you don’t know anyone who has died from an overdose, the impact on the society is significant,” he said. “You have parents who are addicted and can’t care for their kids and the children wind up having issues. Home and school lives are interrupted.”

The biggest battle facing Beacon Hill next year is between healthcare providers and insurance companies, according to Cahill.

“Providers say they need more funding to treat mental and behavioral health because those are the expensive patients they are seeing in emergency rooms,” he said. “But insurance companies are having a hard time paying for it because it’s a huge cost. You will see legislation filed next year that will mandate certain coverages or increase reimbursement rates for hospitals that serve those populations.”

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

COURTESY PHOTO
A 23-year-old male driver crashed into the Prime Energy gas station on Boston Street shortly after midnight.

By GAYLA CAWLEY

LYNN — Police are investigating an overnight shooting that caused a 23-year-old man to crash his vehicle into the Prime Energy gas station on Boston Street.

Lynn Police Lt. Peter Holey declined to identify the victim who he said is in serious but stable condition at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Police said the man was driving on North Federal Street when he was shot around 12:30 a.m. Monday. Shortly after the shooting, a second man arrived with gunshot wounds at Salem Hospital. Holey said the man has non-life-threatening injuries, but police have yet to positively identify him.

Police said they don’t know if the two shootings are connected and there are no suspects at this time.

Breakup may have sparked Newhall fire

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

LYNN — Rocco A. Avellino, age 84, of Lynn, died Friday at his home, surrounded by his family after a brief battle with lung cancer. He was the husband of the late Dorothy A. (McEntee) Avellino. Born and raised in Revere, he was the son of the late Sebastian and Margaret (Buttrick) Avellino. He attended Revere schools, and had lived in Lynn for the past 60 years.

Rocco had worked as a hardwood floor layer for Allegheny Floors and Circle Floors until his retirement in 1982. He was also a member of the Floor Coverers Union, Local 2168. He enjoyed working around the house and watching soccer and football on TV. A man of great faith, he visited monasteries all over the state. His family looked forward to the special greeting cards he liked to make on his computer. His greatest joy came from spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his children; Marie E. O’Donnell and her husband David of Lynn, Gina D. Uzoma of Lynn, and James R. Avellino of Tampa, Fla.; nine grandchildren; Erin Rogers, David O’Donnell, Jason Viger, Heather Trainor, Rocco Avellino, Jake Avellino, Jenea Blackman, Adamma Uzoma and Uchenna Uzoma; six great-grandchildren; Ainsley and Colton Rogers, L.J. and Mihayla Avellino, and C.J. and Sophia Trainor; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Lisa A. Viger and Joseph Avellino and brother of the late Francis “Brother”, Sebastian “Hinkel,” and Richard “Dickie” Avellino. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Care Dimensions, especially Jessica, Sami and Miriam, for the exceptional care given to Rocco.

Service information: His funeral will be held on Thursday at 8 a.m. from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Rt. 129), Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass at 9 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Lynn. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. Those who prefer may make donations to a charity of their choice. Directions and guest book at Solimine.com.

BEVERLY — Raymond Stuart Martin, 90, died Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, at the Hathorne Hill Health Care Center in Danvers.

Born and raised in Lynn, Stuart was the son of the late Raymond B. and Miriam (Stuart) Martin. He received his education in the Lynn school system and graduated from Lynn English High School.

Before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Science from Boston College in 1947, Stuart served his country in World War II as a member of the United States Army.

After earning his Bachelor’s Degree, he went on to earn his Masters of Science in Chemistry from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. He did this while employed at General Electric as a chemical scientist.

After a few years, Stuart changed careers and went into teaching. He was employed as a high school chemistry teacher at the Lincoln Sudbury High School until the time of his retirement in 1994. He was dedicated to his profession and his students, earning the distinction of “Teacher of the Year.” Following is retirement, he continued to substitute when called upon by his former colleagues.

A resident of Beverly since 1970, Mr. Martin was also dedicated to his parish, St. John the Evangelist Church where he served in many capacities such as a CCD teacher, Altar Server and Minister of the Word, just to name a few.

Surviving him are two sisters, Charlotte J. Martin of Beverly and Barbara E. Foley and her husband, Dr. Thomas W. Foley of Danvers, a sister-in-law, Mary P. Martin of Lynnfield and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was also the brother of the late Mary A. Galvin and James Joseph Martin.

Service information: His funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church, 111 New Balch St., Beverly, Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hour at the CAMPBELL Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly, Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. Contributions may be made in his memory to St. John the Evangelist Church, 552 Cabot St., Beverly, MA 01915 or Saints Academy, 111 New Balch St., Beverly, MA 01915. Information, directions, condolences at Campbellfuneral.com.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — Crying wolf could get more expensive.

If the city gets its way, it will cost more when your alarm brings firefighters and there’s no fire.

Under the amended ordinance that will be considered at a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at City Hall, fines for false alarms will be increased for the first time in seven years.

If approved by the city council, the first two false alarms are forgiven. But a third will cost home and commercial property owners $100, up from $50. And it increases from there with $200 for the fourth, up from $150, and $300 for five or more.

“It makes sense, the people who have malfunctioning fire alarms should be held accountable,” said Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. “Any time firefighters or police respond to an emergency, they run the risk of accidents and could be tying first responders up on a nonsense call when something important could be going on.”

Officials hope that the fines will encourage home and building owners and managers to improve the maintenance of their fire alarm systems.

Peabody fire leaves 10 homeless

In 2014, the most recent data available, fire departments in the U.S. responded to nearly 2.5 million false alarms, five times the number of structure fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. That’s up from nearly 900,000 false alarms in 1980.

About one-third of these alarms are caused by problems in the fire alarm system itself.

Many of these were triggered by commercial monitored connections, including apartment buildings, hotels and dormitories, NFPA said. The share of alarms coming from occupancies with automatic fire alarms has increased as these systems have become more common.

Unwanted alarms have also taken an increasing toll on the nation’s fire service in the form of fuel costs, apparatus wear and tear, risk of collision and injury during response, and a growing complacency when responding to automatic alarms, NFPA said.

Lynn District Fire Chief Stephen Archer referred questions about the ordinance to Lt. Israel Gonzalez in the fire prevention division, who said he was unaware of the proposal.

Kennedy did not know how many false alarms occur in Lynn or how much money is lost annually by them.

“It’s difficult to quantify,” she said. “But nothing positive comes out of responding to a false alarm.”

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

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

LYNN

Arrests

Victor Alicea, 47, was arrested and charged with trespassing, possession of a Class A drug and on warrants at 9:04 p.m. Monday.

Amanda Dexter, 25, of 11 Cook St., was arrested and charged with trespassing at 11:10 a.m. Tuesday.

James Douglas, 21, was arrested and charged with trespassing at 10:37 a.m. Tuesday.

Octavio Sanabria, 40, was arrested and charged with trespassing, violation of the city knife ordinance and possession of a Class A drug at 9:17 p.m. Monday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 3:55 p.m. Monday at Knights of Columbus at 177 Lynnfield St.; at 10:22 p.m. Monday at 19 Mudge St.; at 6:04 a.m. Tuesday at Chestnut and Union streets; at 10:42 a.m. Tuesday at 69 Jenness St.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 1:23 p.m. Monday at 6 Olive St.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 3:03 p.m. Monday at 604 Essex St.; at 5:42 p.m. Monday at Hines Liquors at 518 Western Ave.; at 6:01 p.m. Monday at 74 Newhall St.; at 6:44 p.m. Monday at 170 Union St.; at 8:23 p.m. Monday at CVS at 200 S Common St.; at 1:36 a.m. Tuesday at 28 Lovett Place; at 2:21 a.m. Tuesday at 64 Market Square; at 3:35 a.m. Tuesday at 4 Houghton St.; at 12:37 p.m. Tuesday at 583 Lynnway.

A report of a gunshot at 9:37 p.m. Monday at 111 Laighton St.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 2:52 p.m. Monday at Walgreens at 21 Joyce St.; at 4:18 p.m. Monday at 34 Hanover St.; at 10:53 a.m. Tuesday at 3 Kingsley Terrace; at 12:19 p.m. Tuesday at MBTA Parking Garage at 186 Market St.

A report of motor vehicle theft at 12:23 p.m. Tuesday on James Street.

Vandalism

A report of motor vehicle vandalism at 12:49 a.m. Tuesday at 1 George St.

Police log: 12-27-2016

MARBLEHEAD

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 4:24 p.m. Monday on Pleasant Street.

Complaints

A report of a possible intruder at 7 a.m. Tuesday on Pond Street. A caller reported she saw a male figure in the house. She thought the figure was a dog and then realized it may have been a man in dark clothing, walking away. Police reported it was possibly her son or a guest walking around in the house.

PEABODY

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 8:09 p.m. Monday at 15 Aborn St.; at 5:56 a.m. Tuesday at 230 Andover St. and 82 Prospect St.; at 1:22 p.m. Tuesday at 587 Lowell St. and 1 Anita Road.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 2:32 p.m. Monday at McVann O’Keefe Rink at 511 Lowell St. Credit cards were taken; at 3:22 a.m. Tuesday at Homewood Suites at 57 Newbury St.

Complaints

A report of suspicious activity at 11:14 a.m. Tuesday at 25 Proctor Circle. A man reported he has been noticing people meeting up at the end of the street after dark.

70-year-old man hit by car has died

REVERE

Arrests

Jose A. Alvarenga-Garcia, 37, of 23 Guam Road, Apt. A, Chelsea, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by price tag tampering at 10:16 a.m. Friday.

Damien M. Centrella, 42, of 44 Constitution Ave., was arrested and charged on a warrant at 11:56 a.m. Friday.

Robert A. Ellington, 39, of 200 Captains Row, Apt. 405, Chelsea, was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property and disorderly conduct at 8:07 p.m. Monday.

Eduardo Garcia Monzon, 20, of 286 Malden St., was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property and on warrants at 11:39 p.m. Saturday.

Steven M. Hescock, 40, of 71 Neponset St., was arrested and charged with shoplifting by asportation and on a warrant at 1:26 a.m. Friday.

James McKenna, 51, of 36 Western Ave., Lynn, was arrested and charged with OUI liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and failure to yield at an intersection at 3:07 p.m. Friday.

Robert A. Rossetti, 59, of 1 Hillcrest Ave., Nahant, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle at 1:21 a.m. Saturday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 12:27 a.m. Friday on Revere Beach Parkway; at 8:23 a.m. Friday at Four Points Sheraton on Squire Road; at 3:07 p.m. Friday at Broadway and Davis Street; at 10:02 p.m. Friday at Showcase Cinemas on Squire Road; at 11:44 p.m. Friday on Lynn Marsh Road; at 10:27 a.m. Saturday at Ocean View Kennel on North Shore Road; at 5:46 p.m. Saturday at D&L Discount Liquors on Broadway; at 12:03 a.m. Sunday on Copeland Circle; at 1:15 a.m. Sunday on Campbell Avenue; at 6:26 p.m. Sunday on Squire Road; at 10:07 p.m. Sunday at Sigourney Street and Squire Road; at 5:33 p.m. Monday on Copeland Circle; at 7 p.m. Monday at Broadway and Malden Street; at 7:18 p.m. Monday on Revere Beach Boulevard.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 3:22 p.m. Friday at Pines River Fish Market on American Legion Highway; at 10:25 p.m. Friday at Marina Restaurant on the Wharf on North Shore Road; at 10:53 a.m. Saturday on North Shore Road; at 1:01 p.m. Saturday on Beach Street; at 6:17 p.m. Saturday at Broadway and Mountain Avenue; at 11:07 a.m. Sunday at Dunkin Donuts on Broadway; at 3:47 p.m. Monday at BJ’s Wholesale Club on Ward Street.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 11:16 p.m. Friday at Cottage Park Road and Pleasant Street; at 12:07 p.m. Saturday at Pomona and Hutchinson streets.

Assaults

A report of an assault at 3:58 p.m. Friday on Charger Street. Anouar Daissaoui, 35, of 8 View St., was summoned for assault and battery. Abdellah Abdelouhab, 27, of 115 Cooledge St., was summoned for assault and battery; at 11:53 a.m. Monday on Conant Street; at 3:17 p.m. Monday on Shirley Avenue.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 1:55 a.m. Saturday on Lantern Road; at 5:33 a.m. Saturday on Prospect Avenue; at 12 p.m. Sunday on Yeamans Street.

A report of a motor vehicle breaking and entering at 4:49 a.m. Saturday on Park Avenue.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 1:43 a.m. Friday on Ocean Avenue; at 11:14 a.m. Friday at BJ’s Gasoline Station on Ward Street; at 11:23 a.m. Friday at Broadway Towers on Broadway; at 7:53 p.m. Friday at Northgate Shopping Center on Squire Road; at 8:05 p.m. Friday on Walnut Avenue; at 1:42 a.m. Saturday at Peter’s Super Beef on North Shore Road; at 3:53 a.m. Saturday on Proctor Avenue; at 3:56 a.m. Saturday on Pomona Street; at 5:34 p.m. Saturday on Broadsound Avenue; at 6:18 p.m. Saturday on Ocean Avenue; at 6:46 p.m. Saturday on Winthrop Avenue; at 7:15 p.m. Saturday on McKinley Street; at 9:48 p.m. Saturday at Extra Space Storage on Revere Beach Parkway; at 10:26 p.m. Saturday on Alice Street; at 10:49 p.m. Saturday on Hichborn Street; at 11:39 p.m. Saturday on Malden Street; at 11:53 p.m. Saturday on Bradstreet Avenue; at 11:57 p.m. Saturday on Fenley Street; at 12:10 a.m. Sunday on Steeple Street; at 1:50 a.m. Sunday at Carleton and Revere streets; at 1:53 a.m. Sunday on Beach Street; at 2:24 a.m. Sunday on Campbell Avenue; at 2:45 a.m. Sunday on Winthrop Avenue; at 2:59 a.m. Sunday on Reservoir Avenue; at 3:26 a.m. Sunday on North Shore Road; at 3:40 a.m. Sunday on Kimball Avenue; at 7:07 a.m. Sunday on IHOP on Squire Road; at 9:01 p.m. Sunday on Sargent Street; at 9:26 p.m. Sunday on Eliot Road; at 10:55 p.m. Sunday on Bellingham Avenue; at 2:57 a.m. Monday on Pomona Street; at 12:01 p.m. Monday on Lancaster Avenue; at 6:17 p.m. Monday at Ambassador East Condos on Revere Beach Parkway; at 8:07 p.m. Monday at Beach Street and Shirley Avenue; at 11:18 p.m. Monday on North Shore Road.

A report of shots fired at 7:50 a.m. Monday at Susan B. Anthony School on Newhall Street.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 3:36 p.m. Friday at Sprint on Everett Street.

A report of a larceny from a motor vehicle at 10:09 p.m. Monday at Showcase Cinemas on Squire Road.

Vandalism

A report of vandalism at 11:29 p.m. Friday on Shawmut Street.

SAUGUS

Arrests

Amanda G. Mori, of 10 Linden St., Apt. 1L, Reading, was arrested and charged with shoplifting by asportation at 1:22 p.m. Saturday.

Carlos E. Poma-Bernal, of 40 Haskell Ave., was arrested and charged with OUI liquor second offense at 2:39 a.m. Saturday.

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle accident at 9 a.m. Friday at 41 Winter St.; at 8:49 a.m. Sunday at 42 Chestnut St.

A report of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury at 11:26 a.m. Friday at 90 Great Woods Road. A car into a pole was reported; at 12:18 p.m. Friday at 149 Lynn Fells Parkway. One person was taken to Beth Israel Hospital; at 12:32 p.m. Saturday on Boston Street; at 7:39 p.m. Saturday at Boston Market at 168 Broadway; at 11:05 p.m. Saturday at 27 Water St. A motor vehicle into a pole was reported. One person was taken to Union Hospital; at 11:36 p.m. Saturday on Baker Street. A car into a telephone pole was reported; at 2:37 a.m. Sunday on Lincoln Avenue. A car into a sign pole was reported. Two people were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital; at 3:46 a.m. Sunday at 588 Lincoln Ave. A car into a tree was reported; at 2:50 p.m. Monday at 66 Broadway; at 4:49 p.m. Monday at 20 Denver St.

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 4:58 p.m. Friday at 497 Walnut St.; at 10:42 a.m. Saturday at Broadway and Main Street; at 2:50 p.m. Monday at Kohls at 333 Broadway.

Breaking and Entering

A report of a breaking and entering at 7:59 p.m. Friday at Eliot Community Human Services at 36 Western Ave. A caller reported she arrived at the group home and found the door open with several items missing; at 6:10 a.m. Saturday at 47 Newhall Ave. Police reported there was not an attempted break as the daughter of the resident was staying there during her mother’s vacation.

Complaints

A report of a disturbance at 11:55 p.m. Friday at Walmart at 770 Broadway. A woman reported another female struck her leg with a shopping carriage and did not apologize. An alleged verbal slur was used during the altercation; at 12:22 a.m. Saturday at Verizon Wireless at 180 Main St. A caller reported he was assaulted; at 1:33 p.m. Saturday at 1212 Lewis O Gray Drive. A caller reported several men fighting; at 7:11 p.m. Monday at Buffalo Wild Wings at 180 Main St.

A report of suspicious activity at 8:11 a.m. Monday on Salem Turnpike. A caller reported a man with a black dog on the other side of the marsh was shooting at ducks; at 4:13 p.m. Monday on Rhodes Street. A caller reported two men were conducting some drug activity on the bridge. The caller stated seeing a gun inside one man’s backpack. The men reported it was a non-functioning pellet gun.

Fire

A report of a car fire at 11:02 a.m. Sunday at 9 Taylor St.

Theft

A report of a larceny at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Taco Bell at 421 Broadway. A caller reported one employee stole money from another employee’s pocketbook.

SWAMPSCOTT

Accidents

A report of a motor vehicle hit and run accident at 8:01 p.m. Monday at Qdoba Mexican Eats at 1016 Paradise Road.

ITEM FILE PHOTO
State Rep. Brendan P. Crighton, state Sen. Thomas M. McGee and, state Rep. Daniel F. Cahill, left to right, during a December 2016 interview at The Item.

It’s been 25 years since a Lynn woman named Patricia Lawrence vowed to channel her frustrations and fears about her daughter’s mental illness into a fight against insurance companies.

Desperate to pin down adequate insurance coverage to pay her daughter’s bills, Lawrence called on the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill to advocate for insurance reform and pushed to revive the Alliance’s Lynn chapter.

Lawrence went on to become a tireless advocate for insurance reform, crisscrossing the nation on speaking engagements and leading training seminars for emergency responders. Mental health awareness has come a long way since 1992 and many of the stigmas associated with depression, bipolar disease and other ailments have been eradicated.

But the insurance battle is still being fought and state Sen. Thomas M. McGee and state Reps. Brendan Crighton and Dan Cahill have joined the fight.

The trio identified mental health and behavioral health treatment as a flashpoint issue in 2017 for healthcare providers and insurance companies. Cahill succinctly defined the looming clash by outlining how expensive care related to diseases of the mind is likely to inspire legislation mandating certain types of coverage or increasing reimbursement rates for hospitals treating the mentally ill and behavioral health patients.

Lynn legislators reflect and project

Lawrence took her fight for increased insurance reimbursements three decades ago to fellow parents of mentally ill individuals. Her daughter’s experiences included stays in mental health facilities and care that quickly piled up stacks of medical bills.

As a state representative, McGee worked with former Reps. Robert Fennell and Steven Angelo and former state Sen. Edward J. Clancy Jr. (also former Lynn mayor) to fight for insurance coverage for treatment of biological mental illness and other mental disorders.

Their legislation became law 17 years ago, signaling a victory for Lawrence, thanks to support from Lynn legislators.

McGee, Crighton and Cahill are not giving up the fight for expanded mental and behavioral health insurance coverage. They know the light shining on mental illness is much brighter than the one that shone 25 years ago on Lawrence’s daughter and other people. They are committed to doing what they can to ensure the light does not fade and grow dim.

They also know that the nationwide war on opiate addiction will not be won without a clear understanding of mental illness and health and societal factors contributing to drug addiction.

Lawrence said she often felt alone In her early days fighting for expanded coverage. But Lawrence and other coverage advocates count today in their push for expanded coverage on allies in the state legislature, including McGee, Crighton and Cahill.

By THOMAS GRILLO

LYNN — Home sales in the city continued to surge into the new year as volume and prices rose in November, according to The Warren Group, the Boston-based real estate tracker.

The number of single-family homes sold last month swelled to 61, up from 52 for the same month a year ago, a 17.3 percent hike.

As sales rose, so did prices. The median price for a single-family dwelling climbed by nearly 27 percent to $310,000. One year ago, the median was $244,500.

Condominium sales also were strong. The number of units that changed hands nearly doubled to 20 in November while median prices reached $206,250, up from $174,000 a year ago, an 18.5 percent increase.

Brokers say rising rents on the North Shore are turning tenants into first-time homebuyers, as the cost of a mortgage is often a better deal than rent in many places.

“I sold a home to a couple in Revere who were paying $1,800 a month in rent and now their mortgage in Lynn is $1,500,” said George Panagopoulos, a sales associate at Clements Realty Group in Lynn. “Rents are so high in other communities and Lynn’s home prices are still affordable.”

New library on Lynnfield’s to-do list

Thomas Lynch, president of A. James Lynch Inc., a Lynn real estate agency, said rising prices are the result of supply and demand.

“The lack of inventory is driving prices up,” he said. “But even though prices are rising, Lynn is still the best bargain around and the best value for your money.”

On Tuesday, there were just 44 single-family homes listed for sale in Lynn from $199,000 for a two-bedroom Colonial on Groveland Street to $729,000 for a 10-room Victorian on Lynn Shore Drive, according to the MLS Property Information Network. During peak times, there were more than 200 homes for sales, say agents.  

Among North Shore communities, Revere saw strong volume as sales nearly doubled to 23 homes sold in November. Revere home prices also rose. The median reached $297,000, up from $273,500, a nearly 9 percent hike.

Peabody home sales fell in November while prices rose. There were 21 single-family homes sold compared to 41 last year, a 49 percent decrease. Despite the sales slump, prices were up by 10.5 percent to $386,800 from $350,000 a year ago.

In Marblehead, home sales fell to 17, down from two dozen last year. While sales dipped, median prices soared by 18 percent to $690,000 in November from $585,000 one year ago.

In Swampscott, sales fell by nearly half as median prices rose by more than 30 percent to $575,000.

Nahant single-family sales were flat while the median prices increased 7.5 percent to $549,900.

In Lynnfield, home prices increased by 7.5 percent to $612,500 while sales were flat.

Saugus home sales fell to 28, down from 37 a year ago while median prices swelled to $381,700, up from $328,000, a 16.4 percent hike.

Jeep flips on Boston Street

Statewide, 5,061 single-family homes sold in November, compared to 4,015 in November 2015, a 26 percent increase. This marks the highest November sales amount since 1998 and the second highest in November on record. Year-to-date, sales are up by 12.0 percent with 55,622 homes sold through November 2016 compared with 49,663 sold during the same time last year.

The median sale price of a single-family home in November reached $349,000, a 4.9 percent increase from $332,500 last year. Year-to-date prices are up 1.8 percent from last year, with a median sale price of $346,000.

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

Attention City of Lynn residents:

There will be NO DELAY of trash and recycling pickups during the weeks following the Christmas and New Year holidays. Please adhere to the regularly scheduled pickup as follows:

Blue Lids: Recycling carts will be picked up week during the week of Dec. 26 – Dec. 30, 2016.

Green Lids: Recycling carts will be picked up during the week of Jan. 2 – Jan. 6, 2017.

Unbagged Christmas trees & bagged leaf and yard waste will be collected the week of Jan. 9 – Jan. 13, 2017 on your scheduled trash day.

PEABODY — William E. Kaese, 73, of Peabody and formerly of Swampscott, died unexpectedly on Friday at his home.

Born in Lynn, he was the son of the late Edwin and Anne (Hendry) Kaese. He was raised and educated in Swampscott and was a graduate of Swampscott High School, Class of 1962. He lived in Peabody for the past 25 years.

Bill enjoyed playing sports in high school and was a member of the football team and track team as well. Following his high school graduation, Bill was employed as a machine shop operator for many companies in Lynn before he became disabled.  

He is survived by his sister, Ellen and her husband David Patterson of Wakefield; his nephews, Dana Patterson of Wakefield and Dan Abbott of Winthrop, and is also survived by his grandniece and nephew, Shannon and Gavin Abbott of Winthrop. He was predeceased by his niece Deborah Abbott.   

Service information: At this time there are no funeral services planned for Bill. Arrangements were made by the CONWAY, CAHILL-BRODEUR Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Visit Ccbfuneral.com to sign online guest book.