Melanie Gilbert

Walgreens to close another store in Lowell LOWELL — Residents in the city’s Acre neighborhood were stunned by the news that the Walgreens store at the corner of Broadway and Fletcher streets will close its doors in September.

The retail storefront model is changing, which portends a rethink of economic development. Walgreens closes its second of four stores in city of Lowell, in less than 6 months, making it harder for residents to access prescriptions. What will fill that market space?
www.lowellsun.com/2025/07/29/w...

Lowell City Council moves toward a green energy future LOWELL — Green technology and sustainability were on the agenda of the City Council during its Tuesday night meeting. Two motions, submitted jointly by Councilors Wayne Jenness and Erik Gitschier, …

Could hydrotreated vegetable oil as a drop-in renewable fuel source for diesel-powered backup generators be a path to sustainaibilty?
www.lowellsun.com/2025/07/24/l...

ICE escalates arrests of Utahns not accused of crimes Immigration agents in Utah are continuing to escalate their number of arrests, including for those who have not been accused of a crime.

We are not Argentinia, but these ICE actions feel like a "Dirty War" where people are being disappeared.
www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-...

100-plus heat a health risk to homeless, seniors in Lowell LOWELL — Due to what the city called an “unhealthy heat forecast” through Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach a record-setting 100 degrees and higher, local providers and age…

Remember our vulnerable people during this heat emergency. The Boston area is expected to hit a high of 104 today. 🥵
Something as simple as passing out cold beverages to at-risk populations where they gather can be a powerful affirmation of community.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/23/1...

City spends almost $1M to market, promote Lowell LOWELL — The city will spend almost $1 million on a “rebranding program” for Lowell. It’s a small slice of the city’s massive $549.6 million fiscal 2026 budget, with some of the funds coming out of…

The city of Lowell "leans into" the the narrative that in order to make money, you have to spend money by allocating almost $1 million to marketing and advertising firms to rebrand/promote the Gateway CIty.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/11/c...

Tradition, surprises send off Greater Lowell Tech grads LOWELL — It was a night of traditional pomp and circumstance, as well as unconventional surprises, during the 51st commencement exercise for Greater Lowell Technical High School Friday night.

Army Staff Sgt. Kelsey Baez surprised her brother, Kelvyn Baez, at his graduation from the plumbing program at Greater Lowell Technical High School Friday night. The siblings haven't seen each other in more than a year.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/07/t...

‘Extraordinary’ Lowell High Class of 2025 graduates LOWELL — There were speeches and vocal performances, cheering and foot stomping, and of course, decorated mortarboards and the presenting of diplomas during the Lowell High School commencement exer…

The Lowell HIgh School Class of 2025, that entered high school as freshman after a year of remote learning due to the COVID lockdowns, celebrated their resilience and "extraordinary' achievements during their commencement exercise on Wednesday. CONGRATS!
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/05/e...

State aims to turn its surplus properties into housing LOWELL — The Healey-Driscoll administration threw open the doors to more housing in the commonwealth during an announcement at an inaugural Developers’ Fair held in Downtown Boston Monday mor…

MA Gov. Maura Healey jump starts housing creation in MA, by increasing access to and lowering the cost of state-owned surplus land to both public and private developers.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/02/s...

The Column: ICE raids target Lowell IS IMMIGRATION and Customs Enforcement targeting alleged criminals who are in the country illegally, or casting a wider, less discriminating net? Local leaders fear the latter, and say several long…

Snatch-and-grab ICE raids in Lowell MA by heavily armed men dressed like Proud Boys — balaclavas, sunglasses, hats, unmarked vehicles and little-to-no visible official identification save for vests stenciled with “POLICE,”which can be purchased online.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/25/t...

It is unconscionable that federal agents would impersonate utility workers to fraudulently gain access to homes.

TEP must denounce this impersonation and seek relief from feds acting under their cover. Merely distinguishing what their contractors look like is insufficient.

Public input to Markley data center expansion LOWELL — By the time the Markley data center in Lowell’s Sacred Heart neighborhood is built out, it will boast 27 diesel emergency generators,16 cooling towers, a water treatment plant and other in…

The explosive growth of AI is driving expanded facilities. In Lowell, MA, the Markley Group's 14-acre plant, with 27 aboveground 6,000-gallon diesel generators, sits right in the middle of a residential neighborhood, albeit one zoned as light industrial.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/01/p...

The Column: ICE raids target Lowell IS IMMIGRATION and Customs Enforcement targeting alleged criminals who are in the country illegally, or casting a wider, less discriminating net? Local leaders fear the latter, and say several long…

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement targets the City of Lowell. But who are those masked men, some of whom look barely fit for duty and whose military-style getup doesn't include badges or official identification?

www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/25/t...

City, school leaders clash over Lowell’s fiscal 2026 budget LOWELL — Neither the City Council nor the School Committee is backing down from a $4 million fiscal funding fight that may result in dozens of classroom and other staff receiving pink slips by the …

A 2026 fiscal funding fight between the City of Lowell and Lowell Public Schools leads to pinks slips for teachers and support staff in the Gateway City.
Is the 5th largest city in the commonwealth a layoff bellweather or exception?
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/24/c...

Rockland Trust lays off 125 Enterprise Bank staff in Lowell LOWELL — Rockland Trust, which acquired Lowell-based Enterprise Bank & Trust in a blockbuster December deal, announced that it was laying off 125 employees at three Lowell locations starting Ju…

After months of speculation, Rockland Trust confirms what people feared - layoffs. 125 employees of Enterprise Bank & Trust in Lowell, acquired by Rockland last December, are laid off starting in June.

Adds to the nonprofit community layoffs earlier this year.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/19/r...

I am enjoying my morning cup of coffee in the mug I picked up during my tour of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc.'s brand spanking new warehouse. Thanks, Debbie Callery!

Merrimack River briefly crests over flood stage level LOWELL — The flood stage level of the Merrimack River is 52 feet, and ever-so-briefly on May 11, it exceeded that threshold, recording a year-to-date high of 52.30 feet, before quickly receeding. R…

Locals keep a wary eye on the mighty Merrimack River after it briefly crests above flood stage. Last major flood was this time of year in 2006.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/18/m...

MVFB launches ‘Feed & Nourish’ capital campaign On Thursday, Executive Director Debbie Callery announced the launch of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank’s $7.8 million “Feed & Nourish” public capital campaign to continue its fight against…

Feed the people. The Merrimack Valley Food Bank steps in to fill gaps left by government cuts with $7.8 million capital campaign - and they've already raised half the funds.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/19/m...

Lowell’s homeless shelter, city work to find it a new home LOWELL — Like its residents, the Lowell Transitional Living Center, just off Lowell’s downtown business district, has seen some better days. And like its clients, the shelter also hopes for better …

South Middlesex Opportunity Council and the city of Lowell explore moving the Lowell Transitional Living Center out of Downtown Lowell. The 134-year-old, 5-story building lacks elevators, accessibilty, is plagued by infrastructure issues and unwelcome guests - mice.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/19/l...

Newly planted trees at South Common vandalized LOWELL — Wood carcasses litter the hill in South Common Park that flanks the STEM Academy at the Rogers School, after several newly planted trees had their boughs striped and trunks snapped during …

Human-caused environmental damage takes many forms, including vandalism.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/18/n...

Restoration Center of Greater Lowell to open in 2026 LOWELL — By 2026, the roughed out and under construction office building off Technology Drive, will be transformed into the Restoration Center of Greater Lowell, the first-of-its-kind crisis divers…

Jail or emergency room? What if there's another way to treat substance use disorders? Vinfen and Spectrum Health Systems to open the Restroration Center of Greater Lowell in 2026, the first-of-its-kind crisis diversion program in Massachusetts.

www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/15/r...

Bought my college-aged son an old used car.
It has a cassette tape and CD player.
I think I'm in love.

Asking for a friend...is there room for two big dogs in the house?

Lowell honors the ultimate sacrifice LOWELL — The brave service members from Lowell who gave their life defending the country since the American Civil War in 1861 were honored during a flag-planting ceremony at the Ladd and Whitney Mo…

In the runup to Memorial Day, it's important to reflect on the holiday's meaning, which isn't deals or cookouts, but sacrifice.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/15/l...

Lowell budget: Tax increase of 2.5%; $4M in cuts to schools LOWELL — City Manager Tom Golden told the City Council Tuesday night that the fiscal 2026 budget his administration will present to the body next week will include a tax levy increase of 2.5%. He a…

Tax increases and budget cuts. Are we seeing the beginning of stagflation starting at the local level?
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/09/l...

NightSide News Update 5-7-25 - NightSide With Dan Rea | iHeart We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!<br /><br />May is National Stop the Bleed Month, a time designated to educate the ...

Had a great time on "Nightside with Dan Rea," talking about underage patrons in Lowell bars. Rea keeps the convo popping!
Check it out on WBZ News Radio 1030 iHeartRadio.
www.iheart.com/podcast/1002...

Love the Pride display at my local CVS. 🏳️‍🌈

‘The very best of a public-private partnership’: King Street Common breaks ground LITTLETON — The groundbreaking ceremony for King Street Common, an expansive, campus-style development by the Lupoli Companies, took place on the site of the former IBM campus located at 550 King S…

Lupoli Companies broke ground on the King Street Common project in Littleton Monday.

The expansive, campus-style development will build out about 1,100 much-needed housing units - the largest public-private investment in housing in the history of the commonwealth.

www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/05/t...

Local firm cleans up Lowell’s homeless camps LOWELL — Workers in Tyvek suits from Mill City Environmental swarmed the site of a former homeless camp off Dutton and Fletcher streets Friday morning, removing the remnants of a life once lived th…

A local company takes on the messy, complicated and hazardous work of cleaning up Lowell's homeless encampments.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/04/l...

Migrant families out of Lowell’s ICC by June 30 LOWELL — The commonwealth’s migrant housing program started with a bang, but it is ending with a whimper. According to officials with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Lowell…

The commonwealth ends its almost $2 billion migrant family emergency assistance shelter program as of June 30, 2025.

www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/01/m...

Housing starts, building permits up in Lowell LOWELL — The city’s Department of Development Services presented an informational report to the City Council on its improved efforts to address safety, inspectional and quality-of-life issues…

Municipal budgets/forecasts were recovering from the impact of COVID thanks to the massive infusion of pandemic-related federal aid such as the ARPA, BIL, the IRA and more.
Will tariffs and cuts/pauses to the federal funding stream reverse that encouraging trend?
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/01/h...