In the News

When a medical emergency occurs, even with the confusion and surging adrenaline, people know just what to do: Call 911.

But for people in the midst of a mental health emergency, it’s not quite that simple. They, too, are in the middle of a crisis where time is of the essence – but instead of having an easy-to-remember three-digit number at the ready, they have to first look up who to call.

With any luck, that search will take them to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, and they’ll get the help they need. But we shouldn’t count on it.

SAUGUS — Public safety is heating up in Saugus.

The town will hire five new firefighters with nearly $885,000 from the state. The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant program.

It will allow the Saugus Fire Department to “increase firefighter presence” and decrease response time, which will allow them to better protect residents during emergencies, said Saugus Fire Chief Michael Newbury.

“Maintaining adequate staffing is absolutely critical for first responders,” said Newbury.

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton on Monday called the Maine Lobstermen's Association shortsighted for stepping away from the federal plan to increase protections for North Atlantic right whales, saying the defection will dull its membership's ability to influence the plan ultimately adopted by NOAA Fisheries.

ANDOVER, Mass. — Congressman Seth Moulton joined war veterans for the 2019 Day of Service at Ironstone Farm in Andover on Sunday.

NEWBURYPORT — The city celebrated the return of William Shuttleworth Thursday morning after his 3,000-mile walk across the country in support of the nation’s veterans.

Shuttleworth, a 71-year-old Market Street resident and Air Force veteran, left Newburyport on May 15 with a 25-pound backpack and two trekking poles, kicking off a coast-to-coast walking tour to raise public awareness about the health care, housing and financial issues facing men and women who served in the U.S. military.

“Be not afraid to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares….” was the biblical exhortation chosen by Congressman Seth Moulton to anchor his remarks on immigration before a group of Bedford and Burlington residents at Temple Shalom Emeth on September 3. The Town Hall session was organized by Rabbi Susan Abramson and was well attended by local clergy, town officials, and activists from both towns concerned about the current immigration crisis.

Representative Seth Moulton had just dropped out of the presidential race, a decision he was bound to be asked about during a town hall-style meeting at iRobot’s headquarters in Bedford earlier this week.

But you know what issue dominated the conversation in the packed room? The escalating trade fight with China.

The tariff questions, it turns out, were much tougher to answer.

SALEM — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton got a first-hand look Tuesday at how trade wars are affecting a small local cheese shop just around the corner from his district office in Salem, and a small family-owned high-end carbon fiber bicycle manufacturer just over the bridge in Beverly.

Both businesses’ owners say they are getting squeezed by proposed or present tariffs.

For North Shore foodies, the Cheese Shop of Salem at 45 Lafayette St. is facing up to 100% tariffs on cheese, olives and other specialty food items coming from the European Union.