No seat at the table: Marblehead shut out of $2.8M in state grants
The news follows the July repeal of zoning changes required under the MBTA Communities Act, which had made the town temporarily compliant.
Will Dowd
I started my full-time reporting career in Marblehead in 2012 and have failed spectacularly at leaving. Now I cover the town through The Independent, following its people and stories with the curiosity that makes this place impossible to quit.
Three female foster kittens need homes
Three female foster kittens named Dewey, Ripper and Bat are still seeking permanent homes through the Marblehead Animal Shelter. Adoptions are held at 44 Village Street, Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945. Hours are Tuesday 6-8 p.m., Friday 5-7 p.m., Saturday noon-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-4 p.m. Call 781-631-8664
Sustainable Marblehead launches free energy coaching program
Sustainable Marblehead, a volunteer-driven community organization dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and waste, has launched a new Energy Coaching Program to help Marblehead residents make their homes more energy efficient and climate-friendly. The program connects residents with trained, local volunteer energy coaches who provide free, one-on-one guidance on clean energy
Veteran fundraiser Amy Gingle joins Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA board of directors
Amy Gingle of Marblehead, a nonprofit fundraising professional with nearly 20 years of development experience, has been named to the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA board of directors, board chair Pat Milner announced. Gingle is a senior director at the Orr Group, a full-service fundraising consulting firm. She previously worked as
Household hazardous waste collection day set for Oct. 8
The towns of Marblehead and Swampscott will host a joint Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Marblehead Transfer Station, 5 Woodfin Terrace, with access via Green Street. The event allows residents to safely dispose of materials such as
Marblehead Little Theatre’s spare, shadowed ‘Crucible’ conjures Salem’s 1692 panic
Local staging of Arthur Miller’s 1953 classic immerses audiences in a world where dread and devotion blur under flickering light.
Miles for Mary to return Oct. 18 with 5K race for brain cancer research
Two upcoming events in Marblehead will honor Mary Park and support innovative brain cancer research. The annual “Miles for Mary” 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, at Devereux Beach. Registration costs $30 in advance via milesformary.com or $35 on race day, which opens at 9 a.
COLLEEN'S GARDEN: How to care for gardens in early fall
Connor is the Independent’s inaugural columnist, offering readers seasonal advice rooted in her own backyard experiments.
Marblehead Animal Shelter to mark National Cat Day
The Marblehead Animal Shelter will observe National Cat Day on Wednesday, Oct. 29, to raise awareness of cats in need of permanent homes. The shelter, located at 44 Village St., is highlighting adoptable cats including Braveheart, Carmello, Flower and Travis. Adoption hours are Tuesday 6-8 p.m., Friday 5-7 p.
Friends of Abbot Public Library mark national week, begin membership drive
The 2025 National Friends of Libraries Week will take place Oct. 19-25. Friends of Abbot Public Library will join the celebration to highlight the group’s volunteer work and begin their annual membership drive. President Colleen Polk said, “leading the Friends Group is a fantastic experience to work with the
Marblehead mothers carry forward Wreaths Across America tradition
Folks will gather at Waterside Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 13 to take part in the ceremony alongside communities across the country.
At Old Burial Hill, protecting the past collides with cutting the grass
As tourist traffic climbs each October, committee members say a long-term plan must balance budget constraints with the cultural weight of a 1648 burial ground.
School Committee votes to self-report possible Open Meeting violation
Members also reviewed draft language from the Town Charter Committee during its meeting Wednesday.
Rec and Park Commission votes to recommend $381K Reynolds design contract
Municipal-focused firm CHA selected over lower bidder for in-house expertise, specialization in public sports facilities.
Author to share stories of Marblehead’s historic cemeteries Oct. 9
The Marblehead Museum will host Pam Peterson for a talk on her new book, “Historic Burial Grounds of Marblehead,” on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Peterson, director of the Marblehead Historical Commission, profiles the town’s 13 cemeteries and notable residents buried in them, including John Glover, Elisha Story
Victorian gravestone symbols to be explored Oct. 9
The following briefs were submitted from Abbot Public Library to the Independent. Victorian gravestone symbols to be explored Oct. 9 Abbot Public Library will host a virtual program, “Victorian Sentiments: Gravestone Art and Symbols,” on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Historian Dennis Picard will discuss gravestone imagery and the