NEW LAWS: Marblehead boaters face new education requirement in 2026
State certification covering navigation rules, right-of-way and safety gear becomes mandatory for most motorized vessel operators, with staggered deadlines tied to age.
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.
Marblehead schools pare $1.7M budget gap to $879,000
Enrollment has dropped by 487 students since 2018-19, but the superintendent said staffing cuts are limited because student needs — especially in special education — have become more complex.
Public Works Committee opens town’s first meeting of the year, signs off on warrant article
Vote advances a governance rewrite for voter consideration this spring, reshaping how infrastructure leaders coordinate labor, equipment and long-range planning.
POLICE LOG: Speaker disappears from library, resident reports missing Christmas cookware
This reporting takes time, access and context. Independent, reader-supported journalism means no paywalls, no algorithms — just facts, for everyone in Marblehead. You’re able to read this work free because 72 Marbleheaders make it possible through annual and monthly contributions — and we endeavor to reach 100 members by the
2025 year-in-review: Three months of showing up for Marblehead
Early coverage emphasized decision-making before votes were final, producing strong engagement around governance, finance and policy details.
Galvin urges taxpayers to review higher state, local tax deduction cap
BOSTON — Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin is urging Massachusetts residents preparing to file their 2025 tax returns to review recent changes in federal tax law that could significantly affect their filings. Under a tax reform package signed into law in July, taxpayers who itemize deductions may now deduct
Remembering Marblehead’s losses of 2025, Part 2: Teachers, artists and neighbors
The Independent remembers people who sustained the town through teaching, creating, listening and showing up.
The Independent’s most-read stories of 2025
Since The Marblehead Independent went live in September, the stories that drew the most sustained attention have ranged from zoning disputes and municipal contracts to neighborhood traditions and local businesses. Many did not describe finished events, but moments within longer processes — decisions still unfolding, traditions still repeating and lives and
GoFundMe nears $60,000 goal after sudden death of Joe Carpineto
His wife, Sherri, wrote that she is seeking help while raising two teenagers, Harry and Will, without their father.
Holiday trash, recycling schedule adjusted for Christmas
Trash and recycling pickup in Marblehead will run one day late during the week of Christmas, according to the Marblehead Health Department. Collections will follow this schedule: Monday routes will be picked up Dec. 22; Tuesday routes Dec. 23; Wednesday routes Dec. 24; Thursday routes Dec. 26; and Friday routes
Remembering Marblehead’s losses of 2025, Part 1: Lives of service in town
A familiar face at the table, a voice you’ve heard for years — this piece reflects on neighbors whose presence became part of the town’s rhythm.
In season, and in tune: The music of Liz Tauro
Weekdays bring a full-time role at Marblehead Bank; nights bring three-hour sets spanning Etta James, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Nicks, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland.
POLICE LOG: Driver’s beach photo op ends with car buried in sand
This reporting takes time, access and context. Independent, reader-supported journalism means no paywalls, no algorithms — just facts, for everyone in Marblehead. We run on an $80,000 annual budget, and 95 percent of every dollar goes straight into journalism, not profit. You’re able to read this work free
State certifies first five ballot questions for 2026
BOSTON — The Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth has certified the first five initiative petitions that have cleared the initial signature hurdle for the 2026 state election ballot, confirming each contains more than the 74,574 certified signatures required to advance to the next step in the process.
Marblehead teacher claims retaliation, antisemitism in lead teacher stipend dispute
The hearing came after an outside review authorized up to $25,000 last year. A report released early April 2025 found no substantiation for antisemitism, harassment, retaliatory conduct, though it cited flaws in prior handling.
School Committee examines AP participation growth, enrollment decline
Enrollment is trending down across grade levels at an average annual drop of about four percent, a pattern administrators said complicates staffing plans and raises questions about where resident students are choosing to go.