EDITOR'S DESK: An Ed Bell appreciation
Community groups will gather March 5 at the Boston Yacht Club for an evening hosted by Susan Wornick and Andrea Bell Bergeron, featuring awards tied to public service and reporting.
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.
Snow parking ban in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday
A snow emergency parking ban is in effect as of 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and will remain in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday due to forecasted mixed precipitation, including ice and 2 to 4 inches of additional snow. Parking on any public way is prohibited during the
Marblehead immigration lawyer shifts from congressional bid to Governor’s Council race
Diann Slavit Baylis has pulled nomination papers and plans districtwide signature drives in pursuit of a seat advising the state’s chief executive on judicial appointments.
Marblehead Arts Association to host opening reception for new exhibits
Get our free local reporting delivered straight to your inbox. No noise, no spam — just clear, independent coverage of Marblehead. Sign up for our once-a-week newsletter. The Marblehead Arts Association will host an opening reception for its newest exhibits Sunday, March 1, from 2 to 4 p.m.
A 66-day, 2,634-mile voyage — and the rock that didn’t end it
Planning hinged on color-coded binder, paper charts, Navionics, Garmin backups, plus 11-page log tracking fuel stops, distances, new acquaintances across 46 marinas.
Dockside dog becomes Marblehead’s contender in national pet contest
Lolo, a 9-year-old adopted pup tied to SUP East Coast Style, has reached the quarterfinals of America’s Favorite Pet, fueled by public votes and optional donations.
In Marblehead, lawyers and scholar trace shifting lines of immigration authority
Panel at Old North Church maps tangled jurisdiction over deportation rules.
Marblehead elevates longtime foreman to parks director, succeeding Peter James
Brad Delisle takes over after his predecessor retired in January following 39 years with the town, leaving behind responsibility for more than 80 public properties and coastal sites.
Swampscott Fish Tales event to support local news initiative
Get our free local reporting delivered straight to your inbox. No noise, no spam — just clear, independent coverage of Marblehead. Sign up for our once-a-week newsletter. Swampscott Tides will present Swampscott Fish Tales: An Evening of Community Storytelling on Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at the
Town advances maintenance contracts and Five Corners redesign
Get our free local reporting delivered straight to your inbox. No noise, no spam — just clear, independent coverage of Marblehead. Sign up for our once-a-week newsletter. The town is moving forward with a series of municipal contracts covering building maintenance services and a major redesign of the Five
Bagel shop owner honored as Marblehead Person of the Year
Aldrich previously ran Grab The Torch, a national service effort for high school students, then shifted toward baking after pandemic closures stalled in-person work.
Abatement filings drop sharply after assessment reforms
Officials attribute the decline to corrective steps after widespread overvaluations in 2024, including early release of draft figures and expanded outreach to property owners.
From crypto to MBTA zoning, Kezer previews Select Board-sponsored warrant articles
Police have asked town officials to prohibit digital currency kiosks, requiring any existing machines to be removed within 60 days if voters adopt the bylaw.
Lunt succeeds Freeman as Marblehead’s permanent police captain
Get our free local reporting delivered straight to your inbox. No noise, no spam — just clear, independent coverage of Marblehead. Sign up for our once-a-week newsletter. The Select Board voted Wednesday night to promote Acting Capt. Jonathan Lunt to the rank of captain, following a recommendation from Police
Select Board confronts the limits of Marblehead’s tax cap
Operating tax hikes have repeatedly failed at the ballot over four decades, a history that looms as officials debate how much to request and how soon.
Sally Sands appointed to fill Tucker vacancy on Cemetery Commission
A vacancy left by Jerry Tucker’s exit after relocating from Marblehead was filled Wednesday night.