Methuen High School Online

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is requesting community-based financial assistance to help cover the cost of medical assistance and daily care for the extraordinary number of horses being surrendered to the non-profit's Equine Center at Nevins Farm. This weekend the Nevins Farm facility will have 30 horses under its care, 43% more than in 2007. This is causing the MSPCA to seek temporary foster homes for some horses until acceptable, permanent homes are found for each horse.

"It is heart wrenching to witness the surrender of a horse that can no longer be cared for by its owner due to financial hardships," said Nevins Farm Barn Manager Melissa Ghareeb. "It is our responsibility to care for and champion these animals as we seek out their new homes."

     

Jeanne Pappalardo, a first-term member of the Methuen City Council, decided to act after hearing McCann's plea. She put forth a resolution aptly named Veteran Preference for City Employment, a resolution that would make it easier for veterans to find work with the city of Methuen. Just last month, the Methuen City Council unanimously passed the resolution.

"[Veterans] can come into City Hall ... get an application, fill out the application for any type of a job that they feel as though they are qualified to do, and put their name on this list," Pappalardo told MTV News. "If something becomes available, they will be called upon first."

Although many cities and towns already give preference to veterans in their hiring practices, Methuen's measure took the additional step of codifying it in the city's laws and creating a signup list for unemployed veterans.

     

METHUEN — The MSPCA at Nevins Farm is holding a tack sale this weekend to benefit its Equine Center.

New and gently used horse equipment will be sold and children have organized a bake sale, all to raise money for the horses and farm animals.

Some interesting news for residents and businesses local to this construction. I can't imagine more traffic on route 28 between Methuen and Salem, so I am glad they are going to address this BEFORE building the Lowe's. I like the sidewalk inclusion, but I think someone needs to ask why they can't reuse the STAPLES building that is already there in its current form or in a modified form. I would think it would cost less than razing the current building and starting from scratch.

At the very least, they should consider the multiple use and reuse capabilities of the new Lowe's building so that if Lowe's decides to go at some point, it can be reused for other businesses. I think STAPLES probably thought they would own it forever and there was no need to build it beyond their own use. I hope they don't settle for this "very least" scenario.

The Merrimack Valley Dream Factory is holding its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

The all-volunteer nonprofit foundation grants dreams to local children between the age of 3 and 18 with sever chronic conditions. They help children who are not eligible for a wish from any other foundation.

New members and anyone interested in raising money for the Dream Factory is invited to the meeting, which is at 46 Salem St. For more information, contact Anne Winn at 978-685-0561 or Lisa Afonso at 978-688-6624.