Melanie Gilbert

1 week ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - The City Council unanimously approved the fiscal 2026 general budget of $549,599,846 during a lengthy and controversy-free session at City Hall Tuesday night. Vice Mayor Paul Ratha Yem presided over the meeting for the absent Mayor Dan Rourke. On a separate funding vote, District 8 Councilor John Descoteaux's motion to take $2 million out of the city's stabilization fund to help fund the Lowell Public Schools also unanimously passed.

1 week ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - Following weeks of debate, both the Massachusetts House and Senate passed fiscal 2026 budget proposals of roughly $61.4 billion. In addition to critical investments, the budgets include significant funding for education, transportation, health care, housing, workforce development, as well as significant earmarks for area nonprofits. Lowell's delegation of state Reps. Vanna Howard, Rodney Elliott, Tara Hong and state Sen.

1 week ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - The Theodore Edson Parker Foundation made grants totaling more than $500,000 to area nonprofits during its quarterly meeting in April. "After carefully reviewing and discussing the proposals, the trustees and advisors selected four organizations for mini grant funding and six organizations for regular grant funding with grant commitments totaling $503,500 including two multi-year grants," said a statement released by the foundation May 15.

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - Neither the City Council nor the School Committee is backing down from a $4 million fiscal funding fight that may result in dozens of classroom and other staff receiving pink slips by the end of the school year.

2 weeks ago | lowellsun.com | Melanie Gilbert

LOWELL - Cliff Krieger learned how to fly and soloed when he was 16 years old. His passion for aviation led him to the United States Air Force Academy, from which he graduated in 1964. The Belvidere resident and other veterans were honored at the first-ever Military Appreciation Day ceremony held at the State House Thursday.