In the Merrimack Valley: USDOT Funds Merrimack River Bridge Project

Amtrak’s southbound Downeaster train 686 is seen crossing the Merrimack River in Haverhill, MA (from railpictures.com) The U.S. Department of Transportation received 848 applications for TIGER (Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery) grants. According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood only 46 transportation projects in 33 states and Puerto Rico were funded.…

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Flags at half-staff today

Governor Patrick has ordered that the flags of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that fly over public buildings be lowered to half-staff today in honor of Firefighter Jon D. Davies of the Worcester Fire Department, who died in the line of duty on Thursday, December 8, 2011.

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Joel-Lowell Rhymes

Just back from an inspiring “performance” by Billy Joel in Durgin Concert Hall on UMass Lowell’s South Campus. For two hours the music mega-star engaged in a lively conversation with the audience, using a green laser pointer to call on this or that eager person in a sea of hands.…

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Christmas Lights

I drove downtown about 30 minutes ago and stopped near City Hall. In my side mirror, the mid-section of Merrimack Street behind me sparkled. People sometimes say Lowell is a “little big city”—and that’s what it looked like at 5 p.m. with the going-home traffic filling the intersections and the Christmas…

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