MICAH JONES CHALLENGES DAN KOH TO THREE DEBATES
US Army veteran, attorney, husband, father, and candidate for Congress Micah Jones challenged Sixth District Democrat nominee Dan Koh to a minimum of three debates across the district. Koh earned their party’s nomination last evening garnering just 41% of the vote.
“With the primary behind us and voters turning their attention to the November Election, candidates have an obligation to clearly articulate their positive vision for the future of the North Shore and Merrimack Valley – including demonstrating to voters through head-to-head debates why they are deserving of their votes,” said Jones. “Confidence in the institution of Congress is at an all-time low, and that is a troubling reality for our country. Our neighbors deserve the ability to make an informed decision, which is why I am asking Dan Koh to join me for a minimum of three debates.”
Jones has already agreed to a debate to be hosted at Endicott College on September 17.
5th Annual Lynnside Out Festival Set for September 12
Mayor Jared Nicholson is turning City Hall “Lynnside Out” for the 5th annual Lynnside Out Festival, inviting residents to connect directly with city departments on upcoming initiatives and projects that matter most to the community.
The event will be held on Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frederick Douglass Memorial Park. The community festival will feature a variety of entertainment and offerings, including:
• Live music and performances
• Arts & crafts
• Family-friendly activities
• Food
Please be advised that event exhibition is restricted to City departments, and outside organizations may only participate by invitation. Residents looking to learn more can visit LynnMA.gov.
Lynn Police DEPT. Hiring Crossing Guards
The City of Lynn Police Department is currently hiring crossing guards for 10 hours a week at a starting salary of $18 per hour. Crossing guards report directly to their assigned crossing stations and play a vital role in ensuring children use proper crossing locations while keeping them out of the street when traffic is moving.
Applications are currently being reviewed on a rolling basis. To learn more about the position’s full duties and requirements, or to submit an application, visit lynnma.gov/city_government/ departments/personnel/ current_job_postings
Deputy Chief Christopher Kelly Named Next Police Chief
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson has announced the upcoming appointment of Deputy Chief Christopher Kelly as Lynn’s next police chief. Kelly will step into the top leadership role to guide the city’s law enforcement efforts and oversee department operations. The announcement marks a significant transition for the Lynn Police Department as it continues to focus on community policing and public safety initiatives.
State Grant to Fund New Nonprofit Kitchen
A recent state grant totaling $226,358 has been awarded to help equip a new commercial kitchen and nutrition center in Lynn. The funding will provide crucial support for local nonprofit efforts aimed at addressing food insecurity and expanding access to healthy, community-based meals. Officials expect the state-funded facility to serve as a vital resource for residents once completed.
Former Porthole Restaurant Site Hits Market for $7 Million
The former site of the iconic Porthole Restaurant is officially on the market with an asking price of $7 million. Eight years after the beloved local establishment closed its doors, the prime real estate is being offered to prospective buyers. The sale presents a major redevelopment opportunity along the Lynn waterfront, offering expansive views of the Boston skyline.
Cyclist Struck and Killed in Downtown Crash
A tragic accident claimed the life of a 30-year-old cyclist in downtown Lynn earlier this week. The incident occurred on Broad Street on Aug. 31. First responders arrived at the scene but the victim succumbed to their injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Lynn Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Officials are urging drivers to exercise caution and remain vigilant while sharing the road with cyclists and pedestrians.
Health Officials Announce Season’s First EEE-Positive Mosquito Samples
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year. The presence of EEE was confirmed in mosquito samples collected on August 17 in the town of Kingston in Plymouth County. No human or animal cases of EEE have been detected so far this year.
Today’s finding increases the risk level of EEE to moderate in the communities of Carver, Halifax, Kingston, and Plympton.
“The last EEE outbreak in Massachusetts occurred in 2024 and, since then, there have been no human cases of EEE reported in the state,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “Today’s finding alerts us to the presence of EEE in Massachusetts this year. While this is late in the season for the first detection of EEE in mosquitoes, when combined with all the evidence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes in Massachusetts, we are asking everyone in Massachusetts to take the necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites. The Department of Public Health recommends that people use mosquito repellent when they are spending time outdoors so they can enjoy the rest of the summer and decrease their risk of being bitten.”
EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths; in 2020, there were five human cases and one death. In 2024, there were four human cases with one death. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2025.
“EEE activity in Massachusetts tends to occur in outbreak cycles,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine M. Brown. “When EEE is found in mosquitoes later in the season like this, there is less opportunity for the risk to increase to very high levels. But anytime EEE virus is in mosquitoes, it can be spread to people. We rely on our mosquito surveillance program to monitor for the presence of virus to let people know when and where the risk is occurring so they can take steps to protect themselves.”