DEALS OF THE $DAY$ PG. 3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020 DEALS LHAND OF THE Uptick in COVID cases makes$DAY$ CARES Salem and Saugus see redPG. 3 about By Elyse Carmosino DEALS ITEM STAFF OF THE low-income SAUGUS — Saugus is now considered a high- risk zone for COVID-19, according to a numbers report released by the state Wednesday. $DAY$ Previously pegged as a moderate-risk communi- PG. 3 families ty, Saugus was one of 11 Massachusetts munici- palities identi ed for the classi cation after it re- By Gayla Cawley ITEM STAFF ported an average daily incidence rate of 9 cases per 100,000 people between July 29 and August LYNN — The Lynn Housing Au- 12. DEALS thority & Neighborhood Develop- In particular, 36 new cases were reported in OF THE ment has received nearly $400,000 Saugus over that 14-day period, tying the town in federal funding to support low-in- with Holyoke for the state’s fth-highest daily av- come families and others who have erage. $DAY$ been impacted by the coronavirus “The Board of Health and the Saugus Health PG. 3 pandemic. Department will be partnering with the state GRAPHIC | MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH LHAND is one of many public Saugus and Salem join Lynn, Revere, Chelsea, and Everett on the housing authorities throughout the COVID-19, A3 state’s list of higher-risk communities for COVID-19. state that will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which DEALS has been made available through OF THE the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco- Splashing through summer Countdown nomic Security (CARES) Act. On Tuesday, the HUD announced $DAY$ more than $17.8 million in CARES is onPG for. 3 Act funding was being distributed to help low-income families in Mas- sachusetts during the coronavirus pandemic. Lynn In Lynn, LHAND will receive $396,342, which will allow the hous- ing agency to support residents who census need assistance with their rent, util- ity, and mortgage payments through a variety of existing programs, ac- count cording to Carly McClain, executive counsel for LHAND. By Thor Jourgensen “It’s just to continue to provide a ITEM STAFF continuity of services to members LYNN — More than a month of our community and also expand after accelerating publicity for on the services we’re already offer- census counting efforts, city of - ing and providing,” said McClain. cials and community leaders are “We had to pivot pretty signi cantly reaching out to “hard-to-count” since March and some of that pivot residents. has given us an opportunity to em- The clock is ticking on the count: brace a larger portion of our commu- According to the U.S. Census, the nity in terms of services.” goal is to collect all Census infor- For instance, LHAND is usually mation by Sept. 30 for processing limited to providing services for in- by Dec. 31, as required by federal dividuals and households that make up to 50 percent of the Area Medi- law. an Income (AMI), but the emergen- Mandated in the U.S. Constitu- cy funding through the virus relief tion and vital to assuring feder- package allows the agency to help al funding  ows to communities, some people who make up to 80 per- the census is conducted every 10 cent, McClain said. years. Lynn in past census counts That higher-income group of peo- have had poor participation in ple would not typically be eligible for some neighborhoods. But City bene ts, but may be in need due to Clerk Janet L. Rowe said the city the economic downturn that has re- response rate stands at 59.2 per- sulted from the virus, which includes cent compared to the 65.7 percent a high level of unemployment. statewide response rate. In some cases, the funds would be Rowe said local census organiz- supporting tenants who cannot af- ers are taking a multi-pronged ford to pay their rent or utility bills, approach to pushing up the per- but in other instances, the landlords centage. may also be in need of support if Rowe said more than 200 peo- their tenants are not able to make ple are committed to encouraging their monthly rent payments, Mc- census participation through “so- Clain said. cial media blasts” publicizing the Small property owners who fall ITEM PHOTO | SPENSER HASAK census’ importance and outreach into that higher income bracket have efforts. to provide documented proof that Nora De Leon of Lynn swings her daughter Alexandra, 3, through a water jet City youth workers are at the Flax Pond Playground splash pad in Lynn on Thursday as they cool off LHAND, A2 on a hot summer afternoon. CENSUS, A3

Opinion Sports APPRECIATION School sports Jourgensen: North Shore Baseball A superhero League playoffs heat up guidelines are steps up. A4 on second day. B1 Saugus’ Varone falling into place was a ‘great guy’ By Elyse Carmosino Selectmen chair and long- By Mike Alongi the DESE recommenda- ITEM STAFF time friend Anthony Cog- ITEM SPORTS EDITOR tions come in, the MIAA liano. “I developed a great Board of Directors and SAUGUS — Building in- friendship with him. He The Massachusetts Ex- the MIAA COVID-19 spector and beloved resi- ecutive Of ce of Energy would do whatever he could Task Force will then dent Fred Varone has died and Environmental Af- to help people and explain meet to make a decision at 81 following a long bat- fairs (EEA) released its how they could do things to on what to do about fall tle with cancer. updated guidelines for get their projects moving sports. “He wasn’t a mean-spir- youth and adult ama- VARONE, A2 teur sports on Thursday, The MIAA also released ited person,” said Board of speci cally noting the a statement saying that modi cations that sports the Board of Directors will have to make in or- will meet no later than der to be safely played. three business days after Swampscott investigating uses for old station The guidance will com- the release of the DESE plement the forthcoming guidance. By Steve Krause phrey Street were completed. Now, Arts, so it has a ton of potential to be recommendations from The guidance begins by ITEM STAFF the town is actively engaged in try- something extraordinary. It’s been addressing which sports the Massachusetts De- ing to make a decision on how to use mothballed for too long, and the partment of Elementary fall into which categories, SWAMPSCOTT — The old it. town is looking for the right partner and Secondary Educa- with no changes coming Swampscott Police Station sits “We are looking to breathe new tion (DESE) on how K-12 since the last update. As on Burrill Street, in the middle of life into the building,” said Town who has a vision and a can-do idea schools can safely admin- of now, the sports are cat- a block that contains most of the Administrator Sean Fitzgerald. “It’s that will support our master plan.” ister sports, which is set egorized as follows: town’s municipal buildings. one of the key municipal buildings The master plan includes goals, to be released within the It has sat vacant since 2013, when in the town, across from the library, next 24-72 hours. Once FALL SPORTS, A3 the new headquarters on Hum- Town Hall, re station and Reach SWAMPSCOTT, A3

OBITUARY ...... A2 LOOK! ...... A8 DIVERSIONS ...... B5 HIGH 80° VOL. 141, ISSUE 207 OPINION ...... A4 SPORTS ...... B1-2 CLASSIFIED ...... B6-7 LOW 64° POLICE/FIRE ...... A5 COMICS ...... B4 PAGE A8 $1.50 A2 THE DAILY ITEM FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020 Saugus’ Fred Varone New coronavirus cases are on was a ‘great guy’ the rise in Lynn and Saugus VARONE screaming and yelling at From A1 each other one minute and By Gayla Cawley communities” have a high seven new cities and Elsewhere, numbers re- then the next day we’d be ITEM STAFF level of infection over the towns had been added to mained the same in Nah- forward. He brought a lot having a beer. I’m going to past two weeks and will that high risk category. ant (50 cases, six deaths) of stability to the position miss him.” New coronavirus cases receive additional support The list now includes and he was a good step in and at press time, had not were reported in Lynn and from the state to curb the Chelsea, Everett, Fall Riv- the right direction when Outside of work, Varone been updated in Lynn eld, Saugus on Thursday, but spread. er, Granby, Holyoke, Hull, he joined the town.” continued to make an im- Marblehead, Peabody, Re- numbers remained un- Lynn, which reported Lawrence, Lynn, Revere, Considered by many pact in his community. vere, or Swampscott. changed in several other 16 new cases on Thurs- Salem, and Saugus. to be a pillar of the Sau- Neighbor Corinne Riley As of Wednesday, Lynn- North Shore communities. day, was designated a As of Thursday, Lynn gus community, Varone, said the building inspec- eld had 111 cases and 11 An additional death was higher risk community has 4,276 cases and 111 a widower who served tor was also a talented deaths, Marblehead had also reported in Saugus, to on Tuesday, when Gov. deaths. Of the city’s case- in his position for more 255 cases and 30 deaths, carpenter who had for- bring the town’s death toll Charlie Baker’s of ce re- load, 629 cases are active than two decades, was Peabody had 1,185 cases merly taken on something to 39. leased the rst version of and 3,536 people have re- a “great guy” with a and 174 deaths, Revere of a mentorship role with Saugus has reported 12 a map showing the rate of covered from the virus, ac- hard-hitting sense of had 2,170 cases and 94 her now-adult son. new cases since last Fri- COVID-19 infection across cording to city data. humor, Cogliano said, deaths, and Swampscott “When my son wanted day. The town now has the state. Lynn’s positive test rate adding that his own per- had reported 146 cases advice or wanted to see 616 cases and was added On Tuesday, four com- over the past 14 days in- sonal friendship with and 10 deaths. how things were done, to the state’s list of high- munities held that un- creased to 7.47 percent Varone stretched back Fred always met with er risk communities on fortunate distinction, but on Wednesday, which is Gayla Cawley can be decades. Wednesday. data released by the state among the highest in the reached at gcawley@item- The selectman noted his him,” she said. “He was so good to him.” Municipalities that have Department of Public state, according to the live.com. Follow her on children grew up playing been deemed “higher risk Health a day later showed DPH. Twitter @GaylaCawley. sports alongside Varone’s Riley, who serves along- grandchildren. side Cogliano on the “I loved listening to his Board of Selectmen, de- crazy stories about the scribed Varone as “real- United States jobless claims fall past,” he said. “I think ly personable,” adding: the thing I’ll miss the “there really wasn’t any- most about Fred is that one who said anything no matter what I went bad about him.” below 1 million but remain high to see him for, no mat- “He was very funny to ter what type of permit I By Christopher needed, he would always talk to, and always with his cigar,” she said. “He’s Rugaber say, ‘nope. Can’t do it. Not ASSOCIATED PRESS going to happen.’ Just to going to be missed by a break my chops. That lot of people. My condo- WASHINGTON — The was Freddy.” lences really go out to his number of Americans ap- Even at 81 and dealing family.” plying for unemployment with an advanced illness, Town Manager Scott dropped below 1 million Cogliano said Varone still Crabtree also gave his last week for the rst held out hope he’d be back condolences to Varone’s time since the coronavirus to work soon. family, calling Varone a outbreak took hold in the “He was phenomenal “dedicated” commissioner U.S. ve months ago, but at what he did. He knew layoffs are still running and valued Saugus resi- the building code inside extraordinarily high. dent who attracted many and out, and I think the The gures show that the best thing the business friends throughout his crisis continues to throw community and builders long tenure. people out of work just as would tell you about Fred “He had a huge person- the expiration of an extra is that he was fair,” Cogli- ality,” Crabtree said. “He’ll $600 a week in federal job- ano said. “You weren’t go- surely be missed by all of less bene ts has deepened ing to get away with some- us.” the hardship for many — thing that was wrong.” and posed another threat He later added: “We Elyse Carmosino can be to the U.S. economy. had a crazy fun relation- reached at ecarmosino@ Applications for job- ship where we could be itemlive.com. less bene ts declined to 963,000, the second FILE PHOTO | ASSOCIATED PRESS LYNN BRIEF straight drop, from 1.2 mil- A customer leaves a Pier 1 retail store, which is going out of business, lion the previous week, the during the coronavirus pandemic in Coral Gables, Fla. government said Thurs- Drive-in movie night Cowdell said it would be day. That signals layoffs meant to ght it and the some momentum, but ... in Congress to extend it, rescheduled for a later are slowing, though the postponed reluctance or inability of much labor market prog- probably at a lower level, date. weekly gure still far ex- many people to shop, travel ress remains to be done,” Due to new restric- In the wake of rising ceeds the pre-outbreak re- have collapsed in rancor. or eat out continue to un- said Lydia Boussour, se- tions on public gather- cases of COVID-19, cord of just under 700,000, Last week, President dermine the economy and nior economist at Oxford ings, the City of Lynn Gov. Charlie Baker has set in 1982. Donald Trump issued an force companies to cut staff. Economics. Drive-In Movie Night is reduced the limit on The virus is blamed for executive order that would being postponed, accord- outdoor gatherings from more than 166,000 deaths Over the past few months, Hiring is believed to have provide $300 a week to ing to EDIC/Lynn Ex- a maximum of 100 to 50 and 5.2 million con rmed 23 states have paused or slowed since the spring, replace the expired $600. ecutive Director James people in a single space. infections in the U.S. — eas- reversed their business when states reopened and But experts say it could re-openings because of a re- millions of workers at bars, Cowdell. For smaller spaces, a ily the highest totals in the take weeks for the states The free, pop-up event, limit of 25 percent of surgence of the virus. restaurants and stores world. The average number to reprogram their com- sponsored by Mayor the area’s maximum Overall, fewer people are were rehired. The job gain of new cases per day is on puters and process and Thomas M. McGee, occupancy — or eight the rise in eight states, and collecting unemployment, in August will probably EDIC/Lynn and the people per 1,000 square a sign that some employ- fall short of the 1.8 million dispense the payments. deaths per day are climbing A crush of bene t applica- Of ce of Community feet — applies. The new in 26, according to an Asso- ers are hiring. The total added in July, analysts say. tions earlier in the outbreak Development, was sched- order went into effect on ciated Press analysis. declined last week to 15.5 For months, on top of uled for Tuesday, Aug. 18. Tuesday. Worldwide, the scourge million, from 16.1 million their state bene t, un- resulted in huge backlogs has claimed more than the previous week. employed Americans also that left millions of the un- 750,000 lives and caused “Another larger-than-ex- collected the $600 a week employed waiting. Washing- Ten businesses cited over 20 million known in- pected decline in jobless in federal jobless aid. But ton state went so far as to fections. claims suggests that the that expired at the end call in the National Guard for not following virus The virus, the shutdowns jobs recovery is regaining of July, and negotiations to help process applications. safety mandates LHAND CARES about low-income families PROVIDENCE, R.I. staff and patrons not prac- mates that put that num- round of funding, McClain end in sight and if people (AP) — Ten Rhode Island ticing social distancing, LHAND ber at closer to 30,000. businesses have been cit- according to the health From A1 anticipates LHAND will be aren