SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018 Rats on the rise in Peabody By Adam Swift ITEM STAFF PEABODY — Don’t take it personally, South Peabody residents. You aren’t the only ones with a rat problem. Over the past week, Councilor-at-Large Anne Manning-Martin and Ward 1 Coun- cilor Jon Turco received complaints about Lynn Fire Chief rat sightings. The councilors said Sharon James McDon- Cameron, the city’s health director, has ald is retiring been working on the issue. They request- after more than ed she appear before the council to update 40 years of ser- them on the issue. vice to the city. But Cameron said increased rat sight- ings are not just a Ward 1, or even a city- ITEM PHOTO | wide problem. SPENSER HASAK “I met recently with the North Shore Shared Public Health Services Program, and every community is experiencing an Lynn re chief says farewell increase in rodent issues over the last cou- ple of years,” she said. “I’m not sure if it’s By Daniel Kane Donald shaking hands with former because of what’s been going on with the ‘40 years, FOR THE ITEM Vice President Joe Biden. weather and the climate, but we are cer- There’s a photo of him with one tainly seeing more complaints.” LYNN — He’s calling it a career, of his favorite crews. It’s another When dealing with rat, mouse, and other and retiring Fire Chief James framed memory that brings back rodent complaints, Cameron said educa- McDonald knows exactly how moments of the adrenaline- lled tion is the rst step. six months, long he’s enjoyed serving the city. job McDonald has held for so long. “People are not always aware of the “Forty years, six months, 19 “I love the camaraderie,” he many food sources that attract rodents,” days, and 16 hours,” he said. said. “At times it has been hard, she said. “They are looking for food, wa- On Friday, he greeted wellwish- it has been tough, but I’m still ter, and places to habitat. Anything from 19 days, ers who crowded into his Western gardens to bird feeders to dog poop can standing and that’s what is im- Avenue of ce where the walls are attract rodents. People might not like to portant.” adorned with photos. There are hear that their vegetable gardens attract McDonald’s rst assignment rodents, but it is an issue.” 16 hours’ shots of the Great Lynn Fire of was at the Fayette Street Station Cameron said the health department 1981, the blaze he helped ght four on Ladder One. years after becoming a re ghter typically takes several steps before calling McDONALD, A7 in an exterminator when it gets a com- in 1977. Another photo depicts Mc- plaint. The rst is education, with infor- mation pamphlets put in mailboxes in the neighborhood where there’s been a com- plaint. DA asks Next, city inspectors will walk the neigh- borhood and look for sources that support a rodent infestation, such as overgrown vegetation or birdfeeders. for help “If those steps don’t result in a change, then we will send in our pest control con- tractor to lay bait in the sewers,” said to solve Cameron, adding that the city will not bait private property. If the bait is effective, it dehydrates the rodents and can often create an increase Malden in sightings since the rats will try to nd water. RATS, A7 murder By Thomas Grillo ITEM STAFF Middlesex District Attor- Town ney Marian Ryan is asking the public’s help in locating a suspect on the fth anni- versary of a Malden store meeting owner’s homicide. Shawn Clark was killed at his shop, Patriot Skate- time for boards, when two men in hooded sweatshirts walked into the shop and tried to rob Saugus seniors play him on Jan. 29, 2013. When Warren he fought back, the 39-year- ITEM STAFF REPORT old storekeeper was shot multiple times in front of MALDEN — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, their way to good health the store by one of the men, who some say is a potential challenger to police said. President Donald Trump in 2020, brings By Bella diGrazia now we are looking for other A group of Sau- Based on the video surveil- her message to Greater Boston Sunday FOR THE ITEM funding sources.” gus senior citi- lance inside the store and when she hosts a town hall meeting at Robert Palleschi and Sha- zens engage in witness interviews, Ryan Malden High School. SAUGUS — A local orga- ron Comstock, who serve on a trivia game, said two men entered the nization has been working The question-and-answer session will be the GLSS advisory board, which is one store shortly after 12:30 p.m. held from 1-3 p.m. in the Jenkins Audito- on a way to allow senior attended the kiosk presen- of many bene- and a confrontation ensued. rium. citizens to stay healthy and tation at Saugus Senior Citi- ts the kiosks No one has been charged Warren’s staff is working in conjunction have fun. zen Center Friday. They said offers. in connection with the crime. with Malden Mayor Gary Christenson’s Now all they need is cash. their goal was to learn about Ryan’s of ce once again of ce to prepare for the event, which is ex- Greater Lynn Senior Ser- how it can bene t seniors ITEM PHOTO | released video surveillance pected to draw a large crowd. vices (GLSS) developed ki- and see if they can add more BELLA DIGRAZIA from the store from the day “We are honored to host Senator War- osks in senior citizen centers of them in more centers. of the slaying in an effort to ren here in Malden,” Christenson said in and assisted living homes “We need more activities identify two suspects who a statement. “We hope our residents take throughout the North Shore. for the seniors and we are were involved in the inci- advantage of the opportunity to engage They offer healthy activi- trying to promote commu- dent. the senator and hear her points of view ties, such as games, a blood nity as well as do what we If you know the identities and share their own.” pressure monitor, trivia, and can to keep them busy,” of the suspects or have any Warren was elected in 2012, the rst other ways to get health in- said Comstock. “Everything information about the case, woman to hold that post, when she de- formation. about the kiosk is for the contact Massachusetts State feated rst-term Republican Sen. Scott The kiosks were launched bene t of the senior with Police at (781) 897-6600 or Brown. She is known as a liberal who in 2012 in one location and health activities, from exer- Malden Police at (781) 397- supporters say has championed consumer now there are eight in Lynn cise to games, with the trivia 7171. rights and immigration issues. and Beverly, according to games being the crowd fa- Warren has been a harsh critic of Presi- Andrew Wallace, from GLSS. vorite.” Thomas Grillo can be dent Trump, but the senator has said she “We have secured enough reached at tgrillo@itemlive. no plans to run for president. funding up to this point, but SAUGUS, A7 com. INSIDE In Lynn In Opinion In Sports New bakery coming Shribman: In search of liberal dreams St. Mary’s Newhall earns 250th win. B1 to Munroe Street. A3 and conservative clarity. A4 OBITUARIES ..............................A2 POLICE/FIRE .............................A6 COMICS/DIVERSIONS ........... B4-5 HIGH 51° VOL. 140, ISSUE 42 LYNN .........................................A3 LOOK! .......................................A8 CLASSIFIED ........................... B6-7 LOW 43° OPINION ...................................A4 SPORTS ................................ B1-3 REAL ESTATE .............................B8 PAGE A8 ONE DOLLAR A2 THE DAILY ITEM SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018 OBITUARIES Kenneth Jackson, 71 Wynn Resorts denies claims 1946-2018 WORCESTER — representative and of misconduct against founder Kenneth Jackson, training specialist 71, passed away for seven years for By Damian J. Troise founder of a major public- on Tuesday, Jan. 23, LG Electronics. Pre- ASSOCIATED PRESS ly held company to come 2018 at Rose Mona- viously, he owned under scrutiny since the NEW YORK — Wynn han Hospice Home and operated Carrier Weinstein allegations sur- in Worcester after an Services for more Resorts is denying multi- faced. illness. than 30 years. He ple allegations of sexual There appeared to be He was born in was a member of harassment and assault immediate business im- Lynn, the son of the Chaffin Congrega- by founder Steve Wynn plications for the casino late Howard and Gladys E. tional Church in Holden and detailed in a Wall Street magnate. The Massachu- (Cross) Jackson Stickney and coached Lynn Shore Little Journal report that sent setts Gaming Commission had lived most of his life there League for 27 years and was shares of the casino com- said Friday it is launching before moving to Worcester a past president. Ken was a pany tumbling more than a review following the al- 13 years ago. member and past president of 10 percent Friday. legations published by the He leaves his son, Christo- Lynn Lions Club, president of The paper reported that Journal. Spokeswoman pher R. Jackson and his wife Camp Lion, served as a Con- a number of women say Elaine Driscoll said the Nicol of Salem; his daughter, stable and worked on many they were harassed or as- commission’s investiga- Maureen A. Burke of Ster- political campaigns. His heart saulted by the casino mo- tions and enforcement ling; his longtime companion was dedicated to the Toys for gul and finance chair of bureau will conduct a reg- and best friend, Jane E.