Sen. Clark: Striking the Right Balance on Affordable Energy, Renewable Energy

State Senator Katherine Clark shares her thoughts on what can be done in the legislature to address the high cost of electricity in Massachusetts.

Last week the State Senate acted to address the high cost of electricity in Massachusetts.  The Senate unanimously passed energy legislation that supports job creation, economic recovery and innovation by encouraging the growth of our renewable energy sector.  By creating more competition for energy contracts, this bill will bring down prices and lead us further down the path to a cleaner, more diverse and sustainable energy supply. The average electric rate in Massachusetts is 14.24 cents per kilowatt hour, which ranks as seventh highest in the U.S. and well above the national average of 10 cents.  These rates are a major cost driver for businesses and families. Our rates are high for several reasons: fossil fuel prices are high, and …

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Wakefield Weekends: Teen Movie Night, Hike in Melrose, "Once Upon a Mattress"

Check out all the fun events happening right here in Wakefield, MA this weekend.

Election Results: Romney Comes out on Top in Wakefield and Massachusetts

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney netted the most amount of votes in Wakefield in the March 6, 2012 Republican primary election.

Wakefield Republicans and Independents threw their support behind Mitt Romney, giving him a landslide victory in Wakefield for the 2012 presidential election. Barack Obama, who is running uncontested for the Democratic nomination, will receive the Democratic nomination from Wakefield and Massachusetts. Jill Stein won the Green-Rainbow party's election in Wakefield with four votes. Out of 16,509 registered voters, just 3,140 people - 19.02 percent - voted in the March 6 election.  Official Results in Wakefield, MA: Republican Primary   Democratic Primary Green-Rainbow Primary State Committe Races In Wakefield, incumbent Albert Turco of Wakefield won over Robert Aufiero of Melrose for Republican State Committeman. Brittany Carisella of …

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Photos: North Shore Walk for ALS Brings 500 Supporters to Wakefield

More than 500 people came to Wakefield last weekend to show their support for people who have been diagnosed with ALS.

The North Shore Walk to Defeat ALS was held around Lake Quannapowitt on Oct. 15, bringing in more than 500 people and raising more than $125,000 for the ALS Society. Nineteen of the 500 walkers were from Wakefield. This is the event's second year at Lake Quannapowitt, but the walk has been at other locations in Wakefield since 2006.  Facts about ALS, provided by the ALS Society:

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Small Changes Proposed for Wakefield in State Redistricting Plan

Rep. Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose) and Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) would essentially switch who represents the 3rd precinct in Wakefield.

The state of Massachusetts released its preliminary state legislative redistricting plans on Oct. 18, and although some communities are affected greatly by the proposed changes, Wakefield would not be affected very much. State House of Representatives The proposed change in district lines would call for Rep. Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose) to drop represententing Wakefield's Precinct 3. Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) would then pick up Precinct 3, essentially switching that one precinct between the two legislators. Currently, Rep. Brodeur represents Wakefield's precincts 3, 4, 5 and 6, in the 32nd Middlesex District, and Rep. Wong represents 1, 2 and 7 in the 9th Essex District. Under the propsoal, Rep. Brodeur would represent Precincts 4, 5 and 6 …

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VIDEO: Wakefield Residents Talk Casinos

Are they a good idea to create jobs in the state, or will they bring more harm than good?

The Massachusetts House overwhelmingly approved the latest version of the casino bill on Tuesday night, which would bring three resort-type casinos and one slot parlor to the state. The bill passed the House 123-32. Representative Paul Brodeur (D-Melrose) and Representative Donald Wong (R-Saugus) who both represent Wakefield, voted to approve the bill. It now heads to the Senate, where a vote is expected sometime in the next several weeks. If approved there, the bill will continue on to the governor's office. Last year, a similar bill passed both the House and the Senate, but was ultimately not passed when it reached Governor Deval Patrick's office because of a disagreement between the governor and the legislature over the size and type of…

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Casinos in Mass? Wakefield Legislators Weigh In

Sen. Katherine Clark and Rep. Paul Brodeur both expressed tentative support for the new bill that would bring three casinos and one slot parlor to the state.

With a casino bill before Massachusetts legislature that would would permit three casinos and a single slot parlor in the state, lawmakers in the House are expected to begin debating in earnest next week on what the gamling industry would look like in Massachusetts. A joint committee has crafted the current version of the bill, which would permit three casinos in three different regions of the state, and would allow one slot parlor equipped with 1,250 slot machines. Two of Wakefield's state legislators tenatively support the revived casino bill, pending the results of where casino revenues will end up. "I think we have never needed jobs and revenue for the state more than we do now," Sen. Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) said. "I am, however, …

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Wakefield Prepares for Potential Hurricane Irene Impact As Storm Path Shifts West

What you should know as Wakefield - and the rest of New England - braces for a possible hurricane or tropical storm.

While it's still unclear exactly what the impact of Hurricane Irene will be on Wakefield and the rest of the area, we do know this: We'll be hit by something, whether it's heavy rain or high winds.  The current National Weather Service (NWS) forecast for Wakefield calls for rain to start on Saturday afternoon and become heavy on Saturday night. On Sunday, tropical storm conditions are possible and by Sunday night, hurricane conditions are possible. On Thursday morning, WBZ reported that the latest models have a "significant" shift in Irene's track, from over eastern Massachusetts as last predicted, to further west over Long Island and Connecticut. Weather models overnight and this morning made a pronounced shift to the west. Most models …

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State Legislature Approves Tax Exempt Weekend for August 13/14

No state sales tax will be charged on purchases under $2,500 over the weekend of August 13 and 14th, 2011.

The Massachusetts legislature approved a sales tax holiday for August 13 and 14th, the sixth year in the last seven that the state has voted to suspend the state's 6.25 percent sales tax for a weekend. The bill was signed into law on August 1st by Governor Deval Patrick. The goal of the holiday is to help stimulate the state's economy, while also allowing customers to keep more money in their pockets. “This weekend aims to boost sales for our local businesses who strongly support the measure,” said Senator Katherine Clark (D-Melrose.) “This sales tax holiday weekend has been a great success for both consumers and businesses.”  “Eliminating the sales tax for a weekend in August has proven to benefit the consumer, the business owner, and the…

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