Essex
News, meetings, schools and sports from Essex.
Final scores
Essex candy drive collecting Halloween treats through Oct. 24
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Buy candy from an online wish list or drop it off on Pickering Street. It will be shared with local children and families Oct. 25 and 26.
The Daily Current
Catch the Daily Current
Essex Edition
Read by Kerry Jane. How we work
Latest
Woodman family foundation passes $1 million in giving, with two fundraisers this month
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Essex foundation started in 1988 as a single scholarship. It now helps Manchester Essex seniors, Woodman's student workers and local families. A restaurant day at The James and a Left Right Center night in Manchester are coming up.
Sunday on Cape Ann: Magtoberfest in Magnolia, the last day of the Artisans open studios and a plein air art sale
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Most of today's events wrap up before tonight's rain. Here is what is on Sunday and Columbus Day Monday, with times from each organizer.
Weekly roundup: Gloucester field hockey reaches 10 and 0, football beats Salem, and Rockport and Gloucester split a soccer doubleheader
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Gloucester field hockey visits Beverly on Tuesday for a rematch of its 1 to 0 win. Swampscott comes to Newell Stadium Friday night, and Manchester Essex plays at Triton.
Voter registration closes Oct. 24, and the state's guide to the nine ballot questions is online
By Kerry Jane How we work
Early voting runs Oct. 17 to 30. The Secretary of the Commonwealth's Information for Voters booklet is online, in audio and in five languages, and printed copies went to every household in September.
Town news
Cape Ann buses are free through the end of the year. Here is how to ride.
By Kerry Jane How we work
Regular CATA bus routes cost nothing through Dec. 31, and Dial-a-Ride and ADA rides stay free through 2027. A new Current tool puts the train and bus schedules in one place.
In his own words: Gil Frieden, candidate for state representative
By Kerry Jane How we work
The Essex candidate in the Fifth Essex race answers the Current's questionnaire on housing, the waterfront, climate, school funding, transportation, his first bill and all nine ballot questions.
Cape Ann Votes: Your guide to the Nov. 3 election is live
By Kerry Jane How we work
Where and when to vote in each town, a Gloucester polling place map, every race on the Cape Ann ballot, the nine statewide questions and who is paying to pass or defeat them, all in one place.
Gloucester Republican wins Governor's Council ballot spot as a write-in
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
William Falcetano will face incumbent Democrat Eunice Delice Zeigler of Methuen for the 5th District seat on Nov. 3.
Meetings
Essex sets out how it will choose its first full-time fire chief, aiming for Feb. 1
By Kerry Jane How we work
At their Oct. 5 meeting, selectmen named a member to the search committee, reviewed the chief's job description and went article by article through the fall town meeting warrant, including the Essex share of the new school.
Essex downtown forum: parking, a market and more to do top residents' wish list
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
At a chamber and town forum Sept. 29, residents and business owners traded ideas for the causeway, from a river shuttle and a walking trail to year round public restrooms. Officials also outlined a push for a $2 million study of causeway flooding.
Essex selectmen to take up a full time fire chief job description and a search for a town accountant
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The board meets Monday. Later in the week: the Bell Point subdivision returns to the Conservation Commission, and three boards meet on public works.
Essex looks for residents to review how the town is governed
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
A new committee will study the town's management structure. Applications are due Oct. 13.
Essex backs grant bids for causeway flooding and Chebacco Lake
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Selectmen also approved a load study for the Landing Road bridge and appointed three new firefighters.
Essex, Manchester and school district revive joint talks on sharing services
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
A shared senior van service was set to start this week. Leaders also floated sharing equipment and staff, and an early conversation with Rockport.
Manchester's share of the new Essex school would be about $50 million after state aid, boards are told
By Kerry Jane How we work
At a joint meeting Oct. 5, the Select Board and Finance Committee pressed school leaders on the $95.3 million project, set a fast schedule before the Nov. 16 special town meeting and sorted through the rest of the warrant.
Manchester boards meet Monday to shape the special town meeting and hear from the school building committee
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Select Board and Finance Committee sit down together Oct. 5. Also on the agenda: the state election warrant, two short term rental licenses and the reappointment of the town's top finance officials.
Public meetings after the long weekend: Gloucester City Council, Essex selectmen, the Essex school's community meeting
By Kerry Jane How we work
Town offices close for Columbus Day. Here are the public meetings posted for Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Wednesday, Oct. 14, with times and places.
Meetings today and Thursday: Rockport water and schools, Gloucester budget changes, the Essex school's next community meeting
By Kerry Jane How we work
More than a dozen public meetings across Cape Ann on Wednesday and Thursday, with times, places and how to watch.
Tonight on Cape Ann: Rockport's Select Board, Manchester Essex schools and Gloucester's arts plan session
By Kerry Jane How we work
Four public meetings Tuesday afternoon and evening, from a blasting study for a Gloucester waste transfer station to Christmas in Rockport, with times and how to watch.
Gloucester planners take up Sargent Street subdivision Thursday as council panels weigh police grants
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Also this week: Essex selectmen meet with public works and finance boards, and Essex's school community meetings are set for Oct. 8 and Oct. 13.
Public Safety
Essex fire department told to find $50,000 before town hires full-time chief
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Selectmen want to know by Oct. 5 whether the department can pay for a chief and two-person weekday shifts without a bigger budget.
As Fire Prevention Week ends, a thank you to Cape Ann's firefighters, EMTs and police
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Fire Prevention Week runs through today. Manchester's firefighters opened their station for a chili cook-off Friday night. Here is who answers the call in each town, and one safety step to take this weekend.
Fire Prevention Week: check your alarms, charge with care and give space heaters room this winter
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Before heating season, here is what fire officials want every household to do, where to get a free smoke alarm, and how to help the Rockport families who lost their homes on Broadway.
Our new police log: what's in it, where it comes from and what we're learning
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Cape Ann's police calls are now searchable in one place, starting with Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport. We add more every day as departments send their logs.
License plate readers and Cape Ann: the crime numbers, the unions, the money and the questions to ask
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Automated license plate readers are spreading across the North Shore, but not on Cape Ann. Here is what local crime data, the research, police unions, Washington and the companies selling the cameras say about whether our towns should have them.
Schools
How the $95 million Essex school compares with other new elementary schools
By Mateo Daniel How we work
State records put the Essex plan above six recent state-funded elementary schools, both per square foot and per student. Federal price data, recent bids and the other options the committee weighed show what is behind the number.
Essex school committee wanted to see possible cuts before setting a budget
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
At its Sept. 22 meeting the Essex School Building Committee declined to pick a target price for the new Essex Elementary School and sent a list of cost saving ideas to a working group.
Manchester leaders warn voters have not heard the tax bill for the Essex school project
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
With a fall town meeting vote weeks away, officials from both towns and the school district agreed on a fast schedule to put tax impact numbers in front of residents.
School calendar: committee meetings, an Oct. 7 half day and an Essex Elementary forum
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Manchester Essex students have a half day Wednesday, Oct. 7, and the Essex School Building Committee holds a community meeting the next night.
Manchester Essex School Committee to hear elementary school plans and the FY27 outlook Tuesday
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The principals of Essex Elementary and Memorial School present improvement plans, the building committee reports in, and a finance panel keeps talking about rental and student activity fees.
Following the money in Cape Ann's school kitchens
By Mateo Daniel How we work
What Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester Essex spend to feed students, who supplies the food, and what the state's reviews of their meal programs found.
No school Monday across Cape Ann, and Rockport students are off Tuesday too
By Mateo Daniel How we work
All three districts and Essex North Shore Aggie are closed for the Columbus Day holiday. Gloucester PreK to 8 schools have an early release next Thursday for conferences.
School lunch for everyone: how each Cape Ann town feeds 4,500 kids for free
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Three districts, three ways of feeding about 4,500 students every school day, and what the research says those meals are worth to kids and families.
What's for lunch in October: every Cape Ann school menu, side by side
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Pizza Fridays in Gloucester and Rockport, fish on Fridays in Manchester and Essex, a new protein bowl at Rockport High, and no lunch listed on two Gloucester half days. All of it is free.
Sports
Manchester Essex boys soccer wins 4 to 0 at Hamilton-Wenham ahead of Newburyport test
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets scored three second half goals and have lost only once this season. Next is a trip to unbeaten Newburyport.
Manchester Essex boys soccer holds unbeaten Newburyport to a 0 to 0 tie
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets kept the Clippers off the board on the road. Rockport is next on Tuesday.
Manchester Essex boys hold unbeaten Newburyport to a 0 to 0 tie; girls fall 7 to 0 to the Clippers
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets boys kept Newburyport off the scoreboard on the road. Both Manchester Essex teams play Rockport on Tuesday.
Scoreboard: Rockport girls and Gloucester boys split the soccer doubleheader, Manchester Essex falls twice
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Saturday's finals from the MIAA, and two field hockey games on Columbus Day morning.
Scoreboard: Gloucester football and field hockey win, Rockport ties Haverhill, Rockport visits Gloucester for soccer
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Friday's finals and the rest of the Columbus Day weekend schedule, from the MIAA.
Scoreboard: Salem visits Gloucester for Friday night football, Manchester Essex at Hamilton-Wenham
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Friday's games and the rest of the Columbus Day weekend, from the MIAA, plus Thursday's finals.
Scoreboard: Gloucester volleyball sweeps Saugus, Manchester Essex boys blank Amesbury
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Thursday's and Wednesday's finals and the rest of the long weekend, from the MIAA.
Gloucester volleyball sweeps Saugus; Manchester Essex boys blank Amesbury
By Mateo Daniel How we work
The Fishermen won 3 to 0 at home, and the Hornets beat Amesbury 4 to 0. Ipswich swept Rockport in soccer, and Amesbury edged the Manchester Essex girls. All finals are from the MIAA.
Scoreboard: Gloucester boys blank Winthrop, Manchester Essex field hockey wins at Amesbury
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Wednesday's and Tuesday's finals and the rest of the week, from the MIAA.
Gloucester boys shut out Winthrop; Manchester Essex field hockey wins at Amesbury
By Mateo Daniel How we work
The Fishermen won 3 to 0 at home, and the Hornets blanked Amesbury 3 to 0. Winthrop beat the Gloucester girls and Ipswich beat Rockport field hockey. All finals are from the MIAA.
Scoreboard: Gloucester field hockey stays perfect, Manchester Essex sweeps Rockport in soccer
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Tuesday's and Monday's finals, the week ahead and this season's golf results, from the MIAA.
Manchester Essex sweeps Rockport in soccer; Hornets golf tops Georgetown
By Mateo Daniel How we work
The Manchester Essex girls won 6 to 2 and the boys won 2 to 0. Gloucester field hockey stayed perfect, and Marblehead and Ipswich won golf matches over Gloucester and Rockport. All finals are from the MIAA.
Manchester Essex field hockey blanks Rockport 6 to 0; Gloucester volleyball sweeps KIPP Lynn
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Marblehead beat both Gloucester soccer teams, 2 to 0 for the boys and 6 to 0 for the girls, and Danvers won a golf match over Gloucester. All finals are from the MIAA.
Scoreboard: Manchester Essex field hockey blanks Rockport, Gloucester volleyball sweeps KIPP, Marblehead tops Gloucester soccer
By Mateo Daniel How we work
Monday's finals from the MIAA, and Gloucester field hockey hosts Beverly Tuesday in a meeting of the Northeastern Conference's two unbeaten teams.
Scoreboard: Gloucester and Beverly field hockey meet Tuesday in a week of rivalry games
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
No Cape Ann varsity games this weekend after Friday's football. This week brings Rockport and Manchester Essex three times, Beverly at Gloucester and Salem at Newell Stadium.
Weekly roundup: Gloucester field hockey reaches 8 and 0, and football wins on homecoming night
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Beverly visits the unbeaten Fishermen on Tuesday. Rockport and Manchester Essex meet three times this week, and Gloucester hosts Rockport in a soccer doubleheader Saturday.
Gloucester's Fiona Black and Mia Rodolosi top the area field hockey scoring list, with Hornets close behind
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Goalie Aleena Brown leads area keepers. Manchester Essex has three players among the leaders, and Rockport's goalie makes the list too.
Unbeaten Gloucester field hockey ranks ninth in Division 3 in the MIAA's latest power rankings
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Manchester Essex field hockey is 10th in Division 4. Gloucester football sits fourth in Division 5, in rankings counted before Friday's win over Winthrop.
Scoreboard: Gloucester football wins its homecoming game, 28 to 7, and Amesbury beats Manchester Essex
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Fishermen are 3 and 1 after beating Winthrop. The Hornets fell to 0 and 4. No varsity games for Cape Ann schools on Saturday, and field hockey's big one is Tuesday.
Winless Manchester Essex hosts Amesbury, the team behind its only league loss last fall
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets are 0 and 3 and the Redhawks are 2 and 1. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. at Hyland Field in a Cape Ann League game.
Amesbury beats Manchester Essex 46 to 8
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets fell to 0 and 4 at Hyland Field. They visit Hamilton-Wenham next Friday.
Scoreboard: Gloucester field hockey stays unbeaten at 8 and 0, plus Thursday's results and Friday football
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Fishermen beat Danvers 5 to 2 and host Beverly, the NEC's other unbeaten team, on Tuesday. North Reading beat Rockport girls soccer 5 to 1, and both football teams play Friday night.
College roundup: Gordon, Endicott and Salem State
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Endicott football rolled at homecoming and Gordon volleyball has won seven straight. Local players to watch include a Gloucester defender and a Manchester forward at Salem State.
Scoreboard: Gloucester boys soccer edges Saugus; Hornets football still seeking first win
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Short takes on the rest of the week's local high school results, Sept. 24 to 30, and what's next.
Manchester Essex field hockey posts another shutout; Rockport ties North Reading
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Hornets beat Newburyport 2 to 0 for their second straight shutout. Gloucester field hockey puts its perfect record on the line Thursday against Danvers.
Gloucester football ranks third in first Division 5 power rankings
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Fishermen are 2 and 1. Manchester Essex is 24th in Division 7.
Gloucester field hockey stays perfect as Hornets and Vikings set up a week of rematches
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The Fishermen are 7 and 0 after three straight shutouts. Football opens league play Friday against Winthrop.
Business
Ipswich River Craft opens its new Essex studio with a ribbon cutting Thursday
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The maker of hand painted nautical flag signs celebrates on John Wise Avenue Oct. 1. Also: a new manager at Beacon Bank's Gloucester branch.
Business on Cape Ann: what our Business section offers, and a new Friday series
By Ana Lucia How we work
Jobs, pay, property taxes and a map of local businesses are all in one place. Starting Oct. 16, a three week series follows the public money that reaches Cape Ann businesses.
Events
Long weekend on Cape Ann: art shows, open studios, Magtoberfest and two big Rockport concerts
By Mateo Daniel How we work
The Annisquam Arts and Crafts Show, Cape Ann Plein Air's 10th year, open studios across Cape Ann, an Essex festival, the Rockport farmers market and Magtoberfest in Magnolia, Friday through Sunday.
Cape Ann this week: Plein Air turns 10, an Annisquam craft show and open studios next weekend
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The symphony's storm postponed concert is this afternoon. Then a week of painters at work outdoors, a free castle day for Gloucester residents, jazz in Rockport and two school building meetings in Essex and Manchester.
Topsfield Fair today: dock dogs finals, horse pulling and a lumberjack show
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The fair runs through Monday, Oct. 12. Sunday's program has sheep shows, racing pigs, State Police dogs and music on four stages from 10 a.m. into the evening.
Cape Ann Museum's October: a free day for residents, a Dogtown walk and a Folly Cove printing class
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
The museum is free for Cape Ann residents on Saturday, Oct. 10. Registration is open for a four-week block printing course and a guided walk through historic Dogtown.
This week on Cape Ann: plein air painters, a storm-delayed symphony opener and a Dogtown dog walk
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Picks for Oct. 1 to 7, including the start of Cape Ann Plein Air's 10th year and Gloucester's Community Safety Day.
DPW and Roads
Essex trash pays for itself. Here is what a household pays, and how it compares
By Kerry Jane How we work
Sticker and bag fees brought in more than the Essex transfer station cost to run last year. Essex households pay the most up front on Cape Ann, but almost nothing through taxes. Compare with Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Hamilton and Ipswich.
Cape Ann water rules: Rockport bans outdoor use, Gloucester limits it, Manchester lifts its ban
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Rockport bans all outdoor water use and Gloucester allows hand watering only, while Manchester has dropped its restrictions and Essex asks only for voluntary conservation.
Budget and Finance
Essex's $24.5 million budget, line by line
By Kerry Jane How we work
Voters approved what the Finance Committee calls the first override for town operations in more than 20 years. Here is where the money goes, what changed, how the decisions were made and how to weigh in on the next one.
Essex school project nears $95 million as fall town meeting takes shape
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Voters will also be asked to pay a $26,000 snow plowing bill that arrived months after the fiscal year ended.
New: compare property taxes in Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester on one page
By Kerry Jane How we work
Our new property tax page has a bill calculator for all four towns, 10 years of average bills, and state and Census figures that update on their own. Here is what it shows.
Harbor and Environment
More ospreys than ever north of Boston, and Gloucester's camera pair raised two more chicks
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Greenbelt counted 103 nesting pairs this year, up from 92. Annie and Squam, the pair on the OspreyCam behind Lobsta Land, fledged Sunny and Stormy.
Mostly cloudy Sunday, then a soaking rain tonight before a drier Columbus Day
By Ana Lucia How we work
Clouds and a high near 60 today. Rain showers are all but certain tonight, with a half to three quarters of an inch possible. Columbus Day turns partly sunny near 63. Midday high tides near 10 feet.
State moves Cape Ann's region to Level 2, a significant drought
By Ana Lucia How we work
The Northeast Region went from a mild drought to a significant one on Oct. 9, even after a wet September elsewhere in the state. Here is what the state asks residents and towns to do.
Sunny and cool Saturday, then rain Sunday night into Columbus Day morning
By Ana Lucia How we work
Sunny near 59 today and mostly cloudy near 60 Sunday. Rain showers are all but certain Sunday night, with a half to three quarters of an inch possible. Midday high tides near 10 feet.
Sunny and breezy Friday, cooler Saturday, showers Sunday night into Columbus Day
By Ana Lucia How we work
Sunny near 66 today with gusts near 28 mph, sunny near 61 Saturday, then rain showers likely Sunday night and Monday morning. High tides near 10 feet late morning through the weekend.
Hurricane Isaias will not reach Cape Ann this weekend, but its leftovers may bring rain Sunday night
By Ana Lucia How we work
The storm is headed for the northern Gulf Coast. Forecasters expect a dry, sunny weekend here, then a quick round of rain late Sunday into Columbus Day, with no flooding or damaging winds expected.
Morning shower chance, then sunny and cooler into the weekend
By Ana Lucia How we work
A 30 percent chance of a shower this morning, then mostly sunny near 68. Sunny Friday near 65 and Saturday near 60. A small craft advisory ends at 11 a.m. High tides near 10 feet late morning Friday and Saturday.
Breezy night, near 69 Thursday with a chance of a morning shower
By Ana Lucia How we work
A mild night around 54, then a mostly sunny Thursday near 69 with a 30 percent chance of a morning shower. A small craft advisory runs until 11 a.m. Thursday. Evening high tides near 9.8 feet.
Sunny, cool and gusty Tuesday, then warming to near 69 by Thursday
By Ana Lucia How we work
A high near 58 today with northwest gusts up to 32 mph, a chilly night around 42, then sunny days in the 60s. The small craft advisory on the bay ends at 8 a.m., and evening high tides run near 9.7 to 9.8 feet.
Clear and breezy tonight, then a sunny, gusty, cooler Tuesday with a small craft advisory on the bay until 8 a.m.
By Ana Lucia How we work
A low around 46 tonight, then sunny Tuesday with a high near 57 and northwest gusts up to 32 mph. The small craft advisory on Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay runs until 8 a.m. Tuesday, and evening high tides run near 9.7 feet.
Mostly sunny Sunday, showers tonight, then a breezy, milder Monday
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
A high near 60 today, a 40% chance of showers this evening and a high near 66 Monday. Northwest winds pick up on the water Monday night, and evening high tides run near 9.7 feet.
Sunny and cool on Cape Ann this weekend, with showers possible Sunday night
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Highs near 61 Saturday and 59 Sunday under mostly clear skies. A milder Monday follows, and afternoon high tides run close to 10 feet.
Warm Friday with a chance of evening showers, then a crisp, sunny weekend on Cape Ann
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Highs near 74 Friday give way to the low 60s Saturday and Sunday. Afternoon high tides run near 10 feet.
Warm start to October, then a sunny, cooler weekend on Cape Ann
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Highs reach the low 70s Thursday and Friday before a chance of showers Friday night. Afternoon high tides run near 10 feet through Saturday.
Cape Ann mostly spared as nor'easter brings 61 mph gust and needed rain
Cape Ann Current Staff How we work
Weather service reports show strong gusts off Rockport and Gloucester Saturday night and up to about 2 inches of rain in Manchester, with little damage reported.
Official sources