Wilmington Woman Remembers Mother Lost To Coronavirus: Patch PM

WILMINGTON, MA — It's Tuesday, Dec. 1. Here's what Patch has been covering in the Merrimack Valley and across Massachusetts today.

Wilmington's Susan Branley spoke to Patch about losing her mother to the coronavirus in April.

After a year living with her daughter Susan Branley in Wilmington, Elizabeth Flaherty, 89, moved into a senior-living facility in Burlington on March. 11. A 60-year Burlington resident and a very social person, Flaherty's family thought she would enjoy being around people her age, back in her long-time home. She was looking forward to a St. Patrick's Day dress-up contest, which her family was convinced she would win.

The new coronavirus was already in the news, but the day Flaherty moved was the same day that the NBA season was shut down over a confirmed case and Tom Hanks announced he had tested positive for the virus.

As soon as Flaherty got to her new home, "they shut the place down," Branley said. "If I knew what was around the corner, I would've never had her go there."

Just over a month later, Flaherty was dead. Read more.

Do you have a personal story about the coronavirus you would like to share? Contact Christopher Huffaker at [email protected].

Also in the Merrimack Valley

Submit your home or business to Patch's tour of holiday light displays

Like many things, the winter holidays are going to be a little weird this year. While public health officials are discouraging traveling, we can still appreciate the holiday cheer in our own neighborhood.

This year, Patch will be compiling a holiday light tour of the Merrimack Valley. Read how to submit in your area:

• Andover area
• Tewksbury area
• Wilmington area

Don't live in those three towns? Feel free to follow the instructions and send your photos to [email protected] anyway.

Lowell Woman Arrested On Drug Dealing Charge In Salem

A Massachusetts woman was arrested Tuesday on drug dealing and possession charges in Salem after being accused of selling fentanyl to a confidential source with an undercover police officer.

Around 3:30 p.m., police officers used a confidential source to line up a drug purchase from a dealer in the Lawrence and Methuen area of the Bay State. The source placed an order for five fingers, 50 grams, of fentanyl, valued at about $1,250, with the deal to be held at Chili's on South Broadway Street.

NH Fish And Game Rescues Tewksbury Hiker In New Hampshire

New Hampshire Fish & Game Department was notified of an injured hiker on the Lonesome Lake trail in Lincoln on Sunday, the second time this weekend.

Maura Varney, 53, of Tewksbury, MA, was descending the trail around 3 p.m. when she slipped on ice and fell, resulting in a lower leg injury that left her unable to continue on her own.

Lawrence District Court Temporarily Closed After Positive Test

A probation employee who was last in the office on Oct. 21 tested positive for the coronavirus, the court said. The court will reopen Thursday after cleaning and disinfecting.

North Andover Selectman DeCologero Will Not Seek Re-Election

The two-term selectman said he wants to spend more time with his family.

Across Massachusetts

Police Unions Rip Reform Bill; Progress Pleases Baker

The head of the state's largest police union called the major police reform bill the "final attack" on officers, but the legislation is still expected to make its way through Beacon Hill Tuesday afternoon.

COVID-19 Vaccines Expected This Month, Won't Be Mandatory

Gov. Charlie Baker said he was told to the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by mid-December, but he tempered expectations of it being available to the general public anytime soon.

Police Offer $5K Reward After Random Attacks Plague Waltham

Waltham is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the person or persons responsible for the near dozen unprovoked attacks across the city in recent weeks.

NTSB: MA Driver's Drug Use Critical In Death Of 7 Bikers In NH

A pickup driver's drug use was the reason he crashed last year into an oncoming group of motorcyclists in New Hampshire, leading to the death of seven bikers, the National Transportation Safety Board found Tuesday.

Boston Schools Not Likely To Fully Reopen Before Christmas, Walsh Says

Boston Public Schools suspended in-person learning for all students in late October as coronavirus cases started to surge again.

Grand Jury Weighing Criminal Charges Against Ex-Peabody Teacher
A federal lawsuit by a former Peabody Veterans Memorial High School student was put on hold while an Essex County grand jury decides whether to indict a former teacher on sex abuse charges.

Stop & Shop Hiring Thousands For Jobs Across The Northeast

The Quincy-based supermarket chain said Tuesday it is looking to hire more than 5,000 people for positions.

WATCH: Great White Shark Chows Down On Seal In Cape Cod Harbor

Just because beach season is over, it doesn't mean Great white sharks aren't still swimming and hunting for blubbery snacks off Cape Cod.

And finally today:

It's December — just one month left of 2020. What are your hopes for the new year?