Melanie Gilbert
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melanieinboston.bsky.social
Melanie Gilbert
@melanieinboston.bsky.social
170 followers 100 following 98 posts
Reporter at The Lowell Sun & previously at The Detroit News. [email protected]. If it's happening, I'm on it.
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The retail storefront model is changing, which portends a rethink of economic development. Walgreens closes its second of four stores in city of Lowell, in less than 6 months, making it harder for residents to access prescriptions. What will fill that market space?
www.lowellsun.com/2025/07/29/w...
Walgreens to close another store in Lowell
LOWELL — Residents in the city’s Acre neighborhood were stunned by the news that the Walgreens store at the corner of Broadway and Fletcher streets will close its doors in September.
www.lowellsun.com
Remember our vulnerable people during this heat emergency. The Boston area is expected to hit a high of 104 today. 🥵
Something as simple as passing out cold beverages to at-risk populations where they gather can be a powerful affirmation of community.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/23/1...
100-plus heat a health risk to homeless, seniors in Lowell
LOWELL — Due to what the city called an “unhealthy heat forecast” through Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach a record-setting 100 degrees and higher, local providers and age…
www.lowellsun.com
The Lowell HIgh School Class of 2025, that entered high school as freshman after a year of remote learning due to the COVID lockdowns, celebrated their resilience and "extraordinary' achievements during their commencement exercise on Wednesday. CONGRATS!
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/05/e...
‘Extraordinary’ Lowell High Class of 2025 graduates
LOWELL — There were speeches and vocal performances, cheering and foot stomping, and of course, decorated mortarboards and the presenting of diplomas during the Lowell High School commencement exer…
www.lowellsun.com
Snatch-and-grab ICE raids in Lowell MA by heavily armed men dressed like Proud Boys — balaclavas, sunglasses, hats, unmarked vehicles and little-to-no visible official identification save for vests stenciled with “POLICE,”which can be purchased online.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/25/t...
The Column: ICE raids target Lowell
IS IMMIGRATION and Customs Enforcement targeting alleged criminals who are in the country illegally, or casting a wider, less discriminating net? Local leaders fear the latter, and say several long…
www.lowellsun.com
Reposted by Melanie Gilbert
It is unconscionable that federal agents would impersonate utility workers to fraudulently gain access to homes.

TEP must denounce this impersonation and seek relief from feds acting under their cover. Merely distinguishing what their contractors look like is insufficient.
The explosive growth of AI is driving expanded facilities. In Lowell, MA, the Markley Group's 14-acre plant, with 27 aboveground 6,000-gallon diesel generators, sits right in the middle of a residential neighborhood, albeit one zoned as light industrial.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/06/01/p...
Public input to Markley data center expansion
LOWELL — By the time the Markley data center in Lowell’s Sacred Heart neighborhood is built out, it will boast 27 diesel emergency generators,16 cooling towers, a water treatment plant and other in…
www.lowellsun.com
After months of speculation, Rockland Trust confirms what people feared - layoffs. 125 employees of Enterprise Bank & Trust in Lowell, acquired by Rockland last December, are laid off starting in June.

Adds to the nonprofit community layoffs earlier this year.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/19/r...
Rockland Trust lays off 125 Enterprise Bank staff in Lowell
LOWELL — Rockland Trust, which acquired Lowell-based Enterprise Bank & Trust in a blockbuster December deal, announced that it was laying off 125 employees at three Lowell locations starting Ju…
www.lowellsun.com
I am enjoying my morning cup of coffee in the mug I picked up during my tour of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Inc.'s brand spanking new warehouse. Thanks, Debbie Callery!
South Middlesex Opportunity Council and the city of Lowell explore moving the Lowell Transitional Living Center out of Downtown Lowell. The 134-year-old, 5-story building lacks elevators, accessibilty, is plagued by infrastructure issues and unwelcome guests - mice.
www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/19/l...
Lowell’s homeless shelter, city work to find it a new home
LOWELL — Like its residents, the Lowell Transitional Living Center, just off Lowell’s downtown business district, has seen some better days. And like its clients, the shelter also hopes for better …
www.lowellsun.com
Jail or emergency room? What if there's another way to treat substance use disorders? Vinfen and Spectrum Health Systems to open the Restroration Center of Greater Lowell in 2026, the first-of-its-kind crisis diversion program in Massachusetts.

www.lowellsun.com/2025/05/15/r...
Restoration Center of Greater Lowell to open in 2026
LOWELL — By 2026, the roughed out and under construction office building off Technology Drive, will be transformed into the Restoration Center of Greater Lowell, the first-of-its-kind crisis divers…
www.lowellsun.com
Bought my college-aged son an old used car.
It has a cassette tape and CD player.
I think I'm in love.
Asking for a friend...is there room for two big dogs in the house?