Sean Sullivan
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Articles by Sean Sullivan
From Delaney Hall hunger strike to freedom
He was at the center of a hunger strike inside a controversial ICE detention center in Newark that sparked protests and calls for the closure of Delaney Hall. Now Martin Soto is free after eight months in detention. Soto drew international attention when his wife, Gabriella, demonstrated outside Delaney Hall in the spring, as Martin and other detainees staged a weeks-long hunger strike inside.
Local growers, wineries assess impact of Second Street Fire
Over the weekend, the Second Street Fire ripped through an area of Benton City, Washington, burning approximately 1,151 acres including several structures. The proximity of the fire, which is now contained, to the Red Mountain, Goose Gap, and Candy Mountain appellations raised concerns about potential fire and smoke impacts in these areas. There have been no reports of damage to any winery structures, and most area vineyards also appear to have avoided the worst of it.
Fire near Red Mountain causes evacuations
On Friday, September 25th, a fire broke out near Benton City, close to Washington’s Red Mountain appellation. It was subsequently designated the Second Street Fire. A Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation was ordered from the intersection of Bombing Range Road and Keene Road, along Keene Road to SR 224, and along SR 224 to Kennedy Road (see blue outline below). This includes certain properties on Red Mountain, though not others. Evacuation area of Second Street Fire shown in blue.
What’s up with all the mergers and acquisitions in Washington?
Winery acquisitions are occurring at a brisk pace. Why? In the last twelve months, there have been over a half-dozen winery acquisitions in Washington, including Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the state’s largest winery. Why is this happening, and why is it happening right now? Below, I break it down. Note that this is just my take. In all cases, there are details that I am not privy to. There’s also much more to each of these deals than the simple manner in which I’ve laid them out.
Walla Walla’s Devona acquired by Kelsey Itämeri
Kelsey Itämeri, John Abbott, and Enrique Ibarra by Tom Albro Kelsey Itämeri, owner and winemaker at Itä Wines, has acquired Devona. She will continue the two Walla Walla-located brands as sister wineries. Devona founders John and Molly Abbott will stay on at the winery, as will existing staff. “I’ve worked very closely with John and Molly for a long time,” says Itämeri.
Harvest Woodinville: Woodinville’s new “center of gravity”
Harvest Woodinville, Woodinville, Washington Harvest Woodinville, a long-planned, oft-delayed mixed-use development, is now beginning to open to the public. It promises to dramatically reshape Woodinville and, perhaps, even Washington wine itself. “I think it will be the center of gravity for hospitality in Woodinville,” says Marty Taucher, managing partner at Avennia, which will have a tasting room at Harvest.
The Bald Range Fire through one B.C. winery’s eyes
Lightning Rock Winery, Summerland, British Columbia On Friday, August 7th, Ron Kubek, owner and CEO of Lightning Rock Winery in Summerland, British Columbia went out to dinner with his family at 6:30 p.m. At that point, the Bald Range Fire was just over 120 acres. By the time they finished dinner at 8 p.m., Kubek says it was nearly 2,500 acres. By 9:30 p.m., it was over 12,000 acres. “We started preparing go bags just in case,” Kubek says.
Harvest begins in the Columbia Valley
Chardonnay at Hilltop Vineyard courtesy of Tirriddis. Harvest has begun in the Columbia Valley. Tirriddis, a Washington sparkling wine producer, picked Chardonnay from Hilltop Vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills on August 11th. The fruit came from old vines planted in 1984. This start to harvest is one week ahead of the average over the last 14 years. It is tied for the second earliest harvest during that time period.
Wineries across Northwest impacted by smoke, wildfires
Pacific Northwest wineries are currently being affected to greater or lesser degrees by smoke and wildfires. In some cases, entire areas have had to evacuate. In others, wineries have been forced to close temporarily or postpone events. The most recent severe example comes from British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. The entire district of Summerland, B.C. was put under a mandatory evacuation order this weekend.
What’s working in the wine industry right now?
L to R, top to bottom: Paul Zitarelli, Full Pull Wines; Shae Frichette, Frichette Winery; Lenny Rede, Ballinger Thriftway; Cole Sisson, Doe Bay Wine Co.; Jonathan Marvin, Joyous Society; Scott Haladay, Walla Walla Vintners. The wine industry is in the midst of tectonic changes. Still, consumers continue to buy wine. I asked six wine professionals a simple question: What’s working in today’s wine industry? That is to say, what are people buying and what is helping them sell wine right now?
Quilceda Creek acquires full ownership of Champoux Vineyard
Champoux Vineyard by Richard Duval Quilceda Creek, one of Washington’s oldest and most highly regarded wineries, has acquired full ownership of Champoux Vineyard. The winery was previously the vineyard’s majority owner. “Champoux has noble tannin that creates a suave texture so unique to the site that it cannot be replicated,” Paul Golitzin, Quilceda Creek president and director of winemaking, said in a press release.
Northwest wildfire season accelerates rapidly
Satellite image of WA and northern OR via Washington Weather Chasers. Note clouds over western areas and large smoke plumes, blowing west to east, in eastern areas. Spokane Complex Fire causes massive damage This has already been a challenging wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest. However, things took a significant turn for the worse over the weekend. The Spokane Complex Fire burned thousands of acres and an estimated 700 structures, including numerous homes.
Blood of Gods Annual Merrymaking draws hundreds to Walla Walla Valley
Event brings a diverse crowd from across the U.S. The Blood of Gods Annual Merrymaking event took place in Walla Walla Valley Saturday, June 18th. Now in its fifth year, the event combined education, wine tasting, art, and live music. A total of 654 people attended, most from beyond the immediate area. “Two-thirds of the people came from outside a 50-mile radius,” says founder Stacy Buchanan.
Joe Campbell, Willamette Valley wine pioneer, passes away
Joe Campbell, founder of Elk Cove Vineyards in Willamette Valley, passed away June 28th in Sherwood, Oregon. He was 87 years old. Campbell and his wife Pat founded Elk Cove Vineyards in 1974. It was the first winery in what is today the Yamhill-Carlton appellation, a nested growing region within the larger Willamette Valley. At the time, there were fewer than 10 wineries in Oregon. Today there are over 1,000 according to the Oregon Wine Board. Campbell also worked as a physician throughout his career.
Ste. Michelle closes Northstar tasting room, production facility
Northstar Winery by Richard Duval Northstar brand will continue Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE), Washington’s largest winery, is closing its Northstar tasting room and production facility in Walla Walla, Washington. The tasting room, which has been open for nearly 25 years, will close June 30. The announcement of the tasting room closure came in an email to wine club members. A company representative told Northwest Wine Report that production of the Northstar wines will be relocated.
Protester hit by car entering ICE’s Delaney Hall as families demand ‘Free the dads’ on Father’s Day
Families and protesters gathered outside Delaney Hall on Father's Day urging the release of dads who are being held inside. What appeared to be a mostly peaceful daytime protest, took a turn after a woman waving an American flag at the entrance of the ICE detention center in Newark was hit by a car that was entering the facility, according to video shared on social media. Warning: the footage here is graphic.
Bag wines, low alc wines, no alc wines. It’s all happening!
Bag wines, low alc wines, no alc wines. It’s all happening! - Northwest Wine Report
Tensions rise as protesters block vehicles at Delaney Hall, with tear gas deployed and cars damaged
Protesters have blocked the entrance to a secure lot at Delaney Hall on Friday afternoon, sitting on car hoods, yelling at drivers and kicking vehicles. At least one windshield was broken and several protesters were tear gassed. On a hot, sticky day outside Newark's Delaney Hall, protesters waved anti-ICE posters as traffic passed by. It wasn't until around 3:30 p.m. when the demonstration became violent.
A hunger strike, protests and a pepper-sprayed U.S. senator: Inside a violent holiday weekend at N.J.’s private ICE jail
The nation’s rancorous and increasingly violent immigration debate came to a head in Newark over Memorial Day weekend in a days-long standoff that began with a hunger strike and culminated with the pepper-spraying of a United States senator. At the center was Delaney Hall, a privately run jail with a 15-year, $1 billion contract to house as many as 1,000 immigrants at a time as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
ICE agents pepper spray protesters, N.J. senator in clash outside Delaney Hall in Newark
Federal agents fired pepper balls at protesters outside Delaney Hall in Newark on Monday following days of unrest outside the privately run immigration detention center. U.S. Sen. Andy Kim said he had trouble breathing from the cloud of pepper spray deployed as a growing crowd of protesters responding to an inmate hunger strike demonstrated outside. “What we saw here is unfortunately just what we see all over the country,” Kim, D-N.J., told NJ.com on Monday.
Dancehall DJ ran ‘dangerous’ drug ring in South Jersey while on parole, feds say
A Jamaican DJ and entertainer known as the “Flossing King” is accused of running a fentanyl and cocaine ring in South Jersey while out on parole for similar crimes. Andrew Davis, who performs under the names Flippa Mogella and Flippa Mafia, previously served six years of a 25-year drug trafficking sentence, court records show.
Was N.J. congresswoman’s fight with ICE assault? Or is she being targeted by Trump?
It was a messy scene: a violent crush of civilians and law enforcement on grounds usually tightly controlled for security reasons but now, suddenly, a political powder keg where arms flailed and people got arrested. Does this sound like the storming of the U.S. Capitol? Or maybe the melee outside Delaney Hall in Newark last year, which resulted in federal charges against a sitting congresswoman? Why not both? U.S. Rep.
1 dead, 6 injured in shooting at N.J. Chick-fil-A
One person was killed and another six injured after a gunman opened fire inside a Chick-fil-A restaurant Saturday night, authorities said. No arrests have been made. Dashboard video captured after the shooting shows a gunman running through the parking lot outside the restaurant, located along Route 22 in Union Township. There was a large police presence late into the night, with videos on social media showing the chaotic flash of emergency vehicles as first responders swarmed.
Clean energy tax credits are critical for SC businesses
The mega-bill passed by the U.S. House last month slashes clean energy tax credits enacted in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. (Stock photo/Getty Images) With the clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, businesses have announced plans to create over 20,000 new clean energy jobs and invest over $32 billion into South Carolina’s economy over the next decade.
Is Trump going back on his economic promises?
Why President Donald Trump’s messaging has shifted from economic prosperity to austerity. Will voters tolerate economic pain from Trump’s tariffs? Senior politics reporter Aaron Blake talks with The Post’s senior political correspondent Naftali Bendavid and White House correspondent Michael Birnbaum about Trump’s inconsistent messaging on the economy and foreign policy this week. Beyond tariffs, they discuss how foreign leaders are responding to Trump on Ukraine and immigration.
Natick Overrides Tax Cap, But Not Incumbents
By Sean Sullivan In Natick’s annual March elections, the town’s much-debated tax override passed by a margin of nearly 20 percentage points. Passage of the measure will allow the town to increase property taxes on residents and other stakeholders. Absent such an override, Massachusetts law limits the amount a municipality may increase such taxes annually. That state ceiling is set at a 2.5% bump per year in addition to new growth, yet the override will allow Natick to surpass that limit.
Natick’s Farmers Market Still a Classic Hit
By Sean Sullivan Strumming at the Common Street Spiritual Center early last month, a guitarist was singing his cover of “Up On A Roof.” The classic song by “The Drifters” is an ode to the power of place and presence, and seemed well suited to its audience and the main attraction—Natick’s Farmers Market. The weekly event has sheltered inside the center since the onset of winter, but will reemerge outdoors on the Natick Common early this month. Opening day is slated for Saturday, May 3rd.
Op-Ed: Are US businesses ready for accelerated copper retirement?
While the FCC's accelerated copper retirement represents an historic opportunity to sunset obsolete technology and advance into the future, in the near-term it presents emergency-level challenges for business disruption, spiraling costs and compliance violations. Business communication lifelines could get stranded on a proverbial desert island with no support not if, but when they go down. And central stations could be shut down anywhere from 180 down to as little as 90 days’ notice.
Town aims to increase curbside composting program | Natick - Local Town Pages
Natick’s Director of Sustainability says, “Food isn’t trash, we should treat it differently.” That’s the simple philosophy behind Natick’s recent drive to increase its curbside composting program. Wilson-Martin is seeking to bring the number of participating households to 1,500 this year. That would mean adding another 200 in 2025. Toward that end, she’s quick to point out that composting is a form of financial and lifestyle frugality.
Marathoner Eric Rodden to run for Spark Kindness | Natick - Local Town Pages
It’s “not over yet,” said Eric Rodden, “but so far so good.” That’s the bittersweet state of affairs when we’re going the distance in any endeavor. For two Massachusetts runners, it’s meant training for this year’s Boston Marathon. A 26.2-mile run is a long haul for anyone, but especially so for someone who took up the sport about a year ago. “I’m new to the running community,” said Rodden, who adopted the pastime as part of a New Year’s resolution.
Healthy Byte | Live From HIMSS 25! (Video)
The 2025 HIMSS Global Health Conference is an annual event that attracts thousands of digital health professionals chasing cutting-edge health solutions. Members of Alston & Bird's delegation describe the most interesting topics they are hearing about in Las Vegas. Jennifer Everett and Sean Sullivan discuss the trending topics at HIMSS 25, including integrating maturing generative artificial intelligence, workforce development, and cybersecurity.
A Focus on Natick’s Past and Future
By Sean Sullivan The Natick Center Cultural District has a new director. The NCCD serves as a hub, a liaison connecting community, culture and commerce. The hiring process to head the nonprofit group meant searching for someone with an eclectic skillset. Just prior to chatting about her new role as director, Heather Rockwood said she’d just returned from a historical tour of Natick. The outing was an effort to get to know the town’s personality—it’s streets, structures and spirit.
Self-Serve Community Service
By Sean Sullivan Out of sight of most neighbors, town residents have built and maintained a mini food pantry. Located outdoors in the shadow of Natick’s Common Street Spiritual Center, the self-serve project is aimed at lessening local food insecurity. It was begun by Natick resident Suzanne Alcott, and has been discreetly serving neighbors in need for several years. The mini pantry is a cousin of Natick’s Little Free Libraries.
Override Possible
By Sean Sullivan The Natick Select Board is debating whether to put a budget override on the ballot for voters next month. If passed, the measure would allow the town to increase property taxes on residents and other stakeholders. Massachusetts law limits the amount a municipality may increase such taxes annually. That state ceiling is set at a 2.5% bump per year in addition to new growth, and the override would allow Natick to surpass that limit.
Select Board Chairman Kathryn Coughlin’s car was vandalized last Thanksgiving with anti-immigrant sentiments. | Natick - Local Town Pages
By Sean Sullivan Natick outlined its official policy regarding illegal immigrants last month. Crafting, implementing and enforcing immigration policy has vexed nations and governments the world over, acutely so during the last few decades. It comes as little surprise then, to find small towns and cities struggling with the topic. Any reasonable and rational “solution” to the immigration issue seems guaranteed to leave a large portion of constituents dissatisfied.
Genome-scale spatial mapping of the Hodgkin lymphoma microenvironment identifies tumor cell survival factors
Abstract A key challenge in cancer research is to identify the secreted factors that contribute to tumor cell survival. Nowhere is this more evident than in Hodgkin lymphoma, where malignant Hodgkin Reed Sternberg (HRS) cells comprise only 1-5% of the tumor mass, the remainder being infiltrating immune cells that presumably are required for the survival of the HRS cells. Until now, there has been no way to characterize the complex Hodgkin lymphoma tumor microenvironment at genome scale.
Town Considering A Ban On Leaf Blowing
By Sean Sullivan It’s a sound synonymous with New England autumn. The drone of a small gas-powered engine paired with the moan of high-speed air driven through a plastic tube. The instrument is the gas-powered leaf blower, and the symphony of sounds it produces can land as a seasonal assault to the senses of some residents. The leaf-blower’s whir is distinct from a lawn mower’s low hum, and the whistle of a weed whacker slicing through air and vegetation.
Natick - Local Town Pages
By Sean Sullivan “Howl at the tone,” ended John Maguranis’ voicemail message. I’d called him to talk coyotes, and he picked up his phone halfway through my reply. Now semi-retired after a long career caring for and learning about animals, Maguranis serves as the Massachusetts representative for Project Coyote. That group’s mission is to educate the public about the animals, foster a peaceful coexistence between them and their human neighbors.
Microbial lysates as low-cost serum replacements in cellular agriculture media formulation
Abstract Cultivated meat, the process of generating meat in vitro without sacrificing animals, is a promising alternative to the traditional practice of livestock agriculture. However, the success of this field depends on finding sustainable and economical replacements for animal-derived and expensive fetal bovine serum (FBS) that is typically used in cell culture processes.
Autism Center Offers Freedom, Welcoming Space | Natick - Local Town Pages
By Sean Sullivan Last month, the Natick Mall cut the ribbon on its new autism center, opening doors and access to our neighbors facing that challenge. The “Autism Welcoming” facility promises more freedom for families to engage in the social spaces most of us take for granted. In his new book, “On Freedom,” Timothy Snyder counsels that societies and their peoples should strive toward positive freedoms, and eschew negative ones. Take taxes as an example.
Why Blind Tasting Is the Only Way to Rate Wine Without Bias
Blind tasting is at the heart of our ratings and reviews here at Wine Enthusiast. But what does that mean exactly? Don’t worry. Members of the Wine Enthusiast Tasting Panel aren’t putting on blindfolds and fumbling around for wine glasses. (Though that would be fun to watch.) Here’s how blind tasting works: All bottles we review are cellared for at least three weeks in order to guard against bottle shock.
Porchfest to Return
By Sean Sullivan September seems a segue between summer and autumn. Students are returning to classes, and the sun to its resting place noticeably earlier in the day. Neighbors ask where the season went, what’s in store for autumn. The mercury might soar to mid-summer standards or dip to May models on a given day. But in its mellow moods, September is mild. During such days, the month is tailor-made for the New England porch.
The Man Who Fell to Earth
By Sean Sullivan “I’ve been wanting to skydive all my life,” said Adam Perry. That was way back then; this is now. Since his inaugural jumps in 2022, the Holliston resident has taken to the air and plunged toward earth many dozens of times. Perry belongs to an organization called “Skydivers Over 60,” a select group that takes pride in parachuting during those later decades. As per regulation, his first two jumps were accomplished with an experienced instructor strapped to his back.
A Wish Come True
By Sean Sullivan Alan of Ashland took part in a most original ride-along this summer. Coordinated by a local chapter of the "Make-A-Wish" foundation, the 4-year-old was adopted for a day by municipal contractors, allowing him to fulfill a longtime dream of riding in a common but under-considered conveyance. Work vehicles have long occupied a place of celebrity status for young boys.
Harvest begins in Washington
Harvest has begun in Washington’s Columbia Valley. Charles Auclair of Woodinville’s Auclair Winery kicked things off Saturday August 24th, picking Sauvignon Blanc from Artz Vineyard on Red Mountain. Auclair reported that the grapes were picked at 22 Brix, a measure of sugar content. Treveri Cellars, a sparkling wine producer in Yakima Valley, picked Chardonnay at its estate vineyard August 26th. The winery also picked small blocks of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc.
Creativity and Recovery
By Sean Sullivan “To be an artist is to believe in life,” said famous sculptor Henry Moore. Natick’s 7-year-old Emelie Brosnihan already counted crafts and creativity among her favored hobbies. And when her family received a most-unwelcome diagnosis a few years ago, she would put her art to use in coping with the hard months ahead. In the summer of 2022, Emelie experienced stomach pain and a bump was discovered on her right side.
Natick - Local Town Pages
Mike Butera of Natick spent a long career in the discipline of landscaping. Now retired, he’s passed on his company to family. Yet a thumb that green doesn’t fade so easily. Butera’s home garden at 11 Greenleaf Road is a gardener’s wonderland. From vegetables to exotic flowers, it’s bloomed like no other. Here are some choice scenes.
Ashland - Local Town Pages
By Sean Sullivan It sometimes takes a while for technology to catch up to imagination. The animated, fairy tale adventure story that Orlando Mendes envisioned a few decades ago only recently came to be a reality. That delay wasn't due to procrastination, but practicality. Animation has traditionally been a labor-intensive undertaking, which can put projects beyond the means of startup filmmakers. "It's not easy to do," said Mendes of old-school animation.
A cell-free transcription-translation pipeline for recreating methylation patterns boosts DNA transformation in bacteria
Highlights • IMPRINT allows the rapid recreation of DNA methylation patterns with cell-free TXTL • Enhanced transformation with IMPRINT in Salmonella and Bifidobacterium strains • HT-IMPRINT identifies the best methyltransferase combinations in one experiment • Enhanced transformation by IMPRINT allows screening of a large RBS library Summary The bacterial world offers diverse strains for understanding medical and environmental processes and for engineering synthetic biological chassis.
To catch a senator
On paper, at least, U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez was headed to Egypt for official government business. His wife was making her own plans. “Is there any chance he can sit on a camel in Egypt? I’m dying for him to be on a camel,” Nadine Menendez texted an Egyptian official with whom she’d recently become friendly, according to testimony in the seventh week of the New Jersey senator’s second federal corruption trial. “Of course there is a chance for that!” the woman replied.
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