The Marblehead Current

At least 16 boats broke free, sank or washed ashore during the recent nor’easter, Harbormaster Mark Souza told the Harbors and Waters Board Oct. 5, offering the clearest accounting yet of the storm’s toll on Marblehead Harbor. The figure does not include boats damaged when other vessels struck them during the storm, Souza said, meaning the total number of boats affected is higher. Harbormaster Mark Souza said at least 16 boats “either broke free, sank, washed ashore” during the recent nor’easter.

Discover more from Marblehead Current Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive. Continue reading

Monday, Sept. 14 Alarms: 1 Building/property checks: 6 Abandoned 911 calls: 2 Vehicle stops, citations: 1 Vehicle stops, verbal warnings: 2 7:18 a.m. Officers rendered services after a disturbance was reported on Atlantic Avenue. 9:26 a.m. An officer was dispatched to Madison Road to speak with a resident about a past scam.

Marblehead voters heading to the polls this fall will have more to consider than candidates for governor, Congress and the Legislature. They will also be asked to decide nine statewide ballot questions covering everything from public records and elections to taxes, housing, marijuana and guns. The Current is examining the questions — and what they could mean for Marblehead — in a continuing series. In this installment, we look at Questions 1-5.

The Marblehead Police and Public Health departments will offer a second six-week educational series aimed at helping residents better understand addiction, recovery and resources available in the community. “Understanding Addiction and Recovery” will meet on Zoom Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m., beginning Oct. 20 and continuing through Nov. 24. The program is free and open to the public.

The town has put out an alert about the National Water Main completing various sewer mains throughout Marblehead. “Access for sewer main lining is gained through sewer manholes; meaning that street excavation is not required,” according to the notice. “You will see service trucks positioned adjacent to sewer manholes. The new resin-coated liner is pulled from manhole to manhole and is cured in place using steam. You may see steam rising in the air and notice a resin odor during this process.

Patricia (Smethurst) Perry died peacefully on Saturday Sept. 12, 2026, in Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 89. Patricia was the wife of Garland Perry with whom she celebrated 66 years of marriage. A longtime resident of Marblehead, Patricia was born on Jan. 9, 1937, to the late Thelma (Day) Smethurst and Fred (Gordon) Smethurst. She attended Marblehead schools and graduated Marblehead High School class of 1955.

Jane Austin (Ramsay) Key passed away Sept. 25, 2026, at her home in Marblehead. She was 82. She was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, in 1944, the daughter of Anne Austin (Belyea) Ramsay, a descendant of New York Loyalists who settled in New Brunswick after the American Revolution, and Earnest Dougal Ramsay, a Royal Canadian Navy officer who later became an executive with the Steel Company of Canada.

To the editor: I am writing to express my profound condolences to the family and friends of Owen Coyne, a scholar and athlete who has passed on so suddenly in the prime of life. May he rest in peace. Joe Martin Seattle, Washington Do you feel more informed? At the Current, we're dedicated to providing fair, comprehensive coverage of Marblehead. As a reader-funded, nonprofit news organization, we rely on the generosity of readers like you.

The Current accepts News in Brief submissions of 150-200 words at info@marbleheadnews.org. Leaf collection datesThe town has announced leaf collection dates through the end of the year: Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. The Marblehead Health Department offers these reminders: Leaves should be placed in leaf bags only. No plastic bags or barrels will be collected or emptied. Bags containing brush or other materials will not be collected.