North Shore Housing Debate Heats Up: Patch Week In Review

There's no debate that it's expensive to live on the North Shore. But there's plenty of debate on how to address that issue. And Salem is incresingly ground zero for that debate.

As the four Salem city councilors who have been blocking housing initiatives explained their position, a new report was released showing just how expensive it was to live on the North Shore: a person making minimum wage would need to work 111 hours per week to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment in Massachusetts.

In Salem, At-Large Councilors Domingo Dominguez and Arthur Sargent, along with Ward 4 Councilor Tim Flynn and Ward 7 Councilor Steve Dibble, suggested most of the affordable housing initiatives that have gone before city council have favored developers.

Dominguez suggested Mayor Kim Driscoll's housing efforts favor developers, not residents. "We've had 14 years of this administration and have no results. We have the opposite,"he said.

Here's a look at the other top stories Patch covered on the North Shore this week:

Race Issues

Former Democrat turned conservative talk radio host and North Shore native Dianna Ploss was fired over the weekend after posting a Facebook video that showed her verbally berating Spanish-speaking landscapers in New Hampshire. In the video, Ploss also made a sarcastic comment about the face mask of a bystander who tried to intervene.

More news on race issues from the North Shore:

• A Swampscott selectmen's attempt to present his side of the story in comments that led to a recall petition didn't slow the effort. Following Don Hause's online forum this week, petitioners said they would move forward with the recall effort.
• In Beverly, the city took the first step to declaring race a public health issue.

Coronavirus Updates

In another sign that officials believe they have the coronavirus pandemic under control, the Essex County Jail resumed visits this week for the first time since March. Inmates will be restricted to one visit per day during an initial phase. The Essex County Sheriff's office is also requiring visitors to register advance. The jail will expand visiting hours from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. daily to accommodate more visitors.

More North Shore coronavirus news:

• The North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly postponed its 2020 season until next year. "Though we worked hard to try to make a fall reopening and winter season a reality, it has become increasingly clear that there should not be any performances at North Shore Music Theatre until 2021," owner Bill Hanney said in a statement.
• School officials across the state are working on plans to reopen in the fall. In Beverly, those plans include breaks for students to take off their masks and outdoor learning time, weather permitting. "With all the significant changes we will need to make for the fall, attending school will feel very different for students and teachers than when we were last together in March," Superintendent Sue Charochak said in a note to parents last week.
• Beverly Little League canceled its 2020 season.

Crime & Safety

After finding a car belonging to a Beverly man reported missing June 8, Wellfleet police led a search effort that included K9 units, drones and the Massachusetts State Police airwing unit. On Wednesday, Wellfleet police said they suspended the search for Matthew Silveira, 32, of Beverly.

More North Shore crime news:

• An Essex County grand jury handed down indictments against a Beverly couple accused of beating and threatening to strangle their 14-year-old daughter. Hadi S. Jabbar, 46, and Ruqaya Al Jumaili, 40, will be arraigned on Aug. 11 in Salem Superior Court. Jabbar, who is being held on $50,000 bail, is charged with assault and battery on a household member, strangulation or suffocation and threats to commit murder. Jumaili, who is free on bail, is charged with assault and battery on a household member and strangulation or suffocation.
• One of the suspects in a July 4 murder in Lynn was arrested in Salem. Josue Cespedes, 17, address unknown, was charged with murder, four counts of armed assault with intent to murder, four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious injury and carrying a firearm without a license.
• Police say they are working with neighbors and collecting home security camera footage to identify drivers who use a steep hill on Peach Highlands in Marblehead as "a private speed jump."
• Chelsea and Massachusetts State Police arrested Ian Flynn, 26, at his Peabody home and seized a car matching the description that fled the scene of a fatal hit-and-run crash.

And, finally this week: If you're looking for UFOs on the North Shore, Peabody may be your best bet. We analyzed reports of UFO sightings from Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott in the National UFO Reporting Center's database. Peabody had the highest number of sightings at 11.

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).