ESSEX — For Maureen Flatley , there is possibly no task greater than protecting children.
Flatley, who has lived in Essex since 2002, was recently named president of the Washington, D.C.-based organization Stop Child Predators. She comes to the position as the organization celebrates 20 years of child protection advocacy.
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SUNBURY — Sunbury resident Alexa Fasold thought she was helping a childless California couple when she agreed to be a surrogate, but learned they may be part of a nationwide scam before delivering the baby in October.
The healthy infant boy has been placed with a foster family in Montour County while the FBI and California authorities investigate Silvia Zhang, 38, and Guojun Xuan, 65, the owners of Mark Surrogacy, an Arcadia, Calif.-based agency, who were accused of felony child endangerment and child neglect and later found to have 21 children between the ages of 2 and 13 — mostly toddlers delivered by surrogates — in their home or care.
This page requires Javascript.
Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
SUNBURY — Sunbury resident Alexa Fasold thought she was helping a childless California couple when she agreed to be a surrogate, but learned they may be part of a nationwide scam before delivering the baby in October.
The healthy infant boy has been placed with a foster family in Montour County while the FBI and California authorities investigate Silvia Zhang, 38, and Guojun Xuan, 65, the owners of Mark Surrogacy, an Arcadia, Calif.-based agency, who were accused of felony child endangerment and child neglect and later found to have 21 children between the ages of 2 and 13 — mostly toddlers delivered by surrogates — in their home or care.
This page requires Javascript.
Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
SUNBURY — Sunbury resident Alexa Fasold thought she was helping a childless California couple when she agreed to be a surrogate, but learned they may be part of a nationwide scam before delivering the baby in October.
The healthy infant boy has been placed with a foster family in Montour County while the FBI and California authorities investigate Silvia Zhang, 38, and Guojun Xuan, 65, the owners of Mark Surrogacy, an Arcadia, Calif.-based agency, who were accused of felony child endangerment and child neglect and later found to have 21 children between the ages of 2 and 13 — mostly toddlers delivered by surrogates — in their home or care.
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Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and while mom might say she loves her “world’s greatest mom” mug, she’d secretly prefer something a tad more useful, indulgent, or fun. So, here are a few Mother’s Day gifts mom will actually love.
A book she can read with her littles. Nothing is more special than spending time curled up with a great story. Consider the new title Mama’s Shoes, a heartwarming story from bestselling illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton and award-winning author Caron Levis. It’s a celebration of hard-working moms everywhere, and the children who love them.
Mom will love curling up in this organic Turkish cotton robe from Crate & Barrel. It’s unbelievably plush and incredibly soft, and has sophisticated Herringbone detailing for a touch of chic.
Give mom a good reason for some self care with this Hair Care Bundle from Hello Joyous. It has everything she’ll need to nourish her scalp and strands with cold-pressed organic botanicals and clean, effective essentials designed to revitalize, strengthen, and refresh.
Skip the sad bouquet and get mom what she really wants for Mother’s Day: cookware that comes with a lifetime warranty. No wilt, no guilt because mom deserves better. The HexClad Hybrid Deep Saute Pan can do it all – she’ll want to keep this one-pot meal workhorse on the closest burner for searing, braising, frying and simmering, and its high sides will help keep the kitchen spatter-free. And their Hybrid Wok is ideal for when she’s cooking for a crowd or wants to make sure there are leftovers – she can prepare a whole meal in one pan: stir-fries, pasta dishes, soups, and more.
What’s better than a yummy breakfast in bed? From shakes to smoothie bowls (and even frozen cocktails – cue Jimmy Buffett’s “It’s 5 o’clock Somewhere”), Hamilton Beach’s 10 Speed Blender serves up perfectly smooth results every time. Packed with power, the blender’s blades can turn anything into a healthy, tasty treat. Surprise Mom or Dad with this Pineapple Mango Smoothie Bowl this Mother’s Day/Father’s Day!
Busy moms appreciate (and look forward to) a great cup of coffee. Nespresso Canada has several new spring launches that mom would love to add to her coffee arsenal. From the Vertuo line, Vivida integrates taste and wellness with a coffee enriched with Vitamin B12. Also, the new Active+ is part of the Nespresso Coffee+ range, a coffee blend with added Vitamin B6, a vitamin that reduces tiredness and fatigue when consumed daily. From the Original line, Vienna is a balanced blend of smooth and silky South American Arabicas, while the Vienna Linizio Lungo Decaffeinato recreates this balanced and pleasant Viennese taste by pairing sweet Brazilian and Colombian Arabicas, lightly roasted by their experts. And the Arpeggio & Decaf Arpeggio are new dense and creamy coffees with a bold roast and notes of cocoa. Its creamy, velvety texture is irresistible. It’s also a great capsule for Nespresso Martinis!
Two new officers who are also Gloucester natives have joined the ranks of the Gloucester Police Department.
Officers Ryan Muniz and Kalyn Koller bring a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm, and a commitment to serving Gloucester, the department said.
Muniz graduated from the Massachusetts Police Training Committee Northern Essex Community College Police Academy in May. He attended Gloucester Public Schools and graduated from Gloucester High in 2019. In high school, he played hockey, golf, and tennis, and captained the hockey and golf teams.
After high school, Muniz attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduating in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree. Following his graduation, he worked at the Essex County Sheriff’s Department before joining the Gloucester force. Muniz recently completed his field training and is now eager to make a positive impact and engage with the community he has always called home, the department said.
Koller graduated from the MPTC Lynnfield Police Academy last Tuesday and began her field training shortly thereafter. Koller, 24, is a Gloucester native who graduated from Rockport High in 2019, where she played softball and basketball. She earned her criminal justice degree from Endicott College, graduating with dean’s lst honors. During her time at Endicott, Koller interned with the Gloucester Police Department, an experience that solidified her dedication to a career in law enforcement.
“I am honored to announce my appointment as a new officer with the Gloucester Police Department. I look forward to serving and giving back to the community I have always called home,” she said.
Chief Edward Conley expressed his confidence in the new officers, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Officers Muniz and Koller to our team. Their dedication, local roots, and commitment to service will undoubtedly strengthen our department and enhance our ability to serve the Gloucester community.”
