Teachers Union Votes No Confidence In Superintendent: Patch PM

TEWKSBURY, MA — It's Friday, Dec. 4. Here's what Patch has been covering in the Merrimack Valley and across Massachusetts today.

The Tewksbury teachers union recently voted no confidence in the superintendent and assistant superintendent, union President Josh Bilodeau confirmed.

Bilodeau did not give specific examples but cited unprofessional behavior as the reason for the Tewskbury Teacher Association's vote, which he called "a long time coming."

Patch reached out to Superintendent Chris Malone's office and will update when we hear back.

Over 80 percent of the 277 attendees at a Nov. 23 meeting voted no confidence, Bilodeau said. The union informed families in a letter sent Wednesday evening. Read more.

Also in the Merrimack Valley

Ex-Fiancé Pleads Guilty To 2018 Murder Of North Andover Woman

The ex-fiancé of a North Andover woman who was found strangled in 2018 pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison Friday, the Essex District Attorney said.

Brian Chevalier, 54, of New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to the murder of Wendi Rose Davidson, 49. Davidson was found dead in her Lincoln Street, North Andover home in 2018.

Find Out Your Estimated Coronavirus Vaccine Wait Time

The New York Times, the Surgo Foundation and Ariadne Labs used their vaccine tool to calculate what priority you would receive it. Find out the estimated wait in:

• Essex County
• Middlesex County

Here in the Bay State, where a second wave of infections has seen daily positive cases escalate to levels higher than in the spring, officials are planning for "equitable and speedy distribution to Massachusetts communities" as soon as the first shipments arrive, hopefully in mid-December.

Nor'easter May Bring Up To 8 Inches Wet, Heavy Snow To MA

Rain will switch over to snow, which could fall at rates of 1-2 inches per hour. The sloppy mix and strong winds could mean power outages.

Events in the area have been canceled, including the toy drives in Chelmsford and food drive in North Andover.

Andover Schools Pick 2 Interim Superintendent Finalists

The Andover School Committee has two finalists for the interim superintendent position which will open when Superintendent Sheldon Berman departs at the end of the month, Committee Chair Shannon Scully said.

• Kathleen Alward Smith, former Brockton Public Schools superintendent and Salem Public Schools interim superintendent.
• Claudia Bach, former Andover superintendent and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education director of education policy, preparation and leadership.

Across Massachusetts

Man Who Shot State Trooper Killed In Shootout With U.S. Marshals

Andre Sterling, 35, was shot Friday morning by U.S. Marshals in the Bronx. He was wanted in Massachusetts for shooting a trooper Nov. 20.

Neighbor Averts Disaster In Somerville Fire

"If it was not for that neighbor, this fire could very well have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities," Fire Chief Charles Breen said.

Pastor Challenges Newton, Plans To Open Pay-What-You-Can Cafe

A local leader is asking residents to commit to making Newton a better place and is launching a campaign to help them get there.

'The Next Step Is Shutting Everything Down,' Walsh Says Of Rising Boston COVID Cases

Mayor Marty Walsh said on Thursday that with COVID-19 cases surging in the city, officials may be forced to put new shutdowns in place if residents don't help stop the spread of the virus.

And finally today:

Patch is still collecting submissions for our tour of the region's best holiday light decorations. Have you decorated your home or business? Submit your photos and details on your display for:

• Westford
• Tewksbury
• Wilmington
• Andover

Don't live in one of those towns? Feel free to still follow the instructions and submit your information.