Obituary: Virginia L. (MacKenney) Hill, 83, worked at Hill's Family Store, Ran Antique Store

Virginia L. (MacKenney) Hill, 83, of Hamilton and Ipswich was a lover of animals, worked at Conley's Pharmacy and worked at Hill's Family Store and ran her own antique store.

Virginia L. (MacKenney) Hill, 83, longtime resident of Alan Road, Hamilton, died Saturday, April 27, 2013, in her home following her long illness. She was the wife of the late Howard R.“Taffy” Hill. Born in Ipswich May 6, 1929, daughter of the late Horace and Lillian (Russell) MacKenney, she was raised in Ipswich and was a 1947 graduate of Ipswich High School. For many years she was employed at Conley’s Pharmacy. Married in 1959 in the First Church in Ipswich, the Hill's soon made their home and raised their family in Hamilton. With a grown family she went to work with her husband at the family’s clothing store, the former Hill’s Family Store in Ipswich. Mrs. Hill was also a collector and dealer of antiques. For several years during the …

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Oldest Hamilton Woman Gets a New Cane [VIDEO]

The former librarian at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School and a longtime parishioner at the First Congregational Church of Hamilton is awarded the Boston Post Cane on Monday.

Edna Barney, 96, of Hamilton was given the Boston Post Cane on Monday in an event at the Hamilton Council on Aging building. See the attached video from the event, including Barney thanking everyone in attendance and recognition from State Rep. Brad Hill and David Neill, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

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Patch Facts

Five Things to Know on March 1: State Rep. Brad Hill Holds Office Hours

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Friday, March 1. Here are five things you need to know in Hamilton and Wenham: 1. Mix: The sky on Friday is forecasted to be a mix of clouds and sun, with the temperature topping out at about 40 degrees. There’s a chance of a shower. 2. Brad Hill: State Rep, Brad Hill (R-Ipswich), who represents Hamilton and Wenham in the state House of Representatives, is holding office hours in both towns on Friday. Hill will be at Hamilton Town Hall at 9:15 a.m. and Wenham Town Hall at 10:30 a.m. 3. Museum: Friday marks the final day to sign up for Wenham Museum’s summer programs at a discounted rate. Programs are part of the “History Alive” program and include sessions of the Civil War, a Fashion Design Workshop and Legos. 4. Commandant: …

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Schools Should Not Count on Additional State Money from Tax Increase

State Rep. Brad Hill has cautioned local school leaders not to count on any additional state funding in fiscal 2014.

School leaders should not plan on any increase in state funding in the coming year, state Rep. Brad Hill has told the School Committee. Hill said the additional $44,000 that would come to the regional school district Other communities on the North Shore are slated for “huge increases,” Hill said. For example, the plan calls for $500,000 more for Ipswich, where Hill lives. While Hamilton-Wenham’s increase is rather small, Hill warned that they School Committee should still not plan on the money right now. “A lot of those dollars are related to raising a lot of taxes,” Hill said. Typically, Hill’s message to the School Committee’s in his district is that the governor’s proposed budget is the ceiling for possible state aid. But this year, he …

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Anne Sweeney

2:00 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Reid told ABC's George Stephanopoulos that "without any question," more revenue needs to be part of a follow-up deal. "The American people are on our side," he said. "The American people don't believe in these austere things. We believe that the rich should contribute. We believe we should fill those tax loopholes - get rid of them, I should say. And that's where we need to go." With Democrats …   more ›

Hill to Serve Third Term as Member of Republican Leadership

State Rep. Bradford R. Hill will be the Minority Whip in the state House of Representatives for a third straight term.

State Rep. Bradford R. Hill, R-Ipswich, has been reappointed by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) to serve a third term as House Minority Whip. The Minority Whip is the second in command for the Republican Party in the House. The Republican caucus ratified the appointment. Hill represents Hamilton and Wenham in the House of Representatives. “I am excited about the Republican Caucus’ potential this upcoming session,”  Hill said in an announcement of the position. “The challenges facing the Commonwealth have not dissipated and much hard work lies ahead. Hopefully, our colleagues across the aisle will listen to what we have to say and work with us in order to get Massachusetts moving in the right direction.” Hill …

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Hill: Weekend Food Drive was 'Overwhelming Success'

State Rep. Brad Hill writes to say that the North Shore Food Drive he organized during the past weekend was a success, exceeding the goal of 50 boxes by collecting 130 boxes of food.

State Rep. Bradford R. Hill (R-Ipswich), the Minority Whip, said that the North Shore Food Drive that he recently sponsored was an overwhelming success. Over a period of two days Hill and many volunteers collected non perishable items. The event took place at the Market Basket in Rowley for the benefit of local area food banks, which are in constant need of donations for those who are not able to take their next meal for granted. “It was my goal to fill 50 boxes of food to donate to area food banks,” Hill said. “With the help of volunteers from the Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School Interact club, Ice Hawks Hockey Club, North Shore 104.9, First National Bank of Ipswich, Manchester Athletic Club, family, friends and the Demoulas Market …

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Letter to the Editor: 'Tenacious and Skilled Work' By Hill Led to Melissa's Law

Les Golsule, whose daughter Melissa was killed by a 27-time convicted felon, writes to acknowledge the work by state Rep. Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, to pass Melissa's Bill.

To the Editor: I cannot thank Rep. Brad Hill enough for all the work he did to make Melissa's Law, the state's new habitual offender law, a reality. Brad was the first legislator to sponsor Melissa's Bill following the 1999 murder of my daughter, Melissa Gosule, by a 27-time convicted felon. Brad was among the first to stand with me, even when others said the bill had no chance of passing. Indeed, the bill remained locked up in the judiciary committee for 10 years, until 2011. Yet Brad Hill never gave up. What we lacked in political influence - compared to the powerful criminal defense industry - we had in firm moral conviction and common sense. Brad knew that it was just crazy to keep releasing 5, 20, 50-time violent offenders who just …

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Letter to the Editor: Food Banks in Need of Assistance on Constant Basis

State Rep. Brad Hill, R-Ipswich, who represents Hamilton and Wenham, writes about a food drive he is organizing later this month.

To the Editor: Most of us are able to take for granted that there will be food in our refrigerators or dinner on the table when we come home from work. We do not think of hunger as a problem that runs rampant through our community, but it does and there are people and families all around us that do not take for granted their next meal. Currently, in the North Shore community, one in six people collect some type of food assistance and one in nine families seek services from one of the local food banks.  While during the Holiday season it seems we are likely to give, hunger is a problem that affects the community year round. Food banks are in need of our assistance on a constant basis, just as we all need to eat regularly. The Acord Food …

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Hamilton-Wenham Local Election Guide

A one stop place to go to get information about the candidates and issues that voters will decide in the voting booth in November.

As the November general elections gets closer, Hamilton-Wenham Patch is devoted to bring you the information you need about the decisions you will make on the ballot. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. Bookmark this page for updates. U.S. Rep. John Tierney: The incumbent Salem Democrat and Hamilton and Wenham representative on Capitol Hill blogs on Patch and has engaged in a live chat with readers. Richard Tisei: The Republican former state Senator from Wakefield and local business owner is challenging Tierney for the 6th Congressional District and has also engaged in a live chat with readers. State Senator Bruce Tarr: The Republican from Gloucester is runing unoppossed for the Senate …

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Hill Sponsors Bill Requiring ID at Polls

State Rep. Brad Hill has submitted a bill that would require voters to show identification at the polls, spurred in part by concerns that seasonal residents in Essex could possibly vote in two places.