STUDENT | FROM PAGE 2 community to systemic racism dealt with in the workplace. We cover a lot, and I think that it’s something that’s beneficial to all," said Vice President Wongel Yohannes. "You don’t need to be Black to learn or hear about these things at our meetings,” she added. “If people want to find a place to grow and be themselves and learn about their culture or just be a part of something meaningMALDEN | FROM PAGE 5 orative effort, we are excited to strengthen community-rooted infrastructure, support local economic vitality, and help cultivate vibrant, culturally grounded spaces for our communities.” “Malden Arts is so excited to be a part of this group effort with TDI and other wonderful Malden organizations to make and keep Malden a vibrant downtown community,” said Malden Arts Board Member Naomi Kahn. “Urban Media Arts (UMA) in Malden is thrilled to be part of this effort and partnering with other wonderful community MUSINGS| FROM PAGE 7 may Barbara’s memory always be a blessing. • Welcome to this big, beautiful world of ours one Alina Jane Brickman. Your presence could not have come at a better time. Great things await you, little Alina Jane, especially with a special mom like Molly and an extra special Papa like Shawn! Looking forward to meeting you some day. Word around town is that Papa has his hands full with grandchild number eight, Alina Jane, but if you know anything about Papa, you know the man can handle anything (right, Meats?!)! And now here’s something we hope you’ll really like... He’s the much-respected Marine who served during the Vietnam War. He’s the guy every man wants to be like and every girl wants to be with. He’s the man of impeccable sartorial taste. He’s also been called by many simply as “The Catch.” And these days? He’s also the guy with a perfectly timed, razor-sharp quip always locked and loaded. The latest Butch Russell zing came at the expense of one Diego ful, I say BSU is where you need to be,” said Teklu. Yohannes hopes this year, BSU sees “a bunch of new faces” and hopes to “hear and learn about ideas from different perspectives.” ABOUT THE REPORTER: Kayla Turner is a 15-year-old sophomore at Malden High School. In life, she looks for loyalty and kindness in people. Turner is a part of the JV Volleyball team and a member of the Winter Cheerleading squad. groups and organizations,” said UMA Development Director Felicia Ryan. “Since 1987 we’ve been a hub of collaboration and creativity. We look forward to contributing to the growth and vitalization of Malden.” Malden joins Chelsea, Fitchburg, Holyoke, Lowell and Peabody as new members of the TDI program. The new Malden TDI District will launch effective July 1, 2026, and will go on for a period of three years. To learn more about MassDevelopment’s TDI program, please visit www.massdevelopment. com/products-and-services/ funding-and-tools/tdi/ Barricelli — proud Malden Public Works Commission committee member. As Diego strolled into the I.A.C.C., Butch paused, took a long look and announced that an “eerie separated-at-birth moment” had just hit him. The pair in question? Diego Barricelli and Kurt “Harry Doll” Schneider aka (one of the) Lollipop Guild Kids from “The Wizard of Oz” (that’s a cultural reference for all you youngsters keeping score). All said, of course, with the utmost respect and affection for an Edgeworth icon, the one and only Mr. Diego “Well Respected Man About Town” Barricelli. Here in Malden, that’s how legends rib legends, with love, laughs and sometimes a perfectly delivered dig. Fuhgeddaboudit! In “the book of life is brief, and once a page is read” department, I bring to you.... the Malden Evening News — March 15, 1965... • The Malden High School hoop men trounced Boston College High, 74-62, at Northeastern University’s Cabot Gym for their fourth MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 11 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 20, 2026 CHAMP | FROM PAGE 1 Page 9 ruary 12, Khadijah became the first State Champion in Girls Indoor Track in many years for Malden High, running to a school and meet record 38.25 seconds in the 300-meter run at the Division 2 State Championships. Running at The Track at New Balance, in Brighton-Allston, Khadijah set another meet record with the time. She had set another meet record the previous week at the Mass. State Track Coaches Association’s Freshman-Sophomore Meet. Only in ninth grade, Khadijah is in her very first year of competitive track events and has burst onto the season with gusto, earning herself high state and regional rankings. “It’s just incredible how well [Khadijah] has run this year, especially against the best competition in the state,” said Malden High Director of Athletics Charlie Conefrey. “This is only her first year competing and she has gone right to the STATE CHAMP: Malden ninth grader Khadijah Diagne won the 300-meter dash with a School and Meet Record Time of 38.25 seconds at the Division 3 State Championships. (Courtesy/Malden Public Schools Athletics) top. We are very proud of her!” Last Thursday, she beat her closest competition by nearly three full seconds, outpacing Willow Herndon (41.56 seconds) of Plymouth North. Khadijah also finished in second place in the Division 2 state 55-meter dash event, with a time of 7.11 seconds. The 7.11 is not even her personal best, as she set another Malden High School indoor track record in the 55M with a time of 7.08 seconds at the Greater Boston League meet earlier this year. With the State Champion best time, Khadijah now advances to the MIAA’s “Meet of Champions,” which is being held back at The Track at New Balance this Saturday, February 21. She will be able to compete in both events, considering her times. She will be considered as the favorite in the 300-meter event, as her time on Thursday ranks as the best in Massachusetts heading into the event. CAR LOAN INTEREST DEDUCTION deduction and do not itemize your deductions. It is a below the line deduction similar to the “no tax on overtime” deduction, the “no tax on tips” deduction and the “no tax on social security” deduction. The car loan must originate I ncluded as part of the Big Beautiful Bill passed by Congress on July 4, 2025, was a provision in the tax code allowing for a deduction for certain car loan interest. The deduction is limited to $10,000 for qualifying new car loans for cars purchased in 2025 through 2028. The new car must be assembled in the United States. This deduction is based on the personal use percentage. You do not have to use the new car 100% of the time for personal use in order to claim this deduction. This deduction can be taken even if you claim a standard after December 31, 2024 and must be secured by the new car. The loan must be taken out to purchase the new car. The new car must also have a gross vehicle weight of less than 14,000 pounds. A full deduction can be taken for a single filer with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) less than $100,000 and for joint filers with MAGI less than $200,000. Once your income exceeds these thresholds, the deduction begins to be phased out. It is completely phased out for a single filer once MAGI reaches $150,000 and for joint filers once MAGI reaches $250,000. The deduction is claimed on Schedule 1-A of Form 1040. You should include the vehicle identification number. Your lender should provide you with a statement reporting the interest paid on the car loan for calendar year 2025. If you use the new car for personal use for 50% of the time, you can claim 50% of the interest paid on Schedule 1-A. The interest expense attributed to the other 50% that you use the car for business purposes would be deductible on Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business. The vehicle identification number is located on the title of the vehicle and is on the car registration form as well. It is also located on the driver’s side door or on the driver’s side of the dashboard. You will need to insert the VIN number in order to claim the deduction in Part IV, on line 22a of Schedule 1-A. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a master’s degree in taxation.
10 Publizr Home