Your Local News, Sports & More! Scan & Subscribe to Advocate News Online! Vol. 35, No. 29 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Malden Police ceremony elevates new Police Chief Gatcomb and three others to staff leadership posts New Captain Tuxbury, Lieutenant Reynolds and Sergeant Watkins assume new roles after swearing-in ceremony 617-387-2200 Friday, July 24, 2026 Sen. Lewis and Mass. Senate crack down on big social media companies that target minors Special to The Advocate O NEWLY PROMOTED — From left, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and newly-promoted Sergeant Kenneth Watkins, Lieutenant John Reynolds, Captain Evan Tuxbury, Chief of Police Marc Gatcomb and Police Commissioner Barbara Murphy. (Courtesy Photo/Paul Hammersley) By Steve Freker A brilliant weather morning marked by sunny skies and comfortable mid-July temperatures provided the perfect backdrop for the formal introduction of Malden's newest Chief of Police. As part of the well-attended, special ceremony, held in the Mayor Edwin C.Lucey Courtyard, adjacent to Malden City Hall, the Malden Police Department and those who turned out also witnessed the swearing-in of a new Captain, Lieutenant and Sergeant last Friday, July 17. The day's festivities were led POLICE | SEE PAGE 4 n July 9, 2026, State Senator Jason Lewis joined his Massachusetts Senate colleagues to stand up to big social media companies by passing (38-2) legislation that reins in how their addictive platforms are specifically engineered to keep minors perpetually on social media at the expense of their health and well-being. Research studies have linked prolonged daily social media use to increased depression and anxiety in youngsters. An Act protecting children from addictive social media feeds mandates that features like autoplay, “infinite scroll” and intrusive algorithms that capitalize on users’ personal data be turned off by default for minors (persons “under the age of 18”). Minors would not be able to change those default settings; adult users would retain control over their own settings. “Endless scrolling on social Jason Lewis State Senator media is extremely concerning and unhealthy for teens, but I understand why they do it,” said Senator Lewis. “These companies employ meticulously crafted algorithms that track everything we do to suck us in and get us addicted. They put profit over health at the expense of MEDIA | SEE PAGE 13 Malden High School Alumni Association honors Hall of Fame inductees on special night Six are welcomed into the prestigious MHSAA ranks at banquet, ceremony By Steve Freker M alden High School never forgets its own; neither do its successful alumni, whose cherished memories live on long after they leave their Salem Street edifice of education. That was the major and recurring theme which became apparent at the recent Malden High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony. Six new inductees joined the ranks of the MHSAA Hall of Fame at the 7th Biennial Hall of Fame induction held at Anthony’s of Malden. This year’s inductees: Alan “Lanny” Berman, Ph.D. (Class of 1961); Philip Conti, D.M.D. (Class of 1953); Kevin Jarvis (Class of 1974); Phyllis Karas (Class of 1961); Michael Souza (Class of 1975); and Arlene Velleman (Class of 1975). Earlier on the day of the induction ceremony, the six honorees were guests of honor at a special luncheon held at Malden High School, hosted by Principal Chris Mastrangelo and members of the MHSAA. Following the luncheon, the honored guest inductees were introduced to a group of students ALUMNI | SEE PAGE 6 Arlene Velleman, Class of 1973 Dr. “Lanny” Berman, MHS Class of 1961 Kevin Jarvis, Class of 1974
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