YOUR LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS ONLINE. SCAN HERE! Vol. 35, No.25 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net oca Free Every Friday City, state leaders remember Richie Serino the family man and public servant By Tara Vocino C ity and state officials refl ected on the loss of a loving family man and dedicated public servant following the aftermath of a fast-moving house fi re on Tuesday late afternoon. Retired Revere Police Offi cer Richard Serino, Sr., 77, passed away after his Washington Avenue house caught fi re. Serino was administered medical aid at the scene and taken to CHA Everett Hospital, where he later died. State Representative Jessica Giannino said she is heartbroken by the tragic passing of the patriarch of the Serino family, calling him, “a true pillar of the Revere community.” “Richie wasn’t just a proud Marine, or a veteran Revere police offi cer, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to so many,” Giannino said. “Our families Richard Serino, Sr. served for 34 years in the Revere Police Dept. go back generations, and that deep connection makes this loss feel all the more personal.” Serino served the police department for 34 years from 1979 to 2013. To the Serino family, especially his wife, Trudy, the kids, the grandkids and her dear friend Ricky, Giannino’s heart is with them during this immensely diffi cult time. “I’m also keeping in my thoughts and prayers the Revere firefighters, police, and fi rst responders who answered the call yesterday,” Giannino said. “Responding to an emergency involving one of their own takes incredible strength.” She watched the first responders in action, adding that it was a solemn reminder of the courage and compassion they bring to every call. Giannino awarded Serino a citation at the State House just last week. “I’m deeply grateful for their bravery and unwavering service, especially in moments like these,” Giannino said. Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky called Serino “a great guy.” “I knew him for every SERINO | SEE Page 2 The Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival is back July 25–27! T he Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival is back July 25 — 27, 2025, and this year we are celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution! This renowned annual event transforms the shores of Revere Beach into an awe-inspiring boardwalk and openair festival. This festival gathers world-class sand sculptors who showcase their incredible talents to hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Drawing diverse audiences and families from all over the world, the festival is a vibrant celebration of artistry, culture and community. Beyond the sand sculptures, the event features over 75 food vendors, food trucks and exhibitors, interactive activities, amusement rides, fi reworks and a vibrant atmosphere, creating a memorable experience for attendees of all ages. As a beloved tradition, the festival serves as a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for the arts along the picturesque coastline of Revere Beach. For more information or to book event space, go to https:// eventhub.net/events/2025Revere-Beach-InternationalSand-Sculpting-Festival_6303 To donate, go to https:// giving.classy.org/campaign/696737/donate. Your generous donation ensures we can continue off ering this unforgettable experience for years to come! 781-286-8500 Friday, June 20, 2025 Health care, transportation costs drive School Committee’s $159.4M FY26 budget Advocate Staff Report T he School Committee voted to fi nalize and approve the $159.4 million budget for FY2025-26 at their meeting this week. The committee has been working for weeks to try and close a multimillion-dollar budget gap. Ultimately, the committee was forced to dig into the district’s $10 million reserve account for $1.7 million to balance the budget. Prior to the vote, Revere Public Schools Supt. Dianne Kelly said several of the proposed cuts under consideration were scrapped. The school department will retain its civics coach, an adaptive elementary physical education instructor and four health aides. Cuts in overtime for the fi - nancial offi ce, the studentteacher program and summer programs for new students were among the cuts made to keep the budget in the black. The committee also voted to eliminate busing for high school students and middle schoolers who live less than two miles from their school. “We knew it would be a difficult budget session coming in,” said Mayor Patrick Keefe, chair of the School Committee. “The big killers for us were health care and transportation costs,” said Keefe, adding that those costs were spiraling out of control. Keefe said residents had sent many emails and made many phone calls to offi cials about the budget but there was no fi nger pointing, just advocacy. The school budget needed to be voted on in series or pieces, and Ways and Means Subcommittee Chair John Kingston read out a list of amounts, which the committee unanimously approved. Among the big-ticket items were $86.1 million for instructional services, $3.6 million for administration, $14.1 million for student services and $9.9 million for plant operation and maintenance. Keefe said the committee intends to work throughout the upcoming year to keep the budget in balance.
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