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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAY, JAnUArY 16, 2026 Page 5 Saugus flu cases soar last month – more than double the total for December 2024 By Mark E. Vogler F lu cases in Saugus last month were more than double the number reported in December of 2024, according to the town’s Public Health Nurse, Teresa Riley-Singh. “We had 112 cases [last month],” Riley-Singh told the Board of Health at Monday night’s [Jan. 5] meeting. “And just to put that into perspective, we had six cases last month [November] and last December, we had 48 cases. This is quite a high number,” she said. “All of Massachusetts is seeing this. All over the country, we’re seeing an increase in flu. Last year, we kind of peaked in February. So, it’s much earlier this year. It could be going down. But there’s a chance it could continue rising,” she said. Riley-Singh noted there is a home testing kit for influenza. They are sold in pharmacies in the store area with COVID testing. “Which is really great, because when you get the flu and you’re really sick, the last thing you want to do is actually go to the doctor’s,” she said. “You can get tested at home,” she said. “I recommend to people, if you do get tested, if you test yourself at home and it is positive, please call your doctor and have them update your chart and give you any medical advice you need for treatment,” she said. People 16 and over can get medication for the flu, which can become a serious life-threatening illness. “In 2025, Massachusetts had 30 deaths related to the flu,” Riley-Singh said. “The numbers are really climbing. Hospitalizations were at 9 percent, up from 5 percent for influenza. Get your flu shots,” she said. In addition to getting a flu vaccine, Riley-Singh recommended that the public take these precautions to protect themselves from the illness: · Wash your hands before eating, before touching your face and when entering a home. · If you are sick, stay home. Take the day off from work and don’t expose others to your illness. Campaign Finance Reports Federico spent close to $11,000 on selectman’s race By Mark E. Vogler T he nine candidates competing for the five Board of Selectmen seats in the Nov. 4 town election spent at least $32,751.61 collectively on their political campaigns, according to reports filed with the Town Clerk’s Office. Newly elected Selectman Frank Federico, who finished fourth in the election, outspent all candidates, with $10,910.35 in total expenditures. He raised $11,025 in campaign contributions. Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Anthony Cogliano, who finished runner-up in the race, spent $8,063.57 to get reelected. He claimed $500 in campaign contributions, according to the report he filed last month. The recent reports posted on the Town Clerk’s website, combined with reports filed before the election, also showed: • Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta spent $7,830.20, while raising $7,825 in campaign contributions. • Stacey Herman-Dorant raised $3,565.06 and spent $3,489.01. • Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini spent $1,602, while listing $3,000 in campaign contributions. He finished third in the race. • Selectman Michael Serino spent $716.48, while raising $700 in campaign contributions. He grabbed the fifth and final seat. • Former Selectman Jennifer D’Eon spent $140 on her campaign. She didn’t raise any money. She finished seventh in the race. • Former School Committee Chair Vincent Serino did not St. Mary’s High School, Lynn 2025-26 S Quarter 1 Principal’s List and Honor Roll SAUGUS t. Mary’s High S ch o ol a n - nounced its Principal’s List and Honor Roll for the first quarter of the 2025-26 academic year. Principal’s List students must achieve 90 percent or above in all of their classes. Honor Roll students must achieve 85 percent or above in all of their classes. The following students have achieved these honors: Principal’s List 6th Grade Dariel Breton Kayla Nunes 8th Grade Kaendall Powers Abigail Surette Sophomore Isabella Davantel Patrick Hurley Camden Nunes Junior Daniella Leo Honor Roll 6th Grade Nicholas Welsh Freshman Jackson Crawford Avery DelMuto Dalton Diozzi Joseph Miranda Shaelyn Murphy Brendan Sharwood Gianna Stasio Senior Liam Martin Hailey Nichols Dominic Ventresca Sophomore Mierna Chankhour Junior Matthew Nolan Nyibol Wol Senior Nathan Chaves Mikaela Li Alejandra Lucero Sophia Manuppelli Kylie Prezioso Giana Sacco Anjali Sasimugunthan · Get tested. Now you can do so in the comfort of your own home. · Contact your doctor. During her monthly report, Riley-Singh announced several recalls of food products. She said that Pete’s Chocolate Company has chocolate bars sold at the Army Barracks store on Route 1 North that have undeclared almonds in the ingredients. She also said that Wegmans Deluxe mixed nuts – unsalted (in 34 ounce and 11.5-ounce bags) – have possible salmonella contamination and that Wegmans grated Romano cheese sold in a plastic tub and made between Nov. 14 and Nov. 25 have possible listeria contamination. The Health Department in raise or spend any money on his unsuccessful campaign. He finished eighth in the race. • Candidate Sandro Pansini Souza did not file reports that conjunction with Law Mom – a law firm that educates on health care proxies, wills vs. trusts and related issues – will have a speaker at the Saugus Public Library next Wednesday (Jan. 14) and at the Saugus Senior Center on March 9. “I highly recommend attending,” Riley-Singh said. “This presentation is extremely informative and not just for those who are in their later years. For anyone with children or who have aging parents/relatives, it is never too early to think about protecting yourself, your children and your assets,” she said. Riley-Singh said she will have a small needle disposal event at the Senior Center on the first Wednesday of each month. were due eight days before the Nov. 4 election, or a second report, which was due 30 days after the election. He finished last in the race. PLEASANT ST. 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