BOSTON — State Sen. Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) was recently recognized as a legislative champion by The Arc of Massachusetts for her advocacy on behalf of members of the autism community.

The award was presented by The Arc of Massachusetts during the 21st annual Autism Advocacy Day on April 8 at the State House. Howard was introduced by constituents Lindsey Gresco and Maxwell Banfield.

“I am truly honored to receive this award,” Howard said. “There are so many deserving individuals who are on the frontlines doing the hard work including teachers, paraprofessionals, caregivers, and therapists. As a state senator, I will never stop advocating for the necessary funding to grow and support the many resources we have available here in the Commonwealth.”

Now in her first term as state senator in the 1st Middlesex District, Howard previously served as state representative for the 17th Middlesex District. From 2021 to 2026, Howard put the work of physically and intellectually disabled individuals at the forefront of her work. In 2025, she was appointed as a member of the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities by Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano. Howard was on hand as the commission hosted its latest Meeting the Moment: A Community Conversation and Resource Fair event at UMass Lowell on March 27.

“We are incredibly proud to honor Senator Vanna Howard for her steadfast dedication and impactful service during her tenure in the House of Representatives,” said The Arc of Massachusetts CEO Maura Sullivan. “By weaving her lived experience as a parent and caregiver into the her policy work, she has served as a powerful voice for our community. We are thrilled to recognize her achievements as she carries this vital advocacy into her new chapter in the Senate.”

In addition to Howard, state Sen. Paul Feeney was also recognized as a 2026 Legislator of the Year. Jeremy Spittle, the legislative director for Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, also received The Arc’s first-ever Distinguished Staff Champion award.

The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism and their families.  For two decades, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts has been a fierce public voice and a powerhouse of legislative change. Established in 2004, AFAM has grown over the years and its membership has always included the leading autism advocacy or service organizations in Massachusetts. AFAM’s history has been inextricably linked with The Arc of Massachusetts, operating as its dedicated division to mobilize and advocate for individuals with autism, their families, and professionals who provide essential supports and services.

The 1st Middlesex Senate District includes Lowell, Dracut, Dunstable, Pepperell and Tyngsboro.

CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is asking for the public’s help in finding a sex offender and robbery convict, with “violent tendencies,” who is wanted on a parole violation.

Michael J. Wells is 60, white, about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighs around 150 lbs. He has dirty blond hair and hazel eyes. Officials said Wells sometimes uses the following aliases: “Michael Morris,” “Michael Morse,” and “Michael Kirby.” He has Tasmanian devil, star, moon, and skull tattoos on his right arm and a cross over a skull with a spider web on his left arm.

The warrant against Wells was issued by the New Hampshire Parole Board as well as Manchester police for duty to report, after accusing him of absconding from parole and failing to register as a sex offender.

“In December 1994,” an alert stated, “Wells was convicted of aggravated felonious sexual assault and as a result, is required to register as a Tier III sex offender for the remainder of his life. Wells is currently on Parole Supervision for robbery.”

In December 2018, Wells robbed the Citizens Bank in Manchester, passing a note stating, “I have a gun. No tracking. No dye bag. $20-$50 quickly. No alarm.” In August 2021, he committed the same offense under similar circumstances, officials said, after he was placed on escape status from the Calumet Transitional Housing Unit. He was arrested in Massachusetts a few weeks later.

Wells is known to frequent both Concord and Manchester.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Wells criminal history dates back more than four decades, according to superior court records, after he was accused of forgery in Nashua in August 1985. In June 1988, he was convicted on one forgery charge.

Wells was accused of theft in 1990 and he pleaded guilty to the charge a month later.

Wells was accused of bail jumping in February 1989.

In 1994, Wells was accused of aggravated felonious sexual assault, sexual assault, and second-degree assault charges in Nashua. In December 1994, he pleaded guilty to the second-degree assault charge. Wells was found guilty by the court on one aggravated felonious sexual assault charge in January 1996.

Wells was also accused of escape in December 1998.

In 2005 and 2006, more charges were racked up, including four acts prohibited counts in Nashua, a false report to law enforcement, receiving stolen property, two acts prohibited counts in Salem, and forgery in Manchester. Wells was found guilty on two of the drug charges in Salem and the Manchester forgery charge, while the others were nolle prossed.

In April 2019, Wells was convicted on the December 2018 bank robbery charges. He was given a three-and-a-half-to-10-year sentence with 136 days of time served credit and a 10-to-20-year sentence, suspended for 10 years.

On this episode of New Jersey Politics with Laura Jones: Princeton University students, led by the Whig-Cliosophic Society, NAACP Princeton Chapter, and Vote100, host a non-partisan forum for Democratic candidates vying to replace retiring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman in NJ’s 12th District. Student leader Alejandra Ramos joins us. Plus, Assemblyman Mike Inganamort explains why Governor Mikie Sherrill’s proposed shift from “net” to “gross” business taxation could impact small businesses operating on thin margins.