A 26-year-old Haverhill man is the latest to plead guilty in federal court to distributing cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl and conspiring with others in a scheme that included smuggling drugs into the Essex County Jail. Elijah Declet pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, who scheduled sentencing for June 16. In an earlier federal statement, Declet was also known under the name “Evil.”
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins’s office, Declet was charged in November 2021 along with 12 others in connection with a large drug conspiracy centering around a gang operating in Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. Declet was first targeted for alleged gang activity by Haverhill Police in 2015.
The Exchange Club of Haverhill is helping residents apply for its Hometown Heroes military banner program during an in-person registration session Sunday. Hometown Hero committee members will be on hand to help with banners, including uploading information and completing forms Sunday, April 2, from 2-4 p.m., at American Legion, 1314 Main St., Haverhill. Those interested should bring a photograph of the service member, their branch, years of service, medals, wars served and distinctions.
The UMass Lowell Innovation Hub Haverhill hosts its next Community Coworking Day and a workshop on delegating and time management during separate events during the first week of April. Community Coworking Day, which allows the public to use the iHub’s coworking space, meeting rooms and community for networking and community building, takes place Wednesday, April 5. The iHub and Greater Haverhill Chamber host business and executive coach Steve DeVries for a workshop, “Learning to Let Go: Delegating and Managing Your Time,” Thursday, April 6 at noon.
A local business known for its philanthropy, the newly elected state auditor, a former college trustee, a former student and a community leader are among those who will be honored in May at Northern Essex Community College’s first “Impact Awards” breakfast. Covanta is the inaugural recipient of the Community Partner Award, while former representative and senator and now state Auditor Diana DiZoglio is awarded the Public Service and Advocacy Award. Others to be honored are Jouel Gómez, Outstanding Alumni Award; former college Trustee Chair Jeffrey Linehan, Philanthropy and Volunteerism Award; and Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Chief Operating Officer Vilma Martinez Dominguez, Equity and Social Justice Award.