The largest opioid takedown in the history of Attorney General Maura Healey’s office centered in Methuen and Lawrence took millions of dollars of the deadly drugs fentanyl and heroin off Merrimack Valley streets, Healey confirmed Thursday. More than 100 members of local, state, federal agencies worked in tandem Wednesday to execute warrants at 14 locations across the region to arrest 12 people and seize weapons, cash and drugs. Methuen Police Department Capt. James P. Jajuga Jr. was among those to lend a hand with the two-year investigation that involved law enforcement partners as far away as New Jersey. “This underground economy has a direct and detrimental impact on countless lives, and knows no boundaries, economic, geographic, or otherwise,” Jajuga told WHAV.
Following more than two decades of neighbor complaints of noise and fumes from idling trains and the Bradford-based layover station, the MBTA told WHAV this week plans to relocate the station are officially underway. Constructed in the early 1990s, the station serves as an overnight parking space for multiple trains, which start their engines early in the morning. The relocation was approved Monday as part of a larger, $18.3 billion capital improvement package from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Lloyd Jennings is doing it for the children in the City of Haverhill. On Tuesday night, Jennings begged city councilors to deny Caroline Pineau’s special permit for the Stem marijuana shop for the sake of Haverhill’s littlest Hillies. As the contractor explained before the Council and a packed room of Haverhill neighbors, downtown business owners and Pineau supporters, he and opponents J. Bradford Brooks and Stavros Dimakis say safety is being ignored when it comes to 124 Washington St.
One of Haverhill’s Hillies is coming home to the public schools’ system starting this fall to assume the role of the district’s new assistant superintendent of finance and operations. On Tuesday, the School Committee voted unanimously to select Michael J. Pfifferling as a finalist to enter into negotiations for the role one month after contract talks broke down with Greater Lawrence Technical School’s Maria Silva. A city native now living in Groveland, Pfifferling comes to the district after six-and-a-half years as the business manager in Wakefield, where he oversaw construction of a middle school building and assisted in the opening of the Early Childhood Center at Doyle School and the Purposeful Opportunities for Successful Transitions Academy in Wakefield for older special education students.
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Following more than two decades of neighbor complaints of noise and fumes from idling trains and the Bradford-based layover station, the MBTA told WHAV this week plans to relocate the station are officially underway. Constructed in the early 1990s, the station serves as an overnight parking space for multiple trains, which start their engines early in the morning.
Lloyd Jennings is doing it for the children in the City of Haverhill. On Tuesday night, Jennings begged city councilors to deny Caroline Pineau’s special permit for the Stem marijuana shop for the sake of Haverhill’s littlest Hillies.
One of Haverhill’s Hillies is coming home to the public schools’ system starting this fall to assume the role of the district’s new assistant superintendent of finance and operations. On Tuesday, the School Committee voted unanimously to select Michael J. Pfifferling as a finalist to enter into negotiations for the role one month after contract talks broke down with Greater Lawrence Technical School’s Maria Silva.
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School has two new construction projects—both planned and executed in collaboration with students. Late last month, work concluded on a new stone and metal sign bearing the school’s logo and name entirely designed and built by students studying in construction trades.
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The largest opioid takedown in the history of Attorney General Maura Healey’s office centered in Methuen and Lawrence took millions of dollars of the deadly drugs fentanyl and heroin off Merrimack Valley streets, Healey confirmed Thursday. More than 100 members of local, state, federal agencies worked in tandem Wednesday to execute warrants at 14 locations across the region to arrest 12 people and seize weapons, cash and drugs.
Area seniors are set to receive safety and sustainability care lessons through a new three-year grant awarded to the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley aimed at minimizing falls in older adults. The $437,000 purse extended by the Administration on Community Living allows Elder Services’ Healthy Living Center of Excellence to disseminate program materials to local councils on aging, the Massachusetts Alliance of YMCAs, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and other agencies to improve access to older adults and adults with disabilities at risk for falls.
Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey Gillen this month completed the Missing and Exploited Children Seminar for Chief Executive Officers in Alexandria, Va. The invitation-only program, which took place June 4-6 at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, is designed exclusively for law enforcement leaders, 911 communications center directors and Massachusetts Missing Children Clearinghouse managers.
Four recent Northern Essex Community College retirees were elevated to the honor of emeritus status during the institution’s 57th Annual commencement last month. Joseph LeBlanc of Haverhill, Jane Gagliardi of Gloucester, Karen Blanchard Mitchell of Bow, N.H., and Charlene Kennedy of Richmond, N.H., received the rank of emeritus—an honor that recognizes sustained excellence in performance, character and meritorious service to the college.
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The largest opioid takedown in the history of Attorney General Maura Healey’s office centered in Methuen and Lawrence took millions of dollars of the deadly drugs fentanyl and heroin off Merrimack Valley streets, Healey confirmed Thursday. More than 100 members of local, state, federal agencies worked in tandem Wednesday to execute warrants at 14 locations across the region to arrest 12 people and seize weapons, cash and drugs.
A 34-year-old Haverhill man faces heroin trafficking charges after being arrested Thursday night by State Police in Lawrence. State Police said Julio Valerio, of the Bradford section of city, was found with 165 grams of what is believed to be heroin.
Haverhill Police assisted an out-of-state agency Wednesday with the capture of a wanted fugitive from Weymouth on the run after allegedly committing two brazen daytime bank robberies in that state. Forty-one-year-old Kevin Donovan was picked up in Haverhill’s Central Plaza on June 12 after his cell phone pinged near the Merrimack Valley Credit Union just after 4 p.m., Haverhill Police said in court documents obtained by WHAV.
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One of Haverhill’s Hillies is coming home to the public schools’ system starting this fall to assume the role of the district’s new assistant superintendent of finance and operations. On Tuesday, the School Committee voted unanimously to select Michael J. Pfifferling as a finalist to enter into negotiations for the role one month after contract talks broke down with Greater Lawrence Technical School’s Maria Silva.
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School has two new construction projects—both planned and executed in collaboration with students. Late last month, work concluded on a new stone and metal sign bearing the school’s logo and name entirely designed and built by students studying in construction trades.
Ahead of November’s municipal election, three female newcomers are hoping to shake up the race for Haverhill’s open School Committee seats. Longtime city educator Toni Donais is the latest hopeful to pull papers in the upcoming race, joining Marlon Street’s Patricia McDonald and attorney Melissa Lewandowski, the daughter of former Haverhill School Committee member Glen Lewandowski.
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For the third consecutive session, the Massachusetts Senate has approved legislation requiring hands-free use of all mobile devices while driving, but this time the House and Gov. Charlie Baker are on board too. The State House News Service reports senators voted unanimously 40-0 this week to approve the bill, which bans the use of phones and similar technology behind the wheel save for a single tap or swipe to enable a hands-free mode.
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On Monday night, listeners of 97.9 WHAV FM enjoy a rare treat—new radio drama presented in stereo. This week, the usual classic radio episode of “Suspense” is pre-empted for a brand-new episode, performed by Blue Hours Productions in Hollywood.
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The only Haverhill-based news source, 97.9 WHAV FM, is growing its new, fun and rewarding sales and development department and seeks a full-time Media Representative. The successful candidate will consult with prospects and clients, helping them to meet their business goals while supporting WHAV, the only Haverhill-based news source.
Public radio 97.9 WHAV FM, the only Haverhill-based news source, seeks freelance general assignment reporters to cover local night meetings and take on other assignments, as needed. Position requires exceptional news judgement; natural curiosity; ability to quickly write and edit for all platforms, use technology to produce photographs and audio to accompany articles; excellent English spelling and grammar; thorough knowledge of AP Style; solid PC skills; tenacity and assertiveness while maintaining strong community relations skills; strong ethics; a professional appearance; and valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Nonprofit 97.9 WHAV FM—the only Haverhill-based news source—seeks a volunteer public affairs writer/editor. The successful candidate will be responsible for soliciting, compiling and rewriting, as necessary, news of civic, cultural and charitable events for WHAV’s “Community Spotlight.”
You’ll help dozens of worthy nonprofits reach the giving public.
Nonprofit 97.9 WHAV FM—the only Haverhill-based news source—seeks a volunteer receptionist/office assistant. The successful candidate will be responsible for giving guests a great first impression of WHAV—whether in person, by telephone, through social media or written correspondence.
Retired Haverhill firefighter David B. Donovan, 75, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 18 at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, surrounded by his family. A Haverhill native, Donovan was a football and track star and the class president of the Haverhill Trade School’s class of 1962.
(Paid obituary)
Linda M. (Baillargeon) Grover, 66, of Haverhill, passed away peacefully Friday, June 14, 2019 at Nevins Nursing & Rehab Center in Methuen, MA. She was the devoted and loving wife of the late Robert E. Grover.
Mae (DaBallo) Marino, 98, of Haverhill, died peacefully on Sunday, June 16 at the Hannah Duston Healthcare Center. Catholic funeral rites will be performed graveside on Saturday, June 22 in Haverhill’s Linwood Cemetery on Mill Street at 11:30 a.m. Arrangements are by Haverhill’s Driscoll Funeral Home.
Donna M. (Emerson) Beal, 81, of Haverhill, died Wednesday, June 12, at Baker Katz Nursing Home, Haverhill. She was employed at the former Hale Hospital as an operating tech before working in the probation department and clerk’s office at Newburyport District Court.
