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Click to Listen Live

Rare Turtles Prompt Haverhill to Abandon Dutton Airport Business Park Plan

By Caroline Louise Cole | 9 minutes ago

An active population of endangered Blanding’s turtles has prompted Haverhill city officials to largely abandon plans to develop the old Dutton Airport off Route 110 into a business park. William Pillsbury Jr. said the city received a preliminary report earlier this year prepared by biologists at the state’s Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program which describes an active breeding habitat for the turtles in the marshy land on the abandoned private airfield. Pillsbury said the city hoped to develop some 800,000 square feet of commercial and industrial space on the property with the help of the Greater Haverhill Foundation, but the state’s environmental analysis suggests less than half that area would be available for building. Pillsbury told Haverhill city councilors Tuesday that while the owners of the property could still pursue development, the city no longer believes a business park is a viable option.

New Crop Opportunity at Haverhill’s Whittier Birthplace as it Welcomes Grape Farmers

Two young wine makers are planning an experimental vineyard at Whittier Birthplace in Haverhill. Eliot Martin and his wife Katie Luczai are preparing to plant 26 varieties of grapes on 1.7 acres of land at Whittier Birthplace next spring. Martin explained the allure of the Haverhill farm.

First Version of Free Community College Contributes to 24% Overall Growth in Student Totals

The percentage of students, ages 25 and above without a prior college degree, grew by nearly 40% since the state launched its first version of free community college, called MassReconnect. The program, proposed by Gov. Maura T. Healey in 2023, brought 20,000 new students to community colleges, such as Northern Essex Community College, in the last two years, according to new data from the state’s Department of Higher Education. All told, between the program and MassEducate, launched last fall, community college enrollment is up 24%.

Groveland to Benefit from $45,000 in State Earmarks Related to Former Industrial Buildings

Two buildings in Groveland are getting attention as area legislators say they got money put aside in the recently approved $61 billion state spending plan. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr of Gloucester and Rep. Adrianne Pusateri Ramos of North Andover report securing $45,000 in earmarks for Groveland, including $25,000 to pay for a market analysis and feasibility study for property at 46 Washington St. and $20,000 for the demolition and cleanup of the former Valley Screw Company in Groveland.

More Headlines

Toddler Time Tuesdays with Stories and Crafts at Whittier Birthplace
Forbes Magazine Puts BrightBridge Credit Union in its Spotlight
Expected Rain Forces Cancellation of First ‘Thursday Nights Live’ Concert Tonight

Haverhill

  • Rare Turtles Prompt Haverhill to Abandon Dutton Airport Business Park Plan

    An active population of endangered Blanding’s turtles has prompted Haverhill city officials to largely abandon plans to develop the old Dutton Airport off Route 110 into a business park.

  • New Crop Opportunity at Haverhill’s Whittier Birthplace as it Welcomes Grape Farmers

    Two young wine makers are planning an experimental vineyard at Whittier Birthplace in Haverhill.

  • Toddler Time Tuesdays with Stories and Crafts at Whittier Birthplace

    Whittier Birthplace is hosting a series of story and craft times for preschoolers and their caregivers this summer.

  • Expected Rain Forces Cancellation of First ‘Thursday Nights Live’ Concert Tonight

    Tonight’s inaugural “Thursday Nights Live” concert on Bradford Common is postponed because of predictions of foul weather.

  • Haverhill Council Agrees 3 Amesbury Road Parcels Should Be Zoned Residential

    Single-family homes were deemed the best use for three parcels on Amesbury Road, but despite a zoning change approved by the Haverhill City Council Tuesday night, a commercial use is still possible.

  • Cogswell ArtSpace Launches ‘LIFT’ Campaign to Make Former School Fully Accessible

    The “LIFT” campaign is underway at the future Cogswell ArtSpace which seeks to raise $350,000 to add an elevator and ensure accessibility at the South Main Street property.

More Haverhill Stories

Education

  • First Version of Free Community College Contributes to 24% Overall Growth in Student Totals

    The percentage of students, ages 25 and above without a prior college degree, grew by nearly 40% since the state launched its first version of free community college, called MassReconnect.

  • State Senate School ‘Bell-to-Bell’ Cellphone Bill Leaves Key Details to Local Districts

    Chris Lisinski The Senate is gearing up for the next step in a growing debate over the benefits or harms that come with cellphones in K-12 classrooms. Senators on the Education Committee Tuesday advanced legislation that would largely prohibit cellphones in public schools from the first bell of the day to the last, with carveouts for certain groups or activities that could soften the policy.

  • White House Holds Up $108M for Local After School Programs, Absenteeism Help, Other Ed Money

    Michael P. Norton State officials said Monday that $108 million in federal education grants that were expected to arrive July 1 are now instead under review “to make sure they align with President Trump’s priorities.” Gov. Maura Healey’s administration said local school districts were counting on the funding for summer and after-school programs, behavioral and mental health supports, bullying prevention and intervention, reducing chronic absenteeism and buying materials and supplies for classrooms. “Every day that goes by without this education funding hurts children, educators, communities and our economy,” Healey said in a statement.

  • Haverhill Masonic Bodies Award a Dozen Student Scholarships Totaling $60,000

    Haverhill’s three Masonic Bodies awarded $60,000 to 12 young scholars during a recent Scholarship Night awards ceremony at Maria’s Restaurant in Haverhill.

  • Northern Essex Community College Celebrates Center for Adult Education’s Class of 2025

    Northern Essex Community College celebrated dozens of students in the Center for Adult Education’s Class of 2025 end-of-year ceremony late last week.

  • Haverhill Teachers, Public Schools Far Apart in Negotiations as Contract Expires

    If the city were to agree to union demands in its next contract with the Haverhill Education Association, the city’s lead negotiator says upwards of 65 teachers would lose their jobs.

More Education Stories

Region

  • First Version of Free Community College Contributes to 24% Overall Growth in Student Totals

    The percentage of students, ages 25 and above without a prior college degree, grew by nearly 40% since the state launched its first version of free community college, called MassReconnect.

  • Groveland to Benefit from $45,000 in State Earmarks Related to Former Industrial Buildings

    Two buildings in Groveland are getting attention as area legislators say they got money put aside in the recently approved $61 billion state spending plan.

  • Forbes Magazine Puts BrightBridge Credit Union in its Spotlight

    BrightBridge Credit Union and its President and CEO John J. Howard were featured in the June-July issue of Forbes magazine.

More Region Stories

Community Spotlight

  • Toddler Time Tuesdays with Stories and Crafts at Whittier Birthplace

    Whittier Birthplace is hosting a series of story and craft times for preschoolers and their caregivers this summer.

  • Expected Rain Forces Cancellation of First ‘Thursday Nights Live’ Concert Tonight

    Tonight’s inaugural “Thursday Nights Live” concert on Bradford Common is postponed because of predictions of foul weather.

  • Disabled American Veterans Hannah Dustin Chapter 20 Plan Aug. 1 Golf Tourney

    Hannah Dustin Chapter 20 of the Disabled American Veterans is looking for golfers for its upcoming Charity Golf Tournament.

More Community Spotlight Stories

Business Bulletin

  • Forbes Magazine Puts BrightBridge Credit Union in its Spotlight

    BrightBridge Credit Union and its President and CEO John J. Howard were featured in the June-July issue of Forbes magazine.

  • Fire Chief O’Brien to Address Greater Haverhill Chamber’s Eggs & Issues Legislative Breakfast

    Haverhill Fire Chief Robert M. O’Brien takes questions and addresses members of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce next Wednesday morning.

  • CNA Stores’ Customers Donate $22,240 to Our Neighbors’ Table

    Patrons of CNA Stores in Haverhill and Amesbury contributed $22,240 to the charity Our Neighbors’ Table in June—the largest single-month donation to date.

More Business Bulletin Stories

Crime

  • Seabrook Police Officer Giarrusso of Haverhill Returns to Court Aug. 14

    John Giarrusso III, the Haverhill man charged with multiple counts of child pornography while working as a Seabrook, N.H., police officer, is due back in court Thursday, Aug.

  • Police Arrest 4 Out of 5 Men Alleged to Have Robbed North Andover Jewelry Store

    Four of the five masked men, alleged to have taken part in an armed robbery Thursday morning at a North Andover jewelry store, are in custody after being arrested following a car chase.

  • Judge Sends Haverhill Man, 29, to Prison 3.5 Years Following Drug and Gun Conviction

    A 29-year-old Haverhill man was sentenced Monday to three and a half years in prison for trafficking cocaine and illegal firearms in and around the Boston area.

More Crime Stories

Obituaries

Click to see listings from all Haverhill funeral homes:

  • Berube-Comeau Funeral Home
  • Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home
  • Kevin B Comeau Funeral Home
  • Dole Childs & Shaw Funeral Home
  • Driscoll Funeral Home
  • H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes
  • Paul C. Rogers Funeral Home

 

WHAV Careers

  • Part-Time Local News Reporter/Board Operator

    97.9 WHAV, Greater Haverhill’s only public radio station and nonprofit local news service, invites applicants to join a respected and growing news operation—on-air, online, everywhere.

More Careers

Beacon Hill

  • State Senate School ‘Bell-to-Bell’ Cellphone Bill Leaves Key Details to Local Districts

    Chris Lisinski The Senate is gearing up for the next step in a growing debate over the benefits or harms that come with cellphones in K-12 classrooms. Senators on the Education Committee Tuesday advanced legislation that would largely prohibit cellphones in public schools from the first bell of the day to the last, with carveouts for certain groups or activities that could soften the policy.

More Beacon Hill Stories

What’s On?

  • Podcast: Somebody Cares New England Plans Summer Basketball Program

    The Verge Youth Center at Somebody Cares New England is offering a basketball program this summer as part of expanded programing.

More What's On Stories

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