Crime

Police Searching for Armed Man and Woman Who Fled Haverhill, Engaged in Carjackings

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Police are looking for a 35-year-old Haverhill man, considered armed and dangerous, and his female accomplice who allegedly fled Haverhill and attempted a series of carjackings in Salem, N.H.

Massachusetts State Police report Haverhill Police followed a white Kia, believed to have been driven by Nathan Saben of Haverhill, just after 10 p.m., along Route 97 towards Salem, N.H. Haverhill ended the pursuit when the car drove over the state line into Salem. Moments later, Salem, N.H., dispatch received calls for attempted carjackings by a male and female, armed with a rifle, and driving a white car. They said there were two attempted carjackings on Main Street, Route 97, in Salem, N.H., where a rifle was displayed. In both cases, the victims managed to escape with their cars. A third carjacking attempt was reported at the intersection of Main Street and Geremonty Drive in Salem.

Haverhill

Residents May Weigh-In Tonight Online as Planners Develop Five-Year Housing Production Plans

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The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission is seeking input from Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence residents tonight as it develops new housing production plans. As WHAV reported first in August, a state analysis of subsidized housing shows Haverhill has fallen just below the 10% threshold that prevents low-income housing developers from bypassing city zoning rules. Haverhill Economic Development and Planning Director Williams Pillsbury Jr. said while the city will soon be back above the 10% threshold with current construction projects, it is also protected from incompatible projects because of its five-year Housing Production Plan. Since last fall, the Haverhill-based Merrimack Valley Planning Commission has been working with its 15 cities and towns to update individual Housing Production Plans. Planners invite residents in the three cities to view a presentation online on housing, ask questions and provide opinions on housing needs between 6 and 7:30 p.m., online.

Community Spotlight

Ruth’s House Reminds Public of ‘Changing Seasons, Changing Lives’ Dinner Oct. 14

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Ruth’s House, an organization that provides clothing and employment training to people in need, is holding its annual “Changing Seasons, Changing Lives” fundraiser this month. As WHAV previously reported, the fundraiser includes dinner, games, raffles, desserts from local bakers such as Roasted, a silent auction featuring tickets to hear celebrities as a Sarah Brightman in concert and dinner at home with Chef Travis and music provided by DJ Barry P. Aleo. The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 14, from 6-10 p.m., at Renaissance Golf Club at 377 Kenoza St., Haverhill, on Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a table for 10.

Business Bulletin

STACKS Restaurant in Downtown Haverhill to Close Sunday, But Family Says Hold Your Breath

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STACKS restaurant in downtown Haverhill is saying “Good bye” Sunday night, but don’t count the family-owned business out as they promise something even more exciting in the days ahead. While he won’t give much away, family patriarch Jim Tomacchio says plans are in the works for something to replace the about two-year-old restaurant at 122 Washington St. that opened with its “over-the-top booze-infused milkshakes.”

“Your patronage, smiles, and shared moments have made STACKS a special place in our hearts. Though we’re closing this chapter, the memories and connections we’ve made will always hold a special place in our hearts,” management wrote yesterday on social media. Tomacchio and his sons, who own and operate STACKS in downtown Haverhill, also previously developed PAR 28 in Salem, N.H., and won the owner’s confidence this past spring to buy Borrelli’s Italian Deli, 322 Merrimack St., in Methuen.

Region

AgeSpan Begins 50th Anniversary Celebration with ‘50 on The Field’ Today

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AgeSpan, formerly known as Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore, is celebrating its upcoming 50th anniversary and 10-year lease renewal at the Riverwalk Innovation District in Lawrence and with a special “50 on The Field” event today. AgeSpan Chief Executive Officer Joan Hatem-Roy and Salvatore N. Lupoli, president and CEO of Riverwalk Innovation, will be joined by AgeSpan employees, volunteers, and supporters as they kick off this milestone year on the Pavilion Field at Riverwalk from this afternoon. “This event is a way for our staff to show its support to Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley as we prepare to mark our half-century of service in 2024,” says Hatem-Roy. “Today is also the beginning of our 50th anniversary campaign to bring awareness to aging.”

Following remarks by Hatem-Roy and Lupoli, citations commemorating the 50th anniversary will be presented by Bree Cunningham, director of Adult Protective Services for Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and Ruby Murphy, director of Constituent Services for Congressman Seth Moulton. Aerial drone photos and videos will be taken as AgeSpan staff gather to make the number “50” on the field.

Haverhill

Feast of the Three Saints, Topsfield Fair, Historic New England Receive Tourism Grants

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The Annual Feast of the Three Saints in Lawrence, Topsfield Fair and Historic New England are among those sharing in state grants to support projects that expand, construct, restore or renovate Massachusetts tourism destinations and attractions. The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s Destination Development Capital Grant Program gave $50,000 for the Feast to build a new floating stage for entertainment, repair the existing entertainment stage, update all electrical panels for vendors, acquire new equipment which will be used for Feast weekend and cover the costs associated with safety and security. “Our administration is actively investing in the communities that elevate Massachusetts as a note-worthy travel destination. Through these grants, we aim to foster creative solutions to enhance our tourism economy,” said Gov. Maura Healey. Essex Agricultural Society, organizer of Topsfield Fair, was awarded $75,000 for wires, transformers and switches; upgraded electrical systems for its Grange Building, expanded internet service and installation of two transformers for back-up outages and two tight tanks for health and safety issues.

Haverhill

Councilors Hear Plan Tonight to Convert 12-Unit Haverhill Building to 16 Apartments

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A Methuen developer is seeking a special permit from the Haverhill City Council tonight to expand an existing 12-unit apartment building at 71 Portland Street into16 units of housing. In a summer letter to councilors, Attorney Robert D. Harb, representing Matias Capital of Methuen, said multifamily buildings are allowed in the commercial central zone. He said the company has made various improvements since it purchased the property four and a half years ago and plans $600,000 in renovations. “The additional units in this building with no exterior changes will provide needed housing in the city, will not affect the character of the neighborhood, has on-site parking and will have a newly installed sprinkler system,” Harb wrote. Matias Capital was founded in 2011 by Manuel Matias, who serves as president and CEO.