Election Central

Methuen Democratic Committee Takes Sides on Three Ballot Questions

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Ahead of early voting that begins this weekend, the Methuen Democratic City Committee recently took positions on three ballot questions. The Committee voted unanimously to urge a no vote on Question 3, which would keep Massachusetts’ current party primary system; a no vote on Question 8, which would keep retail cannabis sales legal; and a yes vote on Question 9, which would keep stricter regulations on ghost guns, machine guns and assault-style weapons. “This is not the time to be taking Massachusetts backward by creating chaos in our elections, disruptions to our regulated cannabis marketplace or weakening public safety and the strongest gun laws in the country,” said Methuen Democratic City Committee Chair Lisa Yarid Ferry. “Big money is trying to shape Massachusetts to their own desires, but Methuen Democrats will not let that happen—especially in one of the most important election years of our lifetime.”

The Committee said, voting no on Question 3 would preserve Massachusetts’ current party primary system, in which candidates compete in a debate of ideas and are chosen by registered members of their party, while unenrolled voters can choose which party’s primary ballot to vote in. It added, Question 8 would effectively repeal the state’s recreational cannabis laws and regulations first passed by voters in 2016, while a no vote would keep the current system in place.

Business Bulletin

‘Beyond 9 to 5’ Panel Looks at 50 Years of Women in the Workforce

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A local panel assesses the impact of 50 years of women in the workforce in “Beyond 9 to 5,” presented by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce in partnership Merrimack Valley Stageworks. The program was inspired by Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” film and brings together leading women to connect the lessons of the past with the challenges of today, and to explore solutions for a more equitable future. “We’ll celebrate how far we’ve come, take an honest look at where we stand and spark ideas for where we go next,” the Chamber says. Panelists, moderated by HC Media’s Lindsay Paris, are Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, Cedar’s Foods Executive Vice President of Marketing Aimee Tsakirellis, Rosen & Goyal Managing Partner Kavita Goyal, Anna Jaques Hospital President and CEO Megan Gray and New England Tractor Trailer Training School owner Samantha Greenberg. Master of Ceremonies Angelica Jeffreys oversees the program and Mayor Melinda E. Barrett delivers opening remarks.

Business Bulletin

AutoFair Subaru, Sweet Paws Rescue Plan Howl-O-Ween Pawty Oct. 31

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Haverhill’s AutoFair Subaru is having its first-ever Howl-O-Ween Pawty, a free community event to support Sweet Paws Rescue and celebrating Halloween, shelter pets and the two organizations’ shared commitment to animal welfare. The Howl-O-Ween Pawty is part of Subaru Loves Pets, Subaru’s nationwide initiative to help adoptable dogs and cats find loving homes. Every October, Subaru retailers across the country partner with local animal welfare organizations to host adoption events and provide grants, administered by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to support the costs of preparing animals for adoption. “Every October, Subaru retailers around the country bring the Subaru Loves Pets promise to life in their own communities, and we’re proud to do that right here in Haverhill,” an AutoFair Subaru spokesperson said. “Naming Sweet Paws Rescue our 2026 grant scholar recipient is our way of putting real support behind an organization that shows up for animals every single day.”

The Howl-O-Ween Pawty is free and open to the families with trick-or-treating; opportunities to meet Sweet Paws Rescue’s adoptable dogs; a pup costume contest, featuring chances to win a Subaru detailing package, gift baskets, a dog photography session and more; a “Guess How Many” dog bones contest; “Find the Golden Paw” challenge to win a $500 pet supply spree, a weekend Subaru loaner or a gift basket; pet photoshoots; and local vendors on the Treat Trail serving coffee, apple cider donuts, hot chocolate and more.

Community Spotlight

Novello to Prepare Bouquets at Womens City Club of Haverhill

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Designer Nick Novello of Nunan Florist and Greenhouses of Georgetown will demonstrate work on three bouquets when the Womens City Club of Haverhill meets next. The Club meets the third Tuesday of every month with the next one taking place Tuesday, Oct. 20, from noon to 2 p.m., at Advent Christian Church, 160 Carleton St., Haverhill. The meeting begins at noon with business and light lunch, followed by Novello’s presentation at 1 p.m.

Looking ahead, the Club is having a coat drive next month and food drive in December, where cans and boxed item are collected. Women are invited to visit the club, meet members and learn more as guests three times for free.

Crime

Police, Marshals Arrest Woman in Alleged Thursday Night Shooting in Haverhill

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A Sandown, N.H., woman was arrested Friday afternoon in connection with an alleged shooting the night before in Haverhill. Exeter, N.H., Police reported Friday 54-year-old Nona M. Basnett weas arrested after the department received a call from Haverhill Police around noon, saying Haverhill “tracked a shooting suspect to a residence on Chapman Way in Exeter”

Exeter reported Haverhill Police obtained an arrest warrant to charge Basnett with assault to murder while armed, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of large capacity firearm/feeding device. Basnett was arrested without incident Friday at 12:11 p.m., Exeter Police added, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service, detectives from Haverhill Police and Exeter Police patrol officers. She was taken to the Exeter Police Department and charged as a fugitive from justice, a Class B felony and later to the Rockingham County Jail. Basnett is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

Community Spotlight

St. Luke the Evangelist’s Parish Annual Holiday Craft Fair Set for Nov. 7

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St. Luke the Evangelist’s Parish annual Holiday Craft Fair takes place the first Saturday in November. The Holiday Craft Fair is described as a “fabulous, festive, fun, family-friendly event,” offering 20 vendors, silent auction, jewelry tables, country store and thrift shop, the Lollipop Game for kids and St. Luke’s famous “Cookie Heaven” and five raffles—$1,000 cash, wine, quilt, theme baskets and penny sale raffles. Breakfast and lunch will be available in “The Café” all day long.

Business Bulletin

Verani Realty Collects 14,000+ Lbs. of Food During 10th Annual Drive

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty last month collected more than 14,000 pounds of food and donated $20,000 to local food banks during its 10th Annual Food Drive, supporting organizations and families across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Throughout September, Verani Realty agents, employees, clients and community members collected nonperishable food at offices and in neighborhoods throughout the region. Many agents brought the drive directly into the communities they serve, delivering collection bags to local homes and returning to pick up donations. “For 10 years, this food drive has been about our agents, employees and neighbors coming together to help people right here in our communities,” said Margherita Verani, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty. “Seeing more than 14,000 pounds of food donated this year is incredible, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.”

The food collected was distributed to the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, New Hampshire Food Bank, Alton Food Pantry, SHARE Food Pantry, Upper Valley Haven, Saint Anne Parish Food Pantry, Liberty House and St.

Election Central

Haverhill Prepares to Cast Ballots Before Election Day with Vote by Mail, Early Voting

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The final state election is closer than some may think with Vote by Mail ballots arriving soon in mailboxes of those requesting them and early voting getting underway at the end of next week. Secretary of State William F. Galvin’s office said more than 600,000 ballots are on their way to voters across the state who applied to vote by mail and local election officials are expected to mail another 300,000 ballots in the next several days. Haverhill City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright Esposito said this week early voting begins Saturday, Oct. 17, and runs through Friday, Oct. 30, and takes place in the basement of City Hall, 4 Summer St.