Haverhill

Haverhill Schools, Volunteers Help Ensure Students Enjoy Thanksgiving Meals with Their Families

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A number of families in need with students at three Haverhill middle schools received a little extra help putting turkeys on the table for Thanksgiving meals. Staff at Dr. Albert B. Consentino, John Greenleaf Whittier and Caleb Dustin Hunking Schools helped identify students most in need with insight from school resource officers. As in past years, Michael Jarvis of Jarvi Productions helped out, providing 51 turkeys. Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty Jr. explained his department’s role. “School resource officers identify on occasion some of the families that may be struggling through the holidays,” Doherty told WHAV.

Beacon Hill News

Gov. Healey’s Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
Whereas, After the first harvest in 1621, the Pilgrims broke bread, gave thanks, and celebrated in Plymouth, observing the first Thanksgiving thanks to the generosity and support of the Wampanoag people; and

Whereas, During the American Revolution in November 1777, the Continental Congress proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving. Samuel Adams, a son of Massachusetts, wrote, “…for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor;” and

Whereas, With the country torn by a civil war, Abraham Lincoln urged his fellow Americans to gather and give thanks during one of the most difficult times of our nation’s history. After establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1864, Lincoln wrote, “To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God;” and

Whereas, Since the creation of the Commission on Indian Affairs in Massachusetts in 1976 the Commonwealth continues to recognize our Indigenous Tribes and the important role they play in stewarding our land and natural resources; and

Whereas, Executive Order 637 signed on November 19th, 2024 gives state recognition to the Herring Pond Wampanoag, there is still a lot of work to be done to empower, prioritize and center the lives, culture and heritage of Indigenous people of Massachusetts; and

Whereas, We have much to be thankful for in Massachusetts.  We’re thankful to the firefighters and first responders who have been heroically fighting wildfires across our state in recent weeks.  We’re thankful for the young people who inspire us every day to deliver for them and make their future brighter.  We’re thankful to the doctors, nurses, health care workers and staff who provide essential care to patients each and every day.  We’re thankful that Massachusetts is always at the forefront of discovery in life sciences and proud of Nobel Prize winners Victor Ambros of UMass Chan Medical School, Gary Ruvkun of Massachusetts General Hospital, and Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for pioneering world-changing, live-saving breakthroughs.  We’re thankful for our veterans who have risked it all for their country and We’re pleased to be delivering them brand new, state-of-the-art veterans” homes and ensuring they receive the care and benefits they deserve.  We’re thankful for the men and women of law enforcement who keep our communities safe, and we are holding in our hearts those we have lost this year.  We’re thankful for the educators and staff who help our students learn, grow and thrive.  We’re thankful for everyone who has committed themselves to public service, especially at the local level where they are having a direct and meaningful impact on their communities.  We’re thankful for the beauty of our parks, wildlife and natural world, including West Stockbridge’s own blue spruce that is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree this year.  We’re thankful to the Boston Celtics for bringing home Banner 18 and to the Boston Fleet for making us so proud in the PWHL Championship.  We’re thankful for the heart, talent and grit of the people of Massachusetts, always; and

Whereas, In this season of thanks, we should take the time to remember and reach out to our neighbors in need by providing a helping hand, working in a food pantry or kitchen, donating clothing or volunteering in our communities; and

Whereas, Today, as families and friends across Massachusetts and the country gather together, may we be mindful of our gifts and talents, our blessings, relationships and goodwill, the peace we enjoy, the liberty we cherish and the hope we have for a joyful year ahead,

Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim November 28th, 2024, to be,
THANKSGIVING DAY
And urge all residents of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance. Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this twenty-eighth day of November, in the year two thousand and twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and forty-eighth. By Her Excellency Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth
Kimberley Driscoll, Lt. Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Haverhill

Cellars Collapse, Wells Go Dry as Earthquake Prompts Haverhill Thanksgiving 300 Years Ago

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Almost 300 years ago—give or take a few days for calendar adjustments over the centuries—Haverhill suffered one of its most calamitous natural spectacles. By most accounts, the summer of 1727 had been unpleasant in the Merrimack Valley. It had been excessively hot, punctuated by heavy rainstorms with strong winds, frequently accompanied by thunder and lightning. As summer turned to autumn, it was assumed things would cool down to more bearable levels. Instead, on Sept.

Region

Methuen’s Mayor Neil Perry Coat Drive Collects 2,000 Coats for Those in Need

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The Methuen Police Department’s annual coat drive—renamed this year as the Mayor Neil Perry Coat Drive in honor of the late leader—collected 2,000 coats for those in need. For the last few years, in partnership with Debbie’s Treasure Chest, the department has been collecting coats for those in need during October and November. This past Sunday, Debbie’s Treasure Chest staff and volunteers were able to help out 450 members of the community with coats, winter hats, gloves and school supplies and necessities.  More than 700 jackets were given out and many were given out in the days leading up to the event. Police highlighted Dispatcher Yohanna Almengo who volunteered for the event. Debbie’s Treasure Chest will continue to help those in need with winter coats as the winter approaches.

Community Spotlight

Buttonwoods Museum Festival of Trees Opens Friday with Candlelight Tour of the John Ward House

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The Festival of Trees at Buttonwoods Museum kicks off the season Friday night with a first night viewing of the many trees and wreaths on display followed by a Candlelight Tour of the John Ward House. The annual fundraiser to help maintain the museum properties and pay for educational programs for all ages, opens at 5 p.m., at Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill. John Ward House tours takes place between 6 and 7:30 and the night concludes at 8. Called a “Holiday Jubilation,” it lasts two weeks through the second weekend in December. Admission for adults is $7 each; seniors, $5 each; children ages 6-17, $3 each; and children 5 and under are free.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Credit Union Food Drives Help Local Pantries; Toy Drive Now Underway

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During October and November, Merrimack Valley Credit Union held its annual food drive in each of its 19 retail branch locations, supporting organizations from southern New Hampshire to the south coast of Massachusetts. Branches collected nonperishable food items in celebration of the season of giving. Branch managers and their teams were encouraged to choose organizations that operate in their areas to have a direct impact on the communities they serve. Local pantries that received donations included Emmaus, Haverhill; Methuen Arlington Neighborhood; Neighbors in Need, Lawrence; Our Neighbor’s Table, Amesbury; and the People’s Pantry, North Andover. “It is our honor and pleasure to support community food pantries during the holiday season,” says Merrimack Valley Credit Union Vice President of Retail Banking Jim Potter.

Crime

Federal Judge Sends Haverhill Man to Prison 9 Years for Selling Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Pills

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A 36-year-old Haverhill man was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in prison for distributing tens of thousands of pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Angel Joel Diaz, also known as “Guero,” was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns. Diaz pleaded guilty last April to distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and methadone. Police began investigating Diaz during January 2023 when an undercover officer contacted Diaz posing as a potential customer. Diaz provided the undercover officer with 208 pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, saying the pills were made with “fentanyl” and they were “knocking people down in New York.”

Again, on Jan.

Crime

Federal Judge Sends Haverhill Man to Prison 15 Months to Stealing Money Intended to Help Veterans

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A 49-year-old Haverhill man this week was sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release for taking $73,000 intended to help prevent veteran suicides. As WHAV previously reported, David Duren pleaded guilty in July to wire fraud. Duren, also known as Dawud Hakiem Duren, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante. According to U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young’s office, Duren was a program manager for a Nashua, N.H. nonprofit health care provider, overseeing a program paid by a $750,000 Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant.  At Duren’s recommendation, the nonprofit hired a company called “E3 Foundation,” purportedly led by a “Dr. Michael Rapp,” to provide services with the grant. Instead, Feds allege Duren controlled the foundation and posed as a physician on emails and calls.