Haverhill

Haverhill, Area Communities Receive Money for Road Safety Enforcement, Education

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Haverhill, Methuen, Groveland and other nearby police departments were among those awarded state road safety grants last week. Haverhill Police received the largest area award of $64,963, followed by Lawrence, $61,375; Methuen, $48,760; Merrimac, $16,392; and Groveland, $15,360. The money is intended to help communities prevent crashes, strengthen traffic enforcement and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. “Preventing crashes requires a comprehensive approach that combines effective enforcement with strong training, reliable data and public education,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon. “These investments give our state and local partners proven tools to address traffic safety risks and help prevent the crashes that can devastate families and communities.”

Grants may be used for high-visibility traffic enforcement, which was called a proven approach that combines strategic and proactive efforts by police addressing specific traffic safety issues combined with public outreach and education, pedestrian and bicyclist safety initiatives, advanced police training, crash investigation tools and education for children, teen drivers and families.

Business Bulletin

Institution for Savings and Partners Lead Prospective Home Buyers Through Process

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Institution for Savings recently partnered with Baez Law Group and eXp Realty to host a free first-time homebuyer seminar. Institution for Savings Mortgage Originator Arianny Rodriguez joined Realtor Jonathan Abreu of eXp Realty, attorney Liz Baez of Baez Law Group, Ed Alcantara of Lawrence Community Works and Paloma de la Cruz of De la Cruz Insurance Agency. Together, the panel represented key stages of the homebuying journey, from homebuyer education and financial preparation to mortgage financing, finding a home, navigating the legal and closing process and protecting the investment with homeowners’ insurance. “So often, I hear people question whether homeownership is a possibility simply because they don’t know where to start or what resources are available,” said Rodriguez. “This seminar helped attendees better understand their options and next steps, from exploring available first-time homebuyer programs, grants and down payment assistance resources, to navigating the mortgage process.”

The interactive session gave attendees the chance to ask the panel directly about affordability, credit, down payments and available resources.

Haverhill

Haverhill Community Playground Makes Pitch to Fill Final 272 Volunteer Slots

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The Haverhill Community Playground is making its final push for volunteers as construction begins next Tuesday. The new playground at Golden Hill School is still looking to fill 272 more volunteer spots needed to reach its goal of 815. In an appearance over WHAV this week, Haverhill Playground Committee General Coordinator Brittany Safy said volunteers need not be intimidated by the task. “No experience needed. We will have job for literally everyone.

Business Bulletin

Another 188 Merrimack Health Workers Vote to Join 1199SEIU Union

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Another group of workers at Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital last month voted to unionize, affiliating with Service Employees International Union 1199. A total of 188 workers in the tech and business office clerical units at Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital, formerly Lawrence General Hospital, join about another 500 workers that previously joined SEIU1199. Both elections were overseen by the National Labor Relations Board. “Healthcare workers need a real voice on the job to advocate for ourselves and our patients,” said Lisa Rinaldo, a hospital switchboard operator. “With the rising cost of living, standing together in a union gives us the collective strength to fight for fair wages, safe staffing levels and the strong benefits we deserve.”

Besides switchboard operators, the new union workers include respiratory therapists, interventional radiology technologists, lactation consultants, clinical authorization specialists and account support representatives,

Merrimack Health management pledged to work cooperatively with the union.

Crime

Judge Sends Haverhill Man to Prison 10 Years for Intent to Assault Child

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A 40-year-old Haverhill man was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for attempting to sex traffic a 12-year-old at a Manchester hotel. U.S. District Court Judge Steven McAuliffe also sentenced Ozeias Guilherme to a five-year term of supervised release after his prison sentence. As WHAV reported last April, Guilherme was convicted of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. “This defendant preyed on children, ready to pay money to sexually assault a little girl, and will now be spending significant time behind bars as a result,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. In November of 2024, federal agents placed an advertisement with images of what appeared to be two minor females.

Community Spotlight

Breakfast Exchange Club Donates $12,000 to Help Seniors Pay Winter Heating Bills

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The Breakfast Exchange Club of Greater Haverhill this week stepped up with $12,000 to help ensure older residents in need receive help paying for this winter’s heating bills. Breakfast Exchange Club members presented the check Tuesday to Community Action CEO Kerri Sheeran Perry. Community Action of Haverhill is designated to administer the federally and state-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Club leaders said, “This generous contribution will help provide warmth, comfort and peace of mind to members of our community who are struggling with heating costs.”

The Club said Perry spoke with Exchangites about the growing need for fuel assistance and the challenges many people will face in keeping their homes warm during the colder months.

Employment

Immediate Opening: Part-Time Local News Reporter/Board Operator

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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 radio, 24/7 Live Stream and Wavelengths eNewspaper. The position offers growth potential and involves working nights and occasional weekends, writing stories in hybrid radio/newspaper format, recording and editing audio, taking photographs, putting meetings and events on the air live and some announcing. Technical and related training will be provided. Successful applicants must demonstrate natural curiosity, objectivity, accuracy, dependability, willingness to learn and above-average attention to detail. Requirements

Prior writing/reporting experience (college newspaper, TV, radio or literary publication work will be considered)
Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field or relevant experience
Familiarity with Associated Press Style
Reliable transportation and valid driver’s license
Demonstrable ethics
Above-average English spelling and grammar
Ability to work well and quickly under deadline pressure
Solid PC skills

To Apply
To be considered, upload introductory letter, resume and writing samples (URLs accepted) using the form here.

Region

Trahan Says Federal Home Heating Help Drops Even as Costs Skyrocket

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Congresswoman Lori Trahan said Wednesday there will be fewer federal dollars this year to help residents pay for home heating even as oil costs skyrocket. She said Massachusetts was awarded $142 million through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or nearly $4 million less than the state’s initial allocation last year, which totaled $146 million. She attributed the drop to expiration of the five-year home heating increase in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Trahan said, “No family in Massachusetts should have to choose between heating their home and affording groceries or medicine. With heating oil prices up nearly 75% from last year, that choice is becoming a reality for far too many households.”

She said the early allocation responds to her request for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to release assistance before the end of the month.