Education

Haverhill Promise Hosting Early Literacy ‘Huddle’ Aug. 21 at Downtown iHub

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Listen to the full interview below. Haverhill Promise is getting ready to huddle up for early literacy—and want the community to join in! Jenny Arndt, the group’s new campaign director, joined WHAV’s last week to share more about the event happening next Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the downtown UMass iHub. At the free event, Arndt and other Haverhill Promise stakeholders—including state Rep. Andy Vargas and Haverhill Public Schools physician Dr. John Maddox—plan to launch a new social media campaign encouraging locals to “make a promise to support grade level reading” in Haverhill.

Haverhill

Junior Hillies Football Practices Kick Off This Week: What to Expect from the HHS Sports Feeder Program

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Listen to the full interview below. With the start of Haverhill’s new school year two weeks away, the city’s youngest gridiron greats are already hard at work honing their skills through the Haverhill High School new football feeder program known as the Junior Hillies, HHS football coach Tim O’Connor tells WHAV. Joining WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” last week, O’Connor, who also teaches at Haverhill High, said the program for seventh and eighth graders was a long-held hope of his, as it fosters the sense culture of team and academic responsibility necessary at the high school level. O’Connor, who sits on the board of directors, did recognize the challenges associated with a team of middle school students, saying, “It’s very fluid, the emotions, on a daily basis.”

Practices currently take place at the Haverhill High School fields on Monument Street and will transition to Riverside Park after Labor Day, O’Connor said. For its first year, Junior Hillies has 55 students signed up. The team is a member of the 18-team Northeast Junior Football League, planning to play eight games: Four home games in Haverhill and four away games in other communities.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill’s Restaurant Week Returns for Second Year Aug. 23-29: See All the Deals!

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Haverhill’s Restaurant Week, sponsored by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, returns for its second year from Aug. 23-29. During the week, two dozen local eateries plan to provide special deals, including $5 and $10 specials. The week begins with a kickoff event by L’Arche Boston North called The Longest Table, a dinner experience provided by multiple Haverhill restaurants. The kickoff event takes place on Wingate Street from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug.

Haverhill

Haverhill’s Head Start, UMass Receive Funding Boost from Trahan

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Third District U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan recently announced more than $1.5 million in grants for her home district, all of which aid Haverhill. The lion’s share of the grant went to the Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships, which received over $1.3 million. The program, directed by Haverhill’s Deborah Linett, assists 250 young children and their parents in the region. Services the program provides include meals, wellness checks, and medical screenings. Additionally, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, which has a satellite campus in Haverhill, took in $120,000 for a project-focused enhancement of robot systems. The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, based in Haverhill, was also granted $70,000, Trahan’s office said.

Haverhill

Haverhill Public Meetings: Week of Aug. 12

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The public has opportunities to shape policy this week as various Haverhill boards meet. In the interest of transparency in government, WHAV provides this list of upcoming meetings every week. Monday, Aug. 12

The Haverhill Police Department hosts a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. in the training room of its headquarters, 40 Bailey Boulevard, Haverhill. To be discussed during the session is the potential spending of $26,243 through a JAG Byrne grant for a 2020 Chevrolet van to be used to transport prisoners.

Education

Northern Essex Plans Showcase for College of Older Learners Sept. 4

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Northern Essex Community College’s College of Older Learners is planning a showcase for those age 50 and older to learn about programs being offered in the fall. The showcase is on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 2-4 p.m. at the Hartleb Technology Center on Northern Essex’s Haverhill campus, 100 Elliot St., Haverhill. The showcase introduces a wide variety of upcoming courses for older learners, including classes on horror movies, poetry, art, and exercise. Most courses cost $35, with some requiring additional supplies.

Haverhill

PHOTOS: Haverhill Police Welcome Community to National Night Out 2019 at Swasey Field

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On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Haverhill Police Department and Chief Alan R. DeNaro welcomed the public to their annual National Night Out event at Swasey Field. The annual event, designed to foster relationships between law enforcement officers and community members, featured a variety of activities. Attendees saw a K-9 demonstration from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, partook in face painting and a dunk tank, while also enjoying a free barbeque and treats from Kona Ice. Mayor James J. Fiorentini highlighted that the event took place, “in the heart of the upper Broadway area, where we put in $2 million for a new playground which is widely used.”

Deputy Chief Anthony L. Haugh said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for people to come out and meet their neighbors…you can’t ask for better weather.”

Other city officials who attended included state Rep. Andy X. Vargas, School Committeeman Scott W. Wood Jr., and several city councilors.

Community Spotlight

SNAP Recipients Eligible for Additional Benefits Through Healthy Eating Program: Find Out How to Take Part

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Haverhill’s Council on Aging reminds residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits of a program that can increase benefits while promoting healthy eating. Those eligible for SNAP can participate in the Healthy Incentives Program by buying fresh fruits and vegetables from an authorized farm or vendor, including at Haverhill’s Farmers Market. Residents who take part receive the value of the produce back on their EBT card. This can translate to a savings of $40 per month for a two-person household and up to $60 for a family of four. For more information, call the 978-374-2390.