Haverhill

NECC VP Honored with Admission to Presidential Leadership Academy

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Dr. Noemi Custodia-Lora, vice president of Northern Essex Community College’s Lawrence campus, is one of 24 fellows selected to participate in the Presidential Leadership Academy. The academy was assembled by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to address the falling number of Latinos in leadership at American higher education institutions. According to the group, there has been a drop in Hispanic presidents despite historic highs in Hispanic students. Custodia-Lora said she is “honored to be selected for the academy.”

The college, itself, can claim more than 40% of its enrolled student body is Hispanic or Latino. Custodia-Lora, has worked to create community partnerships to keep this enrollment statistic high.

Community Spotlight

Greater Haverhill-Newburyport Arc Plans Aug. 19 Golf Tournament

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Fore! A good cause. The 15th annual “Tee Off for the Arc” golf tournament is Monday, Aug. 19 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Haverhill Country Club, 58 Brickett Lane in Haverhill, with tickets still available. The proceeds from the event go to continuing the individualized services the Arc provides to those with disabilities in the Greater Haverhill and Newburyport areas.

Haverhill

Bevilacqua Seeks to Boost High School Security Tuesday Following Alleged Gun Incident

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Councilor Joseph J. Bevilacqua plans to push for metal detectors and security officials at Haverhill High School entryways to address rising security concerns. This ask is due to the July 29 incident when a summer school student allegedly brought a gun to the Monument Street building. Aside from these security checkpoints, the councilor also shared with WHAV that he plans to request all doors to the school stay locked from the outside during school hours in an effort to keep out potential intruders. Though there were no shots fired at Haverhill High last week, gun safety in schools has been moved to the top of the docket for some city leadership. Said Bevilacqua, “We are doing everything we can to ensure school safety.”

Hundreds of students were in the school at the time the student brought the gun in, according to School spokesman Shawn Regan.

Community Spotlight

Samaritans of Merrimack Valley Seeks Suicide Crisis Helpline Volunteers

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The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley are looking for volunteers to staff their suicide crisis helpline. Upcoming training sessions take place over two days on Friday, Aug. 23 from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Family Services of the Merrimack Valley, 430 North Canal St., Lawrence. Candidates must attend both training sessions in order to be eligible to volunteer.

Haverhill

Leaving Animals in Hot or Cold Parked Cars Now a Ticketable Offense in Haverhill

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The Haverhill City Council unanimously voted earlier this month to approve an ordinance that allows animal control officers to administer tickets to residents who leave animals in extremely hot or cold cars, reasonably endangering the animal’s health. There is a state ordinance to this effect, but the city had yet to put one on the books, leaving Animal Control only able to verbally scold offenders, according to City Councilor Melinda E. Barrett. “They were powerless to ticket anybody if they found an animal in a car in extreme heat or cold,” Barrett said. Members of Haverhill’s City Council voted unanimously to implement the ordinance. Animal Control tells WHAV since the fine was voted into law, no tickets have yet been issued.

Haverhill

New Recycling Coordinator with Alleged Assault History Joins City Highway Staff

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Haverhill’s new trash and recycling coordinator, Gunther Wellenstein, has taken the reins at the highway yard and recycling center on Primrose Street. Prior to coming to Haverhill, Wellenstein worked as Lowell’s solid waste and recycling manager. An official at the Lowell District Court confirmed that, while in that role, Wellenstein faced assault and battery charges. The case was continued without a finding—meaning that the prosecution had enough evidence to convict him, but he did not admit guilt. According to the Lowell Sun, Wellenstein allegedly assaulted an off-duty police officer over a trash disposal dispute in May 2010. Wellenstein served the required probation from April-July 2011.

Education

Consentino School Renovations Taking Shape: Wood, Forgione Named to Building Committee

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Seven months after being awarded grant money to fund major repairs to Haverhill’s Dr. Albert B. Consentino Middle School, Mayor James J. Fiorentini has named the 11 educators, city staffers and other locals set to join him as renovations begin to take shape with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. At last Thursday’s School Committee meeting, Fiorentini announced that Superintendent of Schools Margaret Marotta and Consentino Principal John Mele would join Supervisor of Facilities Heather Forgione on the committee. Scott W. Wood Jr. has been chosen to act as the voice of the School Committee. Other members include Haverhill architect Paul Bergman, Purchasing Director Steve Bucuzzo, City Auditor Chuck Benevento, City Councilor Joseph J. Bevilacqua, Building and Inspections Director Richard Macdonald, Fiorentini’s Chief of Staff Allison Heartquist and Consentino teacher Victoria Hernandez-Bailey. Calling the committee a “work in progress,” Fiorentini heard School Committee member Sven A. Amirian’s request to include additional tradespeople on the board.