Haverhill Councilors to Try Again Hearing Proposal for 8 Apartments in Historic Downtown Building

Haverhill city councilors tonight will try again to hear a special permit petition that seeks to bring two affordable as well as six market rate apartments to an historic downtown Washington Street building. Councilors planned to hear the proposal last month from Rob Landry of Four Points Property Management, but postponed consideration because Councilor Melissa J. Lewandowski was absent.  Attorney Robert D. Harb asked for the delay, saying the developer prefers the entire council be present for the vote, which requires eight of 11 members to say yes. If a special permit is granted, eight, one-bedroom apartments would replace office space above two storefronts at the Adams Building at 38-42 Washington St. The property—a three-story, Italianate-style building constructed after the Great Fire of 1882—was for many years the home of the Rosen family’s Modern Paint and Hardware store.

Reports Say Two Gunmen Set Target on 20-Year-Old at Haverhill Hotel; Victim May Have Returned Fire

Gunfire outside a Haverhill hotel seriously injured a 20-year-old man and sent others, including at least two guests, scrambling, while the main gunman appears to remain at large and possibly wounded. Police reports on file at Haverhill District Court detailed the chaotic situation that unfolded Wednesday afternoon and led to the arrest of 24-year-old Dexon Justabe of Methuen. Justabe is now believed to have pointed a gun at a hotel guest and participated in a robbery, but was not identified as the principal shooter. Instead, a man—who drove Justabe to the hotel in a Kia Sorento registered to a Revere man—is believed to have fired the life-threatening shots at the 20-year-old from Lawrence. He then drove off in the victim’s 2019 Honda CRV and, according to residents’ home security videos, ditched it on New Hampshire Avenue and walked toward South Elm Street while appearing to “check his lower torso area for a wound.”

As WHAV reported earlier, Justabe was arrested and charged with armed carjacking, assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and improper storge of a firearm.

Possible Haverhill Carjacking Victim, 20, in Critical Condition with Gunshot Wounds

A 20-year-old Lawrence man is reported in critical condition after, Haverhill police say, he was shot multiple times yesterday afternoon during a “possible carjacking” in Haverhill. Haverhill police arrested 24-year-old Dexon Justabe of Methuen in connection with the incident, charging him with armed carjacking, assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying loaded firearm without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and improper storge of a firearm. According to a press release from Deputy Police Chief Stephen J. Doherty Jr., police said the shooting took place at Hampton Inn, 106 Bank Road, parallel to River Street, in Haverhill. Police said it received an initial report just after 4 p.m. of a possible carjacking where a man suffered a “gunshot wound to his stomach.” On arrival, officers found the Lawrence man suffering from “multiple apparent gunshot wounds” and he was taken to an area hospital

Haverhill and State Police are investigating. They ask that anyone who may have any information to call Detective Matthew Marshall at 978-373-1212, ext.

Family of Slain 21-Year-Old From Haverhill Seeks Online Donations to Help Pay for Funeral

Donations are being accepted on behalf of the family of the 21-year-old Haverhill man who was shot and killed early Sunday morning in North Andover. Jaeby Ortiz Ruiz was allegedly shot and killed by 22-year-old Derick Moncion, also of Haverhill, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray. Moncion, listed on a Haverhill police arrest log as a resident of Hilldale Avenue, was arrested on a warrant Monday night, around 8:30. “This has all came too soon and too fast. On (Sunday) we lost a real ghetto angel and one of the realest persons in our lives with his departure he left us all in a deep grieve and with an emptiness in our hearts,” wrote Ninoshka Ruiz on GoFundMe.

Firefighters Train at Soon-to-Be Demolished House; Haverhill Site to be Oxford Crossing

(Additional photographs below.)

Haverhill firefighters have been getting some practical training this week at a vacant house that will become part of a Ward Hill “village” called “Oxford Crossing.”

Two houses across from the former Joseph’s Trattoria in Ward Hill have been fenced off in preparation for demolition, and even a portion of the street at Knipe Road is being purchased from the state. One of the abandoned homes features a slate roof—providing a necessary training feature not found in typical firefighting simulations. Haverhill Fire Chief Robert M. O’Brien told WHAV slate roofs are common in the city and can be very dangerous” because of falling pieces during a fire. “They can really hurt you. They can kill people if you’re not paying attention.

Haverhill City Council to Hear Plans for Vietnam War Veterans Day, Transportation Options

Haverhill’s military veterans will be on the minds of Haverhill city councilors tonight as they learn of preparations for Vietnam War Veterans Day and receive an update on public transportation options available for veterans. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commissioner Linda Gambino Baxter is scheduled to give an update on plans to honor and thank veterans who served during the conflict. Baxter was invited by Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, City Council President Thomas J. Sullivan and Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere, chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ad Hoc Commission. Haverhill’s celebration takes place Friday, March 29, 10 a.m., at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Mill Brook Park, near the entrance to Plug Pond. President Richard M. Nixon declared the first Vietnam Veterans Day March 29, 1974.

Truck Fuel Tank Leak Slows Morning Commute Monday on Route 125 in Haverhill

Cleanup of 40-50 gallons of leaked fuel from a punctured tank slowed traffic along Route 125 Monday morning in Ward Hill. Haverhill Fire Chief Robert M. O’Brien said the driver of a tractor-trailer combination reported the leak around 5:30 a.m. from his truck’s own tank and not from cargo. “A manhole cover popped up and damaged the saddle tank on the truck which is the truck’s fuel tank,” O’Brien told WHAV. He said the fuel leaked out slowly. Because the section of the street near Rogers Spring Hill Garden Center is state-owned, the Department of Environmental protection supervised the cleanup.

Police Arrest Haverhill Man, 22, for Alleged Murder of 21-Year-Old in North Andover

A 22-year-old Haverhill man was arrested Monday night for the alleged murder of another Haverhill man, age 21, who was found dead in North Andover. Derick Moncion was charged with shooting and killing Jaeby Ortiz Ruiz early Sunday morning, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray Monday night. Ortiz Ruiz’ body was discovered by police in the area of Riverview Street in North Andover. A warrant charging Moncion with murder was applied for, and granted, Monday afternoon and he was arrested Monday night. Moncion is expected to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Lawrence District Court.