Students to Learn Money Management Through DiZoglio-Backed Bill

Students across the Merrimack Valley will learn financial responsibility through a new bill backed by Methuen Sen. Diana DiZoglio. (File photograph)

A new law Gov. Charlie Baker signed last week aims to give Massachusetts students the tools they need to navigate their financial futures, including milestones like buying a home and planning for retirement. The House and Senate on New Year’s Day sent Baker a bill, backed by Methuen Democrat Sen. Diana DiZoglio, that allows state education officials to establish standards around financial literacy, which schools could incorporate into their existing curricula in subjects like math, business, and social sciences. “As a nation, our failure to teach the importance of financial literacy has led to the exploitation of millions of people and triggered a financial crisis a decade ago that we have only recently recovered from as a nation,” DiZoglio told the State House News Service. DiZoglio, who assumed the senate seat left vacant by Kathleen O’Connor Ives, said the financial and civics education laws together will “ensure students learn real world skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives and make them more engaged, responsible citizens in our state.”

According to the financial education coalition MassSaves, which backed the bill, students who have taken a class in personal finance are more likely to behave in financially responsible ways.

Bergevine Receives Haverhill Police’s Latest Quarterly Excellence Award

Officer Jordan Bergevine has been recognized with a Haverhill Police Department excellence award. (Courtesy photograph)

With just nine months as a Haverhill Police officer under his belt, Jordan Bergevine is already putting his colleagues in the corner office on notice. A patrolman on the late night shift, Bergevine has been recognized with the department’s quarterly Employee Excellence Award for October-December 2018. Citing “meritorious service and proactive policing” as selection criteria, the department said Bergevine received the award for his work to apprehend a juvenile who took police on a chase across Haverhill in an allegedly stolen car last month. As WHAV was first to report, the 17-year-old is said to have stolen a Toyota Camry from Amesbury Road’s Royal Crest Motors before tooling around the city in the early hours of Monday, Dec.

Emmaus Seeks Volunteers Ahead of Annual MLK Day of Service on Monday

Volunteers (like those who lent a hand in 2018) are sought for the Jan. 21 MLK Day of Service put on by Emmaus from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Haverhill. (Courtesy photograph)

UPDATE: Given the upcoming weather forecast, Emmaus tells WHAV the following:
“Despite the weather forecast, Emmaus’ 6th Annual MLK Day of Service is still scheduled to take place. We invite all who need a warm place to go to come and enjoy a day of multicultural performances, a community resource fair and a hot breakfast and lunch. All Monday volunteers are asked to report as scheduled.

What You Missed on Monday’s Open Mic Show: Marijuana, Schools and More

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the eve of the Haverhill City Council’s Jan. 15 vote to confirm retail marijuana zones, WHAV Open Mic Show host Bill Macek invited his Council colleagues Colin F. LePage and Melinda E. Barrett in studio to discuss the months-long process that preceded the vote. The trio also raises structural concerns over several Haverhill schools on this week’s Open Mic Show, heard only on 97.9 WHAV FM. WATCH THE SEGMENT IN THE VIDEO BELOW!

Council Approves Marijuana Zones; Says It Prevents Siting Across the City

At a standing-room only hearing, Caroline Pineau said she plans an “upscale, sophisticated and discreet” establishment. (WHAV News photograph.)

The sale of recreational marijuana in Haverhill stores advanced Tuesday night as Haverhill City Councilors approved seven zones across the city for such commerce. Councilors, voting 7-1 in favor, said it was responsible to approve overlay zones since failure to do so would allow such stores to open anywhere in the city. Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien explained. “We tried to find places that would be accessible, within the confines of what the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has us to do, and we did not want to leave it open so that anybody could put it anywhere.

Funeral Services for Veterans’ Advocate Ratka Planned for Thursday, Friday

John E. Ratka, 65, died Jan. 12 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, after a short illness, with his loving family by his side. Born in Philadelphia, Penn., Ratka was the son of the late Anthony J. Ratka and Laura J. (Schwartz) Ratka. He was the executive director of the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center (VNOC). He joined VNOC in 1999, following a distinguished 26-year career in the United States Navy.

24-Year-Old is First Candidate to Announce Run for Haverhill City Council

Nicholas J. Golden is the first candidate to say he will seek a seat on the Haverhill City Council. (Courtesy photograph.)

A 24-year-old Haverhill resident is the first to announce his candidacy for City Council this fall. Nicholas J. Golden, 24, 14 Orchard Hill Road, works as communications director for Marblehead state Rep. Lori A. Ehrlich. He told WHAV he began following city politics closely after the School Committee narrowly defeated adding solar panels to Haverhill High School in 2016. “The notion that we would let interpersonal relationships dictate our policy decision is disappointing to say the least,” Golden said.