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Barbara J. (Hefferan) Bartlett, 90, Worked at Former Hale Hospital

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Barbara J. (Hefferan) Bartlett, 90, the wife of the late Robert L. Bartlett, died Jan. 9 with her loving family by her side. Born in Haverhill, she was the daughter of the late Martin E. and Theresa (Regan) Hefferan. Raised and educated in Haverhill, she was a graduate of Haverhill High School. She was employed at the former Hale Hospital as an administrator, manager at Mr. Mike’s Restaurant, and worked five years at Friendly’s.

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Students Back Haverhill Teacher Over Trump Lesson; School Board Plans No Action

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Angelina Parolisi was one of two Haverhill High School students backing their history teacher during last night’s Haverhill School Committee meeting. (WHAV News photograph.)

Students and teachers came to the defense of a Haverhill High School history teacher Thursday night after a social media debate over whether a weekend assignment masked a political agenda. One of the first social media comments came on a school topics page when a parent questioned whether an assignment given to students contained a liberal bent. It was titled “Some People Claim that Donald Trump is a Fascist: Time to Check it Out.” The parent contended some suggested web pages were “far-left outlets.”

“Now, I have an older child that had the same teacher a couple years ago. He did not receive the assignment, ‘Why or why not is Barack Obama a fascist?’” the parent wrote.

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School Committee Delays Decision on Future of its Business Manager

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Haverhill school Business Manager Brian O’Connell answers questions before School Committee members voted on transfers within the budget Thursday night. (WHAV News photograph.)

The fate of embattled school business manager remains to be seen as the Haverhill School Committee postponed a planned closed-door session Thursday night. Although the School Committee meeting ran late, members decided ahead of time they would delay a discussion on the future of school Business Manager Brian O’Connell. Also delayed was a vote to approve of the minutes of its Dec. 13 where the majority reportedly decided not to renew O’Connell’s $130,000 annual contract.

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DA’s Office Drops Case Against City Brothers for Alleged Haverhill Stabbing

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The armed assault to murder charges against Jose Vasquez Jr. and Gilbert Vasquez were dismissed this week. (File photograph)

Two brothers residing on Haverhill’s High Street found armed assault to murder charges against them dropped when the Essex County District Attorney’s office dismissed their case this week, WHAV has learned. On Wednesday, Jose Vasquez Jr. and Gilbert Vasquez, both of 11 High St., were cleared of charges related to an alleged double stabbing in Lafayette Square last summer. According to DA Jonathan W. Blodgett’s spokeswoman Carrie Kimball Monahan, the case was dismissed after victims failed to appear for a probable cause court hearing. Twenty-four-year-old Jose and 22-year-old Gilbert were arrested shortly after the July 2018 double stabbing of men from Methuen and Nashua, N.H. in a Lafayette Square alleyway.

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PHOTOS: Chinburg Turning Former Ted’s Leather Building Into 59 Apartments

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The former Ted’s Leather Goods building on Essex Street is being transformed by Chinburg Properties of Newmarket, N.H. (Courtesy photographs)

Downtown Haverhill’s revitalization continues this spring with the opening of the revamped former Ted’s Leather Goods building on Essex Street. Designed and constructed by Newmarket, N.H.-based Chinburg Properties, the 59,000 square foot property features 59 apartments—studios, one- and two-bedrooms—along with commercial space currently available for rent. As the company’s Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Chinburg tells WHAV, the space is currently attracting attention from locals eager to move into their first apartment and live in a compact space that carries what Chinburg calls a “reasonable” price point. Known as The Ellis Factory, 24 Essex St., features units priced from $1,035/month for a studio to $2,015 for a two-bedroom. Nearly 30 units are already rented, Chinburg told WHAV during a recent exclusive tour of the space.

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Grand Jury Indicts Haverhill Man Charged With Red Hen Market Armed Robbery

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Joseph Fowler was indicted Wednesday in a secret court proceeding, the DA’s office said. (File photograph)

The Haverhill man accused of holding up a River Street convenience store clerk at knifepoint in November has been indicted by a grand jury, WHAV can confirm. As WHAV previously reported, Lowell Police picked up Joseph Fowler Dec. 3 on a warrant issued by Haverhill Police. His capture came five days after Haverhill and State Police combed the city’s Mount Washington neighborhood for Fowler, who entered River Street’s Red Hen Pantry that morning in a brazen daytime cash grab.

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Fiorentini Seeks Community Input on New Youth Council

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Mayor James J. Fiorentini appointed Robin Del Negro to lead the city’s Youth Council. (Courtesy photograph)

Haverhill youth: Mayor James J. Fiorentini wants YOU—to offer input for the city’s newly established Youth Council. This week, Fiorentini appointed 2003 Haverhill High School graduate Robin Del Negro to head the group, which, per a city ordinance, will include six members between the ages of 12 and 18. The remaining four members are expected to come from the Haverhill Recreation and School Department, Fiorentini’s office said. “I am anxious to reestablish this board so that we can get young people involved in the city and get their perspective on what things can be done to make Haverhill better,” Fiorentini said.