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No southbound traffic over the Pfc. Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge will be allowed Valentine’s Day weekend, but the lane closing is not the start of the 100-year-old structure’s replacement. State transportation officials said Friday Basiliere Bridge traffic over the Merrimack River from Haverhill to Bradford will not be allowed from Friday, Feb. 14, at 8 p.m., through Sunday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m. to make repairs to keep the bridge safe until it is replaced.
Lane A. Glenn, president of Northern Essex Community College, was named Wednesday as this year’s recipient of Campus Compact’s Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Presidential Leadership. Glenn was recognized as Massachusetts’ longest-serving community college president, selected in 2011, where “his leadership and dedication to equity have made an indelible mark, not just on the communities NECC serves, but across Massachusetts and its educational institutions.”
“President Glenn’s longtime leadership at Northern Essex Community College clearly demonstrates the unique and vital contributions that civically engaged community college leaders can make toward community development and wellbeing,” said Bobbie Laur, president of nonprofit Campus Compact, the largest and oldest higher education association dedicated to higher education civic and community engagement. The Eduardo J. Padrón Award for Presidential Leadership is presented as part of Campus Compact’s Impact Awards, which recognize shining examples of meaningful, impactful higher education civic and community engagement work. Awards recipients will be recognized at Compact25, Campus Compact’s annual conference, which takes place March 31 to April 2 in Atlanta, Georgia. Allison M. Dolan-Wilson, the college’s vice president of institutional advancement, nominating Glenn for the award.
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Two Haverhill woman again took away top prizes in photography for capturing “the living landscapes, unique places and vibrant communities of Essex County” during Essex National Heritage Commission’s 2024 Photo Contest. Kathy Diamontopoulos was awarded first place in the “Go Coastal” category for her “Sharing is Caring” image, while Alison Colby-Campbell scored the “People’s Choice Award” for her “Sunflowers” photograph. Both artists found their winning settings in Ipswich. The Grand Prize went to Carin Macnamara of Wakefield for “Egret Fan Dancers in a Peeking Dawn,” taken on Cape Ann. First, second and third place winners in the category, “Picture Perfect Places,” were “Spiraling in Time (PEM)” by Franco Cutietta, taken in Salem; “Rockport Peonies” by Jason Kennedy, taken in Rockport; and “Beaver Moon Rising Over Salem Harbor” by Joyce Wood, taken in Salem.
Veterans Northeast Outreach Center is hosting a Valentine’s dance with music, hors d’oeuvres and mocktails. Veterans attending an organization event for the first time must provide a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and an identification or VA card. The dance is Thursday, Feb. 13, from 3-6 p.m., at 10 Reed St., Haverhill. For more information or to register, email [email protected] or call 978-971-1162.
Those wishing to get an early jump on growing vegetables and flowers this summer are invited to attend a free presentation by the Haverhill Garden Club on how to start plants from seeds indoors. The presentation takes place Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6:30 p.m., in Haverhill Public Library’s Johnson Auditorium, 99 Main St., Haverhill. Presenters are master gardener candidate Dustin MacIver and professional flower grower Jane Langlais, who are both members of the garden club. The library, which is home to the club’s seed library, is co-sponsoring the event.
Members of the Haverhill City Council’s Planning and Development Committee aim to create a one-stop shop to match students with career opportunities and internships. Councilor John A. Michitson on Tuesday updated his colleagues about plans drawn during the Jan. 21 Planning and Development Committee. Michitson said the Committee is exploring creating a website and online hub to link existing resources and tools for the community. “Potential features might include matching student needs versus education options, career training options and internship opportunities.
One of Haverhill’s newest housing developments, “The Beck,” begins welcoming new residents next month. WHAV has covered the 290-unit housing and retail complex on Railroad Avenue in Haverhill from public hearings in 2020 through construction groundbreaking, but now developer Procopio Companies is pre-leasing studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments near the Bradford commuter rail station. “With this project nearing completion, we can all see the grand shared vision our team and the City of Haverhill had for this property. From the new public park and infrastructure to the grand amenities and the sweeping views, this project really showcases the city’s potential,” said Dave Roache, Procopio’s vice president of development.”
In a release, the company said Tuesday many apartments at The Beck feature scenic views of the Merrimack River. Each residence is designed with modern, high-end finishes, including stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, walk-in closets, and in-unit laundry.
Registration is open for Haverhill’s free all-day Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year. Families with children who will be 5 years old by Aug. 31 may register early through May 1. The registration application may be completed online or otherwise must book an in-person appointment to meet with an enrollment specialist. Current Moody preschool students do not need to re-register.
To celebrate Black History Month, the Haverhill Public Library presents “Friday Flicks,” featuring book-to-movie adaptations by Black authors. The schedule includes “Just Mercy,” Feb. 7; “The Hate You Give,” Feb. 14; “Hidden Figures,” Feb. 21; and “Miracle at St.