Community Spotlight

Blankets for the Brave Drive Runs Sept. 11-Oct. 31

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The “Blankets for the Brave” Community Service Project aims to collect new, patriotic-themed fleece blankets for local veterans and active-duty service members stationed overseas. The collection drive runs from Wednesday, Sept. 11, through Thursday, Oct. 31, with the first delivery scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Haverhill

Congressional Delegation Calls for Possible Contempt Charges Against Steward CEO

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As the head of the failed Steward Health Care refuses to comply with a subpoena to testify before a congressional committee, Sen. Edward J. Markey is calling for Ralph de la Torre to be held in contempt of Congress, be fired as Steward CEO and lose his medical degree. At a press conference, Markey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Congresswoman Lori Trahan and labor leaders from 1199 SEIU and Massachusetts Nurses Association responded to de la Torre’s plans to skip a Sept. 12 Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee meeting. HELP Chair Bernie Sanders and bipartisan colleagues voted July 25 to subpoena de la Torre to testify at a meeting titled “Examining the Bankruptcy of Steward Health Care: How Management Decisions Have Impacted Patient Care.” It was the first time the Senate HELP Committee issued a subpoena since 1981. “Ralph de la Torre has shown contempt for our health care system and now the United States Senate must bring contempt charges against Ralph de la Torre.

Haverhill

Plans for Art Walk and Edible Avenue by Haverhill Groups Shift to Riverside Park

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An Art Walk and Edible Avenue, originally planned for the Bradford Rail Trail Extension, will now be placed at Riverside Park. The project, a joint effort of Team Haverhill, Creative Haverhill, Haverhill Garden Club and Haverhill’s Brightside, will connect a sidewalk near the ballfields at the eastern side of Riverside Park with a state-funded trail constructed along the Merrimack River behind the park and the Rivers Edge Plaza. The avenue will feature sculptures as well as trees, plants and shrubs with edible parts. “This project has been a long time coming,” said Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett. “I am excited that the Art Walk and Edible Avenue will have a home at the Riverside Trail at Riverside Park, which is undergoing significant improvements.

Education

Haverhill SEPAC, Schools Plan Special Education Information Session Sept. 23

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Haverhill’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council and the city’s Special Education Department are providing an introduction or refresher to operations and procedures, overview of various SPED programs and the new Individualized Educational Plan form and information on how to become involved. The first SEPAC meeting of the 2024-2025 school year takes place Monday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m., at Haverhill High School Library, 137 Monument St. Attendees are advised to park in Lot E, past the tennis courts. Spanish and Portuguese translations will be available.

Community Spotlight

Learn About Letterpress Saturday with Museum of Printing

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The Museum of Printing is offering a Letterpress Intro+ Workshop designed for both beginners and intermediate students tomorrow. The hands-on class covers the basics of letterpress printing, with advanced students having the opportunity to explore techniques such as floor platen printing, fabric printing and basic two-color printing. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Museum of Printing, 15 Thornton Ave., Haverhill. The cost is $125 per person and the class is limited to six participants.

Haverhill

Lawrence General Hospital Plans to Take Control of Holy Family Oct. 1; Predicts ‘Something Profound’

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As a bankruptcy court judge Wednesday approved the sales of most Steward Health Care hospitals, Lawrence General Hospital told employees and physicians it is poised to take operational control of Holy Family Hospitals in Haverhill and Methuen in less than a month. Officials welcomed staff and the public in messages on Lawrence General Hospital’s website. “This is an historic moment for health care and for all of us in the Merrimack Valley as patients, community members, employees, providers and community partners are going to be part of something profound. For Lawrence General, as a non-profit, independent community hospital, we are motivated by our mission to provide quality care and lead from the heart. That’s what our patients deserve.

Haverhill

Haverhill Republican City Committee Encourages Flying U.S. Flag on Sept. 11 to Honor Attack Victims

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The Haverhill Republican City Committee is encouraging residents to display their American Flags on the 23rd anniversary of Al Qaeda’s attacks on America next Wednesday. Committee Chairwoman Jeri Levasseur said “We do this in unity to honor all those who lost their lives on this horrific day.  May this continue to be a day of hope, service to others and remembrance. Never Forget.”

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, 19 hijackers took control of four commercial jets, crashing two into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon outside Washington, DC, and one in a field near Shanksville, Penn. Nearly 3,000 people died.

Community Spotlight

Greater Haverhill Arts Association’s da Silva Featured Artist Through October

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Rachel da Silva is Greater Haverhill Arts Association’s featured member artist for September and October. The organization says da Silva enjoys experimenting with different materials and themes, including oils to charcoal for portraits, animals, landscapes, cartoons and other subjects that inspire. Her artwork is on display and open to the public through October, during regular hours, at the Art Niche at UMass Lowell’s Innovation Hub, Harbor Place, 2 Merrimack St., Haverhill.