Education

Fiorentini Names Six-Member Haverhill Council on Youth Needs

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The city will soon have a six-member panel of young leaders to offer their perspectives on Haverhill happenings, Mayor James J. Fiorentini said this week. At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Fioretini plans to formally appoint the six Haverhill High School students set to join 2003 Hillie grad and committee chairwoman Robin Del Negro. “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. “Giving our kids more positive things to do and keeping our young people here in the city are keys to a better future.”

Ailish Ferrick, Gabriela Vargas, Leah Pearse, Dale Leone, Shannon Kaiser and Karyna Ward are expected to join others from the school department and the Haverhill Recreation Department on the board, Fiorentini’s office said.

Haverhill

Open Mic Show: March 25, 2019

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Haverhill City Councilor Colin F. LePage joins Open Mic Show host Bill Macek on the March 25 episode of WHAV's weekly call-in show.

Education

Haverhill Names Greater Lawrence Tech Business Manager as Asst. Superintendent Finalist

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The business manager for Greater Lawrence Technical School is expected to be formally interviewed this week by the Haverhill School Committee for the job of assistant superintendent. Maria Silva, who has managed finances eight years at the Andover vocational school, was formally named today as the sole finalist for the Haverhill post. Before taking over the business job, Silva worked as administrative assistant to the school principal for about five and a half years. She was first hired at Greater Lawrence Technical School during November 2001 to handle payroll. Silva became finalist by vote of the Haverhill School Committee April 11 and was notified the next day, Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta confirmed in an email to WHAV.

Education

State DCF Investigating Another Haverhill Child Restraint; Officials Not Told For a Week

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A state agency is investigating an April 12 child restraint issue at St. James School that, at least for a week, did not come with any district-ordered suspensions—seemingly contradicting newly articulated school policy. The incident—the second in a month—was confirmed for WHAV Friday by a spokeswoman for the state Department of Children and Families. The agency, whose role is “to keep children safe from abuse and neglect,” also reported it has not yet completed its investigation of a March 29 incident that saw the school principal and four others placed on paid leave. On Saturday morning, following WHAV’s inquiries, school Superintendent Margaret Marotta notified the School Committee by email.

Haverhill

Bradford’s Mohika Joins NECC Alumni Board

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Bradford-based Brian Mohika, the CEO of medical clothing company CathWear, has been appointed to the Northern Essex Community College Alumni Board, the school tells WHAV in a statement. A 2006 graduate of the school’s radiologic technology program, Lawrence native Mohika went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UMass Lowell in 2015. As WHAV was first to report last summer, Mohika also looks forward to giving back to the Merrimack Valley through his CathWear brand, a line of medical undergarments designed for patients who use catheters. Top of mind for Mohika is the overall patient experience. “Of all they have to deal with, if we can just take this one thing away from them while they’re undergoing treatment and restore dignity and privacy for these patients, that means a lot to me as a nurse,” he said.

Crime

Second Man Arrested for Haverhill Richdale Brawl Mouths Off to DA, Judge: ‘You’re Lying’

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A second Haverhill man arrested for the April 5 Richdale fight lost his temper with a Haverhill District Court judge and assistant district attorney during arraignment last week over what the man said were false claims that made him “look bad” in the wake of a bloody convenience store brawl. WHAV was the only news outlet in the courtroom April 18 when Stephen Hines lost his temper and mouthed off to Haverhill District Court First Justice Stephen Abany and Assistant District Attorney John DePaulo so much so that Abany threatened to remove him from the courtroom. A defiant Hines, brought into the courtroom in cuffs with four court officers surrounding him, faced a judge after being arrested on a fugitive from justice charge Wednesday. At arraignment, he faced one count of unarmed robbery—allegedly stealing $2.00 during the Richdale melee—and assault and battery, police said. As DePaulo recounted the facts of the case, Hines couldn’t hold his tongue, causing Abany to take action.

Haverhill

It’s Up to You Whether Harmful Secrets are Exposed

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The management of 97.9 WHAV FM is sure you’ve heard this before, but just in case, there are those who keep secrets from you for personal, professional or financial gain. Sometimes, it’s just about power. Those that can’t be king of the hill often settle for being ruler of the mole hill. While motives are not always clear, residents and businesses pay the price—in higher fees or taxes, inadequate services or inappropriate neighbors. It’s nonprofit WHAV’s mission to ferret these secrets out.

Crime

Maple Avenue Game Night Escalates to Stabbing; Haverhill Man Stands Accused

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A 22-year-old Haverhill man is recovering from what police call non-life threatening stab wounds after a Thursday night fight broke out inside a home on Maple Avenue. Officers responded to 3 Maple Ave., No. 3 just after 7 p.m. April 18 to break up a fight between two men that had escalated to a stabbing. According to witnesses, several people were drinking and playing board games when Frailyn Rodriguez—a resident of the Maple Avenue apartment—is said to have returned home and got into a fight with another man there as part of the group. According to police, “Rodriguez became upset because (the victim) was there and said ‘Why are you here?