First-term Haverhill School Committee member Cheryl A. Ferguson faces restricted access to school properties following her arraignment Wednesday on a charge she allegedly indecently assaulted a teenage boy this week. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and school Superintendent Margaret Marotta issued a joint statement Wednesday, around 5 p.m., said they were informed of the 59-year-old School Committee member’s arrest by Haverhill police. “In an abundance of caution, we have decided to restrict the member’s access to school premises and are taking other precautionary measures until further notice. The safety of our students is our first concern,” the statement said. Barrett, who is chair of the School Committee, and Marotta added they “will have no comment on the substance of the allegations” since it is a criminal matter.
Exclusive
Patel Graduates from Greater Lawrence Family Health Center’s Pharmacy Residency Program
|
It’s been a great two months for the pharmacy residency program hosted by Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Hemali Patel, PharmD, graduated recently from the one-year advanced pharmacy training program. She will be attending a second-year pharmacy residency program at VillageMD Population Health and Data Analytics in Texas. Last month, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists awarded the program accreditation for the next eight years—the longest interval allowed by the governing body. The Health Center and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences provide a postgraduate year one pharmacy residency program.
Haverhill
Amazon Fulfillment Center Coming to Haverhill’s Broadway Industrial Park; Mayor Expects 250 New Jobs
|
An Amazon fulfillment center is coming to Haverhill, filling the space off Route 97 formerly occupied by Southwick Clothing. The online retailer’s arrival in the city is something Mayor James J. Fiorentini has been seeking since he organized a regional pitch in 2017 to attract Amazon’s second headquarters. When Amazon agreed to build a distribution site in North Andover in 2019, the mayor again predicted ancillary benefits. Asked by WHAV yesterday, Fiorentini confirmed Amazon is expected to sign a lease next week. “We were absolutely thrilled when Amazon went next door to North Andover at the old Western Electric building and we indicated there would be some side benefits when this happened.
Crime
Update II: Identity of 21-Year-Old Haverhill Stab Victim Revealed at Arraignment of Alleged Killer
|
4:40 p.m. Update
The 21-year-old man, stabbed to death Tuesday morning, was identified as Izayah Cruz, during the arraignment Tuesday of his accused killer, Evanda M. Jackson. Haverhill District Court Judge Patricia A. Dowling ordered Jackson, 46, of 10 Kimball St., held without bail pending a hearing Wednesday, Oct. 7. Haverhill Police were dispatched to Boardman and Water Streets just before 4 a.m., Tuesday, discovered a car accident and found the stab victim’s brother yelling for help. Police said Cruz, of North Street, Haverhill, was the driver of the car and had a stab wound in the center of his chest.
Exclusive
New or Renovated Whittier Tech on the Way After School Building Authority Deems it Eligible
|
A new or substantially renovated Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School is on the horizon. After five annual submissions, the Massachusetts School Building Authority last month invited the nearly 50-year-old school into its eligibility period. The designation means Whittier Tech must now form a local building committee. Superintendent Maureen A. Lynch last night told members of the Haverhill Education Coalition Whittier Tech was forced to take steps after Haverhill building officials declared no more renovations may take place. Inspectors said the school needs a modern sprinkler system, among other updates, to continue growing.
Exclusive
Three Housing Plans for Former Ornsteen Lot Emerge; Competing Proposals Offer 110-320 Apartments
|
A committee will soon begin reviewing three new proposals for building apartments at the city-owned, former Ornsteen Heel property near the Bradford commuter rail station. City councilors rejected one of the applicants—Neighborhood of Affordable Housing—a year ago and may end up having a chance to vote on one—Princeton Properties—they preferred at the time, but the firm had not yet bid. A newcomer, Procopio Companies of Lynnfield, proposes the most housing units of all. Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, known as NOAH, of East Boston is proposing 110-130 market rate and “workforce” apartments in a single building and bidding $1.2 million. Princeton Properties, which has an ownership interest in the former Forest Acres apartment complex off South Main Street, proposes 144 market rate apartments spread between two buildings and has bid $500,000.
Exclusive
Haverhill District Court First Justice Abany to Retire This Month
|
It’s an end of an era as Haverhill District Court First Justice Stephen S. Abany is retiring this month. Abany, well-known to defendants, plaintiffs and jurors alike, is credited not only with presiding over the law, but over the 50-year-old court building’s recent $8 million renovation. “He was not just a good steward of court business, but he was also a good steward of the court building. He oversaw the renovation of the building, including moving the court to two different places—Newburyport District Court and Haverhill City Hall. That’s not a small undertaking for anybody,” said Haverhill City Solicitor William D. Cox Jr.
Renovations began in 2017 when civil cases were temporarily moved to Haverhill City Hall and criminal cases to Newburyport District Court.
Exclusive
Passed Over Snowplow Contractor Allegedly Assaults Haverhill Highway Superintendent
|
A Haverhill snowplow contractor was charged early Tuesday morning for allegedly assaulting the city’s highway superintendent after being passed over for work during recent storms.
Fifty-seven-year-old Daniel J. Murray, 224 Newton Road, was arrested at his home and charged with assault and battery on a person 60-years-of-age or older. According to a police report, Murray was said to have pushed Brian J. Zaniboni to the floor when the highway superintendent told him he wasn’t needed during the snowstorm. Sixty-five-year-old Zaniboni was taken by ambulance to Holy Family Hospital in Methuen where he was treated for back and shoulder pain. Murray was arraigned yesterday in Haverhill District Court, where Judge Stephen Abany ordered him to have no contact with Zaniboni. Murray is scheduled to return to court in January for a pre-trial hearing.
Crime
School Gun Aftermath: Haverhill Officials Discuss Security Issues Behind Closed Doors
|
Members of the Haverhill School Committee went behind closed doors this morning to meet with Haverhill Police to discuss issues related to last week’s report of a teenager with a gun at Haverhill High School. A week ago, Monday, a 16-year-old Haverhill High sophomore was arrested by Haverhill Police and charged with carrying a firearm without a license, trespassing, carrying a dangerous weapon on school grounds and possession of a class E drug. As WHAV previously reported, the juvenile was one of several hundred at the Monument Street building July 29 when a security guard is said to have glimpsed him with the gun and he ran, allegedly tossing the weapon outside of campus. He was taken into custody about a mile away near the intersection of North Broadway and Broadway. City councilors last night heard some details from Mayor James J. Fiorentini and school Superintendent Margaret Marotta.