Exclusive

Police Raid Nets Two for Trafficking, Drugs, Stun Gun

By |

Two men are under arrest and charged with trafficking in the heroin, morphine or opium class of drugs after their arrests by Haverhill police early last night on Pentucket Street. Francis Fernandez, 33, 14 Pentucket St., and Hector Ocasio, 27, of Lawrence, were arrested between 6:15 and 6:30, Wednesday. They were each charged with trafficking drugs and conspiracy to violate drug laws. Fernandez was also charged with possession of drugs with the intent to distribute and possession of a stun gun. They men face arraignment today in Haverhill District Court.

Exclusive

Former Councilor Scatamacchia Returns to City on Parole

By |

Former Haverhill City Councilor Robert H. Scatamacchia, convicted last July of theft related to his former funeral business, has returned to the community after being released on parole. Scatamacchia was released from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department’s Pre-release and Re-entry Center, Lawrence, a week ago Wednesday. He was serving a one-year prison sentence. His release was confirmed Friday by Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger. Scatamacchia was eligible for parole as of mid-January, he said.

Exclusive

Police Charge Another Accomplice in String of Armed Robberies

By |

Carlos Perez is placed into a waiting ambulance at the conclusion of a four-hour armed standoff. (WHAV News photograph.)

Another alleged accomplice of the man who holed himself up in a Franklin Street basement last month, was arrested Friday and charged in connection with a robbery at a Main Street hair salon. Haverhill police, with the help of Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, brought in Louis Jones, 41, of Methuen, on a warrant, charging him with armed robbery while masked. He was arrested at the Haverhill police station Friday, just before 8 a.m. Police allege Jones helped Carlos Perez, 37, of Bradford, rob Europa Hair Designs, 749 Main St. Perez has also been charged in connection with the robbery and, with the help of another alleged accomplice, Brandon Lucia, in the robberies of Dunkin’ Donuts, 407 Amesbury Road, and Tire Warehouse, 773 River St.

Exclusive
Mass. State House

City, Unions Protest Being Locked Out of Insurance Plans

By |

City workers and retirees, forced last November to buy health insurance from the state, are protesting a decision by the Group Insurance Commission to lock them out of one of their preferred plans. Although they weren’t happy with Mayor James J. Fiorentini’s decision to move them into lower cost state plans—and many were especially concerned about the loss of Blue Cross coverage—union members took some solace in being able to choose among seven alternate health plans. Anthony Parolisi, second vice president of the Haverhill Education Association, however, told WHAV GIC voted two weeks ago to change deductibles and co-pays and lock Haverhill out of two insurance options. “They approved these changes without public comment, and then they also made the decision to freeze two of the plans that had been opened just last year to any new member,” Parolisi explains. The decision contradicted statements the union made to its members.

Education

Tilton Up for ‘Turnaround’ Grant; Scores Already Improving

By |

Haverhill Education Association President Lisa R. Begley. Haverhill is up for a $300,000 grant to help “turnaround” test scores at Tilton School, but both the administration and teachers’ union agree students’ continuing progress can’t be recognized unless other schools decline. That’s because of a peculiarity of the state’s ranking system that forces 20 percent of the state schools to remain at or near the bottom of scores. Haverhill Education Association President Lisa R. Begley told WHAV the state system is flawed. “We realize that the only way we’re really going to be able to get out of it is hoping that someone else fails.

Exclusive

Fiorentini ‘Outraged’ by $4,000 City Treasury Theft; Files Insurance Claim

By |

Essex County Prosecutor Michael Dulany, left, and Dawn Marie Medford, who was charged with two counts of theft of more than $250 and a single count of theft under $250. (WHAV News photograph.)

Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini says his is “outraged” by the theft of approximately $4,000 allegedly by a former city employee. The mayor said Dawn Marie Medford, 46, of Bradford, was fired, and the city is filing an insurance claim to recover the missing money. “We identified the theft quickly and I called in an outside agency to do an audit to set up additional policies to help prevent this theft from happening again,” Fiorentini told WHAV in a statement. “I am outraged that anyone would steal money from the city,” the mayor said, adding “We intend to seek prosecution of this individual to the fullest extent of the law”

Fiorentini said the discrepancy was quickly discovered by other members of the city’s Treasurer and Collector’s office.

Exclusive

City Worker Faces Charges of Stealing from Treasurer-Collector’s Office

By |

Dawn Marie Medford, of Bradford, at her arraignment this morning in Haverhill District Court. (WHAV News photograph.)

A former Haverhill city employee was formally charged this morning with stealing money from the city treasury. Dawn Marie Medford, who at times worked in the city treasurer and collector’s office, was arraigned in Haverhill District Court on two counts of larceny over $250 and one count of larceny under $250. According to Assistant District Attorney Michael Dulany, city officials became aware of the thefts Oct. 11.

Exclusive

Former Councilor Scatamacchia Now at Prison Pre-Release ‘Farm’

By |

Former Haverhill City Council Vice President Robert H. Scatamacchia, serving a one-year prison sentence for stealing funeral prepayment money, is at the “Farm”—the Essex County Sheriff’s Department’s Pre-release and Re-entry Center, Lawrence. The center, on a 13-acre site off Marston Street, Lawrence, is for “Offenders who have completed their mandatory rehabilitative programs and are on the verge of being released,” according to the sheriff’s department. “He is here,” confirmed an officer reached by telephone at the center. Barbara Maher, chief financial officer and spokesperson for Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins said the decision to release prisoners to the center is up to a board of sheriff’s department officials. Members include heads of security, programs, housing, victims and classification.