Crime

Haverhill Police Arrest Two in Daytime Masked Kidnapping in Bradford

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An investigation into an alleged kidnapping at the end of August, involving at least two masked men with handguns near the Bradford commuter rail station, has brought the arrests of two 22-year-olds. Haverhill Police said Wednesday Andy Lahens of Everett and Ali Cali of Cambridge were each charged with kidnapping, armed assault to rob, armed and masked robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon. One was taken into custody in Canton and the other in Cambridge. A police report obtained by WHAV shows officers were dispatched Friday, Aug. 28, just after 5 p.m., to Railroad Avenue, after a report of “someone getting attacked and pushed into a vehicle.” A witness reported at least four men were outside a black Ford Edge in the middle of the street.

Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors Approve E-Bike, E-Scooter Ordinance

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On a unanimous vote the Haverhill City Council Tuesday gave the city’s police department, among other measures, authority to impound e-bikes and e-scooters parked on city property. Haverhill Police Lt. Kevin Lynch said, under the new confiscation rules, only a parent or guardian will be permitted to retrieve the vehicles from the Haverhill police station after payment of any relevant fines. In an answer to a question from at-large Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan, Lynch said the department is prepared to undertake an education campaign to reach parents as well as students about the change in policy. “A big component is we are going to have to educate parents. Parents need to take responsibility for their children and not buy the $300 to $400 scooters and let them go out on the street.”

The city began pushing for rules last June after a 12-year-old girl lost her life, and another young girl was hospitalized, following an accident.

Haverhill

Haverhill Farmers Market Plans Winter Expansion Downtown

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Organizers of the Haverhill Farmers Market are trying once again to establish a winter outlet for their vendors and customers, this time inside the new Historic New England Center in downtown Haverhill. Jeff Grassie, market manager of the weekly summer events on Bradford Common, told WHAV he has been searching for a protected location large enough to accommodate about 40 regular vendors. He oversaw an initial effort years ago at the Universalist Unitarian Church on Kenoza Avenue, but the space was too small. “This has kind of been in the planning stages for about two-three years now,” Grassie said. Grassie said he was inspired to look harder at the insistence of his vendors.

Haverhill

GoNetspeed Signs Pact, Plans to Offer Fiber-Based Internet in Haverhill

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Haverhill has signed an agreement with another Internet vendor offering fiber to the home, and Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett said plans by GoNetspeed look promising. The company, that describes itself as the Northeast’s largest independent fiber internet provider, said Tuesday construction is expected to begin next year, with the first customers connected as the network build progresses. “It would be good if somebody can string together the city because it would give people options, and that’s what we were looking for. Nobody has an exclusive, but I think GoNetspeed can really do this,” Barrett told WHAV. The mayor said GoNetspeed has been looking at Haverhill about as long as a similar vendor, Ripple Fiber, that was supposed to have begun offering service this past summer.

Business Bulletin

In Visit, Michlewitz Calls State Economy Strong, Recognizes Housing, Food Concerns

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Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, tackled concerns about housing, hunger and energy affordability Monday when addressing members of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce. Michlewitz noted the state can do better and has places where it has to be more competitive, but gave the state an overall thumbs up. He said the “numbers don’t lie,” the state still has a “strong economy.”

“Considering all the chaos that you’re seeing across the country and in the global markets and everything like that, Massachusetts has continued to stay pretty steady in its growth and in its consistency,” he said. Introduced by Second Assistant Majority Leader Frank A. Moran of Lawrence, Methuen and Andover, the chairman said a lack of housing is the state’s biggest challenge in keeping people in Massachusetts, “young people in particular.” He pointed out Haverhill Rep. Andy X. Vargas has championed the “Yes in God’s Back Yard,” or YIGBY, bill that would loosen zoning rules to allow religious organizations to develop housing by right. While Michlewitz said the House put some restrictions on it, the proposal is advancing.

Community Spotlight

Urban Bridges Offers Free E-Bike and Scooter Workshop Thursday

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Haverhill’s Urban Bridges plans a free E-Bike and Scooter Educational Workshop tomorrow, emphasizing safety and giving away free helmets for the first 30 registrants. The safety workshop is sponsored by Rep. Andy X. Vargas, AAA Northeast, Cedar’s Foods and Merrimack Health. “We’ve had way too many e-scooter tragedies and injuries in our neighborhoods,” said Vargas. “I’m proud to partner with Urban Bridges and all the event sponsors to give kids the tools and knowledge they need to ride safely and responsibly in Haverhill. As more young people use scooters and e-bikes to get around, we need both education and clear safety standards to make sure they can do so safely,” said Vargas.

Haverhill

Joseph’s Trattoria Breaks Ground on New Ward Hill Restaurant and Complex

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Joseph’s Trattoria restaurant plans to return to Ward Hill by late next spring—starting a $5 million portion of what will be “Oxford Crossing,” a new neighborhood village with retail spaces and 220 apartments. Owner Deanna Faro Gaiero and her family participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking Monday morning at the site off Route 125. She explained the project has been in the works longer than most realize. “We started talking about this back before COVID actually, so six years in the plans,” she said. Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett offered her congratulations.

Business Bulletin

Essex District Attorney Tucker Rules Out Third Term

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Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker said Friday he will not seek a third, four-year term, presuming he is re-elected during the November general election. Tucker, who was first elected to the county’s top law enforcement post in the November 2021 general election following a lengthy career in law enforcement and as a state representative, is running unopposed for his second term this November. “I am wrapping up my fourth year. And I’ll have one more term and, as long as my wife and I both vote for me, I’m unopposed. I will be back on the job for four more years.