WHAV (https://whav.net/category/localnews/haverhill/page/19/)
Stormy weather is giving a bit of a reprieve to those who drive over the Pfc. Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge, along Route 125 over the Merrimack River. The state Department of Transportation says it is delaying planned single lane traffic, alternating between northbound, toward downtown Haverhill, and southbound, toward Bradford, that was to begin Monday, Sept. 28. The temporary configuration now is scheduled for Thursday, Oct.
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When the final group of Haverhill High School students, taking part in an assembly to show off their summer work, prepared to step onto the stage, they realized their “show and tell” prototype had mysteriously gone missing. Turns out, their “enhanced” cardboard box, which students in the Lemelson-MIT internship program hoped to use to explain their efficiency idea for HVAC units, had been scooped up by a too-efficient custodian during a rogue fire alarm minutes earlier. After students and the audience evacuated the space as required, the cleaner grabbed the display, believing it was just another empty cardboard box to be recycled. Students Sophia LaFontaine, Baram Raad and Cassidy Noonan, regrouped and went on to deliver a detailed explanation of their idea using a photograph of their prototype for show and tell. More importantly, they agreed after the event closed, they put into practice a key take-away from their experience: failure is often a part of the industrial design process.
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Haverhill Youth Football and Cheer are in the fourth week of the season and ready for what this weekend has to offer. On the football side, the senior team, grades seven and eight, is currently 2-1 on the year. Director of Football Operations Christian Foresta said that after beating Amesbury 34-6 last week, he predicts league administrators will rank the team as third or fourth place. Seniors play Timberlane Youth Football Sunday, 4 p.m., at Haverhill Stadium. Foresta outlined for WHAV reasons he believes the seniors have seen success this year.
The Haverhill Hound, Rod and Gun Club is planning its annual, drop-in open house. The Club invites the public to see its property that offers rifle, archery and indoor ranges, along with monthly safety classes, kayak access for fishing in Chadwick Pond and other activities. There will be hot dogs and other refreshments. The free open house takes place Sunday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 10 Larch Road, Haverhill.
BrightBridge Credit Union staff supported two causes last weekend—the 2026 Walk for Hope Fall Festival, benefiting Lazarus House Ministries, and Walk for Sickle Cell Disease, benefiting the Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association. On Saturday, the credit union was a $2,500 Walking Partner Sponsor of the Walk for Hope Fall Festival, an annual fundraiser supporting the work of Lazarus House Ministries throughout the Merrimack Valley. The organization serves more than 2,000 individuals and families weekly with programs addressing homelessness, food insecurity, housing instability and other needs. “These events exemplify what community partnership is all about,” said BrightBridge Vice President of Workplace Member Growth and Financial Wellness Glenn Prezzano, adding, “Our team is honored to be a sponsor and to show our support through participation in events that directly support people served by these wonderful and impactful organizations.”
Members of BrightBridge’s Dorchester branch team also took part the same day at the Walk for Sickle Cell Disease in Boston. Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association uses the event to raise awareness of the disease and support for programs and services for individuals and families affected by the condition.
A 22-year-old Haverhill man faces assault and battery and other charges after allegedly hitting a man’s hand with a bat, threatening another and damaging a glass door at a downtown Haverhill restaurant and lounge early last Saturday morning. Frantzdley Jean was arrested by Haverhill Police and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon and malicious destruction of property following an encounter just before 1:30 a.m., at Afro-Infused, 30 Emerson St., not far from Washington Square. Despite a telephone caller’s allegation there was a shooting, police determined no shots were fired, but they found an unconscious man with a lump on his head. The man, identified as Jean, told police “They hit me,” according to a police report. A witness told officers, Jean had been expelled from Afro-Infused and allegedly returned with a red bat and struck the door of the business.
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Haverhill’s new Rosemont Street bridge with classical features opens to traffic Thursday after workers completed installation of guardrails Wednesday. As WHAV reported this week, City Engineer Lisa E. DeMeo said the bridge could open as soon as guardrails were attached. She noted, however, riverbank restoration underneath can continue without disturbing traffic, but eventual relocation of electric wires to overhead poles will require a future closing when National Grid work takes place. She explained the closing is required because the utility will have trucks in the street. The new $4.4 million Rosemont Street bridge, carrying traffic over Little River near Plaistow, N.H., conveys a traditional look with, what are called, “Texas Rails.” Besides replacing the 1934-era bridge, the project’s scope includes a widened “stream width that mimics the natural upstream and downstream reaches of the Little River;” a dry passage for wildlife, such as turtles, for example; and restored banks on both sides under the bridge.
Jonathan Machado, Karen Murphy and Joseph Pelich recently joined the Northern Essex Community College Foundation Board, which helps the college and students with additional resources. Machado, of Melrose, is a senior vice president and commercial lending manager at Rockland Trust. As a board and executive committee member of Lawrence Community Works, he has also been actively involved with the Lawrence Partnership and the Lawrence Venture Loan Fund. He has a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Finance from Bryant University and an MBA from Suffolk University. “I have always been impressed by the school’s commitment to its students and community.