Education

PHOTO: West Congregational Church Donates Backpacks, School Supplies to Golden Hill

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Golden Hill Elementary School’s very grateful eagle mascot swooped into Principal Bruce Michitson’s office Tuesday afternoon to accept a donation of 50 backpacks filled with school supplies courtesy of Haverhill’s West Congregational Church, led by Pastor Steve Simmons and Youth Group Leader Gerry Roldan. Now in its third year, the backpack distribution program was made possible through donations from parishioners and community members. The Youth Group of sixth to 12th graders—many of them Haverhill High and Whittier Regional Vocational High School students—participate in the backpack donation drive annually and this year selected Golden Hill as the beneficiary. In the past, the group has donated to Tilton School. Michitson plans to work with Golden Hill’s school adjustment counselors to determine students most in need of backpacks and supplies, he told WHAV.

Haverhill

City Celebrates Completion of 144-Unit Tenney Place Apartments on Haverhill’s West Lowell Ave.

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One-hundred-forty-four families are set to call the Tenney Place apartment complex on West Lowell Avenue home after Mayor James J. Fiorentini and several local leaders heralded the official completion of the second and final phase of construction Tuesday. Fiorentini was among the city leaders—including Economic and Planning Director William Pillsbury and Community and Economic Development Director Andrew Herlihy—to join real estate development firm Dakota Partners at the ribbon cutting off Route 110 and Interstate 495. Dakota Principal Roberto Arista said the Tenney project symbolizes the firm’s intention to meet tenants where they are. “We all believe that when people live in the community where they work, the entire community benefits,” Arista said. “The proximity to the workplace promotes a better quality of life, health and success in the workplace, and in turn, helps the local economy thrive.”

Some of the tenants calling one-, two- and three-bedroom Tenney units home, Arista said, are a single father with his children, and a veteran with teenage children who relocated to the complex after living in a shelter.

Haverhill

Opposing Street Change, Haverhill Woman Learns She Can Fight City Hall…and Win

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Despite the popular saying to the contrary, you can fight city hall and win. Antoinette Metheny, a 15-year Bellevue Avenue resident, discovered that last night when stood alone against a city plan to change the name of the portion of the street where she lives. City Engineer John H. Pettis III was before the City Council saying a part of the street with three houses would better align with adjacent Hillside Street. Metheny, of 21 Bellevue Ave., wouldn’t have it. She complained changing her address is no small task in this day and age.

Haverhill

Haverhill Patrolman at Center of School Immigration Fray Chooses to Retire After 31 Years

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The Haverhill patrolman, who came under fire last spring for allegedly telling middle school students they could be deported if present illegally, has retired. Embattled Patrolman Stephen Iannalfo recently retired from the Haverhill Police Department. He had been assigned as a school resource officer at Albert B. Consentino School. According to one parent’s complaint, Iannalfo told students at the school last April they could be deported if they are inside the United States illegally. He had been on paid administrative leave until his retirement.

Haverhill

Haverhill Councilor Calls for Statewide Marijuana Advertising Ban; Plan Before Council Tonight

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Haverhill City Council Vice President Thomas J. Sullivan says the city won’t need to regulate marijuana advertising—as discussed last week—because he hopes the state will outright ban pot-related billboards. Sullivan placed an item on this week’s agenda, asking his colleagues to support a plan to ask the city’s statehouse delegation to nix marijuana advertising altogether. During an interview at WHAV, the councilor explained his proposal. “This matter belongs in Boston at the statehouse because we need legislation filed to ban marijuana advertising on public billboards. It’s really as simple as that.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Firefighting Museum Seeks Entrants, Taste Testers for Oct. 19 Chili Cook-off

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Haverhill’s bravest are ready to show off their skills in the kitchen! The city’s Firefighting Museum seeks entrants and taste testers for its 13th annual chili cook-off to be held on Saturday, Oct. 19. Tasting and judging will take place from 6-8 p.m., with prizes awarded to the best individual/business, best first responder and best restaurant chili dish. Raffles, door prizes and a silent auction will also take place at the event, held at 75 Kenoza Avenue.

Haverhill

Signage Variance for Kobe Japanese Steakhouse Among Haverhill Meetings Week of Sept. 16

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The public has opportunities to shape policy this week as various Haverhill boards meet. In the interest of transparency in government, WHAV provides this list of upcoming meetings every week. The last of five restaurants to be constructed at a new $5 million development on the Haverhill/Plaistow, N.H., border is before the Haverhill Board of Appeals Wednesday night. The board is hearing an application to waive limits on the size of two signs for Kobe Japanese Steakhouse at 89 Plaistow Road. Restaurant owner Andy Chen filed the application and is expected to be represented by attorney Michael Migliori.

Crime

Haverhill Man Scratches Gang Affiliation Into Police Station Cell After Jackson Street Shooting

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An 18-year-old self-described gang member brazenly bragged about having his gun out in broad daylight Sept. 15, going so far as to tell a Haverhill Police officer involved in arresting him for Sunday’s Jackson Street shooting he wished he turned the gun on that officer instead. As WHAV previously reported police say 7th Avenue’s Brian Grande was one of three people allegedly involved in a shooting just before noon in the city’s Mount Washington neighborhood Sunday. After a 911 call was made, officers responded to High Street and Jackson Street Extension to interview possible witnesses. People in the area told police they saw a blue Ford Focus hatchback driven by a woman pull out from behind a white van parked in front of 43 Jackson St.