Haverhill

Final Haverhill Art Walk of the Season Set for Sept. 26

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Live music, pop-up exhibitions, interactive programming and an alleyway art market are coming the last weekend of the month to downtown with the final Haverhill Art Walk of the year. The seasonal event takes place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 6 p.m., in the downtown Riverfront Cultural District, incorporating Washington and Wingate Streets and bounded by Railroad and Washington Squares. Railroad Square will see Haverhill High School Coffeehouse kick off the lineup, followed by Tom Jordan and The Daydrinkers and Autumn Hollow; art making with Hill View Montessori Charter Public School; hands-on printing with the Museum of Printing; and interactive spray painting with mural artist Manny Mateo. At 90 Washington St., artist Deyaniera “DeyCloud” Claudio presents “Cloud of Thorns,” a pop-up exhibit that delves into mental health and identity.

Education

Northern Essex Uses Closed Haverhill Operating Rooms to Launch Surgical Tech Program

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Northern Essex Community College launched a new degree program for the fall semester aimed at helping students earn a degree while gaining hands-on, paid experience in a hospital operating room. The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology program is offered in partnership with Merrimack Health Haverhill Hospital through an apprenticeship supported by a Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant and contributions from the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation and Accelerate the Future. “Surgical technologists are in high demand across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, but training pipelines have been limited, especially in the Merrimack Valley,” said Northern Essex Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson. “NECC’s Surgical Technology program was built to close that gap—and in a striking, concrete way: Merrimack Health–Haverhill contributed its closed operating rooms to become classrooms and labs for the program. That’s a rare kind of investment/opportunity—a hospital repurposing its own clinical space so the next generation of surgical techs can train in an environment that looks and functions like a real OR, not a simulated one.”

Students develop the knowledge and technical skills needed to provide safe, effective patient care before, during and after surgical procedures while eventually working alongside healthcare professionals.

Haverhill

U.S. House Approves Bill that Could Pay for Haverhill, Methuen Water and Sewer Projects

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Congresswoman Lori Trahan Thursday said she backed the bipartisan 2026 Water Resources Development Act that, if all other pieces fall into place, could provide Haverhill $50 million toward water and sewer projects. The House action follows an amendment vote in July, supported by Trahan and 6th District Congressman Seth Moulton to increase federal aid Haverhill could receive from $40 to $50 million. As Moulton pointed out earlier, a future appropriations bill would also be required before the city can draw on the money. Aid could be used to tackle the estimated $26 million cost of replacing a failed force main sewer, that caused millions of gallons of untreated sewage to flow for a few days into the Merrimack River.. “For too long, Washington has passed the buck on costly water upgrades to communities like ours that can’t afford them.

Community Spotlight

7th Annual Hillie Hunt Seeks Sleuths to Send All Over Haverhill Oct. 30

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Those who can follow perplexing clues, uncover hidden surprises and triumph over competitors are wanted by the Haverhill Exchange Club for its seventh annual Hillie Hunt, a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. The Hillie Hunt features teams spread throughout the city following clues, taking challenges, sharing laughs and engaging in friendly competition. Win or lose, participants get together for an after party when it’s over. The seventh annual Hillie Hunt takes place Friday, Oct. 30, starting at 6 p.m., at Roma Restaurant, 29 Middlesex St., Haverhill.

Beacon Hill News

MassHealth Outreach Campaign Money to Go to MBTA, Not Local News Outlets

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When. Gov. Maura Healey came to Haverhill last month with her “Keep Your Coverage” campaign, officials said there would be a messaging campaign aimed at reaching MassHealth-eligible residents who risk losing health insurance. As of now, though, residents in Haverhill, Methuen and Lawrence—three Gateway communities with vulnerable populations—won’t get the state’s paid messages about paperwork help and resources from any local news outlet. The nonprofit charged with carrying out the campaign told WHAV Wednesday, the money will instead go to the MBTA, which operates commuter rail locally. “There are no radio advertising buys as part of this campaign.

Haverhill

Councilor Faults Legislators for Inaction on Infrastructure Aid

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Haverhill City Councilor Daniel R. Diodati took the city’s legislative delegation to task Tuesday for failing to help Haverhill solve its expensive and ongoing water distribution and sewer pipe maintenance issues. Diodati, who represents Ward 2, spoke Tuesday following a discussion of impending and more severe water use restrictions and a range of other options to respond to drought conditions. Diodati said he believes the city is lucky a new well under the Merrimack River is projected to come on line relatively soon. “We really are in this together and we’re just trying to get through. We’re two years from having a viable water source.

Education

Professional BMX Bikers Take Over Whittier Tech’s Gym

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The gymnasium at Whittier Regional Vocational School turned into a BMX bike skate park Wednesday when five professional bicycle trick athletes entertained students while offering an important message on how to deal with bullies and to find that all important life passion. The ASA Entertainment No Hate Tour came to Whittier with a mission to show the teens that ordinary kids like them once were targets of bullies but grew into professional athletes living their childhood dreams. Sprinkled in was the importance of not just talent but a positive attitude. Master of Ceremonies Zack Newman encouraged students. “Stick with it. Find that thing you love and never quit.