Education

More Haverhill High AP Students Earning College Credits

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The number of Haverhill High School students who will receive college credits based on last spring’s advanced placement course exams is up 68.6%. High School Associate Principal Victoria Lu recently gave the news to Haverhill School Committee members. She said the school currently offers 27 AP classes that grant students college credit if they score at least a three on the AP exam. More than 320 high school students took AP exams following their successful completion of an AP course this spring, a 54% increase over the 2022 school year. Two new AP classes are being offered in the upcoming school year—AP Research and AP Business and Personal Finance, Lu added.

Haverhill

Two Haverhill Entities Receive State Grants to Ensure Food Availability

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A Haverhill food pantry and a local fisheries business are among 72 organizations statewide sharing in $7 million in state grants to help pay for equipment and facilities required to grow, store and deliver food across Massachusetts. Somebody Cares New England, 358 Washington St., Haverhill, was awarded $46,160 to erect a climate-controlled storage building, while Sustainable Fisheries, 114 Colby St., Haverhill, received $17,766 to buy fishing equipment. Officials said the money will support food banks and other organizations working to get food to residents experiencing hunger. Other awards will help Massachusetts farmers and fishers purchase equipment, expand production and reach more customers. “Our local food system represents so much of what makes Massachusetts special, from our cranberry growers and fisheries to our dairy farms, maple producers and fruit and vegetable growers,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Cultural Council Accepting 2027 Grant Applications

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The Haverhill Cultural Council is accepting applications for the next grant cycle now through Thursday, Oct. 15, at midnight. The Council, which awards the city’s share of state arts funding, gave out $52,881 this past year. Projects ranged from several performances at Haverhill Citizens Center and Haverhill Public Library to a bus station mural project and support for Team Haverhill’s River Ruckus. Grants are awarded to individuals and nonprofit organizations planning projects that provide cultural enrichment to the city.

Election Central

Local Voters Echo Counterparts with Choices in Few Contested Elections

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(See vote counts in contested races.)

While there were only a few contested races in Tuesday’s primary election, Haverhill voters mirrored their counterparts elsewhere when making choices. Haverhill voters agreed with the majority in choosing incumbent Sen. Edward J. Markey, giving him 4,430 votes to rival Congressman Seth Moulton’s 2,296 in unofficial Democratic primary results. Markey will now face Republican John Deaton in the final election Tuesday, Nov. 3. Likewise, in the Republican gubernatorial race, Haverhill voters in that primary chose Michael Minogue 2,315 to challenger Brian Shortsleeve’s 526.

Haverhill

Public Meetings This Week: Applicant Seeks Keon’s 105 Bistro Comeback

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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 on air and online. Keon’s 105 Bistro, the Washington Street eatery that closed in July is working on a comeback, submitting applications for new licenses to be heard Thursday night. A newly formed company, ABR Group, appears before the Haverhill License Commission with applications for restaurant all-alcoholic beverages, entertainment and common victualler licenses. According to the state, the company is managed by Kathleen and William Hector Vadeboncoeur and Robert Edson Defrancesco—the latter being proposed as the day-to-day manager.

Community Spotlight

Golden Hill Community Playground Starts Next Month with Volunteers

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Construction of a $400,000 community playground at Haverhill’s Golden Hill Elementary School could begin next month if organizers can get 815 volunteers to help build it. The playground, brainchild of Brittany Safy, is intended to serve Golden Hill students during the school day and provide a community gathering space for families during non-school hours. As WHAV reported at the time, the project began to take shape last winter. “This incredible project has relied on parents who won’t give up, raised the money and are very close to realizing their vision for our kids. Now we need volunteers who can help be a part of something special.

Business Bulletin

Feeney, Moynihan Join Pentucket Bank Leadership

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Two familiar faces recently joined the leadership of Pentucket Bank—Dwight B. Feeney as executive vice president, senior loan officer and John Moynihan as vice president—senior treasury and business relationship manager. Feeney will lead the bank’s commercial lending team and help guide its growth throughout the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire, while Moynihan will deliver cash management solutions to clients in the commercial and industrial, municipal and commercial real estate sectors, developing customers with revenues up to $900 million. “Dwight understands this market, its businesses and its communities. His experience and relationship-focused approach are a natural fit for our model of combining local decision-making and personal service with the capabilities businesses need to grow,” said Pentucket Bank President and CEO Stephen M. Jaskelevicus. Of Moynihan, he said, “John brings more than four decades of banking experience and a genuine commitment to the clients and communities he serves.

Election Central

US Sen. Markey Wins Democratic Primary Over Opponent Who Called for Change

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By KIMBERLEE KRUESI Associated Press

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts secured the Democratic nomination in his bid for a third term in office Tuesday, fighting off a challenger who argued that it was time for a generational change. Markey, 80, defeated U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, 47, in the Senate primary. Moulton told voters it was time to do away with the “status quo.” Markey pointed to Moulton’s more moderate positions to argue that it was Moulton — not the older incumbent — who was out of touch with the state’s voters. Markey has boasted about his 2022 climate bill and called for an end to the war in Iran to bring down energy costs. In heavily Democratic Massachusetts, the primary is considered the most critical election hurdle.