Haverhill

Sports Updates: Quezada’s Complete Boston Triathlon, Haverhill High Fall Sports Underway

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Haverhill’s Quezada family last Sunday completed the Boston Triathlon and Haverhill High School sports are preparing for fall with a new registration system. Haverhill residents Yonatan Quezada and his 20-year-old son, Schoan, completed the Boston Triathlon sprint distance race last Sunday as a push-assist duo with a final time of 2:11:20. Their participation marked the first push-assist entry at the Boston Triathlon since 2019. As WHAV previously reported, after completing the Boston Marathon three times together, the father and son took on a new challenge that included a swim in Dorchester Bay followed by the bike and run portions of the race together. Andrea Cox of Boxford, finished as the top woman with a time of 1:09:37.

Business Bulletin

Pentucket Bank and its Foundation Award $49,500 in Grants

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In recognition of National Nonprofit Day, Pentucket Bank and the Pentucket Bank Charitable Foundation recently celebrated nonprofit organizations, schools and community partners whose work strengthens the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire. The Foundation’s most recent round of grants, approved at its June meeting, awarded $49,500 to 11 nonprofit and community organizations, ranging from financial literacy and housing resources to education, veteran services, arts and environmental programming and community spaces. Among recipients were AgeSpan, Lawrence Community Works and Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership, supporting financial literacy and housing-related initiatives, and Operation Delta Dog, that provides services to veterans. Capital and building projects include a commercial kitchen at Esperanza Academy, playground at Fisk Elementary School and new teen room at Merrimac Public Library. Additional grants support a student internship at Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School, arts and environmental education at Friends of Veasey, scholarships through the Haverhill Performing Arts Workshop and programming at the Haverhill Farmers Market.

Haverhill

Council Hears Looming Basiliere Bridge Partial Demo, Traffic Plan

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State highway officials told Haverhill city councilors traffic on the Pfc. Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge, which connects Haverhill’s downtown to Bradford, will be cut in half to one lane in each direction beginning in mid-September until the $240 million replacement is completed in 2032. Additionally, drivers coming from Bradford will no longer be able to take a left onto Merrimack Street off the bridge and instead will be redirected up to Bailey Boulevard. Meanwhile, heavy truck traffic is being redirected to Interstate 495, away from downtown, and residents asked to seek alternative routes. Nathaniel Cabral-Curtis, a communications consultant, said a combination of emails, a website and push notifications will help get the message out.

Haverhill

Haverhill Fire Knocks Down Hilldale Home Fire; Chief Says Newer Crews Perform ‘Very Well’

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Some of Haverhill’s newest firefighters put their training to work Tuesday afternoon, quickly containing a home fire on Hilldale Avenue. Haverhill Fire Chief Christopher Cesati told WHAV firefighters were dispatched Tuesday at 3:23 p.m. to what was first reported as a basement fire the bungalow-style house at 715 Hilldale Ave. Engine 1 out of High Street was first on the scene and discovered “heavy fire” on the first floor of the home and breaking into the attic. The chief said firefighters made an “aggressive attack” and also put a ladder company on the roof. “With our department being younger with all of the hires we’ve had over the past few years, this fire was an opportunity for a lot of these newer guys to have their first chance at an interior attack and they all performed very well,” Ceasti said.

Business Bulletin

State Closes Haverhill’s Hidden Pig Over Taxes; Owner Promises to Reopen

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(Additional photograph below.)

The owner of downtown Haverhill’s Hidden Pig restaurant promises to reopen by early September after the state issued a seizure notice for nonpayment of taxes. In a social media post, The Hidden Pig yesterday confirmed the big orange “Seized” notice in the window at 130 Washington St. and said they are working to resolve the issue. “Before everyone runs off with their own thoughts, I’m writing this post to share briefly what’s happening and how we will handle it. The business/property was closed today by the state for having outstanding tax obligations not fulfilled,” the business confirmed.

Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors Postpone Debate Over Battery Energy Storage Systems Zoning

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Haverhill Councilors Tuesday night delayed a planned a public hearing on creating zoning overlay districts for so-called Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS, until their Tuesday, Sept. 15, meeting. The postponement came at the request of Vice President John A. Michitson who was absent. Michitson heads the Council’s Planning and Development Committee which is developing criteria for siting such battery farms.

At the initial discussion, the Council asked the city’s planning department to rank sites which are suitable for such an installation. Back in May, City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead drafted an ordinance that would allow a battery storage farm at the former Dutton Airport, off Route 110 near Northern Essex Community College.

Election Central

Lt. Gov. Driscoll Confirms Saturday Haverhill Democratic Breakfast Visit

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Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is the latest high-profile Democrat to confirm she will attend the Haverhill Democratic City Committee’s Annual Roz McKeon Breakfast Saturday in downtown Haverhill

Driscoll, candidate for re-election with Gov. Maura Healey, will address those gathered at the breakfast which takes place Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Maria’s Restaurant, Galleria Banquet Room, 85 Essex St., Haverhill. The Haverhill Democratic City Committee will honor state Rep. Ryan M. Hamilton as its 2026 Distinguished Democrat. Seth Moulton, 6th District congressman and U.S. Senate candidate, earlier confirmed his attendance. U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey was also invited.

Crime

Jury Finds Haverhill Man Guilty of Seeking Sex with 12-Year-Old

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A now-25-year-old Haverhill man was found guilty of attempting to sex traffic a 12-year-old during a sting two years ago. Prosecutors said Monday Sharath Chandra Bollu, was found guilty by a federal jury after a four-day trial. Bollu was convicted of attempted sex trafficking of a minor and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. U.S. Chief District Court Judge Samantha Elliott ordered Bollu held pending sentencing scheduled for Nov. 24.