Haverhill

I-495, Ward Hill Connector Bridge Work to Bring Nighttime Detours

By |

Drivers driving through Haverhill’s Ward Hill Business Park Friday night and most nights next week will be detoured as the Interstate 495 southbound exit closes for work on a replacement Ward Hill Connector bridge. Massachusetts Department of Transportation officials said Thursday there will be overnight closings of the I-495 southbound Exit 106 off-ramp to the Ward Hill Connector, formally known as Industrial Avenue, in Haverhill. The off-ramp will be closed Friday, July 31, and from Tuesday, Aug. 4, to Friday, Aug. 7, from 9 p.m. to 5a.m. the following morning.

Community Spotlight

Poet Mark Lipman Returns to Whittier Birthplace Sunday

By |

National Beat Poet Laureate Mark Lipman will make the final stop of his Vagabond Poetry Caravan Sunday at Haverhill’s Whittier Birthplace. Lipman launched his 6,500-mile journey around the United States with an appearance at Creative Haverhill in April 2025. He received a $2,000 grant from the Haverhill Cultural Council towards his adventure. Lipman’s Whittier Birthplace appearance will be Sunday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. Appearing on stage with him will be Dan Speers, Haverhill’s poet laureate; Lee Eric Freedman, a past poet laureate of Swampscott; Bob Whelan, poet laureate of Rockport; and Jac-Lynn Stark.

Crime

Man, 32, Faces Murder Charge in Connection with Haverhill Man’s Death Last Week

By |

A 32-year-old is scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon for the alleged murder of a 44-year-old Haverhill man, a week ago in Lawrence. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office said Thursday Edgar Morales will be arraigned for the fatal shooting of Domingo Rivera of Haverhill early Thursday morning, July 23, on Bay State Road in Lawrence. The district attorney’s office said Massachusetts State Police detectives, obtained an arrest warrant Thursday for Morales. He is expected to be arraigned Friday, at 2 p.m., in Lawrence District Court. The circumstances behind the alleged murder were not immediately released.

Haverhill

Haverhill E-Bike and Scooter Regs Stall as City Lacks Certain Authority

By |

Haverhill city councilors got a reality check on what they can and cannot regulate when it comes to electric scooters and bicycles when its Public Safety Committee met Wednesday night. Several city councilors said they were prepared to update the city’s ordinance to include the new so-called “micromobility devices” ahead of a bill being debated in the state Legislature. Haverhill City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead, however, told councilors that until the state acts on Gov. Maura Healey’s Ride Safe Act, Haverhill’s regulatory powers are limited. After an hour’s discussion, the Public Safety Committee asked Mead to work with Haverhill Police Lt. Kevin Lynch, traffic and safety specialist, to draft an updated ordinance as robust as the state currently allows. Then once the state Legislature acts, the full Council could modify it.

Haverhill

Four Titles Decided at Annual Haverhill Tennis Tourney

By |

A Haverhill native took two titles during this past weekend’s annual Winnekenni Tennis Tournament. Haverhill’s Miles Stapel swept two titles in both Men’s Singles and Doubles. In the singles final, Stapel defeated defending Champion and top seed Sam Jackson 6-4, 6-2. Stapel, who is entering his senior year at Haverhill High School, advanced to the final by defeating Alex McGovern and last year’s finalist John Murphy, also of Haverhill. Stapel, who is a multiple time Merrimack Valley Conference All Star, became the youngest Haverhill resident to win the title and the first to sweep both titles since 1966.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Library Offers Adult Tie Dye Classes

By |

Amanda Levy is offering her hands-on tie dye class for adults at Haverhill Public Library twice in August. The first session of Adult Tie Dye with Amanda is Saturday, Aug. 1, from 2-3:30 p.m. The second session is Tuesday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. Classes are open to those 18 and over and will be held outside on the lawn at the library at 99 Main St., Haverhill. Participants are advised to bring a T-shirt or another small fabric item to dye.

Haverhill

Haverhill Garden Club Recognizes Fonsecas as Having July’s ‘Garden of The Month’

By |

(Additional photographs below.)

The Haverhill Garden Club recently named Jim and Susan Fonseca as winners of July’s Garden of the Month

Judges detailed the reasons behind their choice. “Over the course of 40 years, Jim and Susan have transformed their property into a flourishing, deeply established garden that reflects both artistry and practicality. Their grounds feature exquisite hedges and sculpted shrubs, forming natural architecture that guides visitors through a thoughtful layout. The garden’s structure is enhanced by many flowering plants including dazzling lilies, anchoring the space with elegance.”

The club went on to say, “Beyond its ornamental splendor, the Fonseca’s garden is a model of robust, purposeful cultivation. They grow everything from corn to grapes, demonstrating how a residential garden can be both visually stunning and agriculturally productive.

Business Bulletin

Downtown Haverhill’s Yoga Tree Celebrates 16th Year

By |

The Yoga Tree in downtown Haverhill celebrated its 16th year with free classes in a variety of yoga practices over three days, Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26. Founded in 2010 by Caroline Pineau of Haverhill, the 2,000-square-foot studio at 90 Washington St. was purchased in 2019 by Ally Vallieres, who trained with Pineau. Pineau sold the studio at the time she opened her second business venture, Haverhill Stem, just down the street. A Haverhill native, Vallieres said the weekend of “It’s Our Sweet 16th” events welcomed current students as well as newcomers to try out different styles of traditional yoga without obligation.