Haverhill

Groveland Police Cite Haverhill Man in Accident Involving Woman and Child Crossing Street

By |

A 51-year-old Haverhill man was cited for failure to slow down for pedestrians after a 67-year-old Groveland woman and 7-year-old juvenile were struck Monday morning while crossing a street near Groveland’s Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall School. Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen said a Groveland police officer stationed near the Bagnall School received a report at 8:30 a.m. that two pedestrians had been struck by a car while crossing the street. The pedestrians were evaluated on scene by Groveland Fire and Trinity EMS and suffered what are believed to be minor injuries. Both were taken to a local area hospital for further evaluation. The Groveland Police Department said the driver stayed on scene, cooperated and was issued a citation.

Region

Plaistow, N.H., Plans Hearings on Plan to Group Homes to Buy Discount Electricity

By |

Plaistow, N.H.’s Community Power Committee is having two public hearings to detail a proposal to aggregate town households to purchase lower-cost electricity and increase use of renewable energy. According to the Committee, New Hampshire law empowers the town to create a buying group of electricity customers not yet using a competitive supplier. Plaistow will set sets terms and conditions for an electricity supply contract and solicit competitive bids. Utility invoices will still reflect the cost to deliver energy, such as poles and wires, emergency services and billing

Residents will learn how the program will operate during either of the two hearings. The first one takes place Thursday, Sept.

Health

Dana-Farber Nurses Set One-Day Methuen Strike; Mediator Could Ask for More Negotiations

By |

Registered nurses of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute—Merrimack Valley issued notice Friday night that they plan to hold a one-day strike a week from Wednesday unless their employer agrees to a contract that provides secured benefits and competitive pay. The nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, said they are prepared to strike for 24 hours and picket in front of Dana-Farber in Methuen during regular clinic hours. They said they took the step “after repeatedly trying to get Dana-Farber executives to reach reasonable compromises on key issues, including a competitive wage step scale and a commitment to maintaining benefits throughout the life of their contract.”

“We are prepared to strike if necessary to protect cancer care quality and access for Merrimack Valley patients,” said Kerrin Albert, Infusion registered nurse. “We would prefer that Dana-Farber executives simply meet the needs of our nurses so we can maintain a stable workforce, but instead they have put us in this position to fully exercise our rights as union members.”

Nurses were required by labor law to give Dan-Farber at least 10 days’ notice before the strike. There is another negotiation session scheduled tomorrow, and it is expected a federal mediator will call the nurses back for an additional negotiation session or sessions prior to the strike date.

Haverhill

State House Rally Wednesday on Bill by Sen. Payano, Others to Expand MassHealth, More

By |

A bill filed by Sen. Pavel M. Payano and others is the focus of a State House rally Wednesday morning. The legislation, also filed by Sens. Liz Miranda and Reps. Bud L. Williams and Judith A. Garcia, is before the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. It would create the Executive Office of Equity, expand MassHealth coverage for eligible people regardless of immigration status, reduce costs of certain medications, ensure equal reimbursement for telehealth services and more.

Crime

Methuen Police Arrest Two on Alleged Fentanyl and Crack Cocaine Dealing

By |

Methuen police last week seized fentanyl and crack cocaine and arrested two for alleged drug dealing. Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara said Friday the department’s Street Crimes Unit was alerted when officers saw several people “acting suspiciously” at 10:40, Wednesday morning, in a parking lot on Haverhill Street. After watching them for several hours, detectives saw what they believed to be a drug deal inside of a local restaurant. They arrested 42-year-old Jose Alcantara of Lawrence and 52-year-old Grady Fox of Lewiston, Maine, and charged both with trafficking 100 to 200 grams fentanyl and possession of a Class B substance with intent to distribute. Alcantara was also charged with possession of a class a substance with intent to distribute.

Crime

Police Arrest 14-Year-Old for Alleged Shooting Murder of 19-Year-Old Last Week in Lawrence

By |

A 14-year-old was charged Wednesday with murder in connection with the Sept. 6 shooting of 19-year-old Angie Aristy of Lawrence. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker said Thursday Massachusetts State Police tracked down and arrested Jobe Santiago who allegedly shot Aristy near 300 Howard St., in Lawrence. Santiago’s name, despite his age, is being released because officials exercised their “statutory authority” to try him as an adult. Lawrence Police received a 911 call last week for shots fired. Officers arrived and found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound.  She was taken to Lawrence General Hospital and subsequently died from her injuries.

Community Spotlight

Local Arts, Culture and History on Display During 22nd Annual Trails & Sails

By |

The 22nd annual Trails & Sails event, taking place over two weeks, begins Friday and highlights historic and cultural sites throughout the Essex National Heritage Area. The series brings awareness and appreciation for heritage resources around Essex County, a federally designated National Heritage Area. Historically, according to organizers, Trails & Sails has focused on outdoor activities such as guided hikes and excursions on the water, but over the years it has grown to include historic house tours, lectures, community celebrations, special exhibitions, craft demonstrations and many other diverse activities. Among the events taking place locally is a self-guided hike of the Donald C. Freeman Memorial Trail at Whittier Birthplace. The approximately half mile loop sweeps around the historic house, up into the woods, and back down the fields.

Business Bulletin

Bread & Roses Plans Affordable Home Ownership Units in Haverhill and North Andover

By |

Bread & Roses Housing this week picked up properties in Haverhill and North Andover in a step toward creating and preserving affordable homeownership through the Community Land Trust model. This past Tuesday, Bread & Roses Housing closed on properties at 38-40 Curtis St. in Haverhill and 20 Brown Court in North Andover. Duplex-style homes will be built on the Curtis Street property, described as “barren land,” while the Brown Court parcel was described asa” blighted property.”

“BRH understands that navigating the landscape of affordable housing development, particularly in finding reasonably priced land for expansion, presents challenges. However, the organization is pleased to announce that new construction is on the horizon, with construction expected to commence at the beginning of 2024, pending adequate funding,” the organization’s leaders said in a statement.