Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Credit Union and Cabot Boston Credit Union to Merge

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Members of Merrimack Valley Credit Union and Cabot Boston Credit Union each recently approved merging the two institutions, following separate votes. Merrimack Valley Credit Union, founded in 1955, will be the continuing credit union Jan. 1, pending regulatory approval. It has more than $2.3 billion in assets and 19 retail branches serving more than 115,000 members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. The merger will combine the resources, expertise and values of two credit unions.

Region

Public Bus Trips Between Lawrence and Lowell to Increase with $1.2 Million State Grant

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It’ll soon be easier to traverse the Merrimack Valley on a public bus thanks to state support that improves connections between different public transit authorities. What is being called “Frequency is Freedom, Gateway City High Frequency Connector,” Merrimack Valley Transit, known as MeVa, and the Lowell Regional Transit Authority will use $1.2 million in a state grant to increase the number of bus trips connecting Lowell and Lawrence. “MeVa route 24, which is the second highest ridership route in our system, connects the two Gateway Cities of Lawrence and Lowell, which happen to lie at the hearts of two regional transit authorities, MeVa and LRTA respectively,” said MeVa Administrator Noah S. Berger in a statement. “This Connectivity award for our ‘Frequency is Freedom’ initiative will allow us to run this vital link every 20 minutes, conveniently opening up access to critical services across both service areas and opportunities, including healthcare, employment, and higher ed.”

Berger thanked Gov. Maura T. Healey and the legislature for “recognizing that borders, whether between municipalities or RTA districts, might exist on maps, but don’t reflect how people live.”

The money is part of $10 million given to nine regional transit authorities for 10 projects that increase connections between transit routes and service areas.

Education

State Approves New Career Technical Education Programs at Whittier Tech, Essex Tech

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Pathways at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High and Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical Schools were among 18 new career technical education programs receiving state approval Tuesday. Whittier Tech in Haverhill will offer courses in Construction Craft Laborer, while Essex Tech in Danvers will offer courses in Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies. They were among 12 high schools statewide to win support. “Career-connected learning helps students with the applied learning they need for the jobs of today and the future and supports our employers and workforce in meeting high-demand careers,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been focused on expanding access to career-connected learning in traditional high schools and dedicated CTE schools.”

Collectively, an estimated 335 students will graduate from these new programs each year, an average of 18 students for each program and of which at least 200 will be new seats.

Crime

Alleged Wrong-Way Driver to Face Motor Vehicle Homicide, Drunken Driving Charges in Deadly Crash

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A 40-year-old New Bedford man was charged Tuesday in connection with last week’s wrong-way crash that killed an Endicott College police sergeant. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office sad Tuesday Keoma Duarte was charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving under the influence of liquor and operating recklessly, manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation. He also faces charges for allegedly driving in the wrong direction on a state highway, speeding and crossing marked lanes. The crash last Wednesday, just before midnight killed 49-year-old Endicott College Police Sgt. Jeremy Cole of Exeter, N.H. Duarte’s 2023 Tesla Model Y was heading south in the northbound lane on Interstate 95 when it collided with Cole’s 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer in Newbury, near the Central Street overpass.

Region

Methuen Plans Annual U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony Dec. 7

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The Methuen Veterans Office, together with Methuen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8349 and American Legion Post 122, sponsor the annual flag retirement ceremony this Saturday. Residents are asked to drop off old flags Saturday, Dec. 7, before 11 a.m., at Elmwood Cemetery, 130 N. Lowell St, Methuen. The groups note, “It is prescribed that a flag, to be retired from service, be burned by fire, to return to ashes, to be returned to the dust from which she was made, and that a new flag fly, to once again demonstrate the strength of our great nation. This is to be accomplished in a simple, dignified manner.

Crime

Three from Methuen, Lawrence and Puerto Rico Plead Guilty to Drug Dealing at Andover Hotel

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Three people from Methuen, Lawrence and Puerto Rico recently pleaded guilty to their roles in a conspiracy to distribute 15 kilograms of cocaine. Linette Davila, 42, of Methuen, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving 500 grams or more of cocaine, and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Feb. 26. Luis Pena Arias, 28, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving five kilograms or more of cocaine and distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Region

Vision Zero Seeks Volunteers to Paint Flags to Remember Traffic Crash Victims

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The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission is looking for volunteers to paint flags, honoring the 94 people killed in local traffic crashes since 2020. The Haverhill-based Commission began collecting information last year for MV Vision Zero, a regional safety action plan. When this year’s global World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims took place Sunday, Nov. 17, the agency noted, 12 more people had been killed in crashes on Merrimack Valley roads. “The intention is to bring the human factor of transportation violence to public conscience and the actions and strategies towards vision zero to the forefront of planning and policymaking,” the Commission said on its website.