Banks Pledge Support for Northern Essex Early College Seacoast Promise Eastward Expansion

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Northern Essex Community College’s Early College, already operating in Greater Haverhill and Lawrence, received recognition Tuesday as it expands eastward to additional high schools with local business support. Building on the success of the Lawrence and Haverhill Promise Programs, the new Seacoast Promise will provide full tuition, fees and books to Early College graduates from Seacoast area high schools who wish to complete their associate degree at Northern Essex. In a ceremony Tuesday, leaders from Northern Essex, Newburyport Bank, Pentucket Bank and surrounding communities celebrated the launch at Newburyport Bank’s State Street location. Local high school guidance counselors were also in attendance, along with students who spoke about the benefits of Early College and affordable higher education. The expansion was made possible by a pledge of $250,000 from Newburyport Bank and $50,000 from Institution for Savings.

Plaistow, N.H., Plans ‘Push In’ Ceremony to Launch New Ambulance Service

Plaistow, N.H., is inviting residents to a “Push In” and ribbon cutting ceremony as the town launches its new ambulance service. The concept of a traditional “Push In” ceremony” dates back to horse-drawn engines which had to be manually pushed by into bays since horse won’t walk backward while moving cargo. The ceremony, under the supervision of the Plaistow Fire Department, takes place Monday, March 18, at 5 p.m., at the Fitzgerald Safety Complex, 27 Elm St., Plaistow.

Family of Slain 21-Year-Old From Haverhill Seeks Online Donations to Help Pay for Funeral

Donations are being accepted on behalf of the family of the 21-year-old Haverhill man who was shot and killed early Sunday morning in North Andover. Jaeby Ortiz Ruiz was allegedly shot and killed by 22-year-old Derick Moncion, also of Haverhill, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray. Moncion, listed on a Haverhill police arrest log as a resident of Hilldale Avenue, was arrested on a warrant Monday night, around 8:30. “This has all came too soon and too fast. On (Sunday) we lost a real ghetto angel and one of the realest persons in our lives with his departure he left us all in a deep grieve and with an emptiness in our hearts,” wrote Ninoshka Ruiz on GoFundMe.

Markey Calls on Steward CEO to Testify at U.S. Senate Subcommittee Field Hearing in Boston

Massachusetts Sen. Edward J. Markey is asking the head of Steward Health Care to testify before a U.S. Senate subcommittee field hearing taking place in Boston. Markey, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, invited Steward Chairman and CEO Ralph de la Torre to attend and testify Wednesday, April 3, at a hearing that examines the impact of for-profit companies on health care access. Steward Health Care, which operates Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Methuen, has reported an inability to pay some bills as a result of, what Markey said, previously accumulated debt. Steward was previously owned by Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity company that generated $800 million in profit from Steward. The request for testimony follows last Friday’s statement from Southcoast Health CEO David McCready that his organization has a “strong interest” in buy St.

State, MAPFRE Offer High School Student Contest, Promoting ‘Look Both Ways’ Program

Area high school students have a chance to compete in the second annual state roadway safety education contest, “Look Both Ways,” and possibly win $3,000 for road safety education at their school. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, working with the Madrid, Spain-based nonprofit Fundación MAPFRE, invites students to prepare a public service announcement to air in the spring before prom and graduation season online and on television. Look Both Ways aims to eliminate road-related fatalities and serious injury, connecting high schools and colleges with the program’s “React Challenge.” The mobile interactive virtual reality station tests students’ safe driving ability when faced with distractions behind the wheel. Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said, “Getting young drivers involved in safety education is an important action towards making our streets safer, and we are eager to see the great ideas that students come up with this year. Their participation is important in helping MassDOT to envision a future without roadway injuries and deaths.”

The deadline for contest submissions is Friday, March 29, at 5 p.m. There is an online application here.

Anna Jaques Hospital Grant to Link House Backs Regional Mental Health, Substance Abuse Programs

Anna Jaques Hospital recently awarded a three-year grant through its community-based Health Initiative to Link House to support mental health and substance use initiatives. The approximately $82,000 grant enables Amesbury-based Link House to implement Wellness Delivered, a comprehensive behavioral health education program. The program seeks to expand the reach of Link House’s outpatient services to low-resourced populations in Haverhill, Salisbury, Amesbury, Newburyport and Merrimac. “Anna Jaques Hospital is committed to supporting programs that positively and meaningfully improve the lives of our community members,” said Dr. Glenn Focht, president of Anna Jaques Hospital. “We are thrilled to support Link House in its efforts to assist vulnerable populations by educating individuals and addressing mental health and substance use needs throughout the region.”

“We are grateful for the chance to partner with Anna Jaques Hospital on this initiative that will allow us to get out into the community to meet with people where they live,” said Link House Executive Director Chris Turner.

UMass Lowell Chemistry Students Working on Gel to Remove Harmful PFAS from Drinking Water

What have been called dangerous “forever chemicals,” used to make nonstick cookware to firefighting foam have made their ways into drinking water, but UMass Lowell researchers are working on a new gel to remove the substances. Led by chemistry Assistant Professor James Reuther, the work to remove PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center with grants totaling nearly $85,000. Because of their prevalence and a lack of regulation, people can be exposed to PFAS through drinking water, which can become contaminated when these substances enter the environment. Discoveries emerging since the 1960s have shown PFAS exposure may lead to increased cancer risks, decreased fertility and several other health issues. Federal and state agencies have taken steps to protect communities from exposure, but risks remain because PFAS do not easily degrade.

Whittier Tech Plans Inaugural Community Career Fair March 21

Local businesses are invited to participate in Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School’s inaugural Community Career Fair. The free event is open to all high school seniors within the 11 communities that represent Whittier Tech. The fair provides an opportunity for students to connect with industry professionals and learn about potential career paths. “I think the fair will be a great opportunity for students to explore different career options and learn from valued professionals, and I encourage businesses to submit their applications soon,” said Superintendent Maureen Lynch. Close to 50 businesses are registered so far to attend and include industries from cosmetology to general health and engineering to technology, and including companies such as Ulta Beauty, Milltown Health and Rehabilitation and the Massachusetts Water Works Association.