Business Bulletin

Merrimack College Plans Bowling and Networking Mixer for Merrimack Valley Chamber

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Merrimack College hosts members of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce next Wednesday night for a Bowling and Networking Mixer. The night promises networking opportunities, bowling, appetizers and the potential to win a door prize. There will also be a cash bar. The mixer takes place Wednesday, July 9, from 5-7 p.m., at Merrimack College’s Student Union, 315 Turnpike St., Parking Lot A, North Andover. Attendees are advised to enter the campus from Elm Street.

Community Spotlight

Ladies Tea at the Groveland Senior Center Benefits Council on Aging

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The Friends of the Groveland Council on Aging is hosting a Ladies Tea featuring cold strawberry soup, scones, savory and sweet breads, finger sandwiches and a variety of hot teas. The event tea takes place Thursday, July 17, at 2 p.m., at the Groveland Congregational Church, 4 King St., Groveland. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Classical guitarist Scott Ouellette provides entertainment. Tickets, which must be purchased by Thursday, July 10, are $25 each. All proceeds benefit the Friends group in its efforts to support the senior center.

Haverhill

United Way Rolls Out United Response Fund to Help Ease Fed Cuts to Safety Net Programs

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United Way of Massachusetts Bay recently launched its United Response Fund with an initial allocation of $250,000 to help replace federal grants taken away from local organizations. United Way said it is calling on donors, corporations and foundations to “come together in support of the community-based organizations that are working to meet emerging needs and quickly deploy emergency assistance to individuals and families.” The Response Fund is aimed at addressing “reductions and threats to funding for essential needs, fear and uncertainty among communities most affected, job losses and instability facing community-based organizations.”

“Over the past four months, we’ve convened hundreds of nonprofit partners, business leaders and government officials to ensure we have a deep understanding of the concerns and impacts resulting from federal actions. It’s clear that this is not just a moment—the disruption we are experiencing today will have ripple effects for years to come,” explained United Way of Massachusetts Bay President and CEO Marty Martinez.  “Our entire nonprofit sector and many community-based organizations must now fundamentally shift how we fund our missions and services in the future. The United Response Fund will act as a bridge toward that new reality.”

Officials noted the United Response Fund will support community-based organizations that are most impacted; provide emergency financial assistance in response to immediate and significant shifts in federal policy that place safety net programs at risk, such as aid to immigrant families, food stamps, Medicaid and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program; support contingency planning, exploration of different program delivery models and new partnerships; and call on corporate partners to donate support to nonprofits as they adapt. There’s more information about the United Response Fund online.

Education

Northern Essex Community College Celebrates Center for Adult Education’s Class of 2025

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Northern Essex Community College celebrated dozens of students in the Center for Adult Education’s Class of 2025 end-of-year ceremony late last week. Those recognized were 24 High School Equivalency graduates, six passing HiSET Subtests, those completing English for Speakers of Other Languages programs, newly naturalized U.S. citizens and—for the first time—15 students inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society. Northern Essex President Lane A. Glenn welcomed attendees with remarks that included a brief message in Spanish, noting it is no easy task to learn English as a second language. Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña praised students’ resilience and the vital role adult learners play in strengthening the local community. Two student speakers concluded the speaking portion of the evening.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Chamber Members to Hear from State Reps on $61 Billion Spending Plan

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As the state’s new $61 billion spending plan takes effect, members of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce receive an inside peek later this month from state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, and area state representatives. The Chamber’s annual State Representatives Luncheon takes place Tuesday, July 22, from noon-1:30 p.m., at Northern Essex Community College’s El Hefni Building, 414 Common St., Lawrence. Area representatives expected to attend include Andy X. Vargas, Ryan M. Hamilton, Dawne Shand, Estela Reyes, Adrianne Ramos, Francisco Paulino, Tram Nguyen and Frank Moran. Admission is $35 each for Merrimack Valley Chamber members and $45 each for nonmembers. They may be reserved online at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.

Region

Officials Name North Andover Police Officer, 28, Shot by Colleague While Serving Court Order

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Officials are giving few details about the circumstances that prompted a North Andover police officer to fire on a 28-year-old colleague as he and two officers were attempting to serve her a restraining order, an incident being characterized by the department as an “armed confrontation.”

North Andover Police Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons was reported in stable condition at a Boston hospital Tuesday where she was sent by air ambulance following the incident Monday night. Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray said at a press conference Tuesday they are waiting for information from officers’ interviews before releasing further details. “What we are saying is, accurately, there was an armed confrontation. In terms of the details of that, and how that came to be, it was during the service of the court-approved restraining order. But, the very granular details we are waiting to speak on until we get the interviews back from our state police detectives who are speaking to the North Andover officers that were involved,” Tucker said during the conference at the North Andover Police Station.

Region

‘Armed Confrontation’ Leaves North Andover Police Officer Wounded

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An off-duty North Andover police officer was shot and wounded last night by another officer after what was described as an “armed confrontation.”

Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker and North Andover Police Chief Charles Gray said in a statement that a North Andover police officer fired a department-issued gun at about 6:30 p.m. while serving a court order at the home of another off-duty officer. According to the statement the unnamed officer was struck and wounded. They said, “Medical aid was immediately rendered, and the wounded individual was transported to a Boston-area hospital.”

An investigation is being conducted by the Essex District Attorney’s office and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Tucker’s office. This is a developing story. Stay with 97.9 WHAV for more information as it becomes available.

Haverhill

MeVa Bus to Erect Commuter Shelters, Including in Haverhill, Groveland, North Andover

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Soon customers waiting for a MeVa bus on its busiest routes will be able to relax on a bench under a shelter. Merrimack Valley Transit, or MeVa, won a $241,104 grant to locate five shelters in Haverhill, one in Groveland, four in Lawrence, two in North Andover and four in Salisbury. They join 15 shelters in Lawrence and four in Amesbury. MeVa Administrator Noah S. Berger said he is working with community planning officials to find the best locations. He said he hopes to have them installed by the fall of 2026.