Region

District Attorney Names 66-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed in Lawrence Crash

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Essex County District Attorney’s office Thursday released the name of a 66-year-old man who was struck and killed by two cars while crossing a Lawrence street Tuesday night. Luis Zamora Gonzalez of Lawrence was struck by both a 2014 Buick Enclave and 2018 Infinity QX30, according to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office. Lawrence Police and Fire and medical personnel were dispatched to the scene where Zamora Gonzalez was pronounced dead. “Our sincere condolences are with the family of Luis Zamora Gonzalez,” said Tucker. “We hope that they may find strength in community during this very difficult time.”

The incident took place Tuesday at about 9:08 p.m., while Zamora Gonzalez was crossing Broadway in Lawrence near a fast-food restaurant.

Region

North Andover, Andover Groups Share in Grants to Prevent Hate Crimes and Extremist Attacks

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Area schools and places of worship were among more than 100 nonprofits statewide to share in nearly $5 million in grants this week intended to prevent hate crimes and extremist attacks. Commonwealth Nonprofit Security Grants were awarded to North Parish of North Andover, $45,386, and, in Andover, Merrimack Valley Lubavitch, $75,000; St. Augustine School, $38,404; and Chinmaya Mission Boston, $30,000. The announcement follows release of the 2023 Hate Crime Report for Massachusetts by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, which documented 557 hate crime reports statewide—a 26.6% increase from 440 in 2022. As in previous years, the state says, most common bias motivations in 2023 were based on race, ethnicity or national origin, accounting for 45.1% of all incidents.

Community Spotlight

Essex County Greenbelt Offers ‘Nature at Night,’ Free, Five-Part Winter Series

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Essex County Greenbelt next week launches its eighth annual winter Film and Lecture Series, “Nature at Night.”

The free, five-part series, running from January to March, includes storytelling, lectures, a film screening and hands-on activities. First up is “Abenaki Stories of the Night,” Wednesday, Jan. 15, online, followed by the film, “In Echo All About,” Thursday, Jan. 30, in Haverhill; “The Dark Side of Light Pollution,” Wednesday, Feb. 5, in Lynn; “Nocturnal Animals of New England,” Tuesday, Feb.

Haverhill

State Downgrades Area from ‘Critical’ to ‘Significant’ Drought After Rain and Snow

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Recent snow and rain helped move the area out of a designated “Critical Drought,” but the northeast, central and Connecticut River Valley regions of the state remain in, what officials call, “Significant Drought.”

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper downgraded these areas Wednesday, while the Western and Southeast regions move from Critical Drought to Mild Drought status due to improved conditions. The Cape and Islands regions also remain in Mild Drought. “Seeing drought conditions improve across nearly all our regions is encouraging. That said, we need to continue practicing indoor water conservation to fully recover and reduce future drought impacts,” said Tepper. “I want to recognize everyone who has been helping us combat the unprecedented wildfires and drought conditions over the past several months.

Crime

Judge Sentences North Andover Business Owner for Using COVID-19 Aid to Buy Ring, Remodel Home

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A 42-year-old North Andover businessman was sentenced Wednesday for taking COVID-19 relief aid to, among other things, buy a diamond ring and remodel his home. Jesse Lelievre, owner and manager of Paramount Plumbing & Heating, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to two years of supervised release, with the first five months as home detention. Lelievre was also ordered to pay $179,090 in restitution. Last September, Lelievre pleaded guilty to theft of government property. After being charged in July.

Haverhill

Public Housing in Haverhill and Methuen Receive Grants to Help Tenants Become Self-Sufficient

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The Haverhill and Methuen Housing Authorities are again sharing in federal money aimed at reducing or eliminating the need for tenants to receive welfare assistance. Haverhill Housing Authority was awarded $82,000 while Methuen received $127,681 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to retain coordinators to help tenants receive training and services to improve their economic self-sufficiency. “This investment in the family self-sufficiency program reaffirms HUD’s commitment to empowering families to achieve lasting economic independence,” said HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman. “This funding helps us provide the tools and resources families need to build a brighter future—one where stable housing, financial security and upward mobility are within reach.”

Family Self-Sufficiency program coordinators provide coaching and develop local strategies to connect participating families with public and private resources to build savings, gain employment and achieve financial independence. Support services include job training, financial literacy education and health and wellness programs. Any increases in a family’s rent as a result of increased earned income during the family’s participation results in a credit to the family’s escrow account.

Business Bulletin

Merrimack Valley Chamber Members to Network at Spark Fitness Riverwalk

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Members of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce will hit the gym, so to speak, when they participate in a networking breakfast at Spark Fitness Riverwalk. There will be food and opportunities to reach out to sales and vendor prospects. The breakfast takes place Thursday, Jan. 23, from 8-9:15 a.m., at Spark Fitness Riverwalk, 280 Merrimack St., Lawrence. The entrance is at the rear of building.

Education

State Renews, Adds Commitments for Northern Essex, UMass Lowell Early College Programs

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Northern Essex Community College and UMass Lowell Early College programs, enabling high school students to earn college credit, Tuesday were formally awarded state grants to continue operating, add capacity and plan expansions. All 55 existing Early College programs were awarded $50,000 to $125,000 to continue their work. These include such partnerships as Haverhill High School and Northern Essex Community College; Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College; Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School and North Shore Community College; and Lawrence High School with Merrimack College and Northern Essex Community College. “Early College programs are great for our students and great for our economy. They allow students to get college credit while they’re still in high school at no cost, making it more affordable for them to get their degree and preparing them to succeed in their careers,” said Gov. Maura Healey.