Business Bulletin

Gov. Healey Speaks When Merrimack Valley Chamber Honors Dr. Agrawal at Annual Dinner

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Gov. Maura T. Healey will be on hand next month for the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner—a timely appearance considering the governor’s role in resolving the recent hospital crisis and the Chamber’s plan to give Lawrence General Hospital’s leader its highest honor. Dr. Abha Agrawal, Lawrence General Hospital president and CEO, is to be presented with the Ralph B. Wilkinson Award when Merrimack Valley Chamber members meet for the annual meeting, Monday, Nov. 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Michael’s Function Hall, 12 Alpha St., in Haverhill. “With what’s going on in health care, she has been the pivotal figure,” Bevilacqua told WHAV, referring to Agrawal’s role in Lawrence General Hospital buying the bankrupt Holy Family Hospital campuses in Methuen and Haverhill. Healey, whose administration found itself in the role of picking up the pieces this year in the aftermath of Steward Health Care declaring bankruptcy, is scheduled as the principal speaker.

Business Bulletin

CNA Stores Supporting Tough Warrior Princesses with Charity Jars in October

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CNA Stores, a veteran-owned cannabis company, with locations in Haverhill and Amesbury, this month is supporting Tough Warrior Princesses of Amesbury with its charity jars. Tough Warrior Princesses was selected as CNA’s Charity of the Month and provides support and resources to women impacted by cancer and also raises money for cancer research. Last month, CNA supported Caiden’s Crusaders, and customers gave $13,673 through the charity jars. CNA adds that staff have logged 565 community service hours so far this year, bringing its total to 2,768 hours since 2020. With its upcoming Snow Angel Project, the company is aiming to hit 800 hours for this year and 3,000 hours since 2020.

Haverhill

Expect More Rush Hour Delays Tuesday Morning as I-495 South Repairs Continue Near Ward Hill

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Southbound traffic along Interstate 495 is expected to remain sluggish Tuesday morning as work continues to repair a Ward Hill-area water main break. State transportation officials said the right lane and breakdown lane are expected to remain closed during rush hour traffic as the city completes repairs and lanes are resurfaced near the break. As 97.9 WHAV traffic reports advised drivers Monday morning, commuters were slowed just south of exit 106 in Haverhill and along secondary roads. State Police reported “significant pavement and roadbed damage,” described as a “sinkhole.”

The state advises those traveling through the affected area should expect delays, reduce speed and use caution.

Community Spotlight

Glenn Headlines Opportunity Works 50th Anniversary Celebration Thursday

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Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn serves as keynote speaker and Haverhill Chamber President Alex Eberhardt serve as master of ceremonies, when Opportunity Works celebrates its 50th Anniversary. The celebration, which also features disc jockey Ron Carpenito, awards and dancing, take place on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6-10 p.m. at the Andover Country Club, 60 Canterbury St., Andover. Seared chicken, baked haddock or a vegetarian option are meal choices. Tickets are $50 per person and may be reserved online at opportunityworks.org.

Crime

North Andover Convicted Felon Now Faces Federal Gun Charges After July Explosion at His Home

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A 64-year-old North Andover man was charged last week in federal court for allegedly being a convicted felon in possession of more than 30 firearms and explosives. Daniel Medina was charged by criminal complaint with unlawful possession of a machine gun, unlawful possession of explosives as a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. As WHAV reported in July, Medina is currently in state custody on related charges and will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston at a later date. Medina, of 59 Village Green Drive, North Andover, was previously charged by the state with five felony counts tied to being a felon in possession of a firearm, possessing and improperly storing an automatic rifle and vandalizing property. He pled not guilty last July in Lawrence District Court.

Education

State Awards Haverhill and Lawrence $1 Million Each to Maintain Pre-School Expansion

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Haverhill and Lawrence schools are receiving $1 million each from the state to maintain community-based preschool programs.

The cities are among 30 statewide that were named Thursday to share in $20.3 million in Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative grants. Officials said the grants are part of Gov. Maura T. Healey’s “Gateway to Pre-k” plan to make early education and child care more affordable and accessible. “Our administration delivered historic investments in early education and child care in our first two budgets, and I’m thrilled to see that funding at work. This funding is providing access to high-quality affordable preschool, lowering costs for families and helping parents stay in or return to the workforce,” said Healey. The Department of Early Education and Care administers the grants that help families enroll in a preschool classroom at no or low cost.

Crime

Judge Sends 23-Year-Old to Prison Three Years for Work as Runner in Methuen-Based Drug Trafficking

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A 23-year-old man, at the center of Methuen-based drug trafficking, was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison for drug trafficking in New Hampshire

U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young said Carlos Alejandro Chevalier Santos was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release by U.S. District Court Samantha Elliott. Last June, Chevalier Santos pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute and two counts of distributing controlled substances. Charges are still pending against four others, Jose Luis Guerrero Nunez, Eddy Mendez Carmona, Juan Carlos De Los Santos Romero and Luis Guerrero Cabral. “Methamphetamine and fentanyl destroy lives and fuel violence in our communities,” said Young.  “Law enforcement in New Hampshire will continue to be relentless in the pursuit to identify individuals participating in drug trafficking at every layer of the supply chain.”

Santos was part of a Methuen-based drug trafficking organization that was distributing significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Seacoast area. He was identified as a “runner,” or a person who makes drug deliveries on behalf of the organization. In early 2024, Santos made at least two deliveries of methamphetamine and fentanyl to undercover police officers, including the delivery of a pound of methamphetamine.

Business Bulletin

Rollstone Bank & Trust of Fitchburg to Merge Into River Run Mutual Holding Company

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A third bank will join Newburyport Bank and Pentucket Bank under the umbrella of River Run Bancorp, MHC. Rollstone Bank & Trust of Fitchburg is merging into the network of mutual community banks, bringing combined assets above $3.5 billion. River Run was established in 2023 by Newburyport Bank and Pentucket Bank to create a multi-bank mutual holding company, allowing the banks to consolidate back-office operations, offer additional products and services and achieve scale and efficiencies. “We formed River Run to secure the independent community banking model for the future,” said River Run President & CEO Lloyd L. Hamm Jr. “As community banks face challenges that could impact their long-term sustainability, River Run provides the structure for them to not only survive but thrive.”

Each bank will continue to operate under its established name and brand, retaining its local headquarters, management, retail and lending organizations, and charitable foundations. Each bank also will maintain its own board of directors.