Region

Beauregard, Methuen’s Acting Mayor, Seeks to Succeed His Mentor, Perry

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Methuen’s Acting Mayor David P. “D.J.” Beauregard said Tuesday he wants to succeed late Mayor Neil Perry and will run in the upcoming special election to fill Perry’s unexpired term. Beauregard, who was elected as an at-large city councilor said in a statement he has been reminded how quickly life can change. He said he will follow Perry’s mantra, “’Start it, finish it.’ With your support, I pledge to finish what he started.”

“Despite this difficult time in our city’s history, the work of moving Methuen forward must continue. I never contemplated making this announcement without my friend and mentor by my side, but due to the rapidly approaching special election, today I announce my candidacy for mayor of Methuen to serve the remainder of Mayor Perry’s unexpired term,” the statement reads. Methuen city councilors have not yet set the special election date.

Haverhill

Lawrence General Hospital Takes Over Holy Family ‘With No Glitches;’ Celebrates in Two Cities (Photos)

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(Additional photographs below.)

Lawrence General Hospital said its takeover Tuesday of Holy Family Hospital in Haverhill and Methuen went “absolutely with no glitches,” and hospital staff and elected officials celebrated the return of nonprofit ownership in ceremonies in both cities. Lawrence General Hospital President and CEO Abha Agrawal called the near closings of Holy Family Hospital by Steward Health Care a “breach of trust,” but promised to “rebuild.”

“Today is the day when we step out of the fog of uncertainty onto a path of progress forward, creating a healing system of care for our patients and our team. Just a few months ago, we were on the brink of losing Holy Family Hospital, its facilities—beautiful, the care it provides, the jobs it sustains and the economic benefit it creates,” she told a crowd gathered Tuesday morning outside Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. Agrawal tanked Gov. Maura T. Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, state Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh and other local and state leaders for their efforts in saving the hospitals in Methuen and Haverhill. She said the priorities are now to protect patients and the care team; expand mission of health equity, diversity and inclusivity; fostering partnership and collaboration with area institutions such as Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, rehabilitation centers, community services and AgeSpan; “integration and efficient organization” of clinical services and operations; and “laying the foundations of innovations in care.

Education

Former Northern Essex Community College Trustee Paley Nadel Joins Foundation Board

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Former Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees Vice Chair Marianne Paley Nadel is the newest member of the NECC Foundation Board. Paley Nadel is deeply involved in the city of Lawrence and has served as a community leader for years. After more than a decade of managing her family’s real estate holdings, she became the founding executive director of Groundwork Lawrence in 1998. She now serves as the chair of Groundwork Lawrence and on the boards of trustees for Lawrence General Hospital and Lawrence Partnership. “I have had the great honor to have been a trustee for NECC for 10 years during which time we made great strides in becoming a more welcoming, equitable and inclusive institution,” says Paley Nadel.

Education

Comedy Night Fundraiser Oct. 25 to Benefit Whittier Tech Educational Foundation

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A Comedy Night Fundraiser, featuring four all-star comedians, is taking place in October to benefit the needs of Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. The Whittier Tech Educational Foundation presents Paul Gilligan, featured at Charlie Moore Outdoors; Dave Rattigan, of SiriusXM and NESN fame; Jeff Koen, as seen on American Funniest Videos; and Dan Donahue, seen at theaters across New England. The 21 plus comedy night takes place Friday, Oct. 25; with doors opening at 7 with appetizers served and show at 8, at Mission Oak restaurant, second floor, 26 Green St., Newburyport. Tickets are $40 and available online.

Business Bulletin

Lawrence General Hospital One of Only 12 in U.S. to Earn Health Care Equity Certification

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Lawrence General Hospital, which is scheduled to take possession tomorrow of Holy Family Hospital, this month earned the Joint Commission’s Health Care Equity Certification for excellence in its efforts to provide equitable care, treatment and services. This certification has been given only to 12 hospitals across the country with Lawrence General being the first stand-alone hospital to receive it. The designation shows Lawrence General demonstrated that it has established structures and processes in place to decrease health care disparities within its patient populations and to promote diversity, equity and inclusion for staff. “Our successful certification demonstrates our dedication to addressing and reducing health disparities, ensuring that every patient receives fair and inclusive care,” said Dr. Abha Agrawal, Lawrence General Hospital president and CEO. During a Sept.

Haverhill

Haverhill Receives Grant to Remove Little River Dam and Groveland to Repair Johnson Creek Dam

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A state program aimed at reducing risks associated with severe weather and rising sea levels is delivering $1 million to Haverhill to help remove Little River Dam near Lafayette Square and $98,620 to Groveland to repair the Johnson Creek Dam. The state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Dam and Seawall program Thursday formally awarded about $14 million to help 23 communities and nonprofit organizations pay for 14 design and permitting projects and nine construction projects statewide. State Rep. Andy X. Vargas was among local officials saying he’s grateful the state ranked Haverhill highly. “This funding is critical to improving climate resiliency and unlocking positive development in a dilapidated part of Haverhill. With this $1 million grant, the habitat in the little river will benefit and the overall economic outlook of the Lafayette square neighborhood will greatly improve,” he said in a statement.

Haverhill

State Awards Haverhill Police Largest Road Safety Grants in Area; Methuen, Groveland Also Benefit

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Haverhill, Methuen, Groveland and other area communities are receiving a boost in paying for road safety programs with federal money distributed Thursday by the state. Haverhill police received the largest Municipal Road Safety Grant in the area, receiving almost $60,000. Nearby, Lawrence scored $52,373; Methuen, $39,111; Merrimac, nearly $20,000; and Groveland, $13,557. Grants proceeds come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Everyone deserves to be safe on Massachusetts streets, whether traveling by car, foot, public transportation or bike.

Haverhill

State to Pay for Biking and Carpooling Marketing in Haverhill, Nearby and Andover Mobility Hub

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The first round of the state’s Transportation Management Association grants will benefit the promotion of biking and carpooling in Greater Haverhill as well as planning for a mobility hub in Andover. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation program awarded the nonprofit, Marblehead-based Merrimack Valley Transportation Management Association grants of $99,375 for the Andover project and $78,970 for commuter services and marketing to promote biking and carpooling in Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover, Lawrence and Andover. “Massachusetts residents depend on transportation to get them where they need to go safely and on time. This program expands the number of options available to people so that they can choose the mode that is best for them,” said Gov. Maura T. Healey. “During Climate Week and every week, our administration is proud to be making progress in our efforts to lower emissions, meet our climate goals and improve transportation infrastructure across the state.”

The administration Wednesday also celebrated the nearly $3 million in grants to Merrimack Valley Transportation Management Association and 11 other such associations to support 18 projects that encourage alternative transportation options, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand mobility.