Region

Name of Late Essex County Deputy Sheriff Pasquarello to be Added to National Memorial

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The name of late Essex County Deputy Sheriff Anthony Pasquarello will be added Wednesday to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.

Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger and members of the department will join the Pasquarello family Wednesday, May 15 for the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service. Pasquarello of Saugus died in the line of duty at age 37 on Dec. 9, 2021 from COVID-19. He was a 15-year veteran of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and had been working in the department’s transportation unit at the time he contracted the virus. He was described as following the pillars of health, leading a healthy lifestyle, and his death was a shock to his family and the department.

Region

Groveland Welcomes Two Officers Following Their Graduations from NECC Police Academy

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The Groveland Police Department welcomed two new officers earlier this month following their recent graduation from the Northern Essex Community College Police Academy. Officers Jillian Terry and Lucas Purpora were welcomed by Groveland Police Chief Jeffrey T. Gillen. The officers are now certified full-time officers under the Municipal Police Training Committee Standards. “We are pleased to welcome Officer Terry and Officer Purpora to the Groveland Police Department, and I am proud of their hard work at the academy,” said Gillen. “I am excited to watch Officer Terry and Officer Purpora grow in their roles and careers here in Groveland.”

Terry is a Groveland resident and obtained a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla., while Purpora, of Dracut, received a bachelor’s in general management from Bridgewater State University.

Business Bulletin

Indie Retailer Bull Moose to Open Store in Plaistow Next Month, Plans to Host Local Poets, Musicians

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Indie Media Retailer Bull Moose will open a store in Plaistow, N.H., in June, with the new location likely hosting performances by local musicians and poetry readings. With staff moving 10 miles from a Salem, N.H., shop closing May 18, President Shawn Nichols told WHAV, employees “collectively selected” the 34 Plaistow Road location, according to a press release. The retailer mostly carries records, CDs—including on consignment from local artists—books and games. During the pandemic, Nichols told WHAV they stopped hosting performances by local artists, but have started to get back into public events recently. “The thought around the space in Plaistow will be that it could be used for someone with an acoustic guitar, or a table for role playing games, or for a poetry recital.”

He added, “[In] the last year or so, we’ve started to really get back into it, but it’s rebuilding that old muscle memory.

Haverhill

SUV Allegedly Driving Wrong Way Hits MeVa Bus Head On; Driver Taken to Hospital

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An SUV allegedly driving the wrong direction at a high speed collided head on with a Merrimack Valley Transit—or MeVa—bus late Wednesday afternoon on Route 110 near the Boston North Technology Park. MeVa Administrator Noah Berger told WHAV the driver of the SUV was taken to Portsmouth Hospital in “fairly rough shape.” Everyone on the bus was able to walk off without assistance, he added, with three going to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Reviewing video footage of the incident, Berger said the car burst into flames on impact. He praised the bus driver’s quick thinking and professionalism. “The driver maneuvered the bus so it was not going to be affected by the flames.

Region

For National Drinking Water Week, State Honors West Newbury, North Andover and Andover for Progress

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West Newbury, North Andover and Andover were among 45 public water systems statewide to be honored by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in honor of National Drinking Water Week. West Newbury was named in the category of Small Community Systems; North Andover, Medium and Large Community Systems; and Andover, Northeast Regional Recognition. According to the state, “awardees demonstrated excellent water service to the public, no violations or compliance issues and efforts that support overall public water supply service.” The winners were honored at a ceremony Thursday in Devens. “Water is our most valuable natural resource, and it takes the work of experienced professions to protect it from pollution, promote conservation and build infrastructure to handle our future needs,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “National Drinking Water Week is the perfect time to honor these dedicated water suppliers and professionals who work every day to supply clean, safe and healthy drinking water to millions of residents across Massachusetts.”

Officials note that while the Andover Water Department exceeded the Lead Action Level in the fall of 2021, it recognized the challenges posed by the removal of 153 lead service lines and identification of the type of 1,359 unidentified service lines and voluntarily entered into an administrative consent order with MassDEP in early 2022.

Education

Whittier Tech SkillsUSA Students Take Home Top Awards in State Competitions

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Students from Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School recently found success at the 50th SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Leadership and Skills Conference. SkillsUSA’s State Leadership & Skills Conference, which took place last month in Marlborough, is the largest gathering of Massachusetts’ future skilled workforce and recognizes excellence in career and technical education. The event brought together more than 3,000 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more. Whittier Tech’s SkillsUSA program was awarded the Chapter Excellence Gold Award during the opening ceremonies with Whittier’s SkillsUSA President Sam Kesten accepting the award. Additionally, the President’s Volunteer Community Service Standard was awarded to Natalie Delano.

Region

Methuen Police Department Plans Annual Memorial Ceremony June 12

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The Methuen Police Department is planning its Methuen Police Officers’ Annual Memorial Ceremony. This event honors the memory of all departed members of the Methuen Police Department, as well as all police officers who have lost their lives while serving in the line of duty within the law enforcement community. Police Chief Scott J. McNamara and the department welcomes the public to take part Wednesday, June 12, from 6-8 p.m., at the Quinn Building, 90 Hampshire St., Methuen.

Business Bulletin

Moore Staffing Services of Methuen Becomes Part of Leddy Group

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Moore Staffing Services of Methuen is now part of Leddy Group, joining the network of staffing providers throughout New England. Since 1980, Moore Staffing Services has been a top employment service for industries like accounting, engineering, healthcare and manufacturing. The company said Leddy Group’s mission of helping people in New England find meaningful work gives Moore Staffing greater capabilities. “Leddy Group will undoubtedly be an outstanding partner for Moore’s clients, candidates and employees,” said former COO and President Michael Moore. Patty McGrail, senior vice president of Leddy Group, added, “We’re also excited to diversify and continue to grow the Moore Staffing/Leddy Group client portfolio and develop true strategic relationships.”

Founded in 1994, Leddy Group has grown its employment service offerings to span across New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts.