Merrimack Valley Credit Union Accepting Scholarship Applications Through Feb. 28

Merrimack Valley Credit Union is now accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors graduating this year, and expects to award more than $26,000 to 18 students within its field of membership. Two of the awards honor late members of the credit union’s family. The Lisa Lewis Goodman Community Spirit Award of $2,500 will be presented to one student who embodies the credit union philosophy of people helping people, dedicating themself to their community through volunteer efforts both in and outside of school. James A. Burley Jr. Scholarships are awarded to three students who excel academically, actively participate in extracurricular activities and provide exceptional essay responses. First place is $5,000, second place is $3,000 and third place is $2,000.

Methuen’s Searles Estate Advisory Committee Seeks Resident Ideas for Property Feb. 5

Methuen’s Searles Estate Advisory Committee is seeking input from residents on the future use of the historic property. There will be a public meeting Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., at City Hall, in the Great Hall. Mayor David P. “D.J.” Beauregard Jr. will open the meeting with a brief presentation along with Advisory Committee Chair Rose Maria Redman and selected committee members. They will provide a brief history of how and why the city came to purchase the property, outline plans for the public process and provide residents with an opportunity to share thoughts, ideas and feedback.

Methuen Police Receive Nearly $100,000 from State to Support Wellbeing of First Responders

The Methuen Police Department is receiving nearly $100,000 from a state program supporting the wellbeing of first responders. Methuen learned Thursday it will receive $96,360 from the Commonwealth Critical Incident Stress Management, which helps ensure services are available to police and other emergency responders in the aftermath of a traumatic incident in the line of duty. “When police officers encounter life threatening dangers as they work to protect communities, we have a duty to ensure they have access to services and supports as they cope with the trauma they’ve experienced,” said Gov. Maura T. Healey. “These grants help ensure that first responders across Massachusetts can access these critical—and often lifesaving—resources.”

Methuen was among eight municipal police departments to receive money. The city will partner with Lowell for services.

Podcast: Trahan Notes Haverhill Firefighter Grant, Steward Failure in Ripping White House Freeze

A planned freeze of payments toward previously approved federal programs was rescinded Wednesday by the White House Office of Management and Budget after public outcry. Congresswoman Lori Trahan, appearing live Wednesday on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, was one official who criticized what would have been an abrupt halt in food, rent, energy and childcare assistance, among other programs.

“It’s a reckless, unprecedented power grab by Donald Trump. The consequences have already been swift and severe for the most vulnerable families in our country,” Trahan said in a live interview Wednesday morning. Before the freeze could take effect, Judge Loren L. AliKhan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ordered a halt until a hearing Monday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged the court ruling Wednesday in announcing the White House would end the proposed freeze.

State Pays for Studies of Possible Dam Removals in Groveland, Lawrence

The state will pay for a study to determine the feasibility of removing Groveland’s Johnson Creek Dam and Stevens Pond Dam in Lawrence. The communities were two of eight statewide to share in$400,000 to help dam owners assess risks and opportunities of dam removal and provide information for future climate adaptation planning. “There are numerous deteriorating dams on our rivers and streams throughout the Commonwealth that have long outlived their intended use,” said state Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration Director Beth Lambert. “These structures damage river ecosystems and threaten public safety. In addition, the burden of owning and maintaining dams can be overwhelming for dam owners.

Groveland Fire Department Blames Creosote Buildup for Wood Stove Chimney Fire

Groveland firefighters on Monday managed to contain a wood stove fire—blamed on creosote buildup—to the King Street home’s metal chimney. Fire Chief Robert Valentine said firefighters were dispatched Monday, Jan. 27, at 5:19 p.m., to 152 King St., for a report of a possible structure fire. Companies found a fire in a wood stove’s metal chimney and stretched a line to keep the fire contained. The home also sustained some smoke damage, but residents were able to return to the home after the fire was extinguished about 6 p.m.

“The first responding company did a great job of getting a hose line stretched so we could keep this fire contained to the chimney,” said Valentine.

Classes Resume at Pentucket Regional Middle High School After Fire Cleanup

Pentucket Regional Middle High School reopens for classes Wednesday, Jan. 29, following a weekend trash barrel fire that brought smoke odors and residues. Superintendent Justin Bartholomew said Tuesday walls, floors and flat surfaces were cleaned and all air filters and fire extinguishers replaced. He credited “diligent efforts by a professional fire remediation team, supported by the Pentucket facilities and custodial teams” for clearing the kitchen and other impacted areas for student and staff use. “All things considered; this could have been much worse,” he said.

Proposed Student Cellphone Ban Builds Momentum in NH State House and School Districts

by Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin
January 28, 2025

Months after his school banned cellphone use during class time, Cameron Marvin is breathing a little easier. Before the ban, the eighth grader at Pelham Memorial School saw the phones do more harm than good. Kids would show off memes in the classroom, creating distractions. Teachers would interrupt a lesson to tell those students to put the phones away – another distraction. And breaks to the bathroom were fraught with the prospect of pranks, vandalism, and disruptive behavior, all filmed on students’ phones to be posted for later online glory.