Haverhill

Covenant Health Calls Off Sale of Haverhill’s Penacook Place

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The planned sale of Haverhill’s Penacook Place Nursing Home is off. Covenant Health said Sunday it has reconsidered the proposed sale to Azure Healthcare, as WHAV reported last month

“Across all our ministries, Covenant Health’s highest priority is quality care. Earlier this year, we explored an opportunity to transfer Penacook Place to another operator. After additional due diligence, we have elected not to proceed with that change of ownership,” read the statement released to WHAV by Covenant Health Senior Vice President of Marketing and Chief Communications Officer Karen R. Sullivan. “We remain unwavering in our commitment to residents’ health, safety, well-being and the continuity of their care,” the statement added.

Haverhill

Haverhill Mill Fire and Little River Work Could Lead to ‘Lafayette Park’

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Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett Saturday outlined her vision for a new downtown park that could rise from the ashes of a burned out mill complex and also address a longtime complaint. The mayor’s comments came near the end of an information session that saw more than two dozen residents preview improvements along Little River following the removal of the dam at Winter Street. “I would love, personally, to move Lafayette over there, give him a nice little Lafayette Park, and then maybe the rest it, sell it to some of the industrial folks that are in business further down the street,” she said. The mayor was referring to the statue of Gen. Marquis de Lafayette that was relocated during a $1.2 million state reconstruction of the square that bears his name beginning in 2003. Longtime residents have complained moving Lafayette to the side diminished his stature.

Haverhill

Little River Dam Tour Spells Out Protections, Brings Resident Support

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More than two dozen residents turned out in the rain Saturday to learn more about Haverhill’s Little River dam removal project, with at least one previous skeptic coming away with confidence in the project. Following a presentation by Haverhill Environmental Health Technician Robert E. Moore Jr., consultants and contractors, Wilbur “Bill” Mahoney said his outlook has changed. “I was totally against this. I thought it was foolish and a waste of money, but talking to you guys today, I can see some of …you swayed me. No, truly, I thought it was just going to be hell bent, drain the river,” he said.

Haverhill

Haverhill, North Andover Take Part in Mock Commuter Rail Emergency in Bradford

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(Additional photographs below.)

First responders rushed to the Bradford commuter rail station Sunday morning as party of a drill to evaluate readiness and provide practice under emergency conditions. During the mutual aid response test, Haverhill Fire, Police, Transit Police, North Andover Fire, Pridestar Trinity EMS successfully evacuated both a wheelchair-bound passenger and an operator from a smoke-filled train. Michael McCabe, chief of enterprise security and resilience for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, provided an overview of the mock calamity scenario playing out at Bradford Station. “There’s fire and smoke onboard, multiple injuries onboard that will vary from minor injuries to major injuries and have different requirements of the first responders to get those patients and people out of the train safely and evacuate the train as safely as possible,” he told WHAV. McCabe said commuter rail and subway tests are conducted at least once each year and when new stations are opened or as communities request them.

Region

North Andover Firefighters Adams, McClellan Graduate from Academy

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North Andover Firefighters Blake Adams and John McClellan Jr. were among Friday’s graduates of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. They were among 27 firefighters of Career Recruit Class #343, taking part in the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program. “Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” said state Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, who also announced his retirement Friday. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”

Davin retires after a career of nearly 30 years in the Massachusetts fire service. He will step down as Massachusetts’ 19th state fire marshal Jan.

Business Bulletin

MassDevelopment Awards $73K for Merrimack Valley Small Business Help

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The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission’s affiliated nonprofit Merrimack Valley Economic Development Corporation last week was awarded $73,205 through MassDevelopment’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program. Merrimack Valley Economic Development Corporation will expand its support for small businesses across the Merrimack Valley, with a particular focus on Lawrence, Haverhill and Methuen. The program primarily serves existing small businesses while also supporting emerging entrepreneurs, with an emphasis on immigrant-owned, minority-owned, women-owned and businesses in low- to moderate-income communities. “We’re grateful to MassDevelopment for this investment, which will strengthen our ability to help entrepreneurs and local businesses overcome barriers, access financing and pursue opportunities for growth” said Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Jerrard Whitten. The effort will work alongside specialized consultants and community partners to offer personalized assistance, workshops and group training focused This includes one-on-one business assistance, financial management and access to capital, marketing and business visibility, workshops and group training and guidance on certifications and business resources.

Haverhill

Playoff Bound Haverhill Hillies to Play Leominster High School in Playoff Opener

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Haverhill High School Hillies football plays Leominster High School to open the playoffs on the road Friday night. The Hillies, ranked number 10 in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I, are playing in the state tournament for the first time in 10 seasons. Haverhill’s record matches that of Leominster, ranked seventh, at 5-3. Leominster fell earlier in the season, on Sept. 25, to Methuen High School, 7-10, a team Haverhill defeated 40-34 on Oct.