Education

Northern Essex Commences $6.7M Athletic Complex in Haverhill

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Northern Essex Community College has formally commenced construction on a new, modern baseball field, soccer and multi-purpose field and an eight-lane track at its Haverhill campus. Officials said Wednesday, the new $6.7 million outdoor complex will give college teams that currently practice and compete at off-campus locations dedicated athletic spaces on campus. “Northern Essex has become a nationally recognized athletics program thanks in large part to the dedication of our coaches, staff and student athletes. By ensuring they have access to safe, modern and convenient facilities for practices and games, we’re investing in our students’ continued success on and off the field,” said Northern Essex President Lane A. Glenn. As WHAV reported first last spring, the college told the Haverhill Conservation Commission site improvements include a new track and field, baseball field, tennis courts, bathrooms and associated sidewalks and utilities at the 12.1 acre parcel overlooking Kenoza Lake.

Business Bulletin

‘Handmade in New England: A Holiday Market’ Debuts Black Friday in Haverhill

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Haverhill’s Lindsay Jordan is among those taking part in “Handmade in New England: A Holiday Market,” a new venture at Historic New England’s Haverhill Center, during next month’s Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Jordan helps kick off the holiday shopping season at the new venue, featuring, what’s described as, “a thoughtfully curated group of handmade makers from across New England.”

Organizers urge visitors to “Come shop small, meet the makers and find something special for everyone on your list.”

Handmade in New England: A Holiday Market takes place Black Friday, Nov. 27, and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m., to 4 p.m., both days, at Historic New England’s Haverhill Center, 143 Essex St., Haverhill.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill’s Public Health Plans Health Fair, Vaccination Clinic

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Haverhill’s Public Health Department is having a Community Health Resource Fair and a vaccine clinic in separate events over the next few weeks. The Community Health Resource Fair for all Haverhill residents takes place Friday Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Haverhill Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St., Haverhill. Flu, pneumonia, RSV and COVID-19 vaccines will be administered by Walgreens Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Haverhill Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St., Haverhill.

Education

Rwandan Peace Leader Gives Forgiveness, Violence Prevention Lessons at HHS

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Marc J. Gwamaka, chief of staff of the Aegis Trust and the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda, is leading student-centered lessons on forgiveness and violence prevention for all eighth-grade classes in Haverhill this week. Lessons began Monday morning and continue through Thursday at Dr, Albert B. Consentino, Dr. Paul C. Nettle, Caleb Dustin Hunking and John Greenleaf Whittier Schools. State Rep. Andy X. Vargas will be in attendance Thursday at Consentino. Other legislators, including sponsors of the Massachusetts Genocide Education Act and members of Haverhill’s state delegation, were also invited. “Genocide begins with ordinary choices: the words we use, who we exclude and when we stay silent.

Crime

Haverhill Police Arrest Two in Daytime Masked Kidnapping in Bradford

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An investigation into an alleged kidnapping at the end of August, involving at least two masked men with handguns near the Bradford commuter rail station, has brought the arrests of two 22-year-olds. Haverhill Police said Wednesday Andy Lahens of Everett and Ali Cali of Cambridge were each charged with kidnapping, armed assault to rob, armed and masked robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon. One was taken into custody in Canton and the other in Cambridge. A police report obtained by WHAV shows officers were dispatched Friday, Aug. 28, just after 5 p.m., to Railroad Avenue, after a report of “someone getting attacked and pushed into a vehicle.” A witness reported at least four men were outside a black Ford Edge in the middle of the street.

Haverhill

Haverhill Councilors Approve E-Bike, E-Scooter Ordinance

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On a unanimous vote the Haverhill City Council Tuesday gave the city’s police department, among other measures, authority to impound e-bikes and e-scooters parked on city property. Haverhill Police Lt. Kevin Lynch said, under the new confiscation rules, only a parent or guardian will be permitted to retrieve the vehicles from the Haverhill police station after payment of any relevant fines. In an answer to a question from at-large Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan, Lynch said the department is prepared to undertake an education campaign to reach parents as well as students about the change in policy. “A big component is we are going to have to educate parents. Parents need to take responsibility for their children and not buy the $300 to $400 scooters and let them go out on the street.”

The city began pushing for rules last June after a 12-year-old girl lost her life, and another young girl was hospitalized, following an accident.

Haverhill

Haverhill Farmers Market Plans Winter Expansion Downtown

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Organizers of the Haverhill Farmers Market are trying once again to establish a winter outlet for their vendors and customers, this time inside the new Historic New England Center in downtown Haverhill. Jeff Grassie, market manager of the weekly summer events on Bradford Common, told WHAV he has been searching for a protected location large enough to accommodate about 40 regular vendors. He oversaw an initial effort years ago at the Universalist Unitarian Church on Kenoza Avenue, but the space was too small. “This has kind of been in the planning stages for about two-three years now,” Grassie said. Grassie said he was inspired to look harder at the insistence of his vendors.

Haverhill

GoNetspeed Signs Pact, Plans to Offer Fiber-Based Internet in Haverhill

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Haverhill has signed an agreement with another Internet vendor offering fiber to the home, and Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett said plans by GoNetspeed look promising. The company, that describes itself as the Northeast’s largest independent fiber internet provider, said Tuesday construction is expected to begin next year, with the first customers connected as the network build progresses. “It would be good if somebody can string together the city because it would give people options, and that’s what we were looking for. Nobody has an exclusive, but I think GoNetspeed can really do this,” Barrett told WHAV. The mayor said GoNetspeed has been looking at Haverhill about as long as a similar vendor, Ripple Fiber, that was supposed to have begun offering service this past summer.