Community Spotlight

Haverhill Fire Department to Hold ‘Run for Tommy’ 5K Race

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The Haverhill Fire Department is holding a “Run for Tommy,” a 5-kilometer race to help pay for a fellow firefighter’s expenses while being treated for a serious medical condition. Three weeks after getting married, Haverhill firefighter Tommy Quinlan was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Despite Quinlan being at the department for only a few years, organizers said, “he’s part of our Haverhill Fire family, and we want to do everything we can to support him, his wife Tasha and their son Callum through treatment and the road ahead.”

To support the Quinlan family, Haverhill firefighters are holding a 5-kilometer race Saturday, Nov. 14, beginning at 9 a.m., at Northern Essex Community College, 100 Elliot St., Haverhill. All proceeds will go to the family.

Haverhill

I-495 Bridge Replacement Project Prompts Nightly Lane Closings

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Drivers can expect lane closings along Interstate 495, between Haverhill and Methuen, over the next two weeks as steel goes up on the first of two replacement bridges over the Merrimack River. Temporary nightly lane closings begin Monday, Sept. 28, as needed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., between Exit 105, Route 213 in Methuen, to Exit 106, Ward Hill Connector. Long steel beams have appeared in the median between the northbound and southbound lanes in anticipation of construction. Current activities include bridge substructure construction on the Ward Hill Connector, formally, Industrial Avenue, over I-495, and structural steel erection at the I-495 stage one bridge.

Business Bulletin

Haverhill Chamber Names Damark Woodcraft Business of the Month

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Damark Woodcraft of Haverhill is the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s September business of the month. The company, formed more than 35 years ago, makes hand-built custom furniture, kitchens, doors and more. It helps clients design homes, offices, restaurants and other settings. Mark Brady, owner and president, incorporated the business with his father in 1991. Damark Woodcraft is located at 115 Hale St., Haverhill.

Haverhill

Storm Delays Single Lane Basiliere Bridge Plan in Haverhill

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Stormy weather is giving a bit of a reprieve to those who drive over the Pfc. Ralph T. Basiliere Bridge, along Route 125 over the Merrimack River. The state Department of Transportation says it is delaying planned single lane traffic, alternating between northbound, toward downtown Haverhill, and southbound, toward Bradford, that was to begin Monday, Sept. 28. The temporary configuration now is scheduled for Thursday, Oct.

Education

Haverhill’s Lemelson-MIT Interns Share Summer Experience at Assembly

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(Additional photograph below.)

When the final group of Haverhill High School students, taking part in an assembly to show off their summer work, prepared to step onto the stage, they realized their “show and tell” prototype had mysteriously gone missing. Turns out, their “enhanced” cardboard box, which students in the Lemelson-MIT internship program hoped to use to explain their efficiency idea for HVAC units, had been scooped up by a too-efficient custodian during a rogue fire alarm minutes earlier. After students and the audience evacuated the space as required, the cleaner grabbed the display, believing it was just another empty cardboard box to be recycled. Students Sophia LaFontaine, Baram Raad and Cassidy Noonan, regrouped and went on to deliver a detailed explanation of their idea using a photograph of their prototype for show and tell. More importantly, they agreed after the event closed, they put into practice a key take-away from their experience: failure is often a part of the industrial design process.

Haverhill

Haverhill Youth Football and Cheer Look Ahead to ‘Real Football Weather’

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Haverhill Youth Football and Cheer are in the fourth week of the season and ready for what this weekend has to offer. On the football side, the senior team, grades seven and eight, is currently 2-1 on the year. Director of Football Operations Christian Foresta said that after beating Amesbury 34-6 last week, he predicts league administrators will rank the team as third or fourth place. Seniors play Timberlane Youth Football Sunday, 4 p.m., at Haverhill Stadium. Foresta outlined for WHAV reasons he believes the seniors have seen success this year.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill Hound, Rod and Gun Club Holds Open House Oct. 4

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The Haverhill Hound, Rod and Gun Club is planning its annual, drop-in open house. The Club invites the public to see its property that offers rifle, archery and indoor ranges, along with monthly safety classes, kayak access for fishing in Chadwick Pond and other activities. There will be hot dogs and other refreshments. The free open house takes place Sunday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 10 Larch Road, Haverhill.

Crime

State Grand Jury Indicts Lawrence Mayor DePeña in Connection with Secret Recordings

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Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePeña’s legal troubles are growing with word Thursday a statewide grand jury returned 15 indictments against him in connection with the use and distribution of surveillance footage at Lawrence City Hall. Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s office said DePeña is charged with 14 counts of distribution of a wiretapped communication and one of witness intimidation. He will be arraigned in court at a later date. The new charges come five weeks after DePeña was federally charged with wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 small-business loans. The state attorney general’s investigation revealed that, beginning in 2023, DePeña requested and installed a security system for his office, separate from security cameras that were already installed and maintained in City Hall.