Haverhill

Paré to be Formally Sworn in Tuesday as Haverhill’s First Female Deputy Police Chief

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Mayor Melinda E. Barrett made official Friday afternoon the appointment of Meaghan Paré as deputy of the Haverhill police department, the first woman to hold the job. Then-Capt. Paré was named acting deputy last October as Barrett ordered an investigation into “operations, policies and practices” after the Haverhill Police Patrolmen’s Association and the Haverhill Superior and Executive Officers Union raised concerns. She is scheduled to be formally sworn in Tuesday morning. “Deputy Chief Paré has been an exceptional leader during her distinguished career with Haverhill Police. In the last year she and Chief Wayne Tracy have led the Police Department, during its most challenging time, with integrity and transparency while exhibiting a calm demeanor that was desperately needed.  I look forward to working with them and the Haverhill Police Department towards continued advancements and improvements in modern policing, transparency and building public trust,” Barrett said.

Haverhill

Haverhill Police Believe ‘Rogue Coyote’ Dead, but Urge Caution

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Haverhill Police say a coyote that approached at two-year-old and bit an adult defender Friday night is likely dead, but a search using a drone was unable to confirm the animal’s state and officials continue to urge caution. Police issued a warning via social media Friday night and update Saturday that a “rogue coyote” was in the area of Forest Street and Broadway, Route 97. “The coyote was initially observed approaching and closely watching a two-year-old child when a neighbor intervened. During the intervention, the coyote bit the neighbor on the arm. The neighbor was able to fend off the attack using a shovel, and the coyote went down,” a police statement said.

Haverhill

Councilors Lean Toward Hilldale Avenue Site for Possible Battery Storage

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Haverhill city councilors this past Tuesday moved ahead with plans to designate a Hilldale Avenue site as the best place to allow a battery energy storage system—or BESS—should any developers propose one. The Haverhill City Council gave a tacit greenlight to creating a special zoning district as the least environmentally objectionable as a subcommittee proposed last month. On a unanimous vote, councilors agreed to continue its public hearing on the matter until its Tuesday, Oct. 27, meeting with the intention of promoting the Hilldale Avenue location. The land is currently owned by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and is also being considered as a layover location for MBTA commuter rail trains.

Haverhill

Final Haverhill Art Walk of the Season Set for Sept. 26

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Live music, pop-up exhibitions, interactive programming and an alleyway art market are coming the last weekend of the month to downtown with the final Haverhill Art Walk of the year. The seasonal event takes place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 6 p.m., in the downtown Riverfront Cultural District, incorporating Washington and Wingate Streets and bounded by Railroad and Washington Squares. Railroad Square will see Haverhill High School Coffeehouse kick off the lineup, followed by Tom Jordan and The Daydrinkers and Autumn Hollow; art making with Hill View Montessori Charter Public School; hands-on printing with the Museum of Printing; and interactive spray painting with mural artist Manny Mateo. At 90 Washington St., artist Deyaniera “DeyCloud” Claudio presents “Cloud of Thorns,” a pop-up exhibit that delves into mental health and identity.

Region

Sports Roundup: Knights Soccer Routs Holyoke 14-0; HHS Field Hockey Struggles Persist

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Northern Essex Community College men’s soccer defeated Holyoke Community College in a 14-0 blowout Tuesday night. Holyoke allowed a total of 19 shots through to its goalkeeper who managed only five saves. Northern Essex freshman midfielder Gabriel Garcia scored three goals in the victory, increasing his season total to seven. In an interview with WHAV after the game, Garcia said “putting the work in” was the reason behind his success. He added, despite being injured, Knights Capt. Samuel DeAmorim has been helping the team by offering advice and support from the sidelines.

Education

Northern Essex Uses Closed Haverhill Operating Rooms to Launch Surgical Tech Program

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Northern Essex Community College launched a new degree program for the fall semester aimed at helping students earn a degree while gaining hands-on, paid experience in a hospital operating room. The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology program is offered in partnership with Merrimack Health Haverhill Hospital through an apprenticeship supported by a Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant and contributions from the Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation and Accelerate the Future. “Surgical technologists are in high demand across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, but training pipelines have been limited, especially in the Merrimack Valley,” said Northern Essex Dean of Health Professions Kathy Hudson. “NECC’s Surgical Technology program was built to close that gap—and in a striking, concrete way: Merrimack Health–Haverhill contributed its closed operating rooms to become classrooms and labs for the program. That’s a rare kind of investment/opportunity—a hospital repurposing its own clinical space so the next generation of surgical techs can train in an environment that looks and functions like a real OR, not a simulated one.”

Students develop the knowledge and technical skills needed to provide safe, effective patient care before, during and after surgical procedures while eventually working alongside healthcare professionals.

Haverhill

U.S. House Approves Bill that Could Pay for Haverhill, Methuen Water and Sewer Projects

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Congresswoman Lori Trahan Thursday said she backed the bipartisan 2026 Water Resources Development Act that, if all other pieces fall into place, could provide Haverhill $50 million toward water and sewer projects. The House action follows an amendment vote in July, supported by Trahan and 6th District Congressman Seth Moulton to increase federal aid Haverhill could receive from $40 to $50 million. As Moulton pointed out earlier, a future appropriations bill would also be required before the city can draw on the money. Aid could be used to tackle the estimated $26 million cost of replacing a failed force main sewer, that caused millions of gallons of untreated sewage to flow for a few days into the Merrimack River.. “For too long, Washington has passed the buck on costly water upgrades to communities like ours that can’t afford them.

Community Spotlight

7th Annual Hillie Hunt Seeks Sleuths to Send All Over Haverhill Oct. 30

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Those who can follow perplexing clues, uncover hidden surprises and triumph over competitors are wanted by the Haverhill Exchange Club for its seventh annual Hillie Hunt, a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. The Hillie Hunt features teams spread throughout the city following clues, taking challenges, sharing laughs and engaging in friendly competition. Win or lose, participants get together for an after party when it’s over. The seventh annual Hillie Hunt takes place Friday, Oct. 30, starting at 6 p.m., at Roma Restaurant, 29 Middlesex St., Haverhill.