Crime

Update: Methuen Police Reportedly Arrest Motorcyclist That Allegedly Ran Down 62-Year-Old Woman

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Methuen Police reportedly arrested a motorcyclist Monday who was accused in a fatal hit-and-run pedestrian crash Sunday night. Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara said in a statement a 62-year-old Methuen woman, was taken to Lawrence General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead after police received a report at 8:37 p.m., that a person was found by a passerby lying in the roadway near 471 Lowell St. Methuen Police Officer Michael Cabral arrived to multiple people flagging down his cruiser. He began administering medical aid to a woman—later identified as Pamela O’Neil—until Methuen Fire Department paramedics arrived on scene. As part of the its investigation, Methuen Police obtained video surveillance that showed a Harley Davidson motorcycle, possibly with a dark red and grey two-tone fender missing, which showed a motorcycle, traveling at a high rate of speed that struck the woman.

Education

J.G. Whittier School Staff Critique Principals Before Haverhill School Committee; Admin Responds

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Citing what they called a “hostile” work environment, union staff at John Greenleaf Whittier School say they do not support Principal Matthew Condon and Assistant Principal Cathy Koch. Condon and Koch told WHAV Friday “we have been revamping structures and systems to facilitate improved student achievement and growth,” pointing to a recent increase in a state-defined metric for success. Their “doors are open” to staff seeking to give feedback, they added. At a School Committee meeting last week, Special Education Teacher Barbara Greenwood read a letter from the Haverhill Education Association explaining its members’ “vote of no confidence.” Her colleagues in the audience stood solemnly while she spoke. “Our staff has worked in a hostile environment—ignored, silenced, threatened, retaliated against and dismissed,” she said.

Haverhill

State Designates Haverhill and Lawrence as ‘Cooling Corridors,’ Eligible for Tree Plantings

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Haverhill and Lawrence are among 26 designated Gateway Cities to be named “Cooling Corridors” with expanded state-supported tree planting. Gov. Maura T. Healey named the communities during an Arbor Day celebration in Chicopee. The state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’s new Cooling Corridors program support communities, nonprofits and other organizations with tree-planting initiatives. The program specifically targets walking routes in areas that suffer from extreme heat, such as urban heat islands and hotspots, within environmental justice neighborhoods. Highest priority projects are those that “help reduce local heat sinks, facilitate urban heat mitigation and increase the regional tree canopy.”

“There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Week and Arbor Day than to get out in the community and plant a tree,” said Healey.

Crime

Federal Grand Jury in Boston Indicts Haverhill Man Among Others for Alleged Drug Dealing

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A 30-year-old Haverhill man was one of 16 people indicted by a federal grand jury on a case related to drug dealing and money laundering that allegedly distributed tens of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. David Delauri of Haverhill faces charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances that was first brought against 16 people in November of 2022. Others are Lawrence Michael Nagle of Saugus; Christopher Nagle, Revere; Javier Bello, Beverly; Anthony Bryson, Billerica; Frantz Adolphe, Lynn; Soyanna Lages, Somerville; David Muise, Swampscott; Alexander Villar, Danvers; Edward Ortiz, Swampscott; Yaira Ramos-Rivera, Billerica; Jose Garcia, Roslindale; Chevon Dorce, Lynn; and Gino Castillo, Salem. The superseding indictment handed down in Boston adds two counts of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm and/or ammunition for defendant Nagle; three additional counts of possession with the intent to distribute various controlled substances against Nagle and Castillo; as well as a money laundering conspiracy charge against Nagle and two new co-defendants Nancy Lopez of Saugus; and Samuel Saillant of Lynn. Lopez was arrested Thursday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was released on conditions.

Community Spotlight

Local Artist Sarkhel Performs Tuesday at Citizens Center

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Surya Sarkhel, a longtime Haverhill resident known for local performances of poetry, dance and song, will share her talents in a free performance at the Haverhill Citizens Center. Sarkhel is a songwriter and published in her native Indian language and in English. She also performs traditional, classic Indian dance. For decades, she has traveled the U.S. to entertain in her unique style, and has made her mark locally at various open mic night venues and at the Haverhill Multicultural Festival

Her latest Haverhill performance will be Tuesday, April 30, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., Haverhill.

Business Bulletin

Sullivan to Head Up Back-Office, Retail Operations at Both Newburyport and Pentucket Banks

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Keri Sullivan was recently named senior vice president, director of operations and customer service by River Run Bancorp, MHC. She is responsible for strategic direction and oversight of all back-office and retail operations for both Newburyport Bank and Pentucket Bank. The Operations Department consists of consumer loan servicing, residential and commercial loan servicing, deposit operations including EFT and payment processing, consumer digital banking operations, treasury services operations and the service center. The service center is the contact center for both banks and includes all forms of customer contact such as calls, emails, chats, texts and ATM live banker support, as well as consumer processing. Sullivan, of Newburyport, has more than 25 years of banking experience most recently as senior vice president, director of operations at Newburyport Bank where she began her career as a teller.

Community Spotlight

Haverhill YMCA Hosts Community Resource Fair May 1

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The Haverhill YMCA is helping area residents find and connect with community-based services in Greater Haverhill relating to physical and mental health, education, employment, financial benefits and more. In addition to help in sourcing assistance, those who attend can attain more immediate benefits, such as snacks, give-aways, and raffle prizes. At least two dozen organizations will have representatives and literature available on Wednesday, May 1, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St. They include organizations that focus on adult and children’s emotional and mental health, preventive medicine such as stop-smoking resources, as well as the Haverhill School Department, Social Security Administration, and Northern Essex Community College.

Education

Pentucket Regional Schools Offer Free Community Concerts During May and June

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Pentucket Regional School District is gearing up for its spring season of free concerts for the community. Pentucket’s Cafe Jazz features special guest saxophonist Mike Tucker performing the music of Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins and Charles Mingus among many others Friday, May 10, at 7 p.m., in the school dining commons. The cafeteria will be transformed into an intimate jazz club with a coffee and treats. The spring arts reception features visual art and video from middle and high students with an announcement of the student whose work will be accepted into the permanent collection. It takes place Tuesday, May 21, from 6-7:15 p.m., in the dining commons.