Merrimack Valley Newsmakers

If you’re thinking about a career change, Haverhill Public Schools may have an opportunity for you. School Superintendent Margaret Marotta, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning show, is expanding the use of substitute teachers and many people qualify for the job. “We desperately need substitutes. We could use this opportunity to say anyone who is out there that’s interested in teaching, that may not h...

Haverhill’s John Greenleaf Whittier School plans to feed 150 families again this Thanksgiving week despite obstacles created by the coronavirus outbreak. Whittier middle school Principal Tim Betty said the staff was disappointed there could not be a sit-down turkey dinner again this year, but were inspired by a similar effort by their counterparts at Haverhill High School. “Covanta and Ocasio Mart...

The coronavirus pandemic has not been kind to charity fundraising efforts, and organizations have been turning to virtual efforts, such as one taking place this week. Emmaus’ “Paving the Road Home” breakfast was an annual staple in Haverhill. Emmaus Director of Philanthropy Gretchen Arntz, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, said the organization serving the homeless has made a transition th...

Norman H. Gerson’s Haverhill story and legacy will go on with the dedication one day after Veterans Day of a new 44-unit veterans housing complex that bears his name. Gerson, who rose to first lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II, operated the Gerson Furniture Co. until 2007 on the site of the new veterans’ development at 181 Washington St. At a ceremony Thursday morning, Haverhill Mayo...

Haverhill formally observed Veterans Day Wednesday, placing extra attention on those who served in Vietnam at the new city memorial in their honor In lieu of a traditional parade—cancelled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic—a brief ceremony took place at the recently relocated Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Mill Brook Park. Acknowledging the modest observance, City Councilor Thomas J. Sul...

Kiwanis Club of Haverhill’s Fifth Annual Turkey Drop, modeled after a Thanksgiving episode of the television series “WKRP in Cincinnati,” takes place this Saturday, Nov. 14. Haverhill Kiwanis’ Rich Porcelli, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, discusses how the fundraiser works. “We hire a helicopter and he flies over a grid of 400 squares, about two-foot square, and all the squares are numb...

With the calendar flipping to November, more people are starting to think about preparing for the holidays—and that includes the organizations that work hard to make sure those who are less fortunate have gifts under the tree. It also means changes in the era of COVID-19. At the Salvation Army in Haverhill, Major Walter Rivers, a guest recently on WHAV’s morning program, says this Christmas season...

Former Haverhill Mayor James A. Rurak has written a book he hopes will help people along their spiritual path. Rurak recently published “The Rosary: A Tract for Catholic Misfits.” Appearing recently on WHAV’s morning program, the former mayor talked about driving his father—the late state Sen. James. P. “Jake” Rurak—to medical appointments in Boston. During the ride, his father, who was being trea...

The upcoming holiday shopping season is a crucial one for businesses affected by this year’s COVID-19 pandemic, and a group of business veterans is offering free tips on to make it a better season. The nonprofit organization SCORE, which operates out of the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub in Haverhill, matches experienced business mentors with entrepreneurs. SCORE volunteer Michael Thompson was a gues...

With this month being Fire Prevention Month, the Haverhill Firefighting Museum is issuing a new Home Fire Safety Activity Packet to help families learn important lessons. The museum’s Cindy Graham and Maria Fontaine were recent guests on WHAV’s morning program. Graham says the idea for the fire safety activity packet came about because the museum, at 75 Kenoza Ave., is closed for the season due to...

Much attention has been given this year to how COVID-19 is affecting school systems., but it’s also having an effect on younger children too. Haverhill-based Community Action’s Early Head Start program serves around 300 children, from birth to five years of age, between its Haverhill and Newburyport Centers. Community Action Director of Family Services Patty Sargent, a recent guest on WHAV’s morni...

Setting the state budget for the current year, police reform and votes on other major bills remain to be completed during this year’s unusual extended formal legislative session. The state Senate and House traditionally would have closed out the formal session last July 31, but agreed to a rare extension because of COVID-19. Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, a recent guest on WHAV’s Morning Show, discusse...

The teaching profession may be in line for some help from federal lawmakers. Congresswoman Lori Trahan, a guest earlier this week on WHAV’s morning show, is in Washington for the introduction of a bill that would authorize $6 billion in spending programs, including teacher residencies, to help support teachers during the coronavirus pandemic. Trahan describes what the proposed “Supporting Teachers...

A final push for filling out the 10-year federal census form is underway in Haverhill. Community Action’s Christine Soundara, who heads up the Mount Washington Alliance, was a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program. She explained a mobile unit will be out today and next Monday to help residents complete the census. “We got approval from the U.S. Census Bureau. We will be stationing a mobile questi...

Preparations are underway at the Hilldale Cemetery in Haverhill for this December’s Wreaths Across America Day, in which  remembrance wreaths are placed at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at events coordinated at more than 2,100 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad. Veterans advocate Donald Jarvis of Haverhill was a guest last week on WHAV’s morning show. He’s using his ex...

Haverhill school faculty are expected to return to school buildings in large numbers next Tuesday to continue preparing for the beginning of online classes Wednesday, Sept. 16. School Superintendent Marotta answered many commonly asked questions—from social distancing to school bus rides—during an appearance Tuesday on WHAV’s morning program. While state guidance, for example, allows for only thre...

Last Sunday was a record-breaking day at Bradford Country Club as Haverhill-native Nick Maccario set a course record, shooting a 56 and breaking the previous course record, that he also held. Maccario, now of Waltham, told WHAV listeners Tuesday morning that he didn’t begin the day with any expectations. “I’ve grown up at Bradford and Garrison, and just have played a ton of rounds of golf there. S...

Ralph T. Basiliere calls it the “Miracle on Mill Street”—that is, the conversion of the pyramid-shaped lot near Plug Pond into Haverhill’s expanded Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Last week, a new granite monument dedicated to the 13 Haverhill veterans who gave their lives during the Vietnam War, went up at the park. Basiliere, appearing yesterday on WHAV’s morning program, said all remaining granite e...

A Haverhill native has been named Broadcasting and Cable’s 2020 Broadcaster of the Year. Emily Barr, president and CEO of Graham Media Group of Chicago, formally receives the prestigious award Oct. 1 during the Television Bureau of Advertising virtual Alt Forward Conference. Barr was a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program where she spoke of her Haverhill roots. “I did grow up in Haverhill and I...

WHAV has been named the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce’s August Business of the Month Chamber President and CEO Dougan Sherwood cited the public radio station and nonprofit news service’s expanded local news coverage during the coronavirus pandemic. “WHAV is really where I get most of my local media, local news coverage, and we’re just so grateful. So, we were happy to recognize you our Aug...

The Feaster Five Road Race, a Thanksgiving Day tradition presented by the Merrimack Valley Striders with as many as 10,000 participants annually, is going virtual this year. As a virtual race, Feaster Five is now open to anyone anywhere who can complete a 5K or 5-mile course of their choosing.  There will also be a 1K option for kids. For the most adventurous runners, there’s a new virtual 13K cha...

A long-awaited drawing takes place today for the 44 affordable units being made available on the site of the former Gerson Furniture Co. in Haverhill. The project, at 181 Washington St., was developed by the nonprofit Coalition for a Better Acre, associated with the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center. Veterans Northeast Executive Director Edward Mitchell, a guest yesterday on WHAV’s morning progra...

Northpoint Bible College and graduate school in Haverhill begins in-person classes for its first day of school this Wednesday. Dean of Enrollment David Munley was a guest recently on WHAV’s morning program. He explained that like other schools, Northpoint switched to remote learning in the spring. He talked about some of the precautions the school is taking to bring everyone back in person. “It wi...

A nature walk takes place this Sunday morning in Haverhill. Naturalist Roland “Boot” Boutwell is leading a group around Tattersall Farm, beginning at 9, at 542 Broadway. Boutwell, a retired teacher, leads classes and nature walks for a variety of organizations, including the Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Appalachian Mountain Club. He was a guest earlier this week on WHAV’s morning program...

Congresswoman Lori Trahan is back in Washington this week on a mission to help with the reopening of schools this fall. Trahan was a guest yesterday on WHAV’s morning program. She says she believes federal lawmakers have to do more than what they have already done. She says it shouldn’t fall exclusively on cities and towns to foot the bill for reopening the schools with COVID-19 protocols in place...