Merrimack Valley Newsmakers

WHAV Sports Director Paul Ryan recently shared family memories of his cousin, Mike Ryan—the Red Sox “Impossible Dream” season catcher who passed away July 7 at age 78. He said his cousin had a “modest start” in baseball. He explains there was no baseball program at St. James High School, but he was asked by Irving “Sheik” Karelis to play for Karelis Jewelers at Cashman Field in Haverhill. When he...

School classrooms in Haverhill will look different this fall, but not as unusual as officials first feared. Haverhill Superintendent Margaret Marotta, a guest Wednesday on WHAV’s morning program, says it appears all students can return at once, according to updated guidance from the Department of Education.  “Providing nothing changes, or gets worse, at this point we’re planning for a sort of a fu...

Planning offices for the cities of Haverhill and Methuen and other communities throughout the Merrimack Valley are called upon to look into the future, and work out visions for growth, the environment and transportation. Communities receive support from the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, led by Executive Director Theresa Park. She was formally appointed in January, but had served on the Com...

A deal was reached yesterday between leaders in the House and Senate on early voting and vote-by-mail legislation that should pave the way for a major expansion of voting options ahead of the 2020 election. State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, who appeared recently on WHAV’s morning program, says one of the driving forces behind the bill is “safety concerns” due to the coronavirus. “We do know that the...

Last Friday was the observance of “Juneteenth,” commemorating the day in 1865 when Texas became the last state in the nation to be notified of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to free its’ slaves. State Sen. Diana DiZoglio wants to make the date a formal holiday. Appearing on WHAV’s morning show, DiZoglio said is co-sponsoring legislation to officially recognize Juneteenth in...

Phase Two of Gov. Charlie Baker’s re-opening plan is underway—part of which includes restaurants being able to offer inside seating. The speed of reopening Massachusetts during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a matter of debate. State Rep. Lenny Mirra, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, however, says the pace is all at the governors’ discretion. “The governor is in control of it. These are e...

The filing of new unemployment claims is dropping off, but state Rep. Christina Minicucci, reminds residents help is still available for those who have lost their jobs. Minicucci, whose office was involved in helping people file early claims, says the initial wave as has settled down quite a bit. “At one point we had 68 active cases in our office, and now, we are down to two, maybe, and we can get...

This years’ Topsfield Fair is still on, despite COVID-19 concerns. Bill Fitzgerald, of Mann Orchards in Methuen, the current president of the Topsfield Fair board of directors, says organizers are forming coalitions to ensure safety. “Topsfield Fair is partnering, in some respects, with the Big E out in Springfield, to form a little bit of a coalition, so we can trade ideas back and forth, and hop...

Haverhill restaurants are hoping to hit the ground running when Gov. Charlie Baker gives the green light to reopen—possibly as early as June 8. Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dougan Sherwood, appearing recently on WHAV’s morning program, says the initial phase will be for outdoor dining following the COVID-19 pandemic.  “What I have heard is that six feet of distance is go...

This week marks the beginning for some businesses and government buildings to open to the public, including the Haverhill Public Library. Library Director Sarah Moser, a guest Wednesday on WHAV’s morning program, said the first phase of the reopening allows for curbside pickup. “It’s a lot like doing something like DoorDash, or Instacart, where you’re calling us and you’re telling us what books yo...

It has been said every cloud has a silver lining and Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn said that’s been true of the coronavirus cloud. Glenn, a recent guest on WHAV’s morning program, and said the coronavirus has opened a new field of study and career path for recent graduates. “A lot of colleges—and we’re starting to eye this—are looking at how to train people to be contact...

With legislation moving forward in the state Senate to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, state Sen. Diana DiZoglio says she and other legislators felt cut out of Gov. Charlie Baker’s recovery program.  DiZoglio made the revelation Thursday when she appeared as a guest on WHAV’s morning program. “It’s not a situation where we have been able to participate in those discussions, nece...

Typographical errors and missed callbacks are among the reasons some residents are having trouble receiving unemployment checks. State Rep. Christina Minicucci, a guest on WHAV’s Friday morning program, reminded listeners she and other lawmakers offer can help. “A lot of times when people have been hung-up on their unemployment, for some reason, or it’s just not going through, they’ll call our off...

Neighbors helping neighbors. The Greater Haverhill Service Clubs are holding a food drive tomorrow, from noon-2 p.m. to fill the food pantries at Sacred Hearts Parish and the Salvation Army in Haverhill. Lisa Corr, a member of the Haverhill Exchange Club who was a guest Thursday on WHAV’s morning show, says the donations will be helping fill a severe need. “The pantries are really suffering. Sacre...

Although different and less than ideal, this year’s Haverhill High graduation may not be as remote and impersonal as first feared. Appearing on WHAV’s morning program Tuesday, Haverhill school Superintendent Margaret Marotta says the coronavirus has upset classes, modes of study and will mostly derail the scheduled June 5 graduation. She said, however, not all is lost. “We hope to be able to have...

Each day, 97.9 WHAV FM has been setting aside time to highlight good deeds from community heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic. When public gathering rules stopped the Merrimack Valley Hope Mission from providing bagged lunches for the needy at Haverhill’s G.A.R. Park in March, the group quickly switched gears, recruited “sewing angels” and so far has turned out 2,600 facial coverings. Merrimack Va...

State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell of Methuen says veterans are among those being especially hard hit by the coronavirus. Campbell, who serves as chair of the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, spoke recently on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, and said she was surprised at what has come to light. “Getting food to veterans has been a big issue, and there have been...

The Mutual Aid Society of Haverhill, otherwise known as MASH, is busy helping Haverhill residents dealing with lifestyle changes due to the coronavirus. Appearing live over 97.9 WHAV FM Friday morning, Anthony Parolisi explained how the effort came together and how it uses the city’s 3-1-1 call center to link residents with needs with those who can help. “We started reaching out to other groups li...

Individuals, groups and businesses have been getting the attention of 14th Essex District state Rep. Christina Minicucci for their help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just one of many examples, she noted during a recent interview with WHAV’s Win Damon, Groundwork Lawrence was able to contract with eight local restaurants to make “grab-and-go” meals a couple of nights a week for those in need. The e...

Haverhill Bank has stepped up with millions of dollars in funding aimed at supporting local businesses and reducing employee layoffs during COVID-19-related lockdowns. As a longtime participating lender in U.S. Small Business Administration programs, the bank was ideally prepared to help when Congress approved the Paycheck Protection Program. The PPP as it is known was the centerpiece of a $2.2 tr...

Cantor Vera Broekhuysen of Temple Emanu-El of Haverhill discusses a variety of topics with WHAV morning personality Win Damon, including remote meetings such as the upcoming Yom HaSho’ah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day. Author Helen Epstein and interfaith clergy help Haverhill’s Temple Emanu-El hold its annual service commemorating Yom HaSho’ah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, this Friday night, onlin...

Congresswoman Lori Trahan says the federal government is likely to provide aid above the recently passed $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act—known as CARES for short. Appearing live over WHAV recently, Trahan said, more financial aid is needed to help people pay for health insurance after they’ve lost their jobs and communities and hospitals meet their obligations. “The...

Back to work after recovering from her own bout of the coronavirus, Haverhill Public Schools Director of Health and Nursing Services Katie Vozeolas talked about her experiences during a live interview yesterday over WHAV. Vozeolas, who appeared by telephone, noted her initial symptoms March 17 were not what one would expect. “My symptoms were really gastrointestinal and headache and I really didn’...

Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini says nothing compares to the coronavirus outbreak in the city’s recent history. Appearing on 97.9 WHAV FM’s “Win For Breakfast” last Thursday morning, the mayor discusses current and continuing COVID-19 precautions, including a ban on 10 or more people gathering publicly and Haverhill businesses that are helping out. Fiorentini also heaps praise on city Public H...

Following on the success of its Dollar-for-Dollar Gift Card program for restaurants, the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is helping retailers give customers 25 percent off future purchases. The “#HaverhillLocal” program is open to Haverhill stores whether or not they are members of the Haverhill Chamber. The group will reimburse participating businesses 25% of total purchase prices, up to $1...