Merrimack Valley Newsmakers

If social distancing is still in effect when Haverhill High School seniors are scheduled to graduate, June 5, a special celebration will still take place as well as formal summer event. While May 4 is still Gov. Charlie Baker’s official day for returning to normalcy after COVID-19, Superintendent Margaret Marotta says she is “suspicious” of the date. Appearing live on 97.9 WHAV FM Tuesday, Marotta...

In a special message, Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini says “community spread” of the CORVID-19 virus is taking place in Haverhill and urges residents to stay home “whenever possible.” The mayor says community spread means “you have to treat every person you meet as if they have the virus.” He asks residents to stay indoors, limit grocery shopping to one or two days a week and stay home at all...

State Sen. Diana DiZoglio discusses COVID-19 and the senator’s efforts to help small businesses during this time. Support the show

In an interview with WHAV’s Win Damon this morning, Congresswoman Lori Trahan discussed the federal government’s response to COVID-19 and invited residents to participate in a Tele-Town Hall this afternoon to learn more. Joining Trahan will be Jody White, president and CEO of Lowell General Hospital and Circle Health and chairman of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association; Dr. Dan Berlow...

Lisa Corr of the Crescent Yacht Club talks about the effects of Covid-19 on the club’s scheduled fundraisers. She also previews upcoming events. Support the show

As a continuing public service, 97.9 WHAV FM has made its facilities fully available to local, state and federal officials to provide information about precautions surrounding coronavirus disease—COVID-19. The public has heard of home-based learning, “grab and go” breakfast and lunch pickups and myriad “social distancing” measures, but recent closures have also raised questions about how to provid...

Haverhill state Rep. Andy X. Vargas and Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President Dougan Sherwood each discussed the unprecedented measures being taken in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Vargas and Sherwood appeared live, but separately, on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. Support the show

It’s possible for students to receive an excellent four-year education and receive a bachelor’s degree all for less than some universities charge a year. Appearing on 97.9 WHAV FM this week, Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glenn explains the college has prepared a “roadmap,” showing the way for a quality education at relatively affordable prices. “The short version of all this i...

What are the symptoms of Coronavirus disease and who’s most at risk in case of a local outbreak? Dr. Lee Lane, chief of Emergency Medicine at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen and Haverhill, answered these questions and others during a live appearance on 97.9 WHAV FM. He says most people just experience cold symptoms, but most at risk are those 65 or older or have “compromised” health conditions. He...

Emmaus’ Margot Regan appeared on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” Monday to preview one of the community housing organization’s major fundraising events, sixth annual “Stepping Out with the Valley Stars” coming up in April. Regan explained seven local celebrities appear with professional dancers during the competition.  “They do different style of dancing. There up there for a couple of minutes at a tim...

The annual Topsfield Fair doesn’t open until Oct. 2, but it isn’t too early for area high school students to apply for available scholarships. Mann Orchards’ Bill Fitzgerald, president of Topsfield Fair, stopped by 97.9 WHAV FM recently to make sure students know $57,000 in scholarships was awarded last year and applications are available now. Fitzgerald also provided a sneak preview of the 2020 f...

With coronavirus taking nine U.S. lives as of Tuesday, Haverhill Public School Superintendent Margaret Marotta appeared live on 97.9 WHAV FM to discuss precautions the schools are taking, including possibly calling off foreign field trips. Marotta said the School Department is in touch with the state Department of Public Health as well as the Department of Education to implement best practices sho...

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission has made substantial progress in building a new memorial at Mill Brook Park, near the entrance to Plug Pond. The public is being asked to help finish the job by entering a raffle with a $5,000 grand prize. Chairman Ralph. T. Basiliere discusses the new fundraiser with WHAV’s Win Damon. He said the raffle will help to cover the final phase of construction at...

Lane Glenn, president of Northern Essex Community College, visited with WHAV's Win Damon Feb. 3, 2020. Support the show

Haverhill School Supterintendent Margaret Marotta visited with WHAV's Win Damon Feb. 4, 2020. Support the show

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WHAV’s Win Damon interviews Haverhill’s longest serving mayor, James J. Fiorentini. Topics include renovation or replacement of the Dr. Albert B. Consentino, John Greenleaf Whittier and John C. Tilton Schools; competition for Comcast cable; public safety; the city’s new master plan; housing; and more. The mayor said crime is generally down, but he is worried about, what he called, the regional gan...