Merrimack Valley Newsmakers

Pentucket Bank closes its main branch today and opens a temporary downtown office as well as a revamped Riverside branch—all in preparation for a $160 million downtown Haverhill redevelopment. The long-considered plans, first reported by WHAV more than two years ago and confirmed last year , are now taking shape following developer Salvatore N. Lupoli’s closing on city and bank land. The mixed-use...

Crossing guards in Haverhill will receive a wage increase from $15 to $17 per hour effective Feb. 5. Thanks to the raise, crossing guard Debbie Mason told WHAV she will not have to find more hours as a lunch monitor or a similar position in the district. It would have been disruptive to work more because, on top of the 15 hours a week at an intersection near the Golden Hill and Dr. Paul C. Nettle...

It won’t be long before members of Haverhill High School’s 1973-74 hockey team gather for the 50th anniversary of the program and one of the organizers is revealing decades-old details. The celebration takes place Saturday Feb. 17, at Haverhill High School’s Veterans Memorial rink with a game against Shawsheen. Richard “Spike” Sprague, who scored Haverhill High’s first varsity goal, gave away some...

This week’s observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day brought back memories for some and reinstilled long held values motivated by the slain civil rights leader. Among them, Keith Boucher, founder of MakeIt Haverhill, who first became aware the concept of equity when he was a child. “When I was young, back in the early 60s, we used to eat a lot of grapes during the summer, I don’t know why, but...

Community colleges are seeing enrollment growth with new state initiatives and are poised for more if the state Senate is successful in providing free community college for everyone. Northern Essex Community College Vice President of Institutional Advancement Allison Dolan-Wilson, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, is delighted with the focus. “First and foremost, community coll...

A new theatrical season is about to open at the John Greenleaf Whittier School in Haverhill with the production of Disney’s “Descendants: The Musical.” Music teacher and JGW Drama Club Executive Director Robert D. “Bobby” Gariepy III explained how to audition for a part during a recent appearance on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. “Jan. 8 is vocal audition. Come prepared to sing 30-seconds of...

The potential for fraud, especially around the holidays, is a prime concern and a local banker recently provided tops on staying safe. Haverhill Bank Vice President of Compliance Liz Cronin appeared recently on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. “Most importantly, my message today is to put everyone on awareness that especially during the holiday season—in particular, between Thanksgiving and Chr...

This season represents a milestone for the Haverhill High School hockey team. It was 50 years ago that the first Haverhill High Varsity team hit the ice. For those oldest enough to remember, Gerald Ford was sworn in as vice president in December, the film “The Exorcist” made its debut and Richard “Spike” Sprague scored the first goal for the Haverhill Hillies hockey team. “I was fortunate enough t...

Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini was sworn in almost 20 years ago against the backdrop of the largest municipal debt in state history, downtown buildings that had been mostly vacant for decades, the recent layoffs of 43 city workers and even a ragged carpets in City Hall held together with duct tape. The downtown commercial district had been in decline for decades, worsened by such efforts to p...

The Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah, begins Thursday. Rabbi Ashira Stevens, of Haverhill’s Temple Emanu-El, speaking on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, discussed the historical significance of the holiday. “When the Jews won against their enemies, back in those days, back in the days of the Maccabees, they then rededicated their temple. The word Hanukkah itself actually means dedication, o...

A retirement is on the horizon one of the beloved members of the Pentucket Regional High School staff, who offers comfort to both students and staff. Pentucket Regional School Superintendent Justin Bartholomew, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, talked about the service dog named Dice, who is coming up on his 10th birthday. “That is about the age when you retire a service animal...

Haverhill’s two finalists for mayor approach the city’s problems in different ways, but both agree construction of a new Broadway-area fire station is a top spending priority. Councilor Melinda E. Barrett and retired Police Officer Guy E. Cooper both took time to visit WHAV’s downtown studios to detail their positions—including capital priorities, taxes and housing costs. Both vie to succeed outgo...

An old-fashioned scavenger hunt, using modern technology, sends teams traveling around town next week in search of the most clues to win. Haverhill Exchange Club’s annual Hillie Hunt offers prizes for first, second and third place as well as for best Halloween costume. There’s also an after-party and 50/50 raffle. Exchange Club member Michael Joy, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” progr...

A community celebration is set to take place tomorrow in downtown Methuen with the observance of the sixth annual Methuen Day. Methuen City Council Chairwoman Eunice D. Zeiger was a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program and outlined what to expect. “We have the police station open house from 10-2 and the fire station open house from 10-2 and the Methuen Memorial Music Hall is doing op...

Eyes are on Washington to see how Congress deals with a budget deadline and looming shutdown of the federal government. Congresswoman Lori Trahan, went live Thursday on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, noting the Haverhill Fire Department recently benefited from an operating federal government. However, she said, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy now has to choose between the country and those Repub...

Furniture, vintage items and modern kitchen tools, hand-sewn quilts, artwork and more are among the finds when the Rocks Village Memorial Association’s yard sale takes place this Saturday and Sunday to support restoration of the Hand Tub House. Association member Christine Kwitchoff, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, says the yard sale features items donated over the summer inc...

A Haverhill author’s latest novel focuses on loss of life following an accident even as he regains his strength in real life after personally giving the gift of life. Vincent Donovan has two stories to tell. His new book is called “Killer Dreams,” while his kidney is helping someone fulfill their own dreams. He talked about both during his recent appearance on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. “...

Leaving the Streets Ministry in Haverhill is finding jobs for youth that help them stay in school and out of trouble. The nonprofit, which placed teens into 286 jobs so far this year, is also building a new relationship with Haverhill Public Schools’ enlarged Gateway Academy in the former St. James School on Primrose Street. Founder Jesus Ruiz told listeners of WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program,...

All five candidates running to become Haverhill’s next mayor have spoken directly to listeners during a series of live interviews with Win Damon, host of WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. All interviews, running about 10 minutes each, are now available to be heard on demand at WHAV.net and all popular podcast sites. Arranged in ballot order, the candidates are Melinda E. Barrett, Scott W. Wood J...

Over the past 30 years, historic preservation around the region has received a $2 million boost thanks to the Methuen Festival of Trees. To celebrate its first three decades, thank supporters and usher in this year’s effort, the Methuen Festival of Trees is having a Community Celebration with tours, food, children’s activities and more this Saturday, Sept. 9. Among the organizers who were there at...

MeVa Transit’s six highest bus ridership routes will be running two hours later starting tomorrow thanks, in part, to a $56 million statewide budget increase for regional transit authorities. MeVa Transit Administrator Noah Berger, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, said he also has more drivers, helping support extended hours. “With our September schedule, we’ll be extending se...

Those traveling along Lincoln Avenue by Haverhill Stadium may have noticed some changes taking place. The stadium branch of Pentucket Bank, at 120 Lincoln Ave., is undergoing renovations that take into account the times as well as plan for the future. Recent guests on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, Pentucket Bank CEO, and River Run Bancorp President Jonathan H. Dowst and Pentucket Bank Presid...

Veterans Northeast Outreach Center is Haverhill is ready to return to its home base, recently damaged by a burst water pipe, and will honor its fallen, former leader during a rededication early next month. The Scott Forbes Memorial Intake Center is to be dedicated at the 10 Reed St., Haverhill, building. Veterans Northeast Outreach Center Outreach Coordinator Jim Behen discussed the reopening duri...

The New England Free Jacks, with Haverhill’s own Cameron “Cam” Davidowicz, took the first Major League Rugby title in franchise history after facing the San Diego Legion for the Major League Rugby championship July 8 in Chicago. Support the show

North Andover’s Glen Johnson has truly had a “Window Seat on the World,” witnessing alongside former Secretary of State John F. Kerry, the unfolding of history. Four years ago, Johnson, who now serves as chief of communications and external affairs to Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, committed his adventures—from the Vatican to the Kremlin and London to Baghdad—to his book, “Window S...