Merrimack Valley Newsmakers

Haverhill community activist Kalister Green-Byrd was a reluctant writer prodded to pen a memoir by friends.

The 91-year-old’s book, “Overcoming the Odds,” relates her experiences from being raised in segregated Decatur, Ala., and coming to Massachusetts at 18. Green-Byrd, 91, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, shared the experience of writing a memoir.

“I kept saying, ‘No, no I am not a writer. I don’t want to talk...

Shaq is back with help from Haverhill’s BC Media Productions in a new Netflix docu-series, “Power Moves With Shaquille O’Neal.”

The series, which focuses on Shaquille O’Neil’s recent appointment as president of the footwear and athletic brand, Reebok, was filmed partly in Boston, where Ben Consoli and his team of producers and videographers aided in shooting interviews and “b-roll,” an industry term for supplementary shots that enha...

The chief of emergency medicine at Lawrence General Hospital appeared on WHAV last week to allay public concerns over plans to reduce services at Holy Family Hospital Haverhill.

Lawrence General has applied to change its state license to allow it to close in-patient medical and surgical beds as well as the intensive care unit at Holy Family Hospital Haverhill, but retain the emergency department as a free-standing, or satellite, ope...

The Verge Youth Center at Somebody Cares New England is offering a basketball program this summer as part of expanded programing. 

Marlene J. Yeo, founder and executive director of Somebody Cares New England, and Lori Jane Simmer, director, were guests recently on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program. Simmer explained the program’s mission.

“So our youth center really focuses on life skills, really equipping the youth of our community ...

Lifeguards are back at Plug Pond this summer.

The Haverhill Recreation Department revived its guard program after it was abandoned for lack of staff following the COVID-19 pandemic. To make sure the city has enough certified lifeguards to call on, the Recreation Department ran two well-attended lifeguard certification training programs in the last year—one in December and one in May. The training was offered by Wicked Safety Trainin...

The newly formed Haverhill Performing Arts Workshop is looking for young actors and a place to perform.

Bobby Gariepy and Maddie Hanson launched the venture after their successful association with drama programs at Haverhill High School. Gariepy, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, outlined the plan for the new group.

“The Haverhill Performing Arts Workshop… our main vision, our goal, our mission statement really is...

Haverhill’s first Pride Parade kicks off the Fifth Annual June Art Walk this Saturday.

Art Walk runs in downtown Haverhill on Washington and Wingate Streets, between Washington Square and Railroad Square. As WHAV has reported, it will be proceeded by the annual Pride Flag raising at Haverhill City Hall at 12:30 p.m. The Pride Parade will then form across the street at the Grand Army of the Republic Park and step off at 1:30 p.m., do...

Beginning in July the frequency of bus service between Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen and Lowell will increase during the week.

Merrimack Valley Transit, or MeVA Administrator Noah S. Berger, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast program,” said beginning Monday, July 7, the bus will run every 20 minutes. Currently, service is provided every 30 minutes to Methuen, Lawrence and Lowell from its hub in Washington Square, Haverhill. ...

If state Rep. Ryan M. Hamilton has his way four local groups will receive $375,000 in earmarked grants in the next state budget.

Hamilton, whose district includes parts of Haverhill and Methuen, was a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast.” Hamilton told listeners he has been successful in adding money for Creative Haverhill, Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, Historic New England and Methuen’s 300th birthday celebration.

“I ...

Haverhill Public Schools would receive an additional $6 million in state aid if a House of Representative proposal to increase state support for schools makes it into the final state budget.

State Rep. Andy X. Vargas, whose district encompasses a portion of Haverhill, was a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast.” He made note of the additional school spending proposal.

“So, it’s about a $6 million increase for Haverhill Public Sc...

Essex County Habitat for Humanity, currently in the midst of one Haverhill homebuilding project, is moving on to another in the city’s Mount Washington neighborhood.

The nonprofit recently agreed to purchase a single-family home and property at 512 Washington St. for $650,000 and has the city’s blessing to convert it into seven affordable housing units. Director of Charitable Giving Kevin Hudson made the revelation while a guest on ...

The new 69-acre Sweet Paws Rescue pet sanctuary scheduled to open later this summer plans to offer space for abandoned dogs and cats to roam.

But, Cynthia Sweet, founder and executive director of the local animal rescue group, says it won’t change the focus of local animal rescue organization as a foster care group.

“We are still going to be a foster organization. Dogs and cats do best when they are in people’s homes. And we are not ...

To help local high school students imagine the wider world of opportunities after graduation, the Haverhill High School guidance department is hosting its first Post Secondary Expo next during school hours.

Representatives from nine apprenticeship and trade programs, four branches of the military, six community-based workforce agencies and local unions will join 30 two- and four-year colleges to showcase their offerings. The expo is...

Two weeks after celebrating her successful finish of the 2018 Boston Marathon Kim Dahn was stricken with debilitating stomach pain, ongoing and acute discomfort not readily recognized by her doctors. It turns out she suffers from a rare genetic condition that caused her lower intestinal tract to compress and twist. The condition is called superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

Even after over 60 trips to the emergency department and m...

Parents traveling with children in strollers will be allowed to drive their children onto buses operated by MeVa Transit beginning Sunday, April 13, instead of having to break down and fold the unit, in a policy change meant to make the free transit option more attractive.

Currently parents must take their child out of their stroller along with any belongings, fold the unit up and then carry the stroller, child and other items onto ...

A planned freeze of payments toward previously approved federal programs was rescinded Wednesday by the White House Office of Management and Budget after public outcry.

CongreA planned freeze of payments toward previously approved federal programs was rescinded Wednesday by the White House Office of Management and Budget after public outcry.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan, appearing live Wednesday on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, wa...

In concert with Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, the oldest black church in the Merrimack Valley this Saturday offers its third annual celebration of the life and legacy of the slain civil rights leader.

Haverhill’s Calvary Baptist Church holds “Sounds of a Movement,” featuring music, history, services and the awarding of the Drum Major for Justice award to Dennis D. Everett Jr. Rev. Kenneth Young of Calvary Baptist Church, who re...

It may be just the start of the new year, but for the thousands of people planning to run in the 2025 Boston Marathon in April, the season is already here.

One of the Marathon participants will be Haverhill native Jillian Lemieux. For her, running the Marathon means more than finishing the 26.2-mile course, it’s means raising money to help find a cure for cancer. Lemieux, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program explaine...

Those looking for a different way to dispose of a Christmas tree, have some fun with goats and help the homeless at the same time, Goats to Go in Georgetown has a solution.

As WHAV reported earlier, Goats to Go is collecting Christmas trees and making a party of it for the seventh year on Saturday, Jan. 11.

Michelle Aulson of Goats to Go last week visited WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, and noted how goats and Christmas trees are...