Pentucket Regional Middle High School to Host First Annual Turkey Toss

pentucketporta on November 16, 2023

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Brenda Erhardt are pleased to share that Pentucket Middle High School will be hosting the school’s first annual Turkey Toss.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

WHERE: 

Pentucket Stadium, 24 Main St., West Newbury

WHAT: 

Pentucket Regional Middle High School will be hosting a Turkey Toss on Tuesday. The event will feature three rounds of toss and catch with a 10-pound turkey. Participants will then be scored on the farthest throw and a successful catch.

There will be three event divisions: students, staff, and public safety.

In the student division, students in grades 9-12 will participate. Each grade will be represented by three teams and each grade will compete against one another.

In the staff division, faculty and teachers will compete against one another while representing a certain grade. The points collected in this division will be given to the grade the winning staff members represent.

The public safety division will include West Newbury police officers who will be competing against one another.

Winning teams within each division will receive a First Annual Turkey Toss Trophy and bragging rights.

All turkeys will be donated to a local food pantry following the event.

Community members are encouraged to attend. Music and concessions will be provided.

This event will conclude Pentucket Regional Middle High School’s Spirit Week which takes place Monday Nov. 13 through Friday, Nov. 17.

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Merrimac Fire Department Extinguishes Early Morning Garage Fire

pentucketporta on July 10, 2023

MERRIMAC — Chief Larry Fisher reports that the Merrimac Fire Department extinguished a garage fire on Monday morning.

On Monday, July 10, at 5:10 a.m., Merrimac Firefighters responded to reports of a fire at 45 West Shore Road, in a garage with a recreational vehicle parked beside it.

The garage was determined to be fully involved upon arrival. There were no reported injuries.

Mutual aid was provided by the Amesbury, Plaistow, N.H., Newton, N.H., East Kingston, N.H., and Kingston, N.H., Fire Departments. Station coverage was provided by West Newbury and Kensington, N.H., Fire Departments. A Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) was provided by the Salisbury Fire Department.

The Merrimac Department of Public Works assisted on scene with debris removal.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Merrimac Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“While the exact cause of this fire is undetermined, investigators believe it may have involved an electrical event. Having a licensed electrician review your home’s electrical system every 10 years can help to identify potential problems before they become hazards,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “Issues like loose sockets, frequently blown fuses or tripped circuits, and dim or flickering lights suggest issues that need to be addressed soon. When charging phones, laptops, power tools, or mobility devices with lithium-ion batteries, always use the charging devices provided by the manufacturer, and never leave them charging overnight. These batteries store a lot of power in a small package, and they can create a serious fire hazard if abused or misused.”

“In light of this incident, we want to remind our residents of the importance of electrical safety. Always follow operational manuals and instruction guidelines when using devices with lithium-ion batteries or working with electrical. You should consider consulting with trained professionals and installing an advanced circuit breaker, which can shut off electricity when a problem is detected. It only takes a second for electrical devices to cause a fire, so acting with care is crucial to keep your family safe,” Chief Fisher said. “I also would like to thank all of the departments that provided mutual aid during this incident. We greatly appreciate your assistance in protecting the residents of Merrimac.”

Groveland Police Department Identifies and Charges Juvenile Suspect in Pellet Gun Incident

pentucketporta on June 30, 2023

GROVELAND 一 Chief Jeffrey Gillen reports that the Groveland Police Department has identified a suspect following an investigation into an incident involving a pellet gun last weekend. 

A JUVENILE MALE, AGE 16, OF DRACUT, will be charged with Assault and Battery With a Dangerous Weapon.

On Saturday, June 17, at approximately 8:19 p.m., Groveland Police responded to the area of Main Street and Elm Park for a report of someone allegedly shooting pellets at pedestrians.  

Upon arrival, officers spoke to the calling party who explained that, while out walking with his wife, he observed a red Honda Civic with four occupants drive by, and that a passenger who was wearing a mask hung out the window and pointed what appeared to be a pellet gun and began shooting at him and his wife. The reporting party told responding officers his jacket was struck with a projectile and his wife’s umbrella also was struck.

No injuries were reported.

Through a subsequent investigation, Detective Adam Sanborn was able to identify the JUVENILE, whose name is not being released due to his age. Detective Sanborn collaborated with colleagues from the Haverhill Police Department to conduct the investigation.

As part of the investigation, Detective Sanborn determined that the JUVENILE used a “splatter ball gun,” which shoots gel balls, pellets or beads. Groveland Police believe the incident is related to a social media trend.

The suspect will appear at Lawrence Juvenile Court at a later date.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

*UPDATE #2* Newburyport Fire Department, Mutual Aid Partners On-Scene of Seven-Alarm Chemical Explosion at Industrial Park

pentucketporta on May 4, 2023

NEWBURYPORT — Acting Chief Stephen Bradbury III reports that the Newburyport Fire Department and its mutual aid partners remain on scene of a hazardous materials incident at an industrial park.  

Upon arrival crews saw heavy fire and smoke coming from the building and equipment that had blown through the roof in an adjacent parking lot.  

The building suffered significant structural damage, currently preventing firefighters and technical rescue crews from entering the building to conduct an extensive search.  

Five workers were in the building at the time of the explosion. Four were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated and released.

A fifth worker remains unaccounted for.

Mutual aid was provided by State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, East Kingston, N.H. Fire Chief Ed Warren, Amesbury Fire Chief Jim Nolan and Deputy Chief David Mather,  Northeast Technical Rescue Team, North Reading Fire, Department of Fire Services Technical Rescue, Hazardous Material, and Incident Rehab Units, North Andover Fire Chief John Weir, Cataldo Ambulance, and the Ipswich, Salisbury, Newbury, Seabrook, West Newbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Rowley, Hampton, N.H., and North Hampton, N.H. Fire Departments.  

Station coverage is being provided by the Danvers, Lawrence, and Topsfield Fire Departments.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is on scene at this time.  

Motor vehicles and residents are asked to avoid the area. The surrounding businesses on Opportunity Way remain open.  

About 12:45 a.m. on Thursday, 911 operators received a report of an explosion at 9 Opportunity Way. Upon arrival, fire crews saw that an industrial-sized vat from inside the building had moved about 30 feet because of the explosion, and it was now sitting in an adjacent parking lot.

Additional information will be released when it becomes available.

 

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West Newbury Fire Department Responds to Gas Leak at Pentucket Regional Middle High School

pentucketporta on January 11, 2023

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Michael Dwyer and Superintendent Justin Bartholomew report that the West Newbury Fire Department responded to a gas leak at Pentucket Regional Middle High School on Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday, Jan. 11, at approximately 8:50 a.m., the West Newbury Fire Department, with support from West Newbury Police, Groveland Police and Groveland Fire, responded to an active gas leak at the high school and middle school that was caused when a contractor working on the school’s new athletic fields accidentally struck a gas line.

West Newbury Fire Department, Police and mutual aid partners evacuated several homes near the site of the leak on Main Street as a precaution while the leak was active.

Students at the high school and middle school were placed in a secure hold in their classrooms to ensure they were all accounted for and that the school’s hallways remained empty. Classroom learning continued throughout the secure hold. There were no evacuations at the high school or middle school.

The contractor that struck the gas line was able to shut down gas flowing through the line, and National Grid arrived on scene a short time later. The secure hold at the high school was lifted and residents were able to return to their homes at about 9:15 a.m.

Firefighters, police and a school resource officer remained on scene to ensure there were no further issues.

“We are grateful to our mutual aid partners in Groveland for their support,” said Chief Dwyer. “A quick and professional response to this incident by first responders, schools, the contractor involved, and National Grid helped ensure there were no more serious issues this morning.”

West Newbury Police Provide Update on Car Found Outside Page School

pentucketporta on November 29, 2022

The West Newbury Police Department would like to provide an update on an incident in which a vehicle and driver were found in a heavily-wooded area near the Page School on Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, at approximately 10:30 a.m., West Newbury Police and Fire responded to the school for a report of a vehicle parked in the woods near the school.

The vehicle was found about 500 feet off the road in a wooded area by a resident who was out for a walk. That resident contacted police, who found the vehicle’s driver sitting outside of the vehicle exhibiting symptoms consistent with exposure and possible hypothermia.

The West Newbury Fire Department used a Gator off-road-vehicle to transport that individual back to the road, and from there an ambulance transported the individual to Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport for treatment.

The vehicle is of interest to police in Newburyport and West Newbury, who are investigating an incident in which a vehicle crashed through a gate at a municipally owned property on Emery Lane in West Newbury and then crashed through another gate on a portion of the property that connects to Curzon Mill Road in Newburyport.

That incident remains under investigation by West Newbury and Newburyport Police.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Page School was placed in secure mode, meaning no one was allowed to enter or leave the building. Pre-K students were dismissed as scheduled at 11:15 a.m., and the school day continued as normal aside from students being kept inside throughout the day.

There is no danger to the school community.

The established school safety and security policies in place in the Pentucket Regional School District were followed, and police, fire and school officials are all in contact with each other.

Police will have an increased presence around the school as a result of the investigation into the vehicle.

Merrimac Police Department Commemorating National Police Week, Peace Officers Memorial Day

pentucketporta on May 13, 2022

MERRIMAC — Chief Eric Shears and the Merrimac Police Department are honoring law enforcement officers across the country during National Police Week. 

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. It was established by a joint resolution of Congress in the same year and honors law enforcement officers across the country, paying special recognition to those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. 

In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day on Sunday, May 15, Merrimac Police will join agencies nationwide in flying its flags at half-staff to honor officers who have given their lives in service to their communities.

“I want to recognize the members of our department and the great work they do each and every day,” said Chief Shears. “Their effort and commitment to upholding the best policing practices does not go unnoticed. I also want to extend my deepest condolences to families who have lost an officer in the line of duty, we as a department salute their service.”

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, there were 617 law enforcement line of duty deaths in the U.S. in 2021, 439 of which are attributed to COVID-19. So far in 2022, 105 line of duty deaths have been recorded. 

Each year, hundreds of names of officers killed in the line of duty are engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the names are read aloud during a Candlelight Vigil. This year, the names of 619 fallen officers were added to the Memorial, including 472 officers who died in 2021 and an additional 147 officers who died in years before 2021. The 34th Annual Candlelight Vigil will take place on Friday, May 13.

Thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world gather in Washington, D.C. during National Police Week to pay their respects to fallen officers through a number of scheduled events. The week also honors the family members, friends and fellow officers of fallen officers.

West Newbury Police Department To Participate in National Drug Take Back Day

pentucketporta on April 26, 2022

WEST NEWBURY — Interim Police Chief Michael Dwyer is pleased to announce that the West Newbury Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will once again be participating in National Drug Take Back Day later this month.

WHEN:

Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

WHERE:

West Newbury Public Safety Building, 401 Main St., West Newbury, MA

WHAT:

National Drug Take Back Day is a biannual, free, no-questions-asked event that gives the community the opportunity to aid in the fight against substance use disorder by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unwanted or unused prescription drugs. As part of the event, residents can drop off unwanted pills or patches, but not liquids, needles or sharps.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2019 alone an estimated 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives.

In addition to participating in National Drug Take Back Day twice a year, the West Newbury Police Department is pleased to offer a drug drop-off box in its lobby all year round. The drop-off box was constructed by Whitter Regional Vocational Technical High School students, and it provides residents with 24-hour access to a safe way to dispose of medications.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs, about this month’s Take Back Day or for complete results from past Take Back Day events, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

First Responders in Merrimac, Groveland and West Newbury Offer Stop the Bleed Training to Community Members

pentucketporta on March 24, 2022

Public safety chiefs from Merrimac, Groveland, and West Newbury would like to announce that they will offer free, certified Stop the Bleed training to help community members be prepared to help others in a bleeding emergency.

Stop the Bleed training aims to train, equip, and empower bystanders to provide assistance during a bleeding emergency before first responders arrive. Time is a very important factor when individuals are suffering major blood loss.

The training is being offered to all first responders in Merrimac, Groveland, and West Newbury, as well as all staff in the Pentucket Regional School District. The training will also be offered to community members in all three towns during two, two-hour training sessions.

Certified Stop the Bleed instructors from the local police and fire departments will collaborate to present training, which will focus on hemorrhage control for persons with traumatic injuries. The course will be presented using a combination of lecture and hands-on exercises. The topics covered will include identifying life-threatening bleeding, tourniquet application to extremities, wound packing, and the use of direct pressure.

The training is being funded by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security, administered by the Northeast Homeland Security Regional Advisory Council, which distributes DHS grants in coordination with the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security.

All three communities jointly received nearly $30,000 in grant funding from DHS to conduct the training in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a delay because training can only be conducted in person.

“I would like to encourage everyone to get bleeding control training,” said Merrimac Police Patrol and Training Supervisor Sgt. Richard Holcroft, who helped organize the training program. “Although this training is partially due to the ever increasing number of active shooter incidents, more importantly, these life saving skills have a much higher potential of being used for every day accidents. Life threatening bleeding can from car accidents, use of power tools, chain saws, boating accidents and many other every day activities.”

Stop the Bleed training will be available to the public at the following dates, times and locations:

Advanced registration is required for each course. To register, click here.

Training dates in West Newbury are still being scheduled, and will be announced on the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments’ social media pages.

Anyone interested in the training who has questions can contact Sgt. Holcroft by calling 978-321-0604, or emailing rholcroft@merrimacpolice.org.

About Stop the Bleed

Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. To learn more, click here.

Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative Announces COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for All Ages

pentucketporta on December 23, 2021

WEST NEWBURY — The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative is pleased to announce that it will host three community COVID-19 vaccination clinics for all eligible age groups with first, second and booster doses available.

WHEN: 

Monday, Dec. 27, Jan. 3 and Jan. 10, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE:

West Newbury Town Office Building Annex, 381 Main St., West Newbury, MA

WHAT:

A series of Monday evening clinics will administer first, second and booster doses of all vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) to all eligible age groups. 

First and second doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Pediatric Vaccine — the same vaccine administered to adults but at a lower dosage — will be administered to those age 5 to 11 with a signed consent form from a parent or guardian. 

The CDC recommends anyone age 5 and older get the vaccine in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 as cases continue to rise following the Omicron variant. 

The CDC recommends that those who have completed a full Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna regimen seek out a booster shot six months after their second dose, and that those who received a Janssen dose seek a booster shot two months after their initial vaccination. Individuals can check if they are eligible for a booster by using the eligibility tool at  mass.gov/BoosterCheck. 

Vaccines are free. Insurance is not required. Attendees will be required to wear masks and maintain physical distance in accordance with current Massachusetts guidelines regarding clinics.

To make an appointment to receive a booster at the clinics in West Newbury, click here.

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative comprises Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury.