EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA--News

Lawrence reopens street closed by derailment

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:20:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — Andover Street is expected to be reopened by 3 p.m. today, police said.
A portion of the street was shuttered yesterday afternoon when a railroad tanker car laden with 250,000 pounds of sodium chlorate ripped over, spilling the white sandy powder over the tracks and causing about 20 homes to be evacuated.

Chemical spill in train car derailment forces evacuation of Lawrence neighborhood

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:43:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — A railroad tanker car laden with 250,000 pounds of a potentially dangerous chemical was ripped open and derailed early last night, spilling a white sandy powder over tracks near the Andover Street crossing at Blanchard Street.

Jurors in drug trafficking trial hold cocaine

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:42:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — If the jurors in the drug trafficking trial of Angel Ayala Roque remember anything about the trial, it will likely be the moment they held $90,000 worth of cocaine in their hands.
During the third day of testimony in the trial yesterday, the jurors were handed a clear plastic bag containing five, 2.2 pound bricks of cocaine, valued at $18,000 each.

Lawrence's top teachers find inspiration in their moms

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:35:00 EDT

HAVERHILL — Wiping tears from her eyes, Sara Reyes walked to the podium to receive a crystal apple and the admiration from co-workers and former teachers who remembered her as a smart but shy girl.

Overrides head to ballot Monday

Fri, 09 May 2008 12:35:00 EDT

GEORGETOWN — Residents will vote on six override questions, five of them one-time debt exclusions and one a permanent tax increase, at Monday's town election. If all the measures pass, taxpayers will see an average one-time increase of $145, plus a permanent increase of $30 per household.

Chemical spill in train car derailment forces evacuation of Lawrence neighborhood

Fri, 09 May 2008 01:33:00 EDT

LAWRENCE | A railroad tanker car laden with 250,000 pounds of a potentially dangerous chemical was ripped open and derailed early last night, spilling a white sandy powder over tracks near the Andover Street crossing at Blanchard Street.About a dozen homes were evacuated about 5 p.m. as an army of state and local hazardous material clean-up crews, firefighters and police moved in to contain the powder."We want to make sure we don't create a dust cloud | that's the most hazardous form of this material," Lawrence fire Chief Peter Takvorian said of the chemical sodium chlorate, which leaked out a gaping hole in the side of the car which came to a stop in the railroad yard near the crossing.

Study pegs mom's market value at nearly $117,000

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:53:00 EDT

BOSTON (AP) — If a stay-at-home mom could be compensated in dollars rather than personal satisfaction and unconditional love, she'd rake in a nifty sum of nearly $117,000 a year.
That's according to a pre-Mother's Day study released yesterday by Salary.com, a Waltham-based firm that studies workplace compensation.

Focus is on Lavigne as next police chief; mayor says decision will be soon

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:30:00 EDT

METHUEN — Several city councilors yesterday pointed to acting police Chief Katherine Lavigne as the person most capable of healing the Police Department in the aftermath of the firing of Chief Joseph Solomon.

Nurse critical after North Andover crash

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:17:00 EDT

DANVERS — A 32-year-old woman from Danvers is in critical condition at Massachusetts General Hospital following a two-vehicle crash on an Interstate 495 on-ramp in North Andover yesterday.
State police said Stephanie Masick was driving a 1998 Jeep Cherokee at 6:45 a.m. from Route 114 to the interstate's northbound on-ramp when she lost control and struck a guardrail on the right side of the road.

Dance makes wishes come true

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:16:00 EDT

Students concerned about I-495 crash victim's condition

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:16:00 EDT

METHUEN — Students at a Tewksbury elementary school are preparing for a round of state tests next week. But they don't have one of their favorite teachers helping them prepare.
Edward Manzi, 46, of Haverhill, who was critically injured in a single-car crash on Interstate 495 south early Tuesday morning, is a sixth-grade social studies and reading teacher at John F. Ryan Elementary School.

Crafts in the Park coming tomorrow

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:15:00 EDT

ANDOVER — The 33rd annual Crafts in the Park will be held tomorrow at The Park, rain or shine.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year, approximately 100 craft and food vendors will be presenting their wares.

Frost School student says man tried to pull her into car

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:15:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — Police are seeking the man they say tried to pull a 13-year-old girl into his car as the seventh-grader walked to Frost School yesterday morning.
Deputy police Chief Michael Driscoll said the girl told police she was walking up the left side of Bowdoin Street, near Clifton Street, when a red car came up beside her on the wrong side of the road.

It will be Monday morning blues in Andover on June 23

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:13:00 EDT

ANDOVER — A last day of school on a Monday? And it's a half day at that.
That's the awkward situation Andover finds itself in as the school year starts to wind down.
School officials are brainstorming ways to get students into school for just a few hours on June 23, realizing that cleaning out desks and watching old movies are not the best motivation for getting out of bed.

Angioplasty program coming to Merrimack Valley hospitals

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:13:00 EDT

METHUEN — Caritas Holy Family and Lawrence General hospitals will team up this summer to begin offering angioplasty for heart attack victims.
Officials at both hospitals estimate the program will save the lives of at least 100 people in the Merrimack Valley each year.

Methuen crew quickly repairs Howe Street water line

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:12:00 EDT

METHUEN — A Howe Street water main split open early yesterday morning unbeknownst to some area residents.
"Some people may not even know it happened," said Department of Public Works Director Raymond DiFiore.

Gloucester Democrat files nomination papers to challenge Sen. Kerry

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:12:00 EDT

BOSTON — Gloucester attorney Edward O'Reilly has cleared an important hurdle in his bid to challenge U.S. Sen. John Kerry, filing with state officials nomination papers containing more than 11,636 signatures.

Methuen teens arrested

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:10:00 EDT

METHUEN — Three 14-year-old boys were arrested after they were caught kicking the spindles out of a fence at Greycourt State Park behind City Hall, police said.
A worker at City Hall called police to report that three kids were in the park throwing wood over the fence and down the hill.

PHOTO SLIDESHOW: Train derails, residents evacuated.

Thu, 08 May 2008 20:39:00 EDT

A freight car full of sodium chlorate derailed on Andover Street causing local residents to be evacuted. A shelter was set up South Lawrence East Elementary.

Freight car leaking compound on railroad track; Lawrence neighborhood evacuated

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:39:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — A leaking railroad tanker car dropped a white granular substance down about 300 feet of track, prompting the evacuation of dozens of neighbors.
The tanker car, which appears to be ripped open, is now sitting behind Diamond Ironworks at the corner of Blanchard and Andover streets. It is still uncertain whether the car derailed, causing the leak of sodium chlorate, which is not considered dangerous. It's used in the bleaching of paper. The Hazardous Materials Team and the Red Cross have been called to the scene.

Pictures of the Week, May 2 — May 8

Thu, 08 May 2008 12:21:00 EDT

Natalie Shaw is congratulated for the crown she competed for more than once, as she is hugged by other contestants after being announced Miss New Hampshire 2008. Photo by Jan Seeger

Exotic cats surrendered by hoarder are up for adoption

Thu, 08 May 2008 01:46:00 EDT

METHUEN — Many of these exotic felines can easily run you $600 to $1,000.
But for a limited time, dozens of Sphynxes, Himalayans, Munchkins, Devon Rexes, Ragdolls and Siamese are at Nevins Farm for a mere $125 adoption fee.

Mentors show Lawrence students the ropes

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:59:00 EDT

While showing him the equipment and explaining some of the procedures followed in the lab where he works at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Alexander Ortiz stressed the importance of education to Aaron Reyes.

Solomon fired: Report slams chief for failing to take responsibility for his actions and 'ethical lapses' of judgment

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:54:00 EDT

METHUEN — Mayor William Manzi fired police Chief Joseph Solomon yesterday, basing his decision on a report chastising the chief for casting himself as the victim and trying to save himself by "impugning the reputation of others."

Summary of Solomon report

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:53:00 EDT

Here is a summary of lawyer Michael Marks' recommendations based on the disciplinary hearing on police Chief Joseph Solomon:
The Patriots game incident
Several officers testified Solomon was yelling obscenities, appeared red-faced and irrational when he came into the station Aug. 24, 2007, and found them in a squad room watching a preseason Patriots football game. Solomon testified he was disappointed and upset, but never raised his voice.

Solomon timeline

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:52:00 EDT

r October 2006: The Eagle-Tribune reveals federal investigation into Methuen Police Department.
r March 2007: City ordered to repay $30,000 in federal grant money misspent on superior officers' overtime. Figure later reduced to $23,000.

Music electives at North Andover High to be taken out of GPAs

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:10:00 EDT

NORTH ANDOVER — A policy at the high school that counted music electives in grade-point averages will change over the next two years.
Principal Carla Scuzzarella said the current grading system gives an unfair advantage to students taking music electives because no other electives count toward GPA and class rank. Some music classes are worth honors credit.

At least for a day, these women agreed their place is in the home

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:07:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — There are still some people who think a woman's work is in the home.
Yesterday, two dozen women proved that to be true.
An all female crew from the Merrimack Valley and other parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire came together to rebuild homes destroyed in January's fire on Market and Common streets. Many of the builders took the day off from work, others were retired, and some, like Ruthie Reyes and Melanie Kabenga Meta, will eventually own the homes on Market Street.

Blanchette accuses Lawrence mayor of charter violations

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:06:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — The city attorney has been asked to investigate whether Mayor Michael Sullivan is skirting city charter provisions by privatizing work at the Lawrence water treatment center.
City Council President Patrick Blanchette charged this is just one of several areas where Sullivan is circumventing Lawrence charter provisions.

Volunteers needed to place flags at veterans' graves in Methuen

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:05:00 EDT

METHUEN — They served the country, and now Veterans Services Director Tom Hargreaves is looking for a few good volunteers to honor deceased military personnel for Memorial Day.
Volunteers are placing flags at roughly 5,000 veterans' graves in preparation of the holiday, which falls on Monday, May 26. The graves are spread out among eight cemeteries.

Detective questioned about accused drug trafficker's arrest

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:04:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — The lawyer for accused cocaine trafficker Angel Ayala Roque yesterday questioned Lawrence Detective Sgt. Mark Ciccarelli about his part in the investigation leading to Roque's arrest.

Tsongas will hold court in Lawrence convenience store

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:03:00 EDT

LAWRENCE— Fifth District Congresswoman Niki Tsongas knows there's nothing more convenient than the convenience store.
That's why Tsongas will hold office hours at Gomez Convenience Store on Saturday afternoon as part of her Congress on your Corner constituent outreach program.

Stevens-Coolidge Place plant sale this weekend

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:02:00 EDT

NORTH ANDOVER — If you want your pick of peonies, plan to get to the Stevens-Coolidge Place plant sale early Saturday morning.
The sale doesn't begin until 10 a.m., but the grounds open at 9 a.m. for plant enthusiasts to look over the selection and even pick out a favorite plant to stand by until the sale begins.

Car window smashed in Methuen, radio stolen

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:01:00 EDT

METHUEN — Thieves smashed the front windows of a Chrysler Concorde parked on Railroad Street and damaged the dashboard, taking the radio.
The car owner told police he had parked the car in front of a house Monday night and discovered the damage when he returned to the car in the morning.

Hearing report in Chief Solomon's case

Wed, 07 May 2008 20:55:00 EDT

Methuen police chief fired today

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:36:00 EDT

METHUEN — Mayor William Manzi fired police Chief Joseph Solomon today.
Solomon has been accused of a litany of charges, including mismanaging grant money and conflicts of interest. The 22-year veteran of the police department fought for his job during a seven-day discipline hearing, which started in February and ended April 14.

Pink flamingos flocking to Andover lawns

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:24:00 EDT

ANDOVER — In this town defined by well manicured lawns and impeccably landscaped yards, plastic pink flamingos are an endangered species.
But for the next two weeks, residents will be sneaking around in the middle of the night and planting more than 100 of the plastic birds on their neighbors' lawns.

Haverhill man critical after I-495 crash

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:19:00 EDT

METHUEN — For a few scary moments early yesterday, Haverhill's Scott Mansour had a front-row seat to a crash that he thought would turn out to be the area's next highway tragedy.
"I don't know how he didn't kill anyone," Mansour, 31, said last night of the driver "who flew past me, going about 100 miles an hour" in the green 2000 Toyota Camry on Interstate 495 south, just south of the Route 110 exit ramp.

Debate focuses on new preschool for North Andover

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:14:00 EDT

NORTH ANDOVER — School Committee Chairwoman Barbara Whidden said just about every space is being used for classrooms at the elementary schools.
For example, a locker room is doubling as music and art classrooms, and a cafeteria also is used as a gym, auditorium and storeroom.

Council to vote on new, tougher dog laws in three weeks

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:14:00 EDT

HAVERHILL — The City Council will hold one more committee meeting on new laws for dangerous dogs and then vote on a proposal for tougher rules and penalties in three weeks.
"Public Safety can finish the discussion from last night and come back to us in three weeks," City Council President Michael Hart said, referring to a standing-room-only meeting Monday night at City Hall that included people recently attacked by dogs, animal activists and concerned residents.

Methuen mayor wants report released on chief's disciplinary hearing

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:10:00 EDT

METHUEN — Mayor William Manzi and City Solicitor Peter McQuillan yesterday disagreed over the extent of information that should be made public in the disciplinary hearing of police Chief Joseph Solomon.

Senate approves $1 per pack cigarette tax increase; part of $472M revenue package

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:05:00 EDT

BOSTON — The Senate approved a $1 per pack cigarette tax increase yesterday, part of a $472 million tax hike that would be the largest in the last six years.
The Senate voted 31-6 for the tax bill, which would raise $175 million through higher cigarette taxes and $297 million from closing so-called corporate tax loopholes.

Laptop, TV taken in Methuen break-in

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:03:00 EDT

METHUEN — Thieves forced open a window in a Carleton Street apartment Monday and made off with a 32-inch flat-screen TV and a laptop computer, police said.
The victim told officers Timothy Getchell and Abel Cano she left the home for about two hours. She returned to find a window partially open and her TV missing. She soon realized her computer was gone, too.

Andover dispatcher loses appeal in gender discrimination lawsuit

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:02:00 EDT

ANDOVER — An Andover police dispatcher, who claims she was demoted because she's a woman, will not have her day in court.
Wanda Batchelder lost her appeal of a Salem Superior Court judge's decision that stated her gender discrimination lawsuit against the Andover Police Department lacked sufficient facts to go to trial.

Prosecutor says he will link Methuen man to cocaine van

Wed, 07 May 2008 00:01:00 EDT

LAWRENCE — A prosecutor told a Superior Court jury yesterday he will prove that Angel Ayala Roque returned a minivan to a Lawrence car rental agency with two boxes stuffed with cocaine still in it.

Announcement delayed on Methuen police chief; mayor and city solicitor argue over details

Tue, 06 May 2008 18:27:00 EDT

METHUEN — Methuen Mayor William Manzi has reached a decision on whether to discipline police Chief Joseph Solomon, but he won't release the decision today because of City Solicitor Peter J. McQuillan.

Man seriously hurt in single car crash

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:45:00 EDT

METHUEN — A car rolled over on Interstate 495 south this morning, entrapping the driver who was extricated by Methuen firefighters.
The driver was seriously hurt and taken to Lawrence General Hospital, said state police spokesman Sgt. Robert Bousquet. His identity was not immediately available, Bousquet said.

Not so 'flippin sweet' for teen; Police say he caused rollover while driving drunk

Tue, 06 May 2008 01:03:00 EDT

ANDOVER — An intoxicated teenager driving a stolen car and wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "FLiPPiN SWEET," caused another car to flip over on the side of Interstate 495 yesterday afternoon, police said.

Haverhill pawnshop owner has seen it all Lending business off despite downturn in economy

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:30:00 EDT

HAVERHILL — Ed Kalp remembers the time seven years ago when a customer gave him his left arm so he could get a loan. Literally.
"A man needed $20 to get to an appointment at a Boston hospital," Kalp recalls. "The man said, 'The only thing I have is my artificial arm.'" Kalp, who's run El Dorado Pawn Shop on Emerson Street for 10 years, told the man he didn't want his prosthetic arm, took $20 out of his pocket and gave it to him.

Suspected drunken driver crashes into cruisers parked at Methuen police station

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:27:00 EDT

METHUEN — Police arrested a man on charges of drunken driving and they didn't even have to leave the backyard of the station on Hampshire Street.
Richard Hall, 60, of Lowell drove his 2000 Ford F-150 into the parking lot behind the police station early Sunday morning, where the truck struck an unmarked police car, pushing it into another unmarked car, said police Capt. Randy Haggar.