HAVERHILL — Temple Emanu-El will hold its annual Shabbat service in honor of the late Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. virtually on Friday, January 14 at 7 p.m. The service can be viewed on Zoom (https://zoom.us/j/648219501), as well as Facebook Live and HC Media.
This annual service, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King in song and prayer, is presented by Temple Emanu-El in partnership with Calvary Baptist Church. The service will follow the weekly Sabbath liturgy and include readings selected from the writings of Dr. King.
Cantor Vera Broekhuysen, spiritual leader of Temple Emanu-El, will lead the service; members of the Greater Haverhill Clergy Association will also participate. The Temple Emanu-El Makheila (Choir), led by Broekhuysen, and the Calvary Baptist Church Praise Team and Shrine Choir, led by Minister of Music Walter Medley III and former Minister of Joe DeVoe Music, will present musical selections to celebrate the great civil rights leader.
“We are grateful to bring our shared community together again to build on Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy of perseverance, patience and a clear vision of future goals, as we navigate our way through the abundant challenges of our moment,” Broekhuysen said.
Drivers were warned of I-495 lane closures in Haverhill Jan. 17-19
HAVERHILL — State transportation officials are warning drivers of lane closures on Interstate-495 in Haverhill that are part of the Merrimack River Bridge Replacement Project.
Only one left lane will be closed on I-495 northbound between exits 106 (Route 125/Ward Hill Connector) and 107 (Route 110 and 113) from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, January 17 through Wednesday, January 19 . Lane closures are required to allow trucks to enter and exit the work area for the contractor to remove the temporary crossing carriageway.
A single left lane will be closed on I-495 southbound between exits 107 (Route 110 and 113) and 106 (Ward Hill/Route 125 connector) from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, January 17. Lane closure is required to allow the contractor to remove the temporary light poles.
Drivers are urged to reduce their speed and exercise caution when crossing these areas.
Appropriate signage, enforcement details and messaging will be in place to guide drivers through the work area.
All planned work is weather dependent, state officials said.
More information about the project is available at mass.gov/i495haverhillbridge. Questions can be asked and construction issues can be reported by emailing I495HaverhillBridge@dot.state.ma.us.
The Planning Commission meets on January 20
HAVERHILL – The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission will hold its monthly virtual meeting on Thursday, January 20 at 11 a.m. The agenda includes updates of Commission activities and is available on the MVPC website www.mvpc.org. For more information, contact Nancy Lavallee at nlavallee@mvpc.org.
Vaccination clinics available
HAVERHILL — Vaccination clinics are being held locally at various locations, days and times, including:
The Citizens Center at 10 Welcome St. Every Friday from noon to 7 p.m. (adult and pediatric Pfizer, Moderna and J&J); every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (adults and pediatrics Pfizer, Moderna and J&J), and every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (adults only, Moderna and J&J, no Pfizer). Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/2p8hzr54.
A clinic will be held in the gymnasium of JG Whittier Middle School, 256 Concord St. (adults and pediatrics, Pfizer, Moderna and J&J), on January 25 from 4-7 p.m. Limited appointments will be available. Register at https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/haverhill.
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill sites). Sign up at https://glfhc.org/covid-19-vaccine-signup-form.
Find additional COVID vaccine sites for Massachusetts residents, visit www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine.
COVID-19 testing sites
HAVERHILL — COVID-19 testing sites are available at the following local sites:
AmVets at 576 Primrose St., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no test on January 15). PCR test with results in 14 to 48 hours.
Lawrence General Hospital Testing Site, 70 General St., weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, call 978-946-8409 or visit www.lawrencegeneral.org/about-us/covid-19-testing.
Methuen Family Health Center, 147 Pelham Street, weekdays 1-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call 978-686-0090 or visit www.glfhc.org. Find other COVID-19 testing sites for Massachusetts residents at www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing.
