Merrimac

West Newbury Juvenile Arrested, Charged with Making Threats against Pentucket Regional High School via Social Media

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-752-9877

Email: [email protected]

West Newbury Juvenile Arrested, Charged with Making Threats against Pentucket Regional High School via Social Media

WEST NEWBURY — West Newbury Police Chief Jeffrey Durand, Merrimac Police Chief Eric M. Shears and Pentucket Regional School District Superintendent Justin Bartholomew report that, after a thorough investigation overnight into reports of threatening social media posts made in the past 24 hours, a suspect has been arrested and now faces a felony charge.

A JUVENILE MALE, AGE 15, OF WEST NEWBURY has been arrested and charged with Threat of Dangerous Items to Disrupt a School, Public Building, or Transport. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 14, a felony)

Rumors started to circulate this week that this juvenile had made threats over social media, however no direct report was made, and no direct evidence of a threatening social media post was found by the West Newbury Police Department.

However, last evening, numerous students and school families in Merrimac and West Newbury came forward with information about new posts, allegedly made by the suspect, in which he makes threats to commit a violent act at the school. The suspect is a sophomore at Pentucket Regional High School. The police departments worked together throughout the night and, after an investigation and with the assistance of the Essex District Attorney’s Office, West Newbury Police today received and executed an arrest warrant.

The school district has worked cooperatively with the police departments throughout this incident. The school district has taken its own action against the suspect, consistent with its code of student conduct.

The police chiefs and Superintendent Bartholomew offer their praise for those who brought forward information leading to this arrest.

“Our community is our eyes and ears, and this case exemplifies the principle of ‘if you see something, say something,'” Chief Durand said. “In this situation, members our community were not willing to tolerate threats against their high school, and they came forward to police.”

No weapons were found during the arrest of the suspect. Police do not believe there is any active danger to the school community, however out of an abundance of caution, the West Newbury Police will have an increased police presence at the high school in on Wednesday. Wednesday is the first day of school for students since Nov. 8.

Anyone with further information should contact the West Newbury Police Department at 978-363-1212. Any family with questions or concerns may contact the police department or Superintendent Bartholomew’s office at 978-363-2280.

The suspect will face arraignment in Newburyport Juvenile Court.

Pentucket schools will operate on their normal schedules on Wednesday.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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District Announces Pentucket “P” Survey Results

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Pentucket Regional School District
Superintendent Justin Bartholomew
22 Main Street
West Newbury, MA 01985

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

District Announces Pentucket “P” Survey Results

Approximately 840 people voted in favor of the official Pentucket “P.” (Courtesy Image Pentucket Regional School District)

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew is pleased to announce that the Pentucket community has selected an official “P” to represent the district’s brand.

The district issued an online survey open to all students, staff, parents and guardians, alumni and community members on Wednesday, Oct. 2, presenting three options for the district’s official Pentucket “P.”

In the past, a variety of stylized versions of the letter have been used to adorn sports uniforms, district themed supplies, school spirit apparel and other district related designs.

“There so many variations of the Pentucket “P,” but we want our district to be better represented with one, official “P” that stands out and clearly identifies itself as belonging to our community,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “It’s been an exciting, fun project, and the community was really receptive to the idea.”

More than 1,300 people participated in the Pentucket “P” survey earlier this month. Of those who participated in the survey, approximately 64.6% voted in favor of the winning Pentucket “P.”

The district began meeting with potential vendors to design the official Pentucket “P” last spring, and has selected Varisty Brands for the project.

The official Pentucket seal will not change as a result of the branding initiative.

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Merrimac Police and Fire Respond After Contractor Falls from Ladder

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For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Merrimac Police and Fire Respond After Contractor Falls from Ladder

MERRIMAC — Police Chief Eric Shears and Fire Chief Larry Fisher report that the Merrimac Police and Fire Departments responded after a contractor fell from a ladder this morning.

At 10:04 a.m., the Merrimac Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to 5 Chestnut St. for a report of a 59-year-old man who had fallen off of a ladder. Upon arrival, first responders found that the man had sustained serious, life threatening injuries.

The man was transported by ambulance to Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport and subsequently taken by medical helicopter to a Boston hospital.

Because the incident involved a workplace injury, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified and is investigating the incident. The incident also remains under investigation by Merrimac Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Essex District Attorney’s Office.

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Class of 2019 Graduates from Pentucket Regional High School

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Pentucket Regional School District
Superintendent Justin Bartholomew
22 Main Street
West Newbury, MA 01985

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 7, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Class of 2019 Graduates from Pentucket Regional High School

Local Groups Award $130,000 in Scholarships to Graduates

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Jonathan Seymour are pleased to announce the graduation of 150 students from Pentucket Regional High School.

On Saturday, June 1, graduates from Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury were celebrated and received their diplomas during a ceremony on the field in front of Pentucket Regional High School.

The ceremony was lead by students, and featured musical performances by the Pentucket High Concert Band and Chorus. Valedictorian Allison Brookhart encouraged her classmates to continue to learn and grow in the next phases of their lives.

“As you look ahead to the next stage of your life, whatever it may be, I hope that when you doubt yourself, you realize why you should be confident in the person that you are,” Brookhart said. “I hope you have new experiences, and are adventurous. And when you do fail, because we all have failed and will continue to do so, I hope you are not ashamed. Instead, I hope that you are proud because the fact that you have failed means that you are still learning, growing and improving.”

Matthew Hersey, the class salutatorian, encouraged his peers to reflect on their achievements over the past four years.

“We have all spent the past 12 years of our lives working hard to realize the goals and aspirations we set for ourselves, and today we can celebrate all that we have achieved,” Hersey said. “Although we may have each had different expectations for our high school years, we can all celebrate the way we have shaped each other’s high school experiences and the accomplishments of this bright and dedicated group of students.”

Scholarships totaling $130,000 were awarded to seniors at the senior awards night and graduation ceremony by local businesses, organizations and groups, including the Pentucket Regional Scholarship Foundation.

“Congratulations to this hardworking, creative, bright group of young adults,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “And thank you so much to the Pentucket community for awarding scholarships to these students as they embark on their next endeavors.”

Superintendent Bartholomew also praised the work of the Pentucket Regional Scholarship Foundation, the maintenance crew for the 2019 graduation ceremony, district teachers who participated in the ceremony and the parents that organized this year’s Senior Celebration.

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