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August 6, 2008

Sal's Pizza owner eyes space downtown

Salvatore Lupoli, owner of the Sal's Pizza chain, has been touring downtown as he considers opening a business there. Lupoli operates food businesses throughout the area, including a pizza shop on River Street in Haverhill; Salvatore's Restaurant in Lawrence, cafe-style restaurants, meals to go businesses and even sandwich shops. Lupoli was in Haverhill on Wednesday, July 30, on what he called a "search and discovery" mission to learn more about the downtown and how one of his businesses might fit in.

Sex-crime charges dropped against Minichiello

All sex-crime charges against well-known local businessman Thomas Minichiello Jr. have been dropped by prosecutors due to what they say is lack of evidence. Prosecutors for Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone filed paperwork in Marlborough District Court on July 31, withdrawing two counts of felony indecent assault and battery against Minichiello due to "insufficient evidence." Prosecutors dropped a rape charge last month, leaving Minichiello, 55, facing misdemeanor charges of assault and battery, and intimidating a witness. The charges stem from an April 13 encounter between Minichiello and a 27-year-old Rhode Island woman that ended with the woman fleeing naked from the Marlborough hotel room Minichiello had rented. The remaining charges carry a maximum combined penalty of 21/2 years in prison. The next court date in the case is Aug. 22 to set a possible date for trial on the remaining charges.

Water-collecting barrels are a hit

Hundreds of gallons of rainwater are being collected at homes across the city and saved for uses such as watering gardens and washing cars. Ninety-nine residents have bought rainwater collection barrels from the New England Rain Barrel Company, city officials said.

Each barrel can store 55 gallons of water. Through an arrangement with the city, the barrels were sold at the discounted price of $66.50, compared to the regular price of $99.

City Councilor James Donahue, who suggested in April that Haverhill participate in a rain-barrel water-collection program, said he was surprised at how many people took advantage of the offer.

Agencies help Paperboard workers find jobs

Haverhill Paperboard Corp. workers say their stress has been eased by help designed to find them new jobs after the plant closes on Aug. 29.

State and Merrimack Valley labor officials began meeting with employees to help them find new jobs, sign up for unemployment benefits, update their resumes and enroll for job training. Arthur Chilingirian, executive director of the ValleyWorks Career Center, said his staff has already met with 114 of the mill's 174 employees.

ValleyWorks is planning a job fair Aug. 21. Local companies expected to send representatives include: A.W. Chesterton, Adecco (staffing agency), General Mills, Lighthouse Placements (staffing agency), Lindt Chocolate, Solo Cup of North Andover, UPS Chelmsford, Dimension Staffing and Joseph's Gourmet Pasta. Employers interested in participating in the job fair are asked to call Larry Snow, business service representative for ValleyWorks Career Center, 80 Merrimack St., Haverhill, at 978-469-7819.