Listeners Pick: Bradford Murder Top News Story of 2017

The scene in front of 54 Rainbow Drive, Tuesday, June 6. (WHAV News photograph.)

June’s gunshot murder of an 18-year-old Bradford man was ranked by 97.9 WHAV FM listeners as the top news story of the year. A related story of the teen’s home being burglarized a few days later also made WHAV’s Top 10.

WHAV broke both stories—the first coming a full-half day before any other news outlet. In fact, a Boston television station asked for, and received, permission to use WHAV’s material since the radio station was the only news source on the rainy scene immediately after the crime.

Chip In Now to Keep Greater Haverhill News Coming

As a listing of the Top 30 stories reveals WHAV was not only the first news outlet to report most of the major news stories, but many of these never would have been reported, but for WHAV revealing them.

Take for example, WHAV’s investigative reporting that led to January’s exclusive story about a City Hall employee who stole thousands of dollars in cash and checks from the city treasurer’s office. But for WHAV, this is a crime story that might never have been told.

Greater Haverhill cannot afford to be without WHAV News, but—while growing—only a tiny fraction of residents and businesses help pay for it.

Will you be one of those concerned citizens who steps up and supports WHAV News with your generous donation to WHAV’s second annual GiveBig to MyStation year-end campaign? Give online now while you’re thinking about it, or send a check to WHAV, 189 Ward Hill Ave., Haverhill, MA 01835.

Haverhill lost WHAV once before. Help prevent history from repeating itself with your extra, end-of-year donation. GiveBig to MyStation.

Top 30 WHAV News Headlines of 2017
(Ranked by web hits at WHAV.net)

  1. Bulletin: Recent HHS Grad Shot in Quiet Bradford Neighborhood
  2. Haverhill School System Mourns Loss of HHS Senior, Hunking Special Education Teacher
  3. Updated: Family Identifies Crash Victim as 25-Year-Old Haverhill Man
  4. 18-Year-Old Haverhill Woman Dies in I-495 Crash Sunday Night
  5. Mysterious Illness Keeps 200 Whittier Vo-Tech Students Home
  6. Five Guys, Kobe Steakhouse Coming to Haverhill/Plaistow Border
  7. State Police Reportedly Searching for Haverhill Murder Suspect
  8. Cedardale Owners Vow to Quickly Rebuild After Devastating Fire
  9. House Break at Murdered Teen’s Home Adds to Mystery
  10. Updated: Franklin St. Suspect Reportedly in Custody
  11. Haverhill Man, 31, Receives Serious Injuries After Acre Shooting
  12. Haverhill, State Police Arrest Four in Connection with ‘Severe’ Stabbing
  13. Haverhill Police Warn of Delivery Scam; Victim Hit For $4,000
  14. City Worker Faces Charges of Stealing from Treasurer-Collector’s Office
  15. Joseph School Plans to Close This Month
  16. Police Arrest Murder Suspect; Identify Haverhill Victim
  17. New ‘Hidden Pig’ Restaurant to Fill Empty Historic District Storefront
  18. Update: Two Men Shot in Acre; One Victim Identifies Himself to WHAV
  19. Updated: One in Critical Condition After Downtown Stabbing; Man, 21, Under Arrest
  20. UPDATE: Andy Vargas Triumphs Over Shaun Toohey in Haverhill State Representative Race
  21. Updated: Immigration Agency Detains Haverhill Individual
  22. Haverhill Police, State Troopers Recover Two Loaded Guns During Traffic Stop, Five Arrested
  23. Haverhill Man Receives Serious Injuries in 495, Multi-Car Accident
  24. Police Arrest Haverhill Man Accused of Sexual Contact with 3-Year-Old
  25. Three-Town Police Chase Ends in Haverhill Stolen Vehicle Crash
  26. Lawyer For Haverhill Man Detained by Immigration Agents Reveals Story
  27. Haverhill Police Nab 5 for Fentanyl Drug Trafficking After High St. Search
  28. Groveland Police Charge Two Haverhill Teens with Car Breaks
  29. Ten Cars Sidelined as I-495 Bridge Pot Hole Opens Up
  30. Updated: Police Seek 35-40-Year-Old Man for Bradford Bank Robbery