Although Hattie Kerwin Derrick doesn’t like being the center of attention, Newton officials praised her dedication to inclusivity when they honored her during Tuesday’s Pride Month flag-raising ceremony. Kerwin Derrick, Newton’s Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion, said she felt humbled and honored by the recognition of her work, adding…
Posts published in June 2025
Chris Brezski, the highly active and vocal Chair of the Newton School Committee, has announced that he will not run for re-election this November and will leave the Committee at year-end. In his relatively brief, two-year tenure as the Committee Chair, he oversaw momentous events such as the implementation of…
On May 29, the City of Newton was among 12 Massachusetts cities — along with the Commonwealth and 13 of its 14 counties — named by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as “sanctuary jurisdictions” that DHS said “obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws, …protect dangerous criminal aliens…
On June 2, eight out of the School Committee’s nine members held their regularly scheduled meeting and discussed student cell phone policy, physical education curriculum, policies on gifts and support organizations like PTOs, the five-year strategic plan, and the Superintendent’s evaluation. (Ward 8 Committee Member Barry Greenstein was absent.) The…
On Sunday, June 1, Coletti-Magni Park and the Nonantum business district offered something for every age group: a large climbing wall, a “bronco” ride, axe-throwing, batting balls, train rides, face-painting, a puppet show, step-dancing, a boxing demonstration, a clown, a wide array of crafts and jewelry, and street dancing to…
The loss of the beloved Goldstein family has struck many members of the Newton community with profound grief. On May 31, over 200 people gathered at the Hyde Community Gym for the Newton Theatre Company’s (NTC) presentation, Remembering the Goldstein Family, honoring the memories of each Goldstein family member as…
Ward 6 (Newton Centre) resident, NPS parent, and Newton native Jonathan Greene has announced his candidacy for School Committee in this November’s election for the 2026-2027 term. Mr. Greene will be in a competitive race in Ward 6 versus Mali Brodt, who announced her candidacy in March. Mr. Greene told…
Save the trees or save the pond. We have a choice. The state’s Office of Dam Safety has notified Newton that Bullough’s Pond Dam is in poor condition, and needs to be fixed or removed. Newton faces a hefty fine if we continue to dither. Repairs would cost north of…
As cries of “Odin! Odin! Odin!” rent the air, slain Viking fighters rose from the ground as though healed by the Norse god, ready to wield their swords again for an appreciative crowd outside the Scandinavian Living Center on May 31. The reenactors immediately stood, raising their shields in preparation…
On May 28, a joint meeting of the Zoning and Public Facilities committees discussed details for the updated 2026-2030 Climate Action Plan. Work on the update began in April, when City Department Heads conversed with Caroline Weiss, the City’s Climate Action Coordinator, on ways to mitigate and adapt to climate…
Newton’s 51st Annual Theodore D. Mann Mayor’s Community Breakfast was held on the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst on May 28 to celebrate Newton’s leaders, community, and youth. Over 300 attendees ate breakfast and listened to speeches and music under a one big tent on that sunny Wednesday morning. …
At the May 28 joint meeting of the Zoning & Planning and Public Facilities Committees, the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE) initiated a discussion with City Councilors about the electrification of all homes. Newton needs to electrify all of its 25,000 homes in 25 years The State requires net-zero…