On March 2, the Newton City Council approved rezoning 148 California Street from Manufacturing to Business Use 2, a change that supporters said would ease leasing for businesses, while opponents warned it could undermine planning for the California Street corridor. The parcel contains about half of a shopping center that straddles…
Posts published in March 2026
A humble piece of luggage, timeworn travel chests, and a slightly crumpled cardboard box on display at the Jackson Homestead and Museum are poignant reminders of immigrants’ journeys to the United States, some of which led to settling in Newton. “Suitcase Stories” highlights the artifacts and stories of five families…
Emily Craven — Newton North HS ’22, now studying at University of Vermont — was the primary fundraiser for last year’s Fig City News summer internship program, and she’s back with a higher goal. On April 20, Emily will once again run the Boston Marathon to raise $8,500 for the Fig…
On March 2, the School Committee, including Mayor Marc Laredo, met with Superintendent Anna Nolin and NPS Chief Financial and Administrative Officer Liam Hurley in a public but unrecorded budget meeting at the Education Center. The meeting was also attended by Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Ayesha Farag and observed…
The West Newton Cinema continued its run of dynamic, creative programming with a film screening and panel discussion on March 1. In time for basketball tournament season, the Cinema presented the memorable 1986 film Hoosiers. Hoosiers, starring the late Gene Hackman, was inspired by the “Milan Miracle of 1954,” when…
When three contiguous parcels (206-208 Concord Street in Lower Falls) were put on the market at the same time, Lower Falls resident Tori Zissman began to worry about the possibility of a developer tearing down the existing homes to make way for a new, larger project. Zissman, who had long admired…
There is a persistent longing in Newton for the golden days of Newton Public Schools—seemingly a time when every student was above average and the district produced alumni of the stature of Joe Rogan (NNHS ‘85). But as we bemoan NPS’s drop in rankings, we must ask: Was excellence sacrificed…
While each Newton village has its own personality and quirks, city residents attending Mayor Marc Laredo’s listening sessions across the city voiced many of the same concerns no matter where they lived. During recent meetings at Day Middle School and the new Cooper Center, attendees echoed worries expressed earlier during…
Daniel Mola discovered Brazilian jiu jitsu at 12, and it never let go. He now owns and operates Atom Jiu Jitsu & Science at 118 Needham Street, where he teaches multiple classes a day – demonstrating positions, watching as students work through them, and stepping in with small corrections or…
Highlights this week: City Council City Council will meet on Monday, first as a Committee of the Whole to discuss BERDO, followed by its regular meeting, in which it is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket): The New Docket includes: Public Safety & Transportation Committee will meet…
City Council will meet as a Committee of the Whole in person (City Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, March 2 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following item: City Council will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, March 2 at 7:45PM. See…
School Committee will meet in person (Education Center, Room 304) on Monday, March 2 at 7:30PM in a special meeting. The agenda includes: Brown Bag Learning Lunch will meet in person (Education Center, Room 304) on Tuesday, March 3 at 1PM. It will be hosted by the Superintendent with Central…