On July 24, the Newton/Brookline group Boston for Democracy in Israel held a rally on Newton Centre Green to protest the Israeli Knesset’s overturning of the “reasonableness” doctrine, an action that the group says will weaken the power of Israel’s Supreme Court and thus harm democracy in Israel. The group…
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Decked out in neon green sports socks and a cycling outfit, accessibility activist Robert Solomon recently visited with new friend Anya Rhodes ahead of riding in her honor during the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC). The nonprofit’s mission is to raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where both Newton residents were…
On Thursday, July 20, approximately fifty people filed into the former Saco Pettee Mill building (c. 1896) at 156 Oak Street in Newton Upper Falls to view a range of plans, project renderings, construction updates, and project photographs for the Northland Newton Development (NND) project. Michael Medeiros, NND Associate Vice…
Newton residents were shocked and saddened by the death of Nancy Hanson in a domestic violence incident on July 15. Unfortunately, domestic violence is all too prevalent. 33.9% of Massachusetts women and 31.7% of Massachusetts men will experience physical violence, sexual violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their…
The School Committee on July 20 sent this Negotiations Update to the Newton Public Schools community regarding the status of contract negotiations with the Newton Teachers Association (NTA). Some key points: UPDATE: On July 21, Mike Zilles, president of the NTA, posted this response to the School Committee’s Negotiations Update.…
As of July 24th, at least 202 Newton cyclists are slated to ride in the 44th Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) on the weekend of August 5-6 to raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In this event, the PMC hopes to raise a record-breaking $70 million for cancer research and patient…
On Sunday, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office issued a press release stating that a Newton resident, Richard Hanson, 64, has been charged with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury in connection with allegedly fatally assaulting his wife, Nancy Hanson, 54, in…
In the beginning, Joy Gong never wanted to start fencing. At the age of just seven, she was scared of the coach, and the daunting threat of being poked by a blade made it all the more nerve racking. Her father Ron explained the long negotiation process of getting his…
The 88th Nonantum Festa Italiana was a mix of summer celebration, nostalgia, and a community coming together for mutual support — especially this year following the recent murder of three cherished residents. For five days — July 12-16 — Nonantum village was a mix of carnival rides and booths, evening…
Here’s a slideshow of photos from the first evening of the 88th annual Festa in Nonantum. And here are photos from other evenings and the finale from other Fig City News photographers.
For eighty-eight years, the St. Mary of Carmen Society (for Italian men) has dedicated itself and its annual “Festa” to nurturing and celebrating the Nonantum community. At its inception, it was the inspiration of a group of Italian immigrants who decided to form a “mutual benefit society” to help member…
FamilyAid — a Boston-based nonprofit focused on reducing homelessness and increasing housing stability — is partnering with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to create a “Family Navigation Center” in Newton on the site of the former Chetwynde nursing home (1650 Washington Street, next door to…














