In honor of the 250th anniversary of United States independence, the Declaration of Independence was read publicly in a ceremony at the War Memorial Auditorium at City Hall on Wednesday, July 8. According to Mayor Marc Laredo, the event was intended to renew pride in national identity and bring about…
Fig City News
The Newtonville Historic District Commission’s review of a proposal to replace four gas-powered street lamps on Prescott Street with solar-powered LED fixtures was postponed last week due to lack of a quorum. This may delay a decision that could shape the future of Newton’s remaining 77 historic gas-powered street lamps.…
Newton celebrated the 4th of July on Saturday, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Despite impending storms in nearby towns, celebrations in the Garden City went on with gusto, featuring an impressive fireworks display in the evening, and parades, a carnival, vendors, and ice cream earlier in the day.…
On June 7th, members of the Upper Falls Neighborhood Area Council and local volunteers shone a spotlight on the hidden history behind several buildings in Upper Falls that many Newton residents pass by without a second thought. Speakers were stationed at 14 historically significant stops along the walking tour path,…
While some who are downsizing or weeding through the estate of a loved one may feel they are drowning in accumulated decades of “stuff,” others don’t even have the bare necessities to make their house a home. However, many have found that de-clogging their spaces through donation is a win-win…
Throughout the day of July 4th, Tony Gentile — Newton’s “Master of Fireworks” — and his crew of four set up the fireworks for Newton’s annual display over Albemarle Field — just as they have done for several decades. Tony works for American Thunder Fireworks, which conducts 120 shows a…
Sunday, June 28, marked the 15th annual Nonantum Village Day, which featured celebrations of long-time Newton active citizen Martina Jackson, a scholarship awards ceremony, booths featuring numerous local businesses and vendors, a magic show, and more. Terry Sauro, President of the Nonantum Neighborhood Association, was a primary organizer of the…
The MBTA announced that construction of a new, accessible, fully bidirectional Newtonville Commuter Rail station will begin in November 2026. The station is expected to be closed December 2026 to April 2029. Currently, there are no plans to increase or reroute bus service for Newtonville commuters during those 28 months.…
There was a very large turnout at Newton Fire Department headquarters for the annual Pancake Breakfast on June 28. High demand for free pancakes with all the toppings, served by those elected to serve. And plenty of opportunities for kids to handle a firehose or try out the cab of…
This article, about the Newton Public Schools (NPS) 7th grade math assessment results and their aftermath, follows Part I published on June 23, which analyzed the lead-up and broader curricular context for the April 29 exam. The results On May 8th, families of 7th graders received their child’s test results. The…
The Newton Teachers Association (NTA) filed a Step 3 grievance with the Newton School Committee on June 22, alleging that leaking roofs and water damage continue to create unsafe conditions in six Newton Public schools despite recent repair efforts by the district. The grievance followed Superintendent Anna Nolin’s June 5…
Newton homeowners will have more flexibility in where they can place raised garden beds after the City Council approved a zoning amendment on June 15 changing how the City regulates this increasingly common landscaping feature. The amendment, which passed with 17-3, with four Councilors absent, received one more affirmative vote…