Here’s a quick year-end review highlighting some of the 436 news articles Fig City News published in 2024.
Newton’s local news gained national prominence…
- A teachers strike started and ended with a return to school after 11 lost days, views of former School Committee chair Matt Hills and NTA President Mike Zilles, fines, a lawsuit, and questions about how to heal.
- Tensions flared between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators, resulting in defacement, rededication, disruption at the Library, and a shooting on Washington Street.
- Two Newton Centre residents became Nobel laureates: Gary Ruvkun in Medicine and Daron Acemoglu in Economics.
Local leadership changes included…
- Long-serving State Representatives Kay Khan and Ruth Balser stepped down, succeeded by Amy Sangiolo and Greg Schwartz.
- Mayor Ruthanne Fuller decided not to run for re-election.
- New City Councilors (two At-Large and four Ward) reflected on their first year in office.
- And as a backdrop, Fig City News analyzed who funds political campaigns in Newton?
- Police Chief John Carmichael stepped down, succeeded by Chief George McMains.
Civic discussion – and some discord – included…
- Village Center Overlay District zoning passed to spur multifamily, mixed-use development in six village centers — and to support compliance with the MBTA Communities Act.
- BERDO was passed overwhelmingly by the City Council to help address climate change.
- Winter parking ban was continued by the City Council, yet will be on the ballot next November.
- Redesigns for Newton’s City seal were considered by the public and a working group.
Newton Public Schools addressed other issues, including…
Progress and concerns continued on infrastructure projects…
- Newtonville MBTA Commuter Rail station was not funded in June, then funded in December.
- Pettee Square construction found excitement amid interim lukewarm comments.
- Highlands Village Improvement Project faced concerns raised by residents and shop owners.
Development projects continued (or not) as…
- Northland proposed changes for Needham Street project.
- 78 Crafts Street was approved …then approval was appealed.
- 528 Boylston Street was approved.
- Mark Development proposed changes for its Riverside project.
- The Turtle Lane project in Auburndale lived up to its name.
- Newton achieved 40B safe-harbor status for future projects.
In the arts…
- West Newton Cinema Foundation found the money to acquire the Cinema — and continued fundraising for its restoration.
- Nonantum’s Festa drew crowds in its 89th year.
In business…
- Just Next Door in Auburndale, Natural Sense in Newtonville, and Stop and Shop’s bfresh concept store all closed, as did Bocca Bella and Moldova.
- Sweet Dream opened in Newton Centre.
- Knotty Pine applied for historic-preservation funds.
- Keyes Drugs and Union Pharmacy supported Rep. Auchincloss’s Pharmacists Fight Back Act.
