The Heights

Newton Public Schools Face Potential Job Cuts Despite Increased Budget

Sahithi Thumuluri • March 20, 2022

David Fleishman, superintendent of Newton Public Schools (NPS), warned the NPS community at a March 8 budget presentation that the district may cut as many as 74 jobs next year as a result of declining enrollment rates and a budget gap.

Boston-Area Supermarket Chain Ceases Stock of Russian Products

Gavin Zhang • March 20, 2022

BazaAr Supermarkets announced that it will cease imports of Russian products on Feb. 28 in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

New YMCA Site Will Not Affect NewCAL Plans Says Public Building Commissioner

Gavin Zhang • March 20, 2022

The City of Newton will not make major changes to its plans for the Newton Center for Active Living (NewCAL) project despite the YMCA’s recent announcement that it will open a second site in Newton, according to Public Buildings Commissioner Josh Morse, who spoke at a NewCAL community meeting on Thursday.

As COVID-19 Cases Plummet in Newton, Residents React to a Changing Pandemic Environment

Victor Stefanescu • March 20, 2022

“I think Newton’s done a great job,” she said. “I think the mayor’s done a great job of communication of information.”

Newton Resident Fundraises for Ukraine Through Her Homemade Treats

Connor Siemien • March 20, 2022

Moved by the devastating images of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Newton resident Rebecca Ferguson put her baking hobby to work.

City of Newton Searches for Its Next Fire Chief

Victor Stefanescu • March 18, 2022

The position oversees a department consisting of 199 personnel across six fire stations, as well as a 2022 budget of $26.5 million, according to the brochure. The chief will also lead Newton’s emergency operations center.

Newton city council committee debates building height

Connor Siemien • March 13, 2022

Attendees at a Newton City Council Zoning and Planning Committee meeting on Feb. 28 discussed a citizens’ petition that would limit the height of businesses and residential buildings in the city.

CDC Categorizes Newton as Low for COVID-19 Risk as City Sees Fewest Cases Since Omicron Surge

Victor Stefanescu • March 5, 2022

For the third week in a row, the city reported no COVID-19 deaths. The city reported only 111 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

NPS Committee Votes For Removal of Mask Mandate in a Straw Poll, Official Vote to Come Next Week

Tommy Roche • March 3, 2022

Some citizens voiced objections, including a parent with an immunocompromised child, among others.

From Redlining to Single-Family Zoning: The Legacy of Exclusionary Housing in Newton

Julia Kiersznowski • February 27, 2022

Discrepancies in today's home prices are shaped by the city’s history of redlining and single-family zoning.

Newton Free Library Hosts Authors Graves and Goodman For Discussion on Race

Annie Li • February 27, 2022

Authors Joseph L. Graves Jr. and Alan H. Goodman joined the Newton Free Library and the Ashland Public Library on Wednesday night for a virtual discussion of their book Racism, Not Race: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Memorializing a Community Member, Cafe Martin Becomes a Cornerstone of Community

Margaret Doheny • February 27, 2022

Adrienne Martin opened Cafe Martin less than a month ago to honor her husband John Martin, a former NESN videographer who died from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) three and a half years ago.