Newton civic and religious leaders, activists, and students spoke at a virtual celebration honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. The event was hosted by the Harmony Foundation and centered around the theme of “Keep Moving Forward,” in light of the pandemic and widespread protests against the systemic racism facing Black Americans.
Bryce and Kathryn Denney have not let COVID-19 prevent them from safely singing with others. Their solution was a driveway choir, which allowed singers to perform together in real time from the safety of their cars.
More than a hundred cars lined up in front of Newton City Hall on Tuesday night to donate their gifts for the Newton Police Department’s annual holiday gift drive, “Stuff A Cruiser,” according to Sholkin.
A new drive-in COVID-19 testing site opened in Newton on Monday in the Riverside MBTA station parking lot on Grove Street.
“This is about access to testing for those who might not otherwise have it,” Newton Health and Human Services Commissioner Deborah Youngblood wrote in an email to The Heights. “We want to be sure that there are not financial barriers to receiving COVID tests to mitigate the risk of disproportionate impact of the virus on low income residents.”
“Our tribal members were removed from their ancestral land so that you can have your town,” said Faries Gray, war chief of the Massachusetts tribe. “So, I think you should listen to what we have to say about Indigenous Peoples’ Day versus Columbus Day.”
Since the onset of the pandemic in early March, one in five local restaurants in Newton have closed, according to President of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber Greg Reibman. Four Newton restaurants spoke at the Newton City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting to express how the City of Newton can better support its local restaurants on Oct. 4.
Look out sidewalk dwellers, Bluebikes have begun to populate Newton. Five Bluebike stations have been installed around Newton, and three additional stations will be installed in the next few weeks. The Bluebike system was established in Boston in 2011 and expanded to Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline in 2012. In addition to Newton, they have recently…
The City Seal Working Group began meeting last week to evaluate if the Newton City Seal, depicting Rev. John Eliot speaking to a group of Native Americans, should continue to represent Newton.
“Especially in time when there is greater attention, overdue nevertheless, to issues of racial equity and writing historical wrongs, I think it makes sense to put an end to honoring the man who played a leading role in enslavement and genocide,” Norton said.
