Equal Justice in Needham (EJN) is a newly established, multi-generational, diverse group of Needham residents, who believe that Needham can and should be a town in which Black people and other people of color (POC) who are here as residents, students, employees, and visitors feel safe, seen, and valued.
Following...
The Needham Free Public Library has resumed curbside pickup as of Monday morning. Due to its growing popularity, hours have been added so that more people can safely pickup library materials.
Curbside pickup will now run on Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday...
By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The line between protesting and indiscriminate vandalism is blurring with every passing day. After bringing down only statues devoted to Confederate leaders, quickly the razor-sharp focus of statue topplers expanded to include the likes of Christopher Columbus, conquistadors, police chiefs they deemed racist, slave-holding Union...
On Wednesday, July 8, Needham Park and Recreation announced the reopening of the Rosemary Recreation Complex. The pools at the Rosemary Recreation Complex will reopen for the rest of the summer season during the last week of July. Pool attendance will be restricted to Needham residents only this summer to ensure visitors' safety....
The Needham Public Library's curbside pickup service has temporarily been suspended until further notice. This comes after an announcement on Thursday, July 9, that a library employee was suspected of having COVID-19. The library remained closed through Friday to ensure the safety of others.
The Needham Public Health department...
Live plants, like these flowers are selling especially well as more people have time to garden.
By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter
If eating healthy, fresh and local produce is part of keeping a healthy immune system, then it only makes sense that the...
By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter
Looking at the Needham police log, it’s hard not to notice that all of a sudden one specific crime is taking over the community: unemployment fraud. There are a couple of reasons for this, but none of them involve anything unique to the town of...
This man praised the shade Cricket Playground provides on a hot day.
By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter
With a handful of parks and recreational fields opening last weekend, Needham residents were out and about doing a wide variety of activities, just before two massive...
In a notice released on Monday, June 29, Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick announced the beginning of the Needham Unite Against Racism Initiative. This project is dedicated to addressing the racism in Needham, and to hopefully find solutions to improve the community.
On Tuesday, July 21, residents of Needham are...
As of June 29, two-hour parking is free in Needham. Authorized by Needham's Select Board, metered spots will be free for two hours as a way to support local businesses around town. Visitors are encouraged to park and enjoy some of their favorite dining spots and shops. The initiative will be in place...
Protestors march through Needham Center towards the Town Hall.
By Maddie Gerber
Hometown Weekly Intern
“My full name is Oluwatoni,” said recent NHS graduate Olu Ajayi, addressing the hundreds of black-clad Needhamites who were gathered on Memorial Field below her. “It’s said exactly as it’s...
A man fishes with a family of (invasive) mute swans in the background.
By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter
It was hot on Saturday, June 6. Really, really hot. And I had to hike around the Blue Heron Trail at Cutler Park before the rain...
A second round of grant funding for the Small Repair Grant Program has been announced. This program awards seniors and those with disabilities up to $4,000 to make health and safety improvements to their homes.
The grant is meant to cover a variety of home repairs and modifications including...
By Amelia Tarallo
Hometown Weekly Staff
Imagine this: you’re at work, during a particularly grueling day, when someone tells you to look outside. You look out a window, and standing on the sidewalk are several people dressed in tyrannosaurus rex costumes, waving their tiny little arms at you. Chances are, your...
Like most pools and ponds, Rosemary Pool will be opening later than initially planned this summer. On June 10, Needham Parks and Recreation announced that Rosemary Pool and some of Needham's recreation programs will open in mid-July.
While there is no official opening day, the Park and Recreation Department is...
The Needham Farmers Market will return on Sunday, June 14, from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Safety precautions have been put in place in order to ensure the safety of everyone. Among these precautions include pre-ordering, wearing a mask, observing social distancing, paying attention to lane markings, and prohibiting reusable bags. Additionally, this...
Starting on June 1, all town buildings, with the exception of the Center at the Heights and the Needham Free Public Library, will reopen for appointments. To book an appointment, visit the Town departments website here and select the department. Town Hall can also be reached at (781-455-7500) during regular hours from...
Needham has begun it's first phase of reopening the town's recreational spots. As of May 25, the public tennis courts (located at Mills, Newman, and Needham High School) have reopened for passive, no-contact recreational activities. Town playgrounds, basketball courts, and the pools at the Rosemary Recreation Complex will remain closed during this first...
A guitar player practices his craft in the shadow of Echo Bridge.
By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter
I went to buy cigarettes (for my mom, not that it matters) this week, and the person behind the counter asked: “you’re 21, aren’t you?”...
