Maine news

• Details unveiled for revised Friend Street redevelopment project

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The latest details for the revised redevelopment proposal for 222 Friend St. in the West End were unveiled on Tuesday, Sept. 22, during a city-sponsored joint Impact Advisory Group (IAG) and public meeting for the project.
  KS Partners intends to raze an existing three-story commercial building and adjacent 32-space surface parking lot to make way for a 155-foot (plus 4-6 feet of mechanicals), mixed-use building comprising 212 residential units, along with at-grade retail space. No parking accomm
  
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• Trinity Church Boston launches new program year with community celebration

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Trinity Church Boston launched its 2026-27 program year on Sunday, September 13, welcoming parishioners and community members back for a new season of worship, formation, fellowship, and service. The program year marks the beginning of Trinity’s busiest congregational season from the Sunday after Labor Day through early June. This year, this special period of reflection and celebration will encompass the 150th anniversary of the consecration of Trinity Church’s historic building on F
  
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• The 2026 “Boston Blooms with Daffodils” bulb giveaway announced

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced that the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will distribute over 15,000 daffodil bulbs for planting on public ways citywide through the “Boston Blooms with Daffodils” beautification initiative started in 2011.
  Individuals, civic associations, faith-based organizations, sports leagues, scout troops, open space advocates, and park friends are encouraged to participate. Last year, over 100 community groups planted bulbs in neighborhoods citywide..
  
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• Mike’s Pastry ribbon-cutting and grand opening event

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  MarketPlace Logan, which manages the concessions program at Boston Logan International Airport, and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) celebrated the official arrival of Mike’s Pastry in Terminal C on Wednesday, September 23.
  Rich Davey, Chief Executive Officer, Massport, spoke to passengers about the excitement surrounding Mike’s Pastry’s arrival, alongside Michael DiCosola, President, MarketPlace Development; Seth Merin, Vice President of Operations, Air Ventures, Mi
  
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• Healey-Driscoll Administration announces Violence Against Women Act grants

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Healey Driscoll Administration invites qualifying nonprofits and public agencies to apply for $3.4 million in federal grant funding to support victim services and efforts to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
  The funding is available through the FFY26 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Grant Program, administered through the Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research (OGR). The competitive grant process is held once every four years, and organizatio
  
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• Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10, focuses on lithium-ion battery charging safety

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Many of the devices we use in our daily lives—phones, tablets, laptops, tools, toys, e-bikes, and scooters, to name a few—run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which store high amounts of energy in a small space. If the batteries are damaged or charged incorrectly, they can overheat, start a fire, or even explode. With these concerns in mind, the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 100 years&mdash
  
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• Final boarding call for Voice of Logan

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The search for the Voice of Logan is entering its final stretch. Since being announced two weeks ago, the Voice of Logan contest has taken Massachusetts by storm. As of today, over 3,225 Bay Staters have submitted auditions, from Pittsfield to Boston and Methuen to Edgartown. But time is running out if you want to submit—the deadline is Sunday, October 4 at midnight.
  Following the close of submissions, a selection committee and the public will help determine who becomes the next Voice of L
  
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• Elevate Cities launch in Boston, inviting residents to gather, discover and create

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  What if getting involved in your city started with something joyful? National non-profit Elevate Cities is bringing that idea to Boston, launching its second city with a growing series of experiences designed to bring people together, strengthen belonging and inspire more people to take part in civic life.
  Following its 2025 debut in Miami, Elevate Cities will work alongside Boston residents, local organizations and civic partners to build on what is already strong in the city, creating new oppo
  
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• Boston Public Health Commission celebrates 40 years of workforce development programs supporting residents experiencing homelessness

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) celebrated the graduation of 78 clients from BPHC’s Homeless Services Bureau’s workforce development program. The Serving Ourselves (SOS) Program, a partnership between BPHC and Friends of Boston’s Homeless (FOBH), is an essential aspect of the City’s efforts to make homelessness in Boston rare, brief, and one-time by giving residents experiencing homelessness the skills and opportunities for gainful employment
  
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• Bank of America gives $200K Neighborhood Builder Grants to Camp Harbor View, Urban Edge

  02-10-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Two Boston non-profits, Camp Harbor View and Urban Edge, were each awarded $200,000 over a two year period through Bank of America’s 2026 Neighborhood Builders program. Bank of America provided the grants to support year-round operations and leadership development initiatives, recognizing those organizations’ impact on the community.
  The grant will help Camp Harbor View — which offers a unique summer camp for thousands of city youth on Long Island in Boston Harbor and provides
  
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• End of Season Celebration

  25-09-2026 15:22 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Courtesy photo
  In the photo above, (left to right) Ramsay Fretz, Elisabeth Fretz, Elizabeth Fegreus and Michael Broderick recently held their annual End of Season lobster roll party for their friends. The lobster roll was six feet long, and took more than 32 lobsters after boiling and cracking the shells to fill. Jeremy Bell provided music at the event with his bagpipes. Attendees agreed that nothing is better than the Boston Harbor lobster.
  
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• Dinner Under the Stars pivots to ‘Dinner Under Your Roof’ This Saturday

  25-09-2026 15:20 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Mother Nature might be trying to crash the party this weekend, but she certainly can’t dampen the spirit of the Beacon Hill community.Due to the National Weather Service’s forecast of heavy rain and strong winds this Saturday, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) has made the thoughtful decision to modify its beloved annual Dinner Under the Stars. While neighbors won’t be able to safely gather around the traditional long table outdoors this year, the celebration is far from
  
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• Wu announces up to $35 million in low-cost financing to accelerate housing construction

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Mayor Michelle Wu recently announced that the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund will competitively award up to $35 million in low-cost construction loans or equity investments to housing developments in Boston that are ready to begin construction and include an affordable component.
  This announcement builds on the Mayor’s recent proposal of targeted tax abatements for four previously approved market-rate housing developments. Together, those projects could help jumpstart construction o
  
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• Wu announces new partnership with umass Boston that gives students hands-on training to deliver public health education to high school students

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), and University of Massachusetts Boston announced a groundbreaking partnership that will provide college students with hands-on training and experience in urban public health. The students will then deliver public health education in high schools across the city.
  The partnership between UMass Boston’s Urban Public Health department and BPHC will offer internships this fall to the first class of seniors in the three-year-old degree p
  
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• State health officials announce season’s eighth human case of West Nile virus

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced the eighth human case of West Nile virus (WNV) this year. A woman in her 30s was exposed to WNV in an area of Middlesex County where other exposures have occurred this season.
  Seven of the eight cases have been exposed in areas of Middlesex and Suffolk counties that are at high risk for WNV. Risk levels for WNV are currently high in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Watertown, and Wint
  
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• Pantry treats

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  For us, a stockpile of pantry treats began with our introduction to the Freshé line of tuna and salmon meals, which combined legumes, vegetables, fish, and a promise of high quality and sustainability. Each tin provides a complete, high-protein meal that is as easy to enjoy as opening the can.
  The founders of Freshé expanded their offerings with lines of “Henry and Lisa” tinned and frozen fish. We expanded our stock of pantry treats with offerings from Patagonia Provisi
  
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• Eversource reaches 500,000 smart meter milestone

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Eversource has reached a major milestone in its statewide smart meter rollout, installing its 500,000th smart meter in Massachusetts as the energy company continues bringing the technology and its benefits to customers across the state. The energy company is approximately one-third of the way through its statewide smart meter rollout.
  Smart meters are a key part of Eversource’s ongoing work to give customers greater visibility into their energy use and modernize the electric system. Throug
  
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• City of Boston kicks off Free Fall Fitness Series

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) announced the 2026 Boston Parks Fall Fitness Series, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The series will offer free weekly classes in City of Boston parks from now through October 17.
  This fall, residents can enjoy a variety of healthy activities in the parks, including Walking Group, Yoga, Tai Chi, ZUMBA®, Dance Hall Bootcamp, and more. Classes are designed for all skill levels and ages,
  
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• City of Boston adopts small clean energy infrastructure zoning

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The City of Boston Zoning Commission this week adopted new zoning for Small Clean Energy Infrastructure to comply with the Massachusetts State Climate Act. This new zoning establishes a ‘Consolidated Local Permitting process’ in line with State law and Boston’s own climate resiliency goals. The new zoning and permitting process is an effort to decarbonize and transition our energy sources to be fully electric in the coming years. The new zoning also introduces regulations on di
  
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• Boston residents to participate in the 38th annual Jimmy Fund Walk

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  333 residents from Boston will participate in the 2026 Jimmy Fund Walk for Dana-Farber presented by Hyundai on Sunday, October 4.
  Zoe Bosenberg, Peter Martino, and Marek Michalak, along with hundreds of Boston residents and thousands of other walkers, will participate in the annual event that will unite the community to raise funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Last year marked a historic milestone, with the Walk raising more than
  
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• Boston Public Health Commission ensures access to free flu and covid-19 vaccines

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  To ensure that residents are protected from serious respiratory illness, Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is hosting free vaccine clinics offering flu and COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the city. Getting vaccinated every year for flu and COVID-19 as part of back-to-school and fall routines is an important tool to protect ourselves and our communities from serious illness.
  BPHC is making it easy for residents to get vaccinated as part of their regular routines. By partnering with Boston P
  
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• Boston Harbor City Cruises sets sail into fall with seasonal experiences

  25-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Summer may be winding down, but the season on Boston Harbor is far from over. Boston Harbor City Cruises (BHCC) is welcoming fall with a lineup of experiences that give locals and visitors new reasons to get out on the water, from crisp-weather whale watching and an easy ride to the heart of Salem’s fall festivities to sightseeing and year-round brunch, lunch and dinner cruises showcasing Boston’s iconic skyline.
  Adding even more reason to savor the season, City Cruises is offering 3
  
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• Virtual meeting on 222 Friend St. project set for Sept. 22

  18-09-2026 07:04 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The city’s Planning Department will hold joint-Impact Advisory Group (IAG) and -public meeting virtually on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m., to discuss a residential development with ground-floor retail project proposed for 222 Friend St. in the West End.
  KS Partners intends to raze an existing three-story commercial building and adjacent 32-space surface parking lot to make way for a 15-story (plus mechanicals), mixed-use building comprising 216 residential units, along with more than 4,800
  
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• Women’s Lunch Place welcomes Dr. Laura Davis to board

  18-09-2026 07:03 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Women’s Lunch Place has welcomed Dr. Laura Davis to its board of directors, according to the local nonprofit.
  Building on career success as a scientific researcher, Laura turned her attention to mentoring upcoming biotech leaders through Golden Seeds, an angel investor group providing early stage and growth capital to women entrepreneurs.
  Women’s Lunch Place CEO Jennifer Hanlon Wigon remarked, “Laura has been a dedicated supporter for many years, and we are thrilled that she h
  
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• Upcoming at the West End Library

  18-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Origami Club at the West End Library:
  Join librarian Wes Fiorentino for a weekly origami club! Learn how to fold paper animals and other fun shapes or drop by to share your own paper arts projects with the group.
  Tuesdays, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM – starting September 15th
  No registration required. Email Wesley Fiorentino at [email protected] with any questions.
  From Clues to Conclusions: Practical Genealogy for Beginning Researchers
  Have you begun researching your family history but feel un
  
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• Partial closure of Boylston Street and Charlesgate intersection this weekend

  18-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing a partial closure of the Boylston Street and Charlesgate intersection to complete roadway reconstruction operations. This work has been scheduled as a partial closure over one weekend to minimize the impact on the neighborhood and traveling public.
  The partial closure will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, and conclude at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21.
  One lane of travel will be maintained in each direction goi
  
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• Now casting: The next voice of Boston Logan International Airport

  18-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Boston Logan International Airport welcomes 43 million travelers a year and soon, each one will be greeted by a voice that captures the spirit of Massachusetts and New England. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced the launch of Voice of Logan, a public competition inviting Massachusetts residents to audition for the opportunity to become the official overhead announcement voice of Boston Logan International Airport.
  The Voice of Logan is a search for something distinctly Boston
  
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• Mayor Wu, Lt. Governor Driscoll, St. Francis House, and the Planning Office For Urban Affairs celebrate opening of 126 affordable homes at 41 LaGrange Street

  18-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Mayor Michelle Wu joined Lt. Governor Driscoll, St. Francis House, the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA), MassHousing, state and local elected officials, residents, and community partners to celebrate the grand opening of 41 LaGrange Street, a new 19-story affordable housing development in downtown Boston. The development creates 126 income-restricted rental homes, advancing the City’s work to provide Boston residents with safe, stable, and affordable housing.
  “Congratulations
  
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• Healey-Driscoll Administration announces $2 million in fire safety funding

  18-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Healey-Driscoll Administration is making nearly $2 million available to local fire departments in support of fire and life safety efforts that protect Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents.
  The annual Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) and Senior SAFE grants fund trained firefighter-educators who deliver age-appropriate safety education to school-aged children and older adults, as well as the associated costs of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, teaching equipment, and other
  
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• Boston Weekly Neighborhood Infrastructure Projects

  18-09-2026 07:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The City of Boston Construction Management team is providing this weekly update on infrastructure improvements taking place in the Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Charlestown, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, neighborhoods. The work is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to maintain and improve Boston’s streets and sidewalks, enhance accessibility, upgrade street lighting fixtures, support bridge improvements, and invest in safer, more reliable neighborhood infrastructure.
  This Week’s Constru
  
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