Massachusetts news

• For 60 Years, Hill House Remains a Hub of Beacon Hill

  19-02-2026 16:58 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Ryan OwensSeveral families engage their children in athletic programs, such as
  indoor tennis, during the winter.
  Photos By Ryan Owens
  Children at Hill House are encouraged to engage their artistic abilities,
  working on sketching, painting, and crafting.
  Little footsteps patter across the hardwood floor, while instructors and volunteers attempt to get everyone in line. Toddlers yell with excitement, interrupted by the occasional anxious cry-turned-laughter.This is the regular symphony at Hill
  
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• Flynn Files Legislation to Improve Pedestrian Safety

  19-02-2026 16:58 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Dan MurphyDistrict 2 City Councilor Ed Flynn filed four pieces of legislation last week that intend to improve pedestrian safety in Boston.Councilor Flynn’s filings included an amended ordinance to effectively ban mopeds and e-bikes from third-party food delivery services, as well as a new ordinance regulating all e-bikes in the city. He also re-filed a hearing order to advocate for traffic-calming infrastructure on main streets and in areas of high foot traffic. Additionally, he joined
  
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• Wu and OYEA Announce 2026 Mayor’s Youth Summit

  19-02-2026 16:55 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesMayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) have announced free tickets are now available for the 2026 Mayor’s Youth Summit (MYS), an annual citywide celebration of the contributions of young people to Boston’s culture. The 2026 Summit will be held on Saturday, February 21 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Artists For Humanity EpiCenter, a vibrant arts center for youth, located in South Boston. This event is
  
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• Massachusetts RMV Announces Special MA250 Low Number Plate Lottery

  19-02-2026 16:55 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is celebrating President’s Day by announcing a special low number lottery featuring the state’s new 250th Anniversary Plate. Residents can apply starting today, February 16, at 9:00 a.m. and have until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026. Further information is available at Mass.Gov/MA250Plate.The “Massachusetts 250 Years of Independence” plate is emblematic red, white, and blue
  
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• DCR Kicks off Recruitment Efforts for Lifeguards and Seasonal Staff for Summer 2026

  19-02-2026 16:55 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) kicked off recruitment for lifeguards, pool and waterfront staff, and water safety instructors for the upcoming summer 2026 season. Positions are available at DCR’s 32 guarded beaches, 24 swimming pools, and two wading pools across the state and offer competitive hourly wages ranging from $22 to $27, as well as bonuses of up to $1,000 for qualified applicants who sign on early and work the entire season.&
  
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• The Friends of the Charlestown Branch Library Present Two Free Events, Celebrating Irish History

  19-02-2026 16:54 via beaconhilltimes.com
   Special to the TimesIn anticipation of Saint Patrick’s Day, the Friends of the Charlestown Branch Library will present two free events, celebrating Irish history, literature, and music.The series begins on Thursday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Charlestown Branch Library, 179 Main Street, with an illustrated lecture titled “Who Was St. Patrick, and Should Brigid of Kildare Regain Her Saintly Status?” by Professor Richard Kearney, a widely respected philosopher, author, an
  
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• Boston, Wentworth Institute of Technology Announce New Five-year Pilot Agreement

  19-02-2026 15:37 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe City of Boston and Wentworth Institute of Technology recently announced major agreements on Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) and an amendment to their Institutional Master Plan (IMP). The new PILOT agreement includes a commitment of more than $5.6 million in cash and community benefits over the next five years. The agreement is the first written PILOT agreement between the City and Wentworth in more than 20 years, creating a predictable and reliable schedule of valuable p
  
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• Social media must be off-limits for children

  19-02-2026 15:36 via beaconhilltimes.com
  After about 20 years of social media platforms operating without any legal or moral constraints, the evidence is overwhelmingly clear that social media is toxic for our children.Much like the tobacco companies 75 years ago (Big Tobacco was fully aware of the health dangers of their products, but concealed their findings for decades), today’s tech conglomerates have hidden the truth of the addictive nature of their algorithms upon our children.The recent release of internal emails and studi
  
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• Ramadan begins this week

  19-02-2026 15:36 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Ramadan, which will begin this week following the sighting of the crescent moon, is the holiest month of the year for members of the Muslim faith. For 2026, Ramadan is projected to start as early as Tuesday, February 17, and extend through Thursday, March 19, or Friday, March 20, upon the sighting of the next crescent moon.Muslims believe this is the month in which the Quran’s first verses were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan is observed worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), da
  
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• Rugg Road Paper Co. settles into new home at 130 Charles St.

  13-02-2026 15:43 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Since relocating just across the street in November, Rugg Road Paper Co. is now firmly ensconced in its new home at 130 Charles St.The neighborhood stationery shop left its former home at 105 Charles St. at the end of last July before settling into the street-level space, which was previously home to Marika’s Antique Shop.Geraldine O’Hagan, managing owner of Rugg Road Paper Co., is seen outside the business’s new home at 130 Charles St.“It’s been amazing,” sai
  
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• Registration open for Charles River Earth Day Cleanup 

  13-02-2026 15:42 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The 27th  annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup will take place on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, and volunteer registration is now open at CharlesRiverCleanup.org. This much-loved event brings together over 3,500 community volunteers each year to rejuvenate the parks, forests, playgrounds, paths, and shoreline that surround the Charles River and its tributaries, ensuring the areas remain clean, safe, and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.“The Charles River Earth Day Cl
  
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• Ten park projects awarded $47,000 in grants by Friends of the Public Garden

  13-02-2026 15:41 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Friends of the Public Garden is awarding a total of $47,000 to 10 park projects via its 2026 Henry Lee Fund for Boston Parks Awardees.This year’s recipients include Saint Marks Area Civic Association, which is receiving $5,000 to upgrade an existing pollinator garden at Adams-King Playground in Dorchester by adding improved fencing, educational signage, and more native plants; Roslindale Village Main Street, which is receiving $5,000 to introduce picnic tables, including ADA-accessible
  
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• Boston Athenaeum announces exhibition exploring America’s 250 Years of history and memory

  13-02-2026 15:41 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Boston Athenaeum, located at 10½ Beacon St.,  will mark the nation’s 250th anniversary with a sweeping, year-long exhibition, Imagined Nation, on view now through Nov. 14. Drawing from the institution’s renowned collections, the exhibition invites visitors to explore how Americans have envisioned and challenged the meaning of the nation itself from its very beginnings.Presented through a dynamic series of installations unfolding across 2026, Imagined Nation traces ide
  
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• Wu and Age Strong Commission to host cost-saving clinics across Boston neighborhoods to help older residents make ends meet

  13-02-2026 15:40 via beaconhilltimes.com
   Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston’s Age Strong Commission today launched a series of in-person cost-savings clinics for Boston’s older adult residents ages 55 and up. Age Strong advocates and partners will meet with and screen older residents for eligibility on potential cost-savings opportunities including SNAP, fuel assistance, Medicare Savings Program, Water/Sewer Discount, Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, property tax savings and deferrals, and more. “As the cost of
  
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• Launch of ‘Reclaiming History’ permanent exhibit at Josiah Quincy Upper School set for Feb. 25

  13-02-2026 15:40 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Reclaiming History Collective will launch a permanent oral history exhibition, ‘Reclaiming History – A Journey Through Three Neighborhoods,’ at Josiah Quincy Upper School on Wednesday, Feb. 25, with the program beginning at 6 p.m. The exhibition examines the legacy of urban renewal in three Boston neighborhoods—Chinatown, the New York Streets, and Little Syria (Syriantown)—while celebrating the stories and resilience of the communities who once lived there.
  
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• Boston Parks Department hosts February School Vacation Week activities

  13-02-2026 15:39 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Children, parents, and caregivers are invited to join the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for February school vacation week. From sports clinics, to our annual Children’s Festival, and nature exploration with the Park Rangers, these activities are FREE and open to all. To learn more and register, visit boston.gov/parks. Softball Hitting and Fielding ClinicsTuesday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 18, 20262:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Bubble at Carter Field, 709
  
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• BHCA’s Fundraiser Set for March 5 at The Liberty Hotel

  05-02-2026 16:39 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Photo Courtesy of the Liberty Hotel
  A look inside The Liberty Hotel, which will be the venue for the Beacon Hill Civic Association’s annual fundraiser, ‘Bricks & Bubbles: A Celebration of Preservation’ on Thursday, March 5.
  
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• Wu Announces Ailin Sha as Boston’s Next Youth Poet Laureate

  05-02-2026 16:37 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesCourtesy Photo
  Ailin Sha.
  Mayor Michelle Wu and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture announced that after a competitive search process, 18-year-old poet and writer Ailin Sha has been selected as Boston’s next Youth Poet Laureate. Sha officially started the role on February 1 and will serve until January 2028. Sha is an accomplished young writer whose poetry explores identity, voice, and belonging. “I’m honored to announce Ailin Sha as Boston&rsq
  
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• Eversource Manhole Fire in West End Causes Power and Traffic Disruptions

  05-02-2026 16:36 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Times staffAn Eversource manhole on Cambridge Street in the West End caught fire on Friday morning, Jan. 30, temporarily interrupting power for several hundred customers and causing traffic disruptions in the immediate area, according to published reports.Around 10:15 a.m., firefighters first responded to a report of a blaze in a manhole at Cambridge and Staniford streets, near the Bowdoin MBTA station, and remained on the scene for an extended time.On the early morning of Jan. 31, Eversource
  
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• Gibson House Museum to Offer all-ages ‘Victorian Valentines’ Event Feb. 7

  05-02-2026 16:35 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Times StaffJust ahead of Valentine’s Day, the Gibson House Museum, located at 137 Beacon St. in the Back Bay, will be celebrating the occasion with a special all-ages event, ‘Victorian Valentines’ on Saturday, Feb. 7,  from 1-4 p.m.“Centered around the lacy and elaborate Valentine’s Day cards of the Victorian era, with supplies provided so that visitors may craft their own,” the event will also highlight some of the Gibson House’s own love storie
  
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• Healey takes Action to Keep ICE Out of Schools, Hospitals, Courthouses, and Places of Worship

  05-02-2026 16:34 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the Times Governor Maura Healey took action to protect the people of Massachusetts from abuses by President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She filed legislation to keep ICE out of courthouses, schools, child care programs, hospitals and churches; make it unlawful for another state to deploy its National Guard in Massachusetts without the Governor’s permission; and allow parents to pre-arrange guardianship for their children in case they are detai
  
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• AFT Massachusetts Stands with State House Efforts to Protect Residents from ICE

  05-02-2026 16:34 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts recently joined Governor Maura Healey as she unveiled an Executive Order to protect Massachusetts residents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who continue to operate with unchecked authority fulfilling the immigration agenda of the White House.“Masked ICE agents have been raiding communities across the Commonwealth for months, ignoring the Constitution and our basic human rights. Immigrant families
  
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• Foodie’s Markets to Close Longstanding South End Location this June

  05-02-2026 16:28 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Dan MurphyFoodie’s Markets will close its at location of more than 30 years at 1421 Washington St. in the South End in June, the company announced this week.“We’ve made the difficult decision to close our South End location this spring at the end of our lease,” Victor G. Leon, general manager of Foodie’s Markets, said in a Feb. 2 press release. “Working alongside my father and a group of incredibly hardworking employees to build and operate this business has b
  
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• Captured by Love: Valentine’s Season at The Liberty Hotel

  05-02-2026 16:28 via beaconhilltimes.com
  This February, The Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles Street, Boston, invites guests to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Captured by Love, a thoughtfully curated season of romantic experiences spanning luxurious overnight stays, intimate dining, restorative spa treatments, and a signature Valentine’s fashion show. From indulgent escapes to stylish nights out, The Liberty sets the stage for a month devoted to romance, design, and indulgence.Room Packages are available throughout February.Spa Po
  
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• Aquarium Welcomes New Members to Board of Trustees and Ambassador Council

  05-02-2026 16:28 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe New England Aquarium is beginning 2026 with six new members joining its Board of Trustees and Ambassador Council.The Board of Trustees recently elected Danny Kalmar and Jane Willis to its ranks. Kalmar, who has served on the Aquarium’s Ambassador Council since 2018, is a partner at McKinsey & Company with significant experience in AI and digital transformation, operational excellence, and leadership development. Jane Willis is a partner at Ropes & Gray where
  
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• Acclimating to Our Local Ice Age

  05-02-2026 16:27 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The bitterly cold weather that we’ve been experiencing day-after-day this winter has been oppressive (not to mention costly because of our high heating bills).The daily lows in the single digits, coupled with the strong winds that have brought the wind-chills well below zero, have tested even the hardiest New Englanders among us.We are fortunate to live on an island near the coast, where the ice-bound harbor has created an Arctic-like seascape that is peaceful and calming, leaving us awest
  
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• Go Pats!

  05-02-2026 16:25 via beaconhilltimes.com
  It seems like it was just yesterday that Patriot Nation looked forward to our Patriots making it to the Super Bowl almost every year. From 2002-2019, the Pats went to nine Super Bowls in 18 years, winning six of them, a dynastic record of consistency spearheaded by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady that we feel confident in saying will never be equaled in the NFL.But after a bit of a drought for the past half-decade, the Patriots once again are back in the big game and Patriot Nation is at the center
  
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• Turning Bad Weather into Fun

  28-01-2026 20:29 via beaconhilltimes.com
  A major snowstorm arrived in Boston Sunday, blanketing the neighborhood over the course of two days with more than 20 inches of snowSledders enjoying the snow on the Boston Common.
  Kenjiro Kanagy and Lucas Belfanz tube down a hill on the Boston Common.
  
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• Author Sets Second Novel in her Adopted Beacon Hill Neighborhood

  28-01-2026 20:24 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Dan MurphyCourtesy of Karen Winn
  Karen Winn holding a copy of her
  just-published second novel, ‘The
  Society.’
  While Karen Winn set her first novel in a fictionalized depiction of her New Jersey hometown, ‘The Society,’ her second full-length work of fiction published by Dutton and out now, instead takes place in her adopted neighborhood of Beacon Hill.Winn grew up in Mendham, a small town in Morris County, N.J., about 45 minutes outside of Manhattan. She received an MF
  
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• Wu Urges Caution as Bitter Cold Weather Remains

  28-01-2026 20:23 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesMayor Michelle Wu has announced a cold weather advisory and shared winter safety tips through Saturday, January 31, due to the extreme cold weather forecasted for this time period. Boston is forecasted to experience wind chills reaching as low as -5 degrees tonight into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Due to the anticipated frigid cold weather that is following the snowfall, it’s important for residents and property owners to clear snow before it fr
  
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• Massport Releases Draft 2025 Strategic Plan; Public Input will Help Shape the Authority’s Vision for the Next Decade

  28-01-2026 20:22 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) has announced the release of its draft Strategic Plan and is seeking public comment to help shape Massport’s path forward. The Plan builds on Massport’s strengths and a decade of progress, assesses current conditions and trends, and identifies future challenges and opportunities. It balances operational excellence with inclusive forward-looking growth, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to safe, efficient, sust
  
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• Residents Now able to Apply for Home Heating and Energy Assistance

  28-01-2026 20:20 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe Massachusetts’ home energy assistance program (HEAP) is a free resource to help eligible households pay a portion of winter heating bills.Homeowners and renters, including households whose cost of heat is included in the rent, can apply in person at the agency in their area or through the online application.Eligibility is based on household size and the gross annual income of every household member, 18 years of age or older.Household income cannot exceed 60% of esti
  
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• City of Boston Conducts 46th Annual Homelessness Census 

  28-01-2026 20:20 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesMayor Michelle Wu, Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon and Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Bisola Ojikutu led more than 300 volunteers, including state and city officials, homelessness service providers, public health representatives, and first responders, in conducting the City of Boston’s 46th annual homelessness census. This comprehensive annual effort is part of Boston’s yearly work to assess and address homelessness by counting individuals and families experienc
  
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• National Grid Offers Safety Reminders for Clearing Snow at your Home or Business

  28-01-2026 20:19 via beaconhilltimes.com
   Special to the TimesNational Grid reminds its customers to exercise caution near the energy equipment outside of their homes as they clear snow left behind from Winter Storm Fern. Over a foot of snow has fallen across our Massachusetts service area with additional snow forecast throughout the afternoon. National Grid’s top priority is safety, including the safety and well-being of our crews and customers, and we offer the following reminders to assist with removing snow from your pro
  
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• Boston Food Access Council Awarded Community Power Grant from Project Bread to Advance Food Justice and Systems Change

  28-01-2026 20:19 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesBoston Food Access Council, of Boston, has been named a recipient of Project Bread’s inaugural Community Power Grants program. The funding will help to drive grassroots advocacy and systems change to address the root causes of food insecurity, building capacity for smaller organizations where it would not be otherwise possible. Boston Food Access Council was selected from over 40 proposals for its proven impact, advocacy wins, and strong potential to build power across
  
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• Owner Makes Difficult Decision to Close Charles Street Liquors

  22-01-2026 15:41 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Dan MurphyD. Murphy Photo
  The now-closed Charles Street Liquors at 143 Charles St.
  The decision to close Charles Street Liquors, the longstanding business at 143 Charles St., didn’t come easily for its owner.“For the past year, my wife and I have wrestled with this difficult decision,” Chris Pedersen told this reporter in an email. “After more than 20 years of following my passion for bringing fine wine and spirits to Beacon Hill, I have decided to close the store.&rdq
  
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• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast

  22-01-2026 15:40 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesWith great reverence and pride in our city, Mayor Michelle Wu joined in Boston’s 56th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast.Derek Kouyoumjian Photos
  The Boston Arts Academy Spiritual Ensemble performed Bright Mansions Above.
  Mayor Wu offered these thoughts: Dr. King knew that when fundamental rights come under attack—when hard-won progress must be defended again and again—it becomes difficult to imagine a better future.But he insisted that we are
  
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• Edwards Advances Legislation to Ensure fairness, due Process, and Access to the Courts for All 

  22-01-2026 15:39 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesSenator Lydia Edwards has filed legislation reaffirming a fundamental promise of our democracy: that everyone has fair and safe access to the courts. At a time when increased immigration enforcement activity has created fear around courthouses, the legislation ensures that all residents can participate in legal proceedings, assert their rights, and seek justice without intimidation or obstruction.This legislation is one of two major initiatives introduced by Senator Edwards t
  
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• Area A-1 Sees 4-percent drop in Part One Crime in ’25 from Previous Year

  22-01-2026 15:39 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Dan MurphyAs 2025 was drawing to a close, Part One crime in Area A-1 was down 4 percent from the previous year.According to Boston Police, 2,174 incidents of Part One crime were reported in the district, which includes Beacon Hill, Chinatown, Downtown, and the North End, between Jan. 1 and Dec. 28, 2025, compared with 2,258 incidents during the same timeframe the previous year. 2025 marked a slight increase from the district’s five-year average of 2,121 Part One crime incidents, however
  
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• RMV Unveils Redesigned Disability Placard to Improve Efficiency  

  22-01-2026 15:38 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) announced the introduction of a newly redesigned Disability Placard, created to improve security, curb fraud, and expedite delivery. Current placards will remain valid until their expiration date.  The updated placard features several key improvements: · A modern design incorporating the widely accepted universal accessibility logo · Durable material embedded with security
  
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• Boston Public Market welcomes Marzae Cellar + Provisions, Opening Spring 2026

  22-01-2026 15:38 via beaconhilltimes.com
   Special to the TimesBoston Public Market is proud to announce a new partnership with Marzae, the first and only natural winery in Massachusetts, which will open Marzae Cellar + Provisions in the Market’s largest retail space in Spring 2026. The addition represents a significant expansion of the Market’s offerings and reflects its continued commitment to supporting New England producers through innovative, mission-aligned concepts.Founded in 2023 by husband-and-wife team Eliot M
  
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• BHAC Votes by Majority to Dismiss Violation for Unapproved Window decals at Proposed Charles Street Cosmetics Shop

  22-01-2026 15:37 via beaconhilltimes.com
  By Dan MurphyThe Beacon Hill Architectural Commission voted by a majority to dismiss a violation for the unapproved temporary window decals now adorning the proposed future home of a Charles Street shop that will sell luxury skin-care products and cosmetics at the commission’s first monthly public hearing of 2026, which was held virtually on Thursday, Jan. 15.Sisley Paris Boutique intends to open a retail store in a street-level retail space at 31-33 Charles St. last occupied by Benefit Co
  
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• Developer Releases Schedule and Construction management Plan for 27/29 Hancock St. Project

  15-01-2026 19:06 via beaconhilltimes.com
  D. Murphy Photo
  Two adjacent properties at 27/29 Hancock St., which are poised to
  be redeveloped by the nonprofit, Fenway Forward, into a total of 15
  affordable homeownership units.
  Representatives for the newly rebranded Fenway Forward (formerly Fenway CDC) were on hand for a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6, to outline their schedule and construction management plan for a home-ownership project planned for 27/29 Hancock St. Per its agreement with developer JDMD, Fenway Forward -a nonprofit
  
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• Massachusetts Wins $10 million Federal Grant for Early Literacy Tutoring

  15-01-2026 19:03 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the SunThe Healey-Driscoll Administration is  celebrating that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has been awarded $10 million from the U.S. Education Department in a new Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant. The state plans to use this funding for early literacy tutoring as part of the administration’s comprehensive strategy to improve literacy for all Massachusetts students.The funding for the 2026-27 school year will support Massac
  
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• Wu and the OYEA Announce Mayor’s Youth Council Cohort

  15-01-2026 19:02 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe 31st cohort of the Mayor’s Youth Council includes 20 high school students from schools across Boston who will represent their peers in City government.
  Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) recently welcomed the 31st cohort of the Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC). The 20 high school students in the new council cohort were inaugurated with a swearing-in ceremony hosted by the Mayor. “For over 30 years, the Mayor&rsquo
  
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• Healey Announces Safety Reforms following Release of the ALR Commission’s Final Report

  15-01-2026 19:02 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesGovernor Maura Healey announced a comprehensive set of reforms to strengthen safety, transparency and consumer protections in assisted living residences (ALRs) across Massachusetts. This action follows the submission of the ALR Commission’s final report to the Legislature, which outlines both regulatory and legislative solutions to improve the safety and well-being of residents.  The ALR Commission was established through the 2024 Act to Improve Quality and Ov
  
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• MassDOT Announces Annual Safe Routes to School Program Yard Sign Design Contest

  15-01-2026 19:01 via beaconhilltimes.com
  The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), through its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Yard Sign Design Contest. The annual contest raises awareness for transportation-related themes that help support school safety for walking and biking to school and is open to students in second through eighth grade who attend participating SRTS partner public schools. To become an SRTS partner, school administrators can connect with their Outr
  
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• City Offering Free Winter Fitness Series

  15-01-2026 19:01 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) are pleased to announce the 2026 Boston Parks Winter Fitness Series, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The series will offer free weekly classes in City of Boston parks until April 4. This season, Bostonians can enjoy a variety of healthy activities both indoors and outdoors, including Walking Group, line dancing, Bota Foga, Kids Dance Fitness, Strength and Balance,
  
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• The Museum of African American History Marks a Century of Black History Commemorations throughout the Month of February 

  15-01-2026 19:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
   Special to the TimesIn 2026, Black History Week will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The observance was expanded into a monthlong celebration in 1970, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of Black history and culture. To honor this historic milestone, the Museum of African American History | Boston & Nantucket (MAAH) invites the public to take part in a vibrant series of programs, many offered at no cost, at its 46 Joy Street location on Boston&r
  
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• Boston City Council Welcomes Councilor Miniard Culpepper

  15-01-2026 19:00 via beaconhilltimes.com
  Special to the TimesThe Boston City Council welcomed Councilor Miniard Culpepper, who began his first term representing District 7 on January 5, following a recent inauguration ceremony.Councilor Culpepper represents the neighborhood of Roxbury and sections of Dorchester, Fenway, and the South End. Born and raised on Seaver Street in Dorchester, he was shaped by a family legacy rooted in activism, faith, and community leadership. His grandparents were the first Black couple to live on Seaver Str
  
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