The Heights

COVID-19 Cases in Newton Begin to Increase After Weeks of Low Figures

Victor Stefanescu • April 3, 2022

“The bottom line from Newton Health and Human Services Commissioner Linda Walsh is, ‘We’re in a time of cautious optimism,’” Fuller wrote. “She notes that we’ll be living with COVID-19 for months and months to come. We’ve shifted to all of us taking personal responsibility and staying home if we’re not feeling well.”

Moldova Restaurant Serves Eastern European Eats to Nonantum

Caitlin Clary • April 2, 2022

The menu is true to the restaurant’s name, only offering authentic Moldovan dishes.

New Friendly Toast Location Provides All-Day Breakfast to Chestnut Hill

Ashley Emanuel and Ven Cernjul • April 2, 2022

“It’s a cool place,” he said. “I love the aesthetic. I love the green thing going on and all the interior design. It’s, I don’t know, ’80s funk? It's very green, very polka-dotty.”

Local Leaders Question Newton’s Assessment of Underrepresented Residents’ Needs

Ven Cernjul • March 31, 2022

“Of all of the issues that came out with respect to the report and the process, nowhere was the word ‘people of color’ mentioned—the term was continuously ‘lower resourced.’"

Restaurants Partner with City of Newton to Expand Al Fresco Dining

Aveline Roderick • March 29, 2022

Newton Al Fresco, an outdoor dining collaboration between local restaurants and artists, is returning to the streets of Newton starting April 1 with more restaurants participating than ever before.

Newton YMCA Purchases Branch Location With $3 Million Donation

Isabella Pieretti • March 29, 2022

The West Suburban YMCA will open a second location in the City of Newton in the fall of 2022 following a $3 million donation. The second site will offer greater access to recreational and health services for community members.

Ward 4 Offers Artisan Food and Drinks to a Tight-Knit Auburndale

Francesca Giangiulio • March 27, 2022

After six years of planning and building, a pair of Auburndale residents finally achieved their dream and opened Ward 4 in June 2021, cheekily named after the fourth voting ward of Newton, where the community restaurant sits.

Newton Book Club Talks About Russian History Book In Context of Current Geopolitics

Caitlin Clary • March 27, 2022

The History Book Club of Historic Newton hosted a discussion among Newton residents on Stephen Smith’s book, Russia in Revolution, focusing on the similarities between violent actions of Russian regimes in the 20th century and today.

Politicians Call for Greater Sanctions, Humanitarian Aid at Newton Rally for Ukraine

Victor Stefanescu • March 27, 2022

“I think it's important to understand that everyone’s lives are impacted—that it's not somebody else's world,” Kissin said. “The whole free world needs to step up.”

Newton Historical Commission Rejects Nomination to Landmark Newton Senior Center

Gavin Zhang • March 25, 2022

The Newton Historical Commission voted to not nominate the existing Newton Senior Center building as a landmark, removing an obstacle against its demolition for a brand new Newton Center for Active Living building.

Newton City Council Discusses Ordinance to Reduce Building Emissions

Sahithi Thumuluri • March 24, 2022

At the Newton City Council’s meeting as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy presented a plan to create a Building Energy Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) resembling the one Boston implemented in 2013.

Local Ukrainian Immigrants Face Uncertainty, New Challenges Following Russian Invasion

Victor Stefanescu • March 21, 2022

“But even—the interesting thing—even here, I'm not feeling safe now, just because of one crazy guy that has nukes in his power,” he said.