Sam Mintz of Brookline.News and Jessica Smyser of Brookline Interactive Group discuss the latest news, including why trash is piling up, the latest on controversial bus lanes in Brookline Village, school leadership turnover and the story behind two popular Buy Nothing Facebook groups. Click play below, or find us on your favorite podcast platform.
Author: Sam Mintz
Brookline resident charged with defacing sign on temple’s property
Brookline police have issued a criminal summons to 25-year-old Brookline resident Seph Rose for allegedly defacing a sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom on Beacon Street earlier this month.
As attorney work stoppage boils over, some defendants in Brookline’s court are not being given a lawyer
As many as 20 people facing charges in Brookline District Court and more than 100 across Norfolk County courts are not currently represented by lawyers, as a statewide work stoppage by court-appointed attorneys continues. The action by some of the state’s so-called bar advocates, private attorneys appointed to represent about 80% of indigent defendants in… Continue reading As attorney work stoppage boils over, some defendants in Brookline’s court are not being given a lawyer
Two months late, Town Meeting member admits to $5,000 in previously unreported local election spending
In a form filed with the town in June, a Town Meeting member acknowledged being behind a mysterious election mailer that had raised questions about campaign finance laws this spring. On June 13, Richard Nangle filed a form with the Town Clerk’s office reporting that he was responsible for more than $5,000 in spending aimed… Continue reading Two months late, Town Meeting member admits to $5,000 in previously unreported local election spending
The town wants to hear from you about parking in Brookline Village and Washington Square
The town has launched two surveys to hear from community members about one of the most perennially controversial topics in Brookline: parking. The surveys are for two neighborhoods, Brookline Village and Washington Square, and they are part of separate studies aimed at “improving parking conditions and overall mobility in each neighborhood,” according to a town… Continue reading The town wants to hear from you about parking in Brookline Village and Washington Square
Police investigating graffiti on sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom
Brookline police are investigating after a person allegedly vandalized a sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom on Beacon Street with a marker on Monday. The sign outside 1187 Beacon Street contained a Star of David and the words “We support the people of Israel, the dignity and safety of all human beings, and pray for peace,”… Continue reading Police investigating graffiti on sign outside Temple Ohabei Shalom
Town moves to quickly install Driscoll School solar project as Trump slashes clean energy tax credits
The town is moving forward with a plan to purchase solar panels for the Driscoll School, despite uncertainty over federal tax incentives in the Trump administration. The Select Board on Tuesday signed off on the $343,155 purchase of 272 panels for the K-8 school’s roof, which is funded as part of the budget for the… Continue reading Town moves to quickly install Driscoll School solar project as Trump slashes clean energy tax credits
Brookline.News Podcast, Episode 2: ICE comes to Brookline, a synagogue’s zoning victory and matcha mania
Episode 2 of the Brookline.News podcast is out now. On this episode, Brookline.News editor Sam Mintz and Jessica Smyser of Brookline Interactive Group discuss the latest news, including ICE arrests in Brookline, a synagogue’s zoning victory, an artificial blood philanthropist and matcha mania. Click the arrow below to listen, or find us on your favorite… Continue reading Brookline.News Podcast, Episode 2: ICE comes to Brookline, a synagogue’s zoning victory and matcha mania
Brookline residential real estate sales from June 16 to June 27
The second half of June saw 40 residential properties sold in Brookline, ranging from a $400,000 one-bedroom condo on Beacon Street to a $4 million colonial on Dean Road. See the full list of sales below, with data from Banker and Tradesman
Firefighter injured, four residents displaced after Franklin Street fire
Four residents were displaced and a Brookline firefighter injured after a two-alarm fire on Franklin Street Saturday night. The Brookline Fire Department responded to a three-family residence at 114 Franklin Street at around 7 p.m. for a fire, which was primarily located on the third floor and attic, according to Christina Metcalf, a spokesperson for… Continue reading Firefighter injured, four residents displaced after Franklin Street fire
Father, police identify woman who died in Brookline police custody
The father of a woman who died in Brookline police custody last Saturday told CBS News that he is still waiting for answers about what happened to his daughter. Shawn Hubauer said in the interview, which was published Friday evening, that his daughter Sarah Jane Hubauer was the 40-year-old woman who died on July 5.… Continue reading Father, police identify woman who died in Brookline police custody
Explainer: How and why are people kept in custody at the Brookline police station after being arrested?
Four days after the death of a 40-year-old woman in Brookline police custody, the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, which is leading the investigation, has yet to make public the woman’s identity or share information about why and how long she was in custody. Brookline police have also started their own Internal Affairs investigation, according to… Continue reading Explainer: How and why are people kept in custody at the Brookline police station after being arrested?
Town Meeting emails: June 2 to June 30
Brookline.News is publishing the latest emails from the Town Meeting Members Association listserv, which were obtained as part of an ongoing public records request. In these messages sent between June 2 and June 30, Town Meeting members discuss a variety of local government issues. Mobile users: Click the link to view the emails in a new… Continue reading Town Meeting emails: June 2 to June 30
Woman died in Brookline police custody on Saturday, District Attorney says
A 40-year-old woman died on Saturday while being held in custody at the Brookline Police Department station, according to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. In a statement, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said that the woman was found unresponsive but breathing by a Brookline police officer while in custody at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The statement… Continue reading Woman died in Brookline police custody on Saturday, District Attorney says
The town just got $100,000 for two new Bluebikes stations. Where should they go?
Tucked into a budget bill recently passed by the state legislature and signed by Governor Maura Healey was a $100,000 earmark for the town of Brookline to install two new Bluebikes stations. There are already 13 of the bikeshare stations in Brookline, but the two new stations will bring more opportunities for commuters or recreational… Continue reading The town just got $100,000 for two new Bluebikes stations. Where should they go?
Chabad Center wins legal fight over plans for new South Brookline synagogue, set to start construction
A state Land Court judge has ordered the town to issue a special permit for construction of a new synagogue for the Chabad Center at Chestnut Hill, clearing one of the final hurdles for the Orthodox Jewish group’s controversial plans to build a new house of worship on Bellingham Road. The June 25 ruling comes… Continue reading Chabad Center wins legal fight over plans for new South Brookline synagogue, set to start construction
Brookline residential real estate sales from June 2 to June 13
Early June remained busy with real estate sales in Brookline, with 41 condominiums and homes sold in the first two weeks of the month. They range from a $475,000 condo on Davis Court to a $4.5 colonial-style single-family on Dean Road. See the full list below, with data from Banker and Tradesman.
Developer of key Chestnut Hill site weighs residential 40B if commercial project talks falter
The developer planning a major commercial redevelopment on Route 9 has floated the possibility of turning the project into a residential development, if the town fails to make progress on a study aimed at rezoning a stretch of the thoroughfare. City Realty, which owns a mostly-vacant office park at 1280-1330 Boylston Street, is in the… Continue reading Developer of key Chestnut Hill site weighs residential 40B if commercial project talks falter
Town and firefighters agree on new contract, resolve staffing dispute
The town and a union representing Brookline firefighters have agreed on a three-year contract and put an end to a dispute over fire department staffing levels. The new three-year contract runs retroactively from July 1, 2024, when the previous contract expired, to June 30, 2027. The details of the agreement were not immediately available. Town… Continue reading Town and firefighters agree on new contract, resolve staffing dispute
Heat emergency: How to cool down in Brookline this week
With temperatures forecast to hit the upper 90s on Monday and Tuesday, the town of Brookline has declared a heat emergency for Monday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 24. In an announcement, the town recommended that residents use air conditioners and take precautions when outside. To see more tips and resources on the state’s website,… Continue reading Heat emergency: How to cool down in Brookline this week