The Washington Square French restaurant La Voile has closed, 10 years after it opened at 1627 Beacon Street. Owner and chef Jérôme Bergere, whose Back Bay location will remain open, said a number of factors led to the decision, including swirling national and local policies, but also plain economics. The restaurant’s 10-year lease ended, forcing… Continue reading La Voile in Washington Square closes after ten years
Author: Sam Mintz
Police investigating Kent Street armed robbery that left Brookline man injured
Two men armed with a gun allegedly robbed and assaulted a Brookline resident on Kent Street early Saturday morning, according to Brookline police. Police received the report of an armed robbery at around 3:37 a.m., according to Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell. The two men were reportedly hiding in bushes on Kent Street near Longwood Ave,… Continue reading Police investigating Kent Street armed robbery that left Brookline man injured
Mysterious election mailings likely violated campaign finance laws. Who is behind them?
For the last several years, a mysterious postcard has appeared in the mailboxes of some Brookline residents shortly before the May town election. Endorsing local candidates and carrying an anti-tax message, the letters have purported to come from the Horace James Civic Association, a South Brookline neighborhood group which newspaper records show was active in… Continue reading Mysterious election mailings likely violated campaign finance laws. Who is behind them?
‘The world stopped making sense’: How Trump’s VA cuts uprooted the life and career of a Brookline researcher
Paul Hsieh has lived in Brookline for 30 years. For half of that time, he’s worked for the federal Department of Veterans Affairs as a health sciences specialist on a project collecting genetic data and medical records from a million veterans. His work helped create an unprecedented database which has contributed to hundreds of scientific… Continue reading ‘The world stopped making sense’: How Trump’s VA cuts uprooted the life and career of a Brookline researcher
Crime was down in 2024 in Brookline, but burglaries surged to highest level in six years
The Brookline Police Department reported a 6% decrease in total crime in 2024 compared to 2023, with reductions in nearly all major categories except for burglaries, which were up 38%. According to the department’s annual report, there were 764 crimes reported in those categories in 2024, down from 810 in 2023. Violent crimes decreased by… Continue reading Crime was down in 2024 in Brookline, but burglaries surged to highest level in six years
Brookline residential real estate sales from March 24 to April 4
It’s a hot time of year in the local real estate market. There were 16 properties sold in Brookline in the last week of March and first week of April, ranging from a $490,000 condo on Beacon Street to a $5.3 million Warren Street colonial-style single-family. See the full list below, with data from Banker… Continue reading Brookline residential real estate sales from March 24 to April 4
120 candidates, 17 precincts: The Brookline.News guide to the 2025 Town Meeting election
In the local election on May 6, many of the names on your ballot will be running for Town Meeting. With 120 candidates across 17 precincts, it can be hard to keep track of who is who in the race for Brookline’s legislative branch. Our new guide aims to help. We sent a candidate questionnaire… Continue reading 120 candidates, 17 precincts: The Brookline.News guide to the 2025 Town Meeting election
Meet the candidates for Select Board, in a race dominated by debate over development
Three Town Meeting members are running for an open seat on the Select Board, the five-member executive branch of Brookline’s town government. Architect Carlos Ridruejo, photographer Liz Linder and entrepreneur Michael Rubenstein are vying to replace Michael Sandman, who decided not to seek reelection after serving one three-year term. Election Day is May 6, but… Continue reading Meet the candidates for Select Board, in a race dominated by debate over development
Margie Mendez died after being struck by a State Police cruiser in Brookline. Her family is seeking answers
Margie Mendez, an 86-year-old Brookline resident with deep ties in the community, died on April 5. The passing of Mendez, who relatives say was a loving matriarch and caregiver with a strong sense of civic duty, came nearly three months after she was struck and seriously injured by a Massachusetts State Police cruiser in a… Continue reading Margie Mendez died after being struck by a State Police cruiser in Brookline. Her family is seeking answers
What to know about the town’s plan for bike lanes on Chestnut Hill Avenue
After the recent controversy over a proposed plan to add protected bicycle lanes to a redesigned Washington Street, the town is continuing its mission to improve bike safety on highly-traveled roads. Next up for improvement – and debate? Chestnut Hill Avenue. A plan in the works would remake a roughly mile-long stretch from Cleveland Circle… Continue reading What to know about the town’s plan for bike lanes on Chestnut Hill Avenue
Brookline residential real estate sales from March 3 to March 21
There were 16 residential property sales in Brookline in the first three weeks of March, all of which were condominiums. See the full list below, ranging from a $455,000 low-rise on Park Street to a $2.5 million, 2,400 square foot spot on Sewall Avenue. Data via Banker and Tradesman.
In new guaranteed income pilot, some Brookline Housing Authority residents will get direct monthly payments
Up to 60 residents of Brookline Housing Authority properties will start receiving monthly payments of $250 for a year as part of a new project the organization is kicking off this month. BHA’s new “Resident Opportunity Initiative” is an expansion of its existing “Self Sufficiency Program” which is geared toward helping residents establish long-term financial… Continue reading In new guaranteed income pilot, some Brookline Housing Authority residents will get direct monthly payments
Select Board to negotiate new contract with police chief Paster
The town’s Select Board plans to negotiate with Police Chief Jennifer Paster for a new contract, according to a memo from the town administrator and a vote taken last week. Paster’s current contract ends on April 25, 2026, according to administrator Charles Carey’s memo. Under the employment agreement, the board and the chief are required… Continue reading Select Board to negotiate new contract with police chief Paster
Town agrees to pay $1.8 million settlement to police officer who alleged retaliation, discrimination
The town has agreed to pay $1.8 million to settle two lawsuits filed by a police officer who alleged retaliation and gender discrimination at work. The settlement puts an end to a series of complaints brought by Amy Hall, a 20-year veteran of the Brookline Police Department, which have been winding their way through the… Continue reading Town agrees to pay $1.8 million settlement to police officer who alleged retaliation, discrimination
News in brief: Recreation Department awarded for equity initiative, Chamber seeking votes on businesses of the year
The town Recreation Department was awarded for its equity initiative by a statewide organization last month. The department won the Agency of the Year award for program outreach at the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association Conference on March 19. Over two years, using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the initiative awarded nearly… Continue reading News in brief: Recreation Department awarded for equity initiative, Chamber seeking votes on businesses of the year
News in brief: New rental assistance available, town gets $100k for climate plan, Goddard House plans an upgrade
The local nonprofit Brookline Community Development Corporation has brought back its emergency rental assistance program. For the second round of the program, which first launched in late 2023, BCDC will provide one-time payments of up to $5,000 directly to landlords on behalf of eligible renters who are behind on rent. The goal of the program… Continue reading News in brief: New rental assistance available, town gets $100k for climate plan, Goddard House plans an upgrade
Town officials seek greater oversight of school finances amid budget crisis
As Brookline’s schools face major budget problems, the town is moving to assert itself more in the school system’s financial processes. The budget process for fiscal year 2026 started with an $8.2 million gap between the superintendent’s initial budget proposal and the town’s allocation of funding for the schools. The shortfall has since been whittled… Continue reading Town officials seek greater oversight of school finances amid budget crisis
Brookline residential real estate sales from Feb. 17 to Feb. 28
The second half of February was a busy period for residential property sales in Brookline, with 16 condos and four single-family homes moving. Here are the latest sales, with data from Banker and Tradesman.
Group pushes to memorialize Aaron Feuerstein, long-time resident and CEO who put workers first
Aaron Feuerstein died in 2021 a national hero, celebrated for his efforts to support workers when his textile factory burned down in 1995. Now, a group of Brookline residents wants to make sure his legacy is enshrined here, where he lived most of his life. As CEO of Malden Mills, the Lawrence based firm that… Continue reading Group pushes to memorialize Aaron Feuerstein, long-time resident and CEO who put workers first
Roslindale man charged in Brookline Tesla vandalism
This story has been updated. Brookline police have arrested a 39-year-old Roslindale man who allegedly vandalized several Teslas by placing stickers on them featuring an image of Elon Musk giving an apparent Nazi salute. Harrison Randall was charged with six counts of defacing property, which is a felony, on Wednesday, according to Brookline Police Deputy… Continue reading Roslindale man charged in Brookline Tesla vandalism