The cost of education is going up. The Winchester School Committee voted 4-1 last week to increase the district’s level service budget by 7.15% to bring the newly proposed fiscal year 2026 budget total to $70,870,718. School Committee member Michelle Bergstrom was the lone holdout, but
It was the perfect Election Day — warm and sunny, with a steady stream of residents going into Winchester High School to cast their ballots. Preliminary results for the March 22 townwide election show 17.2 % of residents voted on Saturday. That’s 2,933 votes cast, out of the town’
Winchester voters head to the polls Saturday for municipal elections featuring contested races for Select Board and School Committee alongside an unexpected development — two write-in candidates vying for a Planning Board seat that initially have no contenders on the ballot. The March 22 election will take place at Winchester High
It’s a foregone conclusion. Philip Frattaroli will be Winchester’s next town moderator. Sure, the townwide election is just days away, but Frattaroli is running unopposed for the seat being vacated by Heather von Mering, who has been in the role since March 2020. “I decided to take it
The following was submitted by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office: The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) continues to urge residents to be aware of ongoing scam attempts targeting residents using sophisticated tactics via text, call, email, and online platforms. Among the fraudulent schemes the MSO is warning of are jury
If you know the answer, send an email to editor@winchesternews.org and put How well in the subject line. Hey, everyone! The great Joyce Westner, who does our How well every week, is taking a well earned vacation. That leaves me, Nell Coakley, your editor, to fill some big
The Winchester Select Board unanimously approved an 8% water and sewer rate increase for fiscal year 2026, pending Town Meeting approval in late April. The board opted for a moderate approach among several options presented during a March 10 public hearing. The approved increase would raise the average residential user’
The following was submitted by the First Congregational Church: Live in-person and live streamed from the historic Sanctuary at First Congregational Church, Winchester, come celebrate two important historical events on Friday evening, March 21, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The organ extravaganza celebrating Winchester’s 175th anniversary and Johann
The following was written by John McConnell, architectural historian, who will be giving the March 27 presentation: The world watched, horrified, as fire ravaged the ancient Notre-Dame Cathedral in April 2019. The very next day the President of France, Émmanuel Macron, vowed that the treasured building — one of the symbols
Peter Franchi was fond of paintings that represented the vivid beauty of life, most notably “Luncheon of the Boating Party” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, one of his favorite pieces. Renowned for his incredible artistic talent, Franchi passed away December 2024 at the age of 87. A beloved member of the Winchester
It has been more than a year since Winchester’s early literacy program came under fire in a big way, but Superintendent Dr. Frank Hackett said change is coming. Albeit maybe not as fast as some would like. An Early Literacy Team made up of educators is looking at seven
The following was submitted by Nouvelle Maison: Planning a trip to France this spring? Join us for “Parlez-Vous Vacation,” a fun and interactive class designed to help you navigate France like a pro! Led by Erin Foley, Winchester High School’s French teacher, you’ll learn essential phrases and cultural
The high school wrestling season officially came to an end for the Red & Black squad locally during the New England Championship Meet at the Providence Career and Technical School on March 8-9, where junior captain Kai Napadow Baquero went 1-2. Napadow Baquero’s lone win was an exciting, last-minute
As winter fades and spring approaches, the shift in seasons brings the promise of renewal and fresh starts. Yet, for many in recovery, the lingering effects of the colder months can make it difficult to embrace this transition. The tail end of winter often carries a sense of fatigue, isolation,
The Winchester Select Board revisited a steep health insurance cost increase that threatens to deepen the town’s budget deficit while unanimously approving $61 million in bonds and notes at its March 10 meeting. “The town has received a proposed increase of 18.92% for [fiscal year 2026] on our
The Winchester High School Red & Black boys hockey team (14-11, 11th seed) came within one overtime goal from advancing to the Division 1 state semifinal round after St. John’s of Shrewsbury (12-12, 14th seed) pushed across the game-winner in the extra period to win the Elite 8 game,
