Winchester Select Board launches voter survey after $11.5M override defeat
Listening sessions are underway, the form tests single, split and tiered ballot formats.
News
Winchester middle school teacher arraigned on child pornography charges
A McCall Middle School teacher was arraigned on June 12 for allegedly possessing child pornography. In a letter to parents and staffers, Superintendent Dr. Frank Hackett stated that upon learning of the allegations, eighth-grade teacher Jason Van Dinter, was put on immediate leave. Hackett said Van Dinter wasn’t
Carey McDonald stakes a Senate bid on lessons from local government, nonprofit acumen
The Malden city councilor frames the Senate race around municipal budgets, Beacon Hill accountability and the practical limits facing communities across the district.
Winchester opens cooling sites as heat index climbs toward 98
The danger in this week’s heat is its timing. Heat-related illnesses and hospital visits tend to rise in the first few days of 85-degree weather, before bodies have adjusted to summer conditions, according to guidance posted by Winchester — and the season’s first serious heat arrived at
Rep. Michael S. Day passes bill establishing the Massachusetts consumer data privacy act
The following was submitted by the Office of Rep. Michael S. Day: Rep. Michael S. Day recently joined his colleagues in passing H.5472, An Act establishing the Massachusetts consumer data privacy act. This landmark legislation establishes essential consumer data privacy rights, provides consumers with greater control over their own
Winchester Beat releases local news survey
Residents encouraged to share their perspectives to inform local news coverage
Solar lesson turns Winchester’s Lynch School roof into a classroom
The $94 million school opened in August 2025 with an all-electric, net-zero design and a clean-energy project town officials call Winchester’s largest.
Winchester News awarded $75,000 Cummings Grant
Winchester nonprofit receives three years of funding from Cummings Foundation
Friends of the Fells ‘PoopBlitz’ documents 100+ pounds of dog waste in the Fells
The following was submitted by the Friends of the Fells: This April, Friends of the Fells staff and volunteers gathered at various locations in the Fells to collect data on dog waste left in the Reservation, calling the event a “PoopBlitz.” The name was inspired by a “bioblitz,” a community
Rep. Michael S. Day helps pass civil rights and technology bill
The following was submitted by the Office of Rep. Michael S. Day: Rep. Michael S. Day recently joined his colleagues in passing H.5444, An Act relative to civil rights and technology. Day, who chairs the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, helped re-draft the bill and carried the debate
Winchester climbs to No. 6 on SafeWise list of Massachusetts’ safest communities
The Middlesex County town moved up four places after holding its reported violent-crime rate at 0.2 incidents per 1,000 residents.
WIN Fast Forest and Grow Local will be giving away seedlings on Town Day
The following was submitted by the WIN Fast Forest: The WIN Fast Forest and Grow Local are giving away some 200 native seedlings and seed packets at their booth on Saturday, June 6 at Town Day. Mostly perennials, these plants will brighten your garden and draw pollinators of all sorts.
Winchester Town Day 2026: Your Complete Guide to June 6
Quick summary Winchester Town Day returns on Saturday, June 6, 2026, to Winchester Center for a daylong community celebration of exhibitors, food, music, athletics, children's activities and an evening fireworks display. The downtown street fair runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. across Main, Mount Vernon
It’s time to flock the schools with annual teacher celebration flamingos for WFEE!
The following was submitted by the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence: Celebrate the teachers who’ve gone the extra mile for your kids! This June, WFEE is proud to launch Teacher Tribute 2026, a community-wide effort to celebrate the extraordinary educators who inspire, support, and challenge Winchester students every
Winchester school officials looking at higher athletic, facility fees to pay $246K deficit
Pay to play could get a lot more expensive for Winchester school athletes. And the increase could be sharper for some more than others as the Winchester School Committee grapples with closing a $246,000 deficit in athletic costs. The $11.5 million override was going to fix the problem,
Winchester boards approve settlement to end Converse Place/Mt. Vernon Street lawsuit
Two town boards have approved a settlement that would end a Middlesex Superior Court fight over a disputed downtown development, clearing the way for the lawsuit to be dismissed and for the project’s revised plans to move forward. The Winchester Housing Partnership Board approved an amended memorandum of understanding