Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What changes are coming inside Dedham’s Norfolk County jail?
And check out 17th Annual Festival of Trees on the Dedham Patch calendar
Good day Dedham! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What changes are coming inside Dedham’s Norfolk County jail?
- How one Dedham resident is shaping a statewide fix for double poles
- How a Norfolk Superior Court jury sealed Brian Walshe’s fate
Also on today's calendar: 17th Annual Festival of Trees and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Dedhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Dedhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Saturday: Clouds and sun; much colder, with a high of 39 and low of 32 degrees.
- Sunday: Rather cloudy and windy, temps: high: 48, low: 22.
- Monday: Sunny and colder, with a high of 33 and low of 27 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Norfolk County Sheriff graduates 18 officers and announces next academy (patriotledger.com) — Dedham’s Norfolk County Correctional Center is welcoming a new superintendent of jail operations, Frank Reynolds, as 18 freshly trained correctional officers join the sheriff’s ranks. The sheriff also promoted a longtime officer to sergeant and announced the next recruit academy for February 2026, signaling continued investment in local public safety staffing and training. 
2. Massachusetts Proposes Fines for Utilities That Leave Double Poles Standing (wror.com) — A proposed state law would let towns fine utilities $1,000 if double utility poles stay up more than 180 days, and a Dedham resident is among those pushing for tougher enforcement. Supporters say the long-standing poles are unsafe, block sidewalks, and spoil historic streetscapes, while utilities argue multiple companies must coordinate before removals. Lawmakers hope the fines will finally speed up the process.
3. Brian Walshe is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, whose body was never found (timesleaderonline.com) — A high-profile murder case reached Dedham this week as Brian Walshe received a life sentence in Norfolk Superior Court for killing his wife, Ana, whose body was never found. Prosecutors relied on extensive digital and forensic evidence, while the judge imposed additional consecutive sentences and emphasized the lasting trauma to the couple’s young children.
4. Ballistic, DNA test connect suspect to Brown University, MIT professor shootings (boston25news.com) — Investigators working out of Dedham say ballistic and rapid DNA testing have linked a deceased suspect to both the Brown University shooting and the killing of an MIT professor in Brookline. Authorities report that two guns found with the suspect in New Hampshire match shell casings from each scene, and federal agencies credit forensic teams for quickly confirming the connections.
5. Nativity scenes become protest art in a season of deportations (axios.com) — A Dedham Catholic parish is drawing national attention after St. Susanna replaced its Nativity figures with an “ICE was here” sign to protest immigration crackdowns, prompting pushback from church leaders. The display is part of a broader wave of churches using Nativity scenes as political art to challenge federal immigration enforcement.
📸 Around Dedham
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Dedham
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- 17th Annual Festival of Trees
Massachusetts Horticultural Society - Garden at Elm Bank, 900 Washington St, Wellesley
10:00 am - Liturgy of Solace and Strength (Blue Christmas/Longest Night)
1135 Walnut St, Newton
7:00 am
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Holiday Carolers at University Station
University Station , 221 University Ave , Westwood
12:00 pm - Monday Morning Music
Endicott Branch - Children's Area
9:30 am - Baby & Toddler Time
Main Library - Children's Room
9:30 am - Preschool Storytime
Main Library - Children's Room
10:30 am - Neighbors Market Fund
9:00 am - Baby & Me Storytime
Endicott Branch - Children's Area
9:30 am - Holiday Carolers at University Station
University Station , 221 University Ave , Westwood
12:00 pm - Monday Morning Music
Endicott Branch - Back Lawn
10:30 am - New Years Day Pokemon & TCG Show
Holiday Inn Boston - Dedham Hotel & Conference Center by IHG , 55 Ariadne Rd , Dedham
4:00 pm
Saturday December 20
Monday December 22
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 24
Monday December 29
Thursday January 1
📣 Dedham Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Family Craft Morning
Needham Free Public Library , 1139 Highland Avenue , Needham
10:00 am - Family Story Time: Dads and Donuts
Mattapan Branch Library , 10 Hazelton Street , Mattapan
10:30 am - Pint Size Yoga
Needham Free Public Library , 1139 Highland Avenue , Needham
11:00 am - The Nutcracker
The Norwood Theatre , 109 Central St , Norwood
1:30 pm
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Dedham PatchAM possible:
- Catering by Saltbox — 978 - 610 - 6020
Full Service Food and Beverage Catering - D-BAT Metro South — (781) 654-3228
D-BAT Metro South Now Open! - Golf Lounge 18 — (781) 801-1819
NOW OPEN at 765 Providence Highway Dedham MA - Dogtopia of Dedham — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- CDS (Club Demonstration Services) posted a job opening for Retail Warehouse Senior Shift Supervisor in Dedham. Apply here.
- Athleta, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Sales Associate - Legacy Place in Dedham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Dedham here.
Ok Dedham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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