Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could this Hillcrest Gardens proposal reshape Needham Center’s edge?

And check out 2026 New England Stamp Expo (Friday and Saturday Jan 9-10) on the Needham Patch calendar

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Good morning Needham! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could this Hillcrest Gardens proposal reshape Needham Center’s edge?
  • How one woman turned Needham’s “nothing happened here” into rich history
  • Will Karen Read’s Lexus SUV auction land in Needham?

Also on today's calendar: 2026 New England Stamp Expo (Friday and Saturday Jan 9-10) and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Needhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: After dinner, my parents asked if I could clear the table. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Needhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 46 and low of 26 degrees.
  • Friday: Cloudy with afternoon rain, temps: high: 46, low: 42.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon rain, with a high of 47 and low of 37 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mixed-use development pitched for former Hillcrest Gardens site (needhamobserver.com) — A Needham developer wants Town Meeting to approve zoning changes for the former Hillcrest Gardens site on Great Plain Avenue, across from Greene’s Field. The proposal would bring three ground-floor shops and 26 apartments to the half‑acre lot, potentially reshaping this downtown transition area and sparking debate over parking, setbacks, and how the Needham Center Overlay District should grow.
   

2. Needham historian Greis knows the way we were (needhamobserver.com) — Needham residents can now dive into their town’s past through historian Gloria Greis’s new book, “All Roads Lead to Needham,” drawn from years of local essays and research. The longtime executive director of the Needham History Center & Museum has helped relocate and grow the museum, advise on town milestones, and uncover stories from militias to cricket games that show how rich Needham’s history really is.
   

3. CARFAX report: Here's what Karen Read's Lexus SUV is worth (masslive.com) — An upcoming auction for Karen Read’s Lexus SUV may be held in Needham or Dedham, with bidding set to start Jan. 30. A CARFAX report values the repaired 2021 Lexus at about $60,000 and outlines its limited use and accident history.
   

4. Helping first responders cope after fatalities (needhamobserver.com) — Needham’s Dec. 24 house fire that claimed a young resident’s life is prompting attention to how local first responders cope with traumatic calls. The article explains how Needham’s public safety departments tap into a statewide peer support and Critical Incident Stress Management network to help firefighters, police, EMS, and dispatchers process rare but devastating incidents like fatal fires.
   

5. James Tobin, strong finish push Needham boys hockey past Newton North (masslive.com) — Needham High’s boys hockey team grabbed a 4–2 Bay State Conference win over Newton North, powered by freshman James Tobin’s two goals and strong goaltending from junior Carson Brownridge. The Rockets rallied after a slow start, scoring four times over the final two periods. Several Needham underclassmen notched key milestones in the comeback victory.
   

📸 Around Needham

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Acosta posted a job opening for Retail Merchandiser in Needham. Apply here.
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital posted a job opening for Unit Coordinator in Newton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Needham here.

Ok Needham! 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 needed a running start, but I made it!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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