🌱 Patch AM: How Needham rallied after a deadly Christmas Eve house fire

Hello again Needham! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How Needham rallied after a deadly Christmas Eve house fire
• How the Rockets stole an overtime win from rival Wellesley
• What did officials learn from Needham’s deadly Christmas Eve house fire?

Today's riddle: I got fired from the M&M factory. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Increasing cloudiness, with a high of 32 and low of 23 degrees.
• Sunday: A.M. flurries; mostly cloudy, temps: high: 30, low: 12. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Partly sunny and cold, with a high of 23 and low of 21 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Tragic fire results in death on Christmas Eve (hometownweekly.net) — A devastating four-alarm house fire on Woodworth Road in Needham on Christmas Eve claimed the life of 21-year-old Kayla Renee Corrigan and destroyed the family’s home. Local fire, police, and state investigators are probing the cause while residents have already raised over $15,000 and are continuing to support the family through gift cards and a verified GoFundMe.
   

• Rockets win in overtime (hometownweekly.net) — Needham High’s Rockets boys hockey team edged rival Wellesley 4–3 in an overtime thriller, with junior captain Matt Ledbury scoring the game-winner after a controversial no-goal call at the Needham net. The Rockets, now building momentum after last season’s early playoff exit, next face Newton North on January 7 and see Wellesley again on January 10 at Babson.
   

• Despite deadly Gabriel House blaze, fewer people died in fires in 2025, state officials say (bostonglobe.com) — State fire officials report that overall fire deaths in Massachusetts fell in 2025, but they specifically note a deadly Needham house fire on Christmas Eve among the year’s tragedies. Most fatal fires happened in homes, often where smoke alarms didn’t work, and older residents were disproportionately affected, prompting renewed warnings about alarms, smoking risks, and home oxygen safety.
   

📸 Around Needham

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Needham

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday January 5

• Preschool Palooza
  Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library , 1139 Highland Avenue , Needham
  10:00 am
• Teen Group Takeover with Tony! (for Middle School and High Schoolers)
  Library Community Room Needham Free Public Library , 1139 Highland Avenue , Needham
  2:45 pm
• CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE
  Webster Room, Public Service Admin , 500 Dedham Ave , Needham
  6:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Virtual Program: Artists Inspired by Maine
  Needham Calendar Needham, MA 02492
  6:30 pm

Monday January 12

• High Rock / Pollard School Advisory Meeting
  Pollard Middle School , 200 Harris Avenue , Needham
  3:10 pm
• Revised PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION - HYBRID
  Needham Calendar , HYBRID: Memorial Park Fieldhouse and Zoom 92 Rosemary St , Needham
  7:00 pm

📣 Needham Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday January 3

• Baby Storytime
  Tootsie-Roll Storytime Room , Main Library , Wellesley
  9:30 am
• Colors Storytime with Celebree
  Needham Free Public Library , 1139 Highland Avenue , Needham
  10:30 am
• Big Blue Blocks
  Tootsie-Roll Storytime Room , Main Library , Wellesley
  11:30 am
• Tango Mango Weekend Bar and Live Music!
  Tango Mango , 34 Langley Rd , Newton
  6:00 pm

Sunday January 4

• Fiber Craft Club : 4th - 8th
  Wakelin Room , Main Library , Wellesley
  3:15 pm

Monday January 5

• Monday Morning Music
  Endicott Branch - Back Lawn
  10:30 am

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 Needham PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Dogtopia of Dedham — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
• Golf Lounge 18 — (781) 801-1819
  NOW OPEN at 765 Providence Highway Dedham MA
• Catering by Saltbox — 978 - 610 - 6020
  Full Service Food and Beverage Catering

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hearst Corporation posted a job opening for Executive Producer in Needham. Apply here.
• Needham Public Schools posted a job opening for Anticipated Music Teacher Long Term Sub in Needham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Needham here.

🗞 Nearby News

Wellesley

• Wellesley's other football tradition: The Family Bowl reaches 25-year mark (theswellesleyreport.com)
• New Wellesley School Committee, Natural Resources Commission candidates pull papers (theswellesleyreport.com)
• Obituary: Joanne Pucci, 87, loving mother and longtime Wellesley resident (theswellesleyreport.com)

Newton

• Newton Inaugurates Its Newest Leader (patch.com)
• Longtime Newton Resident's Book Nominated For Pulitzer Prize (patch.com)

Dedham

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 kept throwing out all the W’s.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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