Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What big changes could be coming to Needham’s Stephen Palmer property?

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

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday January 9th Patch AM
Friday January 9th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hey hey Needham! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What big changes could be coming to Needham’s Stephen Palmer property?
  • How bad is this year’s flu in Needham, really?
  • How a new Walpole ADU could reshape life for Needham grandparents

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: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: A touch of afternoon rain, with a high of 46 and low of 37 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon rain, temps: high: 44, low: 37.
  • Sunday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 42 and low of 24 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. What's next for the Stephen Palmer site? (needhamobserver.com) — Needham residents are being asked to help shape the future of the Stephen Palmer property at a Jan. 12 public hearing, as the town prepares for the building’s 2027 return to local control. Officials and consultants will outline options ranging from renovation to demolition, while school leaders debate whether the land still serves Needham Public Schools’ long-term needs.
   

2. Flu numbers rising (needhamobserver.com) — Needham health officials report a sharp jump in flu cases and are urging residents to get vaccinated, practice good hygiene, and stay home when sick. While this year’s Subclade K strain is severe statewide, Needham’s vaccination rate is only 54%, though the Health Division still has doses and even offers home visits for homebound residents. Local providers are also seeing young, otherwise healthy residents hit hard.
   

3. Walpole Ranch with ADU: Making Room for Family (thisoldhouse.com) — A Walpole family is building the town’s first ADU so Jill Nauman’s parents, who currently live in nearby Needham, can age in place closer to their grandchildren. Their whole-house renovation, enabled by Massachusetts’ new ADU law, will create multi-generational living space while addressing Boston-area housing costs and modernizing their 1970s ranch.
   

4. Chamber makes art its business (needhamobserver.com) — A longtime Needham artist and resident is helping the Charles River Regional Chamber turn local arts into a bigger economic and community driver for Needham and neighboring towns. Through the chamber’s Arts and Culture Committee and its new “Support Local Arts and Culture” campaign, he’s highlighting Needham’s art scene as both creative hub and business engine, encouraging residents to shop, attend events, and support local organizations.
   

5. One Injured in North Country Snowmobile Crash (einpresswire.com) — A 57-year-old Needham man, Douglas Vizard, was injured in a snowmobile crash on Corridor Trail 18 in Colebrook, New Hampshire, on January 7. Emergency crews used an off-road vehicle to reach him and transported him to Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, while officials continue investigating what caused the accident.
   

📸 Around Needham

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Needham

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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!

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:

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

  • Hi neighbors!
    I’m looking for someone affordable who can refresh my hardwood floors just light sanding/buffing and a new finish (not a full replacement). Any… (Nextdoor Reservoir)
  • Sunrise Senior Living posted a job opening for Activities Assistant in Newton. Apply here.
  • Newton Public Schools posted a job opening for Assistant Coach-Dance 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 really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Needham