https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefsThe daily local brief for Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA.en-ushttps://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-09-02https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-09-02Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Associated Press reported as of 11:45 p.m. Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch defeated Jamaica Plain's Patrick Roath in the 8th Congressional District Democratic primary. In the Norfolk & Suffolk state Senate primary, Persis Yu leads incumbent Sen. Mike Rush by about 500 votes, according to reporter Yawu Miller. Mail-in ballots have not yet been counted and the results remain unofficial.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-09-01https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-09-01Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Boston's polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today for the Massachusetts state primary, which sets the ballot for the November 3 general election; mail and absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Jamaica Plain's ballot includes a race between Congressman Stephen Lynch and challenger Patrick Roath. The city says more than 1,872 poll workers are staffing 275 precincts, with ballots in English and Spanish and interpreters available on request; as of August 27, 4,558 voters had cast early ballots citywide.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-31https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-31Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Jamaica Plain voters go to the polls Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Democratic primary. In the 8th Congressional District, 13-time incumbent Rep. Stephen Lynch faces JP's Patrick Roath, who has raised $1.2 million to Lynch's $910,000 this cycle, according to the FEC. Parts of JP also fall in the 7th Congressional District, where Rep. Ayanna Pressley is unopposed, and in the Norfolk and Suffolk state Senate district, where incumbent Mike Rush faces challenger Persis Yu.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-30https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-30Sun, 30 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000One person died of electrocution and another was left in critical condition after an incident Saturday afternoon at the Forest Hills MBTA station. The person who died has not been named. The Suffolk District Attorney's Office said no foul play is suspected at this point.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-29https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-29Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Boston Police say the J'Ouvert Parade runs today from 6 to 10 a.m. exclusively on Circuit Drive in Franklin Park, assembling near Shattuck Hospital and heading toward Blue Hill Avenue, with music shut off at the Zoo parking lot. Circuit Drive is closed to traffic with no parking from late Friday night until Sunday morning. The Caribbean Parade follows from 1 to 6 p.m., with Warren Street closed from Dale Street to Blue Hill Avenue and Blue Hill Avenue closed from Quincy Street to American Legion Highway; police advise seeking alternate routes.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-28https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-28Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Boston Public Health Commission said Thursday that a city resident, a man in his 60s, has tested positive for West Nile Virus — the first human case in Boston this year and the third in Massachusetts. State health officials rate the city's risk level as high, citing positive mosquito samples found in several Boston neighborhoods over the past two months. BPHC urges residents 50 and older and those who are immunocompromised to avoid outdoor activity from dusk to dawn, and to empty standing water from bird baths, flowerpots and kiddie pools at least twice a week.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-27https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-27Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Boston police say their hazmat team was requested to Massachusetts General Hospital at 55 Fruit Street just before 9 p.m. Wednesday after a reported chemical exposure. The hospital said the Boston Fire Department's hazmat team was treating a patient for exposure to a chemical substance, and that MGH remains open to operations. The situation is still developing.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-26https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-26Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Boston opened early voting for the Sept. 1 state primary last weekend, and city election officials counted 2,262 ballots cast on Saturday and Sunday. Voting continues through Friday, Aug. 28, at 17 locations across the city, including the Haymarket Room at Boston City Hall, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. During early voting, residents may cast a ballot at any site in the city, regardless of their usual Election Day polling place.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-25https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-25Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Mayor Michelle Wu announced the winners of the 30th annual Mayor's Garden Contest on Aug. 24, with Jamaica Plain honorees including Shoma Haque, Richard Macmillan, Alex McCray, and Daniel Satinsky. The contest recognizes residents who turn yards, balconies, rooftops, and community gardens into green spaces in their neighborhoods. First-place winners received the Golden Trowel award, second- and third-place winners received certificates, and gardeners who have won three or more times in the last decade enter the Hall of Fame and are invited back as judges.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-24https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-24Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Jamaica Plain News reported Aug. 23 that publisher David Ertischek found and killed a spotted lanternfly outside his home, which is what the state advises residents to do. First detected in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and in Massachusetts in 2022, the insect damages trees and woody plants by feeding on their sap and can threaten grapevines, hops and fruit trees, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. It does not harm people or pets; residents who spot one should check trees and other items on their property for adults, nymphs or egg masses and inspect vehicles before leaving.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-23https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-23Sun, 23 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians voted unanimously Saturday to authorize what would be the first strike in the orchestra's history, as their contract expires late Sunday night. The vote does not guarantee a work stoppage, but one could follow if musicians and management fail to reach an agreement. BSO CEO Chad Smith said the orchestra respects the musicians' right to take the step and remains focused on negotiations; a source familiar with the talks called the vote "standard" and not unexpected.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-22https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-22Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Jamaica Plain Post Office at 655 Centre St. offers walk-in passport service today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a limited number of slots available. Trained staff will review documents and accept applications for a passport book or card; passport photos can be taken on site for $15. Adult passport books cost $130 payable to the State Department ($100 for minors under 16), plus a $35 USPS acceptance fee, and all applicants, including children, must appear in person.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-21https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-21Fri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled Aug. 19 that Boston can continue rebuilding White Stadium in Franklin Park, siding with the city against a lawsuit from the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and the Franklin Park Defenders. The court found the plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the project under the terms of the charitable trust that owns the stadium, and concluded the stadium parcel had been dedicated to another use through 1947 and 1950 legislation that made it a school department facility. The project, a public-private partnership with women's professional soccer team Boston Legacy FC, will serve Boston Public Schools athletics; Mayor Michelle Wu held a celebratory event the following day.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-20https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-20Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The second Substation Uncovered runs today from 4 to 8 p.m. at Adams Park, with outdoor lawn games, a mocktail bar, and food from Old Friend Pizza and Sweeties Ice Cream. Live music comes from musician and songwriter J.R., with live art from multimedia artist and muralist OLIVE. The event is free and open to the public; organizers suggest bringing a lawn chair and picnic basket.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-19https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-19Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The MBTA announced Tuesday that service changes will take place in September on the Orange, Red, Blue, Green, Framingham/Worcester, Needham, New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush and Kingston lines. The work supports projects including Ruggles Station improvements, Ashmont branch bridge work, Green Line accessibility upgrades and signal modernization in the Green Line central tunnel. Riders can find details at mbta.com/PlannedWork, through in-station signage and announcements, or by subscribing to T-Alerts; staff and Transit Ambassadors will be on site during the changes.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-18https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-18Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Boston Police announced Aug. 17 that District E-13 detectives arrested Michael Smith, 37, of Hyde Park, in connection with two breaking and entering incidents on Heath Street. In the Aug. 5 case at 182 Heath St., a man entered a sleeping victim's bedroom through a window and fled after trying to pull off the victim's blanket; detectives also connected Smith to an Aug. 2 incident at 180 Heath St., where a woman reported a man entered her apartment while she slept. Smith is expected to be arraigned in Roxbury District Court on a charge of aggravated breaking and entering, daytime.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-17https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-17Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000The neighborhood-wide music and arts festival, produced by the nonprofit Dunamis, runs Saturday, Aug. 22, from roughly noon to 6 p.m., with free performances on porches and green spaces across the neighborhood. Main and curated stages include the JP Boathouse, Sam Adams Brewery, Ula Cafe, Rogerson House, Drawdown Brewing and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy's Curley House. The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 23; organizers say performers will not be paid this year.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-16https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-16Sun, 16 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Next Level Fusion hosts the Egleston Square Latin Dance Social today from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Peace Garden and on School Street, with the first hour devoted to instruction and open dancing after that. Instructors and Dance Ambassadors will be on hand, and organizers say all dance abilities are welcome. School Street will be closed from Egleston Street to Washington Street for the block party, the first in a series of four monthly socials.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-15https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-15Sat, 15 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Boston Police and festival organizers briefed reporters Thursday on precautions for Sunday's Dominican Festival, which begins at 11 a.m. with a parade on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain before continuing up Columbus Avenue and Seaver Street into Franklin Park. Commissioner Michael Cox said crowds will be large and there is no parking, urging attendees to take public transit and follow event rules. Organizers have planned a family-friendly event; in 2024, five people were shot on the Playstead during the festival.https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-14https://nanopress.net/jamaica-plain-boston-ma/briefs/2026-08-14Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000A developer brought revised plans for 920 Centre St. to the JP Neighborhood Council's Housing Committee, outlining a five-story, 158-unit residential complex. The project would replace the former Poor Clare Nuns Monastery on the site.