Wakefield News

Published in the Wakefield Daily Item on June 18, 2026

Tomorrow is Juneteenth, a federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery.

On June 19, 1865 Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas in 1865 with 2,000 Union troops to proclaim that more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were…

WAKEFIELD — As World War II veterans continue to slip away from us, Monday, June 29 stands out as a very special occasion.

It’s Charlie Deniso’s 99th birthday.

According to Wakefield Veterans Service Officer David Mangan, “We have been given the opportunity to celebrate Charlie’s special day in the neighboring town of Stoneham…

LYNN – My Brother’s Table has been selected as one of 150 nonprofits to receive funding through Cummings Foundation’s annual grant program, which awarded $35 million this year. Chosen through a competitive review process that drew a record 959 applicants, the Lynn-based organization will receive $150,000 over three years.

This month, My Brother’s Table is…

WAKEFIELD — Republic Hauling, the Town’s trash and recycling contractor, confirmed that they will collect Fridays’ route on Friday, June 19, instead of the typical one-day holiday delay. All residences on Friday’s route should have their trash and recycling out at the curb as usual. There will be no delayed collection on Saturday.

Looking forward…

We can all use a break from the ever-increasing cost of things. So savings-minded shoppers should plan accordingly because last Thursday lawmakers agreed that the weekend of Aug. 8-9 will serve as this year’s sales tax holiday.

Buyers can avoid the sales tax on many purchases, although critics say it doesn’t generate much new economic…

By COLIN A. YOUNG
State House News Service

BOSTON — In nearly all respects, the roughly $3 billion environmental borrowing bill the House expects to pass Wednesday is more narrow than the version that cleared the Senate two months ago.

The House Ways and Means Committee slimmed the Senate’s bond authorizations (S 3064) down by…

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

• Juneteenth celebration, Americal Civic Center at 467 Main St., 6 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a performance from singer Janey David, a reading from poet Daiana Garcia, and remarks from members of the Northshore Juneteenth Association. Organizers also welcome the Lynn English High School Junior ROTC, who will raise the Juneteenth flag…

By SAM DRYSDALE
State House News Service

BOSTON — Massachusetts students would need to complete college-preparatory coursework, pass end-of-course exams, develop postsecondary plans, and finish a capstone project or portfolio under final high school graduation standard recommendations filed Wednesday by the K-12 Graduation Council.

The report marks the culmination of an 18-month process launched after…

WAKEFIELD — Police were called to Mark’s Smoke Shop on Main Street yesterday morning at about 10:15 after a disgruntled customer allegedly attacked the store owner. The owner told police that the customer, a Stoneham man, had purchased a quantity of cigars for $150 the previous day. The man came back yesterday morning and said…

WAKEFIELD — The Mystic Runners are awarding this year‘s annual scholarship recipients at tonight‘s weekly run. The group meets at 6 p.m. at the lake side parking lot near the FedEx box just off North Ave.