Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How will new double tracks change your commute from Reading?

Also check out Family Festival Faith & Fun on the Reading Patch calendar

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Friday August 21st Patch AM
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Hey hey Reading! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will new double tracks change your commute from Reading?
  • Which new fall events is Reading Public Library adding to its lineup?
  • How will Killam's $10M in savings reshape Reading's new school project?

Also on today's calendar: Family Festival Faith & Fun and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Showers around; not as warm, with a high of 76 and low of 62 degrees.
  • Saturday: Showers, some heavy; humid, temps: high: 71, low: 64.
  • Sunday: Cloudy, showers around; humid, with a high of 77 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Feds award $140M for major Haverhill Commuter Line improvement project (homenewshere.com) — Reading commuters are in line for better, more reliable MBTA service as nearly $140 million in federal funding will add almost seven miles of new double track between Reading and Andover, plus upgrades at Reading Station. The long-sought project replaces the controversial turnback-track proposal and should reduce delays, improve accessibility, and give the T more flexibility when problems arise.
   

2. Reading Public Library Announces Full Schedule of Fall Programs (thereadingpost.com) — Reading residents can look forward to a packed fall at the Reading Public Library, with swaps, sustainability walks, trivia nights, and kids' Dungeons & Dragons sessions all on the calendar. Programs highlight Latinx Heritage Month, civic engagement for grades 3–5, spooky-season fun, and hands-on activities for all ages right at 64 Middlesex Avenue.
   

3. 🐨 Killam School Building Committee 8-17-26 AI Recap (readingrecap.com) — Reading's Killam School Building Committee confirmed construction is on track for a February 2028 move-in and set a groundbreaking for September 18, 2026. Members voted to keep $10 million in bid savings as contingency, raised emergency spending authority, and outlined how they'll keep neighbors informed as tree work, parking changes, and major site construction ramp up.
   

4. New law addresses library material challenges (recorder.com) — A new Massachusetts law now sets clear rules for challenging school and public library materials, aiming to protect access to diverse books and shield librarians from retaliation. The change follows a surge in book challenges statewide and disturbing harassment, including bomb and death threats, reported at the public library in Reading.
   

📸 Around Reading

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Reading

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Reading Delegation and Mass. Legislature Bring Oversight to Massachusetts' Unregulated Home Care Industry —Jason Lewis Read on Patch
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Asset Protection Specialist in Reading. Apply here.
  • Public Storage, Inc. posted a job opening for Customer Service - Self Storage Manager in Lynnfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Reading here.

Ok Reading! 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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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