Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why a Waltham police widow says promised death benefits are missing

Also, don't miss Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal Day at the Spellman Museum on the Waltham Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday October 2nd Patch AM
Friday October 2nd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning to you Waltham! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why a Waltham police widow says promised death benefits are missing
  • High-paying Waltham IT role emerges amid Hollywood's AI shake-up
  • How a Waltham laser maker fits into a booming global market

Also on today's calendar: Coins, Stamps & Collectibles: Free Appraisal Day at the Spellman Museum and 12 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 84 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Saturday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 71, low: 44.
  • Sunday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 64 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 'Pay me what I'm due': Widow of Waltham police officer has not received death benefits (newsbreak.com) — A Waltham police widow says she still has not received the $10,000 death benefit her late husband expected from the Waltham Police Relief Association, despite his decades on the force and board service. Her son, also a longtime Waltham officer, and NBC10 Boston found tax filings showing strong finances but no listed member benefits, raising questions other local families now share.
   

2. How AI is changing how Hollywood makes movies (fortune.com subscription) — Residents in tech and biotech should know Viridian Therapeutics is hiring a senior vice president of IT based in Waltham, with a posted salary up to about $405,000. The broader piece explores how AI is reshaping movie production, from fully AI‑generated films to tools that assist marketing, audience analysis, and creative workflows, alongside rapid growth at major AI startups.
   

3. Fiber-Coupled Laser Modules Market Forecast to 2035: EV Battery Manufacturing and Medical Devices Fuel Growth (indexbox.io) — Waltham's Sheaumann Laser appears among key global suppliers in a forecast showing strong growth for fiber‑coupled laser modules through 2035, driven by EV battery manufacturing and medical devices. The report highlights Asia‑Pacific's dominance, North American reshoring, and expanding uses in automotive, telecom, and defense, while noting price pressure and component supply risks that could affect specialized local manufacturers.
   

4. FBI arrests Massachusetts man on charge of stalking conservative podcaster Katie Miller (memesita.com) — A 41-year-old Waltham man, John Anthony Proia III, has been indicted in Boston federal court on a cyberstalking charge after dozens of threatening calls and messages to conservative podcaster Katie Miller and her family. The case, which followed initial hesitation inside the FBI's Washington Field Office, underscores that using anonymous apps to harass people can still lead to serious federal prosecution.
   

5. The Flock Backlash and Growing Revolt Against License Plate Surveillance (northdallasgazette.com) — A congressional candidate from Waltham, Jonathan Paz, is speaking out against Flock Safety's license plate cameras after helping sell them, noting that 12 devices appeared in Waltham without a public hearing. His experience feeds a broader national backlash over how automated plate readers may enable mass surveillance and immigration enforcement, prompting lawsuits, contract cancellations, and new organizing across several states.
   

📸 Around Waltham

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 Waltham

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Waltham 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 these businesses for making Waltham 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

  • Cushman & Wakefield posted a job opening for Cleaner- 3rd Shift in Waltham. Apply here.
  • Chipotle posted a job opening for Kitchen Leader in Watertown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Waltham here.

Ok Waltham! 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: "Why did the girl pig break up with the boy pig?" — Because he was such a boar! (Thank you Theresa H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 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 Waltham