Brookline Raises West Nile Virus Risk To High
BROOKLINE — Brookline health officials raised the town's West Nile virus risk designation to high on Wednesday, urging residents to guard against mosquito bites as the summer season winds down, even as Eastern Equine Encephalitis risk remains low.
TOWN HALL
The town's News Flash alert, posted Wednesday, notified residents that Brookline has been elevated to high risk for West Nile virus while remaining at low risk for EEE. The alert points residents to guidance on avoiding mosquito bites and mosquito-proofing homes, including clearing standing water and checking window screens, as peak mosquito season continues into early fall.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Brookline Public Library is rolling out three new fall programs at its Coolidge Corner branch beginning Sept. 10. "Art and Lettering: Ocean Tails" invites patrons to design a fanciful lettered sea creature with no drawing experience required, while calligrapher Debby Reelitz will teach "Fun with Brush Lettering" the same day. Also that afternoon, the library's Hunneman Hall in Brookline Village will host a screening of "The Librarians," a documentary on book challenges and bans, followed by a panel discussion on the issue in Massachusetts.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"News in brief: West Nile on the rise, no parking spots for ICE, and new Building Department leaders," Brookline.News reports, noting the state's public health agency flagged rising mosquito-borne virus activity alongside separate town developments involving parking restrictions tied to ICE enforcement and new leadership in the Building Department, a story the town's News Flash also touched on today (read it at https://brookline.news/news-in-brief-west-nile-on-the-rise-no-parking-spots-for-ice-and-new-building-department-leaders/).
"Town officials clash over Election Day meeting, allegation of voter suppression," according to Brookline.News, which reports town officials are at odds over how a public meeting scheduled for Election Day was handled, with one side alleging the timing suppressed voter turnout (read it at https://brookline.news/town-officials-clash-over-election-day-meeting-allegation-of-voter-suppression/).
"Interview: Eris Dunn gets ready to start her first year as Runkle principal," Brookline.News reports, profiling the incoming Runkle School leader as she prepares to take over the K-8 school this fall (read it at https://brookline.news/interview-eris-dunn-gets-ready-to-start-her-first-year-as-runkle-principal/).
"Brookline artist John Mendizabal explores Massachusetts' working coast in new exhibition," according to Brookline.News, which reports the local artist is debuting a new show centered on the state's working coastline (read it at https://brookline.news/brookline-artist-john-mendizabal-explores-massachusetts-working-coast-in-new-exhibition/).
COMING UP
The library's English Club ELL Read + Talk conversation group meets Thursday, Aug. 27, giving language learners a chance to practice English with neighbors. Also Aug. 27, therapy dogs return for "Canines at Coolidge Corner," letting kids read aloud to trained animals. On Friday, Aug. 28, the library offers Gentle Chair Yoga with Keith Beasley, held in person only this session with no virtual option. Brookline Patch's community calendar also lists "Change Your Mind, Change Your World," a talk with international Buddhist teacher Kadam Morten, set for Saturday, Aug. 29.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.