Fred Hanson

Boston, Quincy

Staff Reporter at The Patriot Ledger

Reporting on the South Shore since 1978. Now covering Braintree, Weymouth, Milton and a little bit of everywhere else for The Patriot Ledger.

Articles

Do you know these 5 South Shore holiday traditions? Name your favorite

Dec 3, 2024 | yahoo.com | Fred Hanson

Every family has its own traditions for the holiday season, whether it involves gifts, food, decorations, music, get-togethers or all of the above. But some holiday traditions are shared among families, sometimes for generations. Here are five on the South Shore that will bring back old memories for some people and might create new memories for others. The Enchanted Village started at Jordan Marsh department store in Boston.
Alba owner's third restaurant isn't open yet. And he's already working on a fourth

Apr 8, 2024 | patriotledger.com | Fred Hanson

HANOVER – Restauranteur Leo Keka is planning to open a new restaurant right next door to his Alba on 53 on Washington Street. Keka said he has purchased Flanders Field in Merchant`s Row, which closed in September, and plans to open a second Scutari restaurant in its place. A hearing is scheduled for April 22 for the transfer of the liquor and other licenses for the property to Keka. He hopes to open the new restaurant May 15. Keka's first Scutari has yet to open.
State to begin work on road project in Quincy on Monday

Apr 5, 2024 | yahoo.com | Fred Hanson

QUINCY – Crews will start work Monday on the roadway and sidewalks of Sea Street between Palmer Street and Samoset Avenue, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced. The work will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays, depending on the weather and emergency situations. The work will require temporary lane and sidewalk closures, but vehicular and pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project.
Famed fashion photographer turns camera on local senior facility residents. Find out why

Apr 4, 2024 | yahoo.com | Fred Hanson

WEYMOUTH – Nigel Barker has traveled the world photographing celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Hilary Swank and Don and Joan Tucchi. A longtime judge on the TV series "America's Next Top Model" and a fashion photographer, Barker was in Weymouth this week to take portraits of residents of The Current, a 165-unit luxury senior living community on Route 18 which opened in November.
Braintree mayor tells school superintendent not to close Highlands School

Apr 4, 2024 | patriotledger.com | Fred Hanson

Closing the school, which has the largest enrollment of the system's six elementary schools, was part of a package cuts Lee presented to the school committee Monday night to reduce the proposed school budget by up to $8 million. Closing the school would save $559,0000 in salaries from the school budget.
Braintree may close an elementary school amid budget cuts

Apr 2, 2024 | patriotledger.com | Fred Hanson

BRAINTREE ― The school staff cuts range from a high school hall monitor to an elementary school principal, 100 positions in all. Fees for playing school sports and riding school buses would double. Those are among the $8 million in cuts required to hold the current school budget of $75.5 million for the 2024-25 year. School Superintendent James Lee has said that $83.5 million would be needed to maintain present school programs for another year.
State penalized Milton by taking grant money away. Town fighting back in court

Mar 31, 2024 | yahoo.com | Fred Hanson

MILTON – The town is challenging the requirements set by state officials for compliance with the MBTA Communities Act and its authority to enforce them in a response to a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Andrea Campbell. It also challenged the fact that the suit was brought in the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk County, which is a single justice of the state's highest court.
Braintree committee was to decide on new name for old South Middle School. What happened

Mar 27, 2024 | patriotledger.com | Fred Hanson

BRAINTREE − The school committee has postponed naming the former South Middle School until the budget process is completed and the fate of the system's elementary schools has been decided. The committee was to decide at Monday's meeting on a name for the building, which will house the early education center and most of the system's kindergarten and pre-kindergarten classes. The building is undergoing renovations for its new use.
Latest Braintree proposal: Cut 28 elementary teachers, raise fees, redistrict schools

Mar 26, 2024 | patriotledger.com | Fred Hanson

BRAINTREE − Cutting teachers, redistricting schools and doubling bus and sports fees are among the first round of school budget cuts proposed by Superintendent James Lee as he tries to erase an $8 million deficit. His proposal includes cutting 21 classroom teachers and a total of seven reading and math specialists in the elementary schools, reductions that would require redistricting and result in class sizes of 23 to 25 students.
Braintree mayor says budget problem is townwide, not just the schools

Mar 20, 2024 | yahoo.com | Fred Hanson

BRAINTREE − Without directly naming anyone, Mayor Erin Joyce says decisions made before she took office contributed to the town’s current budget woes. Joyce, who unseated Charles Kokoros in the last election, said Braintree has been using one-time revenues, such as its free cash reserve, to make up the difference between the town's income and expenses. Expenses are rising about 5% annually, more than double the 2.1% increase in revenue.