Author: Celine Hijazi

  • Coyote sightings surge across Newton, with West Newton emerging as hotspot

    Coyote hunting along a river. Public domain photo

    Dolan Pond is knee-deep in snow and ice this time of year, but that doesn’t stop dog walkers—or coyotes—from roaming the area.

    “The coyotes are always circling up there,” said Joseph Castagnino, a dog walker and Auburndale resident.

    Nearby, a scatter of feathers lay across the snow—evidence, Castagnino said, of the predators’ presence.

    Newton police said they have received dozens of reports of coyotes across the city since the beginning of the year. 

    “The Newton Police Department is aware of several recent coyote sightings throughout the city,”  the department said in a Facebook post in late January. “Animal Control and responding officers have assessed the animals and determined the coyotes observed are in good health.” Recent sightings reflect a broader increase. According to Newton’s “Report a Coyote Sighting” tracker, there were 124 reported sightings in 2025. In the first six weeks of 2026 alone, there have already been 86 sightings, putting the city on pace for a significantly higher total if the trend continues.

    The increase may be linked to mating season, when coyotes are more active and more visible as they search for mates and establish territory, according to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.

    City data show sightings are widespread but unevenly distributed. A heat map of reports from the past 12 months shows clusters throughout Newton, with the highest concentration in West Newton and additional hotspots in northern and central neighborhoods. One cluster in West Newton recorded more than 40 sightings, with nearby areas reporting more than a dozen each. Many of the sightings appear near wooded areas, parks and residential green corridors.

    “I was driving at night in Auburndale and had to stop in the middle of the road to swerve because of a coyote,” said Zachary Grinspoon, a residential specialist and lifelong West Newton resident.

    “They were always in my backyard growing up,” Grinspoon added. “But they never caused any harm.”

    Attacks on humans are extremely rare, but coyotes may prey on small animals, including cats and small dogs.

    Despite the increase in sightings, local veterinarians say there has been little evidence of conflict.

    A representative at Newton Animal Hospital said the hospital has not treated any recent coyote-related pet injuries this year.

    Back at Dolan Pond, Castagnino said his dog, Jack, remains unfazed.

    “Jack treats them as playthings or something to chase,” he said, holding the excited Catahoula leopard dog on a tight leash.

    City officials advise residents to remain alert, keep pets supervised and report sightings, as coyotes continue to be a visible part of Newton’s suburban landscape.

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    This story is part of a partnership between the Newton Beacon and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Still Smiling at 105: Phil Schwartz celebrates more than a century of life and laughter

    Celine Hijazi

    Phil Schwartz, seen here with Mayor Marc Laredo, celebrates his 105th birthday on Feb. 10, 2026. Photo by Celine Hijazi

    Smiles packed the community room at Coleman House as Phil Schwartz approached the microphone, joyfully leaning in while three candles flickered beside him to commemorate more than a century of life.

    Schwartz—a World War II veteran, father and grandfather, devoted husband and the “unofficial mayor of Coleman House”—celebrated his 105th birthday Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by three generations of relatives and countless friends.

    Turning 105 is an impressive feat. Doing so with laughter and curiosity makes it all the more rare. A resident of Coleman House for nearly 21 years, Schwartz is one of the most cherished members of the community.

    “I don’t know anyone who exemplifies living life in radical amazement as well as you do,” said Amy Schechtman, chief executive officer of 2Life Communities.

    “People call him their role model for how to age well because he sees the positive in every day,” she added.

    The positivity was tangible as family members took the microphone to share misty-eyed stories from their youth—from his years fighting in World War II to his eventual return to his hometown in New Jersey where he opened a sandwich shop that kept his family and others well-fed.

    Along with relatives, several elected officials attended, including Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem, a representative from U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss’ office and Newton Mayor Marc Laredo, who delivered personalized messages to Schwartz and his family.

    “I don’t know how you get to 105,” Laredo joked.

    “A good wife,” Schwartz interrupted.

    Much of the celebration centered on Schwartz’s 71-year marriage to his late wife, Miriam, who died in 2012. The couple had two sons, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

    “Every young couple that met my parents fell in love with them,” Schwartz’s son, David Schwartz, a retired IT salesman, told the crowd.

    For Schwartz, his connection with Miriam was love at first sight.

    “We met when we were 16 … and then we just couldn’t get away from each other,” Schwartz told the Newton Beacon, reflecting on the moment nearly 90 years ago.

    “The way you talk about Miriam is a model for all of us to invest in marriage,” said Peg Coles, resident service director at Coleman House.

    Equal attention was given to Schwartz’s military service in North Africa and Italy. In a recorded video message, Auchincloss thanked him for “being such an outstanding representative of the Greatest Generation” and for helping defend democracy during one of history’s most pivotal moments.

    Schwartz was stationed in Italy for three years during World War II. Reflecting on that time, he recalled the scale of loss and the lessons he carried home when he returned to the United States.

    “We have to help each other, and we have to support each other,” Schwartz said. “I was lucky enough to have that in my life.”

    When Schwartz took the microphone, he remained characteristically humble.

    “I’ve always been lucky to have good people around me,” he said. “I don’t know how it happened.”

    After his remarks, generations of family members gathered around the three candles to sing “Happy Birthday.”

    At 105, Schwartz continues to remind those around him that life is measured not simply in years but in service, love, and connection.

    This story is part of a partnership between the Newton Beacon and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • From submarines to City Hall, Newton’s new COO Josh Morse has built a career around service

    Josh Morse delivers remarks at the opening of the Cooper Center for Active Living on Dec. 5, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

    Josh Morse has a desk at City Hall, but unlike other Newton officials, he considers his true office to be in Newton’s backyards and streets.

    Morse is Newton’s new chief operating officer, and he plans to run his office by welcoming complaints, being easily accessible to the Newton community, and working with communities across the commonwealth to turn local government into an efficient machine.

    “I truly believe in being a public servant,” Morse said. “I want to be an instrument of change in this city.”

    Morse, previously the commissioner of public buildings, assumed his new position Jan. 1. 

    “The role has a very broad lens,” Morse said. “I support police, fire, public works, inspectional services… So a lot with hard-scape operational departments.”

    Morse, who grew up in Keene, N.H., lights up when reminiscing about his youth. He spent his childhood working on his grandparents’ farm, which he says gave him an aptitude for hard work.

    When he was in eighth grade, he won a competition that allowed him to have lunch with the mayor at Keene City Hall, an event that changed the trajectory of his life.

    “I remember in that meeting, the sense of pride that our mayor took in being able to help people,” he recalled.

    Many years later, Morse sits in another City Hall. His path from one City Hall to another City Hall, however, was anything but straightforward. After his meeting with the mayor of Keene, Morse wondered how his dream of helping people would take shape.

    “I thought about whether I wanted to be a police officer,” said Morse, who declined to give his age. “And then ultimately the path that I took was I joined the Navy and I got into their nuclear engineering program.” It was a demanding, exciting career, serving aboard a fast attack submarine trudging international waters. As he grew older, however, his priorities shifted toward a more grounded path, particularly when he met his wife, who is from Waltham.

    “At that point, I was dating my now wife,” he said. “I then quickly moved down here to Waltham. And now we’re married and have two beautiful twin girls.” So he decided to serve the people most important to him: his family.

    “I think that one of the things that attracted me to staying in the public sector… it allowed me to be home at night, for the most part,” Morse joked. 

    Even in his portfolio of past and present projects, Morse said he has a keen interest in delivering for youth. As public buildings commissioner, he spearheaded the renovation and building of schools and recreation centers around Newton.

    When Morse first moved to Newton in 2007, however, he noticed something peculiar when visiting Angier Elementary School

    “When I came to Newton, I was surprised by its incredible educational system,” he said: “Angier was approaching its 100-year mark, and I couldn’t believe the conditions. For a top-tier public education system, our building conditions were in really tough shape.” He rebuilt it from the ground up.

    Listening to community members and building an efficient, safe Newton is of utmost importance, he said.

    “I can show you hundreds of hours of minutes from meetings with the community,” said Alex Valcarce, Newton’s building commissioner. 

    Newton Mayor Marc C. Laredo spoke similarly to Morse’s character, and aptitude for the job

    “I am proud to have Morse serving as our chief operating officer,” Laredo said. “His passion, dedication and unwavering commitment to public service exemplify the qualities I think our residents want and deserve. Plus, he’s a really good guy.”

    Seated in a full suit beneath the high ceilings of Newton City Hall, Morse seems at home in the chambers. 

    “I’m a big history buff,” he said, “and I love thinking about the fact that City Hall was built in 1932 and all of the elected leaders that have come through here, the decisions they’ve made and how they’ve helped shape the city.”

    This story is part of a partnership between the Newton Beacon and the Boston University Department of Journalism.