Two Days until Special Election; Catch a Falling Star in Lexington closes

Hello, Lexington!

Good morning and welcome back to LexObserver’s weekly news roundup. 

We’re sorry to have missed seeing everyone in person at Discovery Day…hoping for better weather next time! With any luck, you spent Memorial Day Weekend taking a healthy break from your inbox —so just in case you missed last week’s reporting, here are two stories you can catch up on today in addition to this week’s news:

• Feature: In historic Lexington, where does a monument to women belong? (Different views about what representation, honoring history mean in the birthplace of the American Revolution collide in the LexSeeHer monument project)

• Heartbreak, anguish, rage touch Lexington following massacre of 21 at Uvalde elementary school (School Committee members, Superintendent Julie Hackett, teachers, state reps grieve, call for action in the wake of another mass shooting less than two weeks after racist Buffalo attack)

Last but not least — somehow, it’s already June, and LexPride has several events and varied opportunities to celebrate Pride Month listed on their website, from performances, to lawn signs, to arts and crafts, to storytelling. You can learn more about all of these events and more here.

Now, finally, this week’s news.

In this issue:

• The Special Town Election on a debt exclusion to fund a new police station is two days away. What do you need to know?

• After nearly two decades, beloved toy store Catch a Falling Star closes its doors in Lexington.

• Lexington man convicted on single count of possessing stolen trade secret, acquitted on majority of charges.

• COVID-19 Weekly Update: Cases decrease in town, at LPS; strong recommendations recently to wear masks from Board of Health and Superintendent.

• Community Announcements: Historical Society Gala coming soon; Lexington Farmers’ Market is back; congratulations to the Class of 2022!

The Special Town Election on a debt exclusion to fund a new police station is two days away. What do you need to know?

On Monday, polls will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in all precincts for voters to weigh in on whether to raise property taxes temporarily to fund a new police station

This project has been in the works since at least 2011; drastic inflation, and additions of about 4,000 square feet to the project requested by community members following a project pause and community conversation about race, social justice and policing, have increased the cost to its current level.

Keep reading

by Sophie Culpepper

After nearly two decades, beloved toy store Catch a Falling Star closes its doors in Lexington

Winchester, Belmont locations will remain open; owner cites rent, COVID challenges contributing to closure

Last Saturday, May 28, was Catch A Falling Star’s final day of business in Lexington after its nearly two-decade run in town. Though the store’s Winchester and Belmont locations will remain open, owner Deran Muckjian is gutted about having to close this store.

Keep reading

by Sophie Culpepper

Lexington man convicted on single count of possessing stolen trade secret, acquitted on majority of charges

Haoyang Yu’s lawyers say he was targeted for his race; pre-trial motion to dismiss case still pending; CALex representative describes some community member concerns about case

Yu’s conviction is the first in the District of Massachusetts following a criminal trial of this kind – but his lawyers, William Fick and Daniel Marx, contend that Yu was targeted for his race.

Keep reading

by Sophie Culpepper

COVID-19 Weekly Update

• Lexington’s recorded cases have declined for two weeks in a row, but are still in triple digits. Last week, the Town had 153 new recorded COVID-19 cases as of May 26; this week, there were 123 new recorded cases as of Thursday. On May 27, the Lexington Board of Health issued a communication strongly recommending indoor mask-wearing and other preventative measures.
   
• At Lexington Public Schools, recorded cases decreased after last week’s peak. As of May 26, LPS had 197 staff or students absent who had tested positive, and 4 students on quarantine; this week, as of Thursday, 76 staff or students were absent who had tested positive, while two students were on quarantine. On May 26, Superintendent Julie Hackett sent a communication reiterating a strong recommendation to mask up, especially during large group gatherings. No food will be served at school-related indoor performances (but cool drinks are ok), and anyone hosting large school-related indoor gatherings must obtain masks to offer to guests.

Community Announcements

• Lexington Historical Society “All Jazzed Up!” Gala June 18 (from Carol Ward): Explore the sights and sounds of the ‘Roaring 20s’ at the Society’s All Jazzed Up! Gala. Experience the Depot and Hancock-Clarke grounds in a unique manner as you journey back to the time of flappers, bootleggers, and speakeasies. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward the transformation of the Depot into our new education and exhibition center. The event will begin at the Depot for cocktail hour filled with cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a jazz band and fun 1920s photos from the history of Lexington. There will be renderings of the plans for the Depot Transformation. Guests will then be transported to Hancock-Clarke House in either the Liberty Ride Trolley or for VIPs a vintage 1920s car. At Hancock-Clarke guests will experience interactive casino games, signature cocktails, different hors d’oeuvres, jazz singer Mario Spinetti and his band. For the VIP ticket price guests will get to explore a private garden, with a tintype photographer, a private bar and exclusive casino games. You can learn more and get tickets here.

• Lexington Farmers’ Market is back on Tuesday afternoons (from Leslie Wilcott-Henrie): After this Tuesday’s Opening Day festivities, Lexington Farmers’ Market is back for the season! This year the Market welcomes a full complement of farmers and vendors and ten new participants. The market is open rain or shine; put LFM Tuesdays 2-6:30 p.m. on your calendar! For more information on the LFM and participating farmers and vendors, visit the website here.

• Congratulations to the Class of 2022! A massive congratulations to both Lexington High School and Minuteman High School students on reaching the finish line of four truly insane years this week! Minuteman students graduated yesterday, and LHS students will get to throw their caps in the air tomorrow. Stay safe kids…

That’s a wrap for today. Was this roundup useful to you? What do you want to see in this email next week? Let us know, and please ask your friends to sign up and DONATE too! Reach out to sophie@lexobserver.org with tips and questions anytime. As always, you can also check out and share our website, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages. Thanks so much for reading and have a great weekend!

With gratitude,
Nicco Mele, Sophie Culpepper, Erin Sandler-Rathe and the LexObserver Team

Edited by Erin Sandler-Rathe