Newton News

Michael S. Steele, Republican National Committee chairman, is using his title to market himself for paid appearances nationwide, personally profiting from speeches with fees of up to $20,000 at colleges, trade associations and other groups - an unusual practice criticized by a string of past party chairmen.

Questex Media Group, Inc. has completed the 363 sale of the businesses to a new company, Questex Media Group LLC , held by a group of its senior lenders.

C&K Components recently announced that for applications in the automotive, consumer electronics, medical, marine, and other industries, they will be supplying the complete module including the switch and fully decorated face surface with painted and laser-etched buttons and company graphics, in addition to the wire harnessing.

"It highlights the issue, which is good," Sen. Steven A. Baddour said of Boston's home-rule petition that, if approved by state legislators, would impose fines ranging from $100 to $300 for violators pulled over for texting while driving in the Hub.

Fresh from the classrooms of Tufts to the stage of NBC's 'The Sing-Off,' the Beelzebubs compete for glory Despite their khakis, ties, and jackets, the all-male Beelzebubs are no fans of uniformity.

Press cameras were finally allowed inside the largely completed Newton North High School as city and construction officials gave the media a tour Monday of the most expensive public school in state history.

Newton's new mayor, Setti Warren, today announced he will kick off his administration with a two-day inauguration celebration centered on the theme ''Newton Comes Together.'' ''I believe we can come together and work together to move Newton forward again,'' the mayor-elect said in a release.

Some city of Newton retireees collect six figure pensions, according to a review by the Globe.

A handful of Newton retirees are collecting six-figure pensions, including the city's former police chief and a former top administrator in the school system, part of a multimillion-dollar liability for retirees that has some city officials and outside observers worried.

Newton mayor-elect Setti Warren fired the entire staff of the city's executive office yesterday, along with four other city officials.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE. There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate last week.

Gymnasia LLC has signed a long-term lease for 2,500 square feet at 1001 Watertown St.

This isn't the first time Newton has stood out from other Massachusetts communities, but it might be one of the more telling examples, cutting to the heart of the identity of a city that struggles to feel like a town.

Attorney General Martha M. Coakley coasted across the finish line tonight, handily defeating the well-financed campaigns of three other Democrats to capture the Democratic Senate nomination and set up a final election contest against Republican primary winner state Sen.

Khazei is counting on communities such as Newton, Needham, Arlington and Brookline.

It's that time of year where we're pelted with charity cases. Bell ringers outside Walgreens.

Boston has to offer and can enjoy a few attractions unique to Newton. Points of interest include the Jackson Homestead, built in 1809 and a crucial point on the Underground Railroad and Crystal Lake, a 33-acre naturally occurring lake where guests can row, swim and fish during the summer months.

The parents of Puerto Rican folkoric artist Roberta Cepeda created La Familia Cepeda and took the percussion-driven musical traditions bomba and plena around the world.

As an unseasonably warm December wind gusted through Newton Centre, 25 peace activists stood on the corner of Centre and Beacon Streets tonight holding signs protesting President Obama's recent announcement of troop escalation in Afghanistan.

They are the true believers of the tannenbaum, crusaders of the Christmas tree. They shun the long lines and mall madness of Black Friday to trek out to neat rows of evergreens lining the fields at Massachusetts farms.