🌱 Patch AM: What Acton’s new deputy police chief will oversee in your community

Hi Acton! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What Acton's new deputy police chief will oversee in your community
• See how Acton-Boxborough ranked among Massachusetts' best high schools

Also on today's calendar: VBS Compassion Camp and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A p.m. shower in places, with a high of 85 and low of 56 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 57.
• Saturday: A brief afternoon shower, with a high of 69 and low of 63 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Acton MA Police promotes Christopher Hodges to deputy chief (wickedlocal.com) — Acton residents have a new deputy police chief, as longtime officer Christopher Hodges steps into the role overseeing daily department operations and staff support. Hodges, who joined Acton Police in 2016 after serving in Manchester, Conn., helped launch the body-worn camera program and brings more than 20 years of experience to the department's leadership team.
   

• These Are The Best Public High Schools In MA For 2026-27: U.S. News (patch.com) — Acton-Boxborough Regional High School earned a spot among Massachusetts' top 25 public high schools, ranking No. 276 nationally in U.S. News & World Report's 2026–27 list. The rankings weigh test performance, graduation rates, AP and IB participation, and how well schools serve underserved students, with Massachusetts leading the nation in share of top-ranked schools.
   

📸 Around Acton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Acton

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★ Featured events ★

Friday August 21
• Summer Friday Nights Free! →
  Discovery Museum, 177 Main St, Acton
  4:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday August 20
• VBS Compassion Camp →
  Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
  9:00 am
• Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee - Aug 20 2026
  Acton-Boxborough Regional School District Acton, MA 01720
  6:30 pm
• Virtual - Inclusive and Diverse Book Recs with Bookstagrammer @some
  Acton Memorial Library Zoom
  7:30 pm
Friday August 21
• VBS Compassion Camp →
  Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
  9:00 am
• Into The Floyd - An Interstellar Journey Into the Music of Pink Floyd →
  NARA Park, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton
  9:00 am
• Pre-K to 1st grade Crafting
  Acton Memorial Library Children's Craft Room , 486 Main Stre
  10:00 am
• Sensory Storytime
  Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room A , 486 Main Street, Acton
  11:30 am
Sunday August 23
• Worship With Us! Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Featuring Soloist Sofia Santoro →
  Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
  9:30 am
Sunday August 30
• Worship With Us! Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Featuring Shawn McCann →
  Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
  9:30 am
Tuesday September 1
• Concord Orchestra Open Rehearsal →
  51 Walden St, Concord
  7:30 pm
Sunday September 6
• Worship With Us! Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Feauturing Violist Eve Boltax →
  Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
  9:30 am

📣 Acton Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Acton PatchAM possible:

• Denommee Plumbing, HVAC & Electric — (781) 214-8648
• RowCal - Boston — (603) 204-2171
• Prowash Pressure Washing — (508) 269-0849
• 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric — (781) 451-1017
• Harbor Strength Pelvic Health — (508) 418-3447
• KINISI — (978) 795-4131
• AlligatorShot boutique tennis academy — (617) 447-0532
• Saltbox — 978 - 610 - 6020

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Landscaping and Retaining wall
  I would like to do a front step replacement using stone/pavers and a retaining wall. If you know of a reliable contractor who has done a good job for… (Nextdoor South Acton)

• Whole Foods Market, Inc. posted a job opening for Overnight Bakery Production Team Member (Food Preparation) - Full Time in Sudbury. Apply here.
• Whole Foods posted a job opening for Produce Team Member (Clerk, Floor Service) - Full Time in Sudbury. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Acton here.

🗞 Nearby News

Concord

• Concord Police log highlights: July 29-August 4, 2026 (concordbridge.org)
• UK-based L&G sets sights on Concord for first US ground-up development (bostonagentmagazine.com)
• Local Event: Concord Orchestra Open Rehearsal (patch.com)

Maynard

• Carolina Hurricanes Foundation Delivers Canes-Themed Hospital Gowns (nhl.com)

Sudbury

• Sudbury To Mark 25th Anniversary Of September 11 Attacks (patch.com)

Ok Acton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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