Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What Acton’s new deputy police chief will oversee in your community
You won't want to miss Summer Friday Nights Free! on the Acton Patch calendar

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!)
- 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
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Acton
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Summer Friday Nights Free! →
Discovery Museum, 177 Main St, Acton
4:30 pm
Friday August 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- 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 - 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 - Worship With Us! Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Featuring Soloist Sofia Santoro →
Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
9:30 am - Worship With Us! Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Featuring Shawn McCann →
Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
9:30 am - Concord Orchestra Open Rehearsal →
51 Walden St, Concord
7:30 pm - Worship With Us! Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Feauturing Violist Eve Boltax →
Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
9:30 am
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Sunday August 23
Sunday August 30
Tuesday September 1
Sunday September 6
📣 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! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 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!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.