🌱 Patch AM: How a teen’s AI flood tool could soon protect North Reading

Hello again North Reading! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a teen's AI flood tool could soon protect North Reading
• What North Reading's rep backed in this week's Beacon Hill votes

Also on today's calendar: Family Festival Faith & Fun and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Very warm; fog in the morning, with a high of 87 and low of 65 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Thursday: An afternoon shower possible, temps: high: 83, low: 59.
• Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 81 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• A Mass. high schooler invented an AI-powered flood predictor. It could wind up saving lives throughout the US. (boston.com) — North Reading is beginning to integrate a new AI-powered flood prediction system, Project IRIS, developed by a St. John's Prep student to give 24–72 hour alerts and speed emergency response. Built and tested on the Ipswich River, the tool uses satellite imagery to warn local officials and rescue teams about rising water. Wilmington and North Reading engineers are piloting it now, with hopes it could eventually protect communities nationwide.
   

• Beacon Hill Roll Call, Aug. 10-14 (gazettenet.com) — North Reading's state representative Brad Jones is spotlighted for sponsoring a bill creating a free Medal of Fidelity license plate to honor families of veterans who died from service-related injuries or illnesses. The broader Beacon Hill roundup also covers expanded 'move over' protections for utility trucks, new penalties for fire code violations, abortion law changes, book-ban protections, and several other statewide measures that could indirectly affect local residents.
   

📸 Around North Reading

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🗓 Upcoming Events in North Reading

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★ Featured events ★

Saturday August 22
• Family Festival Faith & Fun →
  Stoneham Town Common, 340 Main St, Stoneham
  10:00 am
Sunday August 23
• 2026 Peabody Community Market →
  Community Covenant Church, 33 Lake St, Peabody
  3:00 pm
Thursday August 27
• Austin Prep: Summer Preview →
  Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow St, Reading
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday August 19
• Trustees Meeting
  Flint Memorial Library Conference Room , 147 Park Street, North R
  7:00 pm
Thursday August 20
• Chair Yoga (North Reading Senior Center)
  Flint Memorial Library Activity Room , 147 Park Street, North Rea
  9:30 am
Friday August 21
• Exercise with Emma (NR Senior Center)
  Flint Memorial Library Activity Room , 147 Park Street, North Rea
  9:00 am
• Stories & Bubbles
  Flint Memorial Library See program description for details
  10:30 am
• Cardio Drumming (North Reading Senior Center)
  Flint Memorial Library Activity Room , 147 Park Street, North Rea
  11:30 am
Saturday August 22
• North Reading Community Coffeehouse Outdoor Summer Series at Ipswic
  Flint Memorial Library Activity Room , 147 Park Street, North Rea
  4:00 pm
• JOEY VOICES MASTER SINGING IMPRESSIONIST COMEDIAN AND COMEDIAN MIKE VISELLI →
  Kitty's Restaurant & Lounge, 123 Main St, North Reading
  7:30 pm
Monday August 24
• Exercise with Emma (NR Senior Center)
  Flint Memorial Library Activity Room , 147 Park Street, North Rea
  9:00 am
Saturday August 29
• Wakefield Porchfest 2026 →
  60 locations around Wakefield
  12:00 pm

📣 North Reading 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 North Reading PatchAM possible:

• J & J Homecare LLC — (978) 569-8050
• VNA Senior Living — (617) 776-9800
• Burbank YMCA — (781) 944-9622
• Partners In Rehabilitation LLC — (978) 447-1012
• Champion Soccer School
• Austin Preparatory School — (781) 944-4900

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🗞 Nearby News

Reading

• Austin Prep Makes History With National Middle School Honor (thereadingpost.com)
• 🔎 Audit Committee 8-10-26 AI Recap (readingrecap.com)
• 8/18/26 - Day 2 of the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon! (audacy.com)

Wilmington

• NOW HIRING: 10 New Job Openings In Wilmington (August 18, 2026) (wilmingtonapple.com)

Ok North Reading! 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: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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