The Reading Post

Deborah A. (Farris, Lane) Brophy. Known best by those closest to her as “Kiki, ” she passed away at home, peacefully, with her husband at her side and family close by. Tuesday, June 30, 2026. After a long illness. She was 69. Born in Reading, MA, in 1956, to the late Grayel and Gail Farris (Conti), Deb spent most of her childhood there. Deb graduated from Reading High School in 1974. In 1982, Debbie moved to North Reading to raise her growing family.

Joan L. “Joanie” (Sherman) Murphy, of Reading, formerly of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at her home with her family by her side. She was 68 years of age. Joanie loved summer vacations in Sandwich with her family, camping trips, and enjoyed many ski vacations with her husband, brothers, and sisters.

Reading, MA – Excerpts from the Reading Police and Fire log: 8:42 AM: A resident on Abigail Way reported attempted identity theft. No financial loss was reported. 10:05 AM: Firefighters responded to a fire alarm activation at The Met on Lincoln Street. The activation was related to ongoing work, and the response was reduced. 1:29 PM: An officer was flagged down at Bank of America on Main Street regarding metal shavings near the bank entrance.

Reading, MA – Excerpts from the Reading Police and Fire log: 8:42 AM: A resident on Abigail Way reported attempted identity theft. No financial loss was reported. 10:05 AM: Firefighters responded to a fire alarm activation at The Met on Lincoln Street. The activation was related to ongoing work, and the response was reduced. 1:29 PM: An officer was flagged down at Bank of America on Main Street regarding metal shavings near the bank entrance.

Reading, MA – Excerpts from the Reading Police and Fire log: 7:04 AM: DPW was notified about two deceased birds in the roadway at Green Street and Ash Street. 7:12 AM: A woman reported losing her car keys on Haven Street. 8:27 AM: Police received a report of a caller behaving aggressively toward staff over the phone on Woburn Street. 8:40 AM: A wallet was turned in at Home Depot on Walkers Brook Drive.

Born in 1934, Esther was raised on a chicken farm in Lexington, one of ten children in a large, close-knit Italian family. Her parents, Dominic and Lilliana (Belladonna) Iovino, immigrated from Avellino, Italy, and instilled in their children the values of hard work, resilience, and dedication to family—values that would guide her throughout her life. After graduating from Lexington High School and completing secretarial school, she began her career in Boston before joining Lincoln Laboratory.

From Left to Right: RCTV Executive Director, Deirdre Morales, RCTV Scholarship Recipient, Ben Goldlust, and RCTV Deputy Executive Director, Angela Merrill. Reading, MA — Reading Community Television (RCTV) is proud to announce that Ben Goldlust has been selected as the recipient of the organization’s annual scholarship, in recognition of his years of dedication, creativity, and commitment to community media.

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass new energy affordability legislation that is projected to deliver billions in savings to ratepayers across the Commonwealth while keeping Massachusetts on track to meet its climate goals.

Reading, MA — The Five Star Theatre Company, a Reading-based nonprofit youth theatre program, will present Disney’s Moana JR. this July, capping off a four-week summer program that combines musical theatre rehearsal with daily workshops in performance, voice, and ensemble building. Performances are open to the public and will be held at the William E.

BOSTON – Due to unforeseen circumstances, the monthly district office hours of House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) scheduled for Friday, July 10, have been canceled. Constituents in need of assistance can contact Representative Jones’ office at (617) 722-2100. They can also e-mail him at Bradley.Jones@mahouse.gov or e-mail his District Aide, Brittany Carisella, at Brittany.Carisella@mahouse.gov. Regular office hours will resume next month on Friday, August 14.