About Jeanne Rooney

Jeanne Rooney is the Editor in Chief for South Boston Online.
9 09, 2026

South Boston Street Fest Returns September 19

2026-09-09T18:08:20-04:00September 9th, 2026|Categories: Business, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|0 Comments

One of South Boston’s favorite days of the year is almost here. The 26th South Boston Street Fest returns Saturday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing East Broadway between I and L streets to life with local businesses, live music, food, shopping, artists, family activities, and everything that makes South Boston such a special community. Presented by the South Boston Chamber of Commerce and South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (South Boston NDC), the Street Fest is more than a neighborhood festival. It is a day dedicated to celebrating and supporting the small businesses, organizations, and people who make South Boston what it is. “The Street Fest is really about showing off the best of South Boston,” said Jenni McNeill, Director of the [...]

28 08, 2026

Legendary Bargains, Suited to Perfection & Winning Friendships!

2026-08-28T09:24:00-04:00August 28th, 2026|Categories: Business, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Legendary Bargains, Suited to Perfection & Winning Friendships!

Boston’s legendary Filene’s Basement, a Dorchester/Southie suit salesman and a friendship with Jack Kent Cooke the owner of the Super Bowl winning Redskins Submitted by Paul Kenney When 72-year-old Robert Pacitti, a native son of Dorchester’s Savin Hill neighborhood, married Sharen Stokinger of South Boston in 1974, he migrated with his new bride five miles to the north and comfortably settled into his new Southie environment. Pacitti, never on one to shy away from accepting a new challenge, quickly immersed himself in the culture of volunteerism, which is a hallmark of the fabric and identity of the close-knit enclave of South Boston. He has quietly helped raise millions for various charitable causes, a favorite of which is “The South Boston Special Kids Program,” and his [...]

12 08, 2026

Runway 27 Construction Could Bring Changes for South Boston

2026-08-12T19:31:17-04:00August 12th, 2026|Categories: Business, Featured, Happenings, News|Comments Off on Runway 27 Construction Could Bring Changes for South Boston

Construction on a major safety improvement project at Boston Logan International Airport is set to resume later this month, and South Boston residents could see changes in aircraft activity — and potentially some flight delays — while the work is underway. The project, required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is designed to bring the safety area at the eastern end of Logan’s Runway 27 up to current federal standards. The runway end, located closest to Winthrop, does not currently meet FAA requirements for runway undershoot and overrun protection. Massport held a virtual information session Wednesday evening to discuss the project’s purpose, schedule, and temporary impacts. Massport began the multi-year project in September 2025. Construction will resume with a substantial closure of Runway 27 beginning Aug. [...]

3 08, 2026

Sen. Collins, Rep. Biele Deliver Over $1.4 Million for South Boston in FY27 State Budget

2026-08-03T08:22:31-04:00August 3rd, 2026|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on Sen. Collins, Rep. Biele Deliver Over $1.4 Million for South Boston in FY27 State Budget

Senator Nick Collins and Representative David Biele announced that the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget, recently signed into law by Governor Maura Healey, delivers significant resources for South Boston with investments in public safety, education, healthcare, workforce development, senior services, and waterfront resilience. Included in the spending plan are investments for youth educational services at: the Tierney Learning Center; Boston Music Project programs at the Condon Community Center, Perkins School, and the Perry School; the South Boston Neighborhood House; and the Harry McDonough Sailing Center The FY27 budget also includes resources to support and uplift families through an investment in Julie's Family Learning Program, investments for local small businesses by supporting the South Boston Street Festival through the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, and programs [...]

30 07, 2026

Senate Passes Senator Collins’ Property Tax Relief Legislation for Second Time Unanimously

2026-07-30T09:48:33-04:00July 30th, 2026|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on Senate Passes Senator Collins’ Property Tax Relief Legislation for Second Time Unanimously

Measure would provide property tax relief to homeowners, seniors and small businesses The Massachusetts Senate unanimously adopted an amendment to the economic development bill offered by Senator Nick Collins that would deliver property tax relief for the second time this legislative session.  The amendment was approved during debate on the Senate’s economic development legislation and contains the same provisions as S.2900, Senator Collins’ municipal property tax relief bill, which previously passed the Senate 37-1 earlier in the legislative session. The measure would allow municipalities to use surplus funds to issue rebates to homeowners who received the residential exemption in the prior fiscal year. By reducing the property tax burden on residential properties, the proposal would also help renters who face rising housing costs when taxes [...]

29 07, 2026

Councilor Flynn to Chair a Hearing On Animal Control Enforcement, Leash Law Compliance & Dog Licensing

2026-07-29T13:28:30-04:00July 29th, 2026|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on Councilor Flynn to Chair a Hearing On Animal Control Enforcement, Leash Law Compliance & Dog Licensing

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn will chair a City Services hearing on animal control enforcement, leash law compliance, dog licensing, and public safety in the City of Boston sponsored by both himself and Councilor Murphy. Boston Animal Care and Control, as well as applicable municipal and state laws, maintains clear regulations governing dog ownership, including leash requirements, licensing mandates, and public safety protections. Interested neighbors who would like to attend the hearing in-person, or to testify virtually via Zoom, are invited to please reach out tomeagan.corugedo@boston.gov. If you would like to also provide written testimony, you can email the committee at ccc.csit@boston.gov or email ed.flynn@boston.gov. Neighbors are also invited to watch the livestream of the hearing at the following link: www.boston.gov/city-council-tv. City law requires that [...]

25 06, 2026

Community Meeting: The South Boston High School Building

2026-06-25T08:46:01-04:00June 25th, 2026|Categories: Education, Featured|Comments Off on Community Meeting: The South Boston High School Building

by Rick Winterson The City of Boston held a Community Meeting at the Tynan Community Center on East Fourth Street. The topic was “Planning for the Future of 95 G Street”, where Excel High School now sits. Lydia Polaski, the South Boston Liaison from Mayor Wu’s Office of Neighborhood Services, conducted this meeting, along with six members of the 14-person BPS Project Team that is planning the future of the High School. So a valid question to everyone in South Boston is “What comes next for the school building and its site at 95 G Street?” The Boston School Committee already voted to retain the building as a Boston Public Schools (BPS) high school. We heard a number of rumors about the 95 G site’s [...]

23 06, 2026

Flynn Files Resolution to Support Recently Laid Off Boston Public Schools (BPS) Employees

2026-06-23T16:28:43-04:00June 23rd, 2026|Categories: Education|Comments Off on Flynn Files Resolution to Support Recently Laid Off Boston Public Schools (BPS) Employees

Following the recent vote by the Boston City Council to approve the FY27 Boston Public Schools (BPS) budget, hundreds of teachers, paraprofessionals and other front line workers are expected to lose their jobs. In response, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a resolution in support of recently laid off BPS employees and to prioritize potential re-employment opportunities. These dedicated and compassionate workers are our neighbors and have demonstrated a commitment to provide social services to many of the most vulnerable residents in our city - students with disabilities. As we reflect on the impact it will have on these BPS employees and their families, we also must acknowledge it will negatively impact students with disabilities and services and programs they are entitled to by law. [...]

11 06, 2026

Ollie Rededicates and Expands Diaper Depot

2026-06-11T14:18:12-04:00June 11th, 2026|Categories: Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Ollie Rededicates and Expands Diaper Depot

The South Boston Neighborhood House celebrated the rededication and expansion of Ollie’s Diaper Depot on Wednesday morning, marking a major milestone for a program that has become a vital resource for hundreds of local families. Community leaders, elected officials, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and families gathered at the South Boston Neighborhood House Preschool on Columbia Road to celebrate the addition of a second operational shipping container, allowing the Diaper Depot to expand its reach and serve even more families in need. Donors and supporters who were recognized at the ceremony included Tommy Butler from Massport, Kahlil Olmstead from the Select Group, and representatives from the South Boston MOMS Club, Colin's Joy Project, and the United Way. “This amazing expansion of the Ollie’s Diaper Depot” represents “a [...]

3 06, 2026

New Soccer Pitches at West Broadway Create Lasting World Cup Legacy in South Boston

2026-06-03T21:01:53-04:00June 3rd, 2026|Categories: Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle, News, Sports|Comments Off on New Soccer Pitches at West Broadway Create Lasting World Cup Legacy in South Boston

As FIFA World Cup excitement builds across Boston, a new community soccer facility at West Broadway is ensuring the tournament's impact will extend far beyond the final whistle. Community leaders, residents, nonprofit partners, and city officials gathered Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the new Visa Street Soccer Park at the West Broadway housing development, featuring two mini soccer pitches and free programming for local youth and families. The project is part of a nationwide effort led by Street Soccer USA, Visa, and Bank of America to create lasting community benefits in all 11 U.S. host cities. "Our mission is to fight poverty and strengthen communities through soccer," said Lawrence Cann, co-founder with his brother, Rob, of the nonprofit Street Soccer USA. Cann said the [...]

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