Hotel firm buys Doubletree in Waltham

About five years ago, right after she had her third child, Lowell resident Cindi Hevner took a new job that would allow her to earn money and still have time for her children - she became a server at a Ninety Nine Restaurant.

The Waltham Education and Beyond Foundation on Tuesday awarded grants that will be used to update library technology, ramp up literacy programs, and even allow for actors to visit elementary schools to act out dramatic texts in the classroom.

Apart from a stint as eighth-grade class president, Steve Pagliuca has never served in a government post. But the Weston venture capitalist and Celtics co-owner says his longtime civic engagement, wide-ranging international travel, and ground-level exposure to job creation and health care costs means he is ready to make the jump into the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Ted Kennedy.

Olde English bulldogges get ready to strut their stuff at Pizzi Farms in Waltham on Saturday.

A local developer plans to build eight town homes at the former Piety Corner Nursing Home site on Bacon Street.

Iliana Burton instructs her students during a Zumba dance class at the Waltham YMCA on Wednesday.

Waltham Police investigate a two-car accident on Lexington Street on Wednesday night. One person went to the hospital.

Police said they arrested a Waltham man after he stole about $2,500 over two weeks from cash registers at Walmart.

Longtime State Auditor Joseph DeNucci said it's an emotional time for him, looking back on more than three decades of public service.

Gov. Deval Patrick released a state-sponsored report on foreign-born residents yesterday that calls for allowing illegal immigrants to apply for college financial aid, in-state tuition and, eventually, driver's licenses.

PDF: Read the entire New Americans report