Medford, Massachusetts
Est. 2026 · Free to Read
Medford Mercury
The Smartest Way to Keep Up with Medford
Morning Edition
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Vol. I · No. 10 Drug Take-Back·Invasive Plants·MHS Update·Events Past Issues
Public Safety · Today

Turn In Your Unused Medications Today — Drug Take-Back at Medford Police HQ

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day runs 10 AM to 2 PM at 100 Main Street — no questions asked, completely free, and the safest way to dispose of medications you no longer need.

Today is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and the Medford Police Department is participating at its headquarters at 100 Main Street from 10 AM to 2 PM. Residents can drop off unused, expired, or unwanted prescription medications for safe disposal — no questions asked, no identification required.

Accepted items include prescription pills, patches, and liquids. Needles and sharps are not accepted at this event. The DEA coordinates the national program twice a year to keep unused medications out of medicine cabinets, away from children and teens, and out of the water supply.

Last fall’s national take-back event collected over 600 tons of medications at more than 4,000 sites across the country.

Why it matters

Unused prescription medications are a leading source of drug misuse, particularly among teenagers. Flushing medications contaminates drinking water. Disposal at a take-back site is the cleanest, safest option — and it takes about 30 seconds.

10–2
Environment · Today

Invasive Plant Walk & Talk — Whip Hill Park, Stoneham (10 AM)

The city’s Arbor Day invasive tree walk runs today from 10 AM to 3 PM at Whip Hill Park Conservation Center in Stoneham, just north of Medford. The guided walk covers how to identify invasive plant species — including tree-of-heaven, Japanese knotweed, and bittersweet — and what residents can do to manage them on their own property.

Invasive plants are a growing concern across Greater Boston, displacing native species and degrading habitat along the Mystic River corridor and in Middlesex Fells. The walk is free and open to all experience levels.

This Weekend
Today 10 AM Drug Take-Back Day · Medford Police HQ, 100 Main St
Today 10 AM Invasive Plant Walk · Whip Hill Park, Stoneham
Today 2 PM VIDA 2026 · Somerville Museum, 24 Liberty Ave · from $17.85
Today 10 AM Storytime at Moon & Back · 458 High St · Free
Mon Apr 27 MHS Building Committee Meeting · 6:30 PM · MHS & Zoom
Tue Apr 28 City Council Meeting · 7:00 PM
May 2 Kentucky Derby Watch Party · Great American Beer Hall
Schools · Community

MHS Building Committee: Monday Meeting Will Shape Medford’s School Future

The Medford High School Building Committee meets Monday April 27 at 6:30 PM at Medford High School and via Zoom. The meeting follows last week’s decision to advance six design concepts for further study — a move that has sparked spirited community debate about the school’s future.

Committee Chair Jenny Graham has been fielding questions from residents concerned about the scope of the project, potential costs, and whether renovation versus new construction is the right approach. Gotta Know Medford has been covering this story closely at gottaknowmedford.com.

The committee is expected to present more detailed analysis of each of the six concepts at Monday’s meeting. Zoom link will be posted at medfordma.org ahead of the meeting.

Apr 27Next MHS Meeting
DPW · Street Sweeping Update

Big Sweep: Zone 5 Monday — Are You Clear?

Zones 1–4 complete
Apr 21–24 — done
Monday Apr 27
Zone 5 — move cars by 8 AM
Tuesday Apr 28
Zone 8
Check your zone
medfordma.org/departments/dpw · or look for posted signs on your street
Today in Medford · Saturday, April 25, 2026

Today’s Events

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Free
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Medford Police HQ · 100 Main St · No ID required
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM · Free
Invasive Plant Walk & Talk
Whip Hill Park Conservation Center, Stoneham · Arbor Day edition
10:30 AM · Free
Storytime at Moon and Back Bookstore
458 High St, Medford Square
2:00 PM · From $17.85
VIDA 2026
Somerville Museum · 24 Liberty Ave, Somerville