Network disruptions at Town Hall have affected multiple public meetings as well as municipal work this week, but Swampscott was still happening on one of the final weeks of summer.

Speaking of fall coming and school starting soon, Swampscott High School placed No. 58 among Massachusetts’ public high schools in new rankings from U.S. News & World Reports. The high school also ranked among the top 5% of more than 27,000 high schools nationwide.

In other news, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has confirmed the presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly in Swampscott. Spotted lanternflies can feed on a variety of plants and trees. Large infestations can damage agricultural crops and become a nuisance in outdoor spaces. They can gather in large numbers and produce a sticky, sugary substance, called “honeydew,” which can coat surfaces and plants.

The eviction case against Lincoln’s Landing was back in court on Thursday. The case was continued for two weeks amid a dispute over documents and whether two rent checks had cleared the bank.

“I prefer that you work it out,” said Judge Leo Fama II. “If it’s just a clerical issue, I’d rather see you work it out.”

Also in court on Thursday was Nick Ashtar-Zadeh, of Dracut, who was arrested in July following an investigation into  a “report of suspicious activity involving a motor vehicle with damage to the property” at Swampscott’s Congregation Shirat Hayam of the North Shore on Tuesday, June 30 around 7:31 a.m.

Ashtar-Zadeh was ordered to the correctional facility in lieu of posting the $3,000 cash bail ordered by the court. Judge Joe Fama II ordered the case into discovery, after which the court will determine whether it will proceed as a bench or jury trial.

Ashtar-Zadeh is scheduled to return to court via video conference on September 22.

In sports,  Swampscott native Aidan Emmerich dominated the final round of the 2026 Massachusetts Amateur Golf Championship and spoke to the Swampscott Tides about it and his future plans.

Looking ahead, Swampscott PorchFest will be back next weekend on August 29 from noon to 6 p.m., with Sunday, August 30 as the rain date. The town will transform into a stage for free, family-friendly performances ranging from folk and bluegrass to classic rock and more. 

Dan Koh, who is running for Congress in the Massachusetts 6th District, will be featured at the 85 Monument Ave location, performing as “Koh & Co.” from 3:30 to 4 p.m. after the Swampscott-Marblehead band B-Side Hustle. Other highlights include Assistant Town Clerk Michael Brison at 144 Elmwood Road and bluegrass band Familiar Strangers at 87 Farragut Road. The Blue Little Band will kick off the afternoon at noon at Linscott Park, and the Tin Box Poets will have an open mike from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 64 Humphrey Street. 

Check out the rest of the schedule. 

And since there was not a “photos of the week” installment last week when Managing Editor Monica Sager was on vacation, enjoy some photos from last week mixed into the slideshow.