Enid O'Donnell reads about the plans to shut the West Newton turnpike ramp, at least temporarily, and wonders what in the world the turnpike authority was thinking. She e-mails:

This is just outrageous - the traffic back up is not because of people entering at Route 16 eastbound, but rather due to all of the people trying to get off on exit 17 Newton Corner to cut over to Charles River Road and Storrow Drive!!! Have they ever tried to navigate the "circle of death" in the morning commute? I enter from Centre Street and attempt to get on the Mass Pike - a straight shot you should think - but with the daily buses stopping on the right, and the right lane turning into a right turn only lane, maneuvering into even one lane to the left is a nightmare!!! A better option if they were really concerned about traffic would be to prevent people from exiting at exit 17 - I don't think they're concerned about traffic at all - just concerned about how much money they are losing by not charging those people who are avoiding the Weston tolls. This is just punishing the citizens of Newton and will create even more backup at Newton Corner.

Chuck Tanowitz reports seeing a fox in West Newton this morning:

This is a very urban neighborhood and it was crossing the street next to my house.

No, really.

Kristine reports the Store 24 in West Newton is closing Nov. 26.