Here are some of the stories that made headlines nearby last week.

Original reporting by Wakefield Patch, Melrose Patch, Medford Patch and Malden Patch.

Two-Alarm Fire Strikes Vine Street Home

MELROSE—Melrose firefighters knocked down a two-alarm fire at a duplex-style two-family home at 3 Vine St. Tuesday afternoon that has left an apartment uninhabitable. Melrose Fire Capt. John White said it appeared that construction work was being done on the outside of the home facing Myrtle Street, where the fire started and was mainly contained. 

Speeding Stop Leads to Cocaine Bust in Medford 

MEDFORD—A routine speeding stop last week near Fulton Street led to the discovery of nearly two ounces of cocaine in a hidden compartment of a mini-van, according to a police report. Police allegedly found 14 plastic bags containing 1/8 ounce of cocaine each, and two one-gram bags of cocaine in a hidden compartment in the floor of a van driven by Seymour Hernandez-Garcia, 28, of Peabody on Friday. The discovery came after a State Police K-9 searched the van and police obtained a search warrant to open the hidden compartment, according to the report.

Malden Crime Rate Lowest in Years

MALDEN—Though the city still warns residents to remain vigilant against crime, new statistics released by the Malden Police Department reflect both short- and long-term improvements in the city's crime rate, for both violent and non-violent offenses. According to the report, the total number of major crimes reported in the city are at their lowest in at least 6 years. Arrests, too, are at a six-year low.

Wakefield Native Joins NBC's 'The Voice'  

WAKEFIELD—A Wakefield native joined NBC's singing compeition "The Voice" on Monday night. James Massone, 23 a graduate of Wakefield Memorial High School Class of 2006, performed a cover of "Find your Love" by Drake and was accepted onto the show. "This audition is the biggest thing I've ever done," he said on the show.