Here are some of the stories that made headlines nearby last week. Original reporting by Wakefield Patch, Melrose Patch, Medford Patch and Stoneham Patch. Suspect in Medford Jogger Stabbing Arrested MEDFORD—A third man has been charged in connection to an attack on a Salem Street jogger on St. Patrick's Day last year. Ryan Shea, 20, of Somerville turned himself in to Medford Police Monday on charges he and three other men allegedly shouted from a car at a man jogging near the intersection of Salem Street and Park Street about 7:30 p.m. March 17. They got out of the car to punch the victim, …

Here are some of the stories that made headlines nearby last week. Original reporting by Wakefield Patch, Melrose Patch, Medford Patch and Stoneham Patch. Cornell West Visits Tufts, Predicts 'Magnificent Flowering' for Occupy Movement  MEDFORD—West, a professor, scholar and activist, spoke to students and other members of the Tufts at Cohen Auditorium Wednesday as part of the Faculty Progressive Caucus American Democracy in Crisis Series. He spoke for over two hours, touching on a wide range of subjects. Of the Occupy Movement, he said: "I think that this coming spring we are going to see …

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…

Here are some of the stories that made headlines nearby last week. Original reporting by Wakefield Patch, Melrose Patch, Medford Patch and Stoneham Patch. UPDATED: Stoneham Man Arraigned on Attempted Murder Charge for Allegedly Strangling Woman Middlesex Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan ordered the Stacey Jones, 35, held pending a dangerousness hearing slated for Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. in courtroom 630, according to a statement issued by Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone Thursday. Alleged Car Burglar Arrested Carrying 13 GPS Devices Melrose Police arrested during the wee …

Here are some of the stories that made headlines nearby last week. Original reporting by Wakefield Patch, Melrose Patch, Medford Patch and Stoneham Patch. Man Officially Charged in Salem Street Robbery  Wakefield Police detectives have officially charged Michael Gallella, 30, as the man responsible for robbing the Salem Variety Store in Wakefield at knife point on January 17.Gallella, who lists an address in Malden, was arrested for allegedly robbing Harrigan’s Liquor Store in Hamilton at knifepoint on Saturday. In addition to the Wakefield and Hamilton robberies, he is also suspected to be …

Here are some of the stories that made headlines nearby last week. Original reporting by Wakefield Patch, Melrose Patch, Medford Patch and Stoneham Patch. Man Faces Attempted Murder Charge in Alleged Domestic Assault  MELROSE—A North Reading man faces an attempted murder charge after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend last week at her Melrose apartment. Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Jan. 17, Daniel Lavallee returned to his girlfriend's basement Melrose apartment after an earlier argument, allegedly broke in and assaulted her, Melrose Police Lt. Mark DeCroteau said. The attempted …

Here are some of the story's that made headlines nearby last week. Original reporting by Wakefield Patch, Melrose Patch, Medford Patch and Stoneham Patch. UPDATED: Stoneham Man Remains in 'Critical Condition' at Massachusetts General Hospital  A 25-year-old Stoneham man may have been outside his disabled car when he was struck by a Ford Explorer, owned by WHDH Channel 7 and driven by a 42-year-old Sudbury man and employee of the TV station, on Route 93 near Exit 29 in Somerville, according to Massachusetts State Police. Suspect at Large for Variety Store Armed Robbery  Wakefield Police have …

Here are some of the top stories from Reading's neighbors last week. Original reporting by Melrose Patch, Stoneham Patch, Medford Patch and Wakefield Patch. Massive Underground Oil Leak at Wakefield Concrete Co.  WAKEFIELD—A Wakefield concrete company is in the process of cleaning more than 1,000 gallons of oil out of ground soil and testing the area's water supply and rivers after one of the company's underground tanks gave out last week. According to the Massachusetts Department of Enviornmental Protection (Mass DEP), J.G. Maclellan Concrete Company, located at 1 New Salem Street in …

UPDATED: Salem, N.H. Police Arrest Suspect in Stoneham and Saugus Shooting A man accused of being involved in shootings in Stoneham and Saugus Monday night was arrested and arraigned Tuesday in New Hampshire, according to a report by The Daily Item. Saugus Police contacted Salem, N.H., Police about 10 p.m. Monday that at least one suspect in the double shooting had possibly traveled to Salem, N.H., according to a press statement issued by Salem, N.H., Police. Police believe the two Massachusetts shootings were drug-related. Police in Salem, N.H., tracked down the vehicle allegedly involved in…

Medford EMTs Commended for Saving Life  MEDFORD—When John MacCorkle starting having trouble breathing after an electrical fire at his Forest St. home, he thought it was from smoke inhalation. But the paramedics treating him knew better. It took some persuading, but Erik Laighton and Michael Naughton convinced MacCorkle, 54, that he was having serious heart problems and needed to be taken to a hospital. He was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital by ambulance, where he went into cardiac arrest. A blood clot was found that, if not treated, could have been fatal, MacCorkle said. "It was a …

City Council Hikes Property Tax Rate MEDFORD—The Medford City Council voted unanimously 7-0 to raise the property tax rate for fiscal 2012 last night. The residential rate will increase from 11.61 percent to 12.03 percent. With the average single-family home last year priced at $346,550, an owner paid  $4023.45 in taxes. The projected average this year is $347,400, meaning homeowners will pay $4179.22, an increase of roughly $155. Superintendent Search Site Coming, Salary Set MELROSE—As Melrose enters 2012, the search for a new school district leader is ramping up. On Tuesday night, the …

$200k Taken in Medford Square Bank of America ATM Heist, Reward Offered   MEDFORD—The FBI and Bank of America are offering a $20,000 reward for information regarding the robbery of an ATM in Medford Square. About $200,000 was taken from the ATM at 26 High Street on Dec. 3. The FBI is seeking information from anyone who may have seen someone suspicious in the area either late at night Dec. 2 or early in the morning Dec. 3. The suspect was experienced with ATM or telecommunications technology, police said. Melrose Firefighters Battle Mattress Fire, Save Dogs  MELROSE—Melrose firefighters …

New York Woman Charged With Running Illegal Massage Parlor, Offering Sexual Favors to Clients STONEHAM—Fengxia Wang, 51, of Flushing, N.Y., faces charges of sexual conduct for a fee and operating an unlicensed massage parlor in Stoneham. In mid-November, Stoneham police's vice/narcotics unit and the Southern Middlesex Regional Drug Task Force launched an investigation following an anonymous tip about Wang allegedly offering sexual favors for a fee, according to Stoneham Police Chief Richard Bongiorno. Bail Set at $5k for Alleged Cyber Predator MEDFORD—A man who allegedly blackmailed a Medford…

Medford:Haitian Immigrants Sue Medford Housing Authority Over Alleged Civil Rights Violations: A family of Haitian immigrants has sued the Medford Housing Authority, claiming it didn't listen to warnings about a racist neighbor who eventually burned down their unit and gave white tenants preferential treatment.  Following the fire, the family says they were told by housing authority officials to find a homeless shelter to stay. Wakefield:Police Arrest 'Cross-Dressing Bank Robber' Suspect From 2010 Robberies: An anonymous tip lead the Wakefield Police to arrest an individual they believe is …

Medford:Planners Explain Possible Development Impact of Medford Green Line Stop: Medford City Councilors were shown how the area around Boston Avenue and Mystic Valley Parkway could be redeveloped if the Green Line were brought there. They also heard from residents, some who critiqued the development vision, or the possibility of the project in general, and others who supported it. In all, redevelopment around a station could bring over 100,000 square feet in new retail and office space, create as many as 240 new jobs, over 100 new residential units, double tax revenue and create about $25 …

Medford:Clinton at Tufts: Obama Comparison 'Burns Me Up':  Former President Bill Clinton said it burns him up when people compare President Barack Obama unfavorably to him, he's okay with paying more in taxes as part of the one percent, and thinks recently elected conservative congress people "must be stunned" at how quickly their approval ratings have dropped. Clinton delivered the Fares Lecture at Tufts University Sunday evening. Thousands lined up outside the Gantcher Center on the Tufts Campus for the high security event.  Wakefield:Two Officers Promoted at Wakefield Police Department - …

MelroseFormer Mayor 'Gentleman Jim' Milano Dies at 102: Former Melrose Mayor James "Jim" Milano, a beloved and respected icon of the city, died on Wednesday morning, weeks after turning 102 years old. Milano served as mayor from 1972 to 1992. A World War II veteran, Milano also served as a Melrose alderman—as did his father before him—for seven years before running for mayor. "They called him 'Gentleman Jim' for a reason," said former Mayor Dick Lyons, who took the reigns of the city after Milano. "He was just the personification of an ethical man with integrity." WakefieldCafe La Diva Coffee…

Medford:West Medford Shooting Victim Made 911 Call Before Passing Out: After being shot in the chest outside his Boston Avenue home in Medford Sunday night, Corey Audino, 27, called 9-1-1 and identified his attacker before he fell unconscious, police said. Damon Gentile, 33, of Gardener was later arrested in Leominster and charged with assault with intent to murder. He appeared in Somerville District Court Monday morning, where he was ordered held without bail.  Stoneham:Firefighters Battle Three-Alarm Blaze at Spring Street Home in Stoneham [PHOTOS, VIDEO]: Several fire departments battled a…

Wakefield:Wakefield Man Facing up to 20 Years in Jail for Alleged Ponzi Scheme: A Wakefield man is facing up to 20 years in jail after an indictment by the U.S. Department of Justice for allegedly defrauding about 150 people out of more than $350k in a fake fee-collecting scheme. Federal investigators say that Jamon Caswell, 33, of Wakefield, Lawrence Amirto, 58, of Boca Raton, Fla., and William Totaro, 60, of Pompano Beach, Fla., were indicted on charges of conspiracy and mail fraud related to an advanced fee scheme for a non-existant credit repair service.  Medford:Medford Man Held on 100k …

Congress Street Home Razed After Three-Alarm Blaze[PHOTOS, VIDEO] STONEHAM—A Congress Street home was demolished Monday afternoon following a three-alarm fire that ravaged the structure during the early morning hours. The fire began about 4:30 a.m. at 13 Congress St., according to Stoneham Fire Chief Joseph Rolli.  No one was injured in the blaze, according to Rolli. About six people living at the two-and-a-half story home have been displaced and the American Red Cross is providing hotel rooms for the affected families. Boston Police Arrest Occupy Protesters BOSTON—Boston Police moved in on a…