Top Five Stories Last Week

In case you missed the top stories this past week, here is a list of five articles that topped the charts.

1. Macaroni Grill to Pay $20K in Fines After Failing Health Inspection. The Macaroni Grill failed a routine health inspection last December with 31 violations, according to Health Department Director Ruth Clay. The restaurant will pay $20,000 in fines.  During a routine health inspection on Dec. 18,Macaroni Grill had 31 violations including six critical violations and 25 non-critical violations.

2. North Reading SSBC Plans Special Election and Town Meeting for School Building Project. Late in 2012, the Secondary Schools Building Committee (SSBC) learned that some line items exceeded original budget estimates for the school building project. With the construction documents for the project currently 60 percent complete, the SSBC foresees more cost overruns once the documents are 90 percent complete. Therefore, they plan to ask the town for additional funds at a Special Election and Special Town Meeting.

3. New North Reading Fire Chief Ready to Be Sworn In [VIDEO]. Acting Fire Chief William Warnock was introduced as North Reading's new fire chief at Monday's selectmen meeting. Warnock attended the meeting with his wife Kim and three sons Ryan, Reid and RJ.

4. Reading's Sweet K Cookies Featured on 'The Dish'. Kristin Foristall, owner of Sweet K cookies, will be featured on the television show The Dish creating a cookie bouquet for Valentine's Day. Watch your fellow Reading resident on the hit show in February.

5. North Reading Hires New Planning Administrator. Danielle McKnight was hired as the new Town Planner in North Reading. She began working Jan. 2 and is still getting to know the town.