DOJ Personnel Sent To MA Polls: Patch PM

It's Monday, Nov. 2. Here's what Patch has been covering in Middlesex County and across Massachusetts today.

U.S. DOJ Sending Personnel To Monitor Malden Polls

The U.S. Department of Justice plans to send personnel from its Civil Rights Division to monitor polls in Malden Tuesday. The city is one of five communities in Massachusetts and 44 voting jurisdictions nationwide where the DOJ will monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws, according to a statement from the agency.

"Federal law entrusts the Civil Rights Division with protecting the right to vote for all Americans," Eric Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, said in a statement. "Our federal laws protect the right of all American citizens to vote without suffering discrimination, intimidation, and harassment. The work of the Civil Rights Division around each federal general election is a continuation of its historical mission to ensure that all of our citizens can freely exercise this most fundamental American right."

Monitors will focus on compliance with the Voting Rights Act and other laws enforced by the Civil Rights Division. They will consist of civil rights personnel from the DOJ and U.S. Attorney's office and maintain in close contact with local and state election officials.

In addition to Malden, personnel will be sent to Boston, Lowell, Quincy and Springfield.

Read more here.

Elsewhere in Middlesex County

Scammer Threatening To Cut Off Residents' Power In Reading

Reading residents have been targeted by a scammer pretending to work for the Reading Municipal Light Department. The scammer calls residents and threatens to shut their electricity off immediately if a payment isn't made.

"The scammer has gone so far as to provide a work order number for the shut off, and has an automated phone recording impersonating the RMLD if the customer calls back," town officials said.

Mystic Avenue Bus Lane Aims For Smoother Morning Commute

A new quick-build bus priority lane will be added in late November to the eastbound side of Mystic Avenue (Route 38) between Main Street in Medford and Wheatland Street in Somerville.

The project is a joint effort between the cities of Somerville and Medford and MassDOT, designed to create shorter bus rides, better reliability and more social distancing along the 95 bus route.

Medford's 'Red' Designation Will Not Affect School Reopening

It's not yet time to start amending the school reopening plan in Medford. The city marked its first week on the state's high-risk, or "red," list Thursday, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reported one COVID-19 case among students and two among teachers in Medford from Oct. 22-28.

But state guidelines say Medford has three more weeks before it should consider closing schools. Gov. Charlie Baker and the DESE have advised districts not to roll back their reopening plans until they are in the "red" category for four consecutive weeks.

Lexington To Host Anti-Hate Presentation

Lexington will host an anti-hate and anti-racism presentation on Nov. 15.

The presentation, titled "Interrupting Racist Hatred Can Save Someone's Life" is part of the town's No Hate November series. The presentation will focus on lessons learned after the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Vincent Chin.

What Everyone's Talking About Today

Business Curfews, Mask Mandate Among Sweeping New MA Restrictions

Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced sweeping new restrictions as coronavirus cases continue to surge across Massachusetts.

Restaurant dine-in service will end at 9:30 p.m. and other businesses such as gyms, casinos, theaters and liquor stores must close at that time. That gives people 30 minutes to get home before a reinstated stay-at-home advisory goes into effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

The mask mandate has been expanded to include anyone over the age of 5 in any public setting, regardless of social distancing.

The limit on gatherings will be reduced to 10 people indoors and 25 people outside.
The restrictions take effect Friday and there's no timeline for when they might expire.

>>>Related: These Businesses, Services Must Close At 9:30 Beginning Friday

1,000 MA National Guard Members Activated Ahead Of Election

Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday signed an executive order activating up to 1,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard for Election Day. The governor is collaborating with various law enforcement agencies to "protect public safety and the rights of all residents in the event of large-scale gatherings following the election."

Similar orders in recent months have not required any Guard operations.

Across Massachusetts

Stoughton Nurse Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash While Giving Aid

An off-duty nurse, Jennifer Toscano, 34, of Stoughton stopped to help a driver in a roll-over crash, but was hit by a car while giving aid.

Christmas Movie Being Shot In Falmouth

"The Cape House" is a feel-good holiday tale that the creator envisions being on Lifetime or Hallmark's holiday roundup.

Wayland Schools Go Remote Due To Coronavirus Cases

Officials made the decision after middle and high school students tested positive for the virus.

Salem Pope Street Fires Declared Arson, Reward Offered

Salem fire and the Department of Fire Services are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information on the blazes.