Around the Region: Dirty Dancing Cancels HS Dances in Arlington; App Class in Winchester

Here are some of the top recent stories from just beyond Medford's city line:

Administrators at have suspended all school dances over concerns of drinking and inappropriate dancing. At the school’s last dance, one student was taken by ambulance to the hospital and several parents had to be called in, according to Superintendent Kathleen Bodie. In a letter to parents, Principal Mary Villano said administrators have noticed an increase in drinking and “dancing that crosses the line of acceptable decorum.”

A Somerville police detective posed as a UPS worker to deliver a package filled with marijuana to its intended recipient, according to a police incident report, and when the recipient signed for the package, he was arrested. The arrest took place Nov. 22 at 2 Meacham St., in the Ten Hills area, at about 3:15 p.m. Undercover detectives received information from Massachusetts State Police that UPS, through its screening process, had discovered a package containing a large amount of marijuana. UPS contacted State Police when they made the discovery, the report says. -Chris Orchard

A Fox 25 news report alleging a Malden teacher performed in pornographic films has received international attention, with journalists and readers alike debating newsroom ethics, the responsibilities of teachers and gay rights.  Station reporter Mike Beaudet reported Tuesday that  English Teacher Kevin Hogan had starred in at least three videos as early as last year, before he was hired to work at the school. Hogan denied involvement when confronted by Beaudet on tape, and was later placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by school officials. According to the Boston Globe, Hogan also taught at St. Clement High School in Medford for two years in the early 90s.  -Chris Caesar

Winchester High Technology Teacher Daniel Downs has created a curriculum that challenges the students in the design, implementation, and testing process for Android phone apps. In the course students learn tools such as Adobe Flash CS5 and Accelerometer programs. -Annette Voorhes

Melrose Mayor Rob Dolan and Malden Mayor-Elect Gary Christenson faced off in the studios of WFNX on Thursday morning for the radio show's regular "My Song is Better Than Your Song Contest," in what the station billed as its first Battle of the Mayors. Dolan and Christenson each selected a song and had 30 seconds to advocate for their song, after which each was played and WFNX listeners called in or weighed in on the station's Facebook Page to vote. Dolan was the winner with his pick, The Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" -Daniel DeMaina