Week in Review: Howie Winter Arrested, Medford High Graduation, Child Porn Suspect Gets Bail Again

The Medford High School class of 2012 donned caps and gowns and received diplomas Wednesday night. Before thousands of friends and family gathered at the Gantcher Family Center at Tufts University, the class heard speechs from classmates and administrators, including Dr. Paul Krueger, who delivered his final commencement speech. Krueger is retiring this summer.

At least one Medford city councilor thinks the city should focus on improving the intersection in the heart of Medford Square rather than concentrate on constructing a new parking garage down the street. During a meeting Tuesday night, City Councilor Michael Marks said improving the intersection could create a more pedestrian-friendly space and improve parking at a fraction of the cost of a garage. As it is now, trying to cross the five-way intersection intersection where Riverside Avenue, Forest Street, Main Street, High Street and Salem Street meet is like walking across a highway, Marks said. “It’s almost like we have the Berlin Wall running through the heart of Medford Square,” Marks said.

Howie Winter, 83, former head of Somerville's infamous Winter Hill Gang, has been arrested and charged with extortion, according to an announcement from the Middlesex District Attorney's office. Winter and James Melvin, 70, allegedly extorted money from two unnamed victims who had made a loan of $100,000 to a third man for an unspecified business venture. According to the announcement, the former Winter Hill Gang boss demanded that each of the victims pay $35,000 to Winter for making a loan without his consent or permission. Winter and Melvin conducted the extortion, which began in February, at the Sons of Italy in Medford, according to prosecutors. Son's of Italy is on Broadway in South Medford, across the street from Somerville's , not far from Winter Hill.

The Medford Farmers Market opened its sixth season Thursday at a new location behind City Hall. A total of 14 vendors set up tents and stands on a patch of grass at the intersection of Riverside Avenue and George P. Hassett Drive. "It's been fabulous, between peoples' interest in it and the support from the city," market President Susan Fairchild said of preparing for this season. "We're especially excited about this site."

A man accused of viewing child pornography at Medford Public Library was given a second chance at bail after allegedly violating release conditions, according to court filings. James Judge, 57, of Medford was arrested for a second time last Thursday after he was spotted at Malden Public Library by a library employee on Wednesday, according to police reports. He spent the weekend in jail, but was ordered released by a district court judge following a hearing Monday, according to court records.