News Nearby: Residents Form Union to Fight 22-58 Percent Rent Hikes

Each Saturday, Melrose Patch will run a round-up with links to stories from surrounding communities that are of interest to Melrosians.

Tenants across the city found every renter's nightmare slipped under their doors last week: a notice their rents will increase anywhere from 22 percent to 58 percent next month, with just two weeks to decide whether to accept the new agreement.

But residents say they won't take the hikes without a fight, and a majority of the tenants have formed a union—Malden Tenants United—to prevent what they call unreasonable increases in a sluggish economy.

The sudden increase and union-organizing comes after a total of 265 units were purchased in Malden and Medford by Brighton-based Alpha Management, which owns and maintains more than 60 properties in the Greater Boston area.

Studios that once went for $600 jumped to as high as $850 to $950, one bedrooms from $900 to $1,150 and two-bedrooms from $1,100 to $1,350.

STONEHAM—A Stoneham man pleaded guilty Thursday to charges that he set his girlfriend on fire in June 2011, according to a press statement by Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.

Edouard Pierre-Charles, 28, pleaded guilty to charges of mayhem, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed assault with the intent to murder and resisting arrest, according to the statement.  

Middlesex Superior Court Judge Maureen Hogan sentenced Pierre-Charles to 8-10 years in state prison with 15 years of probation with all of the conditions recommended by the Commonwealth, according to the statement.

WAKEFIELD—A Connecticut man was taken into custody Wednesday, arrested in connection with the

Chantau Chau, 20, of New London, Conn. was arrested in New London on charges of armed carjacking, assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and motor vehicle larceny.

According to authorities, was sitting in his car outside the movie theater waiting for a friend on the night of Sept. 6. The defendant allegedly approached the car. Northrup told police he thought Chau wanted a cigarette and he reached down to give him one. Chau then stabbed Northrup, allege authorities.

"The victim then exited the car through the passenger door and fled across the parking lot," said Leone in a statement. "The defendant allegedly followed and stabbed the victim multiple times, including in the neck. Chau then fled the scene in the victim’s car."

MEDFORD—The new Carroll's restaurant at 21 Main Street opened at 4 p.m. Thursday. The restaurant will be open afternoons and evenings for its first few weeks, then open up for lunch once things settle in, co-owner Tom Carroll said Thursday.

Carroll and his brother, Maury have been working to get the restaurant open since October, when they took over the former location of Il Faro and the storefront next to it and began remodeling work. It features a 140-seat dining room and 40-seat bar with views of the Mystic River.

The original Carroll's, located at 101 Main St., was opened in the 1930s by the Carrolls' grandfather, also named Maury. It closed in 1986, and the family has been in the catering business since. Maury Carroll said he anticipated hearing a lot of old memories over opening weekend.