Week in Review: Aug. 2-8

A week after dealing with a persistent brush fire at Mount Hood, Melrose firefighters battled brush fires behind homes on Dexter Road and in the Middlesex Fells.

In other police and fire news, a kitten found abandoned inside a plastic bag in a dumpster on Hurd Street is recovering and will soon be ready for adoption, and Melrose Police investigated a late-night indecent assault and arrested a man for trying to obtain a narcotic through a false prescription.

On the lighter side, a Damon Avenue ripped up her lawn because she didn't want to maintain it — and 10 years later, has created a suburban oasis. Also, columnist Kathy Shiels Tully shared ideas for summer fun in and around Melrose.

In government news, a decision on whether to allow the Dunkin Donuts on the Lynn Fells Parkway to add a drive-thru window has been delayed, and the city's free community dinners at the Milano Senior Center passed the . Melrose's state legislators shared their thoughts on the casino debate and the standoff between the governor and the Legislature.

In election news, Melrose Patch held Q&As with Katherine Clark and Mike Day. We also have our weekly round-up of press releases from the candidates and a schedule of debates that will be held in Wakefield.

In sports news, Melrose High School graduate Jon Needham is slated to be the starting right offensive tackle for the Duke University Blue Devils football team this fall. Also, the Melrose women's over-30 softball league is still going strong over two decades after its founding; the Melrose High School boys summer high school basketball team won the North Shore Summer Basketball League; and Melrose Patch's sports editor shared how Melrose provides options for kids to begin resistance training.