Man Barricaded Himself In Home Under Construction: Patch PM

It's Monday, Oct. 26. Here's what Patch has been covering in Middlesex County and across Massachusetts today.

Man Arrested After Barricading Himself Inside Reading Home

An Amesbury man was arrested after barricading himself inside a vacant home in Reading Monday, police said.

Officers attempted to issue a restraining order to 50-year-old Vincent Martorano and arrest him on outstanding warrants at a construction site on Grand Street.

Martorano refused to come out of a home under construction at the site, police said.

Read more here.

Elsewhere in Middlesex County

Rise In Coyote Sightings In Somerville

Somerville has seen a rash of coyote sightings across all neighborhoods in recent weeks, Animal Control said. The most recent sighting was Saturday night in the Sycamore Street area. Residents are asked to contact the police department if they find a coyote that appears sick or injured.

Medford Schools Expanding Free Coronavirus Testing Program

The Medford Public Schools is expanding its free weekly testing program for teachers. The initiative, conducted with Tufts University and Armstrong Ambulance, administered approximately 900 free COVID-19 tests last month, Superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent said.

Reading Students Flunk COVID-19 Protocols Outside School

Coronavirus health and safety protocols do not extend beyond the classroom for some Reading students, Superintendent John Doherty said. In his latest update to families over the weekend, Doherty said he has noticed that outside school, students are not taking precautions like wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

Weekly Medford 'Black Lives Matter' Vigil Ending After 5 Months

A "Black Lives Matter" demonstration held weekly in front of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Medford is set to conclude Oct. 27. The vigil started in May after the death of George Floyd and took place from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Across Massachusetts

Communities Should Empty, Lock Ballot Boxes On Halloween: Galvin

The guidance comes as officials push for added ballot box security following the suspected arson of a ballot box in Boston's Copley Square.

Rink Closures Cause 'Disappointment And Dejection' On North Shore

Youth hockey directors address the impact of the state's order to close all rinks for two weeks after coronavirus outbreaks.

Milford Committee Looks For Family Of 2 Servicemen Killed In WWII

The committee wants to honor the family of the two servicemen with the Medal of Liberty but needs help tracking them down.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Chelmsford: 5 Dead At Nursing Home

Five residents died and several more tested positive for the coronavirus at a Chelmsford nursing home.

Westford Proposal To Change Columbus Day Fails

During Westford's Town Meeting a proposal to change Columbus Day to honor indigenous people fell short of the votes the town needed to make a change that a number of communities from Cambridge to Brookline have made recently.