Salem Preps For Significantly Scaled-Back Halloween: Patch PM

SALEM, MA — It's Tuesday, August 4. Here's what Patch has been covering on the North Shore and across Massachusetts today.

Salem offered its first guidance Tuesday on Haunted Happenings, the city's month-long Halloween celebration that underpins the local tourism economy, saying it would scaled down with several events already canceled.

"Many people inside and outside of Salem will be disappointed that their favorite, fun and festive October activities cannot take place this year," Mayor Kim Driscoll said in a statement. "However, as a community we are committed to doing our part to help protect residents, visitors, and staff and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Salem."

Salem is moving forward under the assumption that the state will still be under the Phase 3 coronavirus reopening plan, prohibits indoor gatherings of more than 25 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people. And that means many events will be scaled down or canceled outright, Salem officials said in a news release. Read more.

Also on the North Shore today:

North Shore NAACP Chapter Gets Charter

The national board of the NAACP approved the charter of a newly-formed, North Shore chapter on July 25. The new chapter covers 17 communities, including Amesbury, Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Newbury, Newburyport, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Topsfield, and Wenham.

No Foul Play Suspected In Drowning Death Of Danvers 4-Year-Old

Investigators do not suspect foul play in Sunday's drowning death of a 4-year-old Danvers girl, according to the Essex County District Attorney's Office. The girl, whose name is not being released because she is a child, was reported missing at 12:16 p.m. Sunday after she wandered off from an apartment complex on River Drive in Danvers. She was found unresponsive at the Crane River after a search.

Across Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Under Tornado Watch

The tornado watch, which covers every county east of the Berkshires, will be in effect until 9 pm. The National Weather Service early Tuesday morning said there is "greater potential of a few tornadoes" in the region.

Also today:

• 8 Massachusetts Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank Stores Closing Amid Bankruptcy

Dave Copeland covers the North Shore for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).