New Businesses Coming To Popular Shopping Center: Patch PM

It's Thursday, Oct. 15. Here's what Patch has been covering in Middlesex County and across Massachusetts today.

Assembly Row Announces Wave Of New Businesses Opening Next Year

Assembly Row will welcome Sephora next year as a lead tenant of the development's emerging third phase.

The new phase will also include a 24-story, 500-unit apartment building with ground-floor retail space across from the Assembly Square T stop and a 300,000-square-foot retail and office building that will house PUMA's previously announced North American headquarters.

Additionally, CVS, Shake Shack, Yakitori Totto and Pure Barre will open at the Somerville shopping center in 2021. All She Wrote Books, a locally owned feminist bookstore, and arche shoes have opened pop-up locations at the development as well.

Read more here.

Elsewhere in Middlesex County

Melrose Students Could See Some Even Earlier Dismissals

In a school year when getting students time with teachers is at an unprecedented premium, the superintendent is proposing releasing students even earlier in some already shortened days in order to get teachers what they say is much-needed planning time.

2 Medford Residents Indicted In Home Care Scheme: AG

Two Medford residents were among seven people indicted in a coordinated sweep of fraud and abuse cases in the MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program, Attorney General Maura Healey's office said. Investigators say Abdikadir Maow and Abdinafa Maow fraudulently received more than $100,000 from MassHealth.

Wakefield Attributes Coronavirus Risk Spike To Case Cluster

Wakefield has been labeled a high-risk community for the coronavirus by the state, according to the latest town-by-town data released Wednesday by the Department of Public Health.

"There has been a significant increase of positive cases in Wakefield due to a cluster at one location," officials said in a statement on the town's website. "Without this cluster, Wakefield would have changed from 'green' to 'yellow' due to community cases."

No Foul Play Involved In Body Found In Horn Pond

There was no foul play involved in the death of the woman found in Horn Pond, Oct. 9, Woburn police Chief Robert Rufo confirmed Thursday. He did not identify the woman but said she was a 54-year-old Burlington resident.

Officials Emphasize Health, Safety Measures Ahead Of Halloween

In Malden, health officials are advising against attending indoor gatherings or trick-or-treating in the traditional fashion. Residents are instead asked to opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside the home for participants to "grab and go" and keep their distance from others.

Reading suggests outdoor, open-air alternatives to trick-or-treating, such as pumpkin carving, a corn maze, scavenger hunt or outdoor neighborhood costume contest. Residents are asked not to hand out treats or walk through neighborhoods if they or anyone in their household are experiencing symptoms or awaiting the results of a coronavirus test.

The 11th annual Halloween Stroll will be held in Stoneham this year, with COVID-19 health and safety measures in place. The event will feature trunk-or-treating, a virtual costume contest, window painting and more.

Across Massachusetts

Model Projects 14,210 MA Coronavirus Deaths Through January

A widely cited coronavirus projection model has released updated estimates on how the pandemic could impact Massachusetts through Feb. 1.

Man Killed In Crash Outside Blue Hills

State Police said Jake Bjork, 29, lost control of his car, rolled down an embankment and hit a fence, a wooden structure and then a tree.

Police Still Looking For Missing Holden Man

Randall Cole, 32, has been not been seen or heard from since last week, according to Holden police.

Salem Looks To Bring Back Youngest Students 5 Days A Week

While those up to second grade could return within weeks, high school will likely remain remote for an extended period of time.

Annual Milford Pumpkin Stroll Canceled

The annual Halloween event and fundraiser couldn't be held safely in 2020 due to coronavirus, organizers said.