News Nearby: Joe Fish May Come to North Reading

While we do our best to focus on news and events directly concerning Wakefield, sometimes it's nice to know what's going on in neighboring communities. Welcome to the weekly regional news roundup, which will bring you the top news from the towns directly surrounding Wakefield.

Note: Original reporting from Melrose Patch, Malden Patch, Stoneham Patch and Reading-North Reading Patch.

NORTH READING—There has been speculation that a Joe Fish restaurant will move into the old Piccadilly Pub location on Main Street in North Reading, and Jim's Restaurant Group, LLC, owned by Jim Dietz who owns and runs Joe Fish, pulled a demolition permit for the location this week.

STONEHAM—The Stoneham Board of Selectmen are considering bringing a skating rink and a winter carnival to the  this winter.

Selectman Tom Boussy discussed both activities at Tuesday night's meeting at .

"My idea is to invite local restaurants, booster clubs...get a DJ and raise a few bucks for (local organizations)," Boussy said of the Winter Carnival, adding that it would be a first step toward revitalizating the downtown area.

MELROSE—A child was taken to Melrose-Wakefield Hosptial after a playmate stuck him with a discarded needle found at Pine Banks Park last week, police confirmed Wednesday.

Melrose Police responded to the scene of the incident and safely disposed of the needle, though responding officers determined the incident took place in the Malden part of the park, Melrose Police Lt. Decroteau said.

Malden Police Capt. Thomas Swanson confirmed the incident but said the department had no official police report for the call.

A Malden man was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping and attempted carjacking earlier this week, after allegedly attempting to steal three vehicles in the parking lot of a Connecticut hospital. 

The Hartford Courant reports that William C. Palma, 21, was admitted to the hospital after "acting irrationally" on a bus near Vernon, Connecticut. Police told the paper Palma claimed he was being "tested by Lucifer to find his way home." The man was submitted to nearby Rockville General Hospital for treatment.