News Nearby: Malden Schools Face 37 Layoffs

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 Medford Patch.

Melrose: : When Melrose Highlands Congregational Church leaders approached the congregation with the idea of voting on an 'Open and Affirming' designation—which they approved on May 20—meaning the church welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, Joanne Hartung said they heard a common response. "I thought we already were?"

Stoneham: : At 4:38 p.m. May 26, Stoneham Police responded to High Rock Road for a report of an assault and battery in progress. The caller claims there was an assault and battery with injuries that just occurred at the residence, and a dispatcher heard a disturbance in the background during the call. One person was taken to Winchester Hospital, one to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and a third person to Winchester Hospital. No arrests reported. Police to investigate.

Malden: : Blaming state mandates and a sudden drop in federal funding, the Malden School Committee is seeking to cut 37 positions from the district this year to fill a $1.5 million deficit in the $56 million budget. According to the Boston Globe, the final plan takes a science, math, English, history and business teacher out of the high school, while avoiding hitting staff in the K-8 range, which faces a “baby boom” of students, Superintendent David DeRuosi said.

Medford: : A man accused of viewing child pornography at Medford Public Library was given a second chance at bail after allegedly violating release conditions, according to court filings. James Judge, 57, of Medford was arrested for a second time last Thursday after he was spotted at Malden Public Library by a library employee on Wednesday, according to police reports. He spent the weekend in jail, but was ordered released by a district court judge following a hearing Monday, according to court records.