Police Offer $5K Reward For Info On Waltham Attacker: Patch PM

WALTHAM, MA — It's Tuesday, Dec. 1. And it has been a seasonably warm day across greater Boston, with temperatures hovering near 60. Here's what Patch has been covering in greater Boston and across Massachusetts today.

The city is offering a $5,000 reward for information on the person or persons responsible for the near dozen unprovoked attacks across the city on unsuspecting men in recent weeks.

"Everybody is talking about it. And everyone is concerned," said Mayor Jeannette McCarthy, who implored residents to not walk alone after dark. "Use the buddy system," she said.

During the past month, someone in Waltham has been lying in wait under the cover of darkness and attacking men around the city, sending many of them to the hospital with serious injuries to the head and face, police said. None of the men who have been attacked have been robbed, and there is no racial or age profile, he said. The motive, as are the identity of those responsible is still a mystery.

"It appears to be a thrill of the assault or someone who is very violent and enjoys seeing someone hurt," Waltham Chief Keith MacPherson said. Read the full story.

Elsewhere in greater Boston

Boston Schools Not Likely To Fully Reopen Before Christmas

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Tuesday that he would love to be able to fully reopen Boston Public Schools right now. But that's unlikely to happen until after the holiday break, he said.

Advocates Vow To Continue To Protest Light Show At Fernald

Advocates say they want a museum and a nod to the tragic past on the site before anything else happens on the Waltham-owned property.

MassDOT To Begin Construction On Needham-Newton Corridor Project

Anyone who knows the Needham, Highland street road knows it can get busy. Now, thanks to a $3 million project it's going to get a bit worse before it gets better.

Watertown PD Believe September Break-In Suspect Is Back At It
Police are still looking for the suspect in a September break-in and a series of recent break-ins show a similar pattern.

Also:

• Brookline Eyes Rank-Choice Voting For Town Elections
  
• Needham Woman Dies After Brief Illness
• Painted Doors Exhibition On View on Minuteman Bikeway
• Brookline To Ask Voters If Town Clerk Should Be Appointed

Across Massachusetts

• MA Not Planning Further Coronavirus Crackdowns Amid Surge
• Massachusetts Police Reform Bill Unveiled: What It Means
• 4 Worcester Telegram Reporters Announce Retirements
• WATCH: Great White Shark Chows Down On Seal In Cape Cod Harbor

And finally today:

It's right out of a Dr. Seuss book. Before the storm the house, that was being renovated looked perfectly normal. After Monday night's winds, it shifted precariously close to the home next door, prompting them to have to evacuate. Now there's a home leaning sideways on Oak Street in Somerville. Read the rest of the story.

Got a tip? Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.