Gyms Are Not Spreaders Says Cycle Studio Owner: Patch PM

BEVERLY, MA — Today is Wednesday, Nov. 18. Here are the stories Patch has been covering on the North Shore and across Massachusetts.

Hillary Mandelbaum said she's done everything she's been told to do to make her cycling studio a safe place for her clients to stay physically and mentally healthy during what could otherwise be a devastating time amid the coronavirus health crisis.

Yet, the co-owner of Inner Cycle of Beverly said she increasingly feels gyms and fitness studios have been unfairly targeted as a potential source of virus spread on the North Shore, while they are suffering from media and public officials urging residents to "stay home" whenever possible in the recent coronavirus surge.

"There is very little evidence to show that gyms are contributing to the disease (spread)," Mandelbaum told Patch on Wednesday. "There is this fear on the news to just stay home, stay home, and that you shouldn't be around anyone you don't live with, when we've done a good job keeping gyms clean and people are going to the gyms to stay healthy."

Read the full story here.

Also on the North Shore

Union Chief Speaks Out For Salem State Faculty, Librarians

The Massachusetts State College Association is urging Salem State faculty and librarians told two weeks ago that they must take a three-week furlough amid a university debt crisis not to fill out their furlough forms as they await a decision from the state Department of Labor Relations decision on the unfair labor practice charge filed against the school last week.

Electric Bus Slides Into Action In Beverly

The route to and from Cove Elementary School could have been renamed Electric Avenue on Tuesday.

James Taylor, Paula Cole To Headline Cabot Theater's 100th Bash

The Cabot Street Cinema Theater announced two big additions to its ambitious 100th anniversary bash with James Taylor and Paula Cole added to the lineup of the historic theater's remote birthday party on Dec. 3.

Across Massachusetts

Rep. Katherine Clark Elected Assistant Speaker Of The House

Wednesday was a good day for Democratic U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, who represents a big swath of MetroWest. She was picked to be the assistant House Speaker, the fourth-highest ranking post in the House.

Clark, who just fended off a Republican challenger on Nov. 3, was already the second-highest ranking woman in the House.

Natick Family Shocked By $13,000 Water Bill

For the record, Natick Enzo Raggiani didn't let all his neighbors come over and wash their cars at his house this summer — even if his water and sewer bills make it look like he did.

The Pumpkin Pine Road homeowner owes Natick nearly $13,000 for water and sewer service since the beginning of the summer, and Raggiani doesn't know why. This is at least the second surprise five-figure water bill handed out to a Natick resident this year.

COVID-19 Testing Coming To 134 School Districts

Massachusetts is set to begin a COVID rapid test program that will allow students and staff to be tested if they are showing symptoms. Phase 1 of the program will begin in early December in 134 school districts, charter schools, and special education collaboratives.

Man Struck On Route 1 In Saugus, Police Searching For Driver

Police are asking for help identifying the driver who drove off after hitting a person on Route 1 Wednesday morning.

The victim, a 24-year-old man from Gloucester, was brought to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries.

State Police said he was struck around 10:17 a.m. on Route 1 South. The man was working at an area business when he stepped into the road to get a barrel that blew over.