March's Top Stories: Drug Busts, No MVRCS Expansion and a New Top Cop

1. Seven Arrested in Alleged $1 Million Drug Ring: Authorities say they have taken out an alleged drug ring that smuggled over 400 pounds of marijuana into the city last year, with a street value estimated at over a million dollars.

2. ; Kinnon: Decision to Block MVRCS Expansion 'Arbitrary and Capricious': A request to expand Mystic Valley Regional Charter School's student body was denied by state education officials last month, though the board of trustees plans to appeal the decision.

3. :A two-month drug investigation preceded the arrest of two barbers Friday night, after police say they found "a significant amount of drugs" at Moreno's Barbershop at 900 Salem St.

4. Hollywood Movie Scene Shot in Malden:Director David O. Russell (I Heart Huckabees, The Fighter) is shooting a new project in the Boston area. Plans to shoot an outdoor scene at the Amerige Park were reportedly scrapped after script changes.

5. YOUR TURN: Malden Names Its Next Police Chief:Mayor Gary Christenson and Police Commissioner Salvatore Gennetti named Lt. Kevin Molis as the city's next police chief last month.

Molis is a highly visible member of the department, often acting as the institution's official face at Christenson's monthly public safety meetings.

6. Malden High Gun Scare Caused by Water Pistol: A teacher's report of a gun sighting on the Malden High School campus prompted a quick police response Monday afternoon, though officers ultimately recovered only a "neon-colored" water gun at the scene.

7. School Uniforms Next Year at Linden School:School uniforms will be required for Linden School students beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, a letter sent home to parents read.

8. YOUR TURN: Where are Malden Center's Sketchiest Spots?: Members of the Plan Malden Square group are asking Patch readers for their help identifying problematic nighttime spots in the city's downtown. The group's Nighttime Safety Teamwill incorporate your suggestions and concerns as they continue to draft their proposal. 

9. Shots Fired Reported on Ashland Street:A driveby shooting was reported on Ashland Street early Sunday morning, though no one was injured in the incident. Police found shell casings and interviewed five witnesses at the scene just before 3:30 a.m., Captain John Amirault confirmed.

10. : After much outcry from parents and (not too surprisingly) students, the mayor's office took to their Facebook account to apologize for not canceling school after a larger-than-expected snowstorm.

"Sometimes you get it right, other times not. We got it wrong and we want to apologize to students and families of Malden Public Schools," the update read.