Commuters Unconvinced By 'Draconian' MBTA Cuts: Patch PM

It's Wednesday, Dec. 2. Here's what Patch has been covering in Middlesex County and across Massachusetts today.

MBTA's Reasoning For Closing Cedar Park Falls Flat With Riders

"We do not want to reduce service."

That's how MBTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Gonneville started Tuesday night's meeting about reducing service.

Gonneville and other officials explained the proposed service cuts — cuts which would rob Melrose of a commuter rail station and two bus routes, cuts which a state senator called "draconian" — before residents unloaded in a more than two-hour virtual call.

It won't be clear until next week how much the backlash from elected officials and residents impacts the MBTA's plan to slash service. But attendees gave the MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board a lot to think about ahead of Monday's vote.

Read more here.

Elsewhere in Middlesex County

Suspect, Victim In Fatal Malden Shooting ID'd

A Malden man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting early Tuesday morning. Zachary Dimaro, 21, is accused of shooting 25-year-old Joshua Mercier, also of Malden, during an encounter at Dimaro's home on Greenwood Court, the Middlesex District Attorney's office said.

Police found Mercier shot in the chest in the area of Cross Street around 12:10 a.m. Dec. 1. He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

COVID-19 Cluster Found At Arlington School

The Arlington Health Department is closely monitoring a cluster of positive COVID-19 cases at St. Agnes, a private school in town, Public Health Director Natasha Waden said Tuesday.

Nine people at the school were active cases as of Dec. 1 and are quarantining at home, Waden said. The cluster is isolated to one classroom, and all students and staff in that room have been asked to get tested for COVID-19 before they return to in-person learning next week.

Burlington Moms Collect 205 Gift Bags For People Helping People

Momtourage, a Burlington group which has been around for about 12 years, brings together local mothers of young children. The group members organize activities for their kids, give each other advice and hand-off toys and items their kids have outgrown.

They also do something to give back, every three months or so, according to the group's leader Margo Bunker.

Most recently, the group put together gift bags for People Helping People, the town's food pantry. They put together over 200 total bags: 85 for local seniors and 120 for kids.

Malden Planning Memorial To Local Lives Lost To COVID-19

The city is planning a memorial in remembrance of the local lives lost to COVID-19. It will also recognize the community members who stepped up during the crisis, from health care workers, to first responders and beyond.

The two locations under consideration are the Forestdale Cemetery and the Malden River.

Across Massachusetts

Waltham Serial Attacker: Police Release List Of Assault Sites

Police released a list of locations where 11 men have reported being attacked in Waltham. See our map.

COVID May Have Been In Massachusetts Earlier Than January: Study

A new study from the CDC and the Red Cross looked at blood donations from nine states, including Massachusetts.

Barnstable Schools Going Fully Remote

The decision was made because of the town's spike in COVID-19 cases. Barnstable has been designated high risk by the state for two weeks.