'Kindness Day' Delivers When It's Needed Most: Patch PM

It's Tuesday, Nov. 24. Here's what Patch has been covering in Middlesex County and across Massachusetts today.

When It Was Needed Most, Melrose's 'Kindness Day' Delivered

It doesn't take much to be kind. But it's take a lot to spearhead an entire city being kind, and that's what some local residents did this past week.

Random Acts of Kindness Day was Friday, Nov. 20. It was the local holiday's fifth year being celebrated in Melrose, though like everything else, it looked a little bit different in 2020.

There were no hugs this year, but Maribeth Darwin, Stephanie Nelson and their cadre of of "kindness warriors" didn't let the pandemic stop them from sharing the love.

Darwin pretty much turned the better part of November into a source of kindness, setting up a "kindness challenge" for residents.

Read more here.

Elsewhere in Middlesex County

Somerville Allots $500K To Help Residents With Home Payments

The city is dedicating $500,000 in federal COVID-19 CARES Act relief funds to the Flex-CV Fund to support residents who are behind in housing payments. The Flex-CV program is an emergency temporary rental and mortgage assistance program for residents who have had an income loss, or increase in expenses, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Through no fault of their own, this pandemic has caused too many to lose jobs and income or face new financial pressures that have set them behind on housing payments," Mayor Joseph Curtatone said in a statement. "As a community uniting against this virus, we must ensure the security and dignity of our fellow residents and do all we can to slow community spread, which starts with having a safe space to go home to. These funds aim to support housing stability for those most deeply impacted by this historic pandemic."

Malden Providing Legal, Rental Help To Residents Facing Eviction

The city of Malden and the Malden Redevelopment Authority recently launched a new Eviction Prevention Program to help residents facing eviction. The program will provide court-based legal aid, mediation and rental assistance.

"No one should face an eviction alone, especially during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression," said Mayor Gary Christenson. "This program ensures that every Malden resident facing eviction will have an advocate or mediator available to help them in court. The Eviction Prevention Program is an investment in our community and demonstrates our commitment to helping one another in times of great need and vulnerability."

Medford Man Found With Ammo Faces Federal Charge: U.S. Attorney

A Medford man was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Kyle Evans, 34, was found with four rounds of .22LR-caliber ammunition in Everett on Aug. 4, federal authorities said.

Due to a prior conviction, Evans is barred from having firearms or ammunition, the USAO said.

Dozens Of Reading Students Quarantining After 2 Cases Confirmed

More than 30 Reading students have been quarantined from their cohorts due to positive COVID-19 cases among an in-person student and staff member. Superintendent John Doherty said the student attends Parker Middle School and the staff member works at Birch Meadow.

Eleven Parker students and 22 Birch Meadow students are now quarantining after they were identified through contact tracing, Doherty said.

Across Massachusetts

North Shore Thanksgiving Coronavirus Testing, Gathering Guidance

Those looking for a little extra assurance before a holiday gathering will need to pack patience and a lot of extra time.

Missing Fisherman's Family Not Giving Up Hope After Boat Sinks

Jeffrey Matthews is one of four fishermen missing after their boat sank off of Cape Cod. His family said he's been lost at sea before.

Natick Will Bury Mashpee Wampanoag Man Taken From Grave

Alexander Quapish died in 1776. He was disinterred by a likely amateur archeologist, spending the last 150 years at a Harvard museum.

Nawar Jabbar Killing: 2 Men Arrested, Charged

Messiah Amankwah, 18, of Worcester, was charged with murder on Monday. A Spencer man has also been charged.