Week in Review: June 28-July 4

If you're heading into Boston for the today's Fourth of July festivities, we have road closures and MBTA schedules.

The Melrose Fire Department is investigating why the alarm system for Cordova Apartments was turned off and subsequently failed to alert the department to a fire in the complex. A Melrose woman is shocked that her former classmate at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government was arrested on charges of spying for Russia. In our police log roundup, a 14-year-old was arrested for assault and battery and someone got locked in the Bank of American ATM on Main Street.

Melrose Police Chief Mike Lyle said that the new texting-while-driving ban could prove difficult to enforce, while seniors shared their thoughts on the new license renewal restrictions for drivers 75 and older.

Plans to revitalize the West Wyoming Avenue and Cedar Park business districts highlight the city's summer construction schedule. Mayor Rob Dolan wants to find a way to reacquire city-owned land on Route 99 currently leased to Waste Management, which uses the property for a waste transfer station.

In business news, a proposal to build 20 townhouse units on a subdivision next to the Ripley School is back before the city for review. Studio 786 on Main Street is doing its part to help combat the Gulf oil spill by donating hair clippings used in booms to soak up the oil.

James Renier passes on his passion for tennis to the city's youth through the Melrose Recreation Department's tennis programs, which actually have lower enrollment than last year. Melrose High School alumnus David Bellmont has been named a college football preseason All-American heading into his senior year at Merrimack College.

A new pay for parking by phone system will be rolled out to MBTA lots starting in July, but the three Melrose commuter rail stops will have to wait awhile longer for the new system.

Gov. Deval Patrick signed the state's fiscal 2011 budget, which cuts local aid to Melrose by more than $350,000, and Sen. Richard Tisei shared why he voted against the casino bill approved by the Senate on Thursday.