OD Uptick Attributed To 'Stronger Batch' Of Opioids: Patch PM

It's Friday, Jan. 8. Here is what Patch has been covering in Middlesex County and across Massachusetts today.

Police Warn Of 'Stronger Batch' Of Opioids In Wakefield Area

There has been a recent uptick in overdoses in Wakefield and the surrounding area, police said Friday. Police believe this is the result of a "stronger batch" of opioids/fentanyl.

"Often many street drugs contain fentanyl without the user's knowledge," Wakefield police said in a statement. "If you or your loved one is suffering from a substance use disorder, please be extra vigilant."

Police urge residents to seek help and do not use substances alone. Call 911 immediately in the event of a suspected overdose.

Read more here.

In and Around Middlesex County

Police 'Making Progress' On Fatal Shooting Of Malden Teen

Police are "making progress" in the investigation of Jaden Britto-White's murder, Chief Kevin Molis said Friday. The 18-year-old Malden resident was standing outside his Bowdoin Street apartment building when two men came up and shot him Dec. 29.

"I am very confident witnessing the work of our detectives, detectives from the Massachusetts State Police and all that are involved in solving this crime, that the amount of effort they are putting in is inspired by the demand for justice and the grief of the victim's mother, and the family, and loved ones, who miss him and have lost him," Molis said.

Kowloon Plans For Closure, But Says It Won't Be Anytime Soon

It's not yet closing time for Kowloon Restaurant, representatives of the Route 1 landmark reassured customers Thursday night. An appearance by members of the Kowloon team at a Saugus Planning Board meeting turned some heads, as the eventual closure and redevelopment of the property was announced.

But that isn't happening for some time. According to a statement on Kowloon's Facebook page, the restaurant is "only planning for the future, which is years, not months, away."

Reading Schools Announce Return To Hybrid Learning

The Reading Public Schools will return to hybrid learning next week, Superintendent John Doherty said Thursday. Schools were remote the first week back from break due to COVID-19 cases among students and staff, as well as community spread.

"When we transitioned to remote this week, we did it because our case numbers over the break had increased, and we made the conscious decision to allow a quarantine period of two weeks from the Christmas holiday to allow families the ability to get tested, quarantine (if necessary) and to monitor their situations so that the spread could be reduced," Doherty said. "In addition, it allowed our school nurses the ability to contact trace all current active cases."

Across Massachusetts

Friends Describe Man Shot By Police In Newton As 'Gentle Giant'

Newton resident Michael Conlon had recently stopped taking medication to treat his mental illness, according to friends.

Marathon Bomber, Citing Treatment At Prison, Sues For $250K

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev said he's had his baseball cap taken from him and has been limited to three showers a week.

MA Launching Coronavirus Testing Program For Schools

Massachusetts teachers, students and staff will be eligible for a once-a-week COVID-19 test through the voluntary program.