While we do our best to focus on news and events directly concerning Wakefield, sometimes it's nice to know what's going on in neighboring communities. Welcome to the weekly regional news roundup, which will bring you the top news from the towns directly surrounding Wakefield.

Note: Original reporting from Melrose Patch, Malden Patch, Stoneham Patch and Reading Patch.

Melrose: MHS Science Labs Cost Almost Doubles from Original Estimate: The cost of building new science labs at Melrose High School could be more than double than what the city originally projected, Melrose City Planner Denise Gaffey told the aldermen last Thursday. In early June, Mayor Rob Dolan said a"back of the envelope" estimate put the total cost of the project at $1.5-$1.8 million dollars. But at the aldermen's meeting last Thursday night, when the board unanimously approved a $153,000 bond for design and project management services, Gaffey said preliminary costs now figure around $3.3 million. 

Stoneham: CHART: One Tenth of Stonehamites Don't Speak English at Home: Twelve percent of Stoneham residents speak a language other than English at home, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. But how does it compare to other communities in the region?

Malden: Buses to Replace Orange Line until December: Beginning July 8, and going until Dec. 28, buses will replace evening Orange Line trains between Sullivan Square and Oak Grove every Sunday through Thursday, according to the MBTA. On the affected nights, bus replacement service will begin at 9 p.m. and run until the T closes. The bus replacements will allow the MBTA to shut down Orange Line tracks in order to build the new Orange Line station in Assembly Square.

Reading: Wakefield Resident Arrested in Reading on Outstanding Warrant: At 7:04 a.m. Saturday, as the result of a motor vehicle stop on Margaret Road, Michael J. White, 30, 38 Bartley St., Wakefield was arrested on warrants and for operating an unregistered motor vehicle with a revoked license, revoked registration and without insurance.