News Nearby: Stoneham Man Charged With Destroying Election Signs

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 Stoneham Patch, Medford Patch, Winchester Patch and Arlington Patch.

Stoneham: : A Stoneham man who got into an altercation with then Selectman candidate Tom Boussy March 31 was arraigned Monday in Woburn District Court on a charge of malicious destruction of election signs, according to a spokesperson with the Middlesex District Attorney's office. At arraignment, Frank Petrillo pleaded not guilty to a single count of malicious destruction of personal property (election signs belonging to Boussy) under $250, according to Stephanie Guyotte, a spokeswoman for Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office.

Medford: : By offering their kids only MBTA passes to get to school, parents of students at Minuteman Regional High School believe Medford Public Schools are using their children as bargaining chips. Medford Superintendent Roy Belson sees it differently. "The Medford Public Schools are no longer going to be a doormat for Minuteman Vocational," Belson said Tuesday. "We're going to stand up." The proposed Medford school budget includes cutting $50,000 in funding for a school bus to transport Medford students to the school, located in Lexington, and replacing the bus service with MBTA passes for students.

Winchester: : The Redistricting Advisory Committee made its final recommendation for the redistricting changes affecting several Winchester elementary schools. If passed, the changes will go into effect for the 2013-2014 academic year. Meanwhile, a poll on Winchester Patch asking people for their thoughts on the redistricting plan had 4,866 votes as of Thursday afternoon.

Arlington: : After more than three hours of presentations and deliberations Monday night, the Arlington Board of Selectmen handed out the town’s two new liquor-store licenses to The Meat House and Mystic Wine Shoppe – but not before an unexpected twist.