Concord, MA Patch

Concord Area Prospective Homeowners: See 2 New Homes For Sale Check out the most recently listed homes available now in the Concord area.

A beautiful, heartbreaking story of remembering joy through grief. (via Southampton Patch)

Dad Of 2 Girls Lost In Fire, Finds Strength In Lives 'Defined By Joy' Lew Wiener, who has cancer, says his girls taught him how to live. "That night defined a tragic ending — but our lives are defined by joy."

Patch has compiled a list of travel options and incentives being offered across the region so you can best plan your detour.

Orange Line Squeeze: A Guide To Travel During 30-Day Shut-Down Orange Line zero hour is here. Find out what options are available during the 30-day closure by bike, rail and bus.

One of the accused killers is a reported hitman for a New York City crime family. https://trib.al/1Nq0Zgg

3 Charged In Wh**ey Bulger Murder — Including Reputed MA Hitman James "Wh**ey" Bulger was beaten to death in a West Virginia prison in 2018.

All key coronavirus metrics headed in the right direction, except for deaths. Massachusetts health data showed 47 new COVID-19 deaths.

MA Town-By-Town COVID: Cases Rates Down In 60% Of Cities, Towns

"It is very hard to convince Cooper that he will be happy again," his family said of the 8-year-old mass shooting survivor. (via Highland Park Patch)

'Hopeless, Sad And Angry' Cooper Roberts Faces Challenges, Family Says The 8-year-old Highland Park mass shooting survivor's family said he is in constant pain, but "every kindness makes him smile."

Not something you see every day. https://trib.al/sc5IO9x

Woman Drives SUV Through South Shore Plaza Mall: Video Police said the woman was confused when she drove through an entrance onto the upper level of the Braintree mall.

With mostly clear skies expected Thursday night, even Massachusetts residents may get a rare glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights May Be Visible: When Is The Best Chance To See Them In Massachusetts? Aurora Borealis could make an appearance over Massachusetts this week. Here's what to expect.

He was leaning to kiss his passenger when he crashed, prosecutors said. https://trib.al/l3FrvfL

Ex-MA Trooper Indicted In Death Of Motorcyclist On I-93 The trooper crashed while leaning in for a kiss, and while under the influence of alcohol, prosecutors said.

You have to see what this looks like on the inside. https://trib.al/lbbiApQ

MA Real Estate Gone Wild: $15.5 Million Berkshires Modern Mansion The Vergelegen estate sits on 300 acres with views of the Berkshires and the Taconic mountains.

The annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign began Wednesday and will last through the ceremonial end of summer.

MA Police Begin Labor Day Drunk Driving Enforcement Campaign The annual "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign began Wednesday and will last through the ceremonial end of summer.

Tavaris and Tavaughn Bulgin were working at a Martha's Vineyard restaurant this summer. https://trib.al/DfuAkGT

'Absolute Joy': Brothers Who Died In 'Jaws Bridge' Incident Remembered Tavaris and Tavaughn Bulgin died after jumping off the Martha's Vineyard bridge Sunday.

People with mild to moderate hearing loss will soon be able to buy hearing aids at pharmacies and retail stores without a prescription.

Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids Coming Soon: 5 Things To Know

Smoke could be seen rising across the region, with residents in communities miles from the Saugus fires reporting the smell of the smoke on Tuesday night.

Breakheart Reservation Fires Burned 12-20 Acres: DCR The fires drew a regional response from area departments on Tuesday night.

There’s no place like home — especially when it’s clean and organized! Here's why hiring a pro to organize your house is a great idea. (Sponsored)

6 Amazing Benefits Of Hiring A Professional Home Organizer Thumbtack, a home services app used by millions, has plenty of top-rated organizers to help get your home in Marie Kondo-level shape.

Foss worked as an assistant prosecutor between 2008 and 2016. https://trib.al/Ku7yhPk

Ex-Suffolk Assistant DA Charged In NYC R**e: Officials Adam Foss, a former prosecutor and founder of the group Prosecutor Impact, was indicted Tuesday on r**e and s*x abuse charges.

Police were using new equipment during Tuesday's search. https://trib.al/oFHwutL

Search Resumes For Missing 'Jaws Bridge' Swimmer On Martha's Vineyard The missing 21-year-old's brother was found dead on Monday after a group of four people jumped from the bridge Sunday.

Answer your neighbor's question on Patch. (This post was contributed by a community member.)

Question from your neighbor: “Has anyone else heard when Concord will be getting busses of...” Has anyone else heard when Concord will be getting busses of...

20 of the cycling studios are closing nationwide. https://trib.al/K1iLbjQ

MA SoulCycle Location Closing As Part Of Nationwide Cuts The fitness company is closing about 25 percent of its studios across the U.S.

Think you’re ready to buy a home? Make sure you do these five important things before you start putting in offers. (Sponsored)

5 Things You Should Do Before You Start Shopping For A Home Prospective homeowners should build their credit score, formulate a budget and get pre-approved for a mortgage before starting their search.

8-year-old Asa Baker's lemonade stand is back in business after police shut it down earlier this month. (via Ohio Patch)

8-Year-Old's Lemonade Stand Shut Down By Police Due To Lack Of Permit Organizers of a nearby festival filed a complaint with law enforcement, leading authorities to close down the stand, WJW reported.

Students entering 9th grade this school year will face higher MCAS scores when they graduate in four years.

State Board Increases MCAS High School Graduation Scores

"No asymptomatic person should be excluded from school as a result of exposure, regardless of vaccination status or exposure setting." - updated state Department of Elementary and Second Education COVID-19 guidance

MA Education Board Drops Nearly All COVID-19 Protocol Recommendations The state is no longer recommending masking, surveillance testing or quarantining for asymptomatic exposures to the coronavirus.

Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin confirmed the arrest to Patch on Monday afternoon, saying the woman had been arrested for malicious destruction of property and trespassing.

Woman Arrested At State Education Board Meeting In Malden The board approved a plan to raise MCAS scores required to graduate high school, though it was unclear if the arrest was related.

Students entering 9th grade this fall will be the first class to face higher MCAS standards to graduate high school.

State Board Increases MCAS High School Graduation Scores Students entering 9th grade this school year will face higher MCAS scores when they graduate in four years.

"I assure you that (driving into Boston) is not a good option. The traffic congestion is expected to be severe."- MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver

'Severe' Congestion For Boston Area During Orange Line Closure: Officials The Orange Line closure Friday will ripple across all transportation routes, including roads and highways, officials warned Monday.

Police were still searching for a second missing swimmer. https://trib.al/Hfx7Ol8

Swimmer Dies After Jump Off Martha's Vineyard 'Jaws Bridge' Four people jumped off the bridge late Sunday, prompting a search by sea and air.

At least one car was partially swallowed. https://trib.al/QrE8g9o

Sinkhole In Boston Claims Car After Water Main Break A portion of Tremont Street in Boston was closed Monday morning due to the incident.

With the region in a severe drought, this week may bring the first real chance of sustained rainfall in a long time.

Several Inches Of Rain May Fall In MA Amid Drought

Tackling your to-do list is easier than you think. (Sponsored)

Here's Where To Start Your Search For Top-Rated Local Pros