Healthcare Costs To Increase In Proposed Major Merger: Patch PM

Hello and welcome back. Did you miss any of today's headlines on Patch? We've got you covered with this list of the most share-worthy articles from the Massachusetts Patch network.

Elderly Woman Fights Off Bear That Broke Into Home

The wheelchair-bound woman seriously injured.

Man Dies In Crawl Space At Emerson Hospital: DA

The 46-year-old Hudson man died in what is being called an industrial incident.

Lahey-Beth Israel Merger Would Raise Healthcare Costs: State

The proposed merger would create the state's second biggest healthcare company after Partners HealthCare.

Slain Weymouth Officer's Handcuffs Used On Alleged Killer

Police say that Emanuel Lopes was handcuffed using Officer Michael Chesna's cuffs.

>>>Also: Charity Group Aims To Pay Off Fallen Weymouth Cop's Mortgage

Man Arrested For Stalking Placed GPS On Woman's Car: Police

Peabody Man Arrested On Tuesday Is A 'Drug Kingpin'

Tuesday's arrest on drug charges was only the latest for Marino Spirakis, who was described as a "drug kingpin" by Peabody Police in 2010.

Police Ask Public's Help In 20-Year-Old's Murder

Police said the Massachusetts man was found dead in Rindge, N.H.

Judge Calls Danvers Man 'One-Young-Man-Crime Wave'

Judge Robert Brennan ordered Kevin Roussin, 19, be held without bail.

Photo by Dave Copeland, Patch