Week in Review: Alleged Heroin Dealer Arrested Again, AHS Principal Search Halted

An Arlington business owner already facing time on charges of possession of heroin was , police said this week.

The . With deadline to file paperwork past, 13 candidates are on the contested races for ,  and Board of Assessors. One candidate runs unopposed for a spot on the .

And Arlington Public Schools officials are for a new principal at Arlington High School. The search has been underway since beloved Principal  announced he would retire after seven years at the helm of the .

Here are more of this week's essential news from Arlington Patch's coverage:

BEST OF PATCH

Patch is , which will allow readers to vote for their favorite businesses and places in Arlington every week in a variety of different categories.

Each Monday morning, we will post an article with a poll and ask readers to take part by voting in the poll and/or posting reviews on those businesses’ directory listings on Patch.

On Friday morning, we will announce the winner of the Best of Patch contest for that week.

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MBTA CUTBACKS

In a departure from proposals that would raise T fares and slash services to balance the T's budget, the state's top transporation official says his agency aims to raise enough revenue to avoid service cuts.

Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey made the remarks to the Boston Globe.

The MBTA has proposed two dramatic scenarios to balance the agency’s budget. Under scenario one, bus and subway fares would increase by 43 percent, from $1.70 to $2.40 per subway ride and $1.25 to $1.75 per bus ride.

SCHOOLS

’ Special Education Department is , thanks to a state grant awarded by the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.

Superintendent Kathleen Bodie said the schools were awarded $93,545 as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The funds were used to purchase iPads and the required peripheral equipment, which will be used byspecial education students in several schools.

GOVERNMENT

Arlington officials are willing to help the town with emergency response.

In a statement, officials said they're looking for licensed ham radio operators to become volunteers and help out in case the town's communications systems stop working during an emergency.

And for the second time in 11 months, in front of the gas pumps at a Medford filling station and called on President Barack Obama to use the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve to combat rising gas prices.

SOCIAL MEDIA SATURDAY

Every Saturday, Arlington Patch take a look at our life in social media, checking in on the chatter on our Facebook and Twitter. Do you know what's our favorite page of the week? Were your comments featured? Find out on .

FOLLOW US

To follow our 24/7 coverage of Arlington politics, crime, schools and its people, check us out on Twitter and Facebook. For questions, comments or concerns, contact editor Pedro Oliveira Jr. at pedro.oliveira@patch.com or 781-462-7305.