Halloween Caution Urged In New 'High-Risk' Communities: Patch PM

BEVERLY, MA — Today is Friday, Oct. 30. This are the stories we've been covering on the North Shore and across Massachusetts.

As coronavirus rates surge in several North Shore communities, officials are urging residents to reduce or eliminate social gatherings — especially any indoor Halloween gatherings planned for this weekend.

Beverly, Danvers and Peabody also became "high-risk" communities, according to state metrics, this week with greater than 8.0 cases per 100,000 people. Peabody had 13.1 cases per 100,000, Beverly had 11.8 and Danvers had 8.8.

All are significant increases over previous weeks.

"The trajectory we are on is consistent with those in surrounding communities and the region," Danvers Town Manager Steve Bartha said, "but (the coronavirus spike) still should be frustrating to all of us because we can and we should be doing more in our private lives to control the spread of the disease."

"We are all at a key point in time here," Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill said. "Please wear your mask and keep your distance. Please do your part every day so we can stop this spread, keep each other safe, and keep our schools and as much of our local economy open as possible."

Read stories from Beverly here, Danvers here and Peabody here.

Also on the North Shore today

Salem Superintendent Talks Coronavirus Cases In Schools

Salem Superintendent of Schools Stephen Zrike allowed there will be positive cases of coronavirus, and necessary quarantines because of them, as the district moves toward bringing back some students to in-classrooms on Nov. 16.

Zrike said during his weekly video conference with the school community that any case will be isolated and contact traced, but that it remains a goal to give as many students as possible the chance to return to in-school learning.

Salem To Distribute Outdoor Heaters To Local Businesses

Salem is doing its best to extend the outdoor dining season as long as possible during the coronavirus health crisis.

As temperatures dip, with the first snow of the season already in the books, the city was preparing to deliver 20 outdoor heaters to eight restaurants so they can keep serving guests on their patios into November, and perhaps beyond.

Parents Use Sheets To Form 'Line Of Love,' Blocking Students From Swampscott Protests

As students returned to class for hybrid learning for the first time in the town of Swampscott, families came together in what they call a "line of love."

Marblehead Police To Collect Halloween 'Extra Candy' Donations

Whether through trick-or-treating, or that impulse buy at a grocery store, many families wind up with excess Halloween candy at the start of November that they would rather their kids and themselves not consume.

Across Massachusetts

Cut The Engine: Wellesley To Issue $15 Fine To Idling Cars

Wellesley drivers should start to think twice before they leave their cars running in the parking lot or on the street corner. The tow added a new anti-idling violation that could fine drivers $15 if they're caught idling.

Customer Leaves $700 Tip At Waltham Restaurant

It's a scenario that some dream about and others have made movies about: This weekend, the staff at one Moody Street restaurant had to do a double take because of the size of the tip one of their regular guests left.

Falmouth Drive-In May Lose Permit After Noise Complaints

The Falmouth Drive-In is danger of losing its permit after town officials received several noise complaints from nearby residents, members of the Falmouth Select Board said Monday.