Dedham Man Arrested After Chase; Most Avery Parents Stay; And Sports Get Into Swing

The week of Aug. 22 began with a bang as Dedham Patch launched at 12:01 a.m. Monday morning with 14 stories and a slew of features that haven't been found in one place before.

The Avery School was the biggest news item on Monday as you read about the school's math MCAS scores and various meetings, then later in the week Clare Sullivan, principal of the elementary school, laid out how she felt about school choice situation.

With the Commonwealth looking at revamping education standards, one of our columnists looked at how adopting national standards would affect Dedham.

Even without schools in session, they ruled the homepage of Dedham Patch. From an update on the construction of the new Avery School and athletic field, to how one senior football player feels about his team's home games moving to Westwood.

But as kids ready for back to school, they hit the library for one last time this summer.

And the athletes are back in full swing as practice for football got under way on Monday and everyone else went back to work later in the week.

Nobles sports gets underway, along with school, this coming Wednesday, and Ursuline Academy will pick teams for the first time under new athletic director Mike O'Connor.

While kids listened to music at the library, rain kept market-goers from enjoying tunes on Wednesday at the Dedham Farmers Market. But no fear, music lovers can pick up an album of a Dedham musician soon enough. One of the vendors at the market is very local – and a new type of farm.

On Friday, two kids presented the spoils of their summer-long project, Jack and Eric's Pirate Lemonade, to the Animal Resuce League of Boston - a $769 check to the Dedham shelter.

At a Wednesday evening Planning Board meeting, the town approved a plan by Giorgio Petruzziello to tear down a run-down white house on Eastbrook Road.

On Tuesday, the state Department of Health released positive results of West Nile Virus in Dedham, and an official with Norfolk County Mosquito Control said it would make them more diligent in their spraying.

The Dedham Police – and area towns – were busy this week. Two teens allegedly stole four cell phones worth on Wednesday, and Needham police chased a 22-year-old Dedham man Thursday through several towns in the area before apprehending him. John Boyle was held on bail in Superior Court the following day.