Mask Debates Reemerge On North Shore Amid Delta: Patch Weekender

SALEM, MA — Whether you will need to put on a facemask indoors on the North Shore starting Monday will differ depending on which town — and what type of building — you are entering.

As more businesses and communities consider reinstating indoor mask mandates amid rising cases of the more contagious delta coronavirus variant, starting Monday students, faculty and visitors to Salem State University will have to mask up indoors in public buildings. In Swampscott, all staff and visitors will once again be required to wear face coverings while in municipal buildings, such as the town hall, public library and police station.

It's a question school districts will have to wrestle with as well with the start of classes less than a month away.

While the Salem School Committee on Monday will consider Superintendent Steve Zrike's proposal to have all students, staff and visitors wear masks indoors to start the school year, Peabody Superintendent Josh Vadala told Patch this week that while that district is not ready to make a final mask decision he was pleased with state guidance leaving the call up to each district, and each family, as much as possible.

Read about all of it, plus some of these other stories you may have missed on Patch this week, here to get you up to date to start the next work week.

Peabody West Little League To Open Regionals Monday Night

The Peabody West Little League All-Stars headed out of town for the big time this weekend as they made the trip to Bristol, Connecticut for the New England Championships.

Peabody will open the tournament Monday night at 7 p.m. against the winner of Sunday's game between Maine and New Hampshire. The game will be broadcast on the ESPN+ app with a live viewing party scheduled for the recently opened Double Bull Taphouse at the Northshore Mall.

Marblehead Police Swastika Probe Finds Policy Violations

An independent review into the Marblehead Police Department's handling of a former officer accused of carving a swastika into the hood of another officer's personal vehicle determined that it was not a hate crime under state law, the department did not provide preferential treatment to the former officer, but that several members of the department violated department rules because they knew about the incident and failed to report the potential conduct violation.

Salem's Northeast Animal Shelter Helps Rescue South Carolina Dogs

Twenty dogs brought to Salem from South Carolina last month are among those newly looking for their forever homes at the Northeast Animal Shelter.

MSPCA-Angell and the Salem shelter said the dogs were brought north through a partnership with the Charleston Animal Society to help alleviate shelter crowding there. Among them were two beagles and a hound mix in need of veterinary care after being rescued in an animal cruelty case.

Latest Earthquake Delivers Peabody Residents Yet Another Jolt

There's been a lot of moving and shaking going in Peabody lately and it has some residents more than a little concerned.

North Shore Chamber Names 6 Diamond Award Recipients

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce named the six recipients of its inaugural Diamond Awards honoring women who demonstrate a commitment and passion for leading with purpose, empowering women, serving others and making an impact in the region.

Peabody's Heather MacLean's Olympic Run Ends In Semifinals

An Olympic run that captivated her hometown of Peabody came to an end for Heather MacLean early Wednesday morning when she fell short of qualifying for the finals in the women's 1,500 meters.

Familiar Take A Good Fit For A Beverly Grand Reopening

After years of revolving menu items, and the 2020 ordeal of adjusting and surviving through the coronavirus health crisis, Jay Murray was looking forward to a lot more consistency and familiarity when he reopened the Ellis Square Social for the first time in four months on Wednesday.

Salem Heights Apartment Complex Set For Major Facelift

Salem Heights will soon undergo an extensive renovation and modernization through a $55 million MassDevelopment tax-exempt bond.

Peabody 5-Year-Old's Missing Wheelchair Found Intact

A Peabody family was thankful to have their son's customized wheelchair back Monday after a harrowing morning search when it was taken from the driveway.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)