Salem Patch's Top 10 Stories of the Week

Here's a round-up of this week's top stories on Salem Patch. They are listed in no particular order. Click on the headlines to read the full story. 

Council Green Lights Land Sale Linked to $45M Downtown Development: A proposed $45 million downtown Salem development took a major step forward Thursday night when city councilors unanimously approved the abandonment and sale of a small parcel of land at the intersection of Washington and Dodge streets.

Site Photographs: Salem's Lafayette Street Development: Check out these photographs taken on Thursday of Salem's new mixed-use development on Lafayette Street. The development is being erected where the former St. Joseph Church once stood. 

The Amazing Acro-Cats Dazzling Audiences in Salem: Samantha Martin and her 13 cat performance troupe The Amazing Acro-Cats are performing at The Griffen Theatre in Salem this week. Check out the video above for a sneak peek at some of the amazing tricks performed during Wednesday evening's kick-off performance. 

Sequestration Cuts Reach Salem: Historic Maritime Site Offering Less this Summer: The Friendship of Salem and the Salem Maritime National Historic Site will be available less often to tourists this summer season and park officials are preparing for further cuts moving forward.

Investigators Match DeSalvo DNA to Sullivan Crime Scene: After a 49-year wait, the mystery of the Boston Strangler murders may have come close to an end. Officials announced "scientific certainty" that the confessed Boston Strangler, Albert H. DeSalvo, was the source of seminal fluid evidence found at the murder scene of Mary Sullivan in 1964, according to a press release from Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley's office Friday.

'Save Your Market Basket' Employees Rallying in Salem: The fight for the future of Market Basket was on full display at the Salem location Wednesday afternoon as a handful of employees continued to collect signatures from local shoppers.

Licensing Board Green OKs Honey Dew Donuts in Salem: A Honey Dew Donuts will be opening soon on Canal Street in Salem. At their meeting Tuesday night, the Salem Licensing Board unanimously approved a motion to grant a common victualler's license to Ferand Donuts Inc., doing business as Honey Dew Donuts. 

Lynde Street Cafe Space Will Reopen as 'Frienze Trattoria': The commercial space that used to be home to The Lynde Street Cafe will reopen soon as Firenze Trattoria. At their meeting Tuesday night, the Salem Licensing Board unanimously approved the transfer of a wine and malt liquor license and the awarding of a common victualler's license to applicant SMN, Inc., which will do business Firenze Trattoria at 2 Lynde St.

First Look: Melita Fiore Cakes Coming Soon to Salem: The Salem Licensing Board will meet with Melita Picciotto Tuesday night to discuss the future opening of Melita Fiore Cakes at 83 Washington St. 

Alleged Carjacker Will Face More Charges: The last thing you might expect when coming to the aid of a person struggling with a car thief is to have your own car stolen instead. That's exactly what happened to one Good Samaritan outside Stop & Shop Wednesday morning.