High School Party Leads To Charges, Remote Learning: Patch PM

WILMINGTON, MA — It's Monday, Oct. 26. Here's what Patch has been covering in the Merrimack Valley and across Massachusetts today.

Wilmington police charged two parents in relation to a party with underage drinking that resulted in Wilmington High School switching to remote learning for at least two weeks.

After someone called 911 reporting a girl in need of medical attention from drinking alcohol, police found 25 to 30 students attended a basement party with parents present Friday. Most of the attendees left before police arrived and school officials switched the district to remote learning Sunday due to non-cooperation with town Health Department contact tracers.

Hybrid learning only began Wednesday in Wilmington after the first month of school was conducted remotely. The town has had an increase in coronavirus cases in recent weeks. Read more.

Also in the Merrimack Valley

Police Find Stolen Yard Signs, Mostly Biden, Black Lives Matter

Wilmington police have recovered numerous political yard signs over the last month, mostly signs for Joe Biden's presidential campaign and the Black Lives Matter movement, Chief Joseph Desmond said Monday.

Residents have had their signs stolen all month. On multiple occasions back to Oct. 3, police have been called to the homes of residents who found the signs dumped in their yards. The frequency of sign thefts has increased as the election has approached, the chief added.

"We have seen a share of both" parties' signs, Desmond said, "but primarily Biden and Black Lives Matter signs. Those seem to be the ones we're getting."

Police Ramp Up Ballot Box Security After Suspected Arson In Boston

Communities across the state have added additional security to ballot drop boxes after the suspected arson of a Boston box. In the Merrimack Valley, both Andover and North Andover police spokesmen said their departments are on heightened alert, with 24-hour cameras and regular random checks.

Secretary of State William Galvin's office has implored cities and towns to ensure added security for ballot boxes following the suspected arson of a Boston ballot box early Sunday. The fire destroyed 35 of the 122 ballots. Police arrested a Boston man later that evening in connection to the fire.

Coronavirus Outbreak In Chelmsford: 5 Dead At Nursing Home

Five residents died and several more tested positive for the coronavirus at a Chelmsford nursing home.

During recent routine testing in late September several residents tested positive for the virus. Boston 25 News, which first reported the story, said it was 47 residents and 17 staff members that were infected.

Westford Proposal To Change Columbus Day Fails

During Westford's Town Meeting a proposal to change Columbus Day to honor indigenous people fell short of the votes the town needed to make a change that a number of communities from Cambridge to Brookline have made recently.

After more than an hour's discussion, the vote failed 108 to 111. A proposal by resident Denis Galvin to make March 15, Former President Andrew Jackson's birthday, be set aside "to reflect upon the unjust treatment of the Native American people as well as the evil of racism and other forms of collective bigotry," was referred to the town's newly formed diversity and equity inclusion committee.

Across Massachusetts

13 Communities Are Rolling Back Reopening Measures

The cities and towns that have been high-risk for three straight weeks are moving back to Phase 3, Step 1.

Milford Committee Looks For Family Of 2 Servicemen Killed In WWII

The committee wants to honor the family of the two servicemen with the Medal of Liberty but needs help tracking them down.

And finally today:

Patch readers continue to send in photos of their pumpkins and their haunted yards. See your neighbors' hard work, or get your own display added to our roundups.

• Chelmsford Patch Pumpkin Photo Gallery 2020
• Patch's 2020 Guide To The Area's Best Halloween Yards