Here are some of the highlights from Melrose Patch's news coverage this past week. This is only a small sample—to see all the coverage, click on the News tab on the navigation bar.

To see your neighbors' news, check out our Announcements section under News.

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Top Three Articles of the Week

U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren joined us for a live chat with Patch readers on Friday. Many of the questions submitted were about her position on healthcare, job creation and the affordability of higher education. Read highlights, or a full transcript of the Q&A.

Water and sewer rates for the coming year could climb even higher, as the city aims to address a year-end deficit in the sewer budget and start a three-year savings plan for both the water and sewer budgets.

The Melrose Department of Public Works is currently working on developing a condensed schedule for downtown street and parking lot improvements that aims to minimize the impact on Main Street businesses and customers.

Election 2012

Voters will answer questions on medical marijuana, assisted suicide and the "right to repair" act on the ballot this November. after the secretary of state approved them on Wednesday.

Business

A spokesman for Pembroke Real Estate, the current owner of Oak Grove Village,  confirmed that Pembroke is in discussions with a potential buyer for the apartment complex.

Police and Fire

There were two arrests and a summons in last week's Melrose Police log.

Schools

Joshua Yee will receive a $2,000 yearly scholarship to attend Boston University as the first National Merit Scholar from Melrose High School since 2007, and he's our Whiz Kid of the Week.

Opinion

Considering that the City of Melrose plans to improve sidewalks downtown and do neighborhood improvements in the Highlands, we want to know how walkable you think the city is now.

Last week, Melrose Patch polled you on the best local fireworks display in the Boston metropolitan area. Between then and Tuesday morning, 23 had voted, and Wakefield was the unequivoval winner among the seven candidates.