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 Article of the Week

Fourth grader Mary-Kate Mahoney's idea to honor the city's volunteers came to fruition last Thursday, when Warren Street Park was officially renamed Volunteer Park.

Fourth of July

Melrose marks Independence Day with the annual bike and carriage parade at the Common and July 4th concert at Mount Hood.

Looking for fireworks displays near Melrose? Here's a list of 20.

From Boston Pops-backed fireworks to porta-potties, if you're heading into Boston, here's all you need to know to plan your Independence Day festivities July 3 and 4.

Tall ships are in Boston now through July 6 to celebrate the USS Constitution and the bicentennial of the War of 1812—here's a list of which ships are coming to Boston and where you can see them.

MBTA

Beginning July 8, and going until Dec. 28, buses will replace evening Orange Line trains between Oak Grove and Sullivan Square every Sunday through Thursday, according to the MBTA.

Commuter rail riders getting onboard at Wyoming Hill, Cedar Park or Melrose Highlands stations will pay an additional $3 for a ride to Boston unless they buy a ticket or pass ahead of time.

As of today, Sunday, July 1, you won't be able to use old MBTA tokens to add value to your CharlieCard.

Police and Fire

The MedFlight helicoper that landed at The Knoll a few weeks ago was due to complications following an emergency cesarean section, but both mother and newborn daughter are now home and doing well, according to the woman's husband and proud new dad.

Melrose Police were busy last weekend with power outages and storm damage, as seen in the police log.

Goverment

The East Knoll playing field is closed for the summer as the city makes drainage improvements to alleviate flooding problems on the field, according to Melrose City Hall.

Melrose has the second smallest commercial tax base in the region, in terms of percentage of total property value.

A special act of the state Legislature that would allow for the sale of group homes on Lebanon and Trenton Streets, and then using the revenue from those sales to rehabilitate existing Melrose Housing Authority (MHA) properties and purchase more homes to convert to affordable apartments, reached Gov. Deval Patrick's desk this week.

Schools

Cindy Constantino writes about the departure of Melrose School principals and the responsiveness of Pupil Personnel Services, the special education department, in a letter to the editor.

Election 2012

Republican congressional candidate Jeff Semon hits U.S. Rep. Ed Markey in his latest Web ad.

Real Estate

While statewide foreclosure activity rose again in May, Melrose's foreclosure activity stayed the same year-over-year, according to the latest figures from The Warren Group.