Kerrigan Trial Continues; Medford Restaurant Seized By State

Every Saturday, Melrose Patch will run a round-up with links to stories from surrounding communities that are of interest to Melrosians.

• : STONEHAM—This week, Stoneham Patch has been live-blogging and providing updates throughout the day from the trial of Mark Kerrigan, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault and battery in connection to his father’s death in January 2010.

• : MEDFORD—A seized Medford Square restaurant charged patrons a meals tax but didn't pay what they collected to the state, a Department of Revenue Spokesman said Thursday. Il Faro, an Italian eatery located at 21 Main St., was seized by the Department of Revenue last week because it owes the state a total of $142,784.20 in taxes and penalty fees, department spokesman Bob Bliss said. Nearly all of the back taxes, which date back to 2006, stemmed from the meals tax.

• : READING—Back in October of 2010, the city approved plans for to relocate to 80-100 Main Street on the corner of Main and South Streets. The three existing vacant buildings have already been demolished, and construction of the new and improved Calareso's is expected to begin during late summer or early fall of 2011.

• : MALDEN—The South Broadway Park restoration project is all but dead after a contentious Tuesday night City Council session. The council could not muster the eight votes needed to fund the project; the council actually voted 6-5 in favor of a $5.5 million bond to fund the $6.4 million project, but failed to garner a two-thirds majority needed for a financial vote. The project would have improved drainage in the area, shifted the field space to the south and away from residences, added tennis courts, a basketball hoop, artificial field turf, lights and other amenities. Two city councilors to revive discussion over the project next week.