News Nearby: Man Claims False Imprisonment by Medford Police

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

MEDFORD—James Twohig, 31, of Medford is suing the city for $500,000, claiming Medford police held him for three days on two occasions on a warrant that had been recalled.

On the first occasion, the police department was faxed a copy of a court docket on June 26 that showed the warrant was recalled, but continued to hold Twohig for another two days, according to the lawsuit.

WAKEFIELD—It's a dirty job, but there's more than one way to do it.

Trash in Wakefield has always been collected conventionally, with each resident supplying his or her own trash cans and having it hand-collected by two people on a large truck. However, Department of Public Works Director Rick Stinson has proposed switching the town to a new automated trash pickup system, which would use new trucks equipped with a robotic arm to pick up special town-supplied trash bins from the curb.

"We have the ability to improve the efficiency of our current disposal program and to take a more environmentally friendly approach in our refuse collection program," said Stinson, noting that nearby towns that have switched to this system have seen increases in recycling and decreases in trash.

WOBURN—A former Burlington Police officer and his son pleaded guilty to several drug charges in Woburn Superior Court Wednesday afternoon.

Kenneth Reynolds, 47, of Burlington and his son, Michael Reynolds, 28, also of Burlington were indicted in 2010, along with six others, when police took down a large-scale drug ring that affected Woburn, Burlington, Stoneham and Waltham.

MALDEN—The City Council approved a $70,230 transfer from the revenue reserve in a 9-1 vote, aimed at funding new positions proposed for mayor-elect Gary Christenson's office last night, including a communications director and business liaison.

Christenson told the finance committee that he wanted a fresh start in the corner office, and to actively pursue ideas he touted on the campaign trail, such as increased transparency and customer service at City Hall.