Notorious Sex Offender Now Nursing Home Resident: Patch PM
It's Friday, Nov. 20. Here's what Patch has been covering in and around Middlesex County today.
Child Rapist Wayne Chapman Now Living In Medford
A notorious Massachusetts sex offender is now living in Medford. Wayne Chapman was released from MCI-Shirley in 2019 after 40 years in prison. He was convicted in 1977 of luring two Lawrence boys into the woods and sexually assaulting them.
Chapman was initially sentenced to 30 years in prison and held longer after prosecutors argued for his continued incarceration as a "sexually dangerous person" in 2007. He petitioned for a review in 2018 and was determined by two psychologists to no longer be a danger.
That same year, he was accused of exposing himself to prison staff just days before his release. A Middlesex Superior Court later cleared him of those lewdness charges.
Chapman is now a resident of the Medford Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Boston 25's Bob Ward first reported. The Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry lists Chapman as a Level 3 sex offender and his home as 300 Winthrop Street, the facility's address.
Elsewhere in Middlesex County
Malden Teacher Featured In New Reebok Campaign: WATCH
A Malden teacher was among the educators recognized in a new Reebok campaign. As part of its collaboration with the upcoming "Wonder Woman" movie, the Massachusetts-based brand highlighted real-life superheroes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ferryway School art teacher Courtney Gold took part in the company's second installment, which shines the spotlight on teachers and education professionals. The first campaign, released in September, recognized COVID-19 nurses.
Reading Legislators Call On MBTA To Halt Service Cuts
Reading legislators are expressing their opposition to proposed service reductions and other cuts in the MBTA's Forging Ahead plan, including those directly impacting the town's residents.
In a letter to the MBTA, state Sen. Jason Lewis and state Representatives Brad Jones and Richard Haggerty said the proposal will cut Reading's bus service in half and "significantly challenge" the town's longstanding economic development and housing production efforts through reduced Commuter Rail service.
COVID-19 Cases Among Wakefield Students Highest In State
Fifteen students in the Wakefield Public Schools tested positive for the coronavirus between Nov. 12 and 18, according to data released Friday by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Three staff members also tested positive for COVID-19 during that time.
DESE tracks students who have been in school for hybrid/in-person learning and staff members who have building access. Wakefield's case count among students was the highest in the state this week, followed by Milton with 14 cases.
Family-Owned Somerville Restaurant Closes Amid Pandemic Struggles
A family-owned restaurant on Somerville Avenue has shut down amid dwindling business due to the pandemic. Moroccan Hospitality, owned by sisters Amina and Nouzha Ghallay, initially started off the year strong but saw reservations drop after March, Wicked Local reported.
The restaurant, which specialized in North African fare, started in Malden nine years ago before moving to Somerville in 2014. The sisters said they "never recovered" from the lost business, and missing out on catering events this year proved to be "devastating."
Across Massachusetts
Massachusetts Unemployment Rate Falls For Fourth Straight Month
The state's unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in October, down from a peak of 17.7 percent in June.
MA High School Basketball, Hockey Players To Mask Up This Winter
While basketball and hockey will be played with rule modifications, indoor track is pushed to late February and wrestling to the spring.
Coronavirus Outbreak At Newton-Wellesley Hospital
The unit was closed for three days this week, but reopened on Wednesday after nine employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
Detroit-Style Pizza Restaurant Coming To Route 9
A University of Michigan graduate is opening Square Mfg. Co. in Natick, offering a Midwestern take on pizza.
This article originally appeared on the Medford Patch
