Malden

Malden Police Release Smartphone App: The Malden Police Department announced the availability of a new iPhone and Android app for the department Thursday, as part of a broader effort to improve communication with residents across all mediums. "My Police Department" or "MyPD" is available now for free in the iTunes and Android marketplace, and includes features for checking department news, social media postings, directions, department contacts, submitting feedback, asking questions, department surveys, submitting crime tips and more.

Melrose

Former Alderman Pleads Guilty to Attempted Extortion and Bribery Charges: A former Melrose Board of Aldermen President and one-time state representative candidate will spend two-and-a-half years in jail, after pleading guilty to charges that as a state liquor license inspector, he took a $3,000 bribe to secure a liquor license for a convicted felon who sought to open a restaurant in Everett and offered to sell illegal video poker machines to the restaurant, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

Reading

Sheedy Will Not Return as Girls Soccer Coach: After 11 years patrolling the sideline as the girls' soccer coach at Reading Memorial High School, Mike Sheedy will not return next fall. Sheedy offered his resignation about a week before Christmas, but did not do so entirely of his own volition, he said. “The pen was practically put in my hand, if you will,” said Sheedy during a telephone interview. “I would have loved to come back in the fall and work with the girls towards getting back to the tournament.”

Wakefield

Massive Underground Oil Leak at Wakefield Concrete Co.: A Wakefield concrete company is in the process of cleaning more than 1,000 gallons of oil out of ground soil and testing the area's water supply and rivers after one of the company's underground tanks gave out last week on New Salem Street.