Regional News Roundup: Tufts Naked Quad Run Gets Gussied Up

MALDEN — Husband and wife James and Joy Labbe have been running the Mystic Valley Salvation Army on Main Street in Malden since late June, where James say the couple continues to “fact find” to “fill the gaps” of need in Malden and surrounding communities.

So far, the couple has brought a number of new programs to the branch: they offered a “free farmer's market” last fall, provide a free hot meal to anyone in need on Monday nights as well as a street ministry the team hopes to expand after the holidays.

MEDFORD — Naked students running through the quad used to be a tradition on the night after the last day of mid-terms. But when administrators threatened suspensions for any students participating this year, undergrads instead went for an "excessively overdressed stroll."

MELROSE — Melrose firefighters rescued two dogs and knocked down a mattress fire in an East Street apartment Wednesday evening. No one was injured in the ordeal. Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained in its originating room, according to Fire Prevention Captain Ed Collina. “It was basically a room and contents fire,” he said. “Engine Three’s Lt. Dermott Madden and Firefighter Chris Walsh advanced the attack line through the front door to the apartment to exterminate a mattress on fire and the extension [of the fire] to the walls.”

WAKEFIELD — Wakefield teenager Nina Barresi has started her own online bow-making business, but she doesn't expect to keep any of the profits.

That's because Barresi, 16, a sophomore at the Cambridge School of Weston, plans to use : ASPCA, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, Boston Alliance of Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Youth, and YWCA Boston’s Leadership Initiative Program. And all this on top of an already jam-packed schedule between classes and after-school performance and theater arts groups.