Second Suspect in Home Invasion Turns Himself in to Police

Police recently searched the Junta residence, home of "Hockey Dad" Thomas Junta.

READING — The second suspect in Monday's Reading Commons home invasion turned himself in to police in the company of his attorney Tuesday, according to a release from the Reading Police Department. Police said the victim identified Quinlan Junta, the 21-year-old son of “Hockey Dad” Thomas Junta, as one of two assailants who struck him with a black handgun, beat him, then stole a “substantial amount of money.” When speaking to media Monday, police called Junta a “person of interest” in the crime and said they would like to speak to him. Officers got that opportunity Tuesday when Junta arrived with an attorney at the station. Police arrested him before he was arraigned at Woburn District Court and charged him with home invasion, armed …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Feb. 8

Curious what's happening in the Stoneham region? Here is a quick summary.

1. Game on! The Stoneham High School girls' basketball team hosts Lexington at 5:30 p.m. at Stoneham High, 149 Franklin St. 2. Hoops anyone? The Stoneham High boys' basketball team hosts Lexington at 7 p.m. at Stoneham High. 3. Dance time! The belly dancing with Dorothea program will begin at 8 p.m. at the Stoneham Senior Center, 136 Elm St. The one-hour dance lesson is open to the public and for people of all ages. For more information, visit the Senior Center website. 4. Giving back. The Community Dinner Program, which consists of more than 50 churchgoers from several churches in town providing meals to people from the community, is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Stoneham, 1 Church St. 5. Got brains? Team…

Rapid Drop in Temperature This Afternoon Will Freeze Roads, Sidewalks

The National Weather Service warned that temperatures, in some places, could drop from the mid-30s into the lower 20s within an hour's time during the earlier evening hours on Wednesday.

Rapidly dropping temperatures this afternoon, combined with the morning mix of snow, sleet and rain will make for a perilous commute on Wednesday evening. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned on late Wednesday morning that Stoneham and other areas in eastern Massachusetts that rose above freezing this morning will drop quickly below freezing during the mid-to-late afternoon. "This is likely to happen in Boston and the North Shore between 3 and 4 p.m.," the NWS said in a special statement. "In many locations the temperature may drop from the mid-30s to lower 20s within an hour's time. "This rapid drop in temperature will cause standing water and slush to freeze on untreated road and walking surfaces in time for the evening commute." …

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Five Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 31

Looking for something to do in the Stoneham area? Here is a quick summary.

1. Book Group. The monthly book club is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. at the Stoneham Public Library, 431 Main St., in Stoneham to discuss local best-selling author Sue Miller's "The Lake Shore Limited." The club is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Maureen Saltzman at 781-438-1324 ext. 23 or saltzman@noblenet.org. 2. Quiet day on the Stoneham school, town front. There are no municipal or school meetings scheduled as well as no high school sports games on the docket in Stoneham. 3. Is acting in your blood? The Quannapowitt Players will be holding auditions for Stephen Mallatratt's "Woman in Black" at 7 p.m. at the Quannapowitt Playhouse, 55 Hopkins St., in Reading. For more information, call 781-942-2212.  4. Wings …

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Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 29

Unsure what's going on in the Stoneham area? Here's a quick summary.

1. Dinner and a show. A dinner featuring a carving buffet followed by a musical performance by Elvis (played by Dana Z) and the Memphis Miracle Live Band is set to kick off at 6 p.m. at Marty's Caterers, 54 Montvale Ave., in Stoneham. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $39.95 and free valet parking is provided.  2. Got tickets? Tickets for the 2011 Boston Red Sox games are currently on sale at the Red Sox website. 3. LEGO time! There is a LEGO building workshop at 10:30 a.m. at Stoneham Public Library, 431 Main St., in Stoneham. The two-hour long "Build-A-Bug" LEGO session is free and available to children 8 years old and older. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, call the Stoneham Junior Library at 781-438-1325…

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Five Things You Need to Know Today: Jan. 27

A former Black Ops contractor signs copies of his fictional action thriller and musical performances make up the latest "Patch Facts" column.

1. Municipal meeting. The Conservation Commission meets at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 35 Central St., in the second floor Conference Room. On the agenda: The appointment of Smitty's Way will be handled in executive session. 2. Joint session. A joint meeting between the Board of Appeals and the Selectmen is slated for 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Hearing Room. The Board of Appeals is also scheduled to meet by itself at 7:30 p.m. in the Hearing Room. On the agenda: Discussion of the 34 Warren Street property and also proposed signage for the Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 147 Main Street, which is expected to open in March. 3. Book signing. Stoneham resident Leo Maloney will be signing copies of his book, "Termination Orders: Code Name Cobra" from 7-8…

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