Arlington considers zoning changes to boost affordable housing

Developers would be allowed to build bigger units in smaller spaces in return for additional affordable housing.

SOUTH

Recount confirms results in Canton selectman’s race

Michael Loughran increased his margin — from one vote to three — to win a two-year vacant seat on the board in a busy election week that brought voters out in Avon, Dedham, Rockland, and Stoughton.

NORTH INFORMER

Bike sharing, a charity auction for ballet, and SustainaVille

Celebrating our environment can be possible even after Earth Day ends. Head to the SustainaVille in Somerville for ten packed days of environmental activities.

THE ARGUMENT

Should the state allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s’ licenses?

Read two views and vote in our informal online poll.

A Hull Zen garden with a custom-designed gate and granite posts.

Millicent Harvey

Retreat to a Zen garden steps from your door

Create an outdoor space to escape ever-present screens and the stressful 24-hour news cycle.

Peter Swanson

Start your garden from square one

This method works whether you have a suburban backyard or a porch in the city.

Ted Hirsch (above), an organizer of the initiative, says carrots pulled after the first frost are sweeter and crisper than usual.

Josie Hirsch

It might be time to put Carrot Day on your calendar

The point of the project is to promote locally sourced food and teach people to experience vegetables in a new way.

The beloved red maple outside Nancy Shohet West’s kitchen window — after it was cut down.

Nancy Shohet West for The Boston Globe

SUBURBAN DIARY

Karma and cutting down a favorite tree

What if the red maple really does contain the spirit of our household? What if pulling it down invokes a curse on us?

A lamb adana plate, the meat grilled and seasoned with spicy red bell peppers and served on a bed of bulgur and shepherd’s salad.

Ali Alkilinc photos

LOCAL FARE

Turkish cuisine finds a home in Needham

The counter-service establishment, display cases filled with temptations, has only five small circular tables, so takeout might be the preferable option.

Latest Globe Local headlines

BLOTTER TALES

Bobcat sighting in Methuen

A bobcat is seen in Methuen, a car gets pulled out of a pond in Groton, and other odd tales from local police blotters.

SOMERVILLE

Somerville gets a new director of veterans services

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone recently named Ted Louis-Jacques to serve as the city’s next director of veterans services.

Amid coronavirus outbreak, food pantry services are 'more critical now than ever before’

Expecting a greater demand during the coronavirus crisis, food pantries are quickly adapting their operations to help protect their clients and volunteers from the disease.

Welcome Home finds new homes for household donations

The Newton-based organization's mission is to collect and distribute household items free of charge to anyone in need.

‘Children are as good readers as ever,’ says acclaimed author Susan Cooper

Decades after winning awards for “The Dark is Rising” series, Susan Cooper is still writing. Her latest book is “The Shortest Day.”

NEWTON

Newton brings on new director of parks, recreation, and culture

Nicole Banks, who previously led the recreation department in Westwood for seven years, took over Newton’s department in February.

REGION

Grants will help region’s firefighters clean their gear

The state has awarded $420,000 to 75 communities to buy machines that clean smoke and toxic chemicals from firefighting gear.

HULL

Hull residents invited to sweep sidewalks in the fresh air

Rotary spokesman Dennis Zaia said that while lots of other group activities are being canceled to avoid possible exposure to the new coronavirus, the Kenberma Sweep was deemed to be safe.

CONCORD

West Concord assisted living community to expand

A West Concord assisted living community is undergoing an expansion and renovation with the help of state financing.

NEEDHAM

Needham picks new park and recreation director

Stacey Mulroy, who was recreation director in Arlington, assumed her new position in Needham on Feb. 24.

SCITUATE

Demolition paves way for Scituate’s new senior center

Bulldozers knocked down a wing of the old Gates Middle School in Scituate to make room for a new senior center.

SALEM

Salem to hold repair cafe on March 28

The event, set for 9 a.m. to noon at 211 Bridge St., is the ninth in a continuing series of sessions that began in 2017.

LAWRENCE

Grant pays for training to prevent violence at Lawrence hospital

Lawrence General Hospital staff will be better prepared to avoid and respond to violent incidents with the help of new funding.

CHELSEA

Chelsea center marks 10 years of caring for patients with ALS and multiple sclerosis

The Leonard Florence Center for Living was the nation’s first urban “Green House” skilled nursing residence serving people with ALS and multiple sclerosis.

THE ARGUMENT

Should a resort-style casino be developed in Southeastern Massachusetts?

Read two views and vote in our online poll.

NATICK

Natick selectmen agree to support development of former St. Patrick’s school site

The Natick Board of Selectmen recently signed an agreement with a builder seeking to construct a mixed-use development on the downtown site of the former St. Patrick’s school.

WEYMOUTH

Pro rugby to debut at former South Weymouth Naval Air Station

The New England Free Jacks, a professional rugby team, will play its inaugural home game on March 14 at the sports complex in Union Point.

ROCKLAND

Visit artist fair at Rockland’s Sandpaper Factory

The public is invited to the Sandpaper Factory in Rockland on March 15 for a Spring Artist Fair sponsored by the 4th Floor Artists group.

MILTON

Focus group examining transportation needs for seniors

A group looking at regional transportation needs for older people will hold a focus group at the Milton Council on Aging on Monday, March 9, to find out what local seniors think.

NEEDHAM

Babson students launch study of Needham’s business community

Needham is getting some help from students at Babson College in assessing how well the town’s economy is doing.

ACTON

Acton to remove River Street Dam and restore brook

Acton will be able to advance plans to remove the River Street Dam and restore the brook that runs beneath it with the help of a new $112,500 state grant.

SOMERVILLE

Somerville to get progress report on high school building project

Somerville residents have a chance to hear an update on the city’s high school building project at a community meeting on March 16.

PEABODY

Scholarship fund will honor Peabody’s late school superintendent

The Peabody Education Foundation has found a way to honor the memory of the city’s late school superintendent Cara E. Murtagh, who died suddenly last Nov. 29 at the age of 44.

LAWRENCE

Lawrence General Hospital chooses new leader

Lawrence General Hospital recently concluded its search for a new president and chief executive officer when it named Deborah J. Wilson to the position.

CAMPUS ANGLE

Westwood’s Cailin Harrington embracing a leading role for 25-0 Tufts women’s basketball

The senior guard is the lone starter from Massachusetts for the top-ranked program in Division 3.

CATCHING UP WITH . . .

At Tyngsborough and UMass Lowell, Jonathan Curran was fit for success

The two-time Division 2 All-American soccer player carries the same determination in his position as a firefighter in Nashua, N.H.

HIGH SCHOOL SKIING

Hingham skiers are kings, queens of the mountain

There is plenty of confidence as Hingham heads to this year’s States at Berkshire East on March 4.

Whether pets or wildlife, animals are their beat

Diane Welch in Arlington and Nancy Bersani in Milton shared the Animal Control Officer of the Year award for 2019.

BRION O’CONNOR | ON THE MOVE

Preparing for the outdoors? Go to ‘school’ in Saugus

Outdoor enthusiast Eliot Goodwin offering classes on skills needed at DCR’s Camp Nihan Education Center.

HIGH SCHOOL SKIING

Concord-Carlisle skiers have competition on the Nordic track

The defending state boys’ and girls’ champions will be challenged on the Prospect Mountain course at Tuesday’s state final.

Local fare