Collins

The late 1970s was a time when men making sexual advances toward boys was locked in secrecy. That held true in Arlington, until one youngster came forward, and a swim coach at the Boys & Girls Club was dismissed and moved out of state.

Now, as men in their 40s, they have accused Paul A. Collins, 62, of Centereach, N.Y., of sexual assault. Collins was ordered held on $250,000 bail, is held in Cambridge Jail and faces a June 17 hearing. He pleaded not guilty to the accusations on Monday, May 20.

According to a report in The Boston Globe on May 21, prosecutors said he had admitted to sexual contact with two accusers and told investigators he may also have had contact with the other two. An initial report from Chief Fred Ryan said five accusers had come forward.

Mixed media by Nathan Robbins, second grade, Brackett School.

The Arlington public schools' visual-art department invites you to Town Hall exhibit of student artwork through Wednesday, May 22.

Join all involved at a reception for the student artists and their teachers May 22 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Town Hall. The reception is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

See a selection of images from the show >>

Snow in athletics field at Arlington High as it looked in April with Symmes project in the background.

Work to be bid, start in summer

As cars lined up at the DPW so residents could hand off recycling on Saturday, May 11, not far away, on an athletics field behind Stop & Shop, another kind of environmental issue is due for resolution -- the residue of topsoil dug up last winter when the town dumped snow at the site.

The area in question is not just any field of play; it is an area, part of a much larger one including Arlington High School's football field, contaminated with cancer-causing chromium.

Because of a settlement between the town and industrial interests that manufactured at the site of the DPW Yard going back to 1913, the larger area has been capped to protect the public.

Exclusive sponsorship opportunity until Friday

Summer concerts are returning to the green in front of the Jefferson Cutter House, headquarters of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and the organization is offering sponsorship opportunities.

An Arlington couple who adopted two children in China is trapped there, unable to get a visa and passport for a second adoptive daughter, Channel 5 has reported.

Tracey Antonelli and her husband, Patrick Mooty, can't get paperwork for Rosalie, 2, because of a lockdown at the American consulate.

The consulate has been closed since Monday because a staff member opened up an envelope with a suspicious white powder.

What is an art installation that people may sit on and raise money?

You saw it last summer, and it's coming back: In its second year, Chairful Where You Sit is a temporary outdoor art installation on the Minuteman Bike Path and in front of the Jefferson Cutter House, featuring reimagined chairs created by local artists and community members.

Guidelines for participating

The town's Memorial Day Parade is set for Monday, May 27, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Marchers will step off at Adams Street on Mass. Ave. and continue on to Monument Park in Arlington Center for observances and placing of wreathes.

From there the parade will reform and proceed to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. 

All entrances to the cemetery will be closed to motor vehicles at 5 a.m.  The gates will open again around noon.