News Nearby: Arlington Heights Bank Robbed

A look at some of the top recent headlines from just beyond Winchester.

Arlington Police are asking for the public’s help in solving Thursday’s bank robbery at the Citizens Bank in the Heights. The suspect, who is described as a 5-foot-6 white male, entered the bank and proceeded to the teller window, where he jumped onto the counter and demanded cash, according to police. He did not show a weapon, but whether he had one was still under investigation Thursday afternoon. After the suspect received the cash, he fled on foot. While outside the bank, dye packs, which were on timers, exploded, tainting the cash. The suspect left behind several thousand dollars near the bank, police said. After the town recently learned that a Stoneham man had been diagnosed with West Nile Virus, the Board of Health has decided to …

• Photos (1)

West Nile Virus Threat Raised to 'High' in Winchester

A 63-year-old Stoneham man has West Nile Virus.

Winchester has been updated to a "High" risk level for the West Nile Virus after a Stoneham man was recently diagnosed as having the virus. The 63-year-old man was discovered to have West Nile Virus on Sept. 20, according to the Stoneham Board of Health. "The (Massachusetts Department of Public Health) risk assessment level has been raised from 'Moderate' to 'High' in the towns of Stoneham and Winchester in efforts to raise awareness regarding this arbovirus in the closing weeks of the warm season." With the recent confirmation of West Nile Virus, the Stoneham Board of Health has placed a ban on all town and school-related outdoor activities after 6 p.m. for the remainder of the season, according to the statement. The ban will be lifted …

• Photos (1)

First West Nile Death in Mass. Since 2005, Threat Level Raised Statewide

A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness.

The first death of a Massachusetts resident due to West Nile Virus (WNV) since 2005 and additional human cases have led state officials to raise the threat level statewide to at least 'moderate." A Worcester resident in his 60s with severe underlying medical conditions was diagnosed with WNV in mid-August and has since died of the illness, the state Department of Public Health (DPH) announced on Friday. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of this gentleman during this difficult time," Worcester Division of Public Health Acting Commissioner Dr. Michael Hirsh said in a DPH press release. "While we have been fortunate that we have seen a very low number of human West Nile cases, on rare occasion WNV can be very serious. …

• Photos (1)

Three More West Nile Cases in Middlesex County

Officials are urging the public to take precautions against West Nile virus.

Three more human cases of West Nile Virus have been confirmed in Middlesex County and the threat level is being raised in several communitites, including Winchester, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.  In response, the DPH has raised the WNV threat level to "high" in the following communities: Chelsea, Everett, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere, Saugus and Winthrop. In Winchester, the threat level has been raised to "moderate."  The threat level is also being raised to "moderate" in other towns: Bedford, Burlington, Lincoln, Stoneham, Wakefield and Woburn. WNV mosquito cases have been confirmed in 97 towns statewide this year and the state on pace to have the highest number of cases since 2000, according …

• Photos (1)

Second West Nile Virus Human Case Reported

West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes have been found in 67 communities from nine counties so far during 2012.

An unidentified Cambridge man in his 70s is the second person in Middlesex County to be infected by the West Nile Virus this year, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services. The man remained hospitalized as of last week, according to a DHHS press release. "The announcement is a compelling indicator that the threat of mosquito-borne illness is widespread, and people should continue taking simple, common-sense steps to protect themselves and their families against mosquito bites," said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach in a written statement. "Use insect repellant, cover exposed skin, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are their most active." West Nile Virus-infected mosquitoes have …

• Photos (1)

West Nile Virus Infects Middlesex Man

It's the first human case of WNV in Massachusetts this year.

An unidentified man from Middlesex County is this year's first person to be infected by the West Nile Virus in Massachusetts, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services. The man is in his 60s and lives in a community north of Boston, according to a press release from the Department of Health and Human Services Aug. 15. The man was diagnosed with West Nile Virus in late July, the release said; he remains hospitalized but is recovering. Testing conducted on July 24 found the virus in mosquito pools in neighboring communities including Medford, Malden and Melrose, according to state data. Mosquitos infected by the virus have been found in 48 communities and nine counties in Massachusetts so far this year, according to …

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need To Know Today, August 19

Missing iPhone and West Nile warnings.

Five Things You Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section. Today is Friday, August 19. Here are five things you need to know: To find out what is going on today in Winchester, check out our events listings.

• Photos (1)

Winchester Board of Health Warns Residents About West Nile

West Nile was reported in Arlington.

The Mass. Dept. of Public Health is reporting that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been isolated from mosquitoes in the region. This news should serve as a warning that mosquitoes pose a health threat between now and early October. Although the chances of acquiring mosquito borne diseases such as WNV or EEE are remote, residents should be aware that these mosquito-borne viruses could cause fever, meningitis or encephalitis. Early symptoms of these diseases include fever, headache, stiff neck and muscle weakness. Mosquitoes acquire WNV or EEE after biting an infected bird. Those mosquitoes can then transmit that virus to a person, horse or to another bird. Culex mosquitoes that develop in water holding containers are the primary vectors of WNV, …

• Photos (1)

PatchCast

PatchCast: Dangerous Mosquitoes, Post Offices Under Review and ‘This Old House’

A video roundup of the area's latest developments for Wednesday, July 27.

Follow the links below for more on today's featured headlines:

• Videos (1)