Across Massachusetts, MA|News|
El Niño Summer Forecast: How Hot And Stormy Will It Be In MA?
Despite a harsh winter and cool spring, conditions point to things heating up in the coming summer months across New England.

Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.
Despite a harsh winter and cool spring, conditions point to things heating up in the coming summer months across New England.

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce will welcome more than 200 top 3 percent graduates from 30 high schools.
Gov. Maura Healey announced the down-payment assistance program designed to make it easier to buy a house in the pricey Bay State.
The two candidates won a four-person race for the two open seats on Tuesday.
Three Salem State musicians joined the CBDNA Eastern Division ensemble after nominations and auditions this spring.
Jon Litner is the president and CEO of the New York-based YES Network.
James Morrison assumed command of the VT-28 "Rangers" - a naval air training squadron based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
She said the activation of Vineyard Wind contracts may result in the savings of 11 percent for customers during the volatile winter months.
Walmart executives said the remodeling efforts are designed to "modernize the in-store and digital shopping experience."
A May 3 event in Salem will mark the new partnership with a documentary screening, remarks and cookbook tastings.
Letter carriers will collect non-perishable donations during regular delivery to support Beverly Bootstraps and local pantries.
"The open sign going up has always meant something around here. It meant summer was close."
A citywide vote on May 5 will determine funding for the project, estimated to add $682 per year to the median single-family home tax bill.
Screening guidelines now recommend testing begin at age 45 for average-risk adults, though many younger patients fall below that threshold.
Peabody City Councilor and Lt. Gov. candidate Anne Manning-Martin gained enough support to qualify for the September ballot.
The NexMex Thing owner said the restaurant will now stay open past April 30 on Central Street.
Essex Heritage gathered county leaders in Topsfield and announced new commissioners and trustees for the regional nonprofit.
Two households, including one with young children, were displaced in Wednesday night's blaze.
The Fenwick senior was recently named Salutatorian for the Class of 2026.
Abbot Public Library Director Kimberly Grad outlines the impact of override "tiers" on library services.