The following information was released Thursday afternoon by a Boston communications firm on behalf of Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian:

Middlesex County Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian today announced he has opened a Congressional campaign committee account, the first formal step in a potential run for U.S. Congress in the 5th Congressional District should Congressman Edward Markey win the race for U.S. Senate.

“I have dedicated my life to working on issues important to the people I have been honored to represent as a legislator and now as Sheriff. If given the opportunity, I intend to fight for the people of the 5th Congressional district as their representative in Washington,” said Koutoujian. “Throughout my career, I have focused on guaranteeing access to quality, affordable health care, enacting common sense measures to strengthen our economy, ensuring public safety and providing our schools with the tools necessary to allow students to thrive.”

Peter Koutoujian has 17 years of experience in elected office. He began his career as a prosecutor before being elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives representing the communities of Waltham, Watertown and Newton. While in the Legislature, Koutoujian was appointed to various leadership positions throughout his tenure, including as Chairman of the Committees on Healthcare, Public Health and Financial Services.

In 2011, Koutoujian was appointed Sheriff of Middlesex County by Governor Deval Patrick. In November 2012, he ran and was elected in his own right with an overwhelming 77% — winning every one of the 474 precincts in the county.

The new campaign committee, “Koutoujian for Congress,” will allow Koutoujian to raise funds on his behalf and to hire campaign staff when appropriate.

Medford’s Honor Roll Park.

The city of Medford is planning on recognizing its residents who served during Desert Storm and in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to an announcement on its website.

Medford has compiled a list of veterans to include on a bronze plaque at Honor Roll Park. The park, dedicated in 2007 and located on Winthrop Street near the high school, currently recognizes Medford veterans who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

According to information released by Mayor Michael McGlynn, the city is planning on another dedication ceremony in the fall for this new plaque in honor of veterans who served in recent conflicts.

The city has released a list of all of the names of Medford veterans who served during Desert Storm and in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mayor McGlynn is asking for public review of the list to ensure names are correct and that everyone is included.

Changes in names or additions to list need to be made to the Office of Veterans Services by June 15.

- InsideMedford.com

- Allison Goldsberry

On Tuesday afternoon the Medford High School varsity baseball team finished their regular season with a 2-1 road win over Lexington.

Chris Hayes pitched a complete game, striking out nine while allowing just six hits and no earned runs, according to assistant coach Ryan Kozul.

Senior captain Jake Porrazzo once again hit the go-ahead single to give Medford the 2-1 lead i the fifth inning. Ryan Covelle had the game-tying RBI single and scored the go-ahead run on Porrazzo’s hit. Nick Rocco had a run scored while John Lavoie and Mike Egitto each added two hits.

The Mustangs won their last home game of the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Stoneham on Monday.

John Lavoie (pictured below) pitched a complete game one hit shutout to earn his fifth win of the season, said assistant coach Ryan Kozul.

The sole run of the game came in the sixth inning. Covelle walked with two outs. Lavoie singled, putting runners at the corners. Porrazzo stepped up the plate and singled to right field to give the Mustangs the lead.

Lavoie held onto his team’s lead, shutting down Stoneham in the seventh to seal the win.

Medford is 17-3 overall and 7-1 in the Greater Boston League. Medford won the GBL title for the first time in over ten years. The Mustangs are league co-champs with Everett, who handed Medford their only GBL loss of the season.

Medford is awaiting word on the state tournament seedings, which will be available next Tuesday. Kozul said the team is guaranteed a top three seed in Division 1 North.

Renowned local author Dennis Lehane came to Bestsellers Cafe on Tuesday night.

Lehane spoke about himself and very candidly fielded some questions from the audience. The son of Irish immigrants said the embellished yarns spun by his family of Irish storytellers influenced his ultimate career choice as a fiction writer. Lehane also said he became a writer because he “sucked at everything else.”

Lehane, a Dorchester native, is the author of nine books, three of which have been made into award-winning films, Mystic River, Gone, Baby, Gone, and Shutter Island. Lehane announced he is currently working on a project with Leonardo DiCaprio for the film “Travis McGee.” Lehane will be writing the movie’s screenplay.

- InsideMedford.com

- Allison Goldsberry

For the first time since 1998, the Medford High School girls varsity softball team clinched the Greater Boston League title.

The Lady Mustangs became GBL champs with a thrilling 2-1 home victory Monday over four-time league champion and defending Division 1 Eastern Massachusetts champion Golden Tornadoes of Malden.

“The Lady Mustangs had previously earned at least a tie for the GBL top spot but would not settle for a piece of the pie with friendly arch rivals Malden and Everett,” said Head Coach Jack Dempsey. “So, with the huge victory the local nine won sole posession of first place in a hard fought game.”

Freshman pitching sensation Ashley Eisnor was once again a force, allowing only one run, three hits, and one base on balls while striking out eight Malden batters, said Coach Dempsey. Eisnor was also the batting hero, driving in both Lady Mustang runs, with a sac fly in the second inning and a single in the sixth that scored senior Michaela Mitrano with the winning run. The Malden nine did not go without a fight, scoring a run in the seventh inning before Eisnor closed the door, with the tying run stranded at third base to end the game.

The Lady Mustangs’ hitting attack was led by senior captain Katie Napier (a single and double), Brianna Napoleone (two hits), and Hannah O’Leary (a double, single, run scored, and stolen base). Senior captains Lauren Walsh and Sam Lopilato each banged out singles along with senior Christina Lynch. Sophomore catcher Julia Kearney came up big, throwing out a Malden speedster at second base late in the game to preserve the victory for the Medford nine.

Medford finishes up the regular season with six non-league games in seven days. The Mustangs play a home and home series with Winchester on Tuesday and Wednesday and head to Middlesex League leader Lexington on Thursday. Medford visits Revere on Saturday before a home and home series with Arlington on Sunday and Memorial Day.

The Lady Mustangs are awaiting state tournament seedings, which come out next week.

Former Medford Mayor Jack McGlynn, father of Mayor Michael McGlynn, was part of a top secret “Ghost Army” during World War II.

Rick Beyer’s new documentary, The Ghost Army, is about the “astonishing true story of American G.I.s who tricked the enemy with rubber tanks, sound effects, and carefully crafted illusions” during World War II.

Sgt. Jack McGlynn, who later served five terms as Mayor, was in the sonic unit.

McGlynn is pictured above with Beyer.

Hear all about “the Ghost Army” in a special documentary premiering on PBS on Tuesday night at 8:00PM.

Watch a trailer below:

Watch Preview on PBS. See more from The Ghost Army.

Read an article by Boston Globe columnist Juliette Kayyem by clicking on the link below:

The loyal magicians. #GhostArmy, the lost “art” of warfare, & soldiers who kept secrets. My column: b.globe.com/18WVVRM (watch @pbsTu.)

— Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) May 20, 2013

- InsideMedford.com

Mustang pitcher John Lavoie

- Allison Goldsberry

The Medford High School baseball team won their last home game of the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Stoneham on Monday.

John Lavoie pitched a complete game one hit shutout to earn his fifth win of the season, said assistant coach Ryan Kozul.

The sole run of the game came in the sixth inning. Ryan Covelle walked with two outs. Lavoie singled, putting runners at the corners. Jake Porrazzo stepped up the plate and singled to right field to give the Mustangs the lead.

Lavoie held onto his team’s lead, shutting down Stoneham in the seventh to seal the win.

Medford is 16-3 overall and 7-1 in the Greater Boston League heading into the last game of the regular season. The Mustangs are on the road at Lexington on Tuesday.

Medford won the GBL title for the first time in over ten years. The Mustangs are league co-champs with Everett, who handed Medford their only GBL loss of the season. Medford is awaiting word on the state tournament seedings, which will be available next Tuesday.

The City of Medford’s annual Memorial Day celebration is taking place on Monday, May 27 at 10AM at Oak Grove Cemetery on Playstead Road. All are welcome to attend. More information is available on www.medford.org.

- InsideMedford.com

Medford resident Allison Caloggero received the Regis Presidential Catholic Scholarship, a four year full-tuition scholarship for residential students. According to the Regis website, the scholarship is available to graduating seniors from selected parochial high schools in the Archdiocese of Boston and selected areas in several different states. Recipients are chosen for academic achievement, leadership ability, and dedication to community service. Caloggero is pictured with Regis College President Antoinette Hays at the Regis College Merit Scholars Reception on Saturday, March 23.

- Information and photo from Dina Caloggero

On Saturday, May 18, Salem State University conducted its 203rd commencement exercises. In two separate ceremonies, the university awarded over 1,400 undergraduate degrees. Among the members of the Salem State Class of 2013 are the following local residents.

Earlier in the week on May 16, 2013, Salem State conferred over 400 graduate degrees.

Undergraduate degrees

Anthony Avola
Russell Desir
Charisse DiGregorio
Courtney Galvin
Christina Hamlin
Janessa Hughes
Demitra Kallis
Dayse Kumar
Kerline Louis-Jacques
Andrew Mueller
Gia Paone
Jessica Puzak
Isha Ranjit
Corey Sapienza
Paige Scali
Kathryn Sears
Joanna Sydne
Kimberly Todisco
Elana Vellucci
Kendia Vertus

Graduate degrees

Megan Corbett
Kathleen DeGurski
Suzanne Dever
Emily Giurleo
Miriam Greenburg
Spiridoula Kazis
Joseph Luongo
Kathleen McCormick
Amanda Neas
Caitlin O’Donoghue
John Preusch
Cristina Rivera

- Information from Salem State University