Around the Region: Microburst Rips Arlington, Somerville IKEA Plans Squashed, Red Sox Slugger in Melrose

Arlington was hit with a confirmed microburst late Wednesday afternoon. WXIBOX, an amateur radio station at the National Weather Service's Taunton office, confirmed the microburst on its Twitter feed. The storm hit East Arlington particularly hard, with downed power lines and trees throughout the neighborhood. On Mass Ave., the road is flooded near Bates street. A massive tree fell across the avenue near Linwood Street. Cars heading south are climbing halfway up the sidewalk in a single file to try and pass the obstacle. -John Waller

: The Supreme Judicial Court rejected Thomas Mortimer IV’s claim that his retirement account cannot be used to help pay for his defense. Mortimer’s lawyer said the money in an IRA account cannot be considered liquid assets, but the court felt differently. Retirement account funds can be considered when calculating whether a defendant is indigent, and the court said that money could be used to contribute to Mortimer’s defense. The trial is set to begin on Oct. 2. -Lindsey Davidson

Slated to open in Wakefield in September of 2012 is a new joint venture of a restaurant: Laurie's 9:09 Steakhouse and Raw Bar.  The new eatery will be a mix of fine dining - think oysters, steak, lobsters and crab cakes - a full bar, and fun entertainment, including live music, trivia and other games.  The restaurant will be located at 33 Tuttle Street, the location of the former Cafe Jag's. -Sara Jacobi

: Around 200 kids ages 6-14 had the opportunity Thursday morning at Fred Green Field to learn how to play the national patime from one of the game's greats—Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Watch the video to hear from the Sox slugger and for sights and sounds from the clinic. The players broke out into different stations to learn baseball fundamentals from area coaches, while Gonzalez went from station to station helping with instruction and answering any questions the kids had. -Daniel DeMaina

IKEA has officially decided not to build a store in Somerville's Assembly Square. In a letter addressed to Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, the furniture giant informed the city Thursday that it would not proceed with plans for a Somerville location. (You can read the letter to the right.) "We have made the very difficult decision not to pursue the construction of a Somerville store," the letter reads. Plans for the Somerville store started about 15 years ago, but Thursday's news did not come as a surprise. -Chris Orchard