Top Photo L-R: SFD Lieutenant Paul French with daughter Kailyn, Firefighter Steve Chiemets and Firefighter Sean Layton

Bottom Photo L-R: Photo L-R: SPD Deputy Chief Stephen Carrabino, Officer Kevin Goulart and Jess Charves

By William Tauro

In a letter dated October 9, 2018 from Somerville Fire Department Chief J. Breen Jr. to Commander Fencl of the American Legion Post 19 of Somerville sent the following recommendations for these firefighters on receiving the 2018 Thomas Chetham Award. Continue reading 2018 Thomas Chetham Award Presented to Somerville Firefighters and Somerville Police Officer →

Photo L-R: Deputy Chief Stephen Carrabino, Officer Kevin Goulart and Jess Charves

Meet this week’s “Special Person of the Week:Somerville Police Officer Kevin Goulart Continue reading Somerville News Weekly’s Special Person of the Week Somerville Police Officer Kevin Goulart →

Dear Clients and Friends,

I started my career under the Century 21 franchise system. At the time, it offered the best marketing resources as well as professionalism and a worldwide reputation. I am grateful for the strong start it provided for me as a new agent. Today, over 34 years later, I am pleased to announce a new era in real estate that promises to be even better.  Continue reading HAPPY THANKSGIVING Berkshire Hathaway Home Services-Commonwealth Real Estate →

Many Villens celebrating their birthdays this week in the Ville! Happy Birthday greetings go out to Mary Mangherini, Marsha Eileen Hamel Urquilla, Stephanie Catino, Lucy Catino, Tanya Suied McCann, Steve Lampedecchio, Nicole Callinan, Betinha Pereira, Bobby Foley, Mr. DeMaria, Al Baldasaro, Susan McDonald Nionakis, Joe Baldasaro, Andrea Galgay, Becca Ann, Joe Lahiff, Cyndie Femino, Mike Devereaux, Elizabeth Lowney, Robert Barletta, Lisa D’Angelo, Darlene Pefine, Skip Murray, Happy 3rd Birthday to Christian, Happy 5th Birthday to Angel and Happy 4th Birthday to Dave!

Sent in by our readers!

Continue reading The Somerville News Weekly Favorite Birthday Photos of the Week →

By William Tauro

This past Saturday and Sunday many local artists and art admirers visited and discovered new artists and revisited their favorite local small businesses at Joy Street Studios. Continue reading Winter Open Studios at Joy Street Studios a Hidden Treasure →

The following is a summary of the details related to this incident.

     On November 8, 2018 at approximately 23:04hours, while assigned to marked unit West-5, I was dispatched to Dunkin Donuts located at 504 Broadway for an unwanted person inside the business yelling at an employee because his vehicle was towed from the business’ parking lot out front.  Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories: Zachary BATES (A&B PO, Resisting Arrest, Larceny from Building) →

“Report entered by SPD Records Personnel based upon report by SHA (LC)”

The following is a brief summary of facts pertaining to incident # 18065891.

Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories: Henry ALVAREZ (Firearm Carry w/Ammo, Trespass, Resisting Arrest) →

The following is a summary of the details related to this incident.

                On Wednesday, November 7, 2018, I, Officer David Ruf, was in full-uniform and assigned to marked cruiser East-2, for the Somerville Police Department. At approximately 2:54 A.M., Officer Sousa (East-3) and I were dispatched to 14 McGrath Hwy (Sally Beauty Supply Co) for a glass break alarm. Officer Messaoudi (East-1) and Officer Bork also responded as back up. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories: James MURPHY (B&E Nighttime Felony, Poss Burglarious Instrument, VCO Poss DW) →

The Henry David Thoreau Foundation awards collegiate scholarships of up to $20K to eight to ten students graduating from public or private high schools in Massachusetts. As Henry David Thoreau Scholars, these select high school seniors may enroll in any college and university in the world while they major or minor in an environmentally-related field.

Continue reading Environmental Leadership Scholarships for Massachusetts High School Seniors →

The holidays are right around the corner and to celebrate, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston will host four themed BRICKTACULAR weekends in December featuring a different local holiday show. Continue reading LEGOLAND® DISCOVERY CENTER BOSTON TO HOST BRICKTACULAR EVENTS FEATURING HOLIDAY THEMED SHOWS EVERY WEEKEND IN DECEMBER →

Check out how gorgeous these handmade holiday wreaths are! Each one is carefully crafted by a team of volunteers who are helping to raise funds for The Somerville Community Growing Center.

GOOD MORNING – TODAY IS SUNDAY, November 18, the 322nd day of 2018 with 43 to follow. Sunrise in the Boston area is @ 6:38 and sunset is @ 4:19. The moon is waxing. The morning stars are stars are Jupiter, Mars, Mercury & Saturn. The evening stars are Neptune, Uranus & Venus.
ON THIS DAY IN: 1477 – William Caxton produced “Dictes or Sayengis of the Philosophres,” which was the first book to be printed in England. Continue reading GOOD MORNING – TODAY IS by John Dwyer →

By Bob Katzen

Also stuck in the Bills on Third Reading Committee is legislation that requires landlords to install window guards in all units of their buildings that have a window higher than six feet off the ground and in which a child under ten years of age lives. Continue reading WINDOW GUARD REQUIREMENTS →

By Bob Katzen

A bill that would prohibit a consumer from being liable for any debt incurred by the unauthorized use, by someone other than the recipient, of unsolicited credit cards, checks and vouchers sent by banks was given initial approval by the House on June 23, 2017. Continue reading UNSOLICITED CREDIT CARDS AND CHECKS BILL →

By Bob Katzen

A bill requiring the state to develop and allow cities and towns to institute a program to teach financial literacy to students in kindergarten to grade 12 has been stuck in the House Ways and Means Committee Since March 26, 2018. Continue reading FINANCIAL LITERACY →

By Bob Katzen

The state’s Insurance Division announced that in the past 12 months, it has matched Massachusetts consumers with $2.1 million in missing life insurance policies or annuities through the use of the national Life Insurance Policy Locator. The locator, created by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, has matched up 342 beneficiaries with $4.1 million in the Bay State since it was launched in November 2016. Continue reading FINDING LOST LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES →

By Bob Katzen

The Local Government Advisory Commission urged the House, Senate and the governor to approve giving cities and towns $300 million annually for local road and bridge repairs for several years.

Continue reading MORE LOCAL FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE REPAIR →

By Bob Katzen

The House 116-34 and 115-35, upheld the ruling of Acting Speaker Paul Donato that amendments reducing the meals tax and sales tax from 6.25 percent to 5 percent are beyond the scope of a bill being debated in the House and will not be allowed on the House floor for debate and a vote.

Continue reading ALLOW AMENDMENTS REDUCING THE MEALS TAX AND SALES TAX →

By Bob Katzen

The House 127-18, approved an amendment allowing consumers to buy most products that cost under $2,500 on Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12 without paying the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax.

Continue reading 2018 SALES TAX HOLIDAY AMENDMENT APPROVED →

By Bob Katzen

The House 149-2, approved a local option bill allowing a city or town to authorize the creation of community benefit districts which would permit owners of contiguous property in a city or town to form a district and impose taxes to pay for additional services, improvements, events and other projects and activities within the district. The districts would be operated by a nonprofit board. The measure never received final approval by the House and Senate and it has been stuck in the Senate since July 18, 2018.

Continue reading A NEIGHBORHOOD CAN FORM A DISTRICT WITH TAXING POWER BILL PASSED →

By Bob Katzen

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. This week Beacon Hill Roll Call continues a series of report on how local legislators in 2017-2018 voted on roll calls raising, lowering or creating new taxes.

Continue reading Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 43 – Report No. 45 →

Somerville Local First proudly presents their annual Holiday Marketplace on Sunday November 25th in the historic main hall of the Armory- located at 191 Highland Avenue. The market will run from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m with a $2 suggested donation at the door.
Continue reading Somerville Local First 2018 Holiday Marketplace →

UPCOMING EVENTS.

Continue reading Somerville Council on Aging Weekly Updates & Information →

Continue reading Other Events and Dates in Somerville →

City and Somerville Public Schools offices will be closed. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be on a one-day delay starting on Thursday. Continue reading November 22 and 23: Thanksgiving Holiday →

Photos by William Tauro

Earlier this week a group of local veterans joined Mayor Joe Curtatone and Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Bryan Bishop to pay respects to veterans named on the City’s memorials near City Hall and Somerville High School.

Continue reading Remembering Somerville’s Veterans →

On November 20, the City will host a ceremony honoring Transgender Day of Awareness. Continue reading Transgender Day of Remembrance →

Chilly weather is officially here, so this is a friendly reminder that even if there’s not a snow emergency, property owners are still responsible for clearing their sidewalks of snow and ice. Your neighbors who rely on clear sidewalks to safely get to school, work, appointments, and run errands will appreciate it.

Three of our favorite annual holiday events are coming up, so mark your calendars:

Continue reading Celebrate the Holidays in Somerville →