On October 2, 2020, I, Officer Tim Van Nostrand, was on duty and assigned to uniform patrol of Assembly Row. At 6:37pm, I was dispatched along with Officer Alex Lorenti (East 1) for a shoplifter fleeing from Home Depot. The reporting party, Loss prevention Associate XXXX, stated an Asian male wearing a blue jacket and shorts shoplifted, and was running through the parking lot. XXXX followed and updated dispatch with the location of the suspect.

Officer Lorenti encountered the suspect on Canal St outside of the Montaje Garage. The suspect was uncooperative, and Officer Lorenti placed him in handcuffs to prevent further flight. I arrived shortly thereafter and spoke with XXXX. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories: Cong NGUYEN (Larceny, Furnish False Name) (Rockland Warrant) →

On October 1, 2020, I was patrolling area East 2 for the Somerville Police Department. At approximately 4:00 AM, I was dispatched to 259 McGrath Hwy. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories: Tyler BAKER (B&E Motor Vehicle) →

With broad scientific consensus pointing to a high risk of virus transmission at large gatherings, especially those indoors in poorly ventilated spaces, Somerville will take a more cautious approach to Phase 3 Step 2. Businesses and activities in this step will not be reopening on the State’s schedule. Continue reading Somerville’s Phase 3 Step 2 Reopening Remains on Hold →

On Saturday, October 10th, at 12 noon a group of locals will gather at the front entrance of the Medford City Hall to celebrate the anniversary of our Lady of Fatima. Continue reading Celebrate Feast of Fatima In Medford Sat Oct 10th →

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GOOD MORNING – TODAY IS MONDAY, October 05, the 278th day of 2020 with 88 to follow. Sunrise in the Boston area is @ 6:45 and sunset is @ 6:19. The moon is waning. The morning stars are Mars, Neptune and Uranus. Evening stars are Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Venus.

ON THIS DAY IN: 1813 – Chief Tecumseh of the Shawnee Indians was killed at the Battle of Thames when American forced defeated the British and the allied Indian warriors. Continue reading GOOD MORNING – TODAY IS by John Dwyer →

First clinic for seniors and veterans Thursday, Oct. 1

Additional clinics set for Oct. 17, Nov. 3 and Nov. 7

Pre-clinic registration required

SOMERVILLE, MA – The City of Somerville has set up four
free flu vaccination clinics for residents in October and November that will be open by appointment. The City is also partnering with schools to offer additional clinics to students. Residents are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine to protect their health
as well as to support the community’s efforts to lessen the impacts of both influenza and the coronavirus. Continue reading Somerville to Hold Four Flu Vaccination Clinics in October and November →

The House 158-0, Senate 35-0, approved a law designed to boost participation rates in school breakfast programs in high-poverty schools. The measure would require that breakfast be offered only after the school day begins, through a variety of ways including breakfast in the classroom, grab-and-go and second-chance breakfast. Currently, only 150,000 of the 300,000 students eligible for breakfast actually take part in it. Continue reading BREAKFAST AFTER THE BELL →

The House 154-0, Senate 40-0, approved a law that established a registry that identifies individuals who have been found to have committed abuse against persons with disabilities. The measure was filed by Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury) at the request of a constituent who is the mother of Nicky, an intellectually disabled and non-verbal individual. Continue reading PROTECT DISABLED PERSONS – NICKY’S BILL →

By Bob Katzen

The House 155-4, Senate 39-0, approved a $1 billion-plus information technology bond titled “An Act Financing the General Governmental Infrastructure of the Commonwealth.” The state borrows the funds to finance the projects in the package. Continue reading $1 BILLION-PLUS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BOND →

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The House 149-0, (Senate on a voice vote without a roll call), approved a law to improve the delivery of public health services through enhanced collaboration between local boards of health and regional health districts. Continue reading IMPROVEMENTS TO LOCAL AND REGIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM →

House 156-0, (Senate on a voice vote without a roll call), approved a law that would lower the number of voters needed at an open town meeting in order to have a quorum. Other provisions include allowing virtual representative town meetings to be held online and allowing towns Continue reading CITY AND TOWN GOVERNMENTS →

By Bob Katzen

(Senate on a voice vote without a roll call), approved a law that would grant additional tools to the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board to combat mosquito-borne illnesses including Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). The measure gives Continue reading MOSQUITO CONTROL →

By Bob Katzen

On January 15, 2020, the Education Committee gave a favorable report to a bill that would require all public schools from grade 6 through grade 12 to provide free feminine hygiene products in the restrooms. Schools would also be required to ensure that the products are available in a convenient manner that does not stigmatize any student who takes them. Continue reading FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS →

On August 1, 2019, the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities gave a favorable report to a bill creating a 19-member permanent Continue reading CREATE COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS OF COLOR →

By Bob Katzen

On April 9, 2020 the Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Committee gave a favorable report to a measure that would require all public schools that teach grades 7 to 12, and all state colleges that issue student ID cards, to include the telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Crisis Continue reading REQUIRE SUICIDE HOTLINE ON SCHOOL ID CARDS →

By Bob Katzen

On August 1, 2019, the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities gave a favorable report to a bill creating a 19-member permanent Commission on the Social Status of men and boys of color. The commission is charged with conducting an ongoing study of all matters concerning black men and boys, Continue reading CREATE COMMISSION ON THE SOCIAL STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS OF COLOR →

By Bob Katzen

On March 12, 2020, the Education Committee gave a favorable report to legislation that would ban the use of any Native American mascot by a public school including names like Redskins, Savages, Indians, Chiefs, Chieftains and Braves. Currently more than 30 schools in the Bay State use Native American mascots. Continue reading BAN ON NATIVE-AMERICAN SCHOOL MASCOTS →

By Bob Katzen

On February 27, 2020, the House gave initial approval to a bill that would set a cap on the fees check-cashing stores and outlets are allowed to charge. Continue reading LIMIT FEE FOR CASHING CHECKS →