3 Alarm fire 1241 Broadway Somerville

Photo by @Sean Horgan

The Somerville Police & Fire Departments have responded to 18 overdose incidents since May 1, 2022, four of these have been fatal. Fentanyl continues to be a primary substance increasing overdose, please see below for the Fentanyl Fact Sheet. Other factors increasing fatalities are the use of other substances such as Xylazine, which is not an opioid thus Narcan may not be enough. Overdoses have not been limited to opioids; another shift contributing to this is cross contamination, it is not uncommon for suppliers to distribute multiple drugs, and thus we have also seen individuals using stimulants as well as other substances also at risk of overdose. Continue reading Somerville Police Department Public Service Announcement →

By Bob Katzen

Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session.
Continue reading HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION ON BEACON HILL? →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe, dispense and administer a short-term supply (60-days once in a two-year period) of HIV prevention drugs, known as pre-exposure prophylaxis(PrEP), to a patient without a prescription. The bill requires pharmacists to provide counseling regarding the use of PrEP and to connect patients without a primary care provider with a health care provider for ongoing care and to obtain a prescription for PrEP. Continue reading HIV PREVENTION DRUGS →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would have the Bay State join 27 other states and allow certain qualified health care professionals to perform the standardized 5 needle-point ear acupuncture detoxification protocol (5NP) – an extremely cost-effective treatment that has been shown to help those suffering from addiction and trauma. Research shows the treatment helps with addiction withdrawals, reduces drug cravings, decreases stress, anxiety, depression and other symptoms.
Continue reading ACUPUNCTURE DETOX SPECIALISTS (S 2957) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 32-8, approved and sent to the House a bill that would expand the number of offenses for which juvenile courts may divert accused juveniles from prison to community service. The measure gives juvenile judges the opportunity to decide, based on the facts of the case, if a child would be better served through a diversion program and receiving appropriate services in a community setting. Continue reading JUVENILE DIVERSION (S 2942) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 31-9, approved and sent to the House a bill that would make changes to the current civil asset forfeiture law that allows law enforcement and prosecutors to seize property which is alleged to have been involved in a crime. Under current law, the burden of proof is on the owner of the items who believes that their possessions were improperly forfeited. That person is required to demonstrate that these items were not involved in a crime. Continue reading CHANGE CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE LAW (S 2944) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a measure that would repeal several archaic laws, still on the books in Massachusetts, which many people no longer see as criminal and/or may be unconstitutional. Continue reading REPEAL ARCHAIC LAWS →

By Bob Katzen

The House 153-0, approved $56 million in funding for the families of the victims of the COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.
Continue reading $56 MILLION FOR FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF HOLYOKE SOLDIERS’ HOME (H 4932) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 153-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that limits the use of health care plan mandated prescription drug “step therapy” protocols and provides more exemptions to the mandate. Step therapy requires the patient to try less expensive options before “stepping up” to drugs that cost more. Continue reading LIMIT STEP THERAPY (H 4929) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 136-17, approved and sent to the Senate legislation designed to further protect reproductive health care and those who perform abortions in the Bay State. The measure specifically declares that both reproductive health care and gender-affirming care is a “right secured by the constitution or laws” of Massachusetts and would shield providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care and their patients from out-of-state legal action.
Continue reading REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE (H 4930) →

James J. “Jake” Wade, 86, of Medford, originally from Somerville, passed away peacefully on June 29th. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 19, 1935, he was the son of the late Edward and Margaret (Callahan) Wade. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering James J. “Jake” Wade →

The Somerville Public Library is hosting a pair of virtual seminars to showcase two fascinating topics relevant to New England. Both seminars will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Zoom.
Continue reading Join the SPL for a Pair of Virtual Seminars Showcasing Books with Local Ties →

Somerville’s Arbor Day celebration has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 6, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Nathan Tufts Park (850 Broadway).
Continue reading Arbor Day Festivities Rescheduled for July 6 →

Applications are now open for 11 income-restricted condominiums, available to eligible households through the City of Somerville’s Inclusionary Housing Program. Nine units, ranging from studios to three bedrooms, are available at 60 Cross Street East. Two units, both with two bedrooms, are available at 109 Prospect Street.
Continue reading Somerville-11 Affordable Units Available for Eligible First-Time Buyers →

ArtBeat, the Somerville Arts Council’s annual multicultural arts showcase, returns to Davis Square on Saturday, July 16. Now in its 36th year (!), ArtBeat features an eclectic mix of music, dance, theater, food, performance, and activities, drawing thousands of visitors.
Continue reading ArtBeat Returns to Davis Square on July 16 →

Group is tasked with developing strategies and recommendations on changes to the Charter

(MEDFORD)—Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced today that she is forming a committee that will comprehensively study the City’s current charter, gather input from the community and ultimately propose recommendations on changes and content to the existing document. Continue reading Medford Mayor Lungo-Koehn to Establish Committee to Study City’s Charter →

Department issuing pro-rated residential and business parking permits beginning July 1

(MEDFORD)—The Medford Parking Department has been issuing tickets, accepting payments and granting permits to residents and visitors for over two months and with the process in full swing, the City is providing an update to residents on parking procedures and violations. Continue reading Medford-Reminders and Updates on Parking Procedures and Violations →

All said they enjoyed the night. Good chat, food, company. Our Medford Lions scholarship recipient-Isabella Sasso. Continue reading MEDFORD LIONS ROAR MHS →

BOSTON – In an audit released today, State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump called on the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) to improve guidance to sheriff’s offices ensuring that all “Total Operational Spending per Inmate” reports are completed as consistently as possible in a timely manner. In addition, the audit, which examined the period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020, encourages MSA to establish procedures and policies for the coordination and standardization of services and programs at the sheriff’s offices. Continue reading Audit Advises Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association Ensure Consistency of Inmate Reports →