By Karen Glover

Sound Familiar? … as in…THE BIRDS…the 1963 fictional horror film by the Master, Alfred Hitchcock. Maybe your initial reaction is this comparison is certainly far-fetched…but is it? Hopefully, after reading the observations and facts gleaned from various published articles and commentary, you may readily agree with thousands of Somerville Citizens who are victimized on a daily basis by this out-of-control diseased RAT infestation. Continue reading THE RATS!!! SOMERVILLE, MA OUR REAL LIFE RODENT HORROR STORY!!! →

On Saturday, November 19th, 2022, Somerville Police control received a call for a fight occurring at Montaje apartments, located at 449 Canal Street. Officers Campers, Pavao, Lorenti, Messaoudi, and I were all dispatched to that location. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories:(A&B w/ Dangerous Weapon) Victim Struck In Face With Shovel →

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Dear Mayor Ballantyne:

At several of the city’s Envisioning 90 Washington Street listen sessions you encouraged attendees to “think like a Mayor.” I am intrigued by this encouragement as I was when your predecessor used to encourage his development staff to “be abnormal”? Both Mayoral encouragements are top of mind in writing you this request.

If I were to think like a Mayor, I would take to heart the words of Albert Einstein when he said, “whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: RE: 90 Washington St. City Plan →

“If you or anyone you know has interest in serving on a committee or working with us in this administration, I encourage you to get involved. I will say out loud, we are not above poaching. So if you have talent, be prepared to share.”
—Lt. Governor-Elect Kim Driscoll, head of the Maura Healey transition team planning for the transition from the Baker Administration to the Healey Administration. Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

Legislation that would allow Lottery winners to request that their name, address and other identifying information not be disclosed by the Lottery Commission has died in a study committee. The measure also requires the Lottery Commission to inform a winning ticket holder of their right not to have their personal information disclosed to the public. Another provision gives winners the right to refuse to perform any public action in connections with the awarding, payment or collection of prize money. Continue reading PRIVACY OF LOTTERY WINNERS (S 223) →

By Bob Katzen

A bill that would require all mobile phones sold or leased in Massachusetts to disclose the dangers of mobile phones clearly and conspicuously on product packaging has died after being shuttled off to a study committee. The notice to consumers would read: “To assure safety, the Federal Government requires that cell phones meet radio frequency (RF) exposure guidelines. Continue reading CELL PHONE SAFETY (S 187) →

By Bob Katzen

Governor Baker signed into law a bill that would allow fully licensed speech pathologists to be granted a provisional license to practice in Massachusetts during their 36-month fellowship. Currently, Massachusetts is one of only eight states that does not provide a provisional license that allows their students to begin practicing during their fellowship. Continue reading SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS (H 5094) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved legislation that would repeal current state laws which create professional licensure consequences for anyone who defaults on their student loan. Under existing law, a borrower’s state-issued professional or occupational certificate, registration or license can be suspended, revoked or cancelled if the borrower is in default on an education loan. The House has already approved the measure and only final approval is necessary in each branch prior to the measure going to Gov. Charlie Baker.
Continue reading PROHIBIT REVOCATION OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES IF A PERSON DEFAULTS ON A STUDENT LOAN (H 5195) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 7-31, rejected an amendment that would reduce the short-term capital gains tax from 12 percent to 5 percent; increase the no-income tax status threshold from $8,000 to $12,500; and increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000, instead of just to $4,000 which the original bill provides. Continue reading MORE TAX RELIEF (S 3018) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 10-30, rejected a tax reduction amendment that would provide a 3-month suspension of the 24-cents-per-gallon gas tax; reduce from 12 percent to 5 percent the short-term capital gains tax rate; double the dependent care tax credit from $240 to $480 for one qualifying individual and to $960 for two or more individuals; increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000; increase the threshold for “no tax status” to $12,400 for single filers and $24,800 for joint filers; and double the maximum Senior Circuit Breaker Credit. Continue reading TAX CUTS BILL #(S 4) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 4-35 rejected an amendment that would reduce from 20 percent to 10 percent the proposed gaming excise tax for in-person betting and from 35 percent to 12.5 percent the tax for mobile bets and daily fantasy sports. Continue reading REDUCE GAMING TAX (S 2844) →

City of Somerville, Somerville Public Schools, City Council, Somerville School Committee

November 20, 2022

By now, many of you have already heard reports from Colorado Springs, Colorado about a fatal shooting at an LGBTQ+ nightclub. The shooting is currently being investigated as a hate crime, and rightfully so. Continue reading Joint Statement on the Club Q Mass Shooting in Colorado →

Monday, 11/21: Neighborhood Meeting – 45 Mystic Avenue

Tuesday, 11/22: Racial & Social Justice Comm. Visioning Focus Group (Ward 6)

Thursday, 11/24: Thanksgiving Day (City offices closed)

Friday, 11/25: Day After Thanksgiving (City offices closed)

Monday, 11/28: Narcan Distribution at Davis Square Statue Park

Wednesday, 11/30: Updated COVID-19 Booster Clinic

Thursday, 12/1: Household Hazardous (HHW) Drop-Off Continue reading OTHER EVENTS AND DATES →

Somerville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and Project Citizenship are co-hosting Citizenship Day. Continue reading Citizenship Day, December 8 →

Join Somerville’s Prevention Services division and the communities of Everett, Arlington, and Lexington (known as the S.E.A.L MassCALL3 cluster) for a virtual Community Data Share Back & Discussion event on Thursday, December 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The presentation will outline data obtained from the needs assessment process each community completed regarding youth substance misuse trends. Continue reading Get Updated on Youth Substance Misuse & Prevention Data →

Scattered pieces from a scrabble game on top of the game board Continue reading Multiple Teen Spaces Open in Somerville for Fall & Winter 2022 →

The City will host a free COVID-19 booster clinic for Somerville seniors and their caregivers on Thursday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Somerville Council on Aging, located at 167 Holland Street. Continue reading COVID-19 Booster Clinic for Seniors →

Give the gift of song, or light up Somerville with your best and brightest holiday display. Residents and business owners can now sign up to be featured on the Illuminations tour map for community members to take deconstructed tours on their own time. The deadline to sign up is Monday, December 5. A digital tour map will be available to the public on the Somerville Arts Council website starting Thursday, December 8, through Thursday, January 1. Register your home or business. Continue reading Sing and Decorate Your Business or Home for Illuminations 2022 →