Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Billy Just Loves Our Somerville Seniors

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

Thank you William Tauro (Billy) for the spaghetti and meatballs supper. You’re a great family man and hope that you win my friend. I listened to everything that you said tonight and everyone wants you to be our next mayor of Somerville,especially me. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Billy Just Loves Our Somerville Seniors

Global Warming Attributed By Design

By Richard Scirocco

The acknowledgment of the high rise buildings, contributing towards the Global Warming Crisis has finally been addressed and recognized by all in attendance, at a local Ward 2 meeting held on October 25th by Mayor Ballantyne. An individual question was raised, by a calmly spoken woman named Alice referring, to the challenge of large buildings blocking the wind, and, in consequence, of the domino effect, heating up the areas surrounding it. Continue reading Global Warming Attributed By Design

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Current Administration Conspired With Previous Administration On Severability Clauses For Their Own Personal Gain

This should be exposed immediately!

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

Everybody in Somerville should know about and be aware of that they have been sold out on the Secondary Market. They deserve to know this answer. This clause was created by your former mayor who conspired with your current mayor to make it easier for them on their development projects for their own personal gain.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Current Administration Conspired With Previous Administration On Severability Clauses For Their Own Personal Gain

Somerville City Water Poses Major Safety Concerns

By Somerville/Medford News Weekly News Staff

Safety issues loom as the winter months approach. Upon investigative discovery,  many of the city fire plugs are in need of immediate repairing. As it currently stands to date, the count of sixteen plugs throughout the city have reached their functional life expectancy and two are out of use completely as the damages are beyond underground repair, and require replacement. Continue reading Somerville City Water Poses Major Safety Concerns

Join the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Virtual Fall Community Meeting on November 13

Virtual Meeting Will Highlight Winter/Spring Construction Schedule and Forthcoming Streetscape Improvements

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen invite you to join a virtual community meeting to learn about construction progress on the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project. Continue reading Join the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Virtual Fall Community Meeting on November 13

Nine Arrested after Police Assaulted During Protest Including Two Somerville Residents

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., October 30, 2023 – Nine individuals were arrested after several Cambridge Police officers were assaulted during a protest outside 130 Bishop Allen Drive. Starting at 10am, Cambridge Police officers were monitoring a protest outside Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense contractor, whose office has been the site of numerous protests and acts of vandalism and property destruction in recent weeks. The crowd, estimated to be about 200 people, was initially peaceful. Continue reading Nine Arrested after Police Assaulted During Protest Including Two Somerville Residents

Random acts of kindness go along way in my book!

By William Tauro

Only just a few minutes ago I was in the Santandare Bank on lower Broadway doing some business when it started pouring buckets of rain outside. A young lady was making a deposit at the next window. I overheard her say “oh my God I just walked a block and I half to get here and now I am going to get soaked now.” Continue reading Random acts of kindness go along way in my book!

Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log

Assault

23058349: On 10/4/23 at approximately 6:40 PM, Somerville Police responded to 355 Broadway for report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated he was picking up food and was approached by an unknown male who yelled at him and threatened to come back with a gun. Shortly after, the male came back with another male party and they started attacking the victim with a metal pole. Continue reading Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log

All Invited to Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony for New Phillip Reavis, Sr. Field at Somerville High School

SOMERVILLE – All are invited to celebrate the completion of Somerville High School’s new athletic field, the Philip Reavis, Sr. Field. The High School has long operated without a practice field onsite making this a momentous occasion. Continue reading All Invited to Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony for New Phillip Reavis, Sr. Field at Somerville High School

City of Somerville Announces Sex and Gender Identification No Longer Required to Receive a Marriage Certificate

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and City Clerk Kimberly M. Wells are pleased to announce that the City of Somerville has updated its marriage certification process, so partners are no longer compelled to share their sex or gender identification. Continue reading City of Somerville Announces Sex and Gender Identification No Longer Required to Receive a Marriage Certificate

All Invited to West Somerville Neighborhood School Yard Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, October 24

SOMERVILLE – All are invited to join Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 7 City Councilor Judy Pineda Nuefeld, Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rubén Carmona, and more to celebrate the official opening of the redesigned West Somerville Neighborhood Schoolyard. Continue reading All Invited to West Somerville Neighborhood School Yard Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, October 24

Somerville Community Invited to Annual Vigil Honoring Victims of Domestic Violence

Vigil Scheduled for Monday, October 30, 2023, at 6 p.m. at The Dojo @ Somernova

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the Somerville Commission for Women, and RESPOND, Inc. are honored to invite residents to join the annual Domestic Violence Vigil on Monday, October 30, 2023, commemorating Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Continue reading Somerville Community Invited to Annual Vigil Honoring Victims of Domestic Violence

Somerville Participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is announcing that the City of Somerville’s Community, Help, Outreach, and Recovery (COHR) department and Somerville Prevention Services division of Health and Human Services will host two National Prescription Drug Take Back Day locations on Saturday, October 28th, from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. at 220 Washington Street and 6 Newbury Street. Continue reading Somerville Participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Somerville Launching “Adopt-a-Drain” Program to Help Prevent Flooding

Community Encouraged to Join City’s Efforts to Keep Local Storm Drains Clear

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, in partnership with the Mystic River Watershed Association, is inviting residents and business owners to help protect the health of our local environment and reduce flooding by adopting a storm drain in their neighborhood.
Continue reading Somerville Launching “Adopt-a-Drain” Program to Help Prevent Flooding

Somerville Community Invited to West Broadway Reconstruction Community Meeting, October 23

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 7 City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld, and City staff invite you to a virtual community meeting about transportation safety improvements on Broadway between Clarendon Avenue and Alewife Brook Parkway (West Broadway). The meeting will take place Monday, October 23, at 6 p.m. on Zoom.
Continue reading Somerville Community Invited to West Broadway Reconstruction Community Meeting, October 23

Victim In Somerville Mayor’s Husband’s Restraining Order Case Speaks Out Against Him and Mayo

By Somerville/Medford News Weekly staff

In her own words Somerville mayor’s neighbor victim Gabrielle Rene speaks out:

“So the most important detail is he uses his wife’s position to intimidate us. He has literally said to us on multiple occasions that he is the mayor’s husband and we don’t know who he knows. He has made comments about our daughter and he will stand in front of our property refusing to leave while talking nonsense. When we tell him to leave or to go away he claims it’s a public sidewalk and he can do whatever he wants. All I want out of this is a sense of peace. I want him to leave us alone. Continue reading Victim In Somerville Mayor’s Husband’s Restraining Order Case Speaks Out Against Him and Mayo

Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log

Commercial Breaking & Entering

23057501: On 10/7/23 at approximately 2:55 AM, Somerville Police responded to a business in Assembly Row for a past breaking and entering. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the manager who stated the front window was smashed with a chair and the cash register was found on the ground inside. Approximately $2,000 USD was reported stolen.

Assault Continue reading Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log

Judicial Inquest Report in Cambridge Fatal Police Officer-Involved Shooting Released

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that, following an inquest, Judge John Coffey has issued a Report regarding the death of 20-year-old Sayed Arif Faisal. Faisal died after being shot by Cambridge Police Officer Liam McMahon on January 4, 2023, in Cambridge. The inquest was conducted between May 22-25, 2023. Continue reading Judicial Inquest Report in Cambridge Fatal Police Officer-Involved Shooting Released

Now Somerville Is Shifting Into Parent Unfriendly No-Parking Mode at Edgerly School

By William Tauro

When is enough enough?  Why can’t we just achieve something good by just using common sense instead of removing more resident necessities? It’s congested as it is by the Edgerly Education Center picking up and dropping off school children, so why do we have to make it more difficult for parents to do so? Continue reading Now Somerville Is Shifting Into Parent Unfriendly No-Parking Mode at Edgerly School

PSA Identification Needed:Somerville Police Are Asking For Your Help

The Somerville Police are asking the public’s help in identifying the pictured person of interest in three recent residential housebreaks that occurred near the Powder House Rotary. The unknown individual has been observed in homes between 12 AM and 8:30 AM by entering unlocked doors. Continue reading PSA Identification Needed:Somerville Police Are Asking For Your Help

Endorsement From The People Of Somerville

Thank you!

Endorsements

Most endorsements I don’t give much attention to as many are just not relevant. Like a movie star for a product. However it is hard to ignore the endorsements given to Mr. Tauro in his fight to become the mayor of Somerville when the very people who work for us and protect us and are responsible for saving lives here are the very ones endorsing him. Continue reading Endorsement From The People Of Somerville

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Somerville Is Messed Up

 

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

Hi Billy just a quick note but all this new road work down around Mount Vernon Street & Pearl they are eliminating several parking spots on Mt Vernon St & Pearl by putting now handicap ramps which i have no problem, but they should have been closer to the corners because all this new reflector tape these walk ways are very wide but 4 6 spots have been taken away & its unfair!

I love my city as well but I cant take it any more with traffic congestion on Broadway & McGrath. I live on Mt Pleasant but park on Mt Vernon a very lot because no driveway but I cant wait to move getting ready to sell real soon!!!

Before I have a road rage incident I’m out of here because they destroyed this place!!! Last thing why are there no rodents at Assembly Row?
That place should be loaded with them being on the Mystic and all idk or understand how they seperated with Somerville Mt Vernon & Assembly row !!! just venting but i would love to show you the parking spots that I’m telling you about if you like. Thank you and keep up your good publicity & good luck !!

Jim Hughes

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

By Bob Katzen

“The Green Communities program helps our cities and towns make important investments at the local level to achieve their own climate goals and lower carbon emissions. This moves us forward on our clean energy path and lessens our reliance on volatile fossil fuels, lowering costs and risks for our communities and their residents and businesses.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

ALLOW CITIES AND TOWNS TO IMPOSE A NEW 2 PERCENT ALCOHOL TAX (S 1773)

By Bob Katzen

The Revenue Committee held a hearing on a bill that would allow cities and towns to impose a local sales tax of up to two percent on alcoholic beverages sold at retail, bars or at restaurants. Municipalities that choose to impose the local tax would be required to use the revenue generated for substance abuse prevention and for protecting the public health. Continue reading ALLOW CITIES AND TOWNS TO IMPOSE A NEW 2 PERCENT ALCOHOL TAX (S 1773)

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Mayor’s Own Neighbors Can’t Go To Her With Any Problems, Now That’s Sad!

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speak up Line,

I am writing to you with a serious concern for safety in my neighborhood, which is also the current mayor’s neighborhood. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Mayor’s Own Neighbors Can’t Go To Her With Any Problems, Now That’s Sad!

Somerville Police Department Recognizes Cheryl Delafano of the COHR program

Congratulations to Cheryl Delafano of the COHR program for her Beyond the Call of Duty award! Cheryl, a Jail Diversion Coordinator embedded in the Somerville Police Department, was recognized for her fast acting communication and collaboration skills on August 15, 2023. Continue reading Somerville Police Department Recognizes Cheryl Delafano of the COHR program

Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Reports

Residential Breaking & Entering

23053815: On 9/19/23 at approximately 8:00 AM, Somerville Police responded to a residence on College Ave for report of a past breaking and entering. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the reporting party who stated the home is being remodeled and multiple tools were stolen.

Residential Breaking & Entering Continue reading Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Reports