By William Tauro

When is enough enough? January 20th can’t come soon enough when we will have common sense restored back into the White House.

Kamala Harris Faced Backlash as an old video clip of hers that resurfaced promoting ‘Wokeness’.

According to the Republic News Source “The resurfaced video from 2017 shows Kamala Harris urging Americans to “stay woke,” igniting a wave of criticism on social media. Conservative author James Lindsay and others have labeled her a “Communist functionary,” leading to intense backlash. The video has sparked public debate over the controversial topics discussed during the conference, including immigration and drug policies, raising questions about Harris’s stance on these issues in light of her current role as Vice President.”

By Bob Katzen

  “We have an opportunity to make our state the best place in the world for collaborative and responsible AI innovation. The Massachusetts AI Hub draws from our state’s existing strengths, including our unparalleled innovation ecosystem, world-class universities, highly skilled talent and revolutionary spirit, to advance transformative technologies and power economic opportunity for all.”

By Bob Katzen

-The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation waiving, for six years, until 2030, a law that requires businesses and groups to have a 35 percent participation rate in order to qualify for group auto and home insurance discount rates. The measure permits groups with less than the 35 percent participation to take advantage of group rates, which supporters say will save members between 5 percent and 8 percent. The law has been waived since 1997. The 35 percent requirement was first included in a 1973 law.

By Bob Katzen

The Registry of Motor Vehicles reminds Bay State residents that beginning on May 7, 2025, people traveling by plane domestically or entering certain federal facilities will need a Registry-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport. 

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved and sent to the House legislation that would allow organizations registered as blood establishments with the federal United States Food and Drug Administration, to maintain a blood bank if the bank is approved by the Massachusetts Commissioner of the Department of Public Health and the Public Health Council. 

By Bob Katzen

 The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Maura Healey a conference committee version of legislation that supporters say would expand non-opioid pain treatments; establish licenses for recovery coaches, support pregnant women and their children who have been exposed to substances; and vastly expand access to opioid-reversal drugs. The House and Senate had approved different versions of the legislation and a conference committee hammered out this compromise version.

By Bob Katzen

  Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) announced his candidacy for House GOP Minority Leader. He is challenging current GOP Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading) who has been a representative for 30 years and has held the leadership post since 2002. Lombardo is a 14-year incumbent who first took office in 2011.

By Bob Katzen

 On February 26, 2024, the House gave initial approval to legislation designating February 4th as Rosa Parks Day, “in lasting recognition of a historic civil rights leader.”

By Bob Katzen

On February 22, 2024, the House gave initial approval to a proposal that would allow cities and towns to increase the current $300 maximum fine for parking illegally in a parking space reserved for persons with disabilities. That $300 fine is set by the state and goes into the municipalities’ General Fund. The measure would allow cities and towns to impose an additional $450 fine – making the total fine $750. The additional $450 would be placed into a specialized local account to be used for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades in the city or town where the violation occurred. The original $300 fine would still go into the community’s General Fund.

By Bob Katzen

 On February 15, 2024, the House gave initial approval to legislation that would eliminate the current state law requiring that all fortune telling applicants must have lived in the city or town in which they are seeking their license to practice for at least one continuous year prior to filing their application. 

By Bob Katzen

On February 12, 2024, the House gave initial approval to a bill that makes online sales of cars subject to the same law as if the sales were executed at the dealership’s physical place of business.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville’s Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) invite community members to attend an event presenting the completed reports from the Public Safety for All Task Force, Civilian Oversight Task Force, and Anti-Violence Working Group on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 (rain date February 6) at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave) at 6:30 p.m.

Each task force, comprised of residents, subject matter experts, and City Council members, will highlight their findings and recommendations aimed at enhancing public safety and fostering stronger community connections across Somerville.

“Ensuring public safety in Somerville means listening to our community, embracing transparency, and working collaboratively toward meaningful change,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “I encourage all residents to join us on February 4 to hear directly from the dedicated members of our task forces and working group. Their reports reflect months of thoughtful engagement, research, and a shared commitment to making Somerville safer and more equitable for all.”  

Incoming City Council President & School Committee Chairperson Will Also Share Addresses with Community

SOMERVILLE – Join the City of Somerville for its Mid-Term Ceremonies and Addresses featuring Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the incoming City Council President, and the incoming Chairperson of the Somerville School Committee.

Photo:(Patricia with her beloved husband David)

Obituary

Patricia Synnove Alger (nee Lodoen) has passed away at the age of 79.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, “Honey” was the daughter of the late George O.N. Lodoen and Ruth PerryLodoen. She spent most of her formative years in Alexandria, Virginia, and she was a proud graduate of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Museum are inviting community members to commemorate an iconic moment in American history at the 249th Annual Prospect Hill Flag Raising on January 1, 2025. On this date in 1776, General George Washington raised the first American flag atop Prospect Hill, marking a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. Each New Year’s Day, the City honors this legacy with a community celebration. 

Releases New Program Name, EPA C-MORE (Construction Material Opportunities to Reduce Emissions) Program

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calling for stakeholder input on draft technical documents for low embodied carbon construction materials and is sharing action plans for 2025. Newly renamed, EPA’s Construction Material Opportunities to Reduce Emissions (C-MORE) program is a multi-pronged approach to support U.S. manufacturers in lowering operating costs, achieving efficiencies and accessing new markets while helping federal purchasers and other buyers find and buy cleaner, more climate-friendly construction materials.

Reports from the Public Safety for All Task Force, Civilian Oversight Task Force, and the Anti-Violence Working Group will be Posted Online Starting Tuesday, January 28 

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville’s Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) are inviting all to join a community event presenting the completed reports from the Public Safety for All Task Force, Civilian Oversight Task Force, and Anti-Violence Working Group on Tuesday, February 4, 2025  (rain date Thursday, February 6) at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave).  

Today, Dec. 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will formally designate five known or probable carcinogens as High-Priority Substances (HPS) that will undergo a risk evaluation under the nation’s chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): acetaldehyde, acrylonitrile, benzenamine, 4,4’-methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MBOCA) and vinyl chloride. EPA also announced the beginning of the 9- to 12-month statutory process to prioritize the next five chemicals under TSCA to determine whether to initiate risk evaluations on them: benzene, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, styrene and 4-tert-octylphenol.

Obituary

Espinal, Domingo R. -Of Somerville, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. He was 88 years old.Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Domingo was the son of the late Rafael Urena and Ana J. Espinal.
 
Domingo was known for his hard work and dedication, always striving to provide the best for his beloved family. He was a proud father and grandfather who cherished the time spent with his loved ones, particularly his grandson, with whom he adored.
 
A man of many talents, Domingo had a natural skill with his hands and found great joy in woodworking. He also had a passion for photography and enjoyed sightseeing, often traveling to new places around the world to capture its beauty. Domingo took pride in his accomplishments and was always quick to share his joy with others, especially his family.
 
He leaves behind a legacy of love, determination, and creative spirit. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
 
Beloved husband to the late Irma E. (Toran) Espinal. Devoted father of Eugene L. Espinal and his wife Patricia Gall of Somerville, and Therese A. Cann and her late husband Troy M. of Peabody. Loving grandfather of Trey M. Cann of Peabody. Cherished brother of Elva Espinal, Altagracia Espinal, Clemente Urena and his wife Margot, Octavio Espinal, Alfonzo Espinal, Ramon Espinal, Eladio Espinal, Antonio Espinal, Bartolo Espinal. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. 
 
Calling Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville, on Friday, December 27th from 10:00AM to 12:00PM. Followed by a prayer service held in the funeral home at 12:00PM. 
 
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. 

Adams, Deborah E. – Of Stoneham, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Winchester Hospital, after a brief illness. She was 72 years old.
 
Born in Melrose, Deborah was the daughter of the late John and Katherine (Pietela) Shea. She was a cherished member of the American Legion, Reading Post 62. Deborah had a passion for finding a great deal and was a regular at local flea markets, where she enjoyed hunting for treasures. She was known for her love of cooking, often preparing delicious meals and baking homemade goods for her family and friends. Above all, Deborah’s greatest joy came from spending time with her beloved family, especially her grandchildren, with whom she shared countless treasured moments.

Park on the Even Side During Winter 2024-2025 Snow Emergencies, Unless Otherwise Posted 

SOMERVILLE– The City of Somerville is encouraging the community to get ready now for potential snowstorms by signing up for City Alerts and reviewing protocols for snow emergencies. Preparing now will help keep the community safe, as well as reduce ticketing or towing for snow emergency parking violations and ticketing for failure to follow shoveling requirements. 

All information below can also be found atsomervillema.gov/snow.  

Alerts 

Obituary

Mrs. Edith M. “Edie” Nickerson, of Somerville, passed away on December 16, 2024, she was 85 years old. Born in Medford, she was raised in Arlington, daughter of Elaine (Karahalis) and Arthur J. Larson. Former wife of the late Robert D. Nickerson. Growing up, she was affectionately known as “Honey”.

Edith is the devoted mother of Michele Campbell and her late husband Daniel W. Campbell and Stephanie Nickerson, all of Somerville. She is the cherished “Grandma” and “Gummy” of David Herald and his wife Jennifer, Jonathan Herald and his wife Alison, Christopher Herald and his wife Maureen, Alexander Herald and his wife Christina, Timothy Herald and Sydney Nickerson. Great-Grandma of Nicholas, Elisa, Abigail, Matthew, Joshua and Benjamin Herald. Sister of the late Gregory Larson and Arthur Larson, Jr.
 
Aside from being a loving mother and grandmother, Edie was a certified nursing assistant devoted to her many patients. She began working for the Somerville Visiting Nurses Association and then Cambridge Homes, before her retirement from Cadbury Commons. In earlier years, she served as leader of the Girl Scouts at St. Catherine Church and enjoyed painting and had a love of crocheting. She also tried her luck during many trips to the casinos, above all Edith loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
 
In keeping with Edie’s wishes, a private burial will take place at a later date.