January 7th 2025 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online

Happy Birthday from Billy Tauro and all your friends at the Somerville/Medford News Weekly! 🎂 Enjoy your birthday to the fullest!

By Bob Katzen

“People must have access to the vital health care services they need. Hospital closures in recent years, however, have left patients worried about where they can access care and resulted in job losses for invaluable nurses and healthcare workers. Our audit of the Center for Health Information and Analysis revealed a startling lack of oversight around the financial conditions of hospitals in the commonwealth.
—State Auditor Diana DiZoglio urging the administration swiftly implement her recommendations in the audit.

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill that would change the name of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence. The proposal also replaces outdated language in the state’s lawbooks, including changing “elderly persons,” to “older adults” and “handicapped” to “adults with a disability.” The new legislation also incorporates gender-neutral language into current law. The original version of the bill was filed by Gov. Healey in May.

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that would prohibit the sale or transfer of any puppies and kittens under eight weeks old. Violators would be fined $100 per animal.

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a proposal that would ban cat declawing and tendonectomy unless it is done for the medical need of the feline.

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a measure that would allow alcohol-serving establishments to accept all out-of-state motor vehicle licenses and Global Entry cards issued by the United States Customs and Border Protection.

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey legislation that would repeal a current state law which creates professional licensure consequences for anyone who defaults on their student loan. Under current law, a borrower’s state-issued professional or occupational certificate, registration or license can be suspended, revoked or canceled if the borrower is in default on an education loan.

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill establishing February 4 as Rosa Parks in recognition of the historic civil rights leader.

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that supporters say would put consumer protections in place for consumers who use payment apps like Venmo, PayPal and CashApp, while also leveling the regulatory playing field for businesses in the banking and finance industry.

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law a proposal which would prevent commercial drivers from losing their licenses due to passenger vehicle offenses they committed prior to September 30, 2005.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles recently notified hundreds of bus and truck drivers that they were ineligible for commercial licenses due to at least two past major offenses, blindsiding many motorists who for years thought their infractions were behind them.

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Maura Healey signed onto law 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 said 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.

A total of $1.67 million per year is the annual estimated price tag for the base salary hikes given last week to each of the state’s 40 senators and 160 representatives.

By Bob Katzen

The Senate re-elected Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) as Senate president and Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) as Republican Minority Leader.

Spilka received the votes of 34 of the Senate’s 35 Democrats while all five Republicans voted for Tarr. Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) voted “present.”

Happy New Year, Somerville! We’ve rung in 2025, and now community members are invited to welcome the Year of the Snake at our second Lunar New Year Festival on Saturday, January 25. This fun and festive celebration will be held in Somerville High School cafeteria (81 Highland Ave.) from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Join us for exciting performances, food, and family-friendly activities that highlight the rich traditions of East, Southeast, and South Asia. 

Expectant mothers in Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford are invited to Riverside Early Head Start’s free community baby shower on Wednesday, January 15! 

Obituary

Florence E.  (Kennedy)  McWatters, a lifelong resident of Somerville for over 88 years, passed away peacefully on Dec 29, 2024, in the beautiful surroundings of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Born and raised in Somerville she was the daughter of late Florence (Graham) Kennedy and John E. Kennedy both of Somerville

Obituary

David W. LaCroix, a lifelong Somerville resident, passed away surrounded by his family on December 31, 2024, he was 60. Born and raised in Somerville he was the son of the late Marion (Richardson) and Sylvio J. LaCroix, Sr.

Obituary

Margaret “Marge” Aloise of Salem NH, formerly of Somerville & Everett MA, passed unexpectedly after a short but courageous battle with cancer at the age of 68.

Obituary

John F. Wheeler, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, December 31, 2024. He was 77 years old. 

 
John was the beloved husband of Paula (McCucsker) Wheeler. He was the son of Gifford Chapman Wheeler of Syracuse, NY and Charlotte (Natzle) Wheeler of Mahanoy City, PA. Loving father of Eric J. Wheeler and Ciara A. Wheeler and her fiancé Michael. John was a proud Pappy to Julia, Brady and Adelyn. He is survived by his sister in-laws Joan Landers and her husband George, Shawn Nardone and her husband Louis. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. 
 
In lieu of flowers contributions may be in John’s name to The Walnut Street Center, 291 Mystic Ave, Medford, MA 02155
 
WSC is a non profit human service agency that supports adults with intellectual disabilities. John was a board member for many years and was an avid reader. He retired from the U.S Airforce and was proud to serve his Country. John continued his education received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston.  
 
Services are private.

Obituary

Rodman W. Hanson, of Methuen and formerly of Somerville, Charlestown and Malden, passed away surrounded by family on January 3, 2025, he was 87.

Born and raised in Malden he was the son of the late Elva M. Hanson.

Jan. 4, 2024

SOMERVILLE–The Somerville Police Department arrested Fabio Armelio (47) on Friday, Jan. 3, in connection with a string of break-ins in West Somerville.  At 6:35 p.m., Friday, a resident of Cherry Street in Somerville called 911 to report an unknown man in their basement. The Somerville Police Patrol Division and members of a recently created multi-agency Surveillance Team quickly located Armelio in the basement where  he was arrested without incident.

Antonio “Anthony” F. Zanette, of Salem and formerly of Somerville, passed away surrounded by the love of his family on January 3, 2025, he was 65. Born and raised in Somerville, Tony was the cherished son of the late Elena (Salemme) and Francesco Zanette. As a child, Tony and his family loved their annual summer long vacations in Italy, traveling and visiting family there. A graduate of Somerville High School with the class of 1977, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University. Tony loved exploring New England and you could often find him walking around Castle Island or taking trips to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. At home, he loved cooking meals for family and friends. He cherished holidays when family would gather together. He was an encyclopedia of classic rock and always ready to tell you which bands sounded best live.

Obituary

McGrath, William J. – Of Medford, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. He was 85 years old. 

Complete obit to be posted. 

By Joe Viglione 

A familiar voice and face on the New England music scene, Bob “Raccoon” Nelson passed away on or about Friday January 4, 2025. His Facebook page notes that he was 62.

For local musicians, this is Earth shattering new.  Nelson would play a plethora of artists, allowing them interview air time and live performance.  Put “Bob Nelson WMWM” in a YouTube search for just a taste of his work on behalf of local recording artists.