Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts is Enrolling New Matches

From L to R: Damaris Sosa and Anne Castner-Williams at Damaris’ Quinceanera. Courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts.

Obituary

Susan M. Murphy – Of Medford, passed away at home on Sunday January 12, 2025. She was 69 years young. 

Complete obit to be posted. 

Calling hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville, on Friday, January 17th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM. A prayer service will be conducted at 6:30PM.

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.

By Bob Katzen

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is once again reminding customers to be mindful of text message-based scams, also known as smishing. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey’s Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz, House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz and Senate Ways and Means Chair Mike Rodrigues agreed on a consensus revenue forecast for fiscal year 2026 of $43.613 billion.

  “When Roe was overturned, we worked with the Legislature to take immediate action to protect providers and patients from liability for providing or receiving an abortion,” said Gov. Healey. “Today, with attacks on reproductive health care and providers escalating across the country, we’re proud to take action to further strengthen those protections. We’re always going to protect people’s rights and freedoms, and we’re going to make sure that everyone can access the high-quality health care they need.” 

  “Our nurses and other providers should not fear discipline or legal action for providing essential health care,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “Approving these emergency regulations … will further ensure that Massachusetts remains a place that everyone can access comprehensive reproductive health care services, including abortion care.”

By Bob Katzen

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Board of Registration in Nursing approved emergency amendments to regulations that will protect nurses from disqualification from licensure and from board discipline for providing, or assisting in providing, reproductive health care services in the Bay State.

By Bob Katzen

  The Healey Administration announced nearly $5 million in grants to support more than 100 nonprofit organizations ,at high risk of hate crimes or terror attacks, by enhancing their security. 

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law 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

Gov. Healey signed into law 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

Gov. Healey signed into law a measure that would ban cat declawing and tendonectomy unless it is done for the medical need of the feline. The measure imposes a fine on offenders of up to $1,000 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second offense and $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense.

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law 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

Gov. Healey signed into law 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 Bib Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law a bill establishing February 4 as Rosa Parks in recognition of the historic civil rights leader. 

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Maura Healey signed into law legislation (S 3012) that supporters say would lower the cost of prescription drugs.

    Provisions include requiring insurers to eliminate cost-sharing requirements for one generic drug and to cap co-payments on one brand-name drug at $25 per 30-day supply for diabetes, asthma and certain heart conditions. It also ensures that consumers are not charged a co-pay if it would be cheaper for them to purchase a drug without using their insurance. Another provision requires insurers to provide continuity of coverage for new members’ existing prescriptions when they switch to a new plan.

Geothermal Energy, Free Public Housing Wi-Fi, Massive Sewer Overhaul, and Surpassing Affordable Housing Production Goals on Agenda 

SOMERVILLE– Mayor Katjana Ballantyne delivered herState of the City Midterm address Monday night, highlighting the city’s accomplishments in 2024 and outlining an ambitious agenda for the year ahead. 

Citing upcoming initiatives including a project to explore bringing clean geothermal energy to Somerville, major sewer system overhauls, free Wi-Fi access for public housing, completion of the city’s first new fire station in a century – and facilitating the construction of nearly 700 affordable units currently in the pipeline – the Mayor kept the focus on her administration’s “guiding force,” which is “progress for all.”  

14%-17% average salary increases informed by Mayor’s push to eliminate wage bias 

SOMERVILLE–Mayor Katjana Ballantyne announced today the ratification of a new contract with the Somerville Municipal Employees Union (SMEU, until recently, called SMEA) Unit B that includes unprecedented wage increases designed to address long-standing wage bias. The new contract includes average salary adjustments between 14% and 17% in fiscal year 2025.  

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has confirmed that Joshua DeWitte, 50, of Cambridge, a teacher at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, has been arraigned on charges of distribution of obscene matter to a minor, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distributing material of a child in a sex act for allegedly exchanging videos and photos with minors online.

Obituary

Joel Charles – Of Lynn January 8, 2025. Beloved husband of Marie Charles. Complete notice to follow. 

The public is invited to attend free live tapings of High School Quiz Show, 

taking place Jan. 24-26 and Feb. 2. 

Boston, Mass. – (Jan. 13, 2025) – High School Quiz Show, GBH’s academic tournament for Massachusetts high school students, will premiere its 16th season on Saturday, Feb. 8.Joe Hanson, creator and host of PBS Digital Studios’ Be Smart, will return to host the Emmy Award-winning competition. Seventeen teams from high schools across the Commonwealth will go head to head each week, competing to advance through the bracket and earn the title of High School Quiz Show State Champion. The teams of four will work together to demonstrate their knowledge in categories such as math, history, science, literature, civics, and current events.