February 11th 2025 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online February 11th 2025 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online (1) Continue reading February 11th 2025 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online →

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

Hi bill going to to send you of two HP spots magoon square parking lot this was noticed by me yesterday and still not cleared yet my understanding these lots are supposed to be cleared by the city. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Speakup Line: Handicap Parking Spots Blocked In →

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

Thank you for taking the time to learn about my story.

Local teacher here! I entered the ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’ contest run by Reader’s Digest this past fall aftering seeing the contest advertised online. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:America’s Favorite Teacher →

By Bob Katzen

“The loss of these three workers is not just a statistic. It is a devastating reminder of the human cost of inadequate safety practices.”
— Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) Executive Director Tatiana Sofia Begault on recent reports that three Massachusetts workers died in less than two weeks. Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and a coalition of twelve other attorneys general issued a statement reaffirming their commitment to protecting access to gender-affirming care following a recent executive order by the Trump Administration. Continue reading ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPBELL ON PROTECTING ACCESS TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE →

By Bob Katzen
Gov. Healey announced more than $850,000 in grants to fund several organizations that provide job training, employment placement and post placement services for 119 young adults with disabilities. Continue reading $850,000 TO HELP YOUNG ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES →

By Bob Katzen

In a radio interview on WGBH Radio (89.7 FM) with talk show hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan, Gov. Healey said she plans to run for reelection in 2026.
Continue reading GOV. MAURA HEALEY ANNOUNCES SHE WILL RUN FOR RE-ELECTION IN 2026 →

By Bob Katzen

The House 128-24, supported the ruling of the chair that a proposed amendment that would have required the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to collaborate with ICE regarding detainers issued for dangerous criminal aliens, was beyond the scope of the shelter bill and should not be allowed on the House floor for debate. Continue reading RULING OF THE CHAIR ON ICE DETAINER AMENDMENT(H 57) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 152-0, approved an amendment that would require the Healey administration to report the number of families exiting the emergency assistance housing program each week because of a durational limit. Continue reading REQUIRE REPORTS (H 57) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 26-126, rejected an amendment that would require that in order to be eligible for benefits under the emergency assistance shelter program, an applicant must have resided in Massachusetts for twelve consecutive months immediately prior to the date of application. The applicant must also provide an acceptable form of verification such as tax returns; a MA REAL-ID; a utility bill, lease or mortgage; or pay stubs showing Massachusetts employment. The residency requirement would not apply to victims of domestic violence or to any person whose living situation has been affected by a fire or other natural disaster that occurred in the Bay State.
Continue reading 12-MONTH RESIDENCY REQUIRED (H 57) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 26-126 rejected an amendment that would reduce funding for the emergency assistance shelter program from $425 million to $200 million.
Continue reading REDUCE FUNDING FROM $425 MILLION TO $200 MILLION →

The House 26-125, rejected an amendment that would expand the background checks that the state must conduct on emergency assistance shelter applicants by mandating universal criminal background checks that include criminal records at the state, federal and international levels; immigration or residency status; and presence on international or domestic criminal watch lists.
Continue reading BROADER BACKGROUND CHECKS (H 57) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 126-26, approved and sent to the Senate a fiscal 2025 supplemental budget that includes $425 million to fund the state’s family shelter system and make some changes to tighten eligibility. The vote was almost strictly along party lines with all Repubicans voting against it and all but two Democrats voting for it. The Democrats say the measure makes major reforms while the GOP says the bill does not go far enough. Continue reading $425 MILLION FOR SHELTER SYSTEM (H 57) →

Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge
Superstructure Replacements Project
Public Information Meetings

What is happening?

MassDOT is hosting two in-person Public Information Meetings on February 24 in Charlestown and February 26 in Somerville. The project team will provide an overview of upcoming revisions to traffic alignments, bike paths and bus lanes at Lombardi Street, as well as an update on plans for Phase 2 construction and the Orange Line shutdown in May 2025. The meetings will feature a presentation after which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments. Identical information will be presented at each meeting. Continue reading Maffa Way Mystic Ave Public Information Meetings Feb 24 and Feb 26th →

Obituary
Marie Lucille Frongillo (Romano), Of Medford, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 82. Born on December 13, 1943, she was the cherished daughter of Salvatore and Rose (Cerio) Romano.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Marie Lucille Frongillo (Romano) →

Obituary
Nancy B. Quinlan Of Medford, formally of Somerville passed away after a brief illness on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the age of 82. Born in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late Eli and Irene (Walsh) Marks. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Nancy B. Quinlan →

Obituary
Rose M. (Perkins) Caterino, of Somerville, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the age of 84. Born in Cambridge and raised in Somerville, she was the daughter of the late Rose G. (Savina) Perkins.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Rose M. (Perkins) Caterino →

Obituary
Joan M. Marks of Somerville passed away on February 3, 2025, at the age of 84. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert E. Marks. Joan was a devoted mother to Robert Marks and his wife Christine, Doreen Warren, Richard Marks, and the late David J. Marks, whose surviving wife is Catherine Marks. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Joan M. Marks →

Obituary
Testa, Margaret (Rebello) – Of Loxley, Alabama formerly of Medford and Cambridge, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025. She was 83.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Margaret (Rebello) Testa →

Obituary
David Meichle passed away unexpectedly January 31, 2025 at the age of 37. He is survived by his parents, Linda Barton, and Michael Meichle (Kathy), brother John Meichle (Stacy), niece Isabelle Meichle, grandmother Lois Barton, uncles Kim Meichle and Mark Barton (Patricia), aunts Deborah Meichle Brucker (Tom), Sonja Meichle Johnson (Dave), and various cousins.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering David Meichle →

By Barbara Allys

“I love getting people of different ages and backgrounds together to sing,” says Stacie Clayton, founder and director of the annual Community Gospel Choir concerts, which have been held in honor of Black History Month almost every February since 2005. Continue reading COMMUNITY GOSPEL CONCERTS CELEBRATE THEIR 20TH YEAR →

The annual Community Gospel Choir Concert in honor of Black History Month will take place Sunday, February 23, 5 pm at the Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Avenue, Davis Square in Somerville. Continue reading Black History Month Event In Somerville →