Mayor Ballantyne & the Somerville Arts Council Invite Community for globe-hopping celebration of food, arts, performance, and fire artistry
SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council invite the community to Ignite: A Global Street Food & Fire Festival on Saturday, September 27, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Union Square Plaza (rain date Sunday, September 28). This free community celebration will feature a unique selection of global foods, cultural performances, interactive activities, and the excitement of fire artistry. Continue reading Somerville’s Ignite: Global Street Food & Fire Festival Returns 9/27→
Residential Breaking & Entering
25054381: On 9/3/25 at approximately 5:59 AM, Somerville Police responded to a residence on Quincy St for a breaking and entering. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated he was sleeping and awoke to an individual standing over him. The suspect then fled out of the house. Nothing was reported missing. Continue reading Somerville Police Department Weekly Crime Log→
Bruce E. Rollins, age 78, passed away suddenly at his home in Woburn on September 9, 2025. He was the devoted husband of Maria (Nunes) Rollins, with whom he had shared 18 incredible years of his life. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering BRUCE E. ROLLINS→
Meeting Scheduled for Monday, October 6, at 6 p.m.
SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Somerville Police Chief Shumeane Benford, and the Somerville Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) invite community members to a neighborhood meeting on Monday, October 6, to discuss public safety and homelessness in the Davis Square/Seven Hills area.
“All students should be taught about 9/11 and its aftermath, which is a tragic and important piece of both our state and our nation’s history. I’ve directed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to work together to ensure that it is fully incorporated into school curriculum frameworks.”
—Gov. Maura Healey. Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES on Beacon Hill→
Another bill before the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee would require the state’s chief digital officer to improve the web sites and services for state executive offices and agencies by requiring the use of plain and simple language consistent with the average reading comprehension level of Massachusetts, as determined by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education. Continue reading SIMPLE LANGUAGE ON THE STATE’S WEBSITE (H 3378)→
A proposal heard by the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee would prohibit the state, the MBTA and cities and towns from constructing “hostile architecture” that supporters of the ban say targets the homeless and tries to push them out of certain areas. The bill defines hostile architecture as “any building or structure that is designed or intended to prevent unhoused individuals from sitting or lying on the building or structure at street level.” Continue reading BAN HOSTILE ARCHITECTURE THAT TARGETS THE HOMELESS (H 3307)→
The Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a bill that would allow Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctors to dispense hearing aids by audiologists in the ENT doctor’s office. Massachusetts is one of only two states that does not allow this. Current Massachusetts law requires anyone needing hearing aids to make a separate appointment with an audiologist outside of an ENT office to obtain hearing aids. Continue reading ALLOW DOCTORS TO DISPENSE HEARING AIDS (H 367)→
The Public Health Committee held a hearing on legislation that would prohibit public schools from selling food which contains any food dyes. A school would be permitted to sell any products that might contain any food dye only if the sale of the items takes place away from a school’s premises, occurs on a school’s premises at least one-half hour after the end of the school day or is at booster sales, concession stands or other school-related events. Continue reading REMOVE FOOD DYES FROM SCHOOL FOOD (S 1531)→
The House gave initial approval to legislation that would require that newly printed student ID cards for public school students in grades 6-12 and students in public colleges, include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline phone numbers and text message numbers. The line directs all callers to trained call takers who are available to provide free, confidential emotional support for those in crisis. Continue reading STUDENT ID CARDS AND SUICIDE LINE (H 2221)→
House 30-126, rejected an amendment to the current law, known as the MBTA Communities Act, which according to the state’s website, requires that an MBTA community “must have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria including minimum gross density of 15 units per acre; and a location not more than 1/2 mile from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station. No age restrictions can be applied and the district must be suitable for families with children.” Continue reading MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (H 4000)→
House 132-25, supported the ruling of the chair that prohibited admission to the House for debate and a vote, an amendment that would prevent the state from banning all gas-powered cars by 2035.
House 26-130, rejected an amendment that would repeal the state’s 2023 No-Cost Calls Law, which provides $10 million to fund unlimited phone calls for inmates at county and state correctional facilities, and would redirect the $10 million to support unrestricted local aid for cities and towns. The amendment would also establish a commission to study and develop recommendations for a fiscally constrained and sustainable alternative to the No-Cost Calls Law. Continue reading $10 MILLION FOR CITIES AND TOWNS (H 4000)→
SOMERVILLE– Today, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne will introduce a Home Rule Petition to City Council that seeks to make it easier for certified disadvantaged businesses to compete for City contracts, advancing Somerville’s commitment to equity and economic inclusion. This petition builds on a recommendation of the disparity study conducted in partnership with the City of Brookline and Griffin & Strong, P.C. Continue reading Mayor Ballantyne Introducing Home Rule Petition to Expand Procurement Opportunities for Disadvantaged Businesses→
Inspection program keeps hydrants citywide ready in case of fire; Temporary water discoloration may occur, but water is safe to drink
SOMERVILLE– The Somerville Fire Department will begin the annual inspection and flushing of all fire hydrants citywide on Monday, September 15, 2025, concluding on or around Saturday, September 27, 2025. This annual maintenance program helps keep our community safe by helping to ensure hydrants will work properly when needed to put out a fire. Continue reading Fire Department to Conduct Annual Hydrant Inspections September 15-27→
These are profoundly difficult times for all in our community. I recognize the fear and suffering that residents are experiencing as federal immigration enforcement activities have increased in Somerville, the greater Boston area, and the nation. As an immigrant
myself, I understand this fear personally. Continue reading Statement from Mayor Katjana Ballantyne on Local ICE Activity→
Obituary
Norman R. Furtado, of Somerville, passed away on September 13, 2025, he was 71. Born in Cambridge and raised in Somerville, he was the son of the late Albertina (Travers) and Antonio Furtado. A graduate of Somerville Trade High School, he would first enlist in the Army where he would serve for three years. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Norman R. Furtado→
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