During these challenging times, the good people and businesses have really shined. Continue reading Somerville Police & Fire Department Updates of Community Generosity →

Dear Editor:

During these challenging times, postal employees are working hard to ensure residents stay connected with their world through the mail. Whether it’s medications, a package, a paycheck, benefits or pension check, a bill or letter from a family member, postal workers understand that every piece of mail is important. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Letter to the Editor on:Social Distancing →

Residents of Somerville, on behalf of the members of the Somerville Police Department I want to ensure you that we are working tirelessly with our partners in Public Health and across every City Department to do everything we can to ensure your health and safety. Continue reading Message From Somerville Police Chief David Fallon:Covid19 Crisis Update →

April 7th, 2020 The Somerville/Medford News Weekly 40 Page Print Edition Online
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZyiEfkhyUJV6rSkVSkCLDG_9u63Lyy5/view

SOMERVILLE – Today Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that residents and property owners will have extra time to pay their property tax, excise tax, and water bills. He also announced that all City-sponsored or permitted public events and large gatherings will be canceled in Somerville through June, including the City’s annual Fourth of July fireworks. Continue reading Somerville Deadline for paying property taxes, some bills extended Somerville Public Events and Large Gatherings Canceled Through June →

Sponsored by STEALING SOMERVILLE Death of an Urban City To order STEALING SOMERVILLE go to: www.Amazon.com

GOOD MORNING – TODAY IS TUESDAY, April 07, the 98th day of 2020 with 268 to follow. Sunrise in the Boston area is @ 6:16 and sunset is @ 7:16. The Full Pink Moon is exact @ 10:36 PM EDT. The morning stars are Mars, Neptune and Uranus. Evening stars are Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus and Venus.
ON THIS DAY IN: 1712 – A slave revolt broke out in New York City. Continue reading GOOD MORNING – TODAY IS by John Dwyer →

By Joe Viglione

In this brave new world of COVID-19 musicians are reaching out to audiences on Facebook Live. Continue reading Hotline to the Underground April 6, 2020 →

Happy Birthday to a number of Villens celebrating their birthdays this week in the Ville and around the Square! Happy Birthday to Stephen O’Donnell, Lindsey Hardy, Rich Gordon, Mikey Sabatino, Barbie Melo, Crystal Moschella-Cabral, Jason Costa, Caroline DeMaria, John White, Dan Mosher, Elizabeth Catavolo, Jim Yonker, Robert Campbell, Doreen Martel, Debra Messana, AmberRose Osiris, Sean P Reardon, Brandon Bernyk, Jim Totosky, Stephanie Martins, Continue reading The Somerville/Medford News Weekly Favorite Birthday Photos of the Week →

Housing slated for medical personnel, first responders, and patients, with campus segmented into separate zones for different types of populations

In partnership with local health-care providers and its host communities, Continue reading Tufts to Make Residence Halls Available to Local Hospitals and Host Cities →

By Bob Katzen

There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

Once again, the main focus on Beacon Hill last week was the COVID-19 pandemic. Only a handful of legislators and staff along with the House and Senate Clerks and some of their staff were at the House and Senate sessions. Continue reading THIS WEEK IN THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE AND SENATE →

HELP CITY AND TOWN GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS (H 4617) – The House and Senate approved and Governor Charlie Baker signed into law a bill designed to help cities, towns, businesses and individuals solve some of the problems created by the COVID-19. Continue reading HELP CITY AND TOWN GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS →

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation putting a moratorium on most residential and commercial evictions and foreclosures until 30 days after Gov. Baker lifts the ongoing state of emergency. Continue reading MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS AND FORECLOSURES →

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate a proposal that would allow changes to the state’s high school standardized testing requirements. Continue reading CHANGES TO HIGH SCHOOL STANDARDIZED TESTING REQUIREMENTS →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that sponsors say will provide additional unemployment insurance relief to low-income families, non-profit institutions and employers.

Continue reading IMPROVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS →

By Bob Katzen

Governor Baker announced that in order to reduce large concentrations of people at beaches during the COVID-19 outbreak, the state is closing the parking lots at beaches managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Continue reading GOVERNOR BAKER CLOSES BEACH PARKING LOTS →

By Bob Katzen

“We know that … the COVID-19 crisis has caused major disruptions for the careers of individuals who earn income through their work in the cultural sector,” says the Mass Cultural Council as it announces the launch of the COVID-19 Relief Fund for Individuals. Grants of $1,000 will be available to Continue reading MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL COVID-19 RELIEF FUND →

By Bob Katzen

Education Fund released a guide with tips for how consumers can negotiate with their banks to lower interest rates, waive overdraft fees and agree on payment plans to provide more financial peace of mind in the months to come.

Continue reading MASSPIRG’s GUIDE ON HOW CONSUMERS CAN NEGOTIATE WITH BANKS – MASSPIRG →

By Bob Katzen

The Supreme Judicial Court heard testimony in the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts, Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) and the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) asking the court to take immediate action to limit outbreaks of COVID-19 by reducing the number of people who are incarcerated in Massachusetts jails, prisons and houses of correction. Continue reading MASSACHUSETTS CONSIDERING EARLY RELEASE FOR PRISONERS →

By Bob Katzen

Rep. Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) has filed legislation, co-sponsored by 36 of her colleagues, to establish a $500 million emergency fund to support food pantries in Massachusetts as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Continue reading $500 MILLION EMERGENCY FOOD FUND PROPOSED →

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

Other cities obviously want business. The Winter Hill problem after all this time can only mean this is something between the building owner and someone in the city. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Reopen Up Winter Hill →

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,
So my tenant that hasn’t paid rent since december…
and owes three thousand dollars in back rent should be allowed to stay? nope. not fair.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:State Moratorium on most Residential and Commercial Evictions and Residential Foreclosures →

Somerville Auxiliary Fire CERT team (volunteers) decontaminates emergency Management Tent for future use. Continue reading Somerville Auxiliary Fire Department Updates: Decontaminating Emergency Management Tent →

On April 2, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation to set a moratorium on most residential and commercial evictions and residential foreclosures for the duration of the COVID-19 State of Emergency and for 30 days after it ends. Continue reading House Passes Legislation to Protect Renters, Homeowners, and Local Businesses from Evictions and Foreclosures during COVID-19 Emergency →

The School St. bridge closure currently in effect will be extended through at least April 12 to advance Green Line Extension (GLX) construction. Continue reading Somerville Green Line Extension Update: School St. Bridge Closure Extended Through at Least April 12 →